Here's the next part.
Update (10/31/14): I decided to few corrections and elaborate certain scenes more. Man, was that last chapter of Naruto insane or what? Also this recent episode of Korra was intense! And I'm still dealing both series ending. ;_;
Disclaimer: Still applies
Chapter 6: Revelation and Promise, Part Two
Later at a hotel
"I'm sorry, Korra, but there's nothing I can do about it." Katara said.
"How come?" Korra asked, frustrated, "You're good friends with the Hokage. Can't you just get him to pass Naruto?"
Katara sighed, "There are lot of factors to determine a good shinobi. Hiruzen has to take those factors into consideration and do what's best for everyone, not just an individual."
"Naruto's been trying to pass for so long! Why should being a shinobi by a doing a stupid clone jutsu!?" Korra yelled.
"I'll be honest. I don't like it either, but I know Hiruzen wants what is best for Naruto. All we can do is hope for the boy to persevere," Katara answered calmly, putting her hand on Korra's shoulder.
Korra sighed, "It just isn't fair," she said, looking down in frustration, "all Naruto wanted was to be acknowledged by his home; to make his life mean something, and I can't even help him get there."
"You're a great friend to him, Korra," Katara answered with a smile, "I'm sure your acknowledgment of him is one of the things that keep him going."
Korra looked down to the side and still seemed a bit unsure.
"Now, it's best you get ready for dinner. The White Lotus still prefer that we leave tomorrow," Katara said, getting up.
Korra sighed, "Alright."
Later that night
Korra was sitting in her room. She was too anxious to sleep at the moment. Naga seemed to sense her discomfort and leaned next to her.
Korra stroked Naga's soft fur, "You're worried about him too, aren't you girl?"
She couldn't help but wonder how Naruto was doing and hoped things would get better for him.
All of the sudden, she heard commotion going on outside. Carefully, looked outside the window and listened to what was happening. She saw several Leaf ninja outside apparently looking for something.
"Ugh, damn that brat," one of them cursed, "Of all his ridiculous pranks he steals the Forbidden Scroll."
"Cool it, will ya," another reprimanded, "He couldn't have gone far. He'll be in enough trouble once we bring him back to Hokage-sama."
"Yeah well not if I pound some lessons into him first," the other complained.
"Quit the small talk and let's keep moving," another ninja, apparently a jounin, commanded, "This mission is of the utmost importance, we can't waste any more time if want to keep the scroll out of the wrong hands."
"Right!" The others agreed.
"Let's move!" the jounin commanded before they disappeared.
Korra couldn't believe what she was hearing.
Naruto. What the heck did you just get yourself into!? Korra yelled in her mind.
She walked over to Naga.
"Let's go, Naga," she said, "I'm sure you won't have trouble tracking Naruto's scent."
The polar bear dog barked in agreement and licked Korra.
Korra chuckled, "Thought so. Let's go."
"What's going on out there?" Katara asked a White Lotus.
"The village is in a panic," he answered, "From what I heard, some blonde kid stole the Forbidden Scroll of Sealing."
One name immediately popped in Katara's head.
"This is certainly not good," she said with concern.
"I agree," the guard replied, "We need to make sure the Avatar is safe and that she stays out of this."
The guard made his way over to the girl's room.
Katara sighed, "Somehow I doubt that will be an option."
The guard opened the door to check on Korra…only to find nobody in the room.
"…NOT THIS CRAP AGAIN!" he yelled.
Deep in the woods
Naruto grasped his knees as he panted. He probably should have expected such after he practiced a jutsu from the Forbidden Scroll.
"Alright, looks like I got the hang of it," he said, "Man, I can already feel that the hitai-ate on my forehead. GAH!"
Before he knew it, he was knocked over by a large polar bear dog.
"Naga!? What are you- Hey! Quit it! I'm already dirty enough. I don't need slobber on me!" Naruto yelled while trying to get Naga to stop licking him and get off.
"Naruto!" he heard from someone getting off of Naga.
"Hey, Korra-chan. You're here," Naruto said, happily.
