Hello, again!
First off, as to the fear bit I mentioned last time, if the 6/10 isn't met, then you'll just have to wait until Hinata and the others arrive at Hogwarts. Naruto's certainly not going to be saying anything anytime soon.
Secondly, in case anyone is wondering about summoning and the Rasengan: he doesn't have summons accessible, and he has yet to really require the Rasengan. The Wizarding World, even outside of Anime, can't really hold a candle to other franchises, so the Rasengan is rather overkill against them.
I say 'even outside of Anime' solely because in comparison to franchises such as Marvel, DC, and RWBY, Anime is BROKEN! In a straight fight (no analysis included), Anime wins easily. Only three times have I actually seen an Anime character lose in a straight fight (Thor vs. Pikachu, Venomized Spiderman vs. Strider Ryu, Ghost Rider vs. Ichigo). If you include analysis, though, then I'll need to add Goku vs. Superman (see Death Battle for why).
Finally, now we'll get a glimpse of at least Harry in an actual combat scenario.
Bold and Italicized is in a different language to the main language.
Don't own Harry Potter or Naruto.
Fanning the Flames
A few weeks have passed since Naruto had spoken with the Prime Minister, and things have been on the pretty silent side, outside of an official trial for Fudge and the others. Amelia, for some reason, was having some trouble in getting that to become a reality.
Although their insistence on a combat trial is rather random for them. Thought Naruto as he sparred with all four of his students, who all had teamed up not too long during his talk with the Minister to try and stand a solid chance against him. While it was a rather futile dream, they could still dream.
Even Hermione was determined to help out, truly seeing the full benefits of the training and willing to admit it as well.
As he ducked under a lunge, his mind turned towards the four he's currently facing, particularly their elemental affinities and how it was affecting them.
Harry and Ginny, sharing an affinity for fire, had developed into the more rounded powerhouses of the four. No real distinction in any part of their bodies, except for the muscles that only need a spark from their brains to seemingly ignite into an inferno of movement. Literally for Harry, because his fire was actually starting to show up in his taijutsu, enhancing its power.
Luna, possessing a wind affinity, showed a somewhat strange development in her legs, which helped turn her taijutsu style to be predominantly kick-based. However, Naruto could swear that occasionally Luna's kicks would have greater range than normal, as though they were sending out small shock-waves or air blasts. It was still rather on the minute side, so he couldn't be too sure until further investigation is done.
As for Hermione, she possessed a lightning affinity, and developed a more sleeker body in comparison. While she did have some power to her strikes, her taijutsu was better suited for speed over power, using the built up momentum from a combo to deliver a more devastating finishing blow. However, she still had enough of her original attitude to somewhat hinder her progress, but Naruto wouldn't be able to do all that much to help any further until Hermione was truly ready to accept help.
Old habits die hard. Naruto mused to himself as he sidestepped a kick and deflected a jab. It was about then that Ginny's temper started showing through.
"Dammit! Hold still, will ya?!" she cried as she had to dodge the deflected jab, getting angry at Naruto's prowess against them again. He's lost count how many times something like this had happened, and even with meditation exercises, Ginny still has trouble keeping her temper under control in certain situations.
"It would defeat the point of this if I let you hit me." replied Naruto as he grabbed Luna's leg and spun her into the others, placing them in a heap. "Alright, that's enough for today. You've come a long way from how you were at the beginning. The only one that isn't quite higher-tier genin is Hermione, and that's mainly because you fully joined later than the others. You still have a bit of your overachiever attitude, but that's to be expected. Things like that take time, some more than others."
As he spoke, he helped them up and led them back to the castle, unconsciously spreading an aura that absorbed their sweat and revitalized their bodies.
"The biggest other thing I can see is Ginny's temper." he continued. " Otherwise, for finer details, we'll have to ask Gai when we get the chance."
Luna shuddered at the mention of Gai.
"Don't know how you know, Luna, but your reaction is common." said Naruto. "I didn't tell you because of how he looks and acts. I'm the only one that made it through without a problem."
"How come?" asked Hermione, curiosity getting the better of her.
Naruto merely forced the image through to their minds via Void Heart, and got the common reaction of shock, disgust, and fear.
"Some things are better left out of sight. That being Exhibit A." said Naruto.
"Understood." Harry spoke for them all through a slightly green face and a small glare at Hermione for bringing it up in the first place. Said girl knew better than to look anything other than sheepish, having asked the question in the first place.
