A/N:
Hello Everyone!
Here it is the last chapter of the academy Arc. Hurray! My longest work and maybe I can repeat that every final chapter, but that is something I won't make any promises.
The good thing is we finish the academy and will dive straight into the Genin Arc with Act 2. Bad news though. My responsibilities for the next weeks and scheduled dates won't let me write much so the story will be on a break like the Boruto Manga. Two good news about that, first, the break shouldn't be longer than two or three weeks. Aaand Second. Maybe the chapters will betaed in the future. Something I'm very grateful for! So I hope to say that good things will come to those who wait… Now please Enjoy…
PS: Still don't own anything except my own ideas and stuff you know the drill.
With Naruto, Shikamaru, Ino, Choji, and Hinata - Training Ground 5
"Okay Ino, Hinata, that was a good spar. Ino you really shouldn't feel bad, you know. You were really good. Hinata is just a bit better. You just have to train more and maybe eat more."
Naruto grinned at both girls panting and sitting in the grass after a short Taijutsu spar.
In the last year Hinata and Ino joined Naruto's outings with Shikamaru and Choji after class. Hinata was taking her training more seriously after Naruto had to rescue her, but Ino was still part of the Sasuke Fangirl club. She just happened to see the benefits of being stronger to be better than the other girls.
Hinata was just nodding and the battered Ino was panting but glared at Naruto after his comment about her eating habits. The former shy Hyuga Girl was getting out of her shell with each day of her training and was able to enjoy her time with the two friends of Naruto more and more. Ino was encouraged by her parents to get some time with Shikamaru and Choji to familiarize her with the other two. Something the girl found stupid, she had grown up with the two but her parents were unrelenting. After some difficulties at the start she joined the impromptu training sessions of Naruto and Hinata. Choji and Shikamaru just watched them. Shikamaru was too lazy to join something as troublesome as physical training after school. while
Losing her Shyness was the first thing the Hyuuga Heiress accomplished after meeting with Naruto and the others on a regulatory basis. After that she began to meet up with Ino after their regular gatherings. Something that over the time led to changing the young Hyuga Girl.
She was still kind, and helpful to all of the people who were equally kind. The ones who still tried to antagonize the Hyuga were in for a rudeful awakening. The first, just happened to meet a Juken strike to his legs. Something a certain clan head commented with a satisfied nod as he was told by one of the branch family members.
"Well Naruto Kun, you could always pick up a fight with someone like Lee San or Guy San."
Hinata told the Uzumaki after giving a water bottle to Ino. Naruto looked at Hinata and looked interested.
"Guy San? Lee San? Who are those two Hinata Chan?" The Hyuga smiled as she gave one bottle to Nartuo sitting beside him and looking at the trees before them which were placed at the edge of the training ground. Hinata took a sip of the bottle and nodded.
"They are the Sensei and one of the squad members of my Cousin Neji. Both are Taijutsu masters and should give you a challenge Naruto Kun"
Still smiling, Hinata took another sip of her water bottle, while Naruto seemed to think about it for a moment.
"Sounds super cool, Hinata Chan. This Guy guy and Lee guy should be super good training partners. I have to look for them someday" He wanted to say something but his stomach was rumbling loud enough for everyone to hear. Hinata and Ino giggled a bit while Choji and Shikamaru looked at Choji with a big smile. Naruto scratched the back of his head, blushing a bit while doing it.
"But maybe I should take a ramen break."
All of the five began to laugh out loud and after a joyful Yatta from Choji they were on the way to Ichiraku ramen.
With Hatsumi and Kushina - Onsen Uzumaki Compound
The two younger Uzumaki women had a towel on their red hair. The bodies of both were submerged in the hot spring on the compound. The Kushina Clone sighed relaxed and looked at her counterpart. Hatsumi's body was littered with many bruises and cuts. One particular scar on her stomach was very noticeable because it crossed through her belly button. Around that scar was a seal that looked like a swirl made from chains. The Uzumaki looked at Kushina.
"Huh do I have something somewhere Kushi Chan?" Hatsumi looked at her. Kushina stroked a strand of Hatsumi's hair behind one ear.
"I am just grateful that you are back in one piece. I hadn't anticipated that something like that would happen to you. After you didn't come back in the night. I really was scared, it was just a recovery mission. And then. And then. You wouldn't come back for the next two days. We were really lucky Naruto was out when you came back. All that blood everywhere. Luckily we had some Blood and Soldier pills left. But we should really talk about what happened"
Hatsumi nodded slowly and was remembering that particular time. It was a close call as she was able to get back to the compounds after that trial in the temple. She looked at her longtime Bestfriend and took a deep breath and started her tale.
Flashback start
Hatsumi was slowly opening her eyes. She didn't really know where she was but she wasn't in the temple anymore that was clear. The air was thinner but much fresher. The sun could be seen through some trees. The ground was a mixture of stone and grass with some bushes here and there. Slowly adjusting her Kimono, Hatsumi stood up and tried to check her surroundings to get an idea where she was.
The air had a salty taste, temperature and humidity would lead one to believe that she was still in Hi no Kuni or very near it. The salt in the air could mean somewhere in the vicinity of the coast or a large body of salt water. Slowly she followed a narrow, animal made path leading her out of the little forest she found herself in. It took her some minutes till she breached the treeline only to gasp looking down at a wide area of cliffs where a big river was passing through.
In the next moment she heard the sound of a small object flying at her. Her Kunoichi Instintincts saved her from a sharp looking stone, which she dodged by pivoting a bit to the left. Only seconds later more of those stones were flying at her. Hatsumi's mind clicked, in seconds she unsealed a Chokuto and parried the stones with resounding clangs.
Channeling Chakra in her senses she tried to point out the attackers.
Nevertheless she was unable to do so. Another volley of the sharp projectiles was hurled at her.
