The Cursed Tree

Disclaimer I own nothing of the naruto franchise.

AN:- I would like to start off by thanking my reviewers thank you so much. Please note that some events will be as in canon and I will be making more changes as I go forward. Before I start I would like to address some of the questions by the reviewers.

Royalmv:- Well I am hoping I could update daily but I do have a very busy schedule sometimes. But I will try to update twice weekly at the least.

http20:- Thank you so much. I hope you continue to enjoy the story.

Issei Uzumaki:- Yes I meant Chakra. In one of the earlier episodes of Naruto he had said Catra instead of chakra so I thought it would be a fun idea to implement it here.

Chapter 2

Ino still had her mind on how he had grown that flower. She knew there was no such technique which everyone can use. She had rushed to the nearest library that day when they had been dismissed.

She had to only look at one scroll to know what it was that Naruto had used to grow the flower that day. It didn't make sense, Naruto was not from the Senju clan his last name was Uzumaki. The Mokuton was a Kekkei Genkai which had been used by the first Hokage who was a Senju so how did Naruto come to have it? She had looked into the Uzumaki's and was surprised by what she read.

Uzushiogakure was one of Konohagakure's long standing allies. A land surrounded by whirlpools known for their prowess in Fuinjutsu. There were some scrolls stating they had multiple Kekkai Genkais, this however did not explain the Mokuton as they were mostly just something to do with dense chakra.

'Hmm.. that would explain his trouble with the bunshin' Ino thought to herself. She read further her eyes widening in horror as she read what had happened to the whole village. A whole village wiped out just like that. Ino sat back leaning into the chair, she had thought what Sasuke-Kun had experienced was horrifying, but his was a clan in comparison to a whole village being wiped out.

But she was sure there had been an Uzumaki in the village she had read about it. So she had looked through the bingo book AHA! Uzumaki Kushina the red-headed habnero of Konohagakure. She was known during her tenure as a Chunin however she seemed to have just dropped out of the active Shinobi list.

She looked at the picture of the red headed woman. Man Naruto's mom was pretty. But that still didn't explain how he had the Mokuton. Was his dad a Senju then why was his name Uzumaki? She had finally given up when nothing showed up. Frustrated she stomped her way back home. Well then if she couldn't get the answer herself she would have to ask Naruto.

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Naruto sighed. The mission to Nami no Kuni was disturbing. He saw what an elite ninja could do and even with the clones he could not lay a finger on him, let alone a hand. Then there was Haku, who lived his life as a tool and died protecting who was more precious to him. Haku gave him a goal, to protect those important him. It had lit a fire in him.

He could not still use Mokuton in a fight other than getting flowers to bloom and growing trees a few inches it was very much useless currently. He was aware of the strength it would give him if he could master it but there was the simple problem of there being no scrolls which document more techniques. Sasaki-san had said the Shodaime had left a detailed list of Jutsu but it had gone missing. Maybe he could ask Jiji, being the Hokage he had to know something.

The only other Jutsus he knew were just the academy Jutsus and Kagebunshin No Jutsu. How could he protect the ones precious to him if he could not fight properly? Without using Kyubi's chakra.

Sasuke had almost died and the pain of losing a teammate was not something he wanted to feel ever again. The mission was an eye opener. He needed to train more.

Maybe Sazaki-San would know which Jutsu's would be useful. The next morning he rose with the sun and immediately headed to the Shinobi library. Sazaki-san was there with a smile on his face "What do you need Naruto?"

When Naruto explained his situation Sazaki handed him a piece of paper and asked him to focus Chakra into it. Naruto did as he was told. The paper split in half with one half crumbling and the other getting soaked.

"Wind, Water and earth. Wind is your main type. But you have and affinity for both water and earth. Your affinity for water is strong" Sasaki-san thought out loud. He then handed him three scrolls. Looking over the scrolls he saw that they contained some basic Jutsus from each element.

Naruto gratefully accepted them and took a seat. Taking the scroll containing the Jutsus for Water element. He was gleeful to learn it was an offensive element. He knew the Nidaime was famous for his water style Jutsu. Now he had a goal surpassing the Nidaime. Grinning to himself he headed out of the library. "Arigato, Sasaki-San" He said softly having learned not to yell in the library. Especially when Sasaki-San is there, he shivered at the memory.

Naruto headed to the training ground 13 which contained a lake. Sitting on one of the logs to the edge he opened up the scrolls Reading them he summoned four clones. He had learned the hard way using too much shadow clones tire him too much during Ninjutsu training. He looked over the Jutsu list and found an intriguing one.

He quickly gave out orders to the clones "You" he said pointing to the first clone

"Practice with Suiton: Uo tsuba with clone two and You" he commands pointing to the third clone "Practice Suiton: Mizu no Yaiba, all of you dispel when there has been any progress" with that he took off his orange jacket.

He had been training to improve his Taijutsu style. The one taught to him by the academy instructor was absolutely impractical and could get him killed. He had asked Kakashi-Sensei on how to correct his Taijutsu on the return trip from Nami no Kuni.

