A/N Hey there, sorry bout the late updates, but work is a hassle and i'm struggling to make ends meet. Also didn't have internet for awhile either. But i'm back now with the latest chapter of WoF Let me know what you guys think. Also check out some of Psuducode Samurai's latest work. Without a doubt it's awesome reading.
Tenten feigned sleep; lying on the couch in the darkened gathering room of the Sarutobi clan's house. Jiraiya snored loudly in the heavily cushioned chair next to the couch. Tsunade stood leaning against the doorway leading to the kitchen, her eyes closed and the light blush across her nose indicating her inebriated state. From across the room Asuma coughed in his sleep, lying on the couch opposite hers. She couldn't sleep, not with her current worry for her newfound teammate. Sure they had only had a spent a handful of weeks together but that didn't mean they hadn't bonded. Naruto was a goofy loud, obnoxious person at times but he certainly broke the monotony. Still for him to be missing so suddenly, she certainly hoped the Hokage could find and retrieve him.
If he truly was kidnapped, well… a shiver raced down her spine at the thought. Damn it, why couldn't she have gone with, she hated being useless, sitting here without actively helping was driving her nuts. With deep breaths she tried to calm herself. Getting antsy and stressing was not going to help anything. For now she just had to trust in the Hokage which wasn't hard to do. He was the reigning Kage for over forty years collectively. If he couldn't handle finding Naruto than who could?
Looking at the clock, she saw it currently read two thirty in the morning, with a small sigh she resigned herself to try and get some sleep, useless though it was. Hearing heavy foot steps outside and quickly heading towards the front door. As if struck by lightning Tenten sprang up and sprinted towards the door. Flipping the light switch on her way and flinging it open with a mighty 'whoosh', the noise coupled with the sudden, blinding brightness awakening the other occupants in the room. Jiraiya groggily groaning as he sat up rubbing his temples, "Jesus Tsunade What'd ya turn on the lights for?" his eyes not fully open.
Tsunade rubbed her forehead to ease the headache caused by the sudden bright light now completely illuminating the room. "It wasn't me jack ass it was the brat." She complained angrily, wanting to punch him through the wall, but erring on not doing so because it would waste too much energy at the moment.
Only Asuma was fully alert upon waking. Now standing as he looked on warily for anything that might come through the open door. "Hush you two. Tenten what's up, Why the ruckus?" He asked as no one had arrived at the door. Yet.
Tenten turned, her bloodshot eyes the tell tale sign she hadn't gotten a wink of sleep. "I heard footsteps! Heavy ones at that, they were heading up to the front door!" Seeing the looks of disbelief on the others faces she continued. "I did I swear!" Her cheeks flushing with color becoming angered by the continued disbelief in their eyes.
"Tenten dear-"Jiraiya started but was cut off by the feisty teen.
"DON'T CALL ME DEAR! I DID hear something!" She shouted at the old drunken pervert. She didn't particularly care that he was a famed ninja of the highest caliber right then. She was getting livid and trying to soothe her and convince her she didn't hear something was only going to end badly for the person who chose to try.
"That you did young one, but do not shout for the young Uzumaki needs his rest as he was probably hit with a very high level gen-jutsu. Again I stress the kid needs his rest. Tsunade, Jiraiya, you're needed by the Hokage in his room, that's immediately." The deep voice of King Enma resounded coming from the hallway. A moment later and his form emerged looking in Tenten's direction he explained. "We planned on coming through the door at first, until Hiruzen thought better of it for the boys' sake. We didn't want him waking and reacting violently. He was kidnapped by none other than Itachi Uchiha after all. Rest assured however that Naruto is indeed safe and sound."
He could smell the fear on her when he first stepped foot on the compound. He felt it best to calm her nerves as Enma rather hated the smell of fear. It was unpleasant on his senses being strong and quite overbearing. Her fear diminished significantly but not entirely, so he walked directly up to her, Tsunade and Jiraiya rushing to the Hokage's suite behind him, and placed his large, heavy hands on her shoulders and looked straight into her eyes. "He will be fine." His voice was stern and unyielding, an outright demand for her to calm down. Calm down she did, nodding as she went and sat back on the couch, closing the open door on her way. She couldn't take her eyes of the monkey king, he was strong and firm with all the fury of the wild yet she could see the gentleness that lay in his eyes.