She used a quick Shunshin and as every Konoha Nin would do, took to the trees. Quickly jumping from one to the other, Hatsumi tried to outrun the unknown attacker she couldn't sense. Even if she was not a sensor, she should be able to pinpoint her enemy on the distance she thought they fought in. She was in unknown terrain with an unknown adversary, with all that information she made the reasonable decision to retreat. Quick Body Flickers and many turns and jumps found her in a clearing surrounded by the trees and a pressing silence.
Holding her sword in a defensive stance she waited and listened. A little rustle alerted her to a new unknown to her left. Spinning and attacking with her blade she was stunned for a second as the metal was met by a black Talon. The blade was pinned between the tree and the talon. Hatsumi tried to rip it free but failed against the inhuman strength in that claw. She wanted to see what kind of animal could have this strength. She looked up. Looking in the yellow Eyes of a brown eagle near her size.
"Why are you trespassing on our land? You may wear their hair color but you are not one of them Human Child."
The Eagle talked, fixing her with his eyes. His feathers were a mix of brown and gray and on his face, by his beak was a scar looking like he was cut by a Kunai or something very sharp.
Staring at her, her opponent seemed to wait for an answer. Hatsumi was thinking what to say and how he knew who she was. She tried the diplomatic approach first. She wasn't sure where the projectiles from minutes ago were coming from and the eagle looked like a stronger summon.
She sealed the Chokuto back in her Seal on the wrist and bowed her Head shortly in greeting.
"My Apologies Eagle San. I'm on a mission from two of the Uzumaki Elders. Mito Sama and Kushina Sama have given me the mission to retrieve the contents of the vaults of the Uzumaki temple near Konoha to store them at a safer location. With equipped Tags made by Mito and Kushina Sama "
The Eagle was looking at her with a curious look.
"Mito Sama? Kushina Sama? How would that be possible? We, the nest of the whirlpool, heard from her death. One of your Juvenile Scouts in Konoha brought the message of her passing some years ago. After Mito Sama, Kushina Sama also passed away over a decade ago. So how would you be able to do their bidding?"
That the summoned Eagle would know about that wasn't really something Hatsumi was shocked about. No, what she was shocked about was his other Statement.
"Well Eagle San, I will gladly try to explain the circumstances. But please ask me the question why do you think I am no Uzumaki?"
The Eagle spreads his wings for a short time. Throwing Shadow on the wannabe Uzumaki Kunoichi before him.
"The Members of the nest will always be able to tell Uzumakis apart. Even if there is something similar as a bond to one of the founding families of the clan. You better be quick in your explanation. We see many things and hear many more. We know that the child and heir is alive and should be the person doing this. While you girl only smell like an artificial Uzumaki. An Uzumaki, which shouldn't be one and without the mark of the clan you are not allowed to touch the treasures you want to retrieve"
Hatsumi could feel that she would have to be very careful now.
"You are right in your assumption that I am not a pureblooded Uzumaki. I was adopted by the application of an advanced Fuinjutsu developed by Uzumaki Kushina after my clan was killed to near extinction. My old name was Mikoto Uchiha, Matriarch of the Uchiha clan of Konohagakure and close confidante to Kushina Uzumaki. Who was the person providing the means to escape my suppressing marriage and surviving the obliteration of the Uchiha clan."
The eagle looked at her with a mild curiosity after that. He knew that Kushina was dead before that event but he listened to her. He listened as she told him about the Uzumaki Mentor Scroll Invention, why everybody would have to think the only Uchiha still alive were both of her sons Itachi and Sasuke. That she would have to stay out of their lives to protect them and why she chose to accept the Legacy Tag of one Kushina Uzumaki.
"Well you tell me quite the tale, young one. But even if all of this is true you won't be able to pass the final protections of the treasury. Only the Clan Head and his staff are allowed there. You would have to pass the trials the clan established many years ago with the protective deity of the Uzumaki. Only the trials would allow us to judge your righteousness. Only them will provide the certainty needed if you are worthy to enter the final vault."
Hatsumi gulped a bit. The sound of his words and his piercing gaze led her to believe those trials wouldn't be as easy as those in the academy. They sounded like a serious commitment. She needed more Information first so she steeled her gaze and looked back at the still nameless Eagle summon.
"What would those trials entail? I'm willing to risk many things to get the heir of the clan his inheritance."
The Eagle nodded thoughtfully.
"The deity is in charge of the extent of each trial. They are always different for each applicant and so is his judgment. The trial stand for a lifelong commitment to the clan. You would pledge yourself as the start of a new child branch. The word of the clan head would be law to you. Why do you think the child branches of the Uzumaki never rebelled against the main branch? First they never really subjugated them like the Hyuga do theirs. No. They treated them with kindness as long as they were aligned or used constructive, reasonable criticism. In the old times shortly after the sage passed away the Uzumaki developed a Seal for criminals to subjugate their will. It would bind their chakra abilities to the goodwill of their handler. The Hyuga once stole an earlier version of this seal. Now they use it to protect their bloodline and dominate the side branch. Your special case would lead to the application of the child branch seal. Over time it will change you. Your mind will be filled with the idea to protect your new family. Above all your clan head after he had his ascension. Some of the child branch leaders ended as service personnel in the residence of the Uzukage. They were loved for sure and to my knowledge no Leader of the clan abused his standing but only embraced it and used it as fuel to protect all of them. If you really want to take this step follow the path you were on deeper into the woods. You will get to a cave. In this cave is an old stone altar with some restraints. Put on those restraints after you lit all the candles. When the last lock is closed, channel Chakra into them and your trial will start. Else take the other path till you reach an old fountain, dive into the water and you will get back to where you came from."
With these last words he again spanned his wings and without giving her the chance to say something or ask a question after his long monologue the eagle left the clearing. Hatsumi could feel that he used a Futon Jutsu to bolster his swings and create an updraft. Her eyes followed him as long as she could till she was alone in the clearing. Her thoughts were clear on her decision. It was certain that she would have to leave behind her old life. This trial was just the final nail in the coffin of Mikoto Uchiha. If all of those things the Eagle told her were no legend or just a scary story to get her off track, this trial would lead to the real birth of Hatsumi Uzumaki.
