Chapter 4: Turning a New Leaf
"So, what will you both do now?" Naruto asked the two new additions to their group. Haku looked thoughtful, unsure of her answer. Both ice users lead the group toward Konoha, making idle conversation. Sakura tried to do the same with Sasuke but she kept getting distracted by Naruto and Haku's obvious chemistry.
'Is this jealousy? No, it can't be! It's Naruto.. why would I be jealous that he's talking to another girl? Another.. attractive.. capable.. girl our age...?' She thought in apprehension as Haku still had yet to answer Naruto's question.
"I don't know Naruto-kun. Zabuza-sama and I have just been mercenaries for hire. We don't quite know where we're going to end up." Naruto looked to Zabuza who was with Kakashi at the rear, both shinobi made small talk that Naruto didn't focus on. He thought about it, and then an idea struck him.
"Come with us! Hokage-jiji can make you both Konoha shinobi!" Naruto held Haku's hands in excitement, effectively halting the group as the ice users stopped walking. Haku blushed a deep scarlet as she looked into Naruto's eyes, they sparkled with elation. She looked to Zabuza who watched with arched eyebrows.
"Can we, Zabuza-sama?" The tall man looked apprehensive, but didn't outright accept or deny the offer.
"Become one of these tree-huggers? They all seem like a bunch of softies to me." Zabuza smirked at the anger the leaf Genin showed.
"Don't forget Zabuza. One of these softies took on both you and Haku at the same time." Kakashi reminded and Zabuza rolled his eyes. He then looked to Haku who's face held so much hope and desperation. He wasn't going to accept yet. He wanted them to sweat it out, no one will call him as soft as the leaf.
"We'll escort you all there, and then.." He looked to Haku once more, her expression still the same.
"..we'll see." Haku turned to Naruto with a satisfied smile on her face. Zabuza smirked at her expression, finding amusement at how she behaved around the blonde. Zabuza wouldn't ever admit it, but Haku never found time to be a child. So seeing her behave this way, filled the cold-hearted man with warmth.
Maybe joining Konoha would do them both some good.
The journey back to the leaf village had been peaceful, there had been no interruptions during the entire way back. Zabuza and Haku widened their eyes as they came to view the hidden village, the trees were more effective than people would think. Zabuza and Haku looked at each other, one with apprehension and the other with anticipation.
"You'll follow us all the way to the Hokage's Tower. We have to talk to him to reinstate you." Kakashi said and the former mercenaries nodded. They all walked through the gates, being greeted by Kotetsu and Izumo.
"Hey welcome back! Seems like you brought some stragglers eh?" Izumo rubbed at his stomach after Kotetsu elbowed him.
"Knock it off, anyways welcome back. I'm sure Hokage-sama would like an update on your progress." Everyone acknowledged the two gate guards as they walked toward the tower. Meanwhile the former mist shinobi looked around in awe. The atmosphere was sunny, warm, comforting. If they didn't know any better then they wouldn't ever know this was the most powerful shinobi village.
The deeper they ventured in the more in awe they were. Zabuza already knew Haku would want to stay here. Hell, this is the most excited she's ever been. At that moment Zabuza decided, they would stay just for her. It didn't take long for the six of them to get to the Hokage Tower. They greeted the receptionist as they walked up the stairs.
"Fancy place Kakashi." Zabuza said and the leaf Jonin chuckled.
"I can't disagree, we sometimes take for granted what a beautiful village we have." Kakashi admitted and his Genin agreed. Konoha wasn't as dreary as some other places out there. Definitely one of the brighter places in the world. After a few more steps they found the door to the Hokage's Office. They knocked and Hiruzen gave them the confirmation to enter.
They opened the door to see the Hokage sitting at his desk with his chair facing the windows. His hat was off on the desk, and he was set up with a canvas and a paint pallet. Hiruzen brushed up on a yellow and orange mix carefully brushing against his painting. He smiled at the canvas, his sun came out nicely. Once everyone got a good look at the canvas, it was to see the sun shining brightly over the village.
"My paintings usually turn out horribly if I'm being honest. I'm not much of a painter. However today.. everything about this piece ended up perfect. Today must be a good day." Hiruzen smiled in satisfaction, he put his pallet and brush down on the side of his desk, he turned in his chair to smile at his guests.
"I'm glad you all returned, and you brought some new additions to Konoha too. Zabuza Momochi and Haku Yuki." The two widened their eyes at being identified so quickly.
"It's not that surprising, I've heard about your movements in the Mist. They weren't as obscure as some would think." Hiruzen explained and the two nodded.
"Well, since you've brought them into the office Kakashi, I trust that you want to explain the mission while they're here?" The leaf Jonin nodded as he stepped forward.
"This is all that happened during the mission."
Kakashi explained every detail of the mission, as well as having Naruto explain his part objectively to the Hokage. Kakashi and Naruto left out the part about the kekkei genkai, Kakashi will explain that after everyone left.
"Interesting.. it explains the money we've been receiving from the Land of Waves. They're already making headway with marketing and tourist attraction. I can compensate you all effectively here and now." Hiruzen said and he pulled out multiple bags of ryo, all the Genin went bogeyed at the amount of money sitting before them.
