archiveofourown org /works/45730315/chapters/115442719#workskin
Chapter 2: Naruto: Stumbling Yet Stubborn
Chapter Text Age 10, 3 months before the academy starts
It's been 2 weeks since I was rendered blind, the Old Man hadn't been able to tend to me himself. Apparently I had been right that night that things were only going to get worse. The Uchiha clan was crippled, slaughtered like sheep. As a result I was basically trapped in my apartment, and I think we all know how well that went. So I spent a week in my apartment, and then I spent a week getting horribly lost. Which, like today, was usually followed by conversations along these lines.
"Uzumaki, you're aware that you aren't supposed to leave your apartment." Always one of three ANBU. I'd been told they were my protection detail, yet another expense the Shinobi spent on me even after being blinded. The voice was soft, and I knew from descriptions that the ANBU in question, Bird, looked like a girl. Yet I can smell it, the lack of any perfumes, or even that telltale scent that girls always have.
"I got bored, decided to try and find my way around again… did I make it closer to the open air market?" I can hear the hand sliding down his wooden mask, the ring of the metal as the metal reinforced gloves brush the edge of the mask.
"You were only a street away this time, we wish you would use the civilian aides we got you." I couldn't help the snort that escaped me, I try hard to be nice to the ANBU.
"I won't make a good Shinobi like that." I began to stroll down the street, using the caterwauling of whiny kids to locate the open air market. I didn't care that the scent of Bird was falling behind me, I didn't bother listening for his footsteps and couldn't hear any of the ANBU as they moved anyway.
"You… still intend to be a Shinobi?" I turn my head, giving a crooked grin. I've been told my smiles unnerve people now, that while my eyes look normal and like they should, they're a dark blood red now and seem to stare right through people. I don't bother covering them.
"Of course, after all. The only people who give a damn about me are Shinobi and Kunoichi. Even Ichiraku's, I've seen his old headband hanging in the back." I nod slowly, stretching my hand out, my fingers grazing the brick wall. Wasn't a common substance in Konoha, was much cheaper and easier to use the strong wood of the forest that surrounded the village. Somehow I kept coming back to this alleyway. Even with the rain this week, I could smell my blood in this alley.
"The Hokage was unsure of-" I didn't want to hear it, how they thought me useless now.
"In 3 months I'll be joining the academy, just like all the other kids." It's a soft breathy laugh.
"How about instead of the open air market, I take you to a training field?" My head snapped up, and unbeknownst to me my eyes almost seemed to be glowing in the dim alley.
"You'd do that? You would train me Bird-Sensei!?" There was a small choking sound, followed by a cough.
"You'll have to work twice, maybe triple as hard. I think the three of us can afford to give you a little boost." And so I followed Bird, leaving behind the alley with the scent of my blood and failures. I'd never been allowed to this section of the village before.
The village was designed to protect the clans, and Hokage more so than the civilian's to be honest. A massive half circle against a sheer cliff face that we've carved the Hokages of history into. Along most of the wall are training grounds that are regularly patrolled by Chunin, as well as the wall itself guarded by a mixture of Chunin and Genin. The pure amount of training grounds and testing areas for Justus makes up roughly 20% of the land inside the walls. The gates to the village are intermingled with the civilian sections of the city that make up roughly 40% of the city. Then we get to the meat of the village. The clan homes, ANBU HQ, The Academy, Hokage Tower, and a dozen other things that I don't even know about that make up the remaining 40% of the city. I could hear dog's baying nearby, which means we're near the Inuzuka clan home.
"The ground here is unsteady, plenty of tree roots to stumble over. We're going to practice running." I couldn't help but give a whine.
"But I already know how to run!" I hear the thunk of metal striking wood, so close together and faster than I can count.
"That may be, there are 11 Kunai embedded in tree trunks all within 100 feet of where you're standing currently. You must bring all of them to me as quickly as you can. GO!" I jolted, his final word shouted at me. I then learned a very important detail. Attempting to run without being able to see is far more difficult than I thought it would be. I'd been growing used to the paved roads and sidewalks of the civilian's. I stumbled around like a drunkard, tripping over roots and rocks. Attempting to steady myself on trees was met with a sharp rap to my knuckles via a switch. I'd gotten good at keeping track of time, not much else to do whilst staring at nothing. 3 hours, that's how long it took me to find all 11 Kunai all embedded at various heights, spots, and angles. Forcing me to brace my feet on the trunk only to stumble back and onto my ass as they came out. I was dirty, sweaty, and bruised. However I was proud.
"All," I'm panting for breath, hunched over with my hands on my knees, "all 11 Kunai, Sensei." I hear the sound of metal on metal as Bird picks up the Kunai.
