DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN NARUTO (I AM NOT LOOKING FORWARD TO THE DAY KISHIMOTO CALLS MY PHONE AND SAYS THAT IM IN TROUBLE HAHA)
Ch.19 - A New Jutsu & A New Look
- At the Hokage's Office -
"Call me crazy but I think Naruto might have two chakra nature affinities," Asuma suggested, raising an intriguing possibility.
"Two chakra natures? Are you certain about what you witnessed the other day, Asuma?" Hiruzen inquired, his interest piqued.
"As I've said, I'm not completely certain, but there's a good chance. After all, you have mastered nearly every chakra nature known, so surely you would have some insight into this," Asuma responded, seeking his father's wisdom.
"Hmmm... We could put him through another test to confirm, but it is indeed rare for an individual to possess more than one affinity," Hiruzen contemplated, considering the implications.
"Do you think it could be linked to his tenant?" Asuma speculated, aware of the mysterious Kyubi sealed within Naruto.
"It's possible, but it would be premature to draw conclusions at this stage. We know very little about the Kyubi, except that it is a tremendously dangerous entity residing within Naruto. Let us pray that our village never experiences a tragedy like the one years ago," Hiruzen replied, a solemn note entering his voice as he reflected on the past.
"I see... By the way, have you ever wondered why the academy doesn't conduct tests to determine the chakra nature affinities of students?" Asuma posed a question, shifting the topic slightly.
"The answer is quite simple, really. It's not yet relevant for them to learn about it. It's more beneficial for students to focus on the fundamentals of becoming shinobi first. Determining one's chakra nature affinity is supplementary, even though it holds long-term advantages," Hiruzen explained, sharing his perspective.
"Yeah, I suppose that makes sense," Asuma agreed, understanding the reasoning.
Their conversation was interrupted by a knock at the door. "You may enter," Hiruzen called out.
The person at the door was none other than Umino Iruka, a Chunin (Middle/Journeyman Ninja)/Tokubetsu Jounin (Special High Ninja) of Konohagakure no Sato (Village Hidden in the Leaves). Hiruzen and Asuma acknowledged his arrival.
"Good morning, Hokage-sama and Asuma-san. I have the complete information on the new academy students this year. Everything you need to know about them is in this scroll," Iruka informed them, presenting the valuable document.
"Excellent, thank you for your effort, Iruka. And I apologize once again for burdening you. I hope you're managing well without an assistant, especially after the incident involving Mizuki," Hiruzen expressed his gratitude and concern.
"Don't worry about it, Hokage-sama. I can handle it, and I understand why a replacement hasn't been found yet. Not many shinobi consider a career in education," Iruka assured, displaying his dedication.
"I'll inform you as soon as I find a replacement for Mizuki. Once again, thank you for your hard work. Our village wouldn't have such exceptional shinobi without individuals like you," Hiruzen praised Iruka, recognizing his invaluable contributions.
"Of course, Hokage-sama. We all have the Will of Fire, and I'm ready to do anything for the village. That's all, Hokage-sama. I'll take my leave now," Iruka respectfully bid his farewell to Hiruzen and Asuma.
"It's been a while since I heard that," Asuma commented, reflecting on the phrase "Will of Fire."
"Referring to the Will of Fire? What about it?" Hiruzen inquired.
"It's great and all, but I have my own analogy that I prefer," Asuma shared.
"Ahhh... Protecting the 'King' at all costs. Both ultimately pursue the same objective," Hiruzen chuckled, reminiscing about their past conversations. "I still remember when you were quite rebellious."
"That was in the past, Dad. I've grown and matured more than I thought I would," Asuma retorted, highlighting his personal growth.
"You know... I can't help but hope to have grandchildren before I pass away," Hiruzen expressed, his tone filled with longing.
"GAHHH! There you go again! Can you please stop that?!" Asuma complained, feeling exasperated by his father's persistence.
"I apologize for intruding on your privacy, but I do hope that you and Kurenai are doing well," Hiruzen offered, genuinely concerned.