"Here, you all take a bag." They did so without hesitation, they all couldn't believe how heavy the bags of money were. Zabuza and Haku stood by awkwardly, attracting the attention of the Hokage.
"You too. Both of you take a bag." Haku and Zabuza widened their eyes.
"A-are you sure?" Haku asked and the Hokage smiled.
"Trust me, they overcompensated for the mission. And seeing how you're here to be recruited.. think of this as an incentive." Hiruzen explained and both Haku and Zabuza grabbed their own heavy bag of ryo.
"Thank you Hokage-sama." Haku bowed and Zabuza nodded at the older man.
"Now, in order to reinstate you both as Konoha Shinobi, I will have to do a lot of paperwork. However, that's my part of the job. So here you both are." Hiruzen opened up his desk to take out leaf headbands and leaf jackets.
"You two are both high Jonin level shinobi. However only one of you qualifies in becoming the rank of Jonin. Zabuza take this vest." Hiruzen said and the man did so hesitantly.
"Haku you will take this one, it is a Chunin vest." The Chunin vest had been a lighter color than the Jonin vest, but they both had similar functionalities. As Zabuza saw Haku put on her vest he couldn't help but feel pride in her appearance. He too put on his vest, now looking the part of Jonin.
"You are now both Konoha shinobi. Jonin and Chunin respectively. Congratulations." They both bowed in respect as they stood off to the side once more.
"Now, I know you all are tired from your journey back. So I bid you all to rest and to leave the office. Are there any questions?" Hiruzen asked and no one nodded.
"Then you are all dismissed, thank you for your service." Hiruzen looked to Kakashi to stay and the Jonin nodded. The rest of the group left the office in high spirits almost disbelieving what happened moments before.
"Holy cow! Look at all this money!" Naruto shook his bag as his teammates shared his sentiments.
"I know! I can buy new clothes for like three months!"
"I won't have to worry about rent for a good half year!" Naruto exclaimed and both him and Sakura jumped up and down in elation. Sasuke smirked at his team while Haku and Zabuza watched them with amusement and surprise.
"Speaking of rent, where are me and Haku going to live brat?" Zabuza asked and Naruto paused in his jumping. He thought about it and waved it off.
"Ah don't worry about it, you two can bunk with me!" Haku and Zabuza looked visibly dumbfounded by his quick offer of generosity.
"Are you sure Naruto-kun? Zabuza-sama and I wouldn't want to impose.." Haku said and Naruto smiled at her.
"Trust me! It's not big sure, but it'll fit all of us nicely!"
"Hey, with all of this money we can probably find an apartment for the three of us." Zabuza suggested and they looked at him with surprise.
"What? It makes sense. No use in cramping me and Haku in a small place." Zabuza shrugged and everyone nodded in agreement.
"What do you think Naruto-kun?" Haku asked and Naruto hummed.
"Aw hell, why not?! Let's go!" Naruto, Haku, and Zabuza then left to do what they set out to do. That meant it left Sasuke and Sakura alone outside of the tower. Sakura sidled up to Sasuke, batting her long luscious eyelashes at him.
"So.. Sasuke-kun, now that we're alone.. what say we spend this money on a nice date-" She stopped talking as she watched Sasuke wordlessly walk away from her.
"S-Sasuke-kun!" She called to him and the surviving Uchiha ignored her. She looked downtrodden as she watched her crush walk away. She sighed as she too went back home, she could at least tell her parents she made it back safely.
Back with Hiruzen and Kakashi, they had kept up their conversation about Naruto.
"He possesses the Byakugan, Sharingan, and now Hyoton. We haven't seen a limit to how many jutsus, and kekkei genkai Naruto can receive." Kakashi stated and Hiruzen looked contemplative.
"I have an idea, to truly test if this theory is possible." Hiruzen said cryptically and Kakashi arched an eyebrow.
"Four words, Forbidden Scroll of Sealing." Kakashi widened his eyes at Hiruzen's short explanation.
"You really think Naruto will be able to learn those jutsus?" Kakashi asked and Hiruzen chuckled.
"If what you've seen and what I've heard is correct.. he won't just learn the jutsu, he'll master it too." Hiruzen said and Kakashi nodded, still in shock.
Hiruzen would be calling Naruto into his office tomorrow morning.
It didn't take long for Naruto, Zabuza, and Haku to upgrade to a three bedroom apartment. And Naruto had to say, with about ten of his clones, moving his things had been a breeze. At the moment the three of them were settling in. Naruto liked how clean and brand new everything was. Hell, the place even had A/C!
Everything about the fresh apartment screamed new. The walls weren't chipping and the paint wasn't dried out. The walls had a clean alabaster color to it, the living room itself was bigger than Naruto's old apartment. The kitchen had all the necessities, the refrigerator was nice and silver. The floor was an oak wood, and everything was just shiny and brand new. Every room had a bathroom with a shower and tub as well. There was one bathroom for each of the three master bedrooms. There was also a fourth bathroom for guests to use in the middle hall.
