Hinata sighed longingly as she stared outside her hospital window. She truly wished she was anywhere else but here. It just so happened that right now, she wanted to watch Naruto train to get stronger. She heard a knock on her door, prompting her to sit up. "Come in."
The door slid open and Ino peeked her head around it. "Hey Hinata, is this a bad time?"
"No, I was just sitting here bored. Thank you for visiting me." She answered with a small smile.
"Of course, we're friends after all." The two girls settled into an awkward silence before Ino cleared her throat. "So, uhh, Hinata. Mind if I ask you for some advice?"
"Of course. What is it about?"
"It's about someone I know liking a boy that her friend likes."
"Oh," Hinata answered in a shocked tone, oblivious to Ino's hidden message. "Is it between you and Sakura liking Sasuke?"
"No… it's a different boy and a different friend."
"You stopped liking Sasuke?"
Ino looked at the ground as she shuffled her feet. "Yeah."
"Oh, ok." Hinata started to fiddle with her hospital sheets, uncomfortable with Ino asking her advice on this kind of stuff. She should be the one asking Ino about this kind of stuff. "Well, how do you and her feel for this person."
Ino's hesitation evaporated as she began to think about the question. "We both love everything about him. We both love his stubbornness, err- and other many things that I love about him because of reasons." Ino finished off with a fake cough to hide her slip-up.
"Hmm, well in my opinion this isn't a good situation to be in."
"Oh, I know," Ino whined as she playfully threw herself on top of Hinata's lap, feigning sorrow. "I'm a terrible person."
"Ino! No, you're not!" Hinata gently whispered. "Come on, tell me how I can help you."
"I think I'm starting to fall in love with my friend's crush." She whined out in exasperation.
"Falling in love?!" Hinata squeaked. "Are you sure?"
"Yes! This guy is everything I want in a guy so I can't help but fall in love with him!"
"Can I ask who it is that you love?" Hinata asked, suddenly beginning to feel dread at the current situation she was in.
Ino let out a resigned sigh as she sat up, "It's Naruto, Hinata."
Hinata gasped in shock. "S-since when?"
"Since I started to realize how much we have in common and started to compare him to my ideal boyfriend… and he checked off almost every one of them."
Hinata let out an 'Oh' of understanding before she settled down into a silent but pensive mind. Ino sat there in tense silence as Hinata thought everything over. "I understand."
"Hinata, I don't want us fighting over him. You set your eyes on him first before I did. You noticed how good he was from the start. I just don't want to-"
"Ino, it's okay. I understand that just because I like him or liked him first, doesn't mean I am entitled to him returning his affection toward me. I'm aware that at any chance Naruto could be whisked away from my hands at a moment's notice. If you have enough courage to tell Naruto you like him before I get the courage to, I will have nothing to say because it was my fault that I missed my chance."
"So you're not mad that I like him?"
"No, I perfectly understand why you like him," Hinata spoke with a small smile gracing her lips. She clasped her hands together as she started to fiddle her thumbs around softly. "He's like the sun on a clear summer day."
"He is a nice guy to be around sometimes." Ino agreed.
"He never gives up, he always keeps working till he accomplishes his goals."
"He's as stubborn as they get, just like me."
"He's loud when he gets excited. I love how he's so expressive when he's happy."
"Yeah, he's pretty loud."
"And he's never afraid to be honest and say what's on his mind. I admire that characteristic in somebody the most."
Ino let out a contented sigh, "Yeah, in a world full of liars, the honest ones are hard to find."
Hinata faced Ino once again and gave her a resigned look. "This is how I know you love him just as much as I do. When, what people call others' flaws, seem like reasons to love them, that's how you know you love them. Because you truly love them, flaws and all." Ino had to bite her lip at Hinata's words. She hit the nail on the head with that one. She hugged Hinata tightly but was mindful enough to still be wary of her healing injuries. Hinata laughed and lightly tapped her hand on Ino's back, gaining her attention and making the girl lean back to face her. "Promise me one thing."