They calmed down enough to keep quiet by the time they changed into their day clothes, thankful it's a Saturday, but the damage to themselves was already done. They would never be able to see spandex like normal clothes after this.
Harry especially wondered how his mother was able to stand someone like that. Green spandex, orange legwarmers, blinding teeth, bowl haircut, and pretty much doing nothing but deafening all around with 'FLAMES OF YOUTH!'
Note to self: should I meet him in person, kick him in the nuts. Harry told himself. No way am I spending time around them without some reassurance that they'll be in check...maybe I could team up with Mom and create a genjutsu to deal with them for good.
He chuckled evilly at that thought, scaring some of the other early Saturday risers, although it was offset by some of them being sixth and seventh years girls, who had at least heard about moments like that happening to women. They were more confused as to how Harry was able to do it.
At breakfast, their conversation turned towards the strangeness that is showing up from the awaiting trial.
"So, how are things going with Madam Bones?" asked Harry. "They still causing problems."
Naruto groaned. "Unfortunately. No one knows why, but something is keeping them from being able to actually do a normal trial. Might be stuck with a trial by combat like they want."
"All things considered, unless they get a boost, I doubt they'd stand a chance." said Luna. "More than likely, they'll ask for either Naruto or Harry as their opponent, since they were the ones with the biggest connection to what got them arrested in the first place. And especially with Naruto's power, we're pretty well set."
"And mine?" asked Harry.
"You're his student in the way of the shinobi." said Luna, shrugging. "Plus you don't need magic to control fire. Wizards and witches got nothing on us."
"You better hope so." said Professor McGonagall, coming up to them. "The Wizengamot approved of the trial by combat, and Harry was selected to partake. I'm to take you to them."
"Figures." said Naruto.
"I'll get ready then." said Harry, standing up to do so.
"Just keep your Jade form hidden." Naruto reminded Harry, who waved his acknowledgment.
XXXXX
Upon arriving at the Ministry of Magic, Naruto, Harry and the others were lead down to an open arena surrounded by stands that held the Wizengamot, reporters, and Ministry Officials, among others. Sirius waved at them, but couldn't greet them due to being stuck up in the stands. Amelia, however, had no such problem as she was one of the ones around the arena on protection detail.
"Glad you could make it." she said, solemn from what's going on. "I'd suggest you keep a look out. To figure out, and keep things clean, we'll need all the help we can get."
"No worries." said Naruto, creating 20 clones that spread out among the detail and the audience. "I can make a lot more than this, but this keeps it discreet."
No one commented, preferring to get this over with.
Amelia turned to the spectators to start the 'trial.' "Ladies and gentleman. Members of the Wizengamot. I know this is rather unprecedented, what with trials like this have been out of uses for easily hundreds of years. So, for those that don't entirely know what's going on, I'll explain now. Cornelius Fudge, Delores Umbridge, Lucius and Draco Malfoy, Vincent Crabbe, and Gregory Goyle have been arrested for conspiracy to murder and attempted murder. The targets: Harry Potter, The-Boy-Who-Lived, and Naruto Uzumaki, a current foreign ambassador until a more suitable diplomat is chosen."
A round of murmurs and gasps permeated the stands.
"The accused have called for trial by combat, meaning that if their chosen wins, then they are cleared of all charges. If they lose, then they feel the full force of the law, with no parole or leniency."
That caught the attention of a pretty decent few people. It's all or nothing for the accused.
"Anyone who has any objections, say them now, because they won't be allowed during the actual trial." said Amelia. After some time of silence, she turned to some of the other Aurors on detail. "Bring in the accused."
With those words, the three adults and three teens came in and stood on the opposite side of Naruto and Co.
"You who have been accused and seek trial by combat." spoke Amelia. "You have chosen Harry Potter to be your opponent. Whom do you choose from among you to face him?"
Lucius stepped forward. "I am chosen among us."
"Take your positions."
Harry and Lucius moved forward, a barrier flaring up once they were a close enough. A few steps farther, they stopped moving and took a battle stance, but what caught people's attention was that while Lucius brought out a wand, Harry brought out a kunai in a reverse grip. Umbridge quickly became vocal at the knife.
"Objection! He has clearly violated the rules with his filthy muggle wea-" she cried, but was cut off by Naruto.
"Silence, woman! This is a trial by combat! If anything, the kunai knife just means that he has a wider range of options. Nothing ever said he couldn't use it."
Amelia urged a closer Auror to silence her, ensuring no further interruptions.
"Both participants ready?" Amelia called out. At their nods, she said, "Commence!"
