Chapter 2: Naruto of All Trades
"Okay Sakura-chan We're going to be doing laps around the village."
"We're doing what?!" She screeched and Naruto felt like he burst an ear drum.
"Jeez Sakura-chan, it helps with cardio. You don't want to gas out in the middle of a fight, or let the enemy catch up to you in a chase." Naruto reasoned and Sakura sighed.
"Naruto isn't there something else we can do for cardio that won't kill me?" She asked and Naruto hummed.
"We could fight." Sakura's eye twitched.
"Yeah! We can spar, one-on-one. It'll help increase strength and cardio. I'm a genius!" Naruto pumped up a fist and Sakura gulped. What did she get herself into?
"Naruto I don't think-"
"Come on Sakura-chan, this is great practice. Besides, it's me! You're in capable hands!" She laughed nervously at that, following Naruto as they headed for the training ground.
"I guess.." She said with uncertainty.
"It's not like I'm gonna pummel you Sakura-chan, this is specifically for getting your physical stats up."
"Hey, who said you're gonna pummel me huh?" She asked and Naruto laughed nervously.
"Um.. Whew the weather is really nice huh?"
"You're not weaseling your way out of this Naruto!" They both finally arrived at the training ground, grass below their feet and trees surrounding their vicinity.
"Okay Sakura-chan. I want you to attack me, I'll just deflect and advise you." Sakura nodded, biting her lip. She didn't want to say it but, Naruto became really formidable since becoming a Genin. The thought of fighting him frightened her.
"Alright.. here I come!" Sakura charged, throwing a kunai at the blonde. Naruto caught it as his eyes never left Sakura's form. Sakura frowned as she lead with a right jab at him. Naruto used one hand to deflect it to the side. Sakura stumbled forward and Naruto shoved her.
"Ah!" Sakura unceremoniously met the ground with a thud. She shielded herself with her arms to lessen the impact. She stood up, swiping at the dirt on her arms.
"Hey! What happened to just deflecting!?" She turned with a glare and Naruto shrugged.
"My bad, you were just really open. Besides, most people don't get out of a fight unscathed." She hated the fact he sounded so smart just then.
"Okay, bring it!" Sakura charged again and Naruto sighed.
She had some catching up to do.
After a couple hours of sparring, Sakura laid on the grass heaving for air.
"You.. are.. terrible." She breathed and Naruto smiled, sitting next to her.
"Oh come on, it wasn't that bad. I never even punched you." She glared at him and he laughed.
"You.. suck.."
"Neh, that hurts my feelings Sakura-chan.."
"If I could.. trade places.. you'd be.. me.. right now.." Her breath was slowly catching up. The way she behaved made Naruto laugh.
"Surely you don't mean that.."
"I do.. with every fiber.. of my being.." Naruto simply smiled leaning back on his hands to look at the crystal clear skies.
"We have a mission tomorrow, a C-Rank." Naruto said, and Sakura just breathed her breaths becoming slower and deeper.
"Yeah.. sensei said we'll be okay. Shinobi are rarely encountered on C-Ranks." Naruto hummed at her words.
"Well, always have to look underneath the underneath right? It might be a simple C-Rank on paper. But anything can happen out there." Sakura sat up this time, fully catching her breath.
"You don't think we'll actually encounter shinobi do you? We just became Genin, there's no need to start being paranoid Naruto." Naruto stopped looking at the sky to star into her emerald orbs. His expression was unreadable to Sakura, but it wasn't as goofy as he normally was.
"It's not paranoia, just.. a feeling." Sakura rolled her eyes, smiling when she nudged him.
"Paranoia is a feeling, dummy." Naruto smiled at her, liking the way she joked with him. He then noticed the drench mark she left on his jacket from her sweaty shoulder.
"Jeez Sakura-chan, you're sweatier than I thought!" Naruto moved an inch away from her, like she had the plague.
"Hey! It's your fault that I'm like this!" Naruto stood up, his face molded into disgust.
"No way! You're sweatier than a hippo Sakura-chan!"
"What did you say?! NARUTOOOOO!" Naruto made a run for it when he saw the steam come out of her ears. Sakura dashed after him, the previous spar seemingly having no effect on her stamina.
Naruto laughed, his plan to coax Sakura into doing more cardio worked like a charm.
Hiruzen had been in contemplation ever since Kakashi informed him of Naruto's abilities.
"He has this uncanny ability to learn jutsu. It's almost like he has the Sharingan. Except, he never saw me use my jutsu. Until yesterday not one of the reports on his abilities mentioned the Byakugan or any techniques related to the Hyuuga's kekkai genkai."
"Are you saying he's copying jutsu without having any kekkai genkai, kekkai tota, anything?"