"What is it?"
"That if you and Naruto get together, you'll let me and Naruto be close friends. If I can't be the love of his life then I'll just be his best friend." The girl said with a smile, truly content with either outcome.
"Oh, Hinata, you can be our sister-in-law for all I care!" Ino said as she pulled Hinata in for another hug. "But promise me that you'll do the same thing if you end up telling Naruto first."
"Hmm, I don't know. I'll have to think about it." Hinata said in a chipper voice.
Ino gasped out of shock that Hinata would, could joke like that. "Not fair! I let you be his sister-in-law!" The blonde said with a giggle.
The two girls laughed before the two began to talk about anything, unknowingly deepening their friendship to one of sisterhood.
"Again."
*Huff* *Huff* "Got it sensei." Konohamaru pulled his fist back before he dealt thirty more strikes to the training log.
"Good, good Konohamaru." Ebisu praised the boy. "You're really beginning to make good progress. It seems like Naruto has indeed inspired you with his training mindset."
Konohamaru quickly turned to face Ebisu, a bit perplexed by what the man had said. "What do you mean sensei? How do you know his training mindset?"
"Well, because I trained him for a bit. Although another, stronger shinobi took over his training shortly after."
"Woah, really? What'd you teach him?"
"Just some of the basics. A chakra control exercise that helped him improve his chakra control."
"Really? The boss needed to work on something lame like that?"
"Konohamaru, you are still much too immature to realize this but," Konohamaru lightly growled at the sudden jab at his maturity, "Naruto had understood that if you want to become a great shinobi, you must first round out your basics. The stronger the foundations are, the stronger the house will be."
"The shinobi are the house, right?" Konohamaru asked, getting a nod of approval from Ebisu in return.
"I have to say that I was honestly dead wrong about Naruto. Sure he may still be a bit immature, but with time he'll grow into a fine young man and quite possibly one of the strongest shinobis this world has seen. Who knows, maybe one day Naruto will find out the joys of being a sensei. I can only hope that he's as great of a sensei as I am. Of course, that comes with years and years of…practice… and… dedication…"
Konohamaru slowly tuned out Ebisu as his mind had latched onto something the man said. 'Joys of being a sensei… hope that he's as great of a sensei as I am…' His mind repeated the sentences over and over in his head. Sensei… sensei… sensei… Naruto being a sensei… Naruto being mysensei… Naruto-sensei…'
A seed had been buried within the boy's mind and it would be years later that something finally came from it.
Kiba barked out laughing with his arms crossed over his stomach from how sore his stomach was after laughing so much. "Did you… *pant*... really do all that?"
"Of course! I was the only one with the guts to do that back then!" Naruto exclaimed out of pride.
"Ahahaha-! Ow! Hiss." Kiba reflexively grabbed his right thigh, where the Naruto clone had wounded him.
"Hey, you alright man? Are you sure that you should be out of the hospital?" Naruto asked as he held Kiba up.
The other boy quickly slipped out of Naruto's grasp and brushed himself off, attempting to play off his pain as nothing. "I'm stronger than that man. I'm fine, don't worry."
"Well, alright. Hey, I'll race you to the store." Naruto jokes.
"Haha! You're on!" Kiba yelled as he immediately started running.
"Hey! Cheater!" Naruto yelled as he chased his friend.
"You… damn… cheater…"
"You had the head start."
"Doesn't mean you should kick me in my bad leg!"
"Listen, we both made mistakes."
"Bastard!" Kiba playfully shouted.
"Alright, alright. Come on, I'll help ya."
"Nah, I'm fine… just give me a second. Go ahead and look around… I'll catch up with ya." Naruto chuckled as he went to browse around. Kiba was left heavily panting, trying to get enough oxygen in his lungs when he noticed a familiar platinum-blonde out of the corner of his eye. 'Ino?' He watched Ino stalk someone as she slowly entered the video game store.