"Never mind that. Are you alright?" Korra asked while grabbing Naruto's shoulders.
"Relax, I'm fine. You know me: always training hard no matter what!" the blonde grinned while giving the brunette a thumbs-up sign.
I wonder what happened, Korra thought, He seems to back to his usual self.
She smiled, "Thank goodness. Well, in that case…"
"Eh?" Naruto asked, dumbfounded when Korra grabbed his collar and started shaking him.
"JUST WHAT THE HECK WERE YOU THINKING PULLING A STUNT LIKE THAT!? DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA WHAT KIND OF TROUBLE YOU'RE IN!? THE ENTIRE VILLAGE IS AFTER YOU!" Korra yelled.
"Wh-at? I di-dn't kn-ow that w-as part of Mi-zu-ki-sen-sei's ex-tra credit," Naruto managed to say while being shaken.
Korra stopped, "Wait. Extra credit?"
"Naruto!"
Both kids turned to Iruka landing in front of them.
"Hey, Iruka-sensei! You found me!" Naruto happily yelled.
Iruka stomped over to him, "ALRIGHT, LITTLE BRAT! YOU BETTER HAVE A GOOD EXPLANATION! And why is Korra with you?"
"She just happened to find me first," Naruto started explaining, "Mizuki-sensei told me that anyone who learns a jutsu from the scroll passes."
"So that's what he talked to you about?" Korra asked.
"Yep. He told where to find the scroll, where to find this place, and to learn at least one jutsu from it before I got caught. Now that I managed to do it, you're gonna pass me. Right, Iruka-sensei?" Naruto explained further.
"But if that's the case, why would this send the village into a panic?" Korra wondered out loud.
She's right. Something's not right here. Iruka thought with worry.
Suddenly, he heard the sound of thrown shuriken and kunai coming toward them.
"Both of you get back!" Iruka yelled as he pushed Naruto and Korra out of the way so that only he got hit instead.
"Iruka-sensei!" Naruto cried out in worry.
"Good work, Naruto. Now be quick and hand over the scroll."
All three present looked to see Mizuki stand on a tree branch.
"Mizuki-sensei? I don't get it. What's…going on here?" Naruto asked as he looked between Mizuki and Iruka.
"And why try to attack us like that?" Korra asked in irritation
"Naruto, don't let Mizuki get the scroll. He was just using you," Iruka warned, "That scroll contains secret jutsu that could put our village in danger!"
"Haha! Don't listen to him Naruto. He just doesn't want you to have the scroll for yourself!" Mizuki sneered.
"And should he believe that with all the trouble you're causing him, especially when he trusted you to help make things better for him!" Korra yelled at Mizuki in anger.
Mizuki just laughed.
"Oh you think that's bad, little girl? How about the fact that everyone in the village has been lying to Naruto his entire life?" he said with a cruel smile.
"What?" Korra asked with her eyes widened in shock.
"Mizuki stop!" Iruka yelled.
"It's true. Ever since Naruto was born, the Third Hokage made a decree that everyone knows except him," Mizuki continued.
"What is this decree? What's this all about!?" Naruto demanded.
Mizuki smiled cruelly, "Well for starters, you heard the story about the Nine-tailed Fox that attacked the village twelve years ago?"
"Of course everyone knows!" Korra yelled back, "The Fourth Hokage sacrificed his life to stop it from destroying everything."
"Oh sure," Mizuki answered, "But what you don't know is that the demon was sealed inside of Naruto."
"W-what?" Korra uttered out.
Naruto froze. He couldn't believe what he was hearing.
"Stop it, Mizuki!" Iruka yelled as he struggled with his injuries.
"That's right, Naruto. The demon fox that killed Iruka's parents and destroyed our village has taken over your body. You are the Nine-Tailed Fox!" Mizuki continued.
No. This can't be it. Naruto thought, trying to deny it.
"That's a lie!" Korra yelled with rage, "Whatever joke you're making up isn't funny!"
"But don't you find it strange how everyone treated him?" Mizuki countered, "All the heated glares, hushed whispers, and treating him like wasn't a human being? Of course, that's all they could do since the Hokage made it forbidden to tell this secret."
