I DO NOT OWN NARUTO OR ITS CHARACTERS ALL RIGHTS BELONG WITH KISHIMOTO, VIZ MEDIA, AND SHONEN JUMP. PLEASE SUPPORT THE ORIGINAL RELEASE!
Well, here we are back again with another chapter. Happy Easter everyone! I hope you've all had a great two weeks since y'all last heard from me and I hope you are ready for another chapter into Naruto: The Darkness Within. Thank you all for the good luck for my exam period in my PMs. It's very appreciated. Anyways with that being said, we start the first official arc. Time for the Land of Waves to commence. I also planned another arc in between this and the Chunin exams to build up some of the Rookie 9. Stay tune for that. ENJOY THE READ!
Arc: Land Of Waves
Chapter 11: Finally a C Rank Mission!
Place: Iwagakure (Hidden Stone Village)
Date: 10am Monday (1 month after last chapter; 4 Months before Chunin Exams)
A/N: read Chapter 7: Team 7 Formation! To get a just of what this is.
"Why have you returned snake?" The Tsuchikage asked.
"I know I told you I would return within two months before the Chunin exams, but I just wanted to chat quickly. There is new information that I wish to share." Orochimaru stated.
"What could you possibly tell me that would warrant you coming here?" Onoki questioned. Onoki knew the Snake Sannin is trying to play him for a fool.
"Well, I know that due to your relationship with Konoha, you won't send ninja for the Chunin Exams. However, I recently found out from one of my subordinates that there is a Genin to not take lightly." Orochimaru spoke. Orochimaru had his trademark sinister smile on his face.
Onoki started to get irritated. "Just spit it out!" The Tsuchikage demanded.
Orochimaru laughed, "Ku Ku Ku Ku. My, my, isn't someone impatient. The Genin to take note of, is Naruto Namikaze." Orochimaru said.
Onoki's jaw dropped and his eyes went wide. "Th-th-that's impossible." Onoki said in disbelief. "H-how could this have happened?"
"Hmm, well Minato Namikaze and a woman named Kushina Uzumaki conceived a child. He's very talented my subordinate said. He can create hundreds of Shadow Clones and is even learning the Forth's Rasengan Jutsu." Orochimaru informed the short man.
"The Rasengan too?!" Onoki was paranoid. "Does he... does he know THAT technique too?" Onoki inquired.
"As of right now, no. However, he's being trained under the legendary Sannin Jiraiya and Kakashi Hatake." Orochimaru stated. "As you know Jiraiya taught the Fourth Hokage, and he trained the Copy Ninja. By the time of the Chunin Exams, I expect the boy to be around low-Jonin level." Orochimaru stated.
"What...What do I do?" Onoki asked.
"Well, we can nip that bud soon. My subordinate has also informed me that Namikaze's team is trying to get a c rank. I'll have my subordinate keep closer tabs and send a messenger snake for you. I would advise sending a strong team. One of his Genin squad mates is an Uchiha after all." Orochimaru added. "When you send whatever team, please be sure to keep the Uchiha alive. It's why I want to invade Konoha in the Exams in the first place." Orochimaru stated.
"Alright. If my team fails to assassinate the boy, I will join you in conquering Konoha." Onoki spoke. At this moment Onoki held the cards. He had a smug look. He could send a team of Anbu and wipe the Namikaze beat out before he becomes too strong.
"Alright. Just keep posted. I'll send the messenger snake when it's time." Orochimaru stated.
Place: Konohagakure
Date: 4pm Monday
"I'm impressed. You both managed to at least start a simple Rasengan." Jiraiya said proudly.
The two boys had been training and doing so many D ranks. "Yeah, but it's not perfected yet." Naruto said.
Sasuke nodded in agreement. "Yeah, Naruto is right. We've spent close to three months on the Jutsu." Sasuke added.
"Yeah, it took the Fourth Hokage three years to even create the jutsu." Jiraiya stated. "Be proud. You both would've made your families proud." Jiraiya added.