"What I'm saying is, he learned two of my jutsu during the middle of combat. The Byakugan and those techniques are a complete unknown. I don't think Minato-sensei or Kushina-san had any Hyuuga in their bloodline."
"This is.. intriguing.. Keep me updated on Naruto. Report anything that seems out of the norm with him, new jutsu, new abilities, anything." Kakashi nodded to the Hokage's orders.
"Yes Hokage-sama."
"Thank you Kakashi. You are dismissed." Kakashi nodded, walking out through the Hokage's office door. Once he left Hiruzen chuckled, keeping a full grin on his face.
'I might have to do some reconnaissance of my own, you never seem to stop surprising people Naruto.'
Sasuke threw kunais at all the targets, successfully hitting almost all of them. Almost, that word is what bothered him the most.
He thought back to when Itachi first showed him this kunai setup. It was genius, except for the fact he couldn't hit that damn blind spot.
'How the hell did he always do it?' Sasuke glared at the surrounding area, being reminded of his failure to replicate Itachi's abilities.
'I need to get stronger! I won't give up until he's dead at my feet!' With a scream Sasuke focused on the kunai target course once more. With every attempt he became closer to hitting the target. With every step he became closer to his goal.
'You will die before me! Itachi!'
Today was the day Team 7 had been waiting for. Their choice in a C-Rank mission. Naruto had been visibly excited while Sakura barely held her own glee inside. Sasuke had been as stoic as usual.
"Okay let's see here.. you can walk the Inuzuka Clan's up and coming guard dogs.. take care of Tora the cat.. mow the grass around the village-"
"NO! NO! NO! Don't give us those stupid missions old man! We're here to pick out a C-Rank! Kakashi-sensei said we're ready for them!" Naruto's interrupting shout caused Iruka, who was sitting next to the Hokage to strain himself.
"DON'T SHOUT AT THE HOKAGE NARUTO! HE'S THE LEADER OF THE VILLAGE! SHOW SOME RESPE-" Iruka was quietened when he heard Hiruzen chuckle.
"So, you're ready for a C-Rank mission huh? Is this true Kakashi? It's only been a couple of weeks." The Jonin in question cleared his throat.
"It's true Hokage-sama. We're here for a C-Rank. They're ready." Kakashi didn't hesitate in giving them the necessary praise. Naruto and Sakura high-fived while Sasuke smirked.
"Oh, then I have the perfect mission for you four." Hiruzen dug around his desk for the scroll and found exactly what he was looking for.
"You'll be venturing to the Land of Waves. Your mission is to protect Tazuna a master bridge builder." Hiruzen said and Team 7 looked visibly more enthusiastic than before.
"When do we depart Hokage-sama?" The Jonin asked, looking over his grinning and in Sasuke's case smirking students.
"You will depart in an hour. Tazuna will meet you at the village gates." Hiruzen said and everyone nodded. Kakashi then turned to his team.
"Pack up your necessities and meet me at the gates before we have to leave." After the command, the three Genin left the adults in the room, going to their own homes to pack their supplies.
"Kakashi, remember what I said." Hiruzen reminded and the Jonin nodded.
"Of course Hokage-sama." Kakashi shunshined, leaving to get ready for the trip. Hiruzen looked to Iruka who clenched his teeth.
"They're going to be just fine Iruka. From what Kakashi told me, Naruto is growing up to be a splendid shinobi." Hiruzen assured and Iruka smiled, albeit it was strained.
"I'm sure Hokage-sama. I just can't help but worry." Iruka's words made Hiruzen smile.
"Yes, we can't stop our feelings. Especially when it comes to those we care about." The Hokage's office became silent after that exchange, both men pondering about the blonde Genin.
Naruto packed as quick and efficiently as he could. Which meant that he shoved his clothes, food and water into his bag. He had to make sure that he won his bet against Sakura.
Ten Minutes Before
"I bet I can beat you guys to the gate with everything ready!" Naruto ran and Sakura gasped before sprinting to her home.
"Can not! I'm going to be there before you Naruto!" Sakura proclaimed, disappearing off into the distance. Sasuke looked at his two teammates running off and rolled his eyes.
He already had everything packed.
Presently
Naruto sprinted to the gates in glee, he had every single thing he needed on him. Food, water, weapons, his pure awesomeness!
'There's no way Sakura-chan is gonna beat me!' He thought as he shunshined to the front gate. He saw Sasuke waiting for them, everything packed on his person. Naruto raised an eyebrow at how Sasuke was already there. He approached the surviving Uchiha while also on the lookout for Sakura.
"Sakura-chan didn't get here yet right?" Sasuke simply shook his head. Naruto grinned at the news.