Korra considered what he said. It all made sense. The whole village treated Naruto like a plague. Parents must have told their children to stay away from him. Even the Hyuga clan didn't want Hinata anywhere near him.
The sound of a weapon being grabbed brought Korra out of her thoughts.
"Now, how about I put the little demon out of its misery," Mizuki as he hurled a giant shuriken in Naruto's direction.
"Naruto!" Korra called out, but the blonde didn't budge. He was frozen in shock by the news thrown at him.
Korra quickly got in front of him and earthbent a wall to stop the shuriken. Once that was done, she ran over to him and grabbed his shoulders.
"Naruto! Hey, snap out of it!" she said, frantically as she shook him.
"LOOK OUT!" Iruka yelled.
Korra saw another shuriken coming toward them, but it was getting too close for her to stop.
"Both of you get down!" Iruka shouted.
Immediately, Korra tackled Naruto to the ground as the shuriken got closer until they both heard the sound of metal cutting into flesh.
"I-Iruka-sensei," Naruto said, snapped back to reality.
Iruka was on his knees hovering over the two kids with the shuriken stabbed in his back.
(Naruto OST: Sadness and Sorrow)
"It hurts doesn't it, Naruto?" Iruka said, trying to ignore the pain.
"But why? Why protect me?" Naruto asked with doubt.
"Because we're the same," his teacher answered as he was crying.
"After my parents died, no one had time for me. They pretty much forgot I existed," Iruka continued while crying.
"I acted like the class clown to get everyone to notice me; to know my name. I know that's how you feel right now, Naruto. You feel all lonely inside, and yet despite her limited visits, Korra's been there for more than I ever was. I let you down, and I'm sorry. No one should have to go through that suffering," he said.
"Mr. Iruka," Korra said in sadness.
Mizuki snorted at this, "Don't make me laugh! Iruka always hated you, Naruto. The Fox killed his parents and now it's inside of you. He just wants to take the scroll from you!"
Naruto had enough. He couldn't hear any more of this. He had to get away. He crawled out from under Iruka and ran away.
"Naruto!" Iruka called out.
"Come back!" Korra yelled.
But it was too late. He disappeared into the woods.
"Well, off he goes. He's going to use that scroll get revenge on the villagers," Mizuki mused.
"Shut up. He isn't like that at all!" said Iruka as he got up, pulled the giant shuriken out of his back, and threw it at Mizuki.
The traitor ninja dodged and shook his head.
"Doesn't matter anyway. I'll get rid of him and take the scroll for myself. I'll be back to deal with you two," he said before jump through the trees after Naruto.
"Hey! Get back here, jerk!" Korra yelled after him.
She heard Iruka grunt in pain and ran over to him.
"Are you alright, Mr. Iruka?" Korra asked with concern.
"Don't worry about me," he replied, trying to stay standing, "Go back to Katara. I'll stop Mizuki."
"No way, I need to help Naruto any way I can and you can barely stand. We'll take him together and make sure Naruto's alright," Korra said with determination.
Iruka sighed. There was no way he could convince Korra otherwise, and he would need help in his current condition.
"Fine," Iruka said, "Let's go."
With Naruto
Naruto continued to run through the trees as fast as he could. He still couldn't believe what Mizuki told him.
Is it true? Am I really the demon fox? What does Korra-chan think of me now?
Distracted by his thoughts, he didn't notice a kunai with a paper bomb attached going off near him.
"GAH!" he yelled as he fell to the ground. Man, I'm being lousy right now. He berated himself.
He looked up to see the form a Mizuki coming toward him.
"Alright kid, time to end this little game."
He brought out a kunai to finish Naruto off, but as he was about to Naga came to the scene and bit his leg.
"Ahh! You stupid animal. Get off!" the traitor yelled as he struggled with the beast.
"Naga!" Naruto cried out in fear for the polar bear dog.
After he struggled for a bit, Mizuki managed to slash at Naga with his kunai to get her off. Naga was tried to remain tough after the attack and strange, but she soon collapsed.