All in all the place was a huge step up for Naruto, and even his new apartment-mates.
"I'll send out some clones to buy necessities for you two, beds, sheets, all the stuff you'll need to live here." Naruto told them as they exited the apartment. Zabuza and Haku helped chip in for the furniture as Naruto's clones appeared and split off into different directions.
"Alright brat, where are you taking us?" Zabuza asked and Naruto grinned.
"To the greatest place on the planet of course!" Naruto's enthusiasm wasn't lost on Haku and Zabuza. Both former mist shinobi looked at each other with comparable shrugs. If Naruto liked it, it surely had to be good right? The two newcomers followed their impromptu tour guide, wondering what place the blonde was so enthused about. It didn't take long as the blonde even took shortcuts to make the route a few minutes less long.
He had to have been there multiple times to have shortcuts on how to arrive at the place. And when Zabuza saw the location, he couldn't have been more dumbfounded, disconcerted, and disgusted.
'If he thinks we're gonna stop here for..' Zabuza had been in the middle of his mental tirade, about to blow up on the blonde shinobi about his choice of outing. However he saw Haku's face. The smile, the glee, the excitement at having found Naruto's favorite spot in the village. He softened his expression as he followed the two kids to the ramen stand.
'Ichiraku Ramen huh? We might be going here more often with the way today is going..' Zabuza hummed as he saw Naruto sitting to the left with Haku to his direct right. Zabuza elected to sit at Haku's right side. He opened the curtain and sat down on one of the stools, it wasn't the most comfortable feeling but it was better than standing.
Zabuza looked over to see an older chef at the stove, and what looked like to be his young adult daughter taking both Naruto and Haku's orders.
"Naruto-kun! You're back! Me and tou-san were worried you would be gone for good!" The brunette exclaimed and Naruto shook his head with a grin.
"Can't scare me off that easily Ayame-chan! Oh! And by the way, these two are Haku-chan and Zabuza-jiji!" Naruto introduced and immediately Zabuza felt an oncoming migraine start to form.
"Hey! You better watch your mouth you bra-" Zabuza paused as he felt a killing intent coming from the young waitress. The man widened his eyes before silencing himself and sitting on his stool. The young woman cooled off as she smiled at Naruto.
'Good kami. Thought she was going to fillet me there.' Zabuza thought as he looked at the woman with an incredulous expression. He then looked to Haku and Naruto having the time of their lives. He felt a little envy for the both of them, he never had any true friends growing up. And from the way they were talking, laughing, and enjoying each other's company.. they both found a true friend within each other.
He looked to Haku's smile then, liking the joy she expressed so freely.
'That smile.. I'll die protecting it, she'll never know misery feels like ever again if I have a say in it.' Zabuza thought with new conviction. The trio then enjoyed the company, two teens and an older man in a ramen bar/stand or whatever Zabuza thought it was.
By the time they all left, Zabuza thought the ramen had been quite enjoyable. He would have to go there with Naruto and Haku more often.
The morning came quick and Naruto alone had been hailed to the Hokage's Office. He followed an anbu with a boar mask to the tower, wondering what Hiruzen Sarutobi wanted with him.
For the Hokage, he had an unexpected visit with Danzo Shimura. The bandaged man with his cane had come barging in to Hiruzen's office. Although the aged shinobi hid it well, there was anger in his visage.
"Hiruzen."
"Danzo."
"You really think those former Mist shinobi are going to turn a new leaf? Even for you this is highly idiotic." Hiruzen arched an eyebrow at his long time rival and former friend.
"They found a reason to belong here, all because of Naruto."
"And you believe that the Kyuubi Jinchuriki is capable enough to keep those two close to him? He is easily influenced as well as gullible, there isn't a scenario where those two don't convince the Kyuubi Jinchuriki to betray Konoha."
"You obviously don't know Naruto, Danzo. He has high conviction and resilience to people who oppose his ideologies. Especially to those who don't make sense to him." Hiruzen defended and he saw Danzo grit his teeth. To other shinobi they wouldn't have noticed the subtle action. But Hiruzen and Danzo have been at this game for a long time. They can read each other like a book.
"Well I know that a shinobi like him-!" Before Danzo could finish the door had opened up to reveal the topic of conversation.
"Ah Naruto, good to see you." Hiruzen smiled as both he and Danzo watched the blonde. The blonde closed his eyes for a brief second, opening after that pause to reveal blue orbs staring at him and Danzo.
'Kotoamatsukami.' Naruto thought as he took a long hard look at the bandaged man. Naruto felt his dojutsu evolve, he felt everything become clearer, he.. knew what had just happened. It was a good thing Naruto closed his eyes for a second to deactivate his recently acquired dojutsu.
'This man..' Naruto closed his eyes once more and activated Kotoamatsukami, immediately casting the most powerful genjutsu in existence on Danzo Shimura.
'Do not undermine me, the village, the Hokage, or anyone that I care about.' Naruto ordered and Danzo didn't suspect it but Naruto's genjutsu was a success. The man turned to Hiruzen, a squint to his eye.
