If there was one thing Naruto was good at, it was being annoying. He wore it like a badge of honor, parading it around for all to see like some kind of obnoxious outfit.
Being annoying came with its advantages and Naruto seized them for all he was worth. What was one to do when an entire Village shunned and degraded you just for existing?
Had Naruto been just a little more angry then he'd have laid ruin to this country. Ripping off the seal that kept the 'demon' from causing untold havoc would, perhaps justifiably, relieve Naruto of the day to day anguish he felt. But would he feel satisfied with wanton destruction and death?
After all, ripping off the seal would have disastrous consequences. Not including the deaths of thousands of people, of course. He'd end up dying if push came to shove and Naruto didn't believe that an hour or two of gratification made up for the years of abuse and neglect he suffered at the hands of this village and its people.
No no no...
They'd suffer. He would make absolutely sure of that. And what better way to do so than becoming the one thing the Village both feared and hated...?
It was easy to cause pain. But annoyance?
That was a skill.
A skill Naruto had cultivated in his youth that he used expeditiously in his day to day life. Whether he be out and about stocking up on supplies for his home or even when training in isolation away from prying eyes.
He wasn't foolish enough to believe that he'd gotten away with the latter. The Old Man loved having those masked weirdos watch over him.
'Safety precautions' the Old Man had told him. Naruto thought he was full of shit, honestly. He'd never been outright assaulted, except for that one time he had tried buying a mask from some no-name merchant. But that didn't really count. He hadn't seen the man since that particular incident and Naruto had been foolish enough to believe, at the time atleast, that the Old Man had been true to his word.
It wasn't until he got older and discovered the source of why he was hated that he'd begun to question things. Years of pent up anger, sadness and hatred had withered and died.
All that was left was apathy and a confusing sense of longing. For what? Naruto wasn't quite sure. Perhaps a better life? A more simple one, mayhaps?
Who was to say?
It didn't really matter at this point.
Naruto had long since abandoned those childish notions of achieving greatness and 'respect' from the people of Konoha. Instead, he would do everything in his power to make them suffer.
In a petty way, of course.
Death was an easy way out for those who were incapable of taking accountability for their actions. Naruto would make them see reason. He didn't need respect because at the end of the day, people listened to actions. No amount of fear mongering would satiate him and wasting time to become some master manipulator, puppeteering machinations from the shadows, wouldn't satisfy him.
No no no. He required... entertainment.
What exactly was that entertainment?
A subtle and complex amalgamation of mental fortitude mixed with a healthy dose of verbal warfare.
And thus, the art of Instigation was born.
"Ya know Sasuke, if I were you, I wouldn't take that from Kiba." Naruto piped up quietly, observing his two classmates. "I mean, me personally, that just screams ineptitude. But we can't all be great, 'ey?"
His future teammate scowled his way, black beady eyes full of anger and annoyance. "Shut up, idiot! You think this mutt actually stands a chance against me?!"
Way to easy.
Naruto's eyes cut towards Kiba, analyzing the boy with a critical gaze. He was but a moments away from exploding and Naruto was absolutely going to make sure it happened.
"Hear that Kiba? Mr. 'Rookie of the Year' thinks you're dog water. I mean, me personally, I'm not letting anyone talk to me like that." Naruto shrugged his shoulders, holding his hands up in an innocent gesture. "Gonna let someone with a flared out collared shirt talk to you like that? Kinda wild if you ask me, just sayin'."
As expected, the Inuzuka snarled angrily, stepping into the makeshift ring they'd drawn up for sparring. "Of course I'm not gonna let this asshole talk to me like that! You think I'm weak er something?!"
Naruto's innocent smile grew slightly devious as he took a step away from the sparring circle, allowing Kiba to angrily stomp up towards Sasuke. "Of course not, Kiba! Sasuke on the other hand..." That devious grin of his showed a bit to much teeth, but at this point, it was too late. "Well, who's to say?"
As the two teens began to square off, much to the dismay of the rest of the class, Naruto snuck away, content with his work.