"You miserable beast," he snarled, "I'll deal with you first!"
A rock was slammed into him before he got the chance.
"There's more where that came from for hurting Naga!" Korra shouted.
"That was a good shot kid, but-" Mizuki tried to say before a barrage of kunai from the forest interrupted him.
Damn that Iruka! Mizuki thought with a grimace as he tried to look around to find out where Iruka was hiding. Before he knew it, he had to dodge blasts of fire from Korra.
Mizuki gathered his thoughts as he landed on another branch.
There's no way. He thought. I already figured she was an earthbender earlier, but to think she can bend more than one element?
Korra bent water from the grass around her and sent icicles at the traitor.
Mizuki jumped out of the way yet again. There's no mistaking it. He thought as landed on another branch.
"The Avatar," he said in amazement.
Korra grinned as she readjusted her stance, "That's right, and you can be sure that you're in for a beating for hurting my friend."
"Is that so? Well, then let's see how well you can keep up," Mizuki mocked as he sent kunai and shuriken her way.
Korra did her best to dodge the oncoming attacks and respond with her own bending attacks, but they were too fast for her. Eventually, several projectiles hit her in her thigh and both arms. Korra trembled on one knee in pain.
Darn it! She yelled in her head. I can't slow down like this!
Mizuki immediately closed the distance between them and kneed her in the gut, and then knocked her away.
"Korra!" Naruto yelled as he got up and picked up a kunai from the ground, "You bastard! Get away from her!"
He faced Mizuki in close combat and tried to land punches and kicks as well as slashes from his kunai. Sadly, Mizuki managed to avoid them with some difficulty, and responded with a knee to the gut and punch to the face.
Naruto grunted as he made hard contact with the ground, and his mother's necklace fell out of his pocket. Panicking, he reached out for it, but Mizuki stomped his hand as soon as he grabbed it.
"Haha, you're still holding on to that?" the traitor mocked.
Naruto still didn't let go, no matter much it hurt.
"Pathetic. I already told you you're nothing but a little monster; an outcast," he said as he pressed his foot down harder, "And I'm willing to bet that doesn't even belong to your mother. The Hokage probably gave it to you to give you false hope and distract you from how alone you really are!"
"No. Just shut up," Naruto said as struggled to keep his tears inside.
"You stubborn brat! What will it take to get it through that thick skull of yours?" Mizuki yelled as he started to kick Naruto mercilessly.
"Naruto," Iruka said, worriedly, and tried to move his beaten form out to the battle, "I'm no good staying here. I've got to get to him, fast."
Korra struggled to get back on feet, "Naruto."
She tried firebending at Mizuki, but her body hurt too much to make sufficient fire.
Dang it, move. She berated herself.
Mizuki was finished beating Naruto and took out a kunai.
"Well, I spent enough time tormenting you. It's time I put you out of misery and take the scroll already," he said as he was about to strike.
Korra's eyes widened in fear as she saw her friend about to be killed.
"NO!" she yelled out as she sent a blast of air from her fist.
The attack hit Mizuki and sent him several feet away.
"What the hell!?" he yelled as he got up.
"K-Korra?" Naruto uttered in amazement.
"No way," Korra looked at her hand in shock, "Did I…just airbend?"
"Korra, look out!" Iruka yelled.
Said Avatar then noticed a kunai with a paper bomb attached land near her. She jumped away at the last second before the tag detonated. She was sent flying, but Iruka caught her.
"Got you," he said.
"Thanks," Korra replied.
They looked in the clearing after the smoke cleared and saw Mizuki looking around.
"Damn it. Now where did that brat go?" he seethed in frustration.
"You'll have to deal with us first, Mizuki," Iruka called out to get the traitor's attention.
"Oh, so you're still here," Mizuki said in annoyance.
"And you're going down," Korra said in anger.
"So you two are still protecting that freak. Especially you, Iruka. Naruto holds the beast that killed your family. Wouldn't you want to be rid of that monster?" he said, pointing at the scarred chunin, "And what about you, little miss Avatar? Isn't your title about protecting the world from those kinds of demons? Why would you fight so hard to protect a freak that the world is better off without?"