The two boys had managed to create the Rasengan in their hands, but they were small. Sasuke's smaller than Naruto's. This was due to both boys' chakra reserves. Naruto could pump out chakra for days on end, whereas Sasuke couldn't.
Jiraiya took note of this as well. 'Well, I'll be damned. Sasuke Uchiha is just as much if not more prodigious than that of Itachi Uchiha.' He thought. Creating a rasengan in one hand is difficult enough. 'I'm pretty sure the only other kid to do that would've been Kakashi.' He continues to think.
Both boys stared at their pervy Sensei. They looked back at each other and thought the same thing. 'He's probably thinking of something stupidly Pervy!'
Jiraiya took notice of their stares. "Alright, we will call it a day today, and get back into later on this week. Also, I may have took the daimyo's cat for you both. Find it tomorrow and get your C-Rank!" Jiraiya informed them both. Jiraiya then disappeared leaving a swirl of leaves behind.
Both boys looked at each.
"You finished your locator seal?" Sasuke asked the boy.
Naruto had finished it last week. "Yeah, I did. I placed an unfinished version on that little demon last week. I should be able to sense it and we should be able to get that sucker." Naruto stated.
"Good. We made decent timing with the cat last week as well. We got it back within 8 minutes. We're getting better." Sasuke commented.
"Yeah, well I'll see you-" Naruto was interrupted by his raven-haired teammate.
"Wait, I want you to see something inside my clan compound." Sasuke said desperately.
Naruto wondered what Sasuke could have worked up.
The boys both walked to the Uchiha compound. Sasuke led Naruto to the library.
"Wait, Sasuke this is your clan's library. I shouldn't enter inside here." Naruto stated.
"It's fine loser. I'm basically clan head anyways." Sasuke spoke.
Both boys walked inside the library and Sasuke led Naruto to the place he saw earlier this year.
Naruto was in awe staring at the complex seals. 'There are multiple seals combined here. I wonder what this was?' He was broken from his thoughts by Sasuke.
"So, think you could crack this? I already drew it up." Sasuke handed the boy the paper of the drawing. "Try to see if that council man would help you. Don't say what it's to, though." Sasuke added.
Naruto took the paper. "Yeah, well it looks to be about 5 or 7 seals stacked on each other to create a new seal. If I had to guess you would need your clan's dojutsu as well to open it. But I'm just theorizing right now. Maybe it's as simple as 1, 2, 3. Who knows." Naruto said excitedly. He had really taken to Fuinjutsu like a fish in water.
"Okay, well let me know when you crack it." Sasuke stated.
The pair of teammates left the secret area in the library and Sasuke walked the boy back to the clan compound entrance.
"I'll look over this tonight and let you know tomorrow some of the ideas I played with." Naruto said.
"No, just inform me when it's completely cracked." Sasuke said. He wanted it to be completely crackable before hearing anything about it.
Naruto nodded and went his separate way back to his own apartment. Once Naruto walked into his apartment, he seen the mess he left the night before. "Aw man!" Naruto said. He started to clean when he heard a knock on his door. Naruto walked up to the door and opened it to see an Anbu agent.
"Hello Anbu-San, what can I do for ya?" Naruto asked.
"Lord Danzo has requested you." The woman stated.
Naruto nodded and walked to the place Danzo told him to always go to meet him. As he was walking, he thought about how Danzo has helped him since last year. He was broken from his thoughts when Team Asuma approached him.
"Hey Naruto!" Choji said while eating his chips.
"Troublesome." Naruto heard Shikamaru mutter.
"Hey Choji, hey Shikamaru!" Naruto said.
"Ahem!" The platinum blonde girl sounded out.
"Oh, hey Ino." Naruto waved at the girl. "What are you guys up to at this time?" Naruto asked.
"Asuma-sensei just let us go from training," Choji stated.
"Why are you guys training so late?" Naruto asked.