"2 hours and 58 minutes. We'll have to improve your time." I could feel something in the air, before scrambling as a heavy canteen barrels into my chest sloshing with liquid. I fumble with the cap before drinking from it heavily. "Meet Dog here at 9AM sharp, he'll teach you some more tricks. Your nose is good, but not perfect." I nod, too busy trying not to choke on the water.
"Thank you Sensei." He gives that breathy laugh again, trying to pass it off as a giggle. It's almost a rule that once you get to a certain level of power you carry a quirk, something to help you handle the job.
"The rest of your training today is to find your way home. Best of luck." It didn't click with me for a moment. Not until I realized I couldn't smell Bird anymore.
"Sensei?... Uh.. hello?" I'd been abandoned, we'll probably not really since he was my protection detail. I wasn't getting any help on this training. All I had on me was a now partially blunted Kunai, a half empty canteen, and the clothes on my back. I waited a moment, spreading my arms to feel the sun on my body. I knew it was afternoon, as I had been looking for the open air market for lunch which meant the sun would be in the west. Using that information I faced north. The wind blew from behind me carrying the scent of dogs, so the Inuzuka compound was to the south of me. With all this information I started jogging northwest, making my way back to a part of the village I knew better. It took a while, and I could feel the warmth of the sun fading as it set but I made it to the paved roads before I knew it. My feet moved almost on their own as I rubbed my stomach. Dinner was well earned in my opinion, and I didn't want to be hated while I ate. I brushed the cloth overhang to the side without a thought, pulling myself up and into the stool.
"Naruto, what can I get for ya today?" Old Man Teuchi, I could smell the herbs and spices from the pots of broth behind him. The noodles were freshly made per order, but the broths were brewed early in the morning and kept piping hot.
"Three bowls of your best! I had my first bit of training today!" He laughs, heavy and hearty the way only older people can. I can hear the shifting of flour and the crack of eggs.
"So soon? Thought the academy didn't start for another few months." People were moving around me, and I felt myself swaying a bit as we talked. Without knowing it I'd learned a trick there that would be very valuable to me, following the natural rhythm of people.
"It is, some of the ANBU started teaching me." I didn't need to see his face to know his expression was pinched tight, I could hear him hum softly more to himself than anything else. We were quiet then, nothing more than the sound of cooking noodles and the people in the streets. A performer was down the street playing some kind of instrument, the notes almost seem to float through the air filling the space.
"I worry for you, ya know that?" I started a bit, not having expected it. My smile is soft, at least I hope that's how it comes across. I can hear his voice quaver, heavy with concern.
"I know, and thank you. You've done a lot for me." He clears his throat, and I can hear the soft clink of porcelain on wood. A steaming bowl set in front of me, it's gone within moments. The process of food being placed in front of me before disappearing is a tradition as old as I've been in this shop. I went far past the three I intended to eat, before I even knew it I had piled up eight bowls and drained the broth from the ninth. Setting the bowl on top of the stack, I slid off the stool pulling out Yen notes and doing a bit of mental math. "Here ya go Old Man, I know it's a bit extra…. But keep it."
I can almost feel him shake his head as he pushes my hand back. "Keep it my boy, I'll always be here for you." I nod a bit, my fist tightening uncaring of how it crumpled the Yen. I left, not quite at a run but close, my feet hitting the pavement and my sandals in the way before I kicked them off. It's getting night out, the sun setting over the horizon, I could tell with the day's warmth fading away from me. My apartment was small, stuff scattered on the floor as I stepped over it with practiced ease. Mind racing a mile a minute as I take a few minutes to refill my new canteen, crashing onto the couch I grind the heels of my hands into my eyes.
"I'll do whatever I need to, whatever I can," I spoke this oath to the empty room, to the shadows of the room as they grew long. The lone window in the room letting the last ray of warmth slip across my face and disappear, "I'll climb to the top, I'll become one of the best Shinobi in the world. No one will stop me, especially not myself." The words sounded hollow even to my own ears. The doctors had told me very clearly, something about my eyes wasn't connecting to my Chakra System. It was entirely likely I'd never see in my life again. I'll show everyone, including myself, that you don't need to see. I'll outshine everyone even if I have to cut them down. The villagers call me a Demon, if that's what they want maybe that's what they'll get. I didn't notice as I passed out, haunted by a dream of a laughter I could never find. I jerked awake, my alarm clock blaring from my bedroom. It's 8:30, almost time to meet Dog-Sensei.