She made her way to the cave. Nothing charged at her or attacked her on her way. It was quiet, only small breezes of wind blew through her long red hair as she was at the entrance of the cave. Steeling herself one last time and renewing her resolve she entered the dark cave. It didn't take her long to arrive in the ritual chamber. At the center of it was the mentioned stone altar with golden chains attached to it. Hatsumi looked at the construction with some minor enthusiasm. The cuffs for ankles and wrists and the metal collar were nothing new to her but normally the context would be very much different. It was kind of a funny coincidence that the person behind the request to get the treasury out of the Uzumaki temple was the same person to introduce her to the exciting and sensual parts of restrictive sexual activities. Shaking her head to get those distracting thoughts out of her mind she got the candles, slowly lit them on fire with small Katon Jutsus, one after another till the cave was bathed in dim light. With measured steps Hatsumi get to the altar. She looked at the chains, slowly breathing in and out.
She sat on the altar putting on the cuffs for her ankles, followed by the golden metal collar. What was kind of distracting, that the chains were not cold like they should be. No. They were warm and softly tucking at her Chakra. Like inviting her to give in and channel it into the chains. Her breath was quickening a bit, inwardly fighting down all those distracting memories again as she closed the cuffs around her wrists and laying back down on the altar starting to channel the chakra.
Flashback end
Hatsumi looked at the smirking face of Kushina, both still submerged in the water of the private onsen. The Uzumaki and former Jinchuriki made her way to the former Uchiha, looking her in the eye.
"I knew it then and it still seems to apply even now. You are still a bondage kitten aren't you little Hatsumi Chan. The addressed Hatsumi blushed a bit but nodded. Kushina grinned brightly.
"Well you earned yourself a little relief, after those hard days and trials."
Kushina smiled and slowly formed some hand seals while Hatsumi was gulping just a little bit. At the same time she was excited for what was still to come.
"Chain Style: Restrictive Bindings"
Kushina spoke with conviction while holding onto Hatsumi. After the smoke cleared, Hatsumi was encased in a harness made out of golden chains along with the matching golden collar around her neck and a chain leash.
"Let's have some fun Kitten" Kushina called, taking her by the leash to pull her with her.
with Naruto, Academy Building
The blonde Uzumaki was wondering why he agreed to take a break from his studies by attending the academy by himself today. It won't make sense to him. His class was in the last semester before the final exams. He currently was under the bottom three of the class and was cool with it. The academics teached in the academy were stuff to get asleep with. Everytime he tried to follow the lecture of Iruka his eyes would get heavier and heavier by the second. The topic today was chakra and chakra natures. Something Naruto agreed with Iruka on was an important subject but not like it was teached at Konoha's Academy. It was only a boring theory lecture with fancy graphics. Nothing like his lessons from his parents.
Flashback start
Minato and Kushina stood before Naruto who kneeled in the seiza position and was looking attentively at them as Minato smiled and started today's lesson.
"Well Naruto, today we will talk about the basic nature transformation of chakra. Can you list the base elements for me please?"
Naruto nodded and holded up his hand to move a finger with each called out nature.
"Well, it starts with Fire, followed by Water, Wind, Earth and Lightning."
Minato nodded and gave him a thumbs up.
"Good one. And strengths and weaknesses?"
Naruto looked at him like it was something he could answer in his sleep and yawned a bit.
"Fire is weak to Water and strong against Wind. Wind blows Lightning away which lets Earth crumble. Earth beats Water. All Together the five build up a circle of strengths and weaknesses."
Again his Father and Sensei nodded while Kushina smiled proudly at her son.
"Nice, full marks here son. Let's move on. Every person is born with one or more affinities to the elements. Some say that it is pure genetics and others say it's random or depends on the region. Hi no Kuni is famous for a large population of people with fire affinities. Clans like the Uchiha and Sarutobi were famous for the Katon Jutsu they wielded to battle. The Uzumaki however…" He stopped and looked at Kushina.
The red haired Kunoichi was excited and very energetic about that part.
"Well our Clan sochi was famous for many great things. Like the Fuinjutsu and other stuff. Not many Uzumaki decided to explore the traditional field of Ninjutsu. But one of those was your exceptional mother. We Uzumaki were often blessed with two affinities. Suiton and Futon. A great combination for offense and defense alike dattebane."
She chuckled as her tick bled through. Minato hugged her a bit from the side.
"True that. But some words of wisdom from your cool Hokage dad. Affinities are just indicators for what elemental Jutsu you may want to start with learning. Lord Third mastered all five basic elements. Your old man mastered three at the age of eighteen. So let's move forward as I am sure you want to surpass me in due time and not put down roots and listen to boring lectures. As a little test I want you to get to one of the weapon stores owned by a civilian. Look for the ninja only stores and raid them for chakra paper. We put our lesson on hold till we know what affinities you have."
Kushina looked at her husband with a puzzled look as Naruto stood up and bowed only to vanish with a sealless Shunshin. Kushina got her wits back and slowly poked her husband in the shoulder.
"You know that you unleashed chaos incarnate on the village?"
She asked while underlining each word with a poke. Minato just held up both hands in surrender.
"Guilty as charged but I have no regrets. I am so grateful that Ashina sama came up with the idea to save knowledge for later generations. Without that Mito Sama would have developed the scroll, and we wouldn't be able to talk and teach our little son how to be a person and endure. What Hatsumi Chan told us about the villagers made me so angry. If my soul wasn't bound in the stomach of the shinigami I would instruct Naruto how to summon me back just so that I could give them a piece of my mind."
Kushina sighed but nodded.