"Hiruzen, we.. will talk later. I may convince you yet." Danzo said and Hiruzen chuckled.
"I'll be glad to see you try." Hiruzen said and Danzo approached Naruto, who looked at him with blue eyes.
"Naruto Uzumaki." The blonde gulped, he wondered what the old war hawk had to say.
"Yes..?"
"I am Danzo Shimura. You'll be hearing more from me soon." Danzo stated and Naruto nodded, he felt some sweat drip down the back of his neck. Danzo saw the blonde's nod and took his leave.
Root will have a new mission from now on. Protect the Kyuubi Jinchurki, support the Kyuubi Jinchuriki, as well as the Hokage. He closed the door behind him, leaving both Naruto and Hiruzen alone.
"Who was that jiji?" Hiruzen waved him off while digging into his desk.
"Just an old friend of mine. Ah.. here." Hiruzen took out the scroll he was looking for. Naruto meanwhile thought back to the last thirty seconds.
He evolved again. Before he unlocked Kotoamatsukami, and now.. he possessed his very own Mangekyo Sharingan.
"Fukurokuju." Naruto whispered and Hiruzen looked up.
"What did you say.. Naruto..?" Hiruzen widened his eyes as he saw Naruto's eyes form into their own personal mangekyo sharingan. The way he would describe it is that it looked perfectly like the Yin and Yang symbol. Except instead of Yang being a pure white, it was a bloody red. After inspecting the blonde's eyes he finally registered what the blonde had said. Fukurokuju, One of the Seven Gods of Luck. Fukurokuju represents longevity and wisdom.
"Naruto.." Hiruzen dropped the scroll onto his desk as he stared into Naruto's orbs. He was entranced by the beauty of his eyes. The bloody red of Yang contrasted perfectly with the abyssal darkness of Yin.
"Jiji, I'm going to test this out." Naruto said and the Hokage stood up abruptly.
"Wait, Naruto don't just-" Before the Hokage could let out another word, everything had changed. More specifically everything about him. Naruto stared at the old Hokage, watching as his white hair turned a youthful brown growing to a fuller more voluminous length. His wrinkly skin also smoothed to a perfect elasticity. The Hokage even grew a couple heads taller and bulked out more than he previously did. Naruto witnessed as Hiruzen Sarutobi had been restored to his thirty-year old self.
"Naruto.. what have you?" Hiruzen looked down at himself, instantly noticing his body's aches and pains disappearing, being replaced by a strong and vital presence. Hiruzen Sarutobi had just been restored to the prime of his youth.
"Naruto.. how? How did you do this? I haven't felt this good in decades!" Hiruzen exclaimed in astonishment stretching and performing a few well practiced katas.
"It's my mangekyo sharingan, Fukurokuju. It has the ability to warp someone's bodily characteristics, as well as my own. It can even.. restore life from the dead." Naruto said and Hiruzen gawked at the blonde. Even after all these years of being a shinobi/ Hokage, he had never heard of a more absurdly powerful dojutsu.
"Any drawbacks to it?"
"No. This is the first and final form of it. It's eternal." Naruto said and Hiruzen widened his eyes. Naruto just kept surprising him. It just meant that the purpose of this meeting is that much more important.
"Naruto, I appreciate what you did for me. I.. I haven't felt so good in such a long time. When you grow old, you forget the feeling of strength and agility. Never take it for granted." Hiruzen said and Naruto nodded.
'Orochimaru would kill to have his mangekyo sharingan. No drawbacks as well as eternal youth? Good thing after today, my old student won't know how to deal with Naruto.' Hiruzen smiled as he beckoned the blonde forward.
"Naruto, due to your recent developments, I'm going to ask you to read this scroll. After reading I want you to tell me what happens to you. Can I count on you to do that?" Hiruzen asked, extending his arm, scroll in hand. Naruto took the scroll and nodded.
"Hai jiji." Hiruzen smiled at the blonde.
"I don't think you can call me that, with the way I am now."
"Nah, you'll always be jiji to me. No matter how young you look." Hiruzen chuckled at the blonde. Hiruzen then nodded to the scroll and Naruto opened it eagerly.
'Kuchiyose: Edo Tensei, Hachimon, Hakke no Fuin Shiki, Hiraishin no Jutsu, Shiki Fujin, Uzumaki Sealing Jutsu.' Naruto widened his eyes as every single word he read became a part of his ever growing arsenal.
"Jiji- why did you give me this?" Naruto asked and Hiruzen smiled.
"Show me a jutsu. Preferable one that won't hurt you when you use it." Hiruzen said and Naruto nodded. Naruto took out one of his kunai and wrapped a paper with a seal on it. Naruto threw it across the room and teleported to the thrown kunai before it impacted anything. Hiruzen widened his eyes, feeling stupefied at what he just witnessed.
'He really CAN inherit anything!' Hiruzen shook himself out of his stupor, the blonde was a gold mine!