"So kidnapped by Itachi? How's pops?" Asuma asked not to be forgotten. The man obviously worried not only for the boy but his old man as well.
"Fine of course, you should probably go see your father anyway as I'm sure he will want to discuss some things with you. I will stay with the girl." The king subtly ordered; Asuma making haste to do so. For all intents and purposes King Enma had more claim on these lands than anyone else. That included the Hokage and the fire daimyo. Choosing to sit down next to the female teammate of Sarutobi's squad he gave her a smile, which was humorous looking enough to make Tenten giggle uncontrollably. "Find me funny looking do you child? Your name was Tenten correct." Still giggling despite trying not to, she nodded in response. "Hiruzen also tells me you like to use the Bo-staff. Is that correct?"
Again another nod, this time the monkey king beamed at her which made her snort. It truly did look funny how his face contorted when he smiled. "Good; keep at it and maybe I might show you a thing or too." He declared amusement in his voice and a twinkle in his eye. It was good to mess with the younglings now and again.
Her eyes as big as saucers Tenten gaped like a fish. "R-Really?" She couldn't believe her luck, learning from THE King Enma would be one of the greatest honors too her.
A soft chuckle came from the ape "I do not lie to people when I offer them something young one. I'm quite interested in a student of my summoner using a Bo-staff and I want to see what you're made of." It was a challenge, one that was received and accepted and returned one hundred percent.
A grin slowly grew on Tenten's face, one that stretched across her whole face. With a voice full of steely determination she replied "You're on." She put her hand out, surprising the aged king with her forthrightness and manners. Returning the Handshake a fire bloomed in both of their eyes.
"Until we meet again Tenten." He chuckled as he returned to his summon realm dispersing with a poof of smoke. Tenten sat rooted in place her mind replaying over and over again the event that just occurred. When she finally came back down to reality she a high pitched squeal of pleasure raced out of her as she became giddy with excitement for a brief moment before calming back down. Looking around to see if anyone else had caught her momentary loss of control. With a smile she realized no one had thus she had gotten off free with no embarrassing evidence to be found.
~ In the Hokage's room~
Tsunade was the first to enter the room thus Hiruzen addressed her first. "Tsunade I need you to do a psych check up of Naruto, I think he was hit with the Tsukuyomi." Nodding, she quickly swept past him and started her work.
While she worked Jiraiya shuffled in asking the million dollar question of the evening "So what happened out there?"
"There will be time to tell the story later. For now I need you to look at Naruto's seal to see if there were any changes made or if everything's soundly where it's supposed to be." The third ordered, still in his battle gear. With the low lighting it was easy for him to keep his appearance shaded to where they wouldn't be able to notice the change. That would only provoke more questions than were necessary at the moment. He needed their focus to be on Naruto not him. Asuma came in and the third motioned for him to take a seat till the work was done.
In short order it was found that Naruto was in perfectly good health with only a slight stress affecting him. A good rest and he would be ready to go first thing in the morning. "Okay now that we know he's fine mind telling us just what went on." Jiraiya demanded, he let it slide before but he wasn't going to have his question ignored a second time.
They currently sat around a small round table within the Thirds' personal study which was adjacent to the master bedroom. Containing a vast number of scrolls containing all sorts of knowledge he had collected from all over the known world. Every scrap of knowledge He had determined as possibly useful no matter how abstract was stored here. He couldn't remember the number of jutsu that were stored safely here as well. For only he knew how to get into the safe box that housed them, and that was how it would stay until the next clan head of the Sarutobi was chosen.
Which would be soon, the time was coming for Asuma to assume a leadership position in the hierarchy of Ninja and he would be damned if his son shirked that responsibility. However it was time to get to the matter at hand, conveying to the other members of the current circle. With a deep breath he started his long speech about the events that had transpired only a scant few hours ago. It took him a long time as he had taken occasional puffs of his pipe and paused now and then to let some of the information sink in. So as to finish with a flourish he finally decided to clue them in on his radical change. "Something else happened tonight too. Something unpredictable and strange, look at me, and I mean really look. The lighting has been low this whole time and I've kept my features shaded enough so you wouldn't notice. But don't I look strange to you?" He asked politely leaning forward towards the light thus illuminating his now forty year old appearance.