"It's alright, Dad. We're doing fine, taking things at a steady pace," Asuma reassured him, emphasizing the deliberate nature of their relationship.
"Well, don't make it too slow," Hiruzen teased mischievously.
"Alright, that's it. I'm outta here. See you later, Dad," Asuma declared, making his exit from the Hokage's office. Hiruzen chuckled to himself, taking a puff from his pipe as he contemplated the idea of having grandchildren. Though Naruto was the closest thing he had to a grandchild, he mused, "Ahhh... The joys and challenges of being a parent."
- At the Academy -
After hours of teaching, lunchtime finally arrived for Iruka. However, his earlier claim of not having any difficulties as a sole teacher was a lie. Conducting sparring sessions and managing the class alone had proven to be challenging. Nevertheless, Iruka had long accepted the demanding yet rewarding life of an educator.
Sitting at his table in an empty classroom, Iruka organized the papers before him, intending to store them in a folder. Just as he was about to do so, he heard a thud against the window. Iruka shifted his attention to the sound but saw nothing, dismissing it as a bird colliding with the glass. As he prepared to place the folder in his bag, the sound repeated. Irritation flickered within Iruka as he realized something was persistently striking the window.
"Whatever it is, it needs to stop," Iruka muttered under his breath, growing annoyed. Remembering to lock the door before leaving for lunch, he approached the window once more when another thud resounded. This time, he peered out to find an unexpected sight—his former student, Naruto.
"Naruto?! What in Kami's name are you doing?" Iruka exclaimed, surprised by the unconventional entrance.
"Iruka-sensei! Can I come up there?" Naruto called out from below.
"You could have just entered the building in the first place..." Iruka replied with a hint of exasperation.
"But that's boring, and I wanted to show you this!" Naruto exclaimed, summoning multiple clones. With a burst of energy, the clones propelled him high into the air, and he soared through the open window into the room where Iruka was waiting.
"Shadow Clones, I see... Impressive. It seems you're growing as a shinobi, Naruto. Good for you," Iruka remarked with a smile, acknowledging Naruto's progress.
"Hehe, thanks, Iruka-sensei. How have you been, though?" Naruto inquired, showing genuine curiosity.
"Oh, you know... Teaching and all. Can't complain too much. And what about you?" Iruka replied, returning the question.
"I'm doing fine, Iruka-sensei. Thanks for asking, hehe," Naruto responded cheerfully.
"I'm glad to hear that. So, what brings you here?" Iruka asked, curious about Naruto's purpose.
"I wanted to ask for your help, Iruka-sensei, if you don't mind," Naruto requested, his eyes reflecting determination.
"Sure, I don't mind. What do you need help with?" Iruka agreed, willing to lend a hand.
"The other day, Asuma-sensei taught us how to detect chakra signatures. I did alright, I guess, but I feel like I can do better. I don't know how, though," Naruto explained, seeking guidance.
"Chakra signatures, huh? That's indeed a valuable skill for a shinobi to possess. I believe I can help you, Naruto," Iruka offered, sensing the importance of the request.
"Really?! SWEET! THANK YOU SO MUCH, IRUKA-SENSEI! I OWE YA BIG TIME DATTEBAYO!" Naruto exclaimed, his enthusiasm evident.
"Now, hold on a moment. Before I teach you this technique, promise me that you won't share it with anyone else. This is a jutsu I initially developed for myself, but I'm willing to share it with you," Iruka stipulated, emphasizing the significance of the request.
"I understand, Iruka-sensei. You can count on me, hehe," Naruto assured, his determination unwavering.
"Alright then, what I'm going to teach you is my Chakra Hankyouteii no Jutsu (Chakra Echolocation Technique). Do you remember that time when I caught you not paying attention without even looking behind me?" Iruka asked, reminding Naruto of a past incident.
Naruto nodded, recalling the moment when he had been scolded for dozing off, wondering how Iruka had known without turning around. "Ohhh yeah!... How did you do that though?" Naruto inquired, curious about the technique.