Causing fights was his bread and butter and no one was better at it than him.
"Kid's a bit too devious for my liking." A man's gruff voice spoke quietly. "What are his physical test scores like?"
A lazy voice responded, sounding fatigued and sleepy. "You'd know that information if you actually read the dossiers I handed out, Asuma-san."
Asuma coughed quietly, ignoring how some of the other Jonins chuckled. "Humor me, Shikaku-san... Got a bit on my plate at the moment."
The Nara Patriarch would have rolled his eyes had he not been so tired. "Uzumaki Naruto's physical prowess far exceeds that of his peers. His stamina is only matched by individuals those who specialize in Taijutsu. Like Maito Gai, for example." Shikaku leaned against the railing of the building, lazily staring down at the future Genins-to-be. "His Taijutsu is rather basic though that is to be expected. He moves like a western boxer and is incredibly adept at adapting to other's styles. There is no mistaking the talent that is clearly there, waiting to be utilized by a willing teacher."
Shikaku paused for a moment, watching with unimpressed eyes as the Uchiha dismantled his Inuzuka opponent. "He falls behind Uchiha Sasuke and Inuzuka Kiba in terms of actual Taijutsu but that is to be expected. He has no style and is self-taught... Atleast from what little I've been able to gather." Shikaku's eyes shifted towards his son and a fond smile found its way upon his face as he watched his boy nap under a tree, completely avoiding Naruto's goading and prodding.
"All in all, I think Uzumaki Naruto has the ability to seamlessly slot into many different team archetypes. He has more Chakra than anyone in the Village, so a full force assault team focusing on Ninjutsu is enticing. He also possesses the best stealth training from this years batch which means an infiltration unit is also appealing. The only thing that the boy truly struggles with is Chakra Control and Genjutsu, which is to be expected."
"What do you make of his social skills?" A man with gravity defying grey hair asked quietly, staring down at the gaggle of kids with disinterest.
The Nara Clan Head raised an eyebrow, glancing towards his fellow Jonin. "You tell me, Kakashi-san. You're his ward, after all."
"That is off the records." Kakashi countered easily, ignoring the surprised noises from some of the other Jonins. "Why do you have access to that information?"
Shikaku sighed quietly, ignoring the suspicious tone from his colleague. "Perks of being the Shinobi Commander... I know many things."
Kakashi crossed his arms against his chest, shifting his body to stare down at the group of children. "He's a flight risk and every ANBU knows it. It's not a secret and no one seems to care. Naruto's aware that eyes follow his every move but makes no indication to whether or not it bothers him. His behavioral patterns match up with Orochimaru and Uchiha Itachi." Kakashi let the seriousness of those words settle with the rest of the Jonins before continuing. "If he doesn't get access to an outlet soon, he's going to snap. It's only a matter of time and I'm not going to be the one to bury my Sensei's son."
"What?! Whaddya mean by that?!" A woman's harsh voice questioned in shock. "Yer tellin' me that that's Minato's kid?!"
"I thought it was pretty obvious, Tsume-san." Asuma mumbled quietly, confused as to why some of the other Jonins were shocked. "Jinchuuriki are chosen by the Hokage and nine out of ten times, are related on a familial level."
Tsume growled in annoyance, pointing a clawed digit into Asuma's face. "Don't talk to me like I'm stupid! I was rippin' throats out with my fangs when you was still in diapers! Don't fuck with me!"
Asuma held his hands up to placate the irate woman. "O-Of course, Tsume-san. I meant no disrespect!"
"The scion of this Village's most promising Hokage, reduced to a neglected and lonely child..." A woman's voice intoned sadly. "A terrible legacy to possess due to machinations from those in the shadows."
Kakashi scoffed at Kurenai's words. "It's all Danzo's fault."
"That's a conjecture." Shikaku muttered quietly, but it was clear to everyone that he thought otherwise.
"Whatever helps you fall asleep at night." Kakashi replied flippantly, uncaring if he was toting the line of treason. "Had Danzo been properly dealt with years ago, we'd probably still have a Fourth Hokage."
