Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or Naruto Shippuden, only the OCs.
A/N: Some of Tsezuma's Azume's and Miaku's personalities are getting shown through this chapter.
A weak later
Kakashi had been trying hard to get the team to bond. To have a sense of comradery so that he could build up their teamwork before he focused on their actual skills, but so far his attempts seemed to fail.
Surprisingly, Sakura the huge fangirl seemed to dial it down a notch this past week and seemed more focused and it helped the team's teamwork, but it was nowhere near enough. Sasuke was too distant and reserved and Naruto was always serious and wasn't much when it came to conversations. This left Sakura, who Sasuke constantly ignored and Naruto barely spoke to.
Kakashi sighed, even if somehow they work good with their current relationships with each other, they'd never be as great as they could be. They'd always miss certain factors only teamwork and faith in each other would bring.
He couldn't help but to think of his own genin team in that regard. If they had only displayed better teamwork and got along with each other from the start, then maybe his teammates would be alive right now. It wasn't their skill that failed them, it was their lack of acknowledgement towards each other.
He wouldn't allow his first successful team as a sensei to follow in similar footsteps, that's why he had ran his plans through the Hokage before he came here.
Kakashi sighed as he stared down at his genin team from a tree he was hiding in to observe them without them knowing.
He looked specifically at Sasuke and frowned. "I know he's going to probably hate this the most" Kakashi sighed once more before puffing right in front of them.
"Good morning" Kakashi eye-smiled. Sasuke raised his brow as Sakura looked shocked. "Y-You're actually on time today!" she spoke bewildered.
Kakashi chuckled embarrassedly, "Is it that shocking?" he asked scratching his head as Naruto gave a deadpanned expression. "Haha, well I guess I deserve that" Kakashi shrugged.
"What are we doing today Kakashi-sensei, is it more teamwork exercises?" Sakura asked catching the interest of the two boys on the team as the three stared at the lone jonin. For the week, they had been doing nothing but team exercises.
"Well to answer your question Sakura, yes and no" he eye-smiled at her. "We're actually going to start your real training now and maybe start taking up a few missions but nonetheless we'd be working on your teamwork as well." He stated.
This immediately confused the genin. "What does he mean?" Naruto wondered, Sakura and Sasuke soon adopting the same confused face as him. Kakashi noticing the looks spoke up.
"What I intend to do could potentially hit 3 birds with one stone. Not only could your skills increase, but your experience and teamwork will too" he decidedly beat around the bush.
Neither of the three genin spoke up as Kakashi had their full attention on this supposed great mystery training. "Guess I should just come out with it I perhaps" he mentally shrugged.
"We're staying at the Uchiha Compound with Sasuke."
There was complete silence in the field for a few seconds until a surprising shout from Sasuke erupted. "WHAT!"
Kakashi repeated himself as Sasuke immediately shook his head no. "Absolutely not! The Uchiha Compound is for Uchiha's only, you can't disrespect my clan buy staying their as if you belong" the Uchiha spoke in outrage. How could he try to dishonor his clan like that!
Kakashi sighed, he knew something of the sort would happen, "Look Sasuke, we were all comrades of the Uchiha clan so it won't be disrespect, and it's only three months and we're gone." He tried to get Sasuke to understand.
Sasuke still shook his head no "I won't allow it" he said as Naruto folded his arms. "I prefer not to be near this team more than necessary as well" He said, Sakura only blushed thinking of the idea of staying at Sasuke's for three months.
Kakashi sighed once again, this was the exact reason why they needed to be together for so long. "Look guys, I've already got the Okay from the Hokage, I hope you two can truly understand that this is best for our team. Being together can help us build a better bond and that'll strengthen not only ourselves but our teamwork for any future missions" the jonin said.
"We don't need bonds to display teamwork, bonds will only slow us down and cloud our judgement, you saw what our teamwork was like, it's pretty good and we don't even have a bond" Naruto said stating the facts, he was a living example of how bonds made you weak.
If Yuki and him didn't have a bond, she wouldn't have tried to save him those years ago, she would be living, but it was their bond that clouded her judgement to think she can take on a group of civilians and it was their bond that made him too weak to protect himself and her.
Kakashi only looked at the blonde with a sad gaze, "..That's not true, when you truly have something to fight for, that's when you can live up to your fullest potential. The reason Konoha is at the top isn't because we have strong ninja, all five of the great nations have strong ninja. The reason Konoha is on top is because we pride ourselves in displaying comradery. It's our strength and belief in each other that allows us to fight just a little bit harder than the rest" Kakashi spoke passionately.