"I can understand everything dear. But the Jutsu Lord Second developed and what would be needed to unleash the bindings on your soul and for the Edo Tensei are not worth the cost. We are both stressed, Minato Kun. Each time we talk about that we are dattebane. Let's do something against that."
She smirked and pulled him to the main house. Something Minato just happened to let her do with a goofy grin on his face.
With Naruto, Merchant district
The Operation was a go and Naruto observed the shop he picked. He looked for all the signs indicating which kind of shinobi entered the store. He knew that he would have to transform into a Chunin to pull this heist off. Genin would have the knowledge or drive to look for their affinities without their Sensei present. Only a Chunin preparing for his Jonin examination would do so.
Transformed into a civilian adult he waited outside of the shop hoping he could get enough information from somebody to con the shopkeeper out of some chakra paper. He watched as some of the Ninjas of Konoha frequented the store. Most of them miss the signature Chunin or Jonin Vest. He could listen in on some conversations, picking up some information about parts of Konoha's population. One topic which often repeated itself was him. The antagonizing opinion of the village about him was still unbroken.
If Naruto wouldn't have his parents, Mito Sensei and Hatsumi Chan he wouldn't know how to deal with all this useless and stupid hate. After asking his parents why he is the pariah and some convincing they told him what event led to the death of his parents and started his ostracization.
Flashback start
Naruto sat with his parents in the living room in the west wing of the compound. They were in the middle of a heated discussion, Naruto kicked off after getting fed up with the villagers' hateful glares at him.
"Kaa san, Tou san you are not the person who has to endure it day in and out. Why is it such a secret? Everytime I try to talk about the reason behind all that stupid shit."
"Language Naru Chan!"
Kushina interrupted him and exchanged a quick look with her husband and then smiled a bit sorrowfully.
"You know Naru Chan. We just wanted you to enjoy yourself a bit. We were happy that you could find some friends and everything, and hoped to protect you from that topic a bit longer."
She sighed a bit and played with a bit of her hair absentmindedly.
"Okay listen. It's a bit difficult to talk about your own death and all. What do you know about the Biju?"
Naruto listened as did a certain tennant of his. After some time to think about his response he mentally browsed his history lessons and came up with his answer shortly after.
"Well there are nine of them, Hashirama Senju distributed them around the villages. Something I think was a big mistake but I will get back to this. All of them are beings made out of chakra and stupidly strong. The only thing that really works against them is Fuinjutsu.
The first mention in Konoha history was after Mito Sensei sealed the Kyuubi in herself to help Hashirama Senju in his battle with Madara Uchiha."
Naruto looked like he saw a ghost in the next moment, his brain making jumps and connections in seconds and before his parents could intervene he shouted.
"I HAVE THE KYUUBI SEALED INSIDE ME?! YOU HAVE TO BE SHITTING ME RIGHT NOW!"
Kushina needed a moment but would let her son outshout her and was quick in establishing the order.
"LANGUAGE YOUNG MAN! CLOSE YOUR MOUTH RIGHT NOW OR I WILL STICK A PIECE OF SOAP INTO IT"
Naruto gulped and took some calming breaths then looked expectantly at his mother.
Kushina did the same thing after Minato laid a hand on her right shoulder.
"Yes, you have the Kyuubi no Kitsune sealed inside yourself. That was a necessity after a masked man ripped it out on the date of your birth"
What followed was a long, exhausting explanation of what happened on the day of the Kyuubi attack. Everything about the masked attacker, why they had to resort to sealing and sacrificing until Kushina's statement that the Kyuubi just wanted to stay free perhaps and her admission that maybe he was not just a stupid, hateful beast.
"Okay let me get this straight. Konoha was attacked by a single man, who narrowly was fought off by dad only to rip the Kyuubi out of the seal, control it with his eyes, leading to the destruction of nearly one third of the village. Only to again be stopped by dad by using the Hiraishin and the application of a contract seal and finally resealing it with the eight trigram seal?"
His parents looked at him with a dumbfounded expression and slowly nodded. Naruto had to let out a sigh, shaking his head a bit.
"You know. I can relate to Kyuubi now. I may stay here most of the time but my clones still experience the village for appearances sake and all. All this hate sometimes I just wanted to be left alone. What if the Biju just wanted to be left alone and we stupid human beings had to march in and collect them like rare trading card game cards? Seriously. Shodai Sama may be strong at all that. He may have had all the good intentions with the distribution of the Biju. But was it the best possible move? I really don't think so at the moment."
Again his parents were speechless, they knew after all those harsh and strict teachings from Mito Naruto would be more grown-up than others in his age group but this was a whole new level. In the seal the Kyuubi was listening in very closely. The brat had the right idea there, he would give him that. But still he was a stupid brat without all those experiences that made people like the peaceful Hashirama go on a Biju hunt.
"Before I forget it. Damn, our defensive barrier must really suck if one Shinobi could unleash such chaos."
Naruto ended with a stupid bright grin on his face, showing his true age just to be bonked on the head by his mother seconds after he was finished.
Flashback end
"...Damn that Kyuubi brat I should have bought some elemental scrolls, maybe that could be enough."
"Eeeh. Sakitoshi? Everything alright?"
Naruto looked up as he looked at the Ninjas leaving the store. Perfect a Kyuubi Hater and a Chunin. No one, he would cry tears about, if he would impersonate him and make some mess and chaos. He waited till they got away and let a Clone follow them in a safe distance just to be cautious and better safe than sorry right? He transformed into the one Shinobi named Sakitoshi and made his way in the store. The store owner, a man in his forties, looked up from the counter.
"Sakitoshi San? You're back? Forgot something?" The owner asked with a smile if someone could see the Ryo notes in his eyes. It wouldn't be surprising how bright it was.
"Yeah. You know, I thought about how to deal with that Kyuubi brat. Do you maybe have some chakra indicator paper and scrap metal?"
The salesman looked a bit puzzled and then nodded slowly.