"Hah! I knew I'd beat her here!" Naruto kept his triumphant smile, barely containing his laughter. After a couple of minutes Sakura was seen sprinting toward them.
"No way you beat me fairly!" Naruto simply grinned.
"Well I was here first! That should explain everything eh Sakura-chan?" Sakura glared before forcefully turning Naruto around and digging into his bag.
"Hey! What are you-"
"You didn't even fold your clothes Naruto! I actually had the decency to put mine in neatly!" Sakura shouted as she shook the boy back and forth with his backpack.
"So? That doesn't matt-AHHH!" Sakura used even more force to shake him, jumbling the brain inside the Genin.
"Yes it does! You just shoved your clothes into your bag! That should be deducted like a thousand points!"
"Huh?! A thousand points!? You're insa-AAAAAHHHH!" At this point Sakura shook him so hard and fast he looked like an orange blur. Meanwhile two adults walked toward them at a sedated pace.
"You're telling me I have to entrust my life to these kids?" A civilian man asked Kakashi. The Jonin smiled with slight embarrassment.
"Rest assured Tazuna-san, these are some of Konoha's best and brightest." The two adults looked to see Sakura strangling Naruto while Sasuke watched with widened eyes. Tazuna looked to Kakashi who kept on his smile.
"Best and brightest huh.."
"You're not the winner Naruto!" Sakura shouted while continuing to cut off the jinchuriki's oxygen.
"Can't... breathe... I see... the... light..." The boy started to turn blue and Sakura sighed before letting go. The blonde stood back and heaved for oxygen, sounding like a breathless gazelle.
"I still.. win.." Sakura stepped forward and Naruto yelped, jumping back a distance.
"Hmph!" The three Genin then noticed Tazuna and Kakashi approaching. One of them looked unimpressed while the other arched an eyebrow at his Genin team.
"Naruto, Sasuke, Sakura, this is Tazuna. He's the bridge builder we are sworn to protect for the duration of this mission."
"Neh.. we really gotta protect this geezer?" Naruto asked and Tazuna's head immediately grew five times its size.
"WHO THE HELL ARE YOU CALLING GEEZER YOU LITTLE BRAT!?" Everyone had to plug their ears from the abrupt volume increase.
"Don't blow out a lung gramps, we still have to protect you y'know.."
"YOU COULDN'T PROTECT A SACK OF POTATOES LET ALONE A LEGENDARY BRIDGE BUILDER LIKE ME!" Tazuna and Naruto were walking side by side at this point, arguing and leading the way out of the village. The rest of the team felt sweat drip down their foreheads in apprehension.
"Leave it to Naruto.." Kakashi sighed as he and a dumbfounded Sakura followed. Sasuke merely shook his head in exasperation, keeping in step with the two.
The journey to the Land of Waves was quiet for the most part. Tazuna and Naruto argued over the little things here and there much to the amusement to Kakashi, as well as annoyance to Sakura and Sasuke.
"Naruto! Quit insulting the client!" Sakura bonked the blonde on the head and Naruto relented, rubbing his bruised skull while muttering curses.
"What did you say?"
"Nothing Sakura-chan.." Sakura smirked while Naruto rolled his eyes. After the exchange, an hour passed with nothing to report. The blonde was excited to be out of the village, but was a little bored.
"Kakashi-sensei, I'm thinking of sending a couple clones to scout ahead. Six Byakugan is better than two y'know." Kakashi nodded, glad for Naruto's initiative.
"Go ahead, let us know if you find anything."
"Hai!" Naruto conjured two of his clones, they all activated their Byakugans and shunshined ahead.
After a few minutes Naruto's clones found something.
'A couple of dumbasses..' The Naruto clones both attacked with their chakra effectively cutting the transformation jutsu off. Immediately two men with claws and black shinobi garbs appeared. The Naruto clones smirked before using their Gentle Fist taijutsu to knock the men unconscious.
'Well that was easy..' The two clones picked up the Demon Brothers and leapt back toward their team. After a moment the clones arrived back tossing the Demon Brothers down to the ground like a bag of flour.
"Thanks guys."
"No problem Boss!" The clones saluted before returning to their patrol. Everyone stared at Naruto with an infinite amount of shock.
"Jeez Naruto, it hasn't even been five minutes and you're already causing trouble." Sakura sighed and Naruto laughed.
"My bad, but hey look at these guys. They don't look like ordinary bandits huh?"
"No, they don't." Kakashi didn't say that while looking at the Demon Brothers, instead honing his focus onto Tazuna. The older man was sweating bullets.
"I'll interrogate these two, Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura you find out why Tazuna has us out here on a supposed C-Rank, where we weren't supposed to encounter other shinobi." Kakash took the unconscious bodies and leapt away. Meanwhile the Genin looked at Tazuna expectantly.