"Now Naruto, Sakura, go pack for three months worth of clothing and head towards Sasuke's house in the Uchiha's district it's nun-negotiable, we're done here" Kakashi said.
"Yes sensei" Sakura bowed as Naruto just walked away. Sasuke fumed holding a dark look as he headed home.
On the outside he may have seemed pissed but in his mind, Kakashi's words were replaying in his head.
"There is no point to this" Naruto spoke to himself putting his clothes in his pack. Kakashi was trying to force them to get along, that would only make things worse, why couldn't he see that!
He then put his hygiene items in his bag as he slumped it over his shoulder looking at his dump of an apartment. It was a 1 room that soon as you walked out, the kitchen and the living room would connect right out front. The roof had holes in it where the white paste of the paint would slowly fall to the ground, everything was small and almost too wore out to use, and the shower only spewed out a few spurts of cold water.
This place had to be the worst in the entire village. Fitting as it was home to the lone jinchuriki of the village. "Hmph, it's no lie when I say I won't be homesick for these three months" Naruti spoke aloud to himself as he headed for the door. "I only hate the fact I have to room at Sasuke's."
1hr 30 minutes later
Naruto sighed as he stared at the deserted streets of the Uchiha's District. This place brought up many painful memories.
Flashback
"Come on Naruto-kun!" Yuki yelled grabbing the young blonde along with her as she rushed for her home. They were getting out of classes early for today and Yuki thought it'd be a good idea to play at her home.
Naruto immediately grew nervous. "A-Are you sure Y-Yuki-chan, a lot of th-the grownups don't like me for some reason" he spoke sadly.
Yuki slowed her run to a complete stop as she looked at her friend and frowned. She couldn't help but feel bad for him. He was kind, loyal, and trustworthy. He truly didn't deserve the unfair treatment the villagers gave him.
"I'm positive" Yuki spoke softly squeezing Naruto's hand assuring him. "O-Okay" he said as she resumed her run.
Naruto watched as they speeded pass many civilians who eyed him in disgust. They kept their pace up, weaving through the crowded streets of Konoha.
"We'll be there soon!" Yuki shouted looking back to her friend. Naruto nodded as his grip on her hand tightened.
Within ten minutes time, Yuki slowed her run to a walk as the Uchiha district became noticeable. It was a large compound of houses, surrounded by a large gate protected by two Uchiha guards.
Yuki waved at the two men as Naruto tried to shrink behind her, hoping to not bring attention to himself.
The two guards nodded at the girl, letting them both pass, only giving the blonde a look over.
As the duo entered the compound, Naruto was awed. It looked like a many village. Their were a few store shops, food shops, and many houses inside of the compound, all were Uchiha owned.
What was even more amazing to the child was the fact that nobody was glaring at him! The many people who littered the streets were minding their business, heading to their destination while greeting each other in the fleeting moments before they were out of sight.
"This place is amazing!" Naruto laughed looking at his friend. Yuki saw the joy in her best friends deep blue eyes and couldn't help but to blush. She quickly looked away so he wouldn't notice.
"O-Of course it is baka, I told you so" she playfully blew her tongue out at him.
Flashback end
He remembered coming here with Yuki every other day, they would just run around and play, then head to her home to get something to eat. The Uchiha's district was the only place Naruto had felt safe. It was the only place people didn't look at him like he was the plague walking.
He kept at a silent pace as he walked to Sasuke's place. It was the largest house, located in the middle of the district seeing as his father was the clan head.
After a few minutes of walking, Naruto reached the large home and knocked on the door.
Not long afterwards, Sasuke swung open the door throwing a hard glare at Naruto who glared back. "So are you going to let me come in or will you continue to be a annoyance" Naruto shot at the Uchiha. "Hmph, you're the only annoyance that's around, acting like you're so strong and mighty, you must think my skills are inferior to yours!" Sasuke said, glare intensifying.
Naruto folded his arms, "I haven't once said that, I can't help it if you feel that way" Naruto shot back intensifying his glare as well.
"You don't have to say it, it's all in the way that you act, I am the last Uchiha and no one is my better, remember that!" Sasuke spat at the blonde. The air around the two seemed to thicken as they chose to stare murderously at the other.
"..Hey Naruto!, come on in" Kakashi eye-smiled putting a hand on Sasuke's shoulder. "We were actually waiting on you, Sakura's already here" Kakashi finished dusting off flower from the apron he wore over his ninja clothes. He seemed to had been cooking.