"…. Naruto hesitantly approached Kakashi who had his head buried in an Icha Icha book, grimacing slightly he opened his mouth when he was interrupted "What can I do for you Naruto" Kakashi-Sensei had asked closing his book and turning around to meet Narutos's wide eyes. Kakashi eye smiled at the startle expression on the genins face "Maa..maa Naruto I'm not going to bite your head, unless I have been poisoned by Sakura's cooking" He says looking pale at the thought.

Naruto snickered at the look on his face. But Sakura's cooking had truly been terrible, he didn't know how she managed to make stew green. Suppressing a shudder he looked at Kakashi-Sensei "Ano Sensei how can I be a better Ninja" Naruto asks which prompts Kakashi to adopt a more serious expression.

"Naruto I cannot just teach you all the jutsus I know.." "I KNOW THAT!" Naruto cuts him off " I just..I know you cannot.. and I understand I have much to learn. I just want to know where I should improve. So I don't hold the others back"

Kakashi had looked at him wide eyed. It seemed that the Mission had a bigger effect on Naruto than he had originally thought. "Well you could improve your Taijutsu." He says "And your Kunai and Shurikan throwing skills. You use the completely wrong form when throwing them" He states before taking a kunai out of his pouch "See hold it like this" Kakashi- Sensei says gripping the kunai and showing it to an attentive Naruto.

Over the next day as they travelled Kakashi-Sense gave them instructions on how to better improve all of their skills. With Sasuke receiving tips on how to better utilize the Sharingan and Sakura being suggested to try using more extensive Genjutsu…"

That in addition to the tips he had received from a weirdo in a spandex and caterpillar brows he had a fixed routine. Bushy brow-Sensei had met them while they were on their way to report the mission details to the Hokage.

Having overheard their conversation he had proceeded to interject tips he had thought to be useful before doing something weird to the background which even Sakura thought was a Genjutsu.

Knowing it wouldn't hurt to try the methods the man suggested Naruto had gotten weights from the Ninja store on his way to the training ground. Tying two to both his legs he formed the ram seal gathering chakra into the weights. Ending the chakra flow he tested them out. Finding his movements weighed down he grinned and began his training.

He ran around the village several times, worked on his Taijutsu with his clones and finally Ninjutsu training after dispelling the clones who had succeeded he had practiced until he saw visible results. While working on the Suiton Jutsu he slowly started to incorporate Fuuton and Doton Jutsu as well just focusing on a single Jutsu at a time while he and his clones worked on perfecting the Suiton Jutsu.

He had to do the leaf cutting exercise which took him a week to fully master even with the clones. His Doton Jutsu was a mild one, Fuuton Daitoppa was a bit hard for him to grasp even with his clones as they ended up dispelling because of the damage done by the wind attack. So he focused more on the Suiton Jutsu he had trouble with. He had read that Nidaime Hokage can draw water even in a desert. And that was the level he was aiming for.

"Suiton: Mizu no Yaiba" he shouts quickly moving through hand seals. Swords made out of water appeared in his hands. He observed them they were sharp but required intense concentration to maintain. While it was still sturdy and could cause some damage he could not hold the form of the sword for much too long. So he had all the clones come spar to see how long he could maintain it.

Naruto frowned unsatisfied at the end seeing the results. The swords were too hard to maintain. He could currently hold it for a few minutes, sure it could provide an edge in battle but the technique needs more stability. Not to mention his sword skills were not existent. He should ask Kakashi-Sensei for pointers on Kenjutsu or he could ask Sasaki-San for some more scrolls.

Soon their vacation ended and they were called to meet up once more. Sasuke looked surlier than ever and Sakura seemed much quieter. They resumed their normal D-ranked missions. With Kakashi-Sensei giving them team based training for all of them. Where Sakura took up a support role with her improving Genjutsu skills and basic healing while Sasuke and Naruto learned how to fight together.

It was one such day when Kakashi- Sensei decided to test them once more. He held the now familiar bells with a smile and told them to try to get them. All three of them looked at each other and quickly hid in the forest surrounding them.

Naruto huddled into a nook in the tree as Sasuke inspected the surrounding and Sakura placed a Genjutsu around the area. All three huddle in close.

"Dobe what can you do other than your clone Jutsu?.." Sasuke asked a Smirk on his face "I can do three Katon Jutsu and I know Sakura here has learned new Genjutsu" He says in a smug tone. Naruto ignored the tone knowing that fighting now would be useless "I can perform a Suiton Jutsu and Fuuton Jutsu, Suiton:Mizu no Yaiba, Suiton: Uo tsuba and Fuuton: Daitoppa" He says simply.

He received a wide eyed stare from Sakura and a look of disbelief from Sasuke. "Using Suiton would be contradictory since it will cancel the Katon Jutsu. How good are you with the Futon Jutsu Naruto" Sakura asked looking thoughtful.

Happy that Sakura-Chan didn't question his skills he says sheepishly "I have not completely mastered it but if I can get close enough I can cause severe damage" Sasuke looks smug at that and Sakura just nods looking determined.

