Hello all Storm here with a new chapter! Here we'll be seeing Naruko continue her training with the Jutsu Chiron gave her with some surprises when she tests her Chakra Nature, along with getting a flashback. So, without further ado.
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After the encounter with Clarisse and her sisters, Naruko went into the forest to find a good spot to train in. Managing to find a good-sized clearing she could use.
"Okay, first thing to do is check my Chakra Nature." Naruko said, setting the bag down and pulled out one of the pieces of Chakra Paper.
Channeling some Chakra into it, the Uzumaki watched to see what happened only to be surprised when the paper was suddenly sliced into four separate pieces. With one crumbling away into dirt, another being burned to ash and a third practically dissolved into water.
'O…kay. So first it got cut which I'm guessing is Wind, part of it turned to dirt and crumbled away, obviously Earth, and burning to ash is Fire. And then one just melted into water, not hard to guess what that is.' Naruko thought, surprised that she has four Elemental Affinities.
Even more so, as it seems her Elemental Affinities are really strong. Especially her Water Affinity, clearly being her strongest with how there isn't any remnants of the paper left. Though she was confused by the Fire Affinity, since it seemed kind of random compared with the other three. Only for the whiskered redhead to remember the blessing she got from Hestia.
'Hestia's Goddess of the Hearth and Fire, I must've gotten a Fire Affinity from her blessing. Cool!' Thought Naruko, smiling at getting a new affinity, along with seeing she'd be able to learn the Fire Ninjutsu Pakura left behind.
But before Naruko could move on to begin working on mastering her affinities, she was shocked when the remnants of the Chakra Paper began reacting again. Watching as the water merged with the remaining piece, turning it into ice. Before they separated then merged with the dirt creating a very strange reaction, forming a glowing white ball of light. With Naruko flinching when the light suddenly dispersed, feeling like a mini-shockwave just went off in her hand as it vibrated a little.
"What…the hell kind of reaction was that supposed to be?" Naruko wondered out loud, completely confused at what just happened.
"You have Sub-Elements, that's what it was." Said Kyūbi, making the Uzumaki pause at hearing the Bijū's voice.
'Sub-Elements? What're those?' Thought Naruko since Chiron only mentioned Five Elemental Affinities.
"The result of two or more of the five primary Chakra Natures, combining together to create a new element entirely. Those Yuki Ninja in the Land of Snow do it by combining Wind and Water to use Hyōton while that girl from the Land of Waves had the Hyōton Kekkei Genkai. Allowing her to create ice with just her Chakra rather than combining existing elements, along with having Water and Wind Affinities. And it seems you have the same ability." Kyūbi explained, much to Naruko's shock at hearing this, only to gain a solemn expression as she looked at the ice in her hand, that she shared the same power as Haku.
'Haku…' Naruko thought remembering the Yuki Clan Kunoichi.
*Flashback*
"Hey, you'll catch a cold if you sleep here. Wake up." Someone said, making Naruko groan as she felt someone shaking her awake.
Opening her eyes, Naruko saw the blurry figure of someone leaning over her before her eyes began fully opening letting her see the person, clearly.
Seeing it was a girl that looked a few years older than her, with a slender frame, pale skin, long black hair that went down to the middle of her back and dark brown eyes. With her wearing a pink, sleeveless kimono, with pale red edges and decorated with small plum-colored swirls, that went to her ankles. Around her waist was a simple white obi tied in a bow, and she wore a pair of light brown sandals with dark straps. She also wore a dark-colored choker around her neck.
The sight of a pretty girl leaning over her made Naruko blush faintly before she quickly sat up, rubbing her eyes still feeling a little drowsy.
"Who're you? I-I me-mean uh…hello there. Where did you come from? I-in th-that…what're you doing out here by yourself?" Naruko asked, scratching her cheek in embarrassment, with the girl simply smiling in amusement at her.
"I'm gathering herbs." She replied, motioning to her basket, with Naruko blinking in confusion.
"Herbs? For what?" Questioned Naruko, wondering what she needed herbs for.
"Yes, that's right. They're for treating illnesses in wounds." Said the girl before she went back to gathering them.
"Well…uh…do you need some help?" Naruko said, wanting to help her if she's gathering herbs to treat wounds.
With the girl looking at her in surprise for a few moments, only to smile in amusement at her again at the offer.
"You'd be willing to help a stranger you just met in the middle of the woods? Someone might call you foolish for that." Said the girl, only for the whiskered redhead to grin as she stood up.