"Naruto, I'm going to be blunt with you. After the Chunin Exams, I believe you should make the jump straight to Jonin. Your abilities would be wasted as just a Genin, or even just a Chunin. Kakashi has told me you demonstrated the ability to lead a team, as well as make wise decisions that can help accomplish the mission. Your.. innate capacity for inheriting jutsu and kekkei genkai is unfounded. Naruto, I believe you can change everything and accomplish anything." Hiruzen stated and Naruto widened his eyes.
He didn't know whether to blush, feel dumbfounded, or cheer at the praise the God of Shinobi had been giving him.
"You really think so jiji? Jonin? I.. I don't know what to say.." Hiruzen simply chuckled.
"Naruto, you have proven yourself already. You've beaten Zabuza Momochi, one of the legendary swordsmen of the mist, an A-Rank shinobi in the bingo book. And you've defeated a member of the Yuki Clan who was trained by the person I previously mentioned. There is no way that after the Land of Waves you would simply stay a Genin.
Promoting you to Chunin would completely disregard everything I've said about you. Unless you want to become a member of the Anbu, then being promoted to Jonin after the Chunin Exams is the only thing I can do." Hiruzen said and Naruto nodded, for once at a loss at what to say to the Hokage.
"Now that that's settled.. Yamato!" Hiruzen called over and as if appearing out of thin air, a man with brunette hair was summoned to the Hokage's office. He wore the darker flak jacket of a Jonin ranked shinobi. Naruto widened his eyes as he looked at the man.
'Mokuton.' Hiruzen had been studying Naruto as soon as the Wood Release user entered the room.
"Naruto, show Yamato something interesting." Hiruzen ordered and the blonde grinned. Yamato turned toward Naruto with blank eyes, as if Naruto had anything to show hi-
'HOLY SHIT!' Naruto held out a single hand and a flower bloomed from it.
"Mokuton." Naruto said and Yamato's eyes almost popped out of their sockets.
"H-how? How is this possible?" Yamato asked and Hiruzen chuckled.
"Naruto is just full of surprises. He's the reason why I am the way I am after all." Hiruzen said and it finally registered with the former Anbu Captain.
"Hokage-sama.. You're.." The man held up a shaky hand as he pointed at the former fossil of a Hokage.
"Youthful? Alive? Dare I say, handsome?" Hiruzen laughed as Yamato fell to the floor before quickly recovering again.
"Naruto, follow me. I want to knock off some rust." Hiruzen ordered and Naruto nodded.
He wanted to see what the 'God of Shinobi' was made of.
Hiruzen elected to walk the streets of Konoha to their destination. It was safe to way, the effect this had on the population was immediate.
"Is that Hokage-sama?!"
"Kami, that is Hokage-sama!"
"How did he become so young?"
"Is this a henge?!"
"It's not! He's too real to be a henge!"
"He doesn't look seventy-six.."
"Maybe not physically.. but he definitely carries himself with a wise confidence."
"HE'S SO FUCKING HOT!"
Naruto and Hiruzen walked through the shinobi and civilian population with amusement. Naruto almost couldn't believe the reception Hiruzen had from the populace.
"Jeez jiji. You were popular before, but now.. it's like you're a kami among men." Hiruzen chuckled at Naruto.
"Don't let their words get into your head Naruto. One day you'll feel the same thing." Naruto widened his eyes at the man's words.
"You really think so?"
"Yes I do. As long as you still desire it." Naruto bit his lip in apprehension. It was one thing to talk the game he did. But to have the current Hokage support and even state he'll succeed as long as he still wanted the job.. It sent chills down his spine.
"You better warm that hat up for me then jiji! I'm going to replace you before you know it!" Hiruzen openly laughed at the boy's remarks as they finally arrived to the training grounds.
The commotion Hiruzen's appearance caused stirred up quite the crowd. Naruto even noticed all of his classmates in the area, he also saw his team in the vicinity too.
It looked like everyone in Konoha had decided to watch the spectacle.
"Is Naruto-kun fighting Hokage-sama?" Hinata asked her teammates and Kiba scoffed.
"Naruto is going to get creamed by him! He looks so badass!" Kiba exclaimed and Shino pushed up his goggles in contemplation.
"It's a wonder how Hokage-sama became so.. youthful. Naruto-san might be more than outclassed here. But let's not forget.. Hokage-sama chose Naruto-san to spar with out of anyone else." Shino objectively analyzed and his teammates gawked at him. Kiba then laughed at the bug user.
"Ha! You can't even be serious Shino! Naruto is the dead last of our class! We don't even know how he passed to this day!" Kiba hollered with laughter and Naruto quirked an eyebrow.
'Inuzuka smell, taste, hearing, sight, and touch. Aburame's control of insects.' Naruto gained these things and felt a chill at the Aburame's jutsu. Even as he is now he wouldn't really want to mess with that particular clan.
'Yamanaka, Nara, and Akimichi.' Naruto also inherited their abilities and smirked Hiruzen really didn't know what he was getting himself into.
'It seems Naruto is inheriting jutsus, and abilities as he stands nearby other shinobi. I can't wait for him to showcase his abilities in front of everyone.' Hiruzen thought as he stretched, at this point he was dressed in his typical battle gear besides his helmet. It showcased his handsome brown hair and beard, as well as his youthful features.