"I.. can explain.." He gulped as all three Genin glared.
"You better do it quick. We're running out of patience." Sasuke stated. The bridge builder felt chills run down his spine, explaining his entire situation to the formidable Genin.
"So this Gatou guy is causing all this unrest because he's a greedy cow who doesn't care about anyone else. He has complete control of the Land of Waves because of the fact this bridge isn't built. So you paid for a C-Rank because your village is poor and can't afford it. Gatou found out and his now using shinobi to hunt you down. Did I miss anything?" Sakura asked and Tazuna shook his head.
"I was desperate, I need anything to even the playing field. I can't let the village keep suffering, I had to seek help from your village. It was the only choice I had left." Tazuna looked down in shame, feeling remorse for putting the kids in unnecessary danger.
"We're still going to help you. But I think you should've told Hokage-jiji the truth. He might've made a deal with you instead of outright saying no. For example let's say you had other Jonin and Chunin to help protect you. Jiji could've had you make a down payment, and then later as your village flourishes from the bridge and the market increase, you could've just paid him back the money it took to fund the mission." Naruto expertly explained, causing Sakura and Sasuke to look at him like he grew a second head.
"Naruto.. that was really a good financial alternative." Sakura praised, clearly impressed. Naruto rubbed the back of his head sheepishly.
"Well uh.. yeah, it just made sense y'know." Sakura smiled at him, proud of his increasing aptitude.
"Anyways! You could've told him that, it would've made this less of a hassle than it is." Naruto shrugged and Tazuna felt even more shame from his actions.
"I'm sorry.. I was desperate and-"
"And you decided to put three unexperienced Genin in danger." Kakashi suddenly appeared, the Demon Brothers nowhere to be seen.
"If my Genin weren't so determined to help you, then I would've turned us around and let you walk alone. This is a B-Rank at minimum, for Chunin and above. This is their first mission outside of the village. If you didn't tell us anything further they could've been in terrible unknown dangers. Remember, they're shinobi, but they're also inexperienced Genin." Kakashi told Tazuna off much to the surprise of his Genin. They've never seen the Jonin so tense and serious before.
"I'm sorry.." Tazuna bit his lip in shame, Kakashi then shook his head before patting the man on the shoulder.
"As you should be. Now come on, let's get you to that bridge." Tazuna smiled a little at Kakashi's lighter tone, although a feeling of guilt now weighed over him. After a few more miles of walking, they met a man on a boat. He was their guide into the Land of Waves.
Team 7 immediately noticed the amount of fog and water around them. Naruto's Byakugan had been activated the whole time, on the lookout for threats.
"Clear so far, nothing ashore." Naruto reported, and his team felt more at ease.
"Good, we might make it to land in one piece."
"Sensei, do you think anyone could be waiting for us to make it to shore?" Sakura asked and the Jonin hummed.
"Possibly, I wouldn't put it behind someone like Gatou to send another shinobi to intercept us. He would've heard from the Demon Brothers by now. Whoever he sends will be a much larger threat than before. Stay on guard everyone." His Genin nodded, tensing up once more. After a few more minutes their boat reached land. Tazuna paid the boat captain and thanked him for his service.
The four of them kept walking toward their destination, growing more weary with each step they took.
"I see a white rabbit on the ground, four birds in the air, but no shinobi.. yet."
"What do you mean yet?"
"I mean.. RIGHT NOW DUCK!" Naruto shouted and immediately a blur flew toward them. Everyone besides Naruto ducked, meanwhile the blonde widened his Byakugan eyes.
'Kubikiribocho.' Naruto smirked as he saw the giant sword coming straight toward him. Sakura gasped as she saw her teammate standing still.
"NARUTO!" She screamed in worry. However the blade didn't cleave through the blonde like intended.
Instead, he caught the blade in midair.
'What?!' A certain Legendary Swordsman exclaimed internally. Meanwhile the rest of Team 7 plus Tazuna had to scrapr their mouths off of the ground.
"H-how?" Sakura asked and Naruto grinned.
"I don't know, but I like it." Naruto held the sword up with one hand, swinging the thing like he's held it his whole life.
'Amazing, he's only held the blade for two seconds and he already looks like a master with it.' Kakashi widened his eye as Naruto kept testing the blade.
'I didn't even see it coming, and he not only saw it, he caught it!' Sasuke's eyes were as wide as saucers, his shock clear to see.
'Naruto.. how did you become so.. amazing?!' Sakura almost wanted to laugh. The blonde just kept surprising her at every turn.
"Zabuza Momochi! It looks like you're missing something!" Naruto shouted, looking straight at Zabuza with his Byakugan.