"It wouldn't be the first time someone called me a fool! And my name's Naruko Uzumaki!" Naruko introduced while holding her hand out, surprising the girl again before she hesitantly reached out and shook it.
"Haku." Replied Haku, not expecting one of the Ninja Zabuza faced to act like this.
"There, now we're not strangers anymore! So, do you want some help Haku?" Naruko asked, with the ravenette looking at her for a few moments before smiling.
"I would, thank you, Naruko." Haku said, making Naruko's grin grow before she began helping her gather the herbs she was looking for.
The two fell into a comfortable silence as they gathered the herbs, with Naruko glancing at Haku a few times, feeling curious at why she's out gathering herbs so early.
"You start work early, don't you, Haku. Why?" Naruko said, getting Haku's attention.
"I like it early. It's calm. I just didn't think I'd find anyone sleeping out here, in the woods." Haku said, preferring to do such tasks early in the morning when there's no worry of running into anyone, with Naruko smiling sheepishly at her.
"Ehehehe, yeah. I was out late training and ended up falling asleep." Said Naruko, having not planned to be out so late or falling asleep.
"Hmm? So, does that mean you're a Ninja? Because I noticed that headband you're wearing. Or are you just making a fashion statement?" Questioned Haku, acting the part of a naïve citizen.
"Yeah! Only really cool Ninja can wear these!" Naruko said, making the hidden Kunoichi give her an amused smile.
"Oh, really. I see. That's very impressive." Haku said, having a hard time imagining this girl being a Ninja like Zabuza or the Copy Ninja, with how innocent and carefree she was.
Though at the same time it pleased the ravenette to see such innocence, yet she also knew that innocence would eventually be shattered. Knowing the life of a Ninja isn't a kind one. It honestly made Haku wonder just why Naruko would become a Ninja in the first place.
"But…does that mean you're training for something dangerous?" Questioned Haku, wanting to know why she'd train so hard that she'd fall asleep in the middle of the forest.
"I'm just developing my skills so I can get stronger." Naruko replied, wanting to make sure she's ready for when Zabuza and his partner show up.
"You seem very strong now, isn't that enough?" Haku asked, having seen it was her plan that allowed them to free Kakashi from Zabuza's Water Prison Jutsu.
"No, no. I need to stronger and stronger. I have to keep practicing." Said Naruko, shaking her head, knowing she needed to keep training and getting stronger.
"How so? Why is it so important?" Said Haku, wondering why she seemed so insistent on getting stronger, if it was just to prepare to face Zabuza or something else.
"So I can become the best Ninja in my village and everyone will know who I am, and they'll all respect me! There's also someone I need to prove it to!" Naruko said desiring to be the strongest in Konoha so everyone will acknowledge her, and while she and Satsuki might be friends she's still determined to be stronger than her.
"So are you doing it for this certain person or are you doing all this training for yourself?" Haku asked, wanting to know if she's training for this person or just herself, only for the Uzumaki blink in confusion.
"Huh?" Naruko said, not understanding what she meant, feeling slightly annoyed when Haku chuckled lightly.
"What're you laughing about? What's so funny?" Demanded Naruko, annoyed that she was laughing at her, with Haku smiling slightly at her.
"Is there…someone who's precious to you?" Haku clarified, wishing to know if Naruko had someone precious.
"Someone who's… What're you saying, Haku? What do you mean "precious"?" Naruko asked, only for Haku to soon look down with a frown.
The hidden Kunoichi thought back to her life in the Land of Water, after losing her parents, having no one and nowhere to go. Living alone in the streets, scrounging through the trash for scraps of food just to survive, even having to fight wild dogs that roamed the streets.
Everyday being a fight for survival, there were times she was tempted to give up, believing she had no purpose or use for anyone.
Until the day he found her, someone others viewed as a demon, but to her he was her savior, her master, her real father, the one who gave her a purpose as his weapon. The one who became precious to her and she'll do everything she can to ensure his dream becomes a reality.
'Hmm, what's she thinking about?' Naruko thought, seeing the look on Haku's face before the ravenette looked up at her.
"You see, when a person has something precious that they want to protect, then they become truly strong." Haku said, making Naruko's eyes widen for a moment before looking down in thought.
Remembering the story Tsunami and Tazuna told them, of how Kaiza did everything he could to protect the Land of Waves. The fight against Zabuza when Kakashi said he'd protect them all with his life. And Iruka saving her life from Mizuki, even though she held the thing that killed his parents inside of her. It made the whiskered redhead think of all the people she cared about, Satsuki, Sakura, Kakashi, Iruka, the Hokage, Konohamaru, Ayame and Teuchi.
