"Ayakashi, how is your leg?" Iruka glanced over at her as she picked up her chopsticks. Naruto insisted that she went and saw someone to get her wound treated before heading to Ichiraku Ramen. Naruto looked over at her, waiting for an answer as she broke her chopsticks apart, picking up the first of her noodles.
"It's fine, thank you, Iruka-sensei." she smiled at them before sticking the noodles in her mouth. Naruto grinned, following suit and eating the ramen Iruka had gotten for him.
"That's good. You should have never went in the first place, you know." Iruka smiled at her, pointing his chopsticks at her. "At the very least, you should've tagged along with one of us."
Ayakashi frowned, staring into her half-eaten bowl of ramen. "Yes, I know, sensei."
Naruto looked at her with a noodle hanging out of his mouth as he tilted his head. "Kashi-chan?"
Ayakashi's ears perked up as she looked up at him, a small smile appearing on her face as she fought back a laugh. "Yes, Naruto?"
"Are you alright?" he asked, worry settling into his eyes as he stared at her, sucking the noodle into his mouth. She closed her eyes, nodding in response as the words Mizuki had said came back to mind.
"You are the Nine Tailed Fox!"
Ayakashi fought back the sadness she felt, trying to stay positive for her friend. She still worried about how he was taking the news, and wondered if she should spring her own secret onto him.
She shook her head, clearing it of the thoughts roaming freely in her mind. 'No. I have to wait. It could be too much for him.'
"Kashi-chan."
Ayakashi looked back over at Naruto, raising her eyebrows questioningly. He had a sad look on his face as he stared down at his almost-empty bowl of ramen.
"Do you… Do you think we'll be placed on the same team?"
Ayakashi stared at him, frowning. She didn't think about that. They were being put on teams tomorrow. Most of the teams have a maximum of three Genin and a Jonin. Ayakashi was the oddball out.
"I'm not sure, Naruto."
Naruto continued to stare into his bowl, his hands on either side of it. Iruka remained quiet, already knowing who was going to be on what team. He watched the two of them as Ayakashi looked towards Naruto, reaching out and tugging on his chopsticks. He glanced up at her as she pulled the chopsticks away from him, wiggling her fingers between his and grasping his hand.
"It'll be okay, regardless of the outcome. You'll still see me almost everyday." she smiled as she squeezed his hand, retracting hers and handing his chopsticks back. Naruto grinned, nodding and picking up his bowl, drinking what was left inside.
They all finished their ramen, standing up as Iruka paid for their meal. The kids bid their farewell to their sensei, watching him as he departed.
"So what did you want to do today?" Ayakashi asked, looking over at her friend. He thought for a moment before grinning.
"We have to submit our ninja photos!" he replied. She laughed softly, shaking her head.
"I did that yesterday before I went home. Looks like it's only you that needs to." she smiled at him, tilting her head to the side. "I can help if you'd like!"
"That would be awesome! Thanks, Kashi!" he exclaimed, grabbing her hand and dragging her back to his apartment. He had her wait inside while he ran up to his room, getting ready for his picture. A few minutes later, he came running into the front room where Ayakashi was still standing, throwing her a camera. She caught it before looking at Naruto, almost dropping the camera in the process.
"What are you wearing?" she asked, slightly horrified. He had white face paint on with red swirls on his cheeks along with his hands.
"This is what I'm going to do for the picture!" he said, demonstrating. He held his hand out, fingers splayed as he gave a snarl-like look towards her. "What do you think?"
"I think you're insane and you're going to get in so much trouble." she said, raising the camera. Naruto laughed before resuming his position, letting her snap the picture. She handed it to Naruto who took it after wiping off his hands and face, grinning happily. "Let's go turn it in, knucklehead."
Naruto nodded and took her hand quickly, his cheeks coated with a light red colour. Ayakashi smiled at him, her ears perked as they walked outside, towards the academy. They walked in silence as Naruto kept his hand intertwined with Ayakashi's. Her tail swished occasionally as they walked, brushing against her back as she held it up.
"There's the academy!" Naruto exclaimed as it came into view, letting out a laugh. He pulled Ayakashi along, speeding up. "Let's go! I can't wait to see their faces!"
"Naruto, slow down!" Ayakashi said, stumbling behind him as she tried to keep up. They reached the academy soon after, opening the door and heading to the room they were supposed to go to. Naruto knocked on the door, glancing at Ayakashi.
"Come in."
He raised his eyebrows as Ayakashi let go of his hand, leaning against the wall next to the door. "Aren't you coming in with me?"