'This kid! He has the Byakugan, and now he's toying with my blade!'
"You want to know something funny Zabuza?" The man stayed silent, internally fuming at his miscalculation.
"TAJUU KAGE BUNSHIN NO JUTSU!" Fifteen Narutos surrounded Team 7 and Tazuna all wielding Kubikirobocho. Zabuza widened his eyes at the display.
"Tch. I don't know who you are brat, but just because you caught my sword in blind luck doesn't mean you have the advantage!" Zabuza shouted and Naruto smirked. Soon the area filled up with fog, catching Sakura and Sasuke off guard. Kakashi merely glared, Tazuna widened his eyes in fear, and Naruto kept his smirk.
'Hidden Mist Jutsu.' Interesting.
"You can't escape me Zabuza Momochi." Naruto turned behind him seeing exactly where Zabuza appeared.
"I see you clear as day! Everyone duck!" Everyone did as Naruto ordered while the blonde slashed at the A Rank Missing Nin cleaving him in half.
Only for him to turn into water.
'Mizu Bunshin No Jutsu.' Naruto smirked turning toward the real Zabuza's location, he was standing on a nearby tree branch.
"Naruto! Don't get cocky! Zabuza is an A-Rank Missing Nin! A Jonin and higher level opponent!" Kakashi shouted and Naruto grinned ferally.
"I know Kakashi-sensei. I'm still level-headed y'know." Kakashi nodded.
"Zabuza! Your fight isn't with them! If you want to get to Tazuna then you'll have to go through me!" Kakashi uncovered his eye, much to the shock of the Genin and Tazuna.
'Sharingan.' Immediately Naruto's eyes changed, revealing two familiar red orbs with three tomoe in them.
'WHAT THE FUCK?!' Everyone internally screamed as they stared into Naruto's eyes.
"Naruto.. your.. eyes!" Sakura gasped as she looked at Naruto, then at Kakashi, then at Naruto again. Meanwhile Sasuke clenched his hand so tight it drew blood.
"My clan's doujutsu! Naruto! How is this even possible!?" Sasuke didn't care about Sakura, Kakashi, the bridge builder, Zabuza, or anything even remotely close to them at the moment. The only thing he focused on was the fact that his rival, his teammate, had a pair of perfectly matured Sharingan!
"I.. don't.. know.." Naruto looked around the world, everything had slowed to a snail's pace. He looked at the sword in his hands, he gazed into Sasuke's eyes, detecting the confusion, the rage, the.. excitement.
"Naruto, get closer to Tazuna. Whatever is going on we'll figure out later! Zabuza is still an imminent threat!" Kakashi ordered and Naruto did so unquestioningly.
"Everyone! Protect Tazuna! Naruto gave us a huge advantage by taking Zabuza's sword! We will not let it be in vain!"
"HAI!" The Genin took their positions as well as Naruto's clones. Tazuna never felt safer.
'These kids.. they might just make it!' Tazuna pictured an adult version of the Genin in front of him, feeling proud of their surprising skill. He looked to Naruto, feeling ever more dumbfounded by his skills.
'Naruto Uzumaki..'
"Remember this moment gramps, you'll be able to brag that you knew me before I became Hokage!" Naruto exclaimed and the man grinned.
"We haven't made it out of this yet brat!" That made Naruto laugh as he focused up once more.
"We will gramps, we will!" All of a sudden Naruto felt a pull inside of him. Naruto looked around to see darkness, water pooled at his feet as a single light shown in the abyssal ceiling.
"Where am I?" He asked, he walked forward seeing a huge red gate with a piece of paper on it.
"Seal. What's sealed..?"
'Kurama.'
"You're one surprising ingrate." He heard a deep voice growl. Naruto widened his eyes as the Kyuubi made itself known. His giant orange presence bore over Naruto who looked at the bijuu in surprise.
"I know who you are."
"You do? I'd love to hear the explanation."
"Wait, why did you drag me in here? I'm in the middle of a fight!"
"Don't worry about it. Time passes differently in here than it does outside of your mind. It is magnitudes slower out there than it is in here." Naruto calmed down a bit at that, looking up at the nine tailed fox.
"Okay, now answer my question. Why am I here?"
"We were fated to meet. The more powerful you become, so do I become more powerful."
"H-how? I haven't done anything to make you stronger."
"You don't have to. It's your body and mind doing it on its own."
"That doesn't make sense. How can I be doing it while being so unaware?"
"The same way you learn jutsu and inherit kekkai genkai the way you do. Your body is adapting with every encounter, every word about jutsu, and even the thought of a new jutsu. It changes, and it becomes better than it was before."
"But.. why am I like this? I wasn't born this way was I?"
"No, you idiot. No one is born that way."