"Because he's a slave driver!" Ino shouted. She shouted so loud, the three boys could've swore their eardrums busted.
"Not so loud." Shikamaru said. "Apparently we are going to be going on a C Rank mission in a few weeks and he wants us to prepapre." Shikamaru informed the blonde boy.
"Oh wow! That's great guys. Are you ready for that?" Naruto asked.
"Yeah, it would be better than trying to catch that cat!" Ino stated.
Naruto nodded because he too hated that cat. "We are getting that mission tomorrow." Naruto said.
"What about your team Naruto? Aren't you guys going to go on a C-Rank mission soon?" Choji asked the blonde boy.
"Yeah, Kakashi-sensei made a bargain with us. If we catch that cat in under 6 minutes and 26 seconds, we can go on a C Rank mission." Naruto said. He then noticed the sun going down. "Crap, got to go guys. See ya around." Naruto said as he ran off.
"Troublesome." Shikamaru muttered.
"6 minutes is insane. That's got to be a record if they do that." Choji said.
"Yeah, with Sasuke on their team, they should be able to do it." Ino stated. She started to daydream about her and Sasuke.
"Stop dreaming of Sasuke and let's go." Shikamaru stated. His father had made him walk Ino home every day after a mission or training to assure she was safe. After all that was like a niece to Shikamaru's dad.
Naruto arrived at the meeting place and seen Danzo.
"What took you so long?" Danzo asked the boy.
"Sorry, bumped into Team Asuma. They wanted to Talk." Naruto said while bowing.
"That team will never live up to their fathers' team." Danzo insulted Naruto's friends. "Anyways how is your locator seal coming along?" The Warhawk asked.
"I have completed mastered it." Naruto stated. He considered asking about Sasuke's situation but decided against it.
"Good, as I expected from you. I'm now going to give you the sealing formula to a transmission seal. You will master it before the The Chunin exams in 4 months. This one will be the second hardest seal I let you learn." Danzo stated.
"Transmission Seal?" Naruto asked. He was confused. Why is Danzo making me learn all these seals? The boy thought to himself.
"Yes, this fuinjutsu is what I believe led to the creation of the Flying Raijin!" Danzo stated. Danzo had been trying to recreate the Flying Raijin technique but could never get it. He has to be able to do it. With his Uzumaki genes and the prodigious nature from his father, he should be able too! Danzo thought.
Naruto's eyes went wide after hearing Danzo's statement. The Flying Raijin? He wants me to learn that? He thought. "I don't want to learn it. I want to become a strong shinobi in my own regard." Naruto said.
"As I expected as well. You see, as a ninja, you'll need every advantage possible. You don't have to use it as often, but think about it? This would help preserve Konoha for years! Your father would've wanted this. He was even better than Lord Second with this move." Danzo informed the blonde. "I think you could be even better than both of them due to your blood. Uzumakis are the best fuinjutsu users ever, and you could be even better!" Danzo hyped Naruto up.
"I... I guess." Naruto said accepting the scroll from Danzo. "What does this even do?" Naruto asked.
"The Transmission technique is quite simple. You can send things through it like a tunnel. You'll need an A seal and a B seal for it to work." Danzo explained. "I believe Minato-sama used this seal, a locator seal, and a seal I have no information on to creat the Flying Raijin. Tobirama-Sensei told me that everyone would have a different Flying Raijin marker due to their distinct chakra. However, blood relatives have similar chakras. In theory you should be able to decipher Minato Namikaze's Flying Raijin." Danzo stated.
Naruto took all the information in. Now for the first time in his life he was brought to a sewer system. In front of him was no longer Danzo, but a cage. "Where the hell am I? Is this genjutsu?" Naruto asked.
Naruto heard a loud growl. "Finally, we meet Naruto Namikaze." Naruto heard a deep and evil voice call out to him.
"Who are you?" Naruto asked. He watched the cage where the voice came from to get a visual.