"Sure. Just give me a moment."
He vanished into his storeroom only for Naruto to inscribe some seals which would spread an unpleasant smell of rotten fish and unsealed some empty scroll copying the Jutsu Scrolls with his Copy Tag. His Army of clones thankfully was finished before the owner came back. He had two Scrolls in his hand.
"Here you go. The Scroll with the indication Paper and the other with scrap metal"
Naruto didn't really know why he wanted the scraps but why not. It was conductive, maybe he could build himself a weapon? He paid for it only to smile.
„oh and by the way. You smell really bad you know"
Naruto laughed and launched the seals and used the Shunshin to escape a screaming shopkeeper.
Shortly after that encounter a certain Chunin was arrested for damaging a ninja tool shop. While Naruto was laughing with his father about the little prank he played. Shortly after they got to the next part of the lesson they paused before.
„Okay Naruto Kun. Put one of the papers between your fingers and as slowly as possible channel you chakra through it."
The young Uzumaki nodded, he put the paper between his fingers. Since he knew he had the Kyuubi inside of him and began to focus his chakra control training on differentiation of the different chakra sources he was able to slow the flow of his dense chakra down a bit. So very slowly he channeled his chakra into the paper. First was a ripping sound as the paper split into pieces. Next two thirds of those pieces began to get soaked. The last third began to dry out fast.
Minato nodded slowly then grinned brightly.
„Well this is good. Very good. Your strongest affinity is Wind. Right up followed by Water. Nothing new for an Uzumaki. The Earth one is though. Kushi Chan?"
He asked her if she had an idea. The redhead thought about it for a moment then looked at the side entrance.
„Well. You know, slowly building an artificial tunnel to connect the side entrance of the compound with a warehouse. Only using a small doton Jutsu could lead to a trained affinity."
Minato nodded.
„Yeah. That could be it. Well son, three affinities, with your chakra pool. We have work to do. Let's make some clone groups and work on it. I will lead the Futon group. Kushina will look after the Suiton Group and for Doton we have to think of something."
„Yatta! I will master my affinities before the academy ends believe it! Taiju Kage Bunshin no Jutsu"
The excited Naruto made three groups of clones to start the training. Finally something that could help him over the academy boredom. With all of his pure emotions, Naruto enjoyed his new quest to master his affinities before the end of the academy.
Months later, Konoha Shinobi Academy
Iruka and Mizuki stood before the whole class of young and promising academy students.
The class was full of clan heirs, some civilian council members' kids and the blond menace Uzumaki Naruto. Naruto sat in the same row as Shikamaru and Choji.
Sakura sat beside Sasuke with Kiba after beating Ino in a race to the seat. What the bubblegum pink haired student hadn't seen was that her blonde friend wasn't as enthusiastic as before and didn't really give her all on that competition.
Mizuki glared at Naruto, just yesterday the boy pranked him again. How he got into his apartment to put itching powder in his underwear drawer was a mystery to the chunin teaching aid but one thing was crystal clear to him. Today was the day he would rid the village of one demon and join his new master. He would get back at Konoha for holding him back, away from power and the growth he was denied all these years. After his parents died from the Kyuubi attack he swore vengeance at the grave of them. The fox was getting his due desert.
Naruto was oblivious on the outside. Since the talk with his parents about the Bijus his abilities to sense chakra seemed to take a big leap. Not only his range extended to nearly half a mile, if he was in the same room with somebody he could even catch glimpses of the emotions of the persons in it. To say it was disorientating at the beginning would be an understatement. After he talked with Mito Sensei about it, she seemed interested and told him all about her level of skill with this ability.
So he was not really surprised after Mizuki gave him the Test that a minor Genjutsu was cast over it. Naruto promised not to make waves to all of the women in the compound, and how could he go against the wishes of them? No, that was not an option, but he nearly dispelled that Genjutsu by Instinct. Something every Shinobi would learn if a Uzumaki with the ability to cast them without hand seals would live in the same place and had a sadistic streak with them. Against common belief a Uzumaki was capable of dispeling Genjutsu up to A and S Rank. The problem was to recognize them in the time needed before being unable to do so.
The written test was a failure and Naruto was sure about that. The next part was the Bukijutsu and Taijutsu tests. Something he could place in the middle and top respectively with ease without raising much suspicion. In the last two years he made sure to show that he was proficient at something. Nothing prodigious of course but good enough to qualify and pass with good marks in those subjects. The day of testing was following through the plan you could say as Naruto was standing tall after a very good battle with Sasuke in the ring.
He was getting marked down, for his bad Taijutsu form. Something he just commented with a shrug. His bad form was the default academy style and not the botched version Mizuki had taught him. So in essence he was marked down because he did everything right.
Naruto was very silent after that. In his mind he was weighing his options. One thing was very certain. Mizuki teme was about to sabotage him everywhere he can. The good thing after going over the Uzu-Konoha treaty, he knew what to do if he was failed by the teacher a third time, so he was very relaxed about that. Without that he would be running in circles like a headless chicken and do something very stupid, something he was sure about luckily won't happen.
They had everything except the Jutsu test. Before that was a short lunch break where he sat down besides Shikamaru and Choji all three munching on some chips. Everything would be… too troublesome.
With Kushina and Hatsumi, Hatsumis Room
Both women laid in the bed with messy hair and slightly sweaty. Kushina snuggled into Hatsumi a little bit.
"So Hatsumi Chan. What happened after you started the trial?"
Hatsumi was blushing, she again experienced how Kushina's Bulbs were pressing into her. The last time wasn't really far away and after the 'relaxing' activities she shouldn't blush, but her body reacted as in her time with Kushina before both of them were married women. She focussed and tried to answer the question.
"Well after I channeled Chakra into the chains it was strange like I left my body or something like that"
Flashback start
Hatsumi was feeling like she was floating in the big Black Sea of nothingness. It seems something was off. Where was the cave and altar? She muses and tries to move but she could still feel the chains holding her in place.