Now it was the mall so it was perfectly understandable that Ino was in the mall, but what wasn't was that she was near the video game store. 'Who the hell is she following?' He quickly stood up, exhaustion long forgotten as he followed her down the video game store. 'Wait… is she following- is she really following Naruto? Dammit! What crap timing for Hinata!' He let out a silent fuck as he swiftly but silently maneuvered to run into Ino. "What do you think you're doing? Don't you know Hinata likes him?"
"What? What do you mean?"
"You're following Naruto around like Hinata follows Naruto around! You're totally head over heels for him!"
"Is it really that obvious?" Ino whined, already throwing in the towel at the idea of feigning ignorance.
"Well, not to him but everyone else, yeah."
Ino drooped her head, "This is getting harder and harder."
"Trust me, Hinata knows." Kiba laughed. "Hey, does Hinata know you like him?"
"Yeah, I told her earlier in the week. She's the one who actually sent me out here." Ino fiddled with her ear and that's when Kiba noticed the communicator. "She's on the other line. She asked if I could follow Naruto around and tell her what he was doing." Ino quickly fiddled with it, turning on the speaker for the communicator.
Bzzt! "Sorry Kiba." Bzzt!
Kiba chuckled as he let out a sigh. "It's alright Hinata. But I hope you both know that if you want Naruto to understand how you feel, you're gonna have to hit him over the head with it."
"I know."/Bzzt! "I know." Bzzt!
"Hey, Kiba!" Naruto shouted as he saw Kiba from an aisle further down. Naruto made his way over as Ino quickly covered her ear and slapped on a smile. "Oh, Ino, you're here too?"
"Yeah! Why? Is it weird for me to be here?"
"No, not really. I just didn't think you played any games."
"Oh? Well, yeah I actually play a couple of games."
"Really? Cool! Which ones?"
"Yeah Ino, which games do you play?" Kiba smugly asked.
Ino glared at Kiba before she gave Naruto a small smile and walked around the aisle they were in, looking for something that caught her eye. "Yeah, well, it's just that I wanted to give them a try and, as you know I'm new to games so of course I sucked at them! So I came here to… uhm, find an easier game to slowly introduce me to harder games! But I'm having a bit of trouble."
"Really! Well here, I'll show you around and tell you which ones you'd probably like." Naruto happily exclaimed as he began to walk in the direction the games were.
Ino sent a smug grin toward Kiba. "Oh, you sure think quick on your feet." Kiba laughed. Ino, let out a hmph as she turned around and quickly caught up with Naruto.
"So this game is more of a relaxing one huh?" Ino repeated as she held the game's box. She was actually surprised by how exciting and fun Naruto made the games sound. She couldn't wait to try it. Hopefully, she'll like it as much as Naruto does so they can bond over playing it. "I'll take it."
"Sweet!"
"Alright, come on Naruto. Let's go get your gaming console." Kiba ferally grinned, knowing what was coming next.
"What's a gaming console?" Ino asked.
"I thought you said you already had a couple of games?" Kiba sarcastically questioned. "That's what you play the games on."
"Oh, I knew that, but I was just borrowing one of my friend's consoles but she didn't tell me what it was called."
"Wow, that's cool of your friend. What kind of console did she loan you?" Naruto questioned.
Ino stopped, suddenly wishing he hadn't lied earlier or that she was actually into games. "Oh alright, I don't know!" Ino admitted. "I was just handed the console and didn't ask any questions. I just played on it."
"Oh, that's ok. Hey! Why don't you come over to my place so that way I can teach you how to play my games!" Naruto offered.
Bzzt! "Yes!" Bzzt!
"Huh?"
She switched the communicator to output to the earphone. "Uhh, I mean sure. Why not?" Ino replied as nonchalantly as possible with a shaky voice. 'Oh, my god! Oh my god! Ohmygod! Naruto invited me to his house!'
Bzzt! "Ino, we're going together. Tell him that!" Bzzt!
'Naruto invited us to his house!' She mentally corrected. "Uhm, Naruto."