I paid no mind to my nightmares, didn't spare a second thought to the doubts I had about myself. If I'm to claw my way up the ranks I need to believe in myself. I spent a few minutes wrapping my feet in Hand Wraps and attaching shin guards. It would allow me to move better on the uneven ground than the sandals were letting me. With a few bites of dry cereal and my key in my pocket I booked it for the training ground, weaving my way through the morning crowds and trying to pick pockets as I go. Bumping into someone I could hear them give a grunt, an older man by the way he stumbled back. I reach out grabbing him by the robes.
"How dare you, you impudent brat. I'm an advisor to the Fire Emperor" I quirked an eyebrow, suppressing my grin. I'd already snatched a purse of some kind, and after making sure he was balanced took a step back and bowed deeply.
"I'm sorry ser, was rushing to meet my Sensei for today's lesson. I'm running behind Y'see." I offer a hand out to shake, "Hope I didn't cause too much trouble fer ya." I can feel him take my hand, my middle finger catching on a ring and slipping it loose as he shakes my hand.
"Suppose I can understand that, do you happen to know the way over to the Merchant district?" His tone is haughty, and I can already see the mental picture of his nose in the air. I nod a bit, pulling my hand away from the shake and bringing the ring with it, putting it in my fist as I use that hand to point in roughly the right direction.
"That way sir, just another few blocks." He gave his thanks and whisked around me just about knocking me over in return. I continued my rush, wanting to make distance before he realized anything was missing. I made it to the barrier of the woods in the training ground before I felt a presence behind me, a hand grabbing me by the scruff of the shirt and lifting me off my feet. The scent was still new to me being of an almost ozone scent mixed with dogs almost like an Inuzuka.
"What you did there was pretty good, took him almost a block to notice his purse was missing." Dog's voice was soft, and tired, sounding like he didn't get a lot of sleep. He didn't put me down even as I tried to stammer out either an excuse or denial. Moving through the trees and air at some point faster than I'd ever considered I found myself deposited onto the ground
In a dusty heap. "If you can pick a pocket, then you can certainly handle a kunai. Maybe even a throwing star." I could hear the musing in his voice, more talking to himself than me.
"Now then, what to do with you though… a bit too young for me to be teaching blades. No, the Hokage would be most displeased." He hums, the sound of metal on wood as he taps his fingers to his mask as I get myself right side up having pulled my blunted kunai out in a rough defensive grip and I can hear him scoff, "That grip won't do you any good, reverse it… no-no like this" flipping the kunai from a reverse grip to having the kunai held properly in my hand.
"But, isn't the reverse grip best for defensive options?" I can hear him sigh, fingers raking down his mask.
"No, no it is not. Not for anything except for some extremely fancy and honestly wasteful techniques that are more flashy than effective." I just kind of nod dumbly, feeling my ears burn as I'm scolded. Instinct goes a long way, I didn't hear it coming nor feel him move. My hands moved, knocking the kunai out of the air before it could reach me, stumbling back as my arm went numb from the force of it. Metal on metal ringing through the air. "Good, teaching you won't be a waste of time. I firmly believe people who want to be Ninja either sink or swim. So tell me, right here and now." He got in right next to my face, pinning my back against a tree.
"You're behind everyone else, miles if not leagues. You'll be playing catch up your-" I didn't let him finish, a roaring sound in my ears. One of my hands grabbing him by the wrist and pulling it down, a foot going for his kneecap as my other foot braced itself on the tree, and my blunted kunai going for his throat. He dealt with me with laughable ease, slapping my attempts to the side and sending me sprawling. My kunai sailed off into the foliage and my face down in the dirt as I lifted my head. I spit out dirt and blood where my face connected with a rock.
"Bullshit I'm behind, because I have something they don't." I drag myself up, my body groaning in protest, "Because they're so full of themselves, with their sight and pride. When they fuck it up, they panic. I'll just blitz right past 'em, just like I'll blitz through you!" I couldn't help but shout, moving forward in a run. My chakra pumping through my muscles, I moved faster than a civilian could see attempting to clock him in the face. He saw me coming leagues away, knocking me out before I even got close to decking him. Training was going to be brutal for all my life, but I refused to be put down. Red and black blend together in my vision, forming an almost hypnotic pattern. When I awoke the training would be grueling, with Dog-Sensei forcing me to track down different scents in the forest or through the village. A month passed in this manner, Dog-Sensei never pulling his punches or taking it easy on me. I could tell you how many people were around me at any given time, either from their scents or the sound of their heartbeats. Civilians have loud hearts after all, and always seem to be gasping for breath at least when compared to Shinobi. It never occurred to me when he started to train me in a weird Kunai technique, that I'd be getting another teacher soon. With only two months to go until the Academy starts I was approached by the man that would be one of the only two true Sensei's I'd ever have. One of the few people that could shake me to my very core. Mifune, general of the Land of Iron, stood at the edge of the training field with two practice swords in hand.