"No, Naruto. This is your thing. I'll be right here." she said, folding her arms across her chest as she smiled at him.
A serious look crossed Naruto's face as he nodded, opening the door and stepping through, shutting it after him. She closed her eyes as she listened, her ears twitching. She heard the Hokage's voice as he took the picture from Naruto. Moments later, she smiled as an annoyed groan left the Hokage. She shook her head, knowing they wouldn't keep it.
Naruto laughed softly, the sound reaching Ayakashi's ears faintly. "It took me forever to come up with that! I've been thinking about it for a while, and then I thought of that one! It's pretty artistic, eh?"
"Retake it."
Ayakashi chuckled softly, her tail brushing against her leg. Naruto's voice came through clearly as she let out a noise of protest. "No way!"
The Hokage closed his eyes. "Retake it!"
"Don't say that!" Naruto groaned, sitting forward in his chair. Silence spread through the room, causing Ayakashi to wonder what was going on. She heard lighter footsteps coming down the hallway as her ears twitched, picking up the sound.
"Transform!"
Ayakashi's eyes snapped open as she spun her head around, wondering what had happened. She heard a female voice in place of the others.
"Pretty please, Lord Hokage?"
She heard a confused grunt as she slid the door open quietly, trying to see what was going on. She saw the female version of Naruto standing in a cloud of smoke as the Hokage tipped backwards in his chair, blood trickling from his nose. Ayakashi turned around as she placed a hand on her chest, trying to control her heart rate. She noticed a smaller boy with brown hair and a long scarf standing in front of the door, looking in as Naruto stared at the Hokage with a shocked face.
"S-Sorry, that was my Sexy Jutsu." Naruto said as he got up, sitting back in his chair.
"Your Sexy Jutsu, you say?" he repeated, wiping his nose with a handkerchief. "Very tricky. Much too tricky, don't do it again!"
Naruto rubbed the back of his head, laughing nervously. Ayakashi watched the boy at the door as he continued to stare, a determined look on his face.
"And where is your headband, Naruto?" the Hokage asked. "You're supposed to be wearing it!"
Naruto grabbed his goggles, closing his eyes. "Oh, I'm not putting it on until orientation. I don't want to mess it up."
"So, you want your headband nice, but your photo, which is supposed to identify you makes you look like a clown." the Hokage pointed out. "It's for ninja training and mission which is the key to your future. Look at this picture, you can't even tell who it is!"
"Well, fine! How am I supposed to know all this complicated stuff anyway?" Naruto said, frowning.
The smaller boy at the door raised his hand, clutching a shuriken as Ayakashi's eyes widened. The Hokage looked up towards the door, his eyes resting on the crack. Naruto looked up as well, sensing something although he wasn't quite sure what.
The door flew open as Ayakashi jumped back, standing behind the boy as he ran into the room. "Old Man! I challenge you!"
Naruto's eyes widened as the boy ran towards the Hokage, poised to strike. "I'm going to defeat you and become the fifth Hokage!"
He suddenly tripped, falling flat onto the floor. Naruto sighed as he rolled over, covering his face with his hands as he sobbed quietly, letting out a groan of pain.
Ayakashi was pushed back as a taller man in black clothing stopped in the doorway, a gasp escaping him. The boy looked at Naruto, rubbing his face. "Something tripped me!"
"Are you okay, Honourable Grandson?" the taller man asked, blocking the doorway from Ayakashi's view. She tried to look around him as grabbed his glasses in one hand, adjusting them. "And by the way, there's nothing here for you to trip on. It's pretty flat."
Naruto raised an eyebrow as he stared at the smaller boy, a look of confusing crossing his face. The boy looked right at Naruto as the taller man followed suit, surprise written on his face. The boy stepped up to Naruto, pointing a finger at him. "Alright! You're the one that tripped me, aren't you?"
Naruto let out an annoyed groan, grabbing the boy by his scarf and lifting him up and clenching a fist. "You tripped over your own feet, dork!"
"Hey, you! Take your hands off of him right now! He's the Honourable Grandson of the Honourable Third Hokage!" the taller man stepped farther into the room, causing Ayakashi to follow. She stood in the doorway, watching her friend as he glared at the smaller boy, who did the same.
Naruto looked up at him, the glare fading as he looked back at the boy in his hand.
The boy gave a triumphant look as he grinned. "What's the matter, huh? I thought you were going to hit me, tough guy! Afraid because the Third Hokage is my grandfather?"
"I don't care if he's your grandmother!" Naruto exclaimed, smacking the boy on his head. "So believe it!"