"Yeah, Ino?"
"Do you mind if Hinata comes over? She was the one who lent me her games but it was because she couldn't get the hang of it either."
Bzzt! "Good idea Ino! Ko! Quickly go and buy me a gaming console and a couple games to go with it! Go! Go!" "Yes, Hinata-sama!" Bzzt!
"Really? Sure, you can both come over. I'll just need to buy some extra remotes too." He swiftly picked out two, cool-looking remotes and took it to the front clerk.
"Two games, three controllers… but no console?" The clerk chuckled.
"Oh that's right, sorry I got distracted. I'll go-"
"One console coming right up!" Kiba announced as he brought over the console Naruto needed. "I knew you'd be distracted by the girl so I went and grabbed this for you."
"Hey! It's not like that Kiba!"
"Plus the console… that'll be 68,000 ryo."
"Gotcha… here ya go," Naruto said as he handed the cash over.
"Thank you, have a nice day."
"You too sir!"
As the three left the store, Naruto turned to face Ino. "Hinata is still in the hospital right?" Ino nodded. "When she gets out we can hang out in my apartment and I can teach you guys how to play. Is that good?"
Bzzt! "Say yes!" Bzzt!
"Yes! I mean, sure. I'll finally learn how to play games correctly."
"C'mon Naruto, let's go to your apartment and set it up. Ino should probably go and tell Hinata her upcoming plans."
"What? She already-! Oh! Yeah, you're right! Sorry Naruto, I'll see you later!"
"Alright. Bye, Ino!" After the Yamanaka ran out of their view, Naruto let out a happy sigh before he turned back around and started leading Kiba back to his place. "Ino was nice."
"Dumbass."
"What?! What was that for?"
"Because you're a dense mother-"
"How am I dense?" Naruto whined.
Kiba rolled his eyes before he decided to be honest. "It's because they like-"
"Naruto! There you are!" Someone loudly interrupted.
"Oh for the love of-!"
"Jiraiya-sensei? What are you doing here?"
Jiraiya raised an eyebrow at the furious Inuzuka before he focused back on his student. "Came looking for you for something."
"What is it?"
Jiraiya's face was quickly painted by a wide, lecherous grin. He handed Naruto a stack of papers along with a red pen. "I want you to proofread my writing for the newest installment that I'm publishing soon. I just want your ideas and comments about it, oh and to point out mistakes that I made."
Kiba's interest has now peaked. "Naruto? Proofread? Are you sure you got the right guy?"
"Hey!"
"Well of course. Naruto here is one of my biggest fans and is now my apprentice."
"He's your apprentice? Who are you by the way? Sorry, I don't know you."
"Who am I? Why I'm-"
"He's Jiraiya of the Sannin."
"Jiraiya of the Sannin?" Kiba asked as he scrutinized Jiraiya up and down.
"Can I have my time to talk now?"
"Eh sure, why not." Kiba sarcastically replied which made Naruto snicker.
"I shall finally tell you my true identity. Naruto, listen up. You need to hear this too." Jiraiya began hopping on one foot as he stuck a hand out. "I am the man who has no enemies in the North, South, East, and West. Not even in the heavens! I am one of the Sannin, Jiraiya the Great Toad Sage!"
"...let's just go home and set this up Kiba." Naruto finally said with ears tinted red out of embarrassment both second and firsthand.
"Oh right! Hey, you also got Shinobi Strikers right? I always wanted that one, but my mom kept saying, Why would you want a soccer game when you can just play soccer?"
"Damn, that sucks but hey, at least you have a mom."
"Sorry man."
"Eh, it's fine."
Jiraiya was left alone while he was still holding his pose. His head drooped as soon as the boys were out of earshot. "Man, these kids have no respect for their elders." He quickly caught up to them. "Hey Naruto," Jiraiya reached into his green short-shirt kimono and pulled out an orange-colored book. "I forgot to give this back to you earlier. And as my biggest fan, how could I torture you by keeping my wonderful books away from you?"