"I used the Chakra Hankyouteii no Jutsu (Chakra Echolocation Technique) I mentioned earlier. It allows me to gain a rough sense of my surroundings through echolocation using chakra. It's quite taxing for me, but I believe it will suit you just fine, considering the vast amount of chakra you possess," Iruka explained, confident in Naruto's potential.
"That's awesome! So... how do I do it?" Naruto asked eagerly, eager to learn the technique.
"There are no hand seals involved. All you have to do is release a pulse of chakra into your surroundings, like a wave. Since it's your own chakra, it is connected to you. When the chakra wave hits a surface, it will provide you with a mental image of your surroundings. Keep in mind that it won't penetrate through walls, and using this technique will reveal your location. So, only use it when it's safe and practical," Iruka advised, emphasizing the limitations and precautions.
"I see... Can you show me how it's done?" Naruto requested, eager to witness the technique in action. Iruka gladly demonstrated the Chakra Hankyouteii no Jutsu (Chakra Echolocation Technique), guiding Naruto through the steps. They practiced together for about half an hour until Naruto grasped the technique's execution. Satisfied with Naruto's progress, Iruka encouraged him to continue practicing to expand the range and accuracy of the technique.
Naruto expressed his gratitude to his former sensei and bid him farewell, leaving Iruka alone in the classroom. Although it had eaten into his lunch break, Iruka didn't mind, knowing it was Naruto who had sought his assistance. In that moment, Iruka realized how much he missed having Naruto in his class. He felt immense pride seeing Naruto grow at an incredible rate. With his bag in hand, Iruka locked the door and headed out to enjoy his lunch, making the most of the remaining 30 minutes.
- At Yamanaka Flowers: Friday -
"Thank you for your patronage," Ino said with a polite smile to a customer who had just purchased a beautiful bouquet of flowers. Her attention then turned to her fellow blonde teammate, Naruto, who was busy moving bags of soil and fertilizer. It was Friday, which meant Naruto had to go to his part-time job after their training session.
As Naruto neared the completion of his task, he called out to Ino, seeking guidance. "Hey, Ino! Where should I put this last bag? I can't fit any more bags here at the back."
"Hold on a sec, let me see... I guess you can put it in the storage shed. I'll inform my mom about it," Ino suggested, considering the available space.
"Alright, just one more bag, and then I can take a break, dattebayo!" Naruto exclaimed, squatting down to pick up the final bag. Suddenly, he heard a loud rip, and panic surged through him as he feared the bag had torn open. He quickly inspected the bag but found no damage. However, something felt amiss—a gentle breeze brushed against his legs. It was then that Naruto realized his pants had ripped, creating a hole. Ino's laughter confirmed his suspicion.
"Ha ha, very funny, Ino. Enjoying the view, huh?" Naruto retorted, playfully teasing her.
"Whatever, I thought it was funny, so deal with it. Besides, didn't I tell you to buy new clothes?" Ino replied, not missing a beat.
"Yeah, yeah, I know... I guess now is the time for that," Naruto admitted, realizing the necessity.
"Ah, ah, ah! Not so fast, Naruto..."
"What?..." Naruto inquired, curious about Ino's remark.
"Our shift isn't over yet. You still need to work, even with a hole in your pants," Ino stated matter-of-factly.
Naruto let out a sigh but soon came up with an idea. He removed his apron and wore it backward. "What are you doing?" Ino questioned, observing his unusual choice.
"Can't you tell? I'm covering up the hole, duh..." Naruto replied, defending his makeshift solution.
"Wear your apron properly. What will people think if they see you wearing it the wrong way? They'll think we hire crazy people. Take it off and wear it the right way," Ino suggested, smirking mischievously.
Naruto sighed once more and undid his apron, donning it correctly. However, as he did so, another brilliant idea crossed his mind. He removed both the apron and his jacket, tying the jacket around his waist to conceal the hole, and then put the apron back on properly. Ino rolled her eyes at his antics. "That's not fair!" she protested.