"Now that's a proper conjecture." Shikaku muttered with a smirk. A few moments passed in silence, some of the Jonins still reeling in silence as they processed this new information. "How many of you are taking on teams this year?"
Kakashi glanced Shikaku's way before sighing dramatically. "Hokage-sama wants me to take on a team and he's dangling Naruto and Sasuke in front of me. I, on the other hand, do not want them both on my team. It's one or the other."
"Interesting." Another female's voice joined. "You'd give up Rookie of the Year and the Village's Pariah?"
"Don't be stupid Anko." The Sharingan wielder replied quietly. "Those two on the same team is grounds for disaster. Their personalities are far too different and any similarities shared between them would just enhance the hostility they already possess. It'd be a nightmare to deal with."
Anko shrugged her shoulders as she walked up towards the balcony, leaning against it to stare down at the group of teens. "Well, there's obviously a reason the Hokage wants to you have both of the little shitters. And it ain't cus you was close with the kid's father and have a Sharingan... Pretty manipulative on Hokage-sama's part, if ya ask me."
"That's just life." The former ANBU Captain muttered. "If Hokage-sama demands it, I must do so. However, the fact that he hasn't outright ordered me to take them both is telling. I'm going to take it." He glanced towards Shikaku, noticing the man's analytical gaze. "What are you plotting, Shikaku-san?"
The Nara Clan Head was silent for a minute or so as he ran through multiple different scenarios for different team dynamic involving the children who were guaranteed to make Genin. The math was sloppy since he was doing it on the fly but it would work out well enough. The only determining factor were the Jonins that actually got the teams.
"Who of you are actually taking on the top talent of the Academy?" Shikaku questioned.
The Jonins merely glanced at one another, silent for a moment before Asuma spoke. "Hokage-sama allowed me first pickings for the Top Ten."
Kakashi seconded the man's statement a moment later. "I have also been granted the opportunity to train three from the Top Ten."
There was a brief moment of silence that followed Kakashi's words before Kurenai, reluctantly, spoke aloud. "Hokage-sama has given me the option to choose from the Top Ten or any random bunch of Genin." She hesitated for a moment, sighing quietly. "I do not think I am ready to potentially lead and train those who are already gifted with more potential than their counterparts."
"You're selling yourself short, Kurenai." Asuma mumbled. "The only way you're gonna grow is forcing yourself to experience new things."
Anko snorted to herself, fanning out her trench coat with a grin. "Look at Mr. Philosophical over here. Since when do you use that noggin of yers? A pair of neatly trimmed lips catching yer attention, 'ey?"
Some of the other Jonins rolled their eyes at the woman's crass words while Kurenai herself blushed a furious shade of red.
Tsume snorted at the younger woman's words. "Kids these days... Back in my day, if we wanted to fuck someone's brains out, then we'd tell 'em. Why are y'all pussy footin' round the subject?"
"I'm going to pretend like the last twenty-five seconds didn't happen." Shikaku mumbled tiredly. "Are you sure that you're willing to give up on this opportunity, Kurenai-san?"
The beautiful woman dithered for a moment before sighing quietly. "I am not confident that I can bring out the full potential of these children. I will pass, Shikaku-san."
"A logical, if not difficult choice." The voice of one, Aburame Shibi spoke quietly, having remained silent this entire time. "You are young, Kurenai-san. There is no shame in waiting until you are fully confident."
Shikaku glanced towards Anko before speaking. "Since Kurenai has opted out, what about you, Anko-san?"
The woman made a face before shaking her head. "Absolutely not! I don't want that kinda responsibility. I'm liable to strangle one of the little fuckers."
Shikaku supposed that was true. "And you, Shibi-san?"
"No."
A man of few words. Shikaku respected it. A shame that Inoichi and Chouza weren't here. But he knew their answers already so it mattered little.
The Nara sighed quietly before his gaze slid to the feral woman. "I'm anticipating an answer I likely already know but I have to ask anyway, Tsume-san. Would you be willing to take a team?"