Naruto was listening from his hiding spot behind a tree.
He's right. Why should she bother? He questioned. I'm nothing. The village doesn't acknowledge me, and parents probably never loved me at all.
He brought his attention to the kunai that he was holding. Perhaps it was best if he just ended it all; end all the suffering he was going through. At least the villagers wouldn't worry about the demon fox attacking.
He brought the knife closer to his neck, and his began to shake as whispers echoed in his head.
Look. It's that boy.
What a nuisance. He doesn't belong here at all.
Go away, demon brat!
Why does the Hokage keep that brat around?
He's better off dead!
They're all right. Naruto thought to himself. I'm worth nothing.
Suddenly, a shout brought him out of those thoughts.
"JUST SHUT UP! YOU DON'T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT HIM!" Korra shouted.
Naruto stopped to listen closely.
(Naruto Shippuden OST: Experienced Many Battles)
"Don't you ever call him a monster again! He's a human being with feelings and dreams just like everybody else! He may have had to go through all that garbage as a kid, but despite how everyone put him down he wants those stupid villagers to look at him as someone important; someone they can rely on. And even when he fails, he always tries again until he finds a way to succeed. That's the kind thing monsters like you would never understand!" Korra went on.
"So I'm the monster now? Then what does that make Naruto?" Mizuki asked with fake interest.
Korra got in a stance and gave a confident smirk.
"The kid who's going to Hokage, that's what! And you gotta deal with it!" Korra declared back.
Korra. Naruto thought as he felt tears begin to fall and began lowering the kunai in his hand.
"Korra…is absolutely right," Iruka said as he struggled to get up, "He's nothing like a demon, Mizuki. That kid works hard and puts all of his heart and soul into it. Sure, he messes up and everyone gets on him for it, but it's his suffering that makes him stronger. That's what separates him from the Nine-Tailed Fox. He isn't the demon fox, but an asset to the Hidden Leaf Village. Naruto Uzumaki!" Iruka stated with determination.
Naruto was letting all of his tears fall. Iruka-sensei. Thank you; both of you. He thought with happiness and dropped the kunai.
Mizuki snorted, "You know what? I've heard enough out of the both of you," he took out his giant shuriken and ran at the two, "Prepare to die!"
Both of them stood their ground.
"Get out of here, Korra. Let me deal with Mizuki," Iruka said.
"Forget it. He made my best friend feel miserable and tried to kill him! I'm not budging!" Korra said, not turning away from the traitor as he came for them.
(Naruto OST: Naruto Main Theme)
Out of nowhere, Naruto landed a kick on Mizuki that sent him away several feet.
"Naruto!" Iruka said in surprise as he and Korra were shocked.
"Lucky shot, you little punk," Mizuki grunted as he got up.
Naruto looked at Mizuki and gave him a glare so fierce, the traitor could have sworn he saw the boy's blue eyes slit for a second.
"If you ever lay a hand on Iruka-sensei or Korra-chan again…I'll kill you!" Naruto said in anger.
"That's some big talk, but I can take you with one move!" Mizuki ridiculed.
"Take your best shot! I'll give it back to you a thousand-fold!" Naruto yelled back as he made a hand sign.
What's he doing? Korra wondered.
"Shadow Clone Jutsu!" Naruto yelled.
Puffs of smoke immediately followed, and as it cleared, all four were surrounded by clones of Naruto.
"No way! He finally managed to do the Clone jutsu?" Korra said in amazement as she looked around them.
"No."
Korra turned to Iruka.
"Those aren't illusions. They're solid clones. That can only be the Shadow Clone jutsu, a jounin-level jutsu. He must have learned from the Forbidden Scroll," he said in awe.
"Amazing," Korra said as she smiled at her friend's achievement.
All the clones were taunting Mizuki as he had nowhere to run and was overwhelmed at the sheer number of clones.
"If you're not comin' to us, then we're coming to you, full force!" one of clones said as the charged at the traitor.