The smaller boy fell forward, landing on the ground unconscious. The taller man let out noises of surprise. Naruto left the room, pulling Ayakashi along as he clutched her hand angrily.
"Are you alright, Naruto?" she asked as she fell into step with him. He didn't answer as they walked through the empty streets. Naruto stopped walking after some time, causing Ayakashi's ears to perk as she looked back at him. "Naruto?"
He glanced over his shoulder, staring at a lump on the road that had two feet. She looked over at it as well, a confused look settling in her visible eye. Naruto turned back around, continuing to walk as he stuck his hands in his pockets. Ayakashi looked at him as he passed, catching up to him after looking at the lump once more.
Naruto stopped again as Ayakashi smacked into the back of him. He let out an annoyed groan, turning around and pointing at the wall. "I know that you're following me so just give it up."
Ayakashi's eyebrows furrowed as she looked back, staring at the misshapen part of the wall. Naruto twitched as he stared, frowning. "That's so obvious it's pathetic."
The sound of laughter came from the spot as the smaller boy from before lowered his disguise, smiling at Naruto. "Saw through my disguise, huh? The rumours about you are true, you're good!"
He walked past Ayakashi as he stepped up at Naruto, pointing at him. "Alright! I'll be your apprentice and you'll be my trainer!"
Naruto stared at him in confusion. The smaller boy continued, clenching his fists. "And afterward, you've got to show me how to do that Sexy Jutsu thing you did on Grandpa Hokage!"
Naruto turned away, folding his arms across his chest as Ayakashi's ears drooped slightly, staring at the two boys. "This is some kind of joke, isn't it?"
"No! I need a new trainer! Please, boss?" the smaller boy asked, staring up at him.
"Boss?" Naruto looked over at him, turning back towards the smaller boy.
"Yeah! You're the boss!" he exclaimed. "Boss, boss, boss!"
"Well, how can I refuse?" Naruto rubbed the back of his head, smiling. Ayakashi stepped over to him, tugging on his sleeve.
"Are you sure this is such a good idea, Naruto?" she whispered to him, staring at the smaller boy. "That man didn't seem to like you very much. If you get caught, you could be in some serious trouble."
"It'll be fine! We won't get caught!" Naruto grinned at her, looking back at the boy. "Well, come on!"
"Alright!" he exclaimed as they started walking, leaving Ayakashi behind as she stared at them before jogging to catch up with them.
"Listen, if you want to be a master ninja, then believe it!" Naruto said as Ayakashi walked behind him, listening. "You've got to learn to control your catchra."
"Your catchra?" the smaller boy repeated, looking confused.
"I said, your catchra." Naruto repeated.
"Boss, I, uh, think you're talking about chakra." he said quietly.
"Don't question me! Real ninja say catchra!" Naruto said as Ayakashi sighed.
"Really? I didn't know that! That's cool!" the smaller boy exclaimed.
Naruto sighed as he looked back at Ayakashi who just shrugged. "Alright, now I'll explain what chakra is."
The smaller boy raised a finger, closing his eyes. "Chakra is the elemental life energy that is used to perform jutsu."
Naruto's eyes widened as he continued. "The ninja arts combine physical energy from each cell in the body with mystical energy that is intensified through training and experience. When these two chakra mix, special hand signs allow the ninja to focus this combined energy for advanced jutsu."
Naruto groaned as the smaller boy held a scroll out, reading from it. "Know-it-all! You were just reading that whole thing! So, you can blab all you want about how to do ninja techniques, but it always comes down to one thing."
"What is it?" the boy asked as Ayakashi leaned against a wall.
"Just plain hard work and guts." Naruto replied.
"That's two things, but okay, I'm with you!"
"Alright, I'm going to throw some really big challenges at you now." Naruto said, resting his fist against his hip. "Are you ready?"
"I'm ready, boss!"
"Good! Then let's do it! Show me a transformation!" Naruto said, smiling. "Believe it! Show me what you can do and I can take you to the next level!"
"Oh, uh, right, sure, but what do I transform into?" the boy asked.
Naruto looked around, noticing a woman a few feet away at a store. "There! You can transform into her!"
"No problem, boss!" the child replied, staring at the woman before lifting his hands and performing the hand-signs. Ayakashi watched through half-closed eyes. "Transform!"
Naruto and Ayakashi stared as the smoke cleared. His voice was deeper and more feminine as he spoke. "Well, do I look like her?"
Naruto hesitated as he looked him over. "The clothes kind of look like her."
The woman walked up, an angry look on her face as Naruto turned around. "That looks like me?"