„Child, so you trust the person that was giving you this quest?"
A deep voice was rumbling through the halls and Hatsumi was unable to pinpoint the location, because it seemed the voice was everywhere at the same time. Kunoichi thought about the question she was asked. Did she trust Kushina? Yes, she did. But did Kushina know what would happen here? Something Hatsumi wasn't really sure about.
„Yes, I trust her." she spoke after some more seconds of thinking.
The next moment she saw that the room was changed. Gone was the cave and instead a narrow pathway was in its place. If you looked down you could see spikes made out of stone. At the end of the path was a door or something similar. It was too far away. What she could see, because it was just beside her at the start of the path was a blindfold. Inscribed with Fuinjutsu she could not read.
„If you trust her let her guide you and put on the blindfold"
Hatsumi was shocked, the path was just big enough that you could place your two feet on the ground with just a shoulder length depth.
How should the clone of Kushina guide her while it is in the compound and she blindfolded here in this wherever she was.
Seconds felt like hours while she debated with herself. Hatsumi knew it wouldn't be easy but she must say the Uzumaki clan really had crazy rituals.
She picked up the Blindfold and put it on. The next voice was familiar, soft, playful and caring.
„Kitten, why are you still standing? Get on your knees and make it quick dattebane!"
That was Kushina's Voice. Hatsumi would recognize her play-voice every time. Her body moved like it was on autopilot and got on her knees, as she was to lay down her hands, Hatsumi could feel pressure on her left hand guiding her down. She could feel the end of the. Stone path with her hand. Hadn't she been guided she would have missed and fallen down.
Next she felt a gentle tuck on the collar around her neck. Again her body moved like she was at home with her red haired playpartner. Slowly she was crawling forward. Everytime she could feel an outside impulse, Hatsumi made sure to follow it.
The Chained Uzumaki couldn't tell how long she was crawling. Even as the floor was made of stone it was not bothering her knees. Something she would notice after the whole ordeal.
„Stop right there Kitten! You know I will not be your clan head and shouldn't lead you the rest of the way. But you know who should lead you kitten, do you?"
Wait a minute. Kushina was referring to Naruto. Was he here? Like her? What would he think if he saw her like this? Her mind was in an inner turmoil as she could hear Kushina's Voice whispering in her right ear.
„I asked you a question, Kitten. You know I don't like it if you leave me waiting for too long. So. Who should take your leash and lead you the rest of the way?"
Hatsumi was gulping a bit and took a calming breath, something she regretted as in the next moment she could feel two strong slaps on her rear. She could hold still, fortunately.
„Naruto. Naruto should take the leash Mistress."
„But why should I take it, Hatsumi obachan?"
That was Naruto's voice. She froze instantly. Was he here now? Oh my god! Hatsumi started hyperventilating, just long enough to deal a tuck on the leash.
„Hey. Obachan! What is wrong with you? You have to talk to me? Come on, we can do it! This thing can't stop us. Like Mito Sensei couldn't stop usw doing pranks on the villagers together."
Didn't he see that I'm in chains and stuff? was one of the first things she heard. Second was that he called her an aunt. He never called her that before. What is happening here? Her mind was going into overdrive but before she was able to sort all those thoughts, a tug on the leash silenced them. Hatsumi was forced to go forward.
"Don't you trust me Obachan? I got this. Just follow my lead okay?"
This time Naruto's voice sounded more mature. Like she imagined him with sixteen or older. Did she trust him was her foremost question, as she was led on a leash, crawling on all fours and bound by chains. She was hesitating, but something just felt right, she trusted Kushina to lead her through this mace and she protected her. Now Naruto was leading her, protecting her from falling to her death and accepting her like she was. It just felt so good to be free even though she was in chains, she felt more free than in her marriage to Fugaku at that moment.
"Yes Naruto, I trust you" she said in the next instant.
"Well Obachan, then stand up and take a big leap forward." The voice of Naruto answered.
She couldn't say why she did what she did, In her mind the picture that lay before her was clear. Sharp stone spikes and a deep black nothing. But Hatsumi did exactly what she was told she leapt forward with a big jump, rustling chains followed her action and the Voice of Naruto.
"Thank you for trusting me Obachan."
She was falling, it was over now she thought for a second, but in the next moment she was floating and after opening her eyes she looked directly at the face of a being she only heard about in tales and folklore.
Before her was the Shinigami.
"You did well Child, you passed the first trial. As you are trained as a Kunoichi you are exempt from the conditioning and endurance trial. So let's get to the last test"
He snapped his Fingers and Hatsumi was standing before the Shinigami in a room that was looking like a Dojo of sorts.
The floor was padded with tatamis, and as she looked at herself she was surprised to see that she was wearing the classic outfit of a shrine maiden. The red skirt style hakama was the same coloring as her hair. The white kosode was a good fit on her body and the red ribbons nearly vanished in her hair holding it in a high ponytail. She looked up at the Shinigami and waited for him to continue.
"After the sage vanished from the plane of existence, you know as the elemental nations, his teachings of the peaceful use of chakra were vanishing over time. The Ninja waged war on each other and many joined my realm before it was the time I would have collected the souls myself. To rectify this situation, I, the Shinigami, was on the lookout for a clan who was not just a bunch of warmongers but people with values and a sense for justice and equality. The Uzumaki were those people. So I blessed them with their long life, chains to bind those who are unjust, the affinity for an art to peaceful use of chakra and a way to summon myself to judge a person."
Hatsumi was spinning with all that new information. The bloodline abilities of the Uzumaki clan was a gift from a kami? Not just a mutation like many other abilities she had seen in her time as an active part of the Konoha forces?
"Yes, they are. I am the Shinigami, It is my choice when I come for somebody to reap the soul. The high endurance may be a leftover of the Sages gift to one of his sons, but the vitality was mine."