"Tsk" Sasuke muttered putting his hands in his pocket as he walked off from the front door. Kakashi sighed as Naruto silently walked in. "This is exactly why we need this."
With Tsezuma Azume and Miaku
The three had been on the road for a week now heading towards the nearest town. They had been reading the books they acquired, splitting them.
Miaku had the book "The Ins and Outs of Chakra", Tsezuma had "Shinobi Villages and Clans", and Azume had "The Art's of Shinobi". The last book, "Famous and Infamous Shinobi History" would go to whoever finished first.
"According to the map, we'll reach Kenziku Town in a few minutes, it's near the border of the Land of Fire." Azume said rolling the map back up. Tsezuma nodded, looking up from his book. He had gotten pretty far during the past week, reading 2/3 of the book.
He couldn't lie, the reason he had chose this book first, was because he hoped to find the Kaguya Clan those ninja had mentioned. The clan were any clue he had of knowing his family name and the book didn't disappoint.
Throughout reading, he had found out a lot of interesting information. He had read all about Konoha, Suna, and the Mist so far and he couldn't help but to be pleased. Konoha seemed to be the most powerful out of the three he read with all of their amazing clans and customs but it was the Mist that caught his attention.
After giving the background info about the village, their way of life, and past and present Kages, it started to mention their clans. Right after the Hozuki clan name, was the Kaguya.
It told of a powerful clan who birthed people with wild spirits and a thirst for battle. It was said that their bloodlust was so high they attacked Kirigakure and even when surrounded by enemies they fought to the death instead of surrendering to satisfy it. The book then brought up exactly what Tsezuma was looking for, it spoke of a very rare Kekkai Genkai which barely ever appeared in their members. The ability to manipulate their bones with Chakra. It was said that they could harden their bones to make them unbreakable and could even protrude or pull them out and shape them for battle.
"Its about time" Miaku spoke, the walk was annoying at best. It did however give him lots of time to read the book about chakra. He had only a couple more pages to finish. He had learned what exactly chakra was and how to manipulate it.
When he sent chakra to his eyes everything grew amazing! He was able to see the chakra of every living organism including his, Tsezuma's and Azume's. His vision was clearer than he had ever knew vision could possibility be, seeing miles ahead if he chose to.
Speaking of his eyes, they were a strange thing to him. Ever since they appeared he had been able to sense any creature within a few miles radius and that wasn't even the strangest thing. When he sent a large amount of chakra to his black ring patterned eyes, everything turned black and white. Things in his surroundings seemed to move a little slower as he moved. It was as if he was moving through a different plane of existence without gravity to limit his movement speed. After stopping the chakra flow to his eyes however, everything turns back to normal leaving him feeling quite drained as it seemed to take a large toll on his chakra supply.
Five minutes later, the trio were inside of the small town. It was around early evening so there were quite a bit of people walking about. Be it kids just getting out of school, people walking in and out of shops, or a few couple's taking a nice stroll.
Everyone seemed to just be enjoying the day. It was almost sad really, how similar their home was to this. In a blink of an eye, a nice view like this could become ablaze with Carnage.
Tsezuma frowned, "..lets go find a hotel guys, then we can do a little looking around" he spoke up with the two following him to see if they could find a place to sleep for a few days.
After talking to a few strangers who lived here, they were directed towards the nearest hotel that was supposedly close by the shopping district. Taking the directions, within twenty minutes, they reached their destination.
It was a average sized hotel called "The Cozy Turtle". When entering, the doorbell chimed as a woman sitting at the front desk greeted them with a nice smile. She had curly brown hair that reached her shoulder blades with dark green eyes and thick rimmed black glasses. She wore what appeared to be the hotel uniform which consisted of an all dark green blazer and pants combination.
"Good evening, my name is Mia Minome, how can I help you kids, are you lost?" She asked, smile still present. Tsezuma immediately frowned, "Hey we're not any kids! We can fully take care of ourselves!" Tsezuma shouted indignant surprising the woman. Calling them snotty nosed kids was an insult! They stopped being kids a week ago.
"Haha sorry, what my friend means to say is, we're not lost, we're actually here to get a room" Azume spoke apologetically. The woman immediately brushed off the apology.
"No no, I'm sorry, I shouldn't of assumed, you're all so young so I assumed you needed to find your parents" as soon as the words left her mouth their seemed to be a difference in each of the boys.