The gathered people gasped, barely able to form simple questions such as how? Why? Or What? "I do not know why this has happened or even how, but I can tell you it is no jutsu that I know. I cannot fathom the change or what it would be, but I will not look a gift horse in the mouth." With a predatory grin on his face, he announced boldly. "I'm back and better than ever. I will finally be able to make Konoha strong again but too do that I need all three of you to help me. I cannot do it alone; training my team will be my undivided focus until they reach chunin level. When they do I will re-assume position as Kage, and you two will be my assistants." The Hokage was indeed back in full swing because the two Sannin groaned at their newfound duty. This was music to his ears if he had anything to say about it.
"Were it better times I would ask Homura and Koharu but as of late I am finding their council to be a bit lacking in certain areas and I think you two would do well with the experience and help integrate you back into this village's society. You're public hero's damn it and it's time you started getting more involved. It boosts morale to be reminded that their hero's are not dead and they live with at least a minimal amount of morality." He finished giving them a warning glare to cut down on some of their more lecherous and potentially bankrupting hobbies.
"Jeeze we get it already we'll show our faces around town more often. Man if this how you're gonna be all the time this is really going to suck, you're a freaking nag!" Jiraiya whined pitifully, Tsunade punching him on the back of the head hard enough to make said ninja face plant with the table. "Ow! Wazza' fo'" he shouted, face still planted against the table.
"You were being an annoyance. Worse of annoyance than a brat! Now shut up if you know what's good for you and just deal with it. No matter how annoying, an order is still an order!" She hissed to the white haired bum of the team.
Asuma only shook his head. "Dad I'm sorry but seeing these two and how they interact with each other, I applaud your teaching skill. I find it not so hard to believe that Orochimaru went insane."
Hiruzen nodded and responded dryly. "Aye these two are worse than teenagers, and even worse they're predictable. The absolute worst thing a shinobi can be."
Asuma nodded sagely. "Indubitably good sir. By the by what are the chances of me apprenticing Naruto after my own team makes chunin."
Hiruzen smiled and turned to Asuma, "You can certainly help me train him if you wish, but there is already several people who want to apprentice the boy. So you might have to fight for him." Seeing the questioning look on the younger Sarutobi's face he elaborated. "Well for one there is Kakashi Hatake, Jiraiya also wants to train the boy, rounding them off is Yamato. What makes you think you'll be a better teacher than they will?"
Asuma gave his father a look that stated 'are you kidding me?' before he replied in a very droll emotionless manner. "Well first let's start with Kakashi Hatake, always late and reads smut in public view, not to mention the fact that he's halfway psychotic and has failed every single Gennin team you've ever assigned him. Personally I think he shouldn't be allowed around children, period. Than we have Jiraiya, self proclaimed super pervert and author of the Icha Icha novels, need I say more? Lastly we have Yamato, isn't he an Anbu captain? I've met the man a number of times and he's just as much of a nut as Kakashi, wasn't he an experiment of Orochimaru's yeah again great choice in teachers. Mind you each and every one of those people is a registered bad ass; I'm just saying that says nothing on their state of minds."
Hiruzen snorted, "And you think your any better you insubordinate, chain smoking, and if the rumors are to believed one hell of a whipped brat? Regardless I may leave the decision up to Naruto. Either that or see where his interest in the ninja arts lie and set him up with the right sensei." Hiruzen had much to think about, however it was getting on in the night and he would need some rest for the day to come. No doubt the world would hear of his miraculous age reduction. His thoughts would only stir up trouble so he put them aside and would deal with it when the time came.
Standing the Hokage adjourned the meeting "Jiraiya, Tsunade, get your selves to sleep. You'll probably have a lot of paperwork to do in the morning. Until then you are all dismissed. I am tired and going to bed." With that he flourished out of the room leaving the rest too grumble about their assigned duties. They hated when he started to get into his bossy moods, for that meant work was going to be a lot more unpleasant and a lot more demanding.
Exiting out the room he first went to check on his final house guest. Upon seeing Tenten slumbering away on the couch a smile touched his face, fetching a blanket and pillow, Hiruzen tried his best not to disturb her slumber. Managing the feat with only one close call, that being the lifting of her head to slip the pillow underneath her, she slept undisturbed as the Hokage; at four a.m. in the morning finally lumbered off to bed for the evening.
A scant three hours later found the man cracking open his lids to find Naruto shaking him vigorously. "Ji-Ji how come you don't look like such a Ji-ji anymore? I also have some information that you need to hear so hurry and wake your sorry ass up!"
