Great power!
"How strong are you?" asked Yugao… but with seriousness this time. She knew already he is very strong. But she wanted to know the extent of his strength. Like all people she was getting curious minute by minute and wanted to know how strong is Naruto.
Naruto smiled a bit and gave her a curt nod and drifted his gaze away from her.
"Honestly Yugao-san, even I didn't know how strong I was getting. It was always me and Sasuke who trained together for like a year maybe… since then, today is the first time I am seeing how strong I am for myself. Even I am surprised at the jutsu I pulled out in the last minute. For a second there I thought I was going to die… but I guess my last resort worked out and helped me." Said Naruto in a briefing manner.
"Also, as u have seen already, I am quite proficient with fuinjutsu. I have learnt majority of it from the Uchiha clan library… and yeah you need a sharingan to understand the jutsu they have written in them. I started myself with fuinjutsu first." Said Naruto as he continued the rest of his explanation.
After listening to the whole thing both Yugao was surprised. Kurenai on the other hand was already thinking if Naruto is this strong then Sasuke is also a no joke for the enemies around them. She started to imagine how strong Sasuke would be.
Yugao was right now at an utter loss of words. There was something that was making her more curious. "But how did you manage to do elemental training and fuinjutsu in such a short time and got very proficient with-it Naruto-kun!?" asked Yugao.
Naruto chuckled at her question and smiled once again. He just looked towards Kakashi who was also waiting for a reply.
He then cleared his throat and said "I can make shadow clones you know? Also, I have sharingan and I am able to learn jutsu quicker by understanding the chakra patterns while using them!"
Both Kurenai and Yugao face-palmed at the obviousness of his answer. Of course, they knew the use of shadow clones in training but they didn't think when they were wondering about Naruto.
"But Naruto-kun aren't you afraid that u might get chakra exhaustion and the beast might-" Kurenai said, but was interrupted by Kakashi before she could complete.
"Come on Kurenai… You are a jonin. You just saw the scale of jutsu the kid just used in his fight with the jinchuriki… to add cherry on top of everything; after using a considerable amount of chakra he is still standing with us now conversing!" Said Kakashi in a stating manner.
Kurenai sweat-dropped at Kakashi's comment. She then looked at Naruto and saw his face. Naruto was now not in the conversation. He was thinking about something else.
"Say Naruto-kun… how many shadow clones can u make?" asked Yugao a bit curiously again. She really wanted to know the numbers right now. I mean yea she did see him making use of shadow clones in their mission. But she wanted to know the actual numbers, when he trains with them.
Naruto got out of his musings and saw her face with a question mark expression. He didn't listen to what Yugao was asking.
"Umm I am sorry Yugao-san what were you saying again?" asked Naruto with that same question mark expression on his face.
"I was… asking how many shadow clones you can make. I mean when you train how many shadow clones do you make?" Yugao asked again, but this time in much more briefing manner.
"Typically, I use about 50 shadow clones while I train, I guess. Why do you ask Yugao-san?" Naruto asked Yugao a bit surprised that she is asking for the numbers.
Yugao went dumbstruck just by imagining 50 clones training. It is the most intense training she ever imagined. 'Naruto is really something else. Hell! He is a big powerhouse! If he uses his sharingan and keeps training alongside using his shadow clones he is going to surpass all the strongest shinobis in no time.' Yugao thought to herself. She then gave a smile to Naruto and they continued in their journey.
"Naruto-kun… what is your dream? As a shinobi I meant." Asked Yuhi Kurenai and she really did want to know about his dream. She was absolutely stunned on learning about the enigma in front of her. She couldn't help but wonder about him.
"Me… I want to become hokage one day and surpass all the hokages before me and become the strongest ninja." Said Naruto with a proud beaming smile on his face. He was very happy that someone else has an interest on him and asked him about his dream.