"I am the Kyubi!" The massive fox yelled. "The information that old man gives you is partly true. However, you could get revenge on the man who caused your parents death and I want to help you." The massive fox stated.
"Why would you want to help me?" Naruto asked the fox.
"Simple, it's that Uchiha's fault I'm locked in here! I will feast on his bones until there is nothing left of him! Now wrap it up with this old man, it's getting late and we need to catch that cat so we can start our training!" The Kyubi roared.
"Fine, just so you know, I don't trust you." Naruto said to the fox.
"Glad to see you're no longer foolish." The fox said with a chuckle.
Naruto was now looking back at Danzo. "Hai Lord Danzo." Naruto said with a bow.
"Good, I'm glad you agree with me. You're dismissed." Danzo stated.
Naruto ran back to his apartment. Unknowingly someone seen where he left. That person went to confront Danzo.
"Naruto, I thought I said you were dismi-" Danzo was cut off by a kunai.
"Why are you communicating with my godson?" Jiraiya asked.
"For the future of the Leaf." Danzo simply said.
"No, there's something else. You're trying to gain the Kyubi's power, aren't you?" Jiraiya asked.
"Funny, I forgot he even had that sealed in him." Danzo lied. After all it was him who reveal the boy's status as a Jinchuriki all those years ago.
"Yeah, well for now on, you're to avoid him. If I see that you've come in contact with him again, I'll-" he was cut off by Danzo now.
"You'll do nothing. You think Naruto would allow that? The boy was bullied his entire life and I helped saved him!" Danzo said to Jiraiya. "I didn't go run and play spy while writing smut when I had a godchild here. You did!" Danzo added.
"He was bullied because of you!" Jiraiya retorted. "You exposed his status as the Nine Tails Jinchuriki! When he finds out he will hate you!" Jiraiya stated.
"Yes, why don't you test your theory in that case Jiraiya?" Danzo asked smugly.
Why does he have that smug smile on his face? Jiraiya asked himself.
"I believe this conversation is over. Now if you'll please leave my sight." Danzo said. Dammit. First Itachi and now Jiraiya. I'll have to avoid the boy for awhile. They'll all see how foolish they are when Naruto destroys them for me. They'll see! Danzo thought to himself.
Jiraiya turned around and walked away. I'll need to find out if Danzo has done something to Naruto. I won't let your child become a weapon Minato! Jiraiya thought.
Jiraiya leaped from rooftop to rooftop with a fierce determination on his way to see Hiruzen Sarutobi.
The Third Hokage hardly ever went to his house anymore due to the struggles that is paperwork. He was currently waiting for his student Jiraiya.
Just how are you going to manipulate Naruto, Danzo? Hiruzen had thought to himself. He didn't trust Danzo and he never would. Danzo was power hungry, almost greedy. He remembered the day Minato died very well.
Flashback start
"Let me train the Jinchuriki!" Danzo shouted out.
Currently this meeting was being attended by Hiruzen Sarutobi, Danzo Shimura, Shikaku Nara, Koharu Utatane, and Homura Mitokado. They were discussing how to recover from the nine tails attack just two days ago.
"Do you even know how troublesome it is to raise a baby?" The Nara asked.
Danzo narrowed his eyes at the lazy ninja. "Yes I do Shikaku." Danzo knew Hiruzen invited the man into this discussion due to his brain. That Nara bastard has always been a throne in my side. He thought.
"I have to disagree. Naruto is but a baby boy. A boy who will need to bond and connect with his age group. This way he turns out to be a splendid shinobi like his father before him." Hiruzen stated.
The other two council members were practically in Danzo's pocket. However, they could see the merit of what the Third Hokage was speaking on.
"I too believe that Naruto would be be suited to grow up amongst his generation instead of being in a cage wherever you'll be Danzo." Shikaku added.