Naruto's face went as white as a ghost while Kiba's face took one of shock. "Naruto reads? Oh, I have to know what the book is about!" He quickly held his right hand out. "Gimme! Gimme!"
Naruto tried to slap Kiba's hand away from the old man, but his hands were full due to his game system. "Kiba!" Naruto tried to kick at Kiba and Jiraiya simultaneously but failed. "No!" He saw Kiba open the book and began to read. "Stop it!"
"Dude!" Kiba barked out from laughter. "Hahaha! Dude! You read this stuff Naruto?"
"No-Err," Naruto swallowed the lump in his throat. "Yes-But it's not what you think!"
"Ahahahaha! Oh, man! Wait till I tell Hinata and Ino!"
"WHAT?!" Naruto shrieked, terrified of what his female friends would think of him if they thought he was a shameless pervert like his senseis. "NO! KIBA, DON'T TELL THEM!"
"AHAGHA-GRR! Ah! My leg!" Kiba held onto his leg after Naruto kicked it. "What the hell Naruto?!"
"Don't tell them!"
"Alright fine!"
"Hmhmhm. Naruto, there's nothing wrong with letting women know you read my work. After all, it actually shows that you know how to please them!"
"Erghh!" Naruto growled as he turned around to hide his burning red face. He can only handle so much embarrassment at once. "I'm going home."
Kiba and Jiraiya were laughing as they watched Naruto walk away. "Hey, Jiraiya right?"
"Yeah?"
"Can I have a copy of this?"
"Ahahaha! I like ya, kid. Tell ya what, give me the money to buy it and I'll go buy you your own book." Kiba smirked as he reached into his ninja bag for his wallet.
"Dammit."
"Another win for me, sensei." He said as he picked up all the pieces from the table they were playing on. "Want to go again?"
"Alright smartass, let's go again. I'm going to beat you this time, I promise you that."
"You've been saying that every time we play a shogi match."
"So?"
"So, you're terrible at keeping promises."
"Oh~, is he now?"
"HAGAH!" Shikamaru yelped as he jumped out of the arms that wrapped around him not even a second ago. He turned around and saw a giggling Kurenai standing next to Asuma who was currently holding his stomach from how hard he was laughing. "Alright, alright. You got me."
"Yes, sorry about that Shika, you know how pouty Asuma gets when he's on a losing streak."
"He's always on a losing streak though?"
"Exactly."
"Oi." Asuma finally spoke again. He finally finished laughing and began to stand. "Well, Shikamaru. It's been, well, not fun since I haven't won a single game."
"You just need to get better."
"Better than you? Not possible. You and your father are of a different breed, Shika. Anyways, I forgot that I had made plans with Kurenai to visit Hinata in the hospital."
"You mean that's the excuse you're using so going out to dinner afterward isn't as suspicious?"
"Alright, is there a way I can turn off your genius mind? Or just your sarcastic responses?"
"Sorry sensei, no can do."
"Whatever, don't wait up," Asuma replied.
After the two reached the hospital, Kurenai stopped Asuma in the hallway. "Okay Asuma, promise me you won't say anything to Hinata that could upset her in any way. She'll probably be really sad about what happened between her and her cousin."
"Got it, I'll just let you do the talking. I'll just say a greeting."
"Perfect." She kissed him on the cheek, making Asuma grin. "Thank you."
"It's my pleasure madam."
Kurenai giggled as she led him down to the girl's room. "So anyways, what's your plan?" Kurenai snapped her hand up, stopping Asuma in his tracks. 'Who is she talking with?'
"Girl! Stop it, you know you won't do that."
"I know, but it's just nice to say what I really want to do."
"Oh my god! Hinata!"
"What~?"
"Uhh, knock knock. Are we interrupting something?" Kurenai asked as she entered the room with Asuma right behind her.
"Oh, hey Asuma-sensei. Came by for an excuse to ask Kurenai to dinner?"
Asuma smacked his forehead.