Upon listening to what he said; Kurenai and Yugao were surprised. They expected him to say that he only wanted to be the strongest shinobi. They didn't expect him to say that he will become Hokage when he grows up. Of course when he was a small kid he used to go around the streets shouting that 'One day I am going to be hokage when I grew up' and Kurenai along with Yugao used to listen his words. But they thought it was only a dream during his childhood.
So, they were a bit taken off on listening to his dream of becoming Hokage for the hidden leaf village. Both the women smiled a lot and that smile turned into a laughter. Naruto didn't understand the reason behind their laughter.
"Hey! What is wrong in it? Did I say something funny?" asked Naruto as he emphasized and pointed his finger towards him. "It's nothing Naruto-kun… you are saying the same thing in the same way you used to when you were a small cute little kid!" said Yugao as she stopped laughing. Naruto then blushed at the cute little kid comment and rubbed the back of his head sheepishly and then regained his posture
"We are actually surprised that you still hold your childhood dream and wish to accomplish it" said Kurenai emphasizing the reason for their laughter.
Naruto on listening to it just gave a grin and then nodded his head.
"I always meant it when I said that I want to be the hokage when I grew up. I was never messing or joking about it. Because one day I want all of the village to respect me for what I am. I want them to see me for what I am rather than for what is inside me. I want them to see me as Naruto Uzumaki, believe it!" said Naruto with that same grin plastered on his face. Kurenai and Yugao saw Naruto fight a jinchuriki, an S-rank level shinobi nonetheless moments ago. On seeing him in action on a battlefield they feared him as a shinobi and for his raw strength and power. But when the saw the grinning and cheerful Naruto in front of them, they couldn't help but melt in the moment. He is like a kid when he talks but at the same time a force-to be reckoned with if a fight comes up.
Kakashi just smiled at his student's resolve and mentally agreed that his student is going to accomplish a lot of things in the coming days. But at the same time, he was also afraid that if the dark persona of Naruto becomes the best of him, he might fall into the same path as Itachi did in hunger for power.
Imagining a situation like that itself sent chills up his spine.
Naruto on the other hand kept talking with Yugao and Kurenai about the various ways in which he trained along with Sasuke. They already knew about Sasuke. They knew that he was the rookie of the year. But on listening to the training they both did, Kurenai realized that both Naruto and Sasuke are more than what they let on to people.
"Kurenai-sensei, umm… can you please keep my abilities as a secret with your team? I don't want anyone to know about my strength until the chunin exams complete." Naruto requested Kurenai that too in a pleasing manner.
Kurenai just smiled at his request. "Sure Naruto-kun, I promise I won't reveal your strength to my genin team. You don't have to worry about that matter." Kurenai said in a soft vibe.
Naruto then nodded his head as a gesture for Kurenai's answer and the team continued to travel back to Konoha after that. No one spoke much for the rest of the travelling and everyone was thinking to reach Konoha ASAP.
They do have a lot of reporting to do in Konoha! There is a fight with a jinchuriki, and then there is a mysterious thing the Iwa is doing, which the team didn't come to know of anything yet. Nonetheless everyone was on their guard, and were alert every moment.
After few hours
Kakashi and his teammates finally reached Konoha in the morning hours after travelling non-stop from fire country's border. They didn't encounter anything else in their mid-way and they made it back to Konoha without a hitch in between. Nonetheless the mission though wasn't successful completely, they did come to know that their assumptions about Iwagakure's suspicious activity in the fire country's border was true and gathered some intel.
"I guess we still have reporting to do. Man, I thought of sitting back and relaxing reading the new edition of icha-icha paradise, but Hokage-sama wouldn't leave me if there is no briefing for the mission." Said Kakashi in his usual lazy tone with few fake depressed expressions on his face.
All the other three teammates sighed at Kakashi's antics and just sweat dropped at his comments. They then walked towards the Hokage tower and then climbed the stairs towards the Hokage's office and finally got inside the Hokage's office.