"You're both fools! Even if we recover, what's stopping Kumo and Iwa from invading within the next five years?" Danzo asked. "I could have the boy strong enough to hold back one of the nations by five years old." Danzo stated. "We currently just lost our ace with the Fourth Hokage. The only other shinobi with a reputation as close is Kakashi Hatake, and he cannot hold off an entire nation by himself." Danzo pointed out.
"That's your issue. You lack the Will of Fire Danzo. We have gotten stronger and stronger overtime due to the will of fire. You say we have no ace? Well, we still have the Legendary Sannin on call when needed." Hiruzen rebuttal.
"Ah, yes the three Sannin. Two of which we have no whereabouts on. Jiraiya is doing god knows what and I know the princess is about 2 million ryo in debt and drunk as we speak." Danzo argued.
"We will manage Danzo. In fact, as long as Root exist, you are not allowed to be near Naruto Uzumaki!" Hiruzen ordered. "Violation on this matter will be served with death." He added.
Flashback end
He was adamant about getting control of the Nine Tails. He played his hand well too. He waited and bid his time until Root was "disbanded". So, he found that loophole to interact with Naruto. Hiruzen thought. He is also smart enough not to do anything to rash either. He has made sure Naruto has made tremendous strides in his fuinjutsu. So much so, that when time comes I'm sure he will call upon the council to give Naruto to him has his protégé after the Chunin Exams. Unfortunately for you Danzo, I have just the plan to deal with this. Hiruzen thought.
He was broken from his thoughts when his student came through his window. "So?" Hiruzen asked.
"It's no good. He's too smart. He's played his hand extremely tight and safe. If we were to stop Naruto now, Danzo would be able to manipulate him easier. What do you suggest Sensei?" Jiraiya asked the old man.
"We do nothing." Hiruzen simply answered. He cut Jiraiya off before he spoke. "Currently Danzo is helping him in Fuinjutsu while you train him. I suspect he will try to make Naruto his protégé. When that time comes you will argue that you want Naruto to become your protégé instead. You will use the argument of training Minato, who as we all know became the Fourth Hokage. Doing this will convince those bastard council members. Shikaku Nara will also agree to this. We mustn't let Danzo win." Hiruzen explained.
"I see. In doing so I can keep Naruto safe from the Akatsuki and Danzo." Jiraiya added.
"Precisely." Hiruzen spoke. "You have a goodnight, Jiraiya." Hiruzen said.
Jiraiya nodded at his Sensei and took off.
The Next Day
"So, Kakashi-Sensei what's on the agenda today?" The pinkette asked her teacher.
Naruto and Sasuke awaited their teachers answer as he read his book.
Kakashi closed his book and looked over at the trio. "I figured we start today with a D Rank mission and then afterwards some little training," the cyclops stated.
"Alright!" Naruto shouted out. All we have to do is catch that cat! He thought.
"Alright, we will stop at the mission hall and get our mission. I heard that Tora escaped once again." Kakashi stated. The team started to walk to the mission hall. Little do they know; no other team wants that silly mission. Hopefully Lord Hokage gives me some type of reward. Kakashi thought. Perhaps an early issue of Icha Icha would be great! I mean his student is the author after all. Kakashi continues to think as he kept walking with his team.
"So, Kakashi-Sensei what was your team like?" Sakura asked breaking Kakashi from his thoughts.
"Yeah, we know about my old man, but what about your genin teammates?" Naruto asked.
"Well, that's certainly a long story, one which we don't have time for seeming as we have arrived at the mission hall. Let's go," Kakashi informed them.
"Oh hey Team Seven, looking for another D Rank?" Iruka asked the trio and their sensei.
"You know it Iruka-sensei! Hope you have one for a cat!" Naruto stated.
"Fortunately for you, I do." Iruka replied handing them the mission. "Goodluck!"
With that, the trio went to track the cat. The trio looked at their superior and he nodded. "Time starting now!" The copy ninja stated.
With that three ninjas ran to find the cat. "Say Naruto, did you master that seal you was working on?" Sakura asked.