"This lady talks entirely too much" Miaku thought, he stayed quiet trying not to bring much attention to himself. He didn't know who all would react to his eyes are not.
Noticing the change in the atmosphere the lady quickly sputtered out another apology.
Few minutes later
"Ahh that lady sure was something else" Tsezuma spoke up as the three walked up to their room. They decided on getting one room with two beds. Azume shook his head, "I mean not really, she just thought we were some random kids looking for their mom or dad. It no doubt had to have happened before" he shrugged.
Miaku only scoffed, "yeah but people really shouldn't just assume things. It's stupid". Tsezuma slid the card over the room lock as the door unlocked. After twisting the knob, the three walked into the room. It was spacious, with two large beds, a mini fridge and a futon.
The three looked at the two beds then looked at each other for a few seconds. They then looked back to the beds.
"Call A Bed!" Tsezuma and Azume both yelled rushing to the beds. Miaku tried rushing along with Tsezuma but the boy was closer.
Tsezuma and Azume both looked at Miaku and burst into laughter. "haha looks like you get the futon" Tsezuma said causing Miaku to frown. "Sometimes I wonder why I even entertain being around you two everyday." He spoke slinging his bag on the futon.
Tsezuma and Azume both did the same. "Easy, cause we're brothers, let's go ahead and check out the shopping district." Tsezuma spoke putting a hand onto Miaku's shoulder.
As the strangers stated, the shopping district was indeed close to the hotel. With only 10 minutes of walking they reached the heavily populated area.
"So where do you guys want to head to first?" Tsezuma asked, his hands on the back of his head. Azume and Miaku looked around at the multitude of stores and shops that lined up and down the street.
Miaku looked at the many shops uninterestedly, "The only thing that interests me is anything we can find ninja related. I'm ready to really start our training." He spoke, honestly each time he tinkered with his eyes, he couldn't help but get excited at the possibilities.
Azume continued to scan, "Yeah I'm with Miaku but just like our home, this place doesn't have ninja so I don't know our odds of finding somewhere for us, we also need to go for some more clothes, at least until we can find some ninja wear. We should also stop by somewhere to eat after all this is over."
The three continued their walk, passing by many furniture stores, food vendors, jewelry shops, and fashion clothing stores.
Tsezuma smiled at a teen girl who was looking their way as the girl immediately blushed and looked away. "Hmph one thing about this town I'm liking is it's cute girls" he smirked.
"Yeah they are something else aren't they" Azume grinned looking at a woman who walked into a clothing store.
Miaku only smirked shaking his head at the two. "well nothing's ever boring with them". "Hey I think I see exactly what we were looking for guys" Tsezuma spoke up in slight excitement.
Azume raised his brow. It was a small shop called "Triple S: Suatori Shinobi Shop". "I don't know, let's check it out" Azume said as the three walked into the shop and couldn't help but be amazed.
Their were ninja weapons on the shelves, ranging from kunai to Katanas. Their was a clothing section that held different pairs of Shinobi wear and in the front near the shop owner were different scrolls and books.
"Wow…this place is amazing" Tsezuma whispered. The old man at the counter couldn't help but to chuckle. He remembered that time long ago when he possessed such childish curiosity. "Is this your first time in a shinobi store young man" he questioned.
The old man was bald with wrinkled skin and dark orange eyes. He wore a loose fitting brown short sleeved shirt and black slacks.
Tsezuma hearing the question, nodded looking at the many items in the store. "Hey how come you got all this in a civilian village?" He couldn't help but to ask, turning his head from the merchandise.
The old man chuckled, "Yes that's true, I'm a retired shinobi, I decided to move here into this nice quiet little town, this shop is how I've been making a few dollars to live off of, ninja who stop by this village and curious civilians often stop by my shop" the man spoke as he analyzed Tsezuma.
"I take it you and your friends are interested in the ways of the shinobi, Mr?" The old man left it hanging. "Oh, umm my name's Tsezuma, remember it, it's going to be big one day and yeah we're trying to teach ourselves" he said as the old man smiled. "That's very admirable, you three are sure to become very strong, it's no doubt teaching yourself will be very difficult." He spoke sagely.
Meanwhile with Miaku and Azume
"Okay, that's two packs of each." Miaku spoke to himself. He held two packs of kunai and shuriken. "Hmm?" he thought to himself glancing at the different blades up their.