The old kage was just blowing the smoke out of his pipe while doing the paperwork and muttering that 'he is too old for this job'. The 4 shinobi in the room giggled at his musings and it was Kakashi who cleared his throat, due to which the Hokage's attention shifted towards him.
"I hope the mission went all accordingly and there was no encount-" Sarutobi said but stopped in b/n seeing the state of Naruto's clothes. His eyes immediately widened and said only thing. "Explain every detail about the mission Kakashi. But before that Naruto I order you to go and get yourself checked up in hospital."
"Hai!" shouted Naruto understanding the seriousness in his voice all too well and left the Hokage building and headed to the hospital by himself.
Meanwhile in a flower shop of Konoha:
The weather was perfect today. It is the most ideal day to do anything. But she wasn't in her cheery mood as she is everytime. Her face was lifeless and she was depressed. She was sickeningly worried about her Blond-haired friend. To take her mind away from Naruto, she tried to think about something else.
Ino then laid her head on the table of her counter and slowly drifted into her own thoughts. After several minutes, her thoughts again came back to Naruto. It has been a day since she has met him or seen him for that matter. She was very much worried about Naruto since yesterday. 'I hope he comes back home safely?' thought Ino while worrying about Naruto. She wanted to meet him and ask him about where on earth he was. She laid on her counter just like that and closed her eyes for a moment remembering yesterday's events.
A day ago:
Ino went to Naruto's apartment in the afternoon and found that he isn't in there. She tried knocking the door and when there was no response, she felt strange. She then thought about the places where he could go.
She searched for him everywhere, she went to the training grounds where the trained, she went to the top of Hokage's monument and searched for him. But she couldn't find him anywhere. She decided she should go and meet Sasuke and enquire about Naruto with him.
She then reached the Uchiha clan compound and then ringed the bell of Sasuke's house. Sasuke slowly came towards the door yawning and opened the door of his house. He saw Ino with lifeless eyes.
"what is it Ino?" Sasuke asked in his usual monotonous voice. He was sleeping soundly and wanted that sleep to continue, but he didn't expect a guest nor did he know that she was coming.
Ino just awkwardly waved at him and thought 'Sasuke sleeps in the afernoons? I expected him to train!'
"hey have you seen Naruto around? He isn't there in his apartment. I have tried to search for him on his usual spots he isn't there either." Ino then asked immediately as she left her thoughts and came back to the world.
Sasuke on listening to what Ino said perked up and his expression changed. He then replied that "nope I haven't seen him, the last thing I knew about him was he came to your house last night for a dinner. The hokage might know something Ino, maybe he is sent on a mission who knows?" sasuke said very casually.
"Thanks! I will check with Hokage-sama." said Ino as she left for the hokage building and decided to ask the Hokage. Sasuke then closed the door and decided to go back to his slumber and head towards his bedroom.
Ino after sometime reached the hokage building and went inside to meet the hokage. She then went into his office and saw him there doing the same usual paper work he does every time.
Upon noticing Ino in the room the hokage gave her a warm smile and then wanted to ask her what was the matter. "Hi Ino-chan, what is it?" asked the age-old hokage, in that same lively tone he always has.
"Hokage-sama, Naruto isn't in the village, he didn't say me anything about going out of the village. Was he sent on a mission?" Ino asked as she came straight to the point. The hokage understood there is no point in lying to her that he might be in the village somewhere, she already searched for him. He then blew the smoke out of his mouth and gave a sigh.
"He is out on a classified mission Ino-chan, I am sorry that I can't say anything more than that to you, also you are not supposed to say anyone else that Naruto is on a mission. I hope it's clear." Said the hokage in a stern manner as he again exhaled the smoke out of his mouth.
Ino just nodded her head and then went back to her home, understanding what the hokage said and then started to think what the mission could be that Naruto is on. But she was worrying and got dull nonetheless
Back to the present:
'I wonder what is taking Naruto so long, is it a high-rank mission that he is on, hokage-sama said it is classified, I hope he will come back alright.' Thought Ino but she was worrying very much about him while imagining the worst things that could happen to him and shed few tears on imagining them.