Lucius was the first to attack, but Harry showed his training by blurring to the side before attacking himself.
What he had yet to truly say out loud was that the source of his fire abilities wasn't magical or chakra in base nature. He didn't really know just what exactly it was, but he knew it had something to do with the man that occasionally spoke to him offhand, and that it seemed to have a connection to his courage. So he wasn't about to let his guard down if it meant they could get away free. He didn't want to think about it.
However, so far, nothing strange was happening, so Harry was making short work of Lucius. Naruto was growing concerned and paranoid at how easy it was seeming to be.
With how long it took to get this, it shouldn't be this easy. Naruto pondered, right before he noticed subtle movements among the other accused and some flickering in the barrier. Figures.
"Get ready, people." he said. "Barrier's flickering, and they're preparing to fight as well."
It was while Harry was about to deliver the finishing blow and end it all, the barrier came down and spells started flying. But there was something else that showed up as well: each of the spells sent to Naruto and his allies were tinged with blood red sparks.
While Naruto got Harry and the Aurors back from Lucius and his allies, his clones formed their own barrier to protect the spectators from the battle, which coincidentally absorbed them from the intensity of the barrier they put up. Once the sides were properly lined up, Naruto gave the open volley with a roar of "Fire Style: Burning Ash!"
The six had to stop as they tried to escape a cloud of burning ash that then exploded once it was close enough, giving the bigger group a chance to be quick about their return fire.
When all six were incapacitated, the clones dispersed and Amelia called out to the remaining spectators, some having run off when it all started, "While the incident will be investigated, the accused have lost the challenge. And as such, I-"
"My apologies, Madam Bones," came from a Wizengamot member, "but all things considered, I think it would be best if the accusers declare their fate."
Amelia stopped to ponder those words, then ultimately relented as more voices agreed. "Alright. What do you propose?"
"Prison for the teens. Their part was just a distraction, but for the adults." Naruto answered "Death, which brings up something that should be dealt with if Harry, Hermione, Ginny, and Luna are to become shinobi."
"You want three of us to kill them, don't you?" asked Harry, having been told about Naruto's plans on dealing with their 'first kill' aftershock.
The boy nodded. "It'll probably be the hardest thing ever, but it doesn't mean you'll be killing everyone you're pitted against. Some shinobi/missions prefer target capture. And, I promise, you can use me as a punching bag afterwards. I won't dodge, deflect, or fight back."
"It won't be easy, but recovery is possible." added Harry's internal adviser.
After deliberating, Harry, Ginny, and Luna stepped forward hesitantly. Luna went towards Umbridge, Ginny went towards Lucius, while Harry had Fudge. The only one that was truly showing any fear at what was happening was Fudge, who tried to beg for his life. All that did was just make Harry angry.
"You dare ask for mercy when you deliver none yourself." said Harry. "You, who was a major part of the attempt on both my life, and the life of my friend. Your usual excuses are not going to cut it this time. Enjoy whatever afterlife awaits you."
He took out a kunai and swiftly stabbed the man in the heart, right beside Luna beheading Umbridge and Ginny stuffing an explosive tag – courtesy of Naruto – into Lucius' mouth before triggering it, destroying his head. Ginny's explanation for that move was, "It was the perfect time to get him back for nearly killing me last year with the diary and attempting to discredit my family."
Naruto pinched his nose when it turned to him for explaining the tag. "Let's put it this way – I learned better than to go against a woman like Ginny or Madam Bones when I was five. They can be a lot worse than Bellatrix and similar."
That got people to back off, while the listening women were wondering just who trained Naruto so early. As far as any of them knew, men took a lot longer to train it lessons like that. They were starting to want to meet the one who did this and learn her secret.
Surprisingly enough, the only one that really needed some assistance was Harry. Luna's unique mind gave her an out, keeping her from actually remembering but still keeping the memory. This allowed her to do the deed without any real problems, but still preferred not having to kill.
Harry, on the other hand, was numb as the kill replayed itself in his mind. He only complied as Naruto picked him up and carried him in his arms back to Hogwarts, their friends right behind them. They were certainly glad it was the beginning of the weekend now, especially Harry.
And that's a wrap this time! I know it's not much in actual fighting, but this isn't about the details. Fanfiction is about expression and development – improving your creative writing through free expression/opinion on how you think a franchise should've gone.
That, and it takes a while for me to actually get some proper details that make even remote sense (although that's more on the personal side).
Until next time. Please let me know what you think.