"Then why do I have this ability?"
"Surely you haven't forgotten about a certain black and purple reptile?" Naruto widened his eyes in shock.
"That snake that bit me did this to me?"
"Yes. I don't know its origins, but it was intended to bite the user injecting its.. venom into them."
"Does that mean I'm poisoned?"
"Something like that, except there's no downfalls to it. Unless learning everything and inheriting everything chakra related is a downfall to you."
"It's not, I'm just confused on why it chose me."
"There could be many factors, some of it could be chance. The snake wasn't natural, it was concocted in a lab, from something or someone with evil intentions."
"Good thing it bit me and not them then. But who could it have been?"
"My only guess is Orochimaru. One of the 'Legendary Sannin'. Before I was sealed into you I've seen glimpses of his snake-like nature. He's the only person I could think of who would have made the snake."
"What happens as you and I grow in power?" Naruto asked, before widening his eyes as an ethereal tail added itself to Kurama's backside.
"That's one of the things that will be effected. Once you reach a certain threshold I will gain another tail. When that happens, I will make my escape."
"Why are you telling me this?"
"Because there isn't anything you can do about it. You'll continue to live, and I will get stronger through you. Just playing the long game."
"What if I just killed myself? You wouldn't be alive then. You'll reform years down the line, and I highly doubt that's pleasant for you."
"Hm, I've underestimated your insight. That snake really helped thwart your idiocy."
"Exactly, Kurama." The bijuu lunged at the red gate clawing at it upon hearing the familiar designation.
"DON'T YOU EVER CALL ME THAT YOU WORTHLESS INGRATE!" Naruto shook his head.
"Why?"
"Because you don't deserve to know it! Let alone utter it out of your pitiful mouth!"
"I've done nothing to you. Why do you have such anger towards me?"
"BECAUSE I'M A DEMON INCARNATED OF HATRED YOU WORTHLESS WELP!" Naruto shook his head.
"No, that's not true. Hagoromo Otsutski-"
"DON'T SPEAK OF HIS NAME! IF YOU DO I'LL FIND A WAY TO CLAW OUT OF HERE AND TEAR YOU LIMB FROM LIMB! DON'T YOU DARE STAIN THE VOWELS HIS NAME HAS BEEN MADE UP OR I SWEAR YOU'LL BEG FOR ME TO KILL YOU!" Naruto frowned before shaking his head.
"I don't know what has made you like this, but I swear I'll find out. When I do find out, I'll help bring peace to your mind." The Kyuubi growled at the whisker born Genin as he disappeared from his mindscape.
"Hmph, stupid human." Kurama closed his eyes, taking a nap to pass the time.
When Naruto returned to his present situation it was to see Kakashi and Zabuza in the middle of a taijutsu fight. Kakashi had the upper hand, especially with the help from his Sharingan. But Naruto analyzed everything with his own pair becoming quickly annoyed.
'Kakashi-sensei is too lax! At this rate he'll-" Before Naruto could finish his thought Zabuza kicked Kakashi into the water. Before the leaf Jonin could recover Zabuza had trapped him in a water prison technique.
'Damn it sensei.'
"Naruto, Sasuke, Sakura! You all have to run with Tazuna! Zabuza is in an entirely different league than you!" Kakashi yelled out and Zabuza chuckled.
"Can't believe I got the upper hand on you Kakashi. Just because your brat took my sword didn't mean I was defenseless. You became careless, relying on that Sharingan of yours. Now look at where you are, helpless inside my own Suiro No Jutsu." Zabuza cackled creating a water clone to keep Kakashi imprisoned. The real Zabuza leapt to land eyeing the Genin cockily.
"Now what will you do?" Naruto smirked at the question.
"Don't get too cocky Zabuza, you still have us to go through." Naruto warned and Zabuza hollered with laughter.
"Ahaha! Yes, I'm so very scared. You three Konoha brats are menacing!" After the mocking display Zabuza became serious, a glare being replaced from before.
"Now, I'll give you a chance. Give me Kubikiribocho if you want to live." Naruto looked to his teammates, they all tensed and Naruto shrugged.
"Okay, here."
"NARUTO WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!" Sasuke was the one that yelled as he watched Naruto toss the gigantic blade back toward Zabuza. The Demon of the Hidden Mist caught the blade and chuckled.
"So easily manipulated." Naruto looked to Sasuke who was nearly foaming in anger.
"Aren't you forgetting something?" Naruto asked as a clone gave him their own replica of the legendary sword.
"Naruto you're crazy! You can't take him on head-to-head! Look at what happened to Kakashi-sensei!" Sakura screamed at the blonde who rolled back one of his shoulders.