Sighing inwardly he snatched Naruto's hand and tossed him, using only the one hand, swiftly hurled the blonde out the door and into the hallway wall. "I'm awake you thank you, and I don't look like a Ji-ji anymore because I'm not a Ji-ji anymore and that's all you'll get out of me on that one." The Hokage lectured as he swiftly changed into his everyday attire, looking very similar to the standard jounin outfit except his had the addition of shoulder pads. Coming back out and looking at the blonde who had extricated himself from the floor to a standing position decided to address the final part of Naruto's loud, brash, comment. "Now what is this information you have for me?" The tone in his voice made I clear he had better forthright with the information and beating around the bush would not be tolerated.
Looking around nervously, Naruto scratched the back of his head. "Well you see Ji-ji it might be pretty sensitive so I'd rather not blurt it out if their might be unwanted ears around. You understand right?" He finished with a beaming, and thoroughly disarming, smile. Nodding he motioned Naruto to follow him. Swiftly leading him to his personal library adjacent to his room he beckoned the boy inside. Once the door closed he flooded some chakra too the door and a seal began to form from the blue chakra.
Turning around he asked again. "We are now perfectly protected from other ears, now let's hear it." His voice firm and yet not harsh.
Nodding Naruto recounted what he had experienced within the Tsukuyomi world and most of what Itachi had told him. Keeping the personal request to himself, he felt it would be an invasion of what little privacy Itachi probably had. There was also the fact that it dealt with his brother, and because he didn't have a family he appreciated the thought of helping ones brother more than anyone else probably would. After his tale the Hokage was silent, taking his time and filling some tobacco he produced from some hidden dimensional pocket in his clothing Naruto guessed. Only after the aged man took a long drag and exhaled did he deem it necessary to speak. "This information Naruto, if true is extremely valuable. Akatsuki is a very dangerous group of S ranked criminal ninja, the worst of the worst. Long have we sought their goal and now we have that golden nugget and it doesn't really seem that impossible, unless you count the fact the Jinchuuriki are some of the most dangerous people in the Elemental Nations. Still S ranked criminals usually come with S ranked egos so they might be haughty enough to try it. Now we can come up with a plan of action to hopefully stop whatever the end result of their goal will be."
"What's it gonna be! I wanna help whatever it is!" Naruto said energetically ready to start helping in any way he could.
Holding his hands up to forestall any more outbursts the Hokage continued with a bemused smile on his face. "If you really want to help us, than the best way to do that is too train. Train and train and train until you can't continue and then train yourself even more! Be diligent, be decisive, and follow through. However right now it's all strategy talking and theorizing, my first priority is teaching team ten right now. So tell me, have you come up with an idea of something that really speaks to you that you want learn?" He asked curious on his students' progress in his brief absence.
"Well, I still need to get down that jutsu you taught us during that group session. I did think of something I really want to learn about though, and that's Fuuinjutsu. If it can lock the Kyuubi inside a human baby than I wanna know what else it can do." The boy's grin was absolutely predatory, and it even scared the war veteran a little a bit too think of what Naruto, a renowned prankster within the village, could do if given the knowledge of sealing and its capabilities. The thought brought a smile to his own face to match the young blonde's.
"Fuuinjutsu it is then. As it is not really the most straight forward shinobi art and is quite different from the others, we must treat it accordingly. Therefore you will meet me here every night at 7 p.m. sharp to begin your introduction in the art. The day time will be used for other more physical activities as you well know. During missions we will still have Fuuinjutsu study when time allows, even if that study is in its application on the battlefield. Is this understood?" It was easy to see how the man garnered the nickname professor with his tendencies and speech patterns, explaining everything in a detailed thorough manner with each part broken down and dissected. "Good now go see if Tenten is awake, she was worried sick about you when she found out you were missing." With widened eyes Naruto bolted down the stairs, thinking she might still be in distress. It was amusing for the old monkey to see.
Standing he created a shadow clone to go inform Jiraiya and Tsunade about what had just occurred. After it left the Sandaime went down to see what his Gennin were up too. He found them tumbling around swinging at each other. The two acted like a pair siblings the way they were fighting. After watching them go at it for a full two minutes it was time to announce his presence. Thus he cleared his throat loudly causing the two teens to turn their heads and stare at him with a deer caught by the glare of the headlights look. "If you two are quite finished rough housing in my living room, let's go find our missing member shall we?"