The feral woman's silence actually surprised Shikaku. He was absolutely positive that the woman would have immediately turned the offer down. She even looked to be silently contemplating it. It was odd, witnessing a member of the Inuzuka Clan thinking. A logistical nightmare if more members thought to do the same.
Tsume grumbled quietly, crossing her arms against her chest while nearing the balcony to stare down at the assortment of teens. "Depends on which little shits I get. It's been awhile since I've beat down on some kids... I could be convinced."
Asuma sighed quietly before placing a cigarette between his lips and lighting it. "What if I gave you first pickings?"
"Gimmie the Jinchuuriki, the lazy little shit Nara and the pussy Hyuga girl." Tsume grunted out quietly. "If I can't get them, I'm not doin' it."
Asuma made a quiet groaning sound, puffing out a plume of smoke. "I'd have loved to just coast with a Ino-Shika-Cho trio this year... Well, that's fine. I can adjust." He wiggled his cigarette between his lips before blowing out another plume of smoke and speaking. "Give me Inuzuka Kiba, Akimichi Choji, and Haruno Sakura. I can whip something up with that. Might take a bit but perfection ain't achieved overnight."
Kakashi hummed quietly as he spoke. "Then I'll take Uchiha Sasuke, Yamanaka Ino, and Aburame Shino. I guess it could be fun but I'm not looking forward to dealing with a hormonal teenager, a stoic and pragmatic bug-wielding child and an unstable child with schizophrenic tendencies."
"There are many words to use to describe Uchiha Sasuke though schizophrenic comes as a surprise." Shikaku muttered in a bewildered manner.
"Comes with the territory of having a Sharingan. You'd understand if you had one." Kakashi muttered quietly, ignoring his fellow Jonins and their disturbed expressions.
"Ignoring that glaring red flag, let me pass this information on to Hokage-sama." Shikaku muttered quietly, slowly rising to his feet. "Feel free to mingle with your students-to-be. Even introduce yourselves. Get to know them... You're going to be stuck with them for the next three years." Without another word, the Nara Clan Head vacated the balcony, intent on passing on the information to his leader.
Kakashi merely shrugged his shoulders before offering a quiet grunt. "Pass." He disappeared in a plume of smoke, signifying that a Shadow clone had been here the entire time.
"Little shit didn't even bother bein' here in person." Tsume muttered with a grin. "Well, I'm gonna try to scar the little Hyuga girl!"
The feral woman stepped onto the railing of the balcony before unceremoniously dropping off the side of the building, free falling towards the academy grounds without a care in the world.
"Psychopaths, the lot of you." Asuma grunted quietly while shaking his head. "Any plans for tonight, Kurenai-san?"
The red eyed woman made a face at that before sighing. "I can be... persuaded."
Anko chortled to herself before following in Tsume's footsteps. "Someone's getting railed tonight~!" She cackled loudly, jumping off the balcony backwards, trench coat flaring wildly at her back.
Naruto had been having a good day.
Keyword - had. Up until some psychotic woman who shared similar features with his classmate Kiba had cornered him and practically began interrogating him.
"What kinda food d'ya eat, ya little shit?" The taller and, admittedly, attractive Jonin questioned crassly.
Naruto was half-tempted to off himself then and there. He wasn't incredibly sociable nor did he enjoy small talk. Considering the fact that graduation was around the corner, he suspected that this woman was scouting him. Now, she was doing a terrible job at it but Naruto didn't fault her for it. She was an Inuzuka after all. They were the least subtle individuals in all of Konoha and were as blunt as a two by four.
"Whatever I can afford." Naruto muttered quietly, kind of wishing he'd never left the academy. "S'not like I'm allowed to dine in anyway..." He had quietly muttered that last part but he knew the woman had heard him. Her enhanced hearing, vision and sight guaranteed that.