Kakashi looked bored standing in the middle of the training ground. He had closed the book he was reading when he felt the Genin approach. Frowning he looked into the trees, he could only sense Naruto's energy, strange they knew the purpose of the test now.

Sighing he thought that the blonde had once again thought to act on his own he took a kunai and deflected the Shurikans being thrown his way. He saw the blond in orange charge at him head on past the foliage. He blocked an attack to his head and swiped quickly at his stomach making the blonde jump back.

How strange. Naruto usually blocked such attacks especially with the improvements to his Taijutsu. He smiled knowing what was going on when Naruto ran around him before jumping back at him. This time throwing Shurikan with deadly accuracy forcing Kakashi to use replacement Jutsu.

Up on the branch Kakashi looked at naruto who had turned to look at him before quickly forming seals "Katon; Gokakyu no Jutsu" He says before blowing a stream of fire at him. Kakashi eye smiled when he heard another voice joining in "Fuuton: Daitoppa" With that the already impressive flames grew bigger and caused an explosion.

Naruto and Sasuke stood in the middle of the training ground smirking at the explosion when they hear their sensei "Suiton: Suijinchu" Kakashi says letting the seal drop when the flames extinguish. He chuckled and walked slowly forward when a rope swung from underneath him and trapped him. Shocked he looked up spotting a grinning Sakura reaching for the bells.

Naruto smiled widely spotting Sakura-Chan reach for the bell when they heard a poof and a bell ring. Naruto felt his jaw drop when he saw their sensei drop down next to him, grabbing both Sasuke and his shoulder.

He looked back robotically expecting the thunderous expression from their first time but was met with an eye smile.
"Good job. You three. You are all dismissed." He says turning to walk away.

Naruto felt happy at that, happy he turned to look at Sasuke who had a dark look on his face.

"Oh meet me here in a weeks' time" Kakashi-Sensei chimes before giggling at his book.

"Good morning Sakura-Chan" he greeted smiling widely at the girl who looked surlier than normal at the usual greeting from Naruto. He was ignored. Kakashi-Sensei for once appeared on time to break the sudden tension between the team. "My cute little Genin. I have enrolled you for the upcoming Chunin exams." He said giving them an eye smile and handing them a slip of paper. Naruto felt excitement. He was getting one step closer to Hokage.

Sasuke smirked. "Now you all are to meet at the Academy for the preliminaries. Don't be late" he said as he disappeared with sushin. He really needed to learn that Jutsu.

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The three stood in front of the academy. Even Sasuke looked nervous. Kakashi-Sensei had greeted them and told them how proud he was of them. He had almost fallen prey to the Genjutsu had it not been for Lee he might have rushed forward eliminating all of them. Determined Naruto opened the door and walked in.

"Oh you guys made it" Spoke an obnoxious Voice. Naruto twitched as Kiba came in to view. Out of nowhere Ino came flying at Sasuke which ensued a heated debate between her and Sakura.

"Quiet down Guys. You are attracting a lot of attention" Spoke a voice as a man with glasses walked towards them. "Who are you?" Kiba asked loudly pointing at him. "My name is Yuuhashi Kabuto." The man says adjusting his glasses. Naruto felt a slimy next to him.

So he had stepped away watching from a distance as Kabuto seemed to have ensnared most of the rookie 9 with his deck of cards. Naruto frowned more when Sasuke had asked to see his card and tensed when Kabuto started listing his academy performance and revealed details about his mission to Nami no Kuni.

Jiji had said what had happened in Nami was supposed to remain confidential, yet here the slimy bastard was revealing information he should not know. Even Sakura had a small frown on her face at that.

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"What are you doing here whiskers? Found another dead flower?" Spoke an amused voice beside him. Naruto jumped and looked at a grinning Ino "There is something off about that guy" He said simply and just watched Kabuto speaking to an excited Kiba, when he felt himself become the target of killing intent. Looking around he caught a red haired teenager staring at him.

Ino looked at where he was looking at, shivering when she caught sight of the red head who was now glaring at the both of them. "Is it me or does he look like he wants to kill us?' Ino whispered to Naruto apprehensively.

Naruto felt quite unnerved by that "Maybe it's better we stay away from him." Ino couldn't help but agree with his observation. "So where is forehead?" She asked trying to make conversation, seeing as they were sort of early. She had looked around for the familiar blob of pink hair but she hadn't seen anything, seeing Naruto standing alone so she had walked towards him.

He shrugged "She went with Sasuke they should be somewhere around here" He said looking around. "Ahh.. So How's your plant been?" she asked really, are you for real. Did you just really ask him how his plant was? Naruto looked amused at that "well its growing well. How are you doing Ino?" He asked "Oh you know just taking part in the Chunin exam. I.." Ino was cut off when a sharp voice cut in. "All right. Quiet down brats" Screamed the Proctor appearing in the middle of the room. Naruto watched the man quietly.

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A/N Please don't forget to review. Your reviews fuel me.