His answer was a chorused "Hai!" while afterwards Naruto mumbled to Tenten "Knowing Shikamaru, the bum is probably sleeping under some shady tree after passing out from his precious 'cloud watching' time." Tenten sniggered in response, and not even the old Sarutobi could keep a grin off of his face. For it was probably true.
After they left the house and were in the grounds that the Sarutobi's owned he halted them. "Naruto using the location jutsu I taught you I want you to find Shikimaru for us. If you please, while he is doing that Tenten you can tell me what area of the shinobi arts you would like to learn about." Naruto however seemed uneasy with the idea and Hiruzen picked up on it immediately. "Is something the matter Naruto?"
Shifting uncomfortably Naruto mumbled "I don't want what happened last time to happen again. As cool as it was it's really unnerving." Apparently having your consciousness dragged away from your body wasn't all it was cracked up to be.
The Hokage understood how he could be unnerved but the jutsu and his chakra capabilities could be used for great tracking potential. One that Hiruzen wouldn't let Naruto pass up. "Naruto I know it might be daunting but try it again I'm sure it won't be as strong a reaction as the first time. If anything does happen I'm right here and won't let any harm come to you." In yet another display of reassurance the Third placed his hand on the boys shoulder and gave him a warm smile.
Nodding sharply the boy closed his eyes, and focused on his breathing patterns, making them deep, steady, and controlled. Reaching for his pool of chakra he felt the ever present substance fill his veins with fire making him feel ever more alive. Grasping it with his mind he commanded it down and out of his body and into the earth, again his conscious went with his chakra. As promised, however, it wasn't harsh and while there were no voices this time there was an eagerness to aid him in his search. His consciousness raced along the trees and in moments a vision of his target bubbled into view in his mind. His eyes snapped open, "Follow me." His voice was so confident it made Hiruzen grin, these kids were going to go far, and he would personally make sure of it.
As they followed Naruto who was racing across the treetops for the main square about ten kilometers away, Hiruzen addressed his female Gennin. "So Tenten have you decided on something you want learn." He was eager to learn what their interests were and see if he could help them achieve their goal.
"Yes sensei I have, I'm very skilled with any thrown weapon and up close I have my Bo-staff or any of the other weapons I've taken the time to train in. Yet as I've been taught, to bend like a reed will surely save you more times than being a rigid as a tree. So I was wondering if you have any jutsu that might help someone who can stop the threat of my weapons." She remembered vividly the times when her thrown weapons bounced off a Iwa missing nin like they were nothing too him, only the presence of Neji saved them as his strikes injured the man's insides not his shielded exterior. If that ever happened again she wanted another avenue of attack to take.
"Hmmm I might have a few jutsu for you. Do you know you're elemental affinity?" He asked in response to hearing her question. Shaking her head he supposed that might be asking a little too much even for a seasoned Gennin. "Well than tonight come to my house at 7 pm sharp and we'll see what your affinity is." He answered her, seeing the girl grinning madly made the Third think twice about handing her any jutsu. Still if she put forth as much energy as he thought she would he was going to be in for a pleasant shock.
Then there was the fact that King Enma had expressed interest in the girl. She was the first person outside of him that the King had ever shown even the slightest hint of interest. So Sarutobi knew he wouldn't be able to slack off or the old ape would have his hide. Turning to pay attention to the path he noticed Naruto was taking them smoothly through every shadowed nook and cranny that hid them from view of most everyone on their way to the Nara compound. That was saying a lot for his stealth skills because this time of day generally generated a high amount of traffic both civilian and shinobi.
Shikimaru had thought that meeting and conquering Bikou Jotei would be the single most troublesome moment of his life. Of course he had to be wrong, Kami seemed to take a rather twisted pleasure in making him wrong quite often. As soon as he cracked his eyes open the next morning, his mother had ushered him outside and threw him a crude wooden spear. It was then Shikimaru remembered his mother was the best spear wielder the village had ever produced and groaned as his mother came at him with her own wooden spear while his own spear hadn't even reached him yet. The two had battled back and forth all morning, Shikimaru trying desperately to avoid receiving too many bruises before the day even began. Alas his mother had other plans and peppered him with blow after blow. She was not gentle on the boy for she knew the Bikou Jotei wouldn't be either.