"Bein' the Village's punchin' bag certainly doesn't help, 'ey?" She grunted harshly, walking side by side with the shorter blond. "Kinda dumb if ya ask me... Never understood the whole 'treat the walkin' bomb terribly, it surely won't come back to bite us in the ass' thing. What's stoppin' ya from releasin' the beast, ya know?"
Naruto couldn't quite hide his surprise at the woman's words. Someone was willingly admitting that they knew he carried a Bijuu? Wasn't that like, forbidden? And like, punishable by death...?
"I... have no idea what you're talking about lady." Naruto feigned ignorance, now wishing to be as far away from this woman as possible.
Tsume snorted at the boy. "Don't try ta play dumb with me, kid. I don't look like it but I've been around." Naruto made a face at the woman's wording. "And yes, I meant that in both ways, kid. Yer this Village's Jinchuuriki and its worst kept secret. Everyone knows and if they don't know, then they think they know and just follow what others say and tell 'em to do."
Naruto's eyes immediately shot up towards the buildings around him, waiting for the moment that an ANBU member would shoot down and apprehend this strange woman.
But... they didn't.
And it only confused Naruto even more.
"Save it, kid. Ain't no ANBU member here to take me into custody." She laughed at his disturbed expression before barreling forward. "Listen, I ain't one to mince words and beat 'round the bush. When ya graduate, I'm the one who's gonna be trainin' ya. Ya got potential and I'm interested in seein' it. Also, cus I think it's funny how Kiba always complain about ya."
So, this was Kiba's mom. How this woman was so hot and Kiba was so ugly made zero sense to Naruto.
"That doesn't explain why an ANBU member has yet to chop you in the neck." Naruto countered with a frown, still glancing up at the buildings around him.
Tsume grunted quietly, pocketing one of her hands. "That law only applies when yer a civilian. Becomin' a Shinobi voids it."
"I'm not a Genin yet." He countered once again.
"If ya fail the grad exam, then we clearly expected to much from ya." The woman insulted and yet complimented at the same time. "Discretion is left to the Jonin in question and I, fer one, don't give a damn 'bout the beast in ya. It's a tool to use, nothin' more an' nothin' less."
That was... oddly comforting to hear. Naruto had very little positive interactions with the people of Konoha. However, he could also say that he had very little interactions with the Shinobi of Konoha. After all, he wasn't a Ninja and bar from the occasional commotion and ruckus he'd stew up when bored in public, he never really got a chance to interact with Konoha Shinobi.
He wasn't naive enough to think that every Shinobi thought like this strange woman did but he chalked that up to chance. Shinobi did have rather... skewed outlooks on life and faced death rather regularly regardless of the fact that they were in a period of peace.
Thousands of people died on the night of the Kyuubi's Rampage and Naruto wouldn't put it past some Shinobi holding grudges. But it was clear to him that Kiba's mother didn't possess any of that righteous fury one would associate with many of the Villagers.
Atleast that was a plus. It'd be kind of nice to interact with an adult who didn't inherently hate his guts.
"I don't trust you." Naruto stated plainly, eying the woman with a bit of suspicion. "But I'm willing to be amicable if you are."
Tsume offered her future student a feral grin. "That's a big word yer usin'. Ya sure ya know what it means?"
Naruto's eyes narrowed for a moment, glancing towards the woman with a keen eye. Her grin, despite its feral nature, held a hint of mischievousness to it.
Ahh... She was testing him. She wanted to see if he'd take the bait or not. Which meant she likely knew a great deal about him already, Jinchuuriki status notwithstanding. He wouldn't even be surprised if she knew some of his more personal dealings.
"I think we'll get along well enough. My name is Uzumaki Naruto... I look forward to your odd brand of chaos." Naruto stopped walking before offering the feral woman his hand.
Tsume stopped walking before eying the boy's hand. She knew the look of a viper when she saw one. While not outwardly expressing it, she could see the calculative gaze behind those cerulean eyes.