Everyone she'd want to protect.
"Yeah…I understand what you mean. I do have people who are precious to me. People I'd want to protect with my life, no matter what." Naruko said, smiling at Haku, which she returned upon seeing she did understand.
"Then you will get strong. Very strong." Stated Haku, believing Naruko will grow into a powerful Ninja, before she grabbed her basket and stood up.
"Goodbye, we'll meet again sometime." Haku said turning to leave, though feeling sad knowing the next time they meet it'll be as enemies.
Though before she got far, Haku stopped since she still needed to tell Naruko one last thing.
"Oh, by the way, I'm a boy." Said Haku, continuing on her way.
"Uh…no you're not. I…saw your…bindings through your…kimono sleeve." Naruko admitted while blushing in embarrassment, with Haku freezing and looked down at her kimono seeing her chest bindings were visible through her sleeves.
"Oh…right…sorry…It's just with Gatō controlling the Land of Waves and the…company he associates himself with…you can't be too careful." Muttered Haku, feeling her own embarrassment that she didn't do a better job of covering up.
Though it wasn't entirely a lie, either. Being the last known surviving member of the Yuki Clan bloodline, and a female member at that, she couldn't be too careful.
"…So…are those herbs for someone or do you sell them?" Questioned Naruko, wanting to change the subject and because she was curious of why Haku was collecting herbs.
"They are for someone, someone that's precious to me. They were hurt recently and I've been tending to them, but I needed these herbs to help them recover faster." Haku replied, looking at her basket with a frown.
"Oh…well one of my teammates has been learning some basic Medical Ninjutsu. She could help you if they really need it." Offered Naruko, only for Haku to shake her head.
"Thank you for the kind offer, but they're a rather reclusive person and don't do well with strangers. I should actually be getting back soon." Said Haku, knowing she needed to return to Zabuza soon before something happened.
"Then you could come by where we're staying, she knows more about different herbs that can be used to treat injuries that you'd be able to use. I can also help you gather some more if you come out here again." Naruko said, wanting to do more to help Haku if she's treating someone she cares about.
With the ravenette being surprised at her repeated offers, not expecting Naruko to do more than help her gather the herbs she needed. But instead she's offering to help her gather more or have one of her teammates help her, even inviting her to the Bridge Builders home.
The pragmatic part of her knew it would be a good opportunity to deal with the Ninja and their target in a single stroke. She could go there now and eliminate them all before they even realized it, then return to Zabuza with news their mission was complete.
But…the larger part of her that didn't enjoy killing others argued against it, that she'd be betraying the trust of someone that just selflessly helped her and now offered further assistance. Not only that, but Haku felt intrigued by the Uzumaki and what she was like. As despite her outward upbeat and eager attitude, Haku felt there's more hidden beneath the surface.
"…I would like that. Thank you, Naruko." Haku said after a few moments smiling at the whiskered redhead, which Naruko happily returned.
*End Flashback*
Naruko looked down sadly at remembering first meeting Haku, along with when she introduced the Hyōton-user to her team.
'She and Satsuki never really got along.' Naruko thought, smiling slightly at the irony, with how Haku and Satsuki got along like ice and fire.
With the Uchiha being distrustful of Haku, suspicious of a stranger they didn't know who Naruko just ran into in the forest, even more so with how close she seemed to be getting with Naruko. While Haku either ignored any of Satsuki's comments or intentionally annoyed her further with her own comments.
'What about the other reaction? What kind of Sub-Element was that?' Naruko asked mentally, wanting to focus on something else besides painful memories.
"No idea. I've never heard of a Sub-Element that combines Earth, Water and Wind. The only one I know of that combines three elements is Jinton. That means you must be a First Generation user, yippee." Kyūbi said boredly, not really caring about some new Sub-Element its host has.
This definitely surprised Naruko, that she not only as Hyōton like Haku, but also a unique Sub-Element that only she has. Before her eyes widened as she remembered the fight against the harpies, the shockwave created when she killed one of them.
'Is that what happened? Did I access this Sub-Element and used it to kill the harpy?' Thought Naruko in both shock and amazement.
"Well…if it lets me create shockwaves like that then how about calling it…Guraton…so Tremor Style or Quake Style." Naruko said, feeling those names best suited an ability like this.
'So now that's two new things I need to work on, and I am going to master the Hyōton for Haku. But this other Sub-Element…this is one I really want to master.' Naruko thought, knowing how powerful something like that could be.