"Yeah, I had left an incomplete locator seal on it. I should be able to find the furry bastard." Naruto said as they continued running.
"Where's the cat at Naruto?" Sasuke asked the blonde Genin.
Naruto pulled out a paper seal and closed his eyes. "The cat is near Ichiraku Ramen?" Naruto questioned.
"Ramen?" Sakura asked.
"I think Jiraiya-sensei rigged it for us. Let's go!" Sasuke shouted while sprinting off.
The three ran off to Ichiraku's Ramen stand. There they found 30 cats that looked exactly the same.
"Rigged huh?" Naruto sarcastically said to Sasuke.
"Yep. So, Naruto which one is it?" Sasuke asked the blonde.
"Okay, let me focus." Naruto said. He grabbed the paper seal from earlier and tried to sensed Tora with it. He focused for about 10 seconds. Naruto's face formed a scowl. "No it's no good." Naruto stated.
"Alright, well why don't you just make clones?" Sakura asked.
The two boys looked at each other and face palmed. "Right. Well I'll use the multishadow clone jutsu and try to catch the cats. Sasuke you should surround the perimeter and Sakura keep an eye just in case." Naruto ordered.
29 identical Naruto's spawned to life. The 30 of them ran after the cats trying to grab one each.
"I got one!" One of the clones shouted. Much to his surprise though, the cat turned into a cloud of smoke.
"You're joking!" The original Naruto said. "Sakura what's the time remaining?" Naruto asked.
"3 minutes!" Sakura shouted.
"Dammit!" All the clones said as multiple clouds of smoke appear from cloned cats. "JIRAIYA!" They all shouted in unison.
At the Hot Springs
"IYA!" A loud thunderous sound came from the village.
"ACHOO!" A white haired man sneezed. "Wonder what that was?" He asked himself.
Back at Ichiraku Ramen
After each cat was poofed into clouds of smoke, multiple Naruto's also disappeared.
After the smoke clears there's no more cats, one Naruto, and only 2 minutes remaining.
"Dammit!" Naruto screamed.
Sakura looked disappointed as well. She looked at Naruto who was angry.
"Why would that old perv do this!?" Naruto asked aloud.
They both heard some static over the radio. "Guys I got the cat!" Sasuke announced.
The three run back to the mission hall.
"5...4...3...2...oh you're here." Kakashi stated bluntly as he saw his three panting students and a knocked out cat.
"You...you... promised us a C Rank." Naruto said as he fell to the ground to catch his breathe.
"That I did." Kakashi stated with an eye smile. They got this down pretty quickly. Hopefully we get a lazy C Rank. Kakashi thinks to himself.
The other two Genin were happy they were getting the c rank but extremely tired from using their full speed to get to the mission hall.
"Alright, let's catch our breathe and then we can go bring Tora in and claim that C Rank mission." Kakashi stated.
The four Konoha natives rested for 5 minutes. Once fully rested they go inside.
"Welcome back Team Seven. I take it you want another D Rank?" Iruka asked.
"Nah, we are here for that C Rank mission now." Naruto stated.
"C Rank? Kakashi is that so?" Iruka asked.
"Yeah, give us the first one and that'll do." Kakashi said as he waved Iruka off.
"Alright, your mission is to protect and escort the master bridge builder from the Land of Waves." Iruka said.
The bridge builder walked in and seen the so called "ninjas". "I hired actual ninjas. Not a daycare!" A man yelled.
Well that's it for this one everyone. Hope you had a great Easter and enjoy the rest of your week. Down below is the voting pull.
Naruto X Haku(female)-7
Naruto X Hinata-11
Naruto X Ino-15
Naruto X Kurotsuchi-6
Naruto X Sakura-8
Naruto X Tayuya-7
Naruto X Temari-9
Naruto X Tenten-6
Karin and Shion have bit the bullet. Remember the way to vote is drop a review or DM me. Have a good one and I'll see you in the next one!