Taking the boys outstretched hand with her own, she roughly squeezed down, staring directly into his eyes. "Name's Inuzuka Tsume. Be straight with me an' I'll be straight with you. No games, no schemes, no ulterior motives. I don't give a damn 'bout politics and I sure as hell don't appreciate when people get in my way. So long as yer with me, yer my responsibility and I ain't got an issue with teachin' these fuckers a lesson."
Naruto had never been shown respect and while he certainly wished to believe the woman's words, he'd wait and see how this would all play out. If anything, Tsume was atleast an accepting individual.
The Jinchuuriki let go of the woman's clawed digits before speaking. "Who are my teammates?"
Tsume offered the boy a smirk before walking ahead, beckoning the boy to follow. "Now that's gonna be kept a secret until you actually graduate."
Disappointing, Naruto thought to himself. He hoped he was paired up with someone like Sasuke. It'd be so easy to manipulate the bastard into doing stupid things. But if it was with Shikamaru, then he'd die of boredom. The Nara was too smart for his own good and actively avoided his poking and prodding, knowing a setup when he saw one.
Naruto didn't hate Shikamaru or anything, he just needed someone who lacked intelligence and Shikamaru was many things, but an idiot was not one of those. He also wondered if team setups were going to be two boys and one girl or if they were going to mix it up. Naruto wouldn't really care which of the girls were chosen, but he would prefer Hinata over Ino and Sakura.
She was incredibly passive and rather innocent, all things considered. She could, and likely would be, molded into a ruthless woman under the hands of Tsume. Hinata had far more potential than Ino and Sakura, speaking objectively, and he was curious as to what the girl would be like if she was forced to open up and break her shell. All in all, Naruto wouldn't hate having Shikamaru and Hinata as teammates. All things considered, he got along rather well with the both of them and if he was going to be stuck with them for the years to come, he'd rather it be an amicable relationship than the toxic ones he possessed with Kiba, Sasuke and Sakura.
Things could be worse and Naruto knew that better than most. All in all, whoever his potential teammates were, he would enjoy annoying them with his uncanny ability to provoke and instigate fights.
"Did'ja see that coming er not?" Tsume questioned with a feral grin, sitting atop a fence, leering down at her exhausted and bruised Genin.
Naruto would have flipped Tsume off but he knew that the feral woman would retaliate. She'd likely put him through the blender once more and due to the fact that both Shikamaru and Hinata were absolutely unfit to continue fighting, he let the woman's words roll off him.
"It's not like you have nearly thirty years of experience over us or anything..." Naruto muttered quietly, hands gripping the back of his neck as he tried to control his breathing. "Kinda wild to go so hard on a bunch of Genins with no real experience. Maybe that says more about you, 'ey?"
Tsume blinked at the boy's words. Paused. Then rose a slender eyebrow as she felt a minute prick of Chakra settle around he .
Odd.
She had felt something just then. It was incredibly subtle and had she not been paying the boy attention, she'd have missed it.
Genjutsu?
No... Certainly not?
Shikaku's dossier had stated that Naruto was horrendous with the subject. He basically couldn't even do them due to the finite and precise control.
But she had felt the flow of Chakra crawl over her skin. Had it just been her imagination? She knew that the boy had a way with words, her son had recounted many a times where Naruto had manipulated him to do something foolish or idiotic for his own entertainment.
Was this... Ninjutsu?
"Whatever yer tryin'... Ain't gonna work with me, kid." Tsume replied easily, watching the boy with a critical gaze. He seemed slightly disappointed but other then that, let the comment wash off him with ease. "Quite the interesting ability you have... Care to share?"
"No... No, I don't think I will..." Naruto offered a coy smile before glancing away towards Shikamaru who had finally managed to maneuver himself to a seated position. "You surprised me today, Shika."
"Don't start." Shikamaru huffed quietly, wiping excess sweat off his face. "I'm... not in the mood, Naruto."
The blond Jinchuuriki smiled, watching Hinata slowly stir from her state of unconsciousness. "Start? Whatever do you mean, Shika? I'm just trying to make small talk with my friend... How rude of you." He glided along the grass, moving towards his teammates positions with a surprising amount of grace considering how tired he had been a few moments ago.