"You're telling me that drop dead handsome man is Hokage-sama?! I thought he was just an old fart! What happened?! Ino screeched and both Choji and Shikamaru had to cover their ears.
"Damn Ino! How is it possible you're louder than everyone combined?!" Shikamaru complained and Ino scoffed.
"Oh whatever, I still can't believe that's Hokage-sama." The Yamanaka heiress folded her arms as she looked at the two facing off. Choji meanwhile had paused in eating his barbecue chips upon witnessing Hiruzen's new appearance.
"Well mm-yeah, mm- he's really mm- young." Choji paused in between munches to state his observation.
"Choji, at least finishing chewing. Jeez." Ino sighed as they looked to their sensei who had his own jaw dropping to the floor.
"DAD?!" Hiruzen looked over at the commotion his son had caused. That made Team 10 do a double take at the Sarutobi father and son. They gasped, Asuma really was the spitting image of a young Hiruzen!
"Asuma! Glad you could make it!" Hiruzen called over and Asuma rubbed at his eyes in stupefaction. Asuma's team stared at him with eyes the size of saucers while they still comprehended the implications of this whole situation. Hiruzen turned back to Naruto who yawned. Hiruzen laughed, the audacity of that kid.
"I can't believe Hokage-sama is actually going to spar with Naruto. He was the dead last of our year. Hm, maybe this is a punishment for a recent prank or something. Naruto is definitely going to get his ass kicked for sure. Although.. it doesn't explain why Hokage-sama is young now." Ino said her thoughts out loud and she didn't receive a response from either teammate. She turned to see Choji still eating his chips, except now he was looking at Shikamaru. The usually lazy Genin had an uncharacteristically serious expression on his person.
"What are you thinking Shikamaru?" She asked and he waited before responding. He noticed the excited looks on both Hiruzen and Naruto's face. He also saw that Hiruzen's body was tense despite facing off against a Genin. He then looked to Naruto and witnessed the blonde grinning cockily. There wasn't an ounce of doubt in the blonde's expressions. He seemed calm, serene. As if this whole thing was just another Monday. After analyzing everything he responded.
"All I'm going to say is, don't count Naruto out of this thing entirely." Shikamaru said and his two teammates looked at him in confusion. What he said was cryptic. But it seemed like he was supporting the 'dead last'.
'I don't know what has changed. But Naruto looks as carefree as a cloud in the sky. I have a feeling he had something to do with why Hokage-sama is the way he is now.. Naruto, I don't know what has happened to you, or why you look so.. calm. But I have a feeling you're going to show us everything. Troublesome. Naruto, show us why Hokage-sama wants to spar with you so badly.' Shikamaru's thoughts betrayed the blank look on his face.
"What makes you say that Shikamaru?" Choji asked and the Genin yawned.
"It's too troublesome to explain.. just keep your eyes on Naruto." Shikamaru said and both Choji and Ino arched their eyebrows before doing as told.
'If Shika is saying that.. then there has to be a reason for it.' Ino focused more on her fellow blonde, anticipating his part in the spar more than before.
"Who do you think will win Zabuza-sama?" Haku asked as she internally cheered her favorite blonde shinobi on. Zabuza looked thoughtful for a moment, his expression never changing from its normal seriousness.
"The Hokage. Naruto is powerful, I'll admit that. But Hiruzen Sarutobi has much more experience, as well as even more raw power. His monikers are The Professor, as well as God of Shinobi. This is his prime we're witnessing firsthand. However, the brat will put up a good fight." Zabuza explained objectively and Haku looked at him with awe. For Naruto to gain such respect from Zabuza meant the world to her.
"I agree. Naruto-kun will put up an amazing fight." Haku smiled as she turned back toward the two standing off shinobi. Zabuza looked at her with a smirk, noticing her quick fondness for the blonde.
'I wonder if you'll prove me wrong again Naruto Uzumaki. You seem to be doing that a lot lately.' Zabuza thought, studying the scene in front of him with barely hidden excitement.
"I really can't believe that's Hokage-sama." Sakura said to her sensei and teammate who stood next to her.
"Even I find it hard to believe. He's even younger than I've ever seen him." Kakashi stated and Sakura looked toward him with an arched eyebrow.
"Really? I thought you were like fourty. So I figured you would've seen him like this." Sakura's offhanded comment made Kakashi's heart break just a bit more. The man felt sweat drop down his head at her completely backhanded statement.
"Sakura, I'm twenty-six." Kakashi sighed and Sakura shrugged. Kakashi almost felt like fainting at her disposition to him.
"My bad, anyways. Naruto is really going to spar with the Hokage? I know he took down Zabuza and Haku without dropping a sweat but.. this is the HOKAGE. Even worse now that he isn't an old decrepit man." Sakura said and Kakashi chuckled.
"Before this change he was still the strongest of the five Kage. Now that he's become more.. youthful, he's most likely the strongest shinobi alive at this very moment." Kakashi stated and both Sakura and Sasuke looked at him with widened eyes. Sasuke up to that point didn't pay their conversation much mind. However as soon as Sasuke heard that Hiruzen was THE strongest it made his blood pump faster.