Kurenai's eyes widened.
Hinata let out a sharp gasp…
And Ino smacked her hand over her mouth. "Sorry. I forgot you guys wanted to keep things a secret from Kurenai's team."
"Kurenai, why? Why'd you try to keep this from us?"
"Oh, sweetie, it's because I wasn't sure if I and Asuma were going to last."
"What?"
"And I didn't want to disappoint you guys."
"We understand that things happen, Kurenai-sensei."
"Oh... Ok then... Sorry, Hinata."
"It's alright."
The room was now filled with an awkward silence. "...So where are you two going for dinner?"
"I can't believe you told them."
"Hey, it wasn't my fault. The day after we first had sex, I couldn't keep a smile off my face. Shikamaru instantly guessed that we had sex and then chaos ensued after that." Asuma said before he bit down on his garlic bread.
Kurenai blinked before she slightly grinned as she leaned forward. "Wait, really? It was that good for you too?"
Asuma slapped on a goofy grin as he nodded his head. "Yeah. In fact, I think we should relive that moment ago tonight."
"Oh yeah? Well, I think so too." Kurenai let her fingers walk over to Asuma's hand. She placed her hand over his and gave him a wink, riling Asuma up. "Later. Now, down boy."
"Hmph." Asuma grinned. "Oh, have you heard of the Hidden Mist recovery?"
"Recovery?"
"Yeah. The rebellion ended up winning because they hired some mercenary group called Akatsuki. They actually ended up winning against the traitor that managed to kill the Fourth Mizukage. You've heard about that right?"
"Of course. The traitor was the Mist's Head of the Black Ops who wanted the Hidden Mist village to stay as the Bloody Mist. He had forcibly taken over the village and began spreading the rumors of kekkei genkai wielders were the cause of war."
"Yeah, well apparently, one of the members was a Itachi Uchiha."
Kurenai's eyes widened. "The Akatsuki accepted him?"
"Yeah. I know."
"But Jiraiya-sama was so proud of Nagato."
"I know but hey, maybe there's more to the story."
"He murdered his entire clan except for his little brother."
"I know. I'm just saying that there could be more to the story. Anyways, how's Kiba doing?"
"What do you mean?"
"Losing to Naruto like that and the injury he received. Is he not bummed out about it?"
"Not really. He and Naruto have been pretty close since the academy."
"Oh! That reminds me," Asuma started. "Did you know that Kakashi's old teammate also joined up with the Akatsuki?"
"He was alive?"
"Yeah. Apparently, the Akatsuki found him buried alive under some rubble and they helped him get out. His body was crushed but he was supposedly healed by one of the members."
"Does Kakashi know?"
"Of course. He was the one that told me actually. He was set for a solo mission and I wished him good luck. That's when he told me that the whole mission thing was bs and that he was just visiting Obito for a bit."
"So they keep in touch?"
"Yeah. They do it every two months."
"Well, I'm glad Kakashi still has Obito in his life. He needs someone close to him. I'm glad that Obito and Gai are both in his life."
"Yeah… Obito still owes me 500 ryo."
Kurenai giggled. "Why?"
"He bet me 500 ryo I didn't have the balls to ask you out back in the academy."
"But we only recently started dating."
"He doesn't need to know that." Kurenai actually laughed at that. "Besides, we didn't say when I needed to ask you out."
"Well," She wiped her mouth with her napkin before she placed a hand over Asuma's. "I just finished a big meal and I think I need to burn the calories off."
Asuma quickly pulled money out of his pocket before slamming it softly on the table. "Well come on, we better hurry."
Genma and Gai were there at the bar and both of them rolled their eyes. "And they wonder how everyone knows those two are together."
"I'll drink to that." Gai internally sighed before he downed the shot in front of him.
"Rotation!"
A wobbly dome of chakra arose, blocking some of the thrown projectiles that were thrown directly at the Hyuga. As soon as Tenten stopped raining down her projectiles, the dome dissipated, revealing a cut-up Neji.