She whacked Naruto on the head, causing Ayakashi to rush over as he laid on the ground. The woman stepped towards the boy as he released the jutsu. "Now, now, Honourable Grandson! Next time you transform into me, make me a little cuter, okay? Ta!"
"She's scary!" he replied as Ayakashi watched her walk away, half-lifting Naruto off the ground.
"You did it, why am I the one that gets whacked around?" he asked, sighing. They continued walking, stopping at the bookstore. "Alright, next we'll do some research on female beauty."
"Female beauty, right, boss!"
"I'm staying out here for this one." Ayakashi sighed, frowning. Naruto shrugged as he opened the door, looking up at the owner as he slept. They snuck into the store as they left the door open. Ayakashi watched as they picked up a book full of women, laughing quietly as they opened it. The store owner woke up, grabbing his duster as he stood behind them.
"This is not a library, Naruto!"
Ayakashi sighed as they looked up at the owner, an angry look on his face. Naruto was whacked once again as the owner kicked them out, slamming the door shut. "Well, that didn't go so well. Alright, let's get going."
They started walking along the road, arriving at the women's bath house shortly after. Ayakashi hung her head as Naruto turned to the boy.
"This is our last stop, so give it everything you've got." Naruto said, his eye slightly blackened from the beating. "Okay?"
"Everything! Right, boss!"
They transformed, a huge smoke cloud surrounding Ayakashi as she tried to wave it away. When it cleared, they nodded at each other, looking back at Ayakashi. She waved her hands, stepping backwards as she declined their silent offer. Naruto shrugged, leading the boy into the bath house.
Moments later, the girls' screaming escaped the building as she jumped. "Naruto! You can't stay in the girls' locker room!"
They ran out after a short amount of time as Ayakashi followed them towards the forest. "Why do they only whack me?"
"Sorry." the boy hung his head slightly. "It's because I'm the grandson of the Hokage."
"Hey, don't worry about it." Naruto said as Ayakashi tended to his wounds, frowning. The boy looked up, staring at him in surprise. Naruto smiled, looking down at him. "I prepared you, so now you're ready to learn the Sexy Jutsu. You're just going to need to practice."
The boy stared for a moment more before grinning. "Practice! Right, boss!"
Ayakashi stepped back as Naruto placed his fists on his hips. She leaned against a tree as she watched, waiting.
"Now, the trick is get the curves in all the right places. You ready?"
"I'm ready, boss!" a determined look overcame him as he raised his hands. "Transform!"
A cloud of smoke surrounded him as the other two waited. It cleared, leaving a female version of the boy as he made his first attempt. "What do you think?"
"No go! You've got to make her skinnier!"
"Skinnier, right boss!" he tried it again, releasing the jutsu shortly after. "How's that?"
"No, no! Curvier!"
"Curvier, right! How's this!"
Naruto groaned, shaking his head as they continued to practice. Ayakashi watched patiently, sitting down as she did. They eventually took a break, heading towards the vending machines. They all sat on the log next to it as they sipped their drinks. Ayakashi sat close to Naruto, staring down at her can as he talked to the boy. "So what's up with this obsession you've got with your grandfather?"
The boy looked over at him in surprise before looking down. "My grandfather named me Konohamaru after the ancient name of the village. So it should be easy to remember. But no one calls me that name, not one person in the whole village! That's because when they look at me they don't really see me. All they see is the Honourable Grandson of the Lord Hokage. No one knows who I am. I can't stand it anymore, it's like I'm invisible. Like I don't exist. I hate that! That's the reason I've got to become Hokage now! So people know who I am!"
Naruto looked down as Ayakashi's ears flattened. "Get real. You think people are going to accept a squirt like you?"
Konohamaru looked over at him as he continued speaking. "A kid can't just turn into a Hokage after a day or two."
The smaller boy stood up, angry. "What!?"
"It's not that simple! You keep saying Hokage, Hokage! To really be a Hokage, you know what you'll have to do?"
"What? What is it?" he asked as Ayakashi looked up at him.
Naruto grinned, his eyes widening. "You're going to have to defeat me in battle!"
Konohamaru stared at him as Ayakashi laughed softly before glancing back, frowning. The taller man landed on a branch behind them. "I found you!"
The two boys turned around he dropped from the trees, staring at Naruto with a cold glare. "So, Honourable Grandson, time to go home."
Konohamaru shook his head, standing his ground. "No way! I'm learning how to beat my grandfather so I can get the title Hokage! Now don't get in my way!"