"Ah-ha! I managed to hide the hole anyway, hehe," Naruto responded, proudly grinning.
"Whatever, you still ripped your pants," Ino retorted, sticking out her tongue. Naruto playfully mirrored her gesture. Together, the two blondes continued to finish their shift, with closing time eventually arriving.
"So, where do you plan to buy new clothes?" Ino inquired, curious about Naruto's shopping plans.
"I think I saw a thrift store nearby. Maybe they have some..." Naruto began, but Ino interrupted him immediately.
"No" Ino said promptly
Perplexed by Ino's brief answer, he questioned her. "Huh? What do you mean, no?,"
"You're not going to buy clothes from a thrift store, not on my watch," Ino declared firmly, taking a stand.
"But it's cheap, and I don't really care about what I wear," Naruto argued.
"Shhhh... Just, no. You are not buying clothes from a thrift store. End of discussion," Ino firmly stated, placing her finger on Naruto's lip to silence him.
"But-" Naruto said, attempting to interject, but he was swiftly interrupted by Ino.
"No 'buts'," Ino reiterated firmly, silencing Naruto's protest.
"Isn't this supposed to be my decision?" Naruto replied, his voice tinged with a hint of frustration.
"Well, not anymore. So tough luck. Besides, I'm going shopping tomorrow as well. You might as well accompany me," Ino suggested, already planning their shopping excursion.
"*sigh* Fine... What time do you want to meet up tomorrow?" Naruto reluctantly agreed, knowing there was no point in arguing with Ino when it came to shopping.
"Meet me here at 8 o'clock. I know just the place to get clothes for you. It'll be so much fun!" Ino exclaimed, trying to lift Naruto's spirits.
"Don't give me that look. It'll be fun, Naruto. Trust me, I'll treat you to some ramen after we're done shopping," Ino tempted him, knowing his weakness for the delicious dish. Naruto maintained an expressionless face, but Ino could see a small smile forming on his lips.
"Oh come on, I know you want to have some ramen tomorrow. Just imagine indulging in a bowl of Miso Char Siu ramen after a long day of shopping. Doesn't that sound nice?" Ino continued, hoping to win him over. Naruto's stoic facade began to crumble, and a small smile escaped his lips.
"See?! All you need is a little motivation," Ino pointed out.
"That's not fair! You used ramen against me," Naruto protested.
"Oh yeah?! Well, you used your jacket to cover up the hole in your pants," Ino retorted, crossing her arms.
"Well, duh! I need to cover it up since my underwear is exposed, Ino. Why are you so fixated on it? Do you want to see my underwear that badly? You pervert!" Naruto teased, a mischievous glint in his eyes.
"WHA-?! I AM NOT A PERVERT! YOU TAKE THAT BACK! I just thought it would be funny," Ino pouted, flustered by Naruto's playful accusation.
"HAHAHA, you should've seen the look on your face when I called you a pervert. You turned as red as a cherry tomato," Naruto laughed, thoroughly enjoying the moment.
"WHY YOU!" Ino gritted her teeth, ready to smack Naruto, but he suddenly vanished before her eyes. She watched him run away, waving goodbye.
"Bye, Ino! See ya tomorrow, dattebayo!" Naruto's voice echoed in the distance.
Ino couldn't help but laugh at Naruto's antics. "That Naruto... You can never tell what's going on in that thick skull of his," she remarked with amusement as she locked the store and headed home.
- The Next Day -
"How come you get to shop for your clothes first? I thought you were gonna help me find a new outfit," Naruto questioned, feeling a bit puzzled.
Ino rolled her eyes and replied, "Relax, Naruto. Finding clothes for you is much easier compared to what I need to do, so it's better to finish my shopping first. Besides, the store isn't going anywhere."
Naruto scratched his head, still not fully convinced. "But why do I have to carry all of your stuff?"
Ino smiled mischievously. "Because that's what a gentleman does for their lady, you should know that," she teased.