It was nearing mid day now as sweat dripped from their brow after the work out the two had done. Shikimaru having labored breathing, while his mother only showed slight exertion, "Listen here Shikimaru and listen well. I'm right pissed at you for taking on that stupid weapon without having any proper training on how to even use a spear! Thus I'm going to give a nice crash course over these next few weeks and you won't be leaving for any missions until I know for certain you're not going to get yourself killed using your own damn weapon. Now put up a better guard because here I come!" With a battle cry Yoshino Nara raced forward the sound of wood cracking against wood, or was it bone, rang out in the clearing the two fought.
Off to the side Shikaku chuckled at his son's predicament. "I pity that boy sometimes. I don't think he expected this from his mother." He said to his best friend Choza as the two watched the Nara boy get his hide tanned for scaring his mother and being so irresponsible as to know nothing about using the weapon he chose. When they felt the chakra signature of the Hokage approaching the compound they decided it was in their best interest to go see what was up.
Shikimaru took a second to glare hatefully at his father, he could have warned the boy about what was to come but did he? No of course not, because his father was right coward when it came to his mother. His lapse in attention cost him however as a sharp rap in the side let him know he was still in a fight. "Pay attention in a fight Shikimaru!" She barked as she drove at him harder. The now heavily sweating Shikimaru backpedaled in a zigzag angling pattern trying desperately to avoid his mothers' fierce strikes.
When the trio arrived they were greeted by Shikaku and Choza the current clan heads of the Nara and Akamichi respectively.
Choza stood tall next to his long time team-mate and friend, his shoulder length, brick red hair waving behind him. The sun illuminating the markings on his cheeks, a common trait in the Akimichi clan. His traditional samurai like outfit, which entailed a black suit completed with armour that had the kanji for "food" (食, shoku) on it, adorning his body. Completing the outfit was a rope belt, hand-guards, and instead of a forehead protector — a hachimaki rested in its place.
Shikaku was leaned against the wall, probably because standing straight up took too much effort for his liking at the moment. His two scars on the right side of his face cast deep shadows over his cheek. Completely hiding half of his face. Like his son, his dark hair was tied up into a spiky ponytail, his dark eyes just as intelligent and if Shikimaru found shaving to be too troublesome in the future the two could be an advertisement for the goatee together. His ears, strangely enough too Naruto, were also pierced.
As the quartet arrived Shikaku called out his greeting. "Welcome Hokage-sama, if you're here for my son Yoshino is currently whipping his lazy ass into shape. Not gently either, I might add." He sounded a little smug as he said that. It was like the idea of watching his son getting beat down like trash against his mother pleased the shadow warrior, of course it certainly didn't help that Shikamaru constantly gave him shit for cow towing to his mother all the time. If he was surprised by the change in Sarutobi's now much younger appearance he didn't show it. Neither did Choza for that matter, both men having worked with the man for years and knowing that it was better to let him inform them of what he wanted them to know then them to ask for it.
Speaking of the teenage Nara heir, Shikamaru let loose a very high pitched yelp. Followed shortly by "If you think I won't aim for that spot you're more retarded than I gave you credit for son. Protect your seeds damn it! Now put your guard up you look pathetic!" a loud groan of misery was the reply as the sound of wood cracking on wood resumed.
"Ah I see, however I'm afraid I must pull him away for the day." The Hokage said with a kind smile, he always preferred to be polite instead of demanding. He found it built better relations with ninja under his command and, he fancied, what helped nurture true camaraderie between the ranks which was what made them the best shinobi in the world.
Shikaku shrugged, "If you want him you can have him. You have to go through Yoshino though, as she's stated that Shika is not going to be stepping foot outside the compound until he knows how to wield his new weapon properly." It was clear that Shikaku was not going to be the one to try and convince his wife to let her captive prey escape.
Bowing Hiruzen understood well enough that he was invited in at that point. "Well thank you Shikaku, Choza, It's always a pleasure. Now if you'll excuse me I have to go collect what Yoshino left of my student." His warm chuckle let all know how amusing he thought Shikamaru's new predicament was. Upon walking inside the two orphan gennin gaped at the grandeur displayed here. It was clear though that it was tailor made for the Nara.
The main building was a three story house built in a pyramid shape. Four separate roofs adorned each level with the bottom one being the widest casting large shadows all over the compound, the second being smaller than the first, the third being the smallest and the fourth being nothing more than a small roof coming to a point. Each meant to shadow the roof below it, which helped the Nara use their shadow abilities on anyone foolish enough to enter their home. Where Nara intelligence was used, there was a reason for everything.