"Zabuza, don't worry about them. This is between you and me." Naruto used one arm to point with Kubikiribocho at the swordsmen. The man chuckled as he hefted his sword onto his shoulder.
"Sure brat. We'll see how quick I can take care of you like your sensei." Zabuza stood still as he watched Naruto get into his stance.
"You guys watch Tazuna, my clones will help out too. See you in a bit."
"NARUTO!" Sakura yelled as the Genin dashed towards Zabuza at impossible speeds. The Hidden Mist Missing Nin widened his eyes as a cut opened up on his bandaged cheek.
'This kid-!' Naruto expertly swung the sword back to Zabuza who had to use his full strength to ward off the incoming attacks.
'He attacks so smoothly-!' Zabuza felt his body propel itself away as Naruto hammered at him with his own replica of Kubikiribocho. Zabuza flipped in the air, landing on his feet to look at the blonde. He widened his eyes as he saw the Byakugan and Sharingan in full display.
'Two Kekkai Genkai?! One for each eye!'
"Who the hell are you?"
"Uzumaki Naruto! Bonafide badass and future Hokage!" Zabuza glared at the Genin, feeling his pride sting from his abilities.
"You can't be Hokage if I slice you to bits here and now!" Zabuza charged at the blonde who shook his head, his dual eyes studying the A-Rank shinobi.
'Those eyes!' Zabuza used both of his arms to chop at Naruto with an overhead swing. Naruto blocked the blade with his own. Using only a single arm.
"Is that all you've got?" The mocking question had Zabuza seeing red.
"YOU DAMN BRAT!" Zabuza went through his moves with practiced ferociousness, chopping, slicing, and dicing at the Genin to no avail.
'He reads everything so easily! Who the hell is this kid?!' Zabuza roared as he did everything he could to find an opening on the freshly minted Genin.
'I'm not getting through!' Zabuza glared as he backpedaled while weaving hand seals.
'Hidden Mist Jutsu. Again.' Naruto's thoughts once again announced the jutsu, giving him explanations and visuals as if he's known the jutsu his entire life.
"He's going for Tazuna!" Naruto shouted and immediately Sasuke and Sakura tensed. As Zabuza landed in the middle of their formation one of Naruto's clones tackled him, soon enough a dog-pile was formed. All of Naruto's clones kept Zabuza at bay while Sasuke and Sakura leapt away with Tazuna.
"GET OFF OF ME!" Zabuza's roar echoed through the air as he overpowered the clones. Naruto frowned as his clones dispelled, leaving him and Zabuza alone.
"Better calm down before you pop a blood vessel Zabuza-jij." Naruto mocked, getting his opposing shinobi to snarl.
"What did you say you pint-sized brat?!"
"I said, you should calm down before-"
"AAAAHHHH!" Zabuza's battle cry was all the warning Naruto needed as the man lost his cool. Naruto smirked as Zabuza swung down at Naruto who didn't move a muscle.
"NARUTOOOOOO!" Sakura screamed from the side as she watched in horror as the gigantic blade descended upon him. Just as the blade was going to cleave the boy in half it disappeared into smoke. The sudden disappearance of his very heavily weighed weapon had Zabuza flying towards the ground. Naruto's mouth twitched upwards as Zabuza effectively ate the dirt.
"AHAHAHA OH MY GOD THAT WAS EVEN BETTER THAN I IMAGINED! HAHAHAHA!" The blonde was in tears as he watched Zabuza lift himself up off of the ground. The A-Rank shinobi held up widened eyes as he was left empty-handed.
"B-But, how?"
"You didn't think I'd actually give you the original did you?"
"So you're telling me-"
"It was a clone replica. Even I surprise myself with my ideas sometimes y'know." Zabuza looked down at the ground in pity.
'I was really outsmarted by a barely out of the Academy brat!'
"So.. any last words?" Naruto asked and Zabuza glared up at the blonde.
"You don't have the guts to ki-agh!" Before Zabuza could finish his statement an onslaught of senbon lodged themselves into the side of his neck.
'So they finally intervened.' Naruto saw the person with his Byakugan early on. But he didn't think much of them, especially since they stood by and watched. As soon as the senbon hit Zabuza in the neck, his water prison technique and water clone dissolved. Kakashi widened his eyes as he looked ashore to his Genin team.
'Naruto..' Kakashi stood up shakily before straightening himself out.
'I need to keep up my training, I left myself way too unguarded.' Kakashi admonished himself as he walked to shore. He saw the masked hunter nin prepping themselves to rid of Zabuza.
"I will have to take that sword back. It's one of the founding weapons of the village." The hunter nin's voice was soft, but their tone brooked no argument. Naruto sighed as he gave the hunter nin Kubikirbocho. The hunter nin took the sword and Zabuza and then whisked themselves away with a shunshin.