She kept wishing that he will come back safe and sound and they could be doing their mission as a team. She was getting really worried about him.
With Hokage and Kakashi; along his team:
"…he used only one jutsu to finally put down the Iwa jinchuriki and ended their fight and that is the end of what has happened in the mission Hokage-sama." Kakashi said as he finished explaining the whole events that transpired in his mission. He explained each and every thing that happened in the mission, including every minute detail
The Hokage while listening to the whole mission being debriefing, particularly during Naruto's fight with Iwagakure's jinchuriki, he had chills down his spine,
Hiruzen Sarutobi couldn't believe the words he was listening when he heard that Naruto used one single jutsu to completely annihilate and put down the jinchuriki. He couldn't believe that one of the strongest shinobi of Iwagakure was defeated by a genin of his village with one single jutsu. He wanted to know what exactly this jutsu was.
"which jutsu did Naruto use?" Hiruzen asked in a haste manner, he wanted to know it. He couldn't believe what he was listening, not even one bit. Yes, he did know that Naruto was very strong. But when he heard from Kakashi that Naruto fought Roshi, all alone by himself, without the team's assistance he was completely blown out of his mind. He wanted to know the extent of Naruto's power.
"The jutsu Naruto used is…. The fabled Gokamekyaku no Jutsu Hokage-sama." Kakashi said with a serious expression on his face and the whole room was filled with tense atmosphere.
Upon listening to what Kakashi said Hiruzen's was completely struck; as he recollected the fabled tales and memories of the Madara the greatest Uchiha and the rival to the strongest shinobi that has ever lived. He couldn't believe his ears at this moment. Heck he was thinking that he might be in a dream and he would wake up any moment out of it.
"When Naruto used the jutsu Hokage-sama, the whole forest around us along with Roshi was set ablaze in broad daylight Hokage-sama. The level of destruction the jutsu caused is something unimaginable hokage-sama. What makes it more intriguing is the fact that Naruto was able to control his bijuu chakra and do the jutsu at the same time. Honestly, if I have to say hokage-sama, Naruto is the strongest shinobi after you in this village." Said Kakashi as he explained everything and said about things in his mind.
Hiruzen after listening to the whole thing intently, came to know about the real strength of Naruto. Naruto right now is too strong as a shinobi, the only thing he lacks is the experience in the battlefield. After thinking and taking in a lot of things, Hiruzen gave out a sigh and exhaled the smoke.
"Thank you for briefing the mission Kakashi, you and your team can go now." Said Hiruzen as he closed his eyes and got up from his seat. Kakashi and their team nodded their heads and left the room. Hiruzen on the other hand was perplexed. He didn't know the lengths of Naruto's potential. Now he started to think about Sasuke too. If Naruto and Sasuke have been training together so much, then by no means Sasuke would be a less of a shinobi to Naruto. From what he knows, Sasuke and Naruto are rivals and partners in their training. So, he is yet to know about the true strength of Sasuke.
He then kept gazing at the village through the window, and kept wondering about what kind of shinobis Naruto and Sasuke going to become in the days ahead.
With Naruto at the hospital:
Naruto reached the hospital of the Konoha. He had a disinterested expression on his face. He didn't like hospitals since he was a kid. Whenever he used to get beaten up on October 10th he used to get admitted in the hospital, but he never let them discharge him. He used to run away from the building. But right now, he can't complain much. He is in a bad shape and he needs medical care.
He slowly walked inside the hospital and upon noticing him there were scowls in few people faces while few people plainly ignored him. Naruto who already got used to it didn't bother about them and went to get himself checked up.
"I need to get myself checked up umm…. I am a genin ninja" Naruto said to the receptionist. The receptionist was engrossed in her work so much that she didn't even bother to look at him she just pointed her fingers towards a room and said "over there".