Mizuki screamed as he was being beaten to a bloody pulp.
After the beating, the clones dispersed and Korra and Iruka saw Mizuki's beaten form lying on the ground. Naruto was standing near him and was scratching the back of his head sheepishly as he smiled nervously.
"Hehe. Sorry, I guess I got a little too carried away," he chuckled.
"Eh, he had it coming," Korra said as she shrugged her shoulders.
Soon enough, Naga came toward them as well.
"Naga!" Korra cried happily as she ran to her, "Aww, that lousy traitor did a number on you, didn't he girl? But we all know you're a tough girl!"
Naga barked in agreement before licking Korra.
"Yeah, I thought so," Korra smiled.
"Hey Naga," Naruto said as he came to pet her, "Sorry about all the injuries, but I sure taught that jerk a lesson to mess with you again!"
Naga moved past both kids and made her way over to Mizuki. She sniffed him a bit then turned and raised her hind leg toward him.
Naruto and Korra stared wide-eyed at the sight of the polar bear dog peeing on the unconscious traitor before they both ended up laughing.
"Haha. Didn't see that coming!" Naruto chuckled.
"Yeah, but then again, this is perfect sweet vengeance," Korra agreed.
"Hey, Naruto. Come here for a sec," Iruka called out.
"Sure thing," Naruto said as he went over to his wounded instructor, "What is it?"
"Close your eyes," Iruka replied.
Naruto was confused for a moment, but as he was told. After a minute, Iruka spoke again.
"Alright, you can open them," Iruka said.
Naruto opened his to see Korra grinning at him with Iruka standing there with a proud smile while holding the blonde's goggles. He also noticed that Iruka was missing his headband.
"Huh? Where's your headband, Iruka-sensei?" Naruto asked.
"Where do you think?" Korra chuckled, "Check your forehead."
Naruto gasped and did as the brunette suggested. Sure enough, he felt the hitai-ate with the engraved Hidden Leaf symbol.
"Congratulations, Naruto," Iruka said, proudly, "You graduate."
In that moment Naruto was filled with so much joy he tackled his teacher with a hug.
"Thank you! Thank you so much!" Naruto cried in happiness.
"Hey! I'm still injured here!" Iruka half complained.
Naruto got off of him and ran to Korra.
"Did you see, Korra-chan? I finally passed!" he yelled in excitement.
"Of course. I'm right here, you goofball!" Korra laughed.
The excited blonde grabbed both of her hands and they danced around in a circle. Even Naga was barking and jumping in excitement while Iruka watched them with a smile.
Unbeknownst to all of them, the Hokage was watching though his crystal ball.
"Well, things have finally taken a turn for the better," he mused while Katara was with him.
"I'm happy for him," she replied before she grew serious, "but you do realize he's going to demand answers, especially Korra."
Hiruzen sighed, "I am well aware. I'll answer what I can, but I can't reveal everything now."
Ten minutes later, outside Hokage's office
Korra was marching her way to the office while Naruto and Iruka tried to keep up with her.
"Easy, Korra. I know you want to talk to Lord Hokage, but you don't have to be in such a hurry," Iruka pleaded.
"But this can't wait! That old geezer may be the Hokage, but he's got a lot of explaining to do!" Korra retorted in frustration.
Naruto was walking silently with them deep in thought. He's been that way the ordeal with Mizuki ended.
Korra looked back at him with concern before turn forward again and approached the door. She was going to get to the bottom of this no matter what!
She knocked on the door and heard the Hokage welcome them as if he was expecting them. They all came and Korra was surprised to see Katara there as well. As soon as everyone was situated, Korra started demanding answers.
"First off, why would the Fourth Hokage seal a demon inside of Naruto, and why did everyone else seem to know except him!?" Korra started angrily.
The old Hokage smoked his pipe, "The sealing was necessary because the Nine-tails is impossible to kill. It was the only way for Lord Fourth to save this village. I didn't want Naruto to learn about this power inside until he was sixteen or became chunin in order to give a normal childhood."