Shikamaru eyed the boy warily, wiping more sweat off his forehead. "I ain't buying it, Naruto. I'm not participating in verbal warfare with you. It's far too troublesome..."
Naruto laughed at the boy's words. "Come on, Shika. You're breaking my heart here! We're gonna be teammates for the foreseeable future! The least we can do is bond!" He turned his gaze towards their meek, female teammate. "Ain't that right, Hinata-chan?"
The shy girl avoided his gaze, staring down at her feet while bowing her head submissively. "I... Uh. I-I suppose so, Uzumaki-kun..."
Naruto's smile morphed into a grin at the girl's words. "See Shika?! Even Hinata-chan agrees! That surely counts for something, no?"
Shikamaru's eyes narrowed but he didn't immediately dismiss the boy's words. He knew a trap when he saw one but he was just far too tired to avoid this one. He hadn't expected to get beat down for a continuous three hours by their Jonin Sensei so forgive him for acquiescing to Naruto's stupid antics.
While the three Genin interacted with one another, Tsume opted to observe them quietly and came to various conclusions about what needed to be done with the lot of them.
Hinata needed to break free of that submissive shell of hers. Whatever the Hyuga Clan had done to her had done near irreversible damage. What the hell was Hiashi thinking? Wasn't this girl to be the next Clan Head? Why had he stagnated her growth? Just how inept were the Hyuga hierarchy to allow something like this to occur? She highly doubted that Hinata herself was to blame. The girl was meek and gentle yes, but even a mouse fought back against its attackers. They had likely beat her into submission and Tsume wasn't going to stand for it, clan politics be damned.
Shikamaru on the other hand... That was an interesting one. He wasn't like other Naras. Well yes, he was, but in the way that they all shared similar mannerisms and personalities. Shikamaru was actually incredibly motivated when pushed. For all his complaints about getting thrown around, he'd continue to stand on his feet, pushing forward despite knowing how illogical and outclassed he and his teammates were against her. It was against a Naras nature to continue trying to beat their way through a brick wall. It was too much effort, not worth the reward and relied heavily on physical prowess. All things a Nara either lacked or just didn't put much stock into.
If there was one thing that Tsume respected aside from moxie and power, it was determination. And Shikamaru wasn't lacking in that regard. She just needed to dangle a carrot in front of him and he'd continue moving forward despite it all. She'd whip the boy in shape in no time.
And last, but certainly not least, the resident troublemaker himself. Naruto was an odd case for Tsume. He was intelligent, devious, and highly manipulative. Even now, she was tempted to thwart his plans of convincing Hinata and Shikamaru to tag along to Team 7's training grounds, all on the basis of 'observing' their fellow Genins. He likely wanted to goad the Uchiha brat into doing something stupid.
His physical prowess was unlike anything she'd seen in her days. He just kept going and going and going. While he lacked finesse with his Taijutsu, it was all backed up with power. There was a certain amount of precision there that had even slightly worried her. Had some of those punches or kicks landed then she was certain she'd have felt them.
Tsume reckoned the boy could punch through trees if he was willing to do so. Physical conditioning like that was damn near unheard of and she'd only seen genetic freaks like Maito Gai and his mini-me clone pull it off without enhancing their bodies with Chakra. Naruto was now the third freak she'd seen to do so. She was certain that if he augmented his body with Chakra correctly, he'd be a physical monstrosity that could match the great Senju Tsunade.
All in all, he was exactly the opposite of what his personality suggested. He was not cold, but calculative. He was not arrogant, but confident. He was not impulsive, but logical. Had he knew any actual Jutsu then Tsume would have been hard pressed to fend the boy off while Shikamaru supported from the sidelines, allowing Hinata to cover positions where Naruto lacked.
Hmm...
What was this feeling?
Pride?
Already?
Ha!
She'd have fun with these ones that was for sure.