Naruto just nodded his head and went into the room. There was a young girl who might be a few years older than him. She was looking very beautiful and he couldn't help but admire her beauty. She was having blue eyes just like him but a bit paler compared to his, She, had purple color hair that was tied in a bun and by looking at the size of the bun one can say she is having really long hair. She was having earrings that were in the shape of sunflowers but in red color. She looked amazing. If there was someone he knew that looked this beautiful or could compete with her it was Ino.
The girl on the other hand couldn't take her eye-sight of his body. With Naruto's jacket completely torn, and tattered his body was very much visible. To say it he was half naked. His hair was completely messy and he looked very much rugged. But as she kept seeing his body, she noticed the bleeding stains on his chest. She immediately got out of her thoughts and came back to the moment.
Naruto slowly walked and sat in the seat to get himself examined. The doctor was now able to see the cut that has happened to him as he was close to her.
'How on earth is he able to walk around as if nothing happened to him with such a serious injury, moreover it is also healing by himself is it a kekkei genkai he has got?' the doctor thought. But she decided to deal with the situation in front of her first and heal him up before thinking all these.
She just smiled at him and soon enough her palms started to glow with the green light. She gave a nod and Naruto gave a nod gesturing her to go ahead as he removed the tattered jacked and broken mesh under him.
While healing him she tried to talk to him. "Hi there my name is Mami Tanaka. I am a newly appointed doctor here. I just completed my training few weeks ago. But don't worry about my ability, I can heal you perfectly." She said the last part in a joking manner. Naruto just chuckled at what she said and then decided to introduce himself to her.
"My name is Naruto Uzumaki. I am a freshly minted genin. Guess we both are new to our work and we have something common. Nice to meet you!" Naruto said in a light-hearted manner trying to keep the conversation up.
She just smiled at him and then stopped as she healed him up. "Nice to meet you too Naruto-san. I guess the injury in here is completely healed up. Do you have any other injuries that need to be healed?" Mami asked him.
Naruto then showed his right leg and she started to heal up the injury even there also. The rest of the time they both were silent as she healed him up.
After few minutes which felt like eternity, the healing was completely done and Naruto felt relieved. Mami then simply smiled at him at the end.
"So Mami-san, am I in a shape to go for a new mission?" Naruto asked as he felt he was all fixed up. Mami kept a disbelief expression on her face.
"Umm… no you can't go, your body still needs time and you need at least 3 days of rest to let your body completely heal." Mami said and denied him on his face sternly.
Naruto just sulked for a minute but again chirped up. "Mami-san you are so beautiful you know that?" Naruto said smiling. It wasn't in flattering manner but he was saying it genuinely. Mami blushed again at his comment and said "Thank you Naruto-san, but don't you think flirting with a doctor in her room's a bit inappropriate." Mami teased Naruto. Naruto's expression completely changed. "No! No! No! I wasn't flirting with you. I was saying it genuinely" Naruto replied back.
Mami then chuckled seeing his face changing into different expression and the way he reacted to it. "Its ok relax, I was only joking. You know what even you look a lot handsome." Mami said to Naruto smiling again.
Naruto blushed at the comment. It was the first time some girl was actually complimenting him. 'Mami-san is being so nice to me. Is she being nice to me because she doesn't know about what I hold inside me?' Naruto thought to himself.
"hey Naruto-san are you there? are you there?" Mami waved in front of Naruto as he spaced out. He was really thinking about it deep and was lost in his own thoughts.
"I am sorry Mami-san, I was thinking something else. What is it?" Naruto asked Mami back with a sheepish grin plastered on his face. He didn't know she was talking to him. He was lost in that moment.
"Umm… I was asking why do you have two different chakras inside you? One felt warm and enticing while the other one I didn't know how it felt like. But I can say it is very potent and powerful." Mami asked him as she explained about what she felt when she was healing him up.
Naruto realized that according to her explanation the other chakra source belongs to his bijuu, he didn't want to say her that he was the jinchuriki of kyuubi. So, he just acted as if he didn't know about it, and decided to steer the topic.