If it let her generate shockwaves through even the air, then she could only imagine what would happen if she channeled it through the ground or water, let alone if she channeled it through someone.
Though after see what her Affinities were, Naruko felt a feeling of dread creeping through her as she started suspecting just who her divine parent is. Or rather she's starting to suspect just who her father is.
'I have a Fire Affinity because of Hestia's blessing. But having a powerful Water Affinity along with strong Wind and Earth Affinities…' Naruko thought, knowing while there were several gods that could control water in some form, only one had control over earth and wind as well.
Remembering what Annabeth told her about the Big Three, the powers they each had and the oath of no more demigods. Naruko felt a mix of shock, awe and dread, knowing what this means if it turned out to be true.
'I'm…not meant to exist.' Thought Naruko, since if it's true of who she suspects is her father, then she'll be the one paying the price.
Not helped as the Uzumaki recalled how quickly she was able to master Water Walking, once Jiraiya removed the Five Elements Seal Orochimaru put on her. Having managed to get it on the first try once the seal was gone, especially compared to when she was learning Surface Walking.
'Great…so I really need to train if I want a chance to just survive.' Naruko thought, sighing at seeing how she's traded being hunted by the Akatsuki to now potentially being targeted by gods.
With the knowledge of her Affinities and potentially who her divine parent is, Naruko pulled out Kushimaru's Water Style Ninjutsu scrolls to begin learning how to use them.
'Let's see, aside from the Hidden Mist Jutsu, Water Style: Gunshot, Water Prison Jutsu and Water Style: Water Trumpet all seem pretty good beginner Jutsu to learn.' Naruko thought picking out some Jutsu to start with, wanting to start small then work her way up to the more powerful techniques.
The Uzumaki then remembered her teams mission to escort Shibuki back to Takigakure, something that lead to them helping stop Suien and his allies from stealing the Hero Water. With Naruko specifically remembering the techniques she saw Shibuki and Suien use.
'What was it called…they made swords out of water, Shibuki could also use it for ranged attacks…Watercutting Sword! That's what it's called, I wonder if I could try recreating it? Maybe I could also about being able to change its shape too.' Naruko thought, imagining herself wielding a sword made of water that can cut through fire and change it into different weapons.
Shaking her head, Naruko looked to see if there's anything else that'd help her start on mastering her Water Affinity, doubting it's as simple as just learning Elemental Ninjutsu. Grinning when she also found a scroll that explained some exercises she could do.
'Yes! The first one is being able to draw water out of a leaf, after that is learning to manipulate small bodies of water. There's also some others, drawing water from the ground, being able to stop and reverse the flow of a river, stopping a waterfall. Thankfully, there is a creek in the forest I can use. The waterfall one though one might be a bit harder unless I can find one to use. Some advanced methods are pulling water from the air and…' Thought Naruko, only to pale slightly when she saw one of the other advanced training technique.
Manipulating someone's blood, with this exercise being inspired by a Ninja Clan that was once native to the Land of Lightning.
'Right…Village of the Bloody Mist…' Naruko thought with a gulp, having learned that Kirigakure had a dark reputation so she shouldn't be surprised they'd have a training method to essentially turn someone into a puppet.
'Let's just…focus on drawing water from leaf and manipulating small bodies of water.' Thought Naruko, deciding to focus on the beginner techniques and worry about the advanced one later.
Creating a Shadow Clone, Naruko sent it to go get her a bucket or something for the latter exercise, while she began collecting leaves to work on extracting the water from them.
*Later*
'I'm pretty sure any doubts are gone.' Naruko thought dryly as she held a Watercutting Sword in her hand, looking at the solidified blade of water.
Before she swung it, causing the sword to extend out like a whip but still being sharp enough to slice right through a tree, causing it to fall to the ground. The whiskered redhead sighed as she ended the Jutsu causing the sword to return to its liquid state splashing onto the ground.
When she started training to master her Water Affinity, Naruko did struggle in the beginning when trying to draw water from a leaf. But once she really started concentrating and focusing, she was able to get it down relatively quickly.
Even repeating the exercise with all the leaves she gathered, part of her hoping it was just a lucky first try and would be harder to do it again. Only for each following attempt to be easier than the last, until all the leaves had every ounce of water drawn out of them.
After that Naruko moved on to manipulating a bucket full of water her clone brought her, which did take longer than the leaf. Though just like the first exercise, she got the hang of it much faster than she hoped she would. Having continued the exercise until she was able to successfully able to move the water around, even lifting some of it out of the bucket without touching it.