"Normal!?" Korra was getting really frustrated, "He had to grow up alone and nearly everyone here treated him like dirt! Why didn't you do anything about it!?"
Hiruzen smiled sadly, "There is only so much I can do as Hokage. I made sure that the villagers wouldn't physically harm Naruto with the threat of treason, but I can't change their minds through my will. Just because I'm Hokage doesn't mean that I force everyone's mindset to my perspective. That's a challenge you yourself will often face as the Avatar."
Korra considered the old shinobi's words and sighed.
"I guess," she muttered, "but still-"
"Yes, I know," Lord Third interrupted, "I still feel there is more I could have done. Perhaps I've become too much of an idealistic fool."
Naruto had been looking down quiet for a while, but then decided to speak as he took his necklace out his pocket.
"So was this necklace a lie? False hope that I had parents who cared?" he asked softly with a hint of desperation.
Katara looked at him sympathetically as she was healing Iruka and Naga. The trauma this boy went in his younger years was bad enough, but that added in with the whole Mizuki incident, she was amazed he didn't completely close himself off.
Hiruzen seemed to share similar thoughts.
"The circumstances surrounding are very sensitive to tell. Even if I wanted to tell you, you'd be amazed at the risk it would put you in," he answered.
Naruto looked down in disappointment.
"But rest assured of one thing. That necklace was of importance to your mother for all of loss and hope she went through in life. I know that without a doubt, she would want nothing more than watch over, and the same would go for your father," Hiruzen finished.
Naruto looked unsure for a moment before he felt Katara's hand on his shoulder.
"He's right," she said, calmly, "and you can also be sure of those who've come to accept you."
Naruto pondered that for a minute before he regained some assurance.
"Yeah. You're right," he said as he smiled at Iruka, Korra, and Naga.
The old Hokage smiled as well, "I think it's best that you all get some sleep tonight," he looked at Katara, "We'll be seeing you and Korra off once you leave tomorrow."
The next day at the village gates
Korra was there with Katara and the White Lotus guards as they were about to head back to the Southern Water Tribe.
Naruto was also there with the Hokage and Iruka, and walked over to Korra.
"Good luck on continuing your training," he said.
"Thanks, but I think you'll need a lot more luck being a ninja," Korra joked.
"Hey! What's that to mean?" Naruto questioned, offended as Korra laughed.
Naruto looked down for a bit, "Guess I won't be seeing you for a while since I'll be going on missions and stuff."
"Hold out your arm," Korra said.
"Huh?"
"Just do it," she said back.
Naruto nodded and held out his left arm. Korra took off one the bands on her biceps and rolled back Naruto's sleeve.
"This band from my tribe represents bravery and strength. Just think of this as a way to know that I'm always rooting for you," she said as she slipped the band on the arm, "Regardless of what the village thinks, I really think you'll make a great Hokage," she finished, softly.
Naruto stood wide-eyed at the amount of trust his friend had for him and smiled warmly.
"Now just be sure that you don't lose it, okay?" Korra stated with a pouty look on her face.
"Haha, sure thing," Naruto before they both shared a hug.
"See ya," she called as she went with Katara.
"Bye!" Naruto called back as he waved both arms until the company disappeared into the horizon.
Iruka put his hand on Naruto's shoulder to get his attention.
"Alright, kiddo. Let's head to the Academy. We need to be there for the team placements," Iruka said as he headed in that direction.
"Alright," Naruto said as he followed him.
He took his necklace out of his pocket, stared at it for a minute, and then put it around his neck.
Today's a new day. He thought with excitement.
Hiruzen smiled from watching the boy. I hope you're watching, Minato and Kushina. He thought. Your boy seems ready to take on the world. And I'm certain he won't be doing it alone. He looked in the direction where Korra left.
And done! Finally! Thanks for reading! What do think of Korra Book 4 so far? I think it's great, though I'll be sad it ends. ;_;
Anyway, for the next chapter I thought about focusing on Team 7 to display better team dynamic, but I decided to skip ahead to the Chuunin Exam arc where everyone's training for the final rounds.
See ya then!