The Shinigami was looking at her with his piercing yellow eyes. Judging her, measuring her. It seems the final decision who joined the clan was in the hands of a deity. Hatsumi tried to reel in her racing thoughts as the Shinigami was about to go-on.
"You child, were of another clan and tried to shake off those boundaries. I watched you actions, they were devoted to the care of two children which were dealt a bad hand in life. Even if one of them was your son you tried to mediate and do everything in your power to help him. Even your move with the root agent was just and something I can applaud. I know what you want to do and I approve. But. Let's get back to your trial now shall we."
She blinked and before her were laid supplies for Fuinjutsu and a scroll.
Ink, empty scroll and Fuda that was nearly half her size. The Shinigami pointed her to kneel on the floor before the supplies and then he snapped his fingers again and an open scroll was before her with the instructions for a Fuinjutsu she didn't recognise.
"That my child is the Uzu Juin, or better your personal Juin, that you are going to apply to yourself as a final proof of your will to pledge yourself to the clan. As every Juin it will have some restrictions placed upon you. I will not tell what they are, just that to pass you will have to copy the seal while thinking about your pledge. The room will guide your hands to make the changes which are needed. Begin!"
Hatsumi was looking at her objective. SHe took one last calming breath and started with the process.
With Naruto, Academy Exams
"Okay, students Mizuki and I will call your names out. You come back in the room, show us the academy three and hopefully pass the exam. Best of luck to all of you."
Iruka Umino was smiling at his class. He looked like he wanted to encourage all to give their best on this last test.
Naruto did something his classmates were getting accustomed to on this day. He sat in the seiza position and began to meditate. Some would think he did that to center himself. It was not far, the academy student meditated to remember himself not to show too much. His friends like Hinata, Shikamaru, Choji and Ino already had passed the test. Sasuke in the classroom at this moment. He felt for his chakra, letting it flow through his chakra points. It was an exercise the Uzumaki developed to measure their own capacity. Something they had to do on nearly daily basis when they where still in the development of their bodies and system.
"Naruto? You can come in now!"
The voice of Iruka got him out of his meditation, he jumped up and got into the classroom. Iruka had his encouraging smile on his face while Mizuki was looking with disdain at the young blonde.
"Okay Naruto, let's start with the Henge."
The blonde nodded and without any hand seals and the bare minimum of chakra smoke he stood there as a perfect mirror image of Iruka.
"Nice Work Naruto! You must have studied a lot so that you can use the henge without hand seals. Okay. Your next task is to show the Kawarimi Jutsu."
Naruto released the Henge only to switch with his chair. Again no hand seals and this time without any chakra smoke. Iruka gaped and Mizuki frowned. The Emotions of the teaching assistant were overflowing with hate and Naruto only could smirk.
"Well call me impressed Naruto. Very Good. Looks like you got it this time"
Iruka gave him another big smile, and the emotions he could sense were underlining the smile.
"Okay Naruto. Last but not least. The Bunshin no Jutsu."
This time the blonde Uzumaki frowned. Even with all his training the standard Bunshin was still a low ranking Genjutsu. With his reserves and chakra density it was impossible to do a Jutsu with such low requirements. He got through hand seals and tried but after enough Chakra smoke beside him laid a very dead looking clone.
"Sorry Iruka Sensei, but I could show you another clone if that would help. This Jutsu still evades me." Nartuo told him with a smiling foxy grin. Before Iruka could say something, Mizuki intervened.
"Sorry Naruto, but we can't make exceptions. It's Bunshin or nothing, you fail."
The false facade of Mizuki's sorrowful look nearly got to him and Iruka looked apologetic.
"He is right on that one I'm afraid. Just for curiosity's sake, what kind of clone was on your mind?"
Naruto shook his head.
"Sorry Sensei, but If it won't help me pass I better don't show you" and without another word he was out of the room.
Naruto didn't have to wait long. He stood under a big tree just a minute away from the academy and put on a sad face.
"Hey Naruto. Don't be sad. I may help you, to pass with your classmates." Mizuki voiced out as he landed beside him. With his best sad face he looked at him like he was the high priest of the holy log.
"Really Mizuki Sensei?"
"Yes, there is a second hidden test. It involves the Hokage and the scroll of seals. You just have to infiltrate the tower, get to scroll and learn a Jutsu from it. We met up at the clearing in the forest where we had our second survival exercise in three hours from now on, okay?"
Naruto could feel the glee coming from him, it was a trap for something sinister. Maybe Mizuki wanted to steal the scroll for himself or just wanted a reason to kill him. He would have to play it safe but a better chance to get a look in the famous scroll of seals he wouldn't get before he was Jonin.
"I'm in Mizuki Sensei. Three hours from now in the forest clearing from our survival exercise."
Mizuki gave him a thumbs up and Shunshind away.
Three hours later, Konoha Forest
Naruto was disappointed. His Jiji was easy to knock out with his special version of the Henge he would use for distraction on male enemies. The seals on the treasury were outdated and just the monitoring kind. The Anbu squad on duty was easy to evade if you could sense them.
After that he made a copy of the scroll with his copy tag and stored the copy and the original in the compound with Mito Sensei. To say his Sensei was proud of his thinking and at the same time very angry with Hiruzen was a no brainer. Naruto already knew some of the Jutsus from the scroll but his Research Division Clones would make use of the Copy that he was sure of. Spoils of war and all that. Now he just had to wait. The first person to reach him wasn't a surprise.
"Naruto, what have you done?" A slightly panting Iruka reached the clearing and looked at him. Naruto laid his head to the side and undid both Henge. The scroll of seals beside him changed into a Naruto Clone who saluted with two Fingers and a short Yo. He stood there in a Kimono style shirt, Anbu like pants and black shinobi sandals.
"What?" Iruka was shocked to see how casually a clone stood beside his failed student.