'If he's the strongest.. then why is he sparring with Naruto of all people?' Sasuke thought as he clenched his fist. The dead last of the Academy defied expectations everywhere he went as soon as he became a Genin. It was really starting to piss Sasuke off. Every time Naruto was mentioned, a story of how amazing he was came with it.
'Naruto.. how can you be so far ahead of me? Why do you get all of the luck? Why am I.. so weak?!' Sasuke clenched his fists, looked at the ground with closed eyes as well as starting to shake. Both Kakashi and Sakura saw Sasuke's condition and immediately focused on him.
"Sasuke-kun? What's wrong?" Sakura asked and Sasuke looked up at her. Both Kakashi and Sakura widened their eyes as they looked into his orbs.
His black and red dojutsu orbs.
"Sasuke-kun.. your eyes!" Sasuke widened his eyes as he read her lips, the sound of her voice drowned out from everyone else's. Kakashi eye-smiled at the Uchiha.
"Congratulations Sasuke." Kakashi briefly unveiled his Sharingan to give the Genin a wink. Sasuke finally caught up to what they were saying and smirked. He then looked toward Hiruzen and Naruto with both Sharingan active. He wasn't going to miss a single second of this spar. As he was reveling in his new unlocked power he saw Naruto turn toward him.
Sasuke widened his eyes as Naruto smiled at him, giving him a nod of approval. Sasuke chuckled at the blonde, nodding back toward him. Sakura saw the exchange and smiled. It was a wholesome sight to see.
"GO NARUTO! KICK THE HOKAGE'S ASS FOR TEAM 7!" Sakura cheered and the blonde openly laughed at her words. He smiled at her, giving her a thumbs up. Sakura smiled back, she would fully support her teammate and his recently acquired badassery.
"So that's one of your students eh Kakashi?" A man donning the Konoha's Jonin jacket, as well as a green jumpsuit and bowl cut asked suddenly. Kakashi didn't turn toward him as he kept his eye on his student.
"It's a wonder Hokage-sama chose him to spar with, as my Genin team is undoubtedly stronger and more experienced than yours." The man said haughtily as he focused solely on his eternal rival. He watched as the masked Jonin yawned and stretched his arms behind his back.
"What did you say Gai? I didn't hear you." Might Gai immediately stepped back in shock and screamed.
"AH! I SHOULD'VE EXPECTED YOU TO HAVE SUCH A COOL AND HIP RESPONSE! AGH! THIS IS WHY YOU'RE MY ETERNAL RIVAL! JUST WHY DO YOU HAVE TO BE SO DAMN COOL?!" Gai shook a fist at the oblivious Jonin, his despair made apparent. Sasuke and Sakura watched with twitches in their eyes as they watched Gai complain about Kakashi's coolness.
'I can't believe my Sharingan was active to see.. that.' Sasuke frowned as he turned back toward his blonde teammate. However he still couldn't shake off of the uncomfortable chills that guy sent down his spine. Meanwhile Sakura's jaw dropped as she looked at the man who had been trying to blow Kakashi's ear off with yelling alone.
'W-why does he wear that?! And why are his eyebrows so big and why is his hair so shiny?!' Sakura had been asking the important questions while Gai kept up his mostly one-sided conversation with Kakashi. Meanwhile Gai's team watched Hiruzen and Naruto face off against each other.
"That little guy is going to get pummeled by the Hokage. Look at him! He's so young now!" Tenten exclaimed while her teammate Rock Lee pumped a fist in the air.
"Yes! Hokage-sama has reached the pinnacle of his youth! There is no way he will lose!" The nearly exact copy of Gai declared and Neji scoffed.
"This is just a waste of time. That Genin is destined to lose." Neji coldly stated and both Rock Lee and Tenten looked at him with mirroring frowns. After Neji effectively put down their mood they watched the incoming spar with silence.
The commotion had been building ever since Naruto and Hiruzen stood in front of each other. Shinobis, civilians, clans, non clans, they all gathered just to see the Hokage in action. They had all been confused on why the Kyuubi Jinchuriki was fighting but most of them had been excited to potentially see Naruto get his ass kicked by the Hokage. But Naruto knew.. they were in for a long while before that ever becomes reality.
He knew after restoring Hiruzen to full health that this fight would be his toughest yet. And yet he was grateful, he had never seen the Hokage so happy, so ecstatic. If Naruto wasn't already elated at his situation then Hiruzen would've rubbed off on him.
"Jiji, I have an idea." Naruto stated and the Hokage arched an eyebrow.
"What kind of idea is it?"
"I don't think this training ground is.. big or... grand enough for our spar." Naruto said and Hiruzen laughed.
"Where else would we go? Unless you mean.." Naruto grinned at the man as he widened his eyes.
"I do! WOOD STYLE: GRAND FOREST STADIUM!" If everyone had been loud before, then they had become deafening now. Naruto chuckled at the commotion.