"Umm, I don't know… I never felt it myself. So, I guess I can't say you much about it." Naruto said while he acted as if he didn't have a single clue about what she was talking about. "Well, let us just forget about it." Mami said to Naruto with a smile, she then extended her hand for a handshake and once again said "My name is Mami Tanaka! I am pleased to meet you; shall we be friends?".
Naruto was surprised at what she asked. He just melted in that moment and shook hands with her. "My name is Naruto Uzumaki! Pleased to meet you and let's be friends." Said Naruto cheerfully with a grin plastered on his face.
"Hey Mami-chan… umm is it ok if I call you Mami-chan." Naruto asked a bit sheepishly on changing the honorifics behind her name immediately. He was rubbing the back of his head. Mami just giggled at Naruto's antics. He was really an interesting person.
"Its ok Naruto-kun you can call me like that." She again said with a bright smile on her face while nodding her head in acceptance at the same time. Naruto also smiled and nodded his head as a gesture.
"So Mami-chan, since I can't go out on missions for 3 more days, I am going to be free. So why don't we both meet up after your work finishes?" Naruto Asked Mami in his usual cheerful ringing voice.
"Umm… sure why not? My work finishes at 4:30 today evening." Mami asked Naruto as she got up from her chair and stood to talk to him. "Fine then, I will come to the hospital at 4:30 pm today. See you!" said Naruto as he walked out of the room with a bright smile on his face.
Naruto then got out of the hospital very happily. He made a new friend today again. 'Man Mami-chan is really nice to me, I think we will be good friends in no time.' Naruto thought mentally. 'She is also pretty and beautiful!' Kurama Said in his mindscape 'Yep she is pretty and beauty— woah! Hey Kurama I didn't mean it that way come on give me a break, we just met!' Naruto said to Kurama in an anxious manner at the accusation Kurama was making indirectly.
'what ever kid! I am going to sleep' said Kurama as he went back to sleep. Naruto then muttered something about his fluffy friend sleeps too much.
'But Mami-chan is really beautiful' Naruto thought once again and smiled remembering her face. Kurama didn't say anything this time but just smiled in his style.
As Naruto walked out of the hospital the first thing, he remembered was Ino.
'What would Ino be doing now, I should probably go and check on her' thought Naruto and then immediately headed in the direction of Yamanaka flower shop.
He ran roof to roof in a hurry to meet her and then finally reached her shop.
He panted for a bit and then opened the door of the shop. He was going to talk to Ino and explain his sudden disappearance and for that he need to prepare something first.
As he opened the door, the shop bell rung and on listening to it Ino said "Welcome to Yamanaka flower shop!" in a lifeless manner rather than in her usual cheery tone. "hey Ino you have to be more cheerful when a customer comes to the shop you know!" Said Naruto in a joking manner. Upon listening to the voice Ino immediately lifted her head to see the boy about whom she has been worrying about since morning standing in front of her, waving his hand.
Her face immediately brightened and there was a big smile on her face. "Naruto! its you!" said Ino as she came and hugged him. "Hey Ino! What is it what happened?" Naruto asked a bit worrying about her. "Shut up you idiot I was so scared about what could happen to you when Hokage-sama said that you were on a classified mission…. Baka!" said Ino to silence him up while crying. She couldn't hold her tears back when she saw him. At that moment she didn't care about anyone else other than Naruto.
Naruto simply returned the hug back as he didn't know what to do. He simply hugged her tightly reassuring her that everything is fine. "Shh… Ino don't cry, you don't look good when you cry, calm down, I am here perfectly alright… shh" said Naruto in an attempt to calm her down. Ino just nodded her head but didn't loose her grip on him. They remained like that for a while.
AN: That is a wrap for the chapter Ig… I have been away from home for a while… I have been busy with my high school life… so have not been able to write much lately. and I am sorry about it! :(
How did u feel? Liked it? Mention your thoughts in the reviews about the story.
Till next chapter,
Ja ne