Arriving at the courtyard, A large open square of grass with four trees towering into the sky at each corner for yet even more shadow manipulation. The high walls being made of perfectly smooth stones fit together so that nothing more was needed. The entire structure made entirely without any kind of mortar or glue. Currently the team found their remaining member laying on the ground in exhaustion his body limp and unusable to the boy. Apparently the teen had been training rather hard. "Good afternoon Yoshina-san, it's great to see you." The Hokage beamed at the woman who smiled in return and waved.
"And It's good to be seen Hokage-sama. What can I do for you?" She asked all violent intent gone from her demeanor, a pleased smile playing on her lips; her eyes widening the only noticeable change in her expression as she saw the now middle aged Hokage.
Sarutobi returned her grin with one of his own. "I was wondering if I could take Shikamaru off of your hands for his village calls and needs be that he must answer." His tone was gentle but it was clear that his presence was mandatory and it was an order not a request.
Her eyes panned to Shikamaru's still prone form. Sighing she gave the boy a harsh glare. "I suppose the village has saved you for now. The mornings however are mine and there is nothing you or even your sensei can do to stop me."
Hiruzen held his hands up in defense. "Hey I wouldn't dream of keeping you from tanning his hide every morning. It's a sight for sore eyes that is." His grin couldn't be more predatory. Neither could her returning one as the two made eye contact. It made all three gennin involuntarily shiver. "So I see by those crude wooden weapons that Shikamaru picked up a spear did he? If your training him this hard than I would hazard a guess as to just what spear he picked up. The brashness of the young still baffles me. How did he do?"
She gave Shikamaru, who was only now starting to stand up, a critical eye before giving her report. "All in all, I'd say he didn't know the pointy end from the butt, but he could comfortably take on shoddy mercenaries without too much trouble. Give me about two weeks of mornings, accounting for the boys laziness that is, and I'll have him proficient in its use. Enough to where he can use it with at least some effectiveness." She was a harsh taskmaster but if he was going to get into a fight she wanted to make certain he could take it, and the only way to do that was to train him herself. As the saying went the only way to get something done was to do it yourself.
Shikamaru, Kami bless his soul, was irritated; exhausted achy and severely deprived of his precious cloud time. Thus it was understandable that, given his foul mood, the young Nara had this to say in retort. "Fuck you mom! I could easily wipe out a decently trained chunin with my spear! And I'll have you know that it was only because I never thought that low of you that you got that groin shot. That will never happen again and tomorrow you're gonna regret it." Who knows, maybe Bikou Jotei was already rubbing off on him, it was, after all, tormenting him inside his own mind with dark whisperings of things he didn't want to hear even as the words flew from his mouth. A half second later and his eyes opened in petrified fear. "Oh shi-" was all he could say before his mom literally knocked him into next Tuesday. Her attack was merciless, quick, excruciating, and above all demeaning. No man should ever be penetrated in such a manner.
For the next few weeks they were sure Shikamaru was going to be in a foul mood. Who wouldn't be if they probably had splinters in their ass, "Let that be a lesson too you my son, to NEVER and I mean NEVER use that kind of language near me again, but go ahead and try and even hit me tomorrow I dare you. You're too much of a little shit to be on my level." She taunted with mock sweetness as Shikimaru could only groan in pain at his monstrosity of a mother. Turning towards the guests she smiled, curtseyed before heading towards the door with a final comment. "I'm going to make lunch for my husband now, take care and be sure to have my son back by twelve tonight. He'll have an early morning." Let it be said that Yoshino Nara was definitely a charismatic woman.
"Why does Kami hate me sensei?" Shikamaru asked through a mouthful of dirt.
"Ah Shika, it's because your such a sarcastic prick!" Naruto replied bluntly giving the Nara a thumbs up.
"Shut up Naruto. I hate your guts" The boy seethed, standing up to give the boy a glare as he limped over to the trio. "So what's up?"
Hiruzen coughed to get the trio's attention "Well we're about to head out for the day's mission. We have been down and out for too long now so we have some catching up to do. That means double the amount of D ranks in a day gang." The Sensei chuckled happily when all three of them gave shouts of indignation. Well two of them shouted, Shikamaru simply glared at him for he couldn't muster enough energy for a verbal rebuke.
Well there you have it folks So tell me what you think!