"Hey Sensei, do you mind waiting a bit our next guest is arriving shortly"
With that the clone hinged back into the scroll, just in time so the arriving Mizuki missed it.
"That's unfortunate" Mizuki said with a short look to Iruka. "I only wanted to kill the Kyuubi brat. But at the wrong time in the wrong place Iruka. Naruto give me the scroll! Now!"
Naruto chuckled. He stood there, leaning against the scroll which was leaning against a tree.
"You're stupid Mizuki. Really stupid. You thought that I would buy your excuse that there would be a second exam to prove my worth? After you were the same person to say there wasn't a way around the rules?"
With that the scroll changed back in a second to Naruto. Mizuki's face fell, something was very wrong here. The brat had played him someway.
"You see, Iruka Sensei, he wanted to tell me I could pass my exam if I just had to infiltrate the Hokage tower and steal the scroll of seals to learn a Jutsu from it. Tell you something, Mzuki teme. I did that ya know."
The second Naruto spoke and fist bumped the original.
"The Kage Bunshin is really useful."
"You can do the Kage Bunshin Naruto?" Iruka was looking lost as the blonde nodded.
"Well Iruka Sensei do I qualify now"
The Chunin just nodded slowly.
"Great."
The original Naruto flew through hand seals faster than any Genin or Chunin could follow to hold the ram seal.
"Uzumaki Fuinjutsu: Four Corner Barrier"
After he shouted the name of his Jutsu a blue barrier sprung to life enclosing all three in a cube made of chakra.
The corners were on some trees around them and left them enough room to move freely but not to flee the encounter.
"What is happening Demon? What have you done?"
Naruto chuckled and with a relaxed tone spoke.
"Oh you are one of them huh?"
"I'm one of what?" An agitated Mizuki answered.
"One who is to stupid to tell the scroll and the kunai sealed inside apart. But with only one lesson about Fuinjutsu in the whole six years in the academy, the village education system would be to blame."
Iruka was looking at Naruto and Mizuki alternately. His student, the fool and dead last in most subjects, was using some Barrier Fuinjutsu, and knew about his tennant. Seemed to have learned a B-Rank Kinjutsu, knew that Mizuki was trying to put him up for the fall and laid a trap.
His longtime teaching aid looked like he wanted to commit a serious crime and become a traitor. Well after calling Naruto Demon his life was forfeit. Something the other Chunin also remembered, as he took his big Fuma Shuriken and without saying something threw it at Naruto. Before Iruka even could move, Naruto's clone used a Shunshin and catched the Shuriken, just to seal it away somewhere.
"That was not a nice move, Mizuki teme. Throwing a big bad Shuriken at Iruka Sensei and myself. Somebody could get hurt, you know."
Mizuki reacted like Naruto wanted and just charged at him headlessly and full of anger.
The young blonde switched in the stance of the Rising Tide Style, one open palm pointing at Mizuki and the other behind Naruto.
Mizuki threw a haymaker punch at Naruto's face. The blonde easily blocked it by striking at the elbow joint. The right hand launched an Ippon Nukite Strike at Mizuki's throat. The Chunin clearly underestimated the blonde, his emotions blinding him he just wasn't fast enough to counter or block the Strike from Naruto's Index Finger at his throat. The result was that he couldn't breath for a second or two. Something Naruto used to take out Ninjawire to capture the traitor with the help of some clones. He finished as the Hokage and one Anbu with a Dog mask landed outside of the barrier. Naruto looked at Iruka with a smiling face.
"Traitor captured for interrogation, right on the money for our reinforcements to arrive, Iruka Sensei. Did I pass my exams now"
The Chunin was speechless, not only he witnessed an academy student soundly beating a seasoned Chunin, no, Naruto did that and messaged the Hokage somehow, or knew he would be here. All of that just to ask if he passed the academy.
Under the watchful eye of his Leader he untied his Hitai ate giving it to his former student.
Naruto was chuckling again and tied it on his forehead looking at the Hokage.
"You see this Jiji. I'm a Genin now. Ohh and I think I promised you a traitor, the scroll of seals and an explanation right?
The aged Hokage was studying the barrier before him but gave a warm smile and a nod.
"That you did Naruto Kun. If you would?" he pointed at the barrier.
Naruto nodded and used a one handed ram seal to release the barrier. The Fudas, his clones placed on the trees sizzling out of existence. Hiruzen nodded to the Anbu.
"Get him to T. I want a full report tomorrow." The Anbu nodded and with two Shunshin Mizuki and Inu vanished in a swirl of leaves.
"Now Naruto Kun?. Where is the scroll?"
Naruto gave his trademark foxy grin.
"At a safe location I can get you to in a bit slower than a flash."
Hiruzen raised an eyebrow at his wording. The barrier was clearly Uzumaki Fuinjutsu, and to change Minato's catchphrase just slightly was intriguing.
"Well, we are not getting younger. Iruka San, please go back to the academy. I think you have some paperwork to do."
The Chunin nodded and nearly stuttered his acknowledgment and with a last look at Naruto vanished in a Shunshin. Hiruzen looked at Naruto with a waiting gesture.
The blonde holded a hand out to him, which Hiruzen took without much thought.
A breeze later they stood in a garden the Sandaime could remember.
"YOU STUPID OLD MONKEY, ARE YOU GETTING SENILE OR SOMETHING?..."
Hiruzen knew that voice, even the volume. Naruto's Shunshin was perfectly executed and they had arrived in the garden of the Uzumaki compound.
The welcoming party was one Mito Uzumaki who looked like she wanted to tear the Hokage a new one. The Hokage, always a professional, did the thing everyone would do after a person, the burial you were attending was ripping into you for something you didn't know.
He fainted.
A/N:
I really would like some encouragement from you guys. How can you do it? Write a review. Short or long? Doesn't matter! Criticism? Constructive? Go for it!. Sometimes the best ideas start with a review. Like the idea to this story :D - that's no joke by the way…
Eco out.