Naruko didn't stop there, though, as she tried another exercise to draw water out of the ground. Really hoping she'd fail at it, only to succeed at it just like the first two exercises. Much to her dismay when she managed to draw out a surprising amount of water from the ground.
Once she was able to perform all three exercises without much effort, Naruko moved on to learning the Jutsu she picked out. All of which she succeeded in learning in record time. Even the Watercutting Sword, which she thought would take the longest as she was learning it from memory rather than through a scroll, didn't take long for her to recreate it. The only difficult part being changing its shape into other weapons, and even then she had begun making progress at it.
All of it did nothing but increase her suspicions of who her father was, which Naruko was glad to at least now know who he might be, but also knew it'd mean a lot of trouble for her.
'I just can't catch a break, can I.' Thought Naruko, sighing as she looked up at the sky only to be surprised when she saw the sun was already setting.
'Okay, wasn't expecting to be out that late. Guess I should head back before someone comes looking for me.' Naruko thought before gathering her supplies and scrolls, putting them away as she headed out of the forest.
Though once she was out of the forest, the Uzumaki was greeted by Chiron with his arms crossed and giving her a look. One she's familiar with getting whenever she was caught doing something she shouldn't.
"Shall I ask where you've been?" Questioned Chiron rhetorically, making Naruko scratch her head sheepishly.
"Ehehe, sorry…I was just in the forest training and lost track of time. It…usually happens a lot of the time." Naruko replied, knowing this isn't the first time she's stayed out late training without realizing it's gotten late.
Chiron sighed at her response, but also couldn't fault her for it, having known plenty of demigods that have trained long into the night.
"I understand, you wouldn't be the first to have done so. However, don't think I haven't noticed you aren't attending any lessons outside of the ones with Annabeth. I'm aware of the kind of place the Elemental Nations are, so you've no doubt received combat training and been in battle before. But you would still benefit from what we have to offer here at camp, many demigods from other worlds have trained here before and grown from their experience. Perhaps some more than others, but they all learned at least one thing that remained with them and so shall you, if you give it a chance." Chiron advised, with Naruko nodding in response.
"I know what you mean, I'm just used to training on my own most of the time. Even when I did have someone teaching me, I'd still do my own training. But yeah, I'll start attending the lessons with other campers." Said Naruko, more than willing to accept getting some proper training when it's being offered.
"Good, I hope to see you tomorrow training with everyone else. But for now you'd best return to the Hermes Cabin, dinner will begin soon and I doubt you'll wish to sleep on an empty stomach. Now run along." Said Chiron as Naruko nodded as she headed back to the cabins to get ready for dinner.
But on her way there, Naruko stopped when she spotted Hestia by the Hearth again making her look between the Hermes Cabin and the petite goddess. Before making her decision and headed over to the Hearth to spend some time with Hestia, especially now with the knowledge that she's likely her aunt.
So, what did you think, good. Yep we see Naruko finding a spot to train in, with her first testing her Chakra Nature, finding she has Affinities for Water, Wind, Earth and Fire, the latter being from Hestia's blessing and the former being much stronger than normal. Only to get another surprise as she learns she has two Sub-Elements, learning what they are from the Kyūbi with one being Hyōton.
Leading to a flashback of Naruko's first meeting with Haku, with them having had more interactions as Naruko invited Haku to talk with Sakura about different herbs and medicine. While Haku and Satsuki got along about as well as ice and fire.
Before Naruko also learns she has a new, unique Sub-Element she's named Guraton, or Tremor/Quake Style, given what it can do. Only for this to make her begin suspecting just who her father is, and the danger that'd come with it if it turns out to be true.
With Naruko then doing some exercises to begin mastering her Water Affinity, since it's her strongest, with her only being further convinced of who her father is when she manages to complete three of the exercises in record time. Along with learning the Jutsu she picked out, even recreating the Watercutting Sword from Takigakure.
Finally we see Naruko finishing her training for the day, only to be met by Chiron who understands she's likely had training and seen live battle in the Elemental Nations, but encourages her to train with the rest of the campers. Something Naruko accepts, not wanting to pass up the chance on additional training. Before she returns to the Hermes Cabin, only to see Hestia by the Hearth and goes to her instead, with the knowledge she's now likely her aunt. So, for those that like the story, thanks for your support. For those that don't or at least don't like the direction taken, you're more than welcomed to drop the story. But thanks for giving the story a chance anyway.
Storm out