"Man, all that effort for nothing!" Naruto complained and Kakashi smiled.
"You handled yourself well there Naruto, way better than anybody could've expected." Kakashi praised and Naruto grinned.
"Thanks sensei, but you seriously need to be more careful! Who knows what would've happened if I didn't kick Zabuza's ass!" Naruto lectured and Kakashi smiled sheepishly.
"Hai.. Sasuke, Sakura, great job on keeping Tazuna safe. Our mission is still secure because of your actions." Kakashi also praised and Sakura gave him the peace sign with a grin. Meanwhile Sasuke stared at Naruto with a barely hidden glare.
'His power, where does it all come from?! The Byakugan, the Sharingan, both at one time?!'
"Naruto!" The blonde turned to the Uchiha who unnerved him with a glare.
"Why do you have the Sharingan, the doujutsu of my clan?!" Sasuke's yelling began to piss Naruto off.
"Oi bastard, you better watch who you're talking to!" Naruto and Sasuke started to approach each other right before Kakashi came in between them.
"Hey! We are on a mission! You two cool off or we will not continue! Do I make myself clear?!" Kakashi received dual nods as the Genin glared at each other. Tazuna looked to Sakura who was overcome with worry and confusion between the two.
'Why was Sasuke so angry? Why does Naruto have those kekkai genkai? So much is going on! Who do I comfort.. who do I.. go to..?' Sakura was dumbfounded with her dilemma. She came to admire both boys so quickly that it was hard to choose sides. Sasuke was her true love, but Naruto was quickly becoming someone she also held close to her.
She shook her head and stayed out of it.
"Tazuna, do you have a place for all of us to go regroup?" Kakashi asked and the older man nodded.
"I have a house, I think you'll all fit in nicely." The man tried to lighten the mood but failed as both the last Uchiha and Uzumaki glared at each other from the side.
"Come on team, let's get a move on." Everyone soon started their walk to Tazuna's house as the man in subject looked to Naruto.
'You are one crazy kid.' The bridge builder smirked as his confidence in the Genin increased.
'No one is going to get me as long as these shinobi exist!' Despite the tension between Naruto and Sasuke, Tazuna smiled fondly. The Land of Waves had become one step closer to beating Gatou and prospering on its own.
Meanwhile in Konohagakure
"The Forbidden Scroll of Sealing will be mine!"
Mizuki had his plan, now all it took was a couple of weeks before he could effectively put it into action.
Naruto's Technique/ Kekkai Genkai/ Style Collection:
Bunshin no Jutsu- Clone Technique
Dojutsu: Byakugan- All Seeing White Eye
Dojutsu: Sharingan- Copy Wheel Eye
Doton: Shinju Zanshu no Jutsu- Earth Release: Double Suicide Decapitation Technique
Hakke Kusho- Eight Trigrams Vacuum Palm
Hakkesho Kaiten- Eight Trigrams Palms Revolving Heaven
Henge no Jutsu- Transformation Technique
Kage Bunshin no Jutsu- Shadow Clone Technique
Katon: Gokakyu no Jutsu- Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique
Kirigakure no Jutsu- Hiding in Mist Technique
Tajuu Kage Bunshin no Jutsu- Multi Shadow Clone Technique
Weapon Style: Kenjutsu- Sword Technique: Kubikiribocho
Naruto's Effect on the World: D-Rank
Konohagakure: D-Rank Naruto is slowly becoming more powerful. Possessing 2 dojutsus and learning 10 Techniques/ Styles. Having him as a military asset is sure to pay off in the future. No one knows about his power, and if they did they would either be in fear of his growing strength or angered by his sudden increase in power.
Kirigakure: E-Rank Might as well be nonexistent.
Kumogakure: E-Rank Might as well be nonexistent.
Iwagakure: D-Rank They believe the 4th Hokage's Descendent exists. They don't know who it is.
Sunagakure: E-Rank Might as well be nonexistent.
Land of Waves: B-Rank Naruto's effect on Tazuna has him held in the highest of praises. His display of power and commands showcases strength, intelligence, and courage. The things that the Land of Waves desperately needs. If Naruto continues to impress his effect will surely become S-Rank by the time Team 7 departs from their mission in the Land of Waves.
Team 7: C-Rank Naruto is proving to be stronger than any of his team members ever believed. However him possessing the Sharingan prevents him from having a B-Rank effect. Uchiha Sasuke's morale is deeply affected by this revelation, slowing Naruto's progress for positive developments with Team 7.
The Rest of the World: E-Rank Everyone outside of Konohagakure has never heard of Naruto Uzumaki. This is subject to change when Naruto accomplishes things that have a larger impact on the world.