The other man started walking towards him as Ayakashi jumped in front of Naruto, dropping into a defensive stance. His eyes landed on her as he grinned, looking back towards the smaller boy. "A Hokage is more than just a fighter. You must know virtue, honour, wisdom and he must be skilled at a thousand jutsu! You don't even know one jutsu!"
He growled slightly as he raised his hands, staring at the taller man. "Transform!"
A sphere of blue chakra surrounded him as he did, causing the older man to stop. Konohamaru was surrounded by smoke as he transformed into a female. "Hi there! Do you like my jutsu?"
The taller man stopped, his eyes widening behind his glasses as he let out a yell of surprise. Konohamaru stopped the jutsu, his stance defensive as he watched the other. Ayakashi relaxed slightly, keeping herself in front of Naruto.
"Hey, he's not defeated!" Konohamaru frowned.
"What kind of scandalous technique is that?" the older man exclaimed. "Such tasteless vulgarity can never influence me! I am far above it!"
Naruto grunted in annoyance behind Ayakashi, causing her to look back towards him. He clenched his fists, an unamused look on his face. The taller man grabbed Konohamaru's scarf, trying to pull him along as the boy resisted.
"Honourable Grandson, stop this, right now!" the taller man continued to pull, looking down at him. "Naruto's turning you into a delinquent! Only my special training can put you on the fast track to become the Hokage!"
"Just leave me alone!" Konohamaru exclaimed, pulling against him. Naruto stepped around Ayakashi, holding up his hands as she straightened, watching intently.
"Shadow Clone Jutsu!"
The other two stopped struggling as they looked around, watching the clones of Naruto appear. Konohamaru's eyes widened as he stared. "This is unreal!"
The taller man adjusted his glasses, scoffing lightly as he walked towards the center. "I'm not impressed. I'm a Jonin and a Leaf Ninja warrior. I'm not some lightweight like Mizuki. Watch how a real ninja defeats an upstart."
Ayakashi stepped back, away from the commotion as Konohamaru watched quietly. "Come on, boss."
The clones of Naruto all stared at the taller man, who stared back as he crossed his arms, grinning. "Ready."
"Transform!" Naruto exclaimed, causing the others to follow suit, all transforming into clothless, female versions of himself as they draped themselves over the taller man.
"Master Ebisu!" some giggled out as the others smiled sweetly at him, causing his nose to trickle out blood as he jumped back, landing on the ground. Naruto released both jutsus as he grinned triumphantly at the fallen Ebisu.
"Gotchya! With my Harem Jutsu!"
The sun started to set as Ebisu slowly recovered from the "attack". Ayakashi stuck close to Naruto, wrapping her hands around his upper arm. He looked back at her, grinning happily as Konohamaru groaned.
"Oh man! I couldn't even beat that snobby trainer of mine! I want to be Hokage so bad but I keep messing up! Why can't I do it?"
Naruto looked over, remaining in his spot as Ayakashi's ears flicked. "You really think it's that easy? To be Hokage, you have to be the greatest of all ninja. You have to prove yourself so everyone believes in you. Look at me! I've been through a lot already! I've been ignored, pushed away, and treated like I had the plague or something. And after all that, I found not only one, but two people that believe in me. So to find those two people, I had to get knocked down a lot."
Ayakashi's grip tightened as she leaned against Naruto, resting her head between his shoulder blades. "So you better be ready."
"For what?" Konohamaru asked.
"For lots of sweat and tears while you're learning to be a ninja." Naruto replied, turning his head away. Everyone went quiet as the wind blew through the trees, rustling the leaves. Naruto turned his head back around as he grinned. "By the way? There is no easy way to becoming Hokage. Believe it."
Konohamaru stared for a moment before turning his back on Naruto, letting out a short laugh. "Who do you think you are, anyway? Giving me a big lecture like that! That's it! I'm not going to be your apprentice anymore! From now on, we're rivals."
He turned back around, grinning at the blond haired boy. He smiled back, chuckling softly as Ayakashi peeked around him, staring at the smaller child. "Well, I can't be your trainer anyways, because tomorrow, we start our advanced ninja studies! But, I accept your challenge and someday, we'll fight for the title Lord Hokage. So let's both look forward to that day, Konohamaru."
He stared at Naruto, quiet. Naruto turned away, leading Ayakashi back to the village. She glanced back, her tail swishing as Konohamaru watched them walk away. Naruto raised his free hand, giving a small goodbye to him. Konohamaru smiled, standing at attention with his hand raised to his forehead in a salute. Ayakashi smiled up at Naruto as she continued to cling to him, her headband covering her left eye. Naruto smiled back, lowering his hand and placing it over one of hers as they neared the village, heading back to his apartment to rest up for the night.