Gasp "Neji! Are you ok?"
Mhh! "Yes. I'm fine." He sat down with a wince before he let out a long sigh, breathing most of the pain he felt and ignoring the remaining. "I just need to sit and think about how this jutsu is supposed to work."
"Are you even sure you can recreate it? I mean, it's one of the Main Branch's jutsus."
"Of course, I can!" He angrily shouted. Tenten's eyes widened, making Neji sigh. "I'm sorry for yelling. But, I can do it."
"How do you know?"
"Because I'm not a failure. Not like my cousin." He stated with complete certainty.
Tenten frowned at his choice of words. She remembered how brutal her teammate was to a family member of his. She always thought that family should look out for and should care for one another. Not… whatever Neji did. "Why were you so harsh to Hinata?"
Neji stiffened before he turned to glare at her. "Drop it."
"No." She affirmed. "If you want my help in recreating a Main Branch jutsu then you have to tell me your reasons for doing what you did back during the preliminaries."
"How do you even know about that? Weren't you already knocked out from your match against Temari?"
Tenten's face took on a stern visage before she turned around. "Fine. Be an ass then, see if I care."
Neji frowned as he saw her walk out of the training grounds. He let out a sigh before he tried to stand up. Erg-! Neji collapsed as his forgotten wounds suddenly shot pain throughout his body. He sat on the floor, trying to build up enough strength to drag himself to the hospital. He looked back to where Tenten had departed from… and saw nothing. A sudden feeling of emptiness washed over him before he forcibly shook the feeling off. "I don't need her. I don't need anyone."
Neji leaned forward slowly, cautiously trying to move without irritating his wounds. After he made it a few feet, he smugly righted himself up and irritated his wounds again.
Urk!
Thud
Neji let out a sigh as he landed on the ground face-first. Haaaahh. He reached into his weapons pouch and pulled out a wireless radio that Gai had given him. He flicked it to the channel his team always had it defaulted to and put it on. "Assistance needed. In need of medical attention."
Bzzt! "Haah I got him sensei." Bzzt! Tenten responded.
After a couple of minutes, Tenten strolled back into the training grounds with a frown on her face. "Let's go."
Neji obediently followed Tenten's lead. During the walk there, he reflected on his earlier interaction with Tenten. "I'm sorry for my earlier words."
Tenten let out a huff before she smiled. "Well, I forgive you."
Neji smiled before he soon became encompassed by his thoughts.
Dark hallway, only being lit by candles. Orochimaru walks down the long corridor with his assistant of his walking beside him. "Uhh, Orochimaru-sama. There have been some developments with the test subject."
"What kind of developments?"
"Well, the cloned subject has grown a lot more violent and reckless compared to the original."
Orochimaru frowned before he got in the assistant's face. "Subject 0 is violent and reckless if he's transformed. This better not be a waste of my time."
The assistant gulped down his fear and pointed at the room to the room behind Orochimaru. "Please sir, see for yourself."
Orochimaru turned around, looking through the glass and only saw an ocean of darkness. He got closer to get a better look.
Slam!
Orochimaru smirked before he observed the specimen in front of him. Dark skin, irides a pale yellow color, sclera a pitch black, torn and tattered grey shirt and shorts, spiky orange hair, and a chained weight around his right ankle. "Hello, Juugo-clone. I hope you're being treated nicely in here."
Bzzt!
Orochimaru had to slam his eyes close due to being blinded briefly. He turned around to stare at the assistant. "Sorry! I had to turn the lights on so you can see what I'm talking about!" Orochimaru turned back around and had to widen his eyes in shock.
There were around a dozen torn-up bodies sprawled around the entire room.
"Hey! Are you gonna come in?!" The clone yelled as he banged on the glass.
Orochimaru narrowed his eyes before he took a step back. "Explain."