He was just getting started.
Naruto's Technique/ Kekkai Genkai/ Style Collection:
Bunshin no Jutsu- Clone Technique
Dojutsu: Byakugan- All Seeing White Eye
Dojutsu: Mangekyo Sharingan- Kaleidoscope Copy Wheel Eye
Dojutsu: Mangekyo Sharingan: Kotoamastukami- Distinguished Heavenly Gods
Dojutsu: Mangekyo Sharingan: Fukurokuju- God of Wisdom, Longevity, and Happiness
Dojutsu: Sharingan- Copy Wheel Eye
Doton: Shinju Zanshu no Jutsu- Earth Release: Double Suicide Decapitation Technique
Hachimon: Eight Gates
Hakke Kusho- Eight Trigrams Vacuum Palm
Hakkesho Kaiten- Eight Trigrams Palms Revolving Heaven
Hakke no Fuin Shiki: Eight Trigrams Sealing Style
Hand Seals: Single Handed Dexterity- (Needs only one hand to seal for jutsu)
Henge no Jutsu- Transformation Technique
Hijutsu: Makyo Hyosho- Secret Jutsu: Crystal Ice Mirrors
Hiraishin no Jutsu: Flying Thunder God Technique
Inuzuka Clan Tecnhniques and Physical Senses- Taste, Sight, Smell, Touch, and Hearing
Kage Bunshin no Jutsu- Shadow Clone Technique
Katon: Gokakyu no Jutsu- Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique
Kekkei Genkai: Hyoton- Ice Release
Kekkei Genkai: Mokuton- Wood Release
Kirigakure no Jutsu- Hiding in Mist Technique
Kuchiyose: Edo Tensei- Summoning: Impure World Reincarnation
Nara Clan Techniques
Shiki Fujin: Sealing Technique: Reaper Death Seal
Suiro no Jutsu- Water Prison Technique
Suiton: Suiryudan no Jutsu- Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet Technique
Taijutsu Style: Hyuga-ryu: Juken- Hyuga Style: Gentle Fist
Taijutsu Style: Shunshin-ryu: Naruto Terepooto- Rapid Movement Style: Naruto Teleport
Tajuu Kage Bunshin no Jutsu- Multi Shadow Clone Technique
Weapon Style: Kenjutsu- Sword Technique: Kubikiribocho
Uzumaki Sealing Techniques
Yamanaka Clan Techniques
Naruto's Effect on the World: D-Rank
Konohagakure: B-Rank
Naruto has recruited two additional shinobi to Konohagakure. An A-Rank Mission has been added to his completed mission stats. Naruto has become an even more powerful shinobi after acquiring two different mangekyo sharingans as well as multiple kekkei genkai and Konoha Clan Techniques. He has read and learned all the jutsus in the Scroll of Sealing, not something just anyone can accomplish. He has restored Hiruzen Sarutobi's youth, helping Konoha grow in strength immensely from this accomplishment alone. The villagers and shinobis are starting to talk about Naruto right before he spars with the renewed Hokage.
Most of them had speculated with Naruto's downfall in the very near future. While very few believe Naruto will put up a decent fight. Naruto had also just used an improvised Wood Release Technique that caused the populace to react in either a positive or negative way. Who knows what the village will think to Naruto's growing strength after the spar.
Kirigakure: D-Rank
Land of Waves has been deeply impacted by Naruto's intervention. Zabuza and Haku remained alive, they too hold information about Naruto's accomplishments.
Kumogakure: E-Rank
Might as well be nonexistent.
Iwagakure: D-Rank
They believe the 4th Hokage's Descendant exists. They don't know who it is.
Sunagakure: E-Rank
Might as well be nonexistent.
Land of Waves: S-Rank
The highest and most positive rank has been achieved. Naruto has gone above and beyond to secure the Land of Waves a prosperous and fortuitous future. Naruto Uzumaki's tale is now a story people will often hear about, especially when tourists drop in for vacation. They will all know Naruto Uzumaki's name and what he did for their people. His symbol is the bridge that had been built by people who believed in him. Anyone outside won't know his face, but they will know his name.
Team 7: A-Rank
Naruto has proven to be formidable, reliable, and overall a joy to be around. His teammates and sensei hold him in high regard, and acknowledge his skills as a shinobi. He can still be a goofball at times but they love him for it. They are excited to see how much Naruto will grow. However Sasuke seems to be growing a feeling of resentment toward Naruto Uzumaki.
Sasuke feels more sure of himself after unlocking his Sharingan, but he keeps comparing himself to Naruto. The more he does this, the more he will resent Naruto for his seemingly limitless growth. If Sasuke doesn't grow out of this habit, Naruto's Team 7 Rank will continue to drop.
The Rest of the World: D-Rank
Anyone near the Land of Waves will hear about Naruto Uzumaki. However elsewhere he might as well be a ghost. Naruto is slowly becoming more renowned but he has a long way to go before the world acknowledges his presence as a shinobi, as a leader, and as a person. The result of Naruto's spar with Hiruzen Sarutobi may effect the rank from either decreasing or increasing.