Tsume placed her index finger and thumb between her lips before whistling loudly, interrupting Naruto's grand spiel of taunting Sasuke and his team, knowing that they were quick to anger due to Ino's insecurities and Sasuke's inferiority complex.
The fact the boy even knew those aspects about his classmates was telling.
"No plottin' on the downfall of yer fellow Genins." She eyed Naruto purposely, nearly smirking at his innocent smile. "For the foreseeable future, we are a team. We will do everything together. And I do mean everything... Congratulations children, yer movin' into the Inuzuka Compound with me!"
The reactions were, of course, mixed. That was to be expected.
Shikamaru looked horrified.
Hinata was horrified and yet hopeful.
Naruto was... neutral. He didn't seem bothered nor did he seem joyed either.
"Ya know, kinda weird to have three twelve year olds move into the same house as you..." Naruto stated with a straight face. "Some people might get the wrong idea."
"And some people should learn to mind their damn business, 'ey?" Tsume countered with a feral grin. "Ya ain't considered kids no more. Not with those headbands wrapped 'round yer heads. Be sure to let yer folks know that you'll be movin' out. If they got an issue, send 'em my way. I'll be sure to let 'em know how little I care."
"What if I don't got a family?" Naruto questioned with a small smile, raising his hand like he was a small child.
Tsume rolled her eyes at the boy's question. "Congrats kid! Ya get to come home early with me." She openly laughed at his sour expression. "Yer gonna learn quick that that shit don't work on me, kid."
"Just means I gotta try harder." He mumbled quietly despite knowing she'd still hear his words.
Surprisingly, Hinata spoke up. "Is it... really okay for us to intrude on your home, Sensei?"
"Speak up, Hinata. I can't hear ya." Tsume demanded.
The shy girl hesitated for a moment before speaking a bit louder. "I-I said, is really ok-"
"Louder...!" Tsume interrupted rudely, smirking at the budding annoyance growing in Hinata's eyes.
"I said..." The meek girl enunciated heavily, a small frown upon her face. "Is it really okay to intrude upon your home?"
The Inuzuka Matriarch smirked, nodding to herself before replying. "I wouldn't be demanding it if it wasn't. Ya think I want you little shits stinkin' up my compound?"
"I've been around Kiba..." Naruto replied flippantly. "Your compound already stinks."
Tsume would give the boy that one. Kiba did stink. But there was only so much she could do before having to manhandle her son into the tub.
"Point taken." She nodded with a shrug. "And for that comment, you three get to help my daughter clean out the Ninken kennels before we start training!"
Shikamaru groaned in annoyance while Hinata frowned, clearly displeased with these turn of events.
"Stop talking Naruto." The Nara pleaded in annoyance.
"Am I wrong though?!" Naruto countered with a hint of annoyance. "He smells awful!"
Hinata mumbled quietly, slightly surprising her two teammates. "That doesn't mean you need to point it out, Uzumaki-kun..."
"Perhaps..."
"Now, now children." Tsume chuckled before hopping off the fence she was seated on. "It's been a long day and it's only gonna get longer." She directed her gaze to Shikamaru and Hinata as she spoke. "The both of you need to inform yer folks that you'll be takin' up residence in my humble abode from now on." She noted their hesitant and reluctant nods before directing her attention towards Naruto. "Yer comin' with me. Got somethin' I wanna show ya."
Naruto's eyebrows furrowed for a moment before he replied. "I mean, don't get me wrong, you're hot and strong but I don't think I'm ready for this next step in our relationship, Tsume-Sensei."
Tsume's flat expression told Naruto everything he needed to know.
"A fuckin' comedic, this one." The older woman muttered dryly. "Good one, smart ass. I'll be sure ta jott that one down." She reached over with her hand before bonking Naruto right on top of his head, grinning to herself as he cradled his now aching skull. "Don't pull that shit with me in public. I'll beat yer fuckin' ass."
Naruto hissed quietly, still reeling from the pain of the woman's punch. "Noted..."
"Get movin' kids." Tsume ordered Shikamaru and Hinata. "Wastin' valuable time jus' gawkin