"Well, after the clone had emerged from his hibernative state, two other scientists entered to give him food, water, and clothing. After the clone put on his clothes, the marks suddenly started to spread all over him. He instantly began to assault the scientists and that's when two dozen shinobi ran in there to knock him out. He killed them all but we managed to seal him off before he finished."
Orochimaru took on a pensive look. "Has Juugo ever been this violent?"
"No. He only killed two scientists before he forced it back under control. He's only assaulted a few after that."
"Then why is this one so violent?" Orochimaru questioned himself as he got closer to the glass again.
SLAM!
Orochimaru cautiously backed away from the glass.
Because the clone cracked the reinforced glass.
Juugo had never cracked the reinforced glass before.
"Get out." Orochimaru commanded. While the scientist ran out of the room, Orochimaru flashed through hand signs and spat out a chakra-pumped mud jutsu that quickly hardened. Seeing this, the clone began to wail stronger blows to the glass, completely breaking it in only two hits. The clone tried to crawl out but he was propelled back by the mud jutsu. The Sannin quickly sealed off the broken glass before he walked out of the room, sealing the door afterward.
"I want you to seal off this sector and the next. Stay in the third while I try to figure out this test subject. I'll have to go back to Konoha for now but stay here till I get back."
"Yes sir!"
"So Naruto, think you'll get the jutsu down anytime soon?" Jiraiya laughed out loud as he and Naruto made their way to their usual training spot.
"You bet!" He cheekily chuckled. After Jiraiya got comfortable in his chair, Naruto began his attempts at summoning.
Meanwhile…
Hagoromo let out a silent yet short sigh before he decided to stretch his legs a bit. He quietly and carefully extracted himself from Naruto's chakra, leaving behind a small portion of his chakra so he'll still be aware of what was going on with Naruto.
'Now, where to go visit?'
After a few seconds of contemplating, he decided to just head Northwest. Half an hour later Hagoromo saw black smoke rising in the horizon. 'Hmm? What's going on down there?' He flew down, invisible to everyone as he observed what was happening.
His face scrunched up in disgust as he witnessed shinobi pillaging and murdering residing civilians of that small town. 'They need help… Naruto.'
He instantly teleported back into Naruto's mindscape and conjured up a new message to the boy.
Choose reward:
Title Quest
A random jutsu scroll
5 points
Time remaining: 00:05:00
'What?! There's a time limit now?! Why?!'
Naruto takes a quick minute to decide on what he should choose. 'A random jutsu scroll sounds cool, but what if it's a lame jutsu? 5 points is great too, but I'm not sure what this title quest is and I'm not sure when I'll have another chance of getting it. Ok, I know which one.'
Reward chosen:
Title Quest
'Ok, what happens now?'
Vhoom
'Huh?'
Naruto looked down and saw a pitch-black hole appear underneath his feet. "Wah!"
Jiraiya quickly grabbed onto Naruto's jacket, attempting to prevent him from falling into the hole but was instead dragged through.
Naruto and Jiraiya both fell with a resounding thud. They groggily sat up and looked around, seeing several buildings on fire with people running around screaming. A few were being chased by others wielding weapons. Jiraiya saw the moment a man wielding a large broadsword noticed them. The thug smiled maniacally before he began running at them. Jiraiya growled before he picked up Naruto and ran into the closest building.
He slammed the door and tried to barricade it but that was the moment he realized his left arm was broken. 'Tch! Damn! I probably broke it when we landed.' He turned to face Naruto and saw a petrified look on the boy's face. "Naruto! Help me barricade this! Naruto!"
"...Naruto…! Na…"
Naruto watched in horror as he witnessed a group of shinobi destroys a village. Maniac grins slapped on their faces while killing men, women, and children without a shred of hesitation.
New Objective:
Save the village
The mysterious figure flicked the blood off of his black rod before his head snapped to the East. This chakra felt familiar. He grinned when he finally put a name to the chakra signature.
"Hagoromo. I finally found you."
He sped off toward his target's destination, leaving behind countless bodies in his wake.
Thank you for the spotting the typo Omnipotence08!