Naruto's eyes widened after hearing what Ino had just said. "You mean to say that this is a date?"
Ino's face turned bright red as she quickly dismissed his assumption. "WHAT?! No, this is not a date. When did I say this was a date? And besides, I'd prefer to be on a date with Sasuke"
Naruto continued to explain his train of thought to her, in the hope understanding the situation they were in. "Well first off, that's kinda rude, Ino. And secondly, you said that gentlemen do stuff for their ladies, so does that mean I am the gentleman and you are 'my lady'? And if so, then this must be a date, right?"
Realizing that Naruto wouldn't let it go, Ino sighed and gave in. "Just forget about what I said, okay? It's just a nice thing you can do to help me, problem solved."
She then grabbed Naruto's hand and pulled him into a new store, which happened to be the women's swimwear section. Naruto hesitated and blushed, feeling out of place.
"Don't worry about it, Naruto. It's not like you're going to peek or anything. Oh, and no being a pervert, got it?" Ino reminded him with a playful smirk.
Naruto's face turned even redder as he stammered, "WHA-?! O-Of course not! Jeez..."
While Ino went into the dressing room to try on swimsuits, Naruto anxiously waited outside. He couldn't help but feel nervous about giving his opinion on her appearance.
Finally, Ino stepped out, wearing a modest two-piece swimsuit in a beautiful shade of blue. Naruto was taken aback by her beauty but managed to stammer, "I-It's okay, I guess."
Not satisfied with his response, Ino went back to change into another swimsuit. She emerged in a white one-piece swimsuit, hoping for a more genuine answer from Naruto.
Naruto's nervousness got the best of him again, and he sheepishly repeated, "Y-Yep, looks okay to me."
Ino pouted, disappointed with his vague responses. "You gotta try better than that, Naruto. Is it good? Is it bad? Just be honest with me."
Interrupting her, Naruto blurted out, "I think it doesn't matter what you wear, Ino. You'll look good anyway! So, can we go somewhere else now? Please?" His face turned bright red as he realized what he had just said.
Ino was taken aback by Naruto's sudden outburst, her cheeks turning a shade of pink. She couldn't deny the warmth that spread through her, but quickly brushed off those thoughts. "What the- Why am I blushing?" she thought to herself, trying to regain her composure. "S-See? That wasn't so difficult, was it? Alright, I think I have an idea of what to buy now," she said, her voice slightly shaky as she hurriedly changed back into her regular clothes. Ino couldn't help but wear a small grin, appreciating Naruto's genuine compliment.
- At A Different Store -
"So, Naruto, what do you want to wear then? Let's start with the color you want," Ino asked.
"Orange, for sure!" Naruto replied confidently.
"Orange again?" Ino raised an eyebrow. "Aren't you getting tired of that color?"
"Never!" Naruto declared.
"Okay, but why?" Ino probed further.
"I dunno… I just feel like it's right for me, y'know? Kinda like it was meant for me," Naruto explained with a hint of nostalgia.
"Hmmm… What about this one?" Ino handed him an orange shirt with long sleeves.
"Er… Anything else?" Naruto hesitated.
Ino sighed and kept searching for more options, trying to find something that would satisfy Naruto's taste. Hours passed in a cycle of finding orange clothes, presenting them to Naruto, and him dismissing them.
"This is the last one, Naruto. If you don't like it, then we'll have to look somewhere else," Ino said, slightly exasperated. She handed him an orange hoodie with black sleeves and orange stripes at the end.
Naruto examined it and tried it on. It fit well, and he liked the design. It still had the vibrant orange he loved, and it reminded him of his original jacket. To him, it felt right.
"This, I like this one," Naruto said with a smile.
"Finally!" Ino exclaimed in relief. "Now that your top is settled, the rest should be easy. Let's get you black and white shirts, five of each, so you can wear them underneath the hoodie. You can keep it open or zip it up. A personal preference of mine is when guys roll up their sleeves," Ino explained.
"I see. You sure do know a lot about fashion, Ino," Naruto remarked.