"A Katana couldn't hurt anything" he muttered to himself. Azume also grabbed two packs of kunai and shuriken. He didn't really to much care for a sword or any other type of weapon the man had hanging up their. He preferred to focused on learning the basics before he tried anything else.
Miaku and Azume both walked up to the register. The old man observed both boys coming to his counter.
Miaku feeling eyes on him, looked up on instinct and made eye contact with the old man who gasped as his eyes widened exponentially.
"R-Ri-Rinnegan!" the man gasped out. Miaku immediately narrowed his eyes. "Rinnegan?" Miaku pondered. "You know what these are!" he pointed his hand to his eyes. The old man didn't utter a word, only staring in complete frozen shock. "Th-They were supposed to be a myth..b-but why are they black"
Miaku quickly grew agitated and impatient, "HEY! Listen if you know anything about these eyes tell me!" Miaku snarled glaring at the man as he seemed to jump out of his shock.
"Ah…yes..You see, those eyes of yours look very much so like the fabled rinnegan. It's said that they are the eyes given by God himself for the possessor to either help destroy or save the world. It's said that the rinnegan is the most powerful eye technique of them all, even having power over life and death" the man started.
The three couldn't help but be shocked as they looked at Miaku's eyes. "Y-Your eyes however are black..the stories tell that the eyes were supposed to be lavender in color. It's like you have a black pair of rinnegan, it's no telling what your eyes are capable of" the old man finished, he couldn't draw his eyes away from Miaku's. They radiated power and mystery.
It was an pregnant silence for a moment before Azume spoke up. "..Let finish up guys, we have things to do". Miaku and Azume went to the clothes section to find some shinobi clothing, the whole time Miaku felt uncomfortable. The old man eyes never left him.
With Tsezuma
"hmm..so Kunai and Shuriken or no Kunai and Shuriken?" he had been having this discussion with himself for a few minutes now. He was sure his bones could shape into kunai and Shuriken so there would be no need to buy them, but at the same time, he wasn't sure that he'd know how to do it fluently enough in battle yet.
After a few more minutes, he ultimately decided to get them. "Best to be safe" he muttered to himself as he put the weapons on the counter along with Azume's and Miaku's to then join them in the clothing section.
"Find anything?" Tsezuma asked upon reaching the two boys. "Yeah I think so" Azume said holding up a outfit.
After picking out clothes, the three went back to the register as they were ready to pay for their items. Miaku still feeling the man's eyes on him, immediately grew fed up. "Got a staring problem" he glared at the man.
The man swallowed nervously, averting his gaze from the menacing eyes. "N-No, sorry about that, it's just that I'm positive I'd never see eyes like those ever again, I was just admiring them" the man stated apologetically.
"As my customer, my mannerisms have been off-putting, so may I offer you all free Kunai and Shuriken holsters?" the man asked. Tsezuma nodded, "Sure we'd take them".
Azume looked at the many books and scrolls in the glass container in front of the man and saw a book called the "Bingo Book". "What's that?" he asked pointing at it.
The old man looked to where he was pointing and raised a brow, "That's the bingo book, it's a book with all the shinobi with Bounties on their head, the book is mostly used by Hunter nin, anbu, or Rogue ninja used to capture or kill to collect bounties" he said, Azume nodded, "We want to buy that too" he spoke as the man grabbed the key to unlock the glass.
As he grabbed it, he wrung up all of their items. "It's 500 ryo" the man said as Tsezuma put the money on the counter. "Do you three have sealing scrolls for all of your items?" he asked to which they looked confused.
"..Sealing scrolls?" Azume asked as the man nodded. "Yes, it's a scroll where you can seal anything into it, the items that are sealed are held suspended in time until they are unsealed, so you could even store food." The man said grabbing a sealing scroll to give an example.
He grabbed one of the Kunai pack, "With a little chakra, you can seal the item-" he started as the Kunai seemed to puff into nonexistence. "Or you can unseal as well" he finished as the Kunai pack appeared in his hands. He looked up to see the three preteens with their awestruck expressions and couldn't help but to chuckle.
"How about I give you all three on the house so you can seal all of your items?" he asked kindly as they eagerly nodded.
"With this, we won't have to carry around our book bags all day" Azuma said joyously. After sealing all of their items they thanked the old man and left, as soon as they were out of sight the old man frowned.
"Those three…it's something about them, plus that one with that black pair of rinnegan…I cant help but to feel strange about them...with eyes and a group like that, a lot of bloodshed is bound to be in their future."