"Tell me something I don't know. You'll look ten times better after this. Let's get you some black designer pants to contrast your orange hoodie and black sandals to go with it. We should also get you a new kunai holster and some new bandage wraps. What do you think?" Ino laid out her plan.
"Sure, you're the expert. I'm just thankful you're going out of your way to help me. Thanks, Ino," Naruto expressed his gratitude.
"Don't mention it. This is also for me, so that you'll be much better to look at during missions or when we're training," Ino teased, quickly trying to cover up her real thoughts.
"What?" Naruto looked puzzled.
"N-Nothing… Go try these on," Ino hurriedly pushed Naruto into the dressing room. After trying on the clothes, Naruto emerged and spun around to show Ino his new look. Satisfied, Ino instructed him to change back into his regular clothes and hand her the items while he waited outside.
"I really liked the clothes you picked out. But, uh..." Naruto hesitated, unsure of how to continue.
"Don't tell me you changed your mind now. They have a no-refund policy," Ino retorted.
"No, it's not that. I just wish the symbol on the back of my original jacket could be transferred to the new one, and also this design on my sleeve," Naruto said, pointing to the intricate pattern adorning his sleeve. (I don't know what it's supposed to be but refer to the thingy on his shoulder, kinda looks like a tiny scroll)
"That's it? My mom could easily do that," Ino assured him.
"Really? Your mom wouldn't mind?" Naruto asked, surprised.
"Of course not! She likes you, so she'll gladly do it," Ino replied with a warm smile.
"Well, gee... Thanks, Ino!" Naruto expressed his gratitude, feeling touched by Ino's kindness and her willingness to go the extra mile for him.
- On The Road -
"Now, Naruto, be sure to read the instructions on how to wash your new clothes. If you do it the wrong way, you'll damage them right away, so be careful, okay?" Ino reminded him.
"Got it, I'll read the instructions and wash them properly," Naruto replied.
"Now, I believe you know what time it is," Ino hinted.
It took a moment for Naruto to realize what Ino was referring to when he saw the store they were walking towards. "ICHIRAKU RAMEN! YIPPEE!" he exclaimed, quickly making his way to get a bowl of Miso Char Siu.
Ino giggled at Naruto's enthusiasm and followed him into the ramen shop. She sat down beside him and placed the bags she was carrying aside.
"Ahhh, Naruto-kun, and I see you brought Ino-chan with you. What would the both of you like to order?" Ayame, the ramen shop owner, greeted them.
"You already know what I'm getting, Ayame-neechan," Naruto grinned.
"Alright then, Miso Char Siu it is. And what about you, Ino-chan?" Ayame turned to Ino.
"I guess I'll have what he's having as well," Ino decided.
"Got it, two bowls of Miso Char Siu! Extra toppings included. Naruto's here and he brought a... friend," Ayame said with a mischievous smile, but Naruto and Ino didn't notice the implication behind her words.
(A/N: Ah-ha! The long-awaited shopping chapter where Ino models for Naruto haha, I tried my best not to make it sound creepy since I'm describing a thirteen-year-old girl wearing a bikini. But you gotta admit, Ino looks gorgeous. Anyway, if you cant visualize what Naruto's clothes look like, pm me, and I'll send the images I drew inspiration from. Also, I have made some changes, remember chapter9 with the mobilization of the troops part at the end? Yeah... I'm gonna edit that out, it's too soon for the Chunin Exams, I am planning to train them up first before putting them in the Chunin Exams, ever wondered why the rookie teams took the exams after a few months of being Genin? Felt kinda rushed but I plan to change that here, so it feels more natural for them to take the exams to go to the next level. So I'll move the exams from July to October. And yep this Echolocation Jutsu is the same as in Better Left Unsaid, it has no name and no explanation in the wiki though Kenchi618's explanation and mechanics of it are nice so I implemented it. I really like a lot of his stuff so you might see a lot of similarities anyway I hope yall enjoyed this chapter, thanks for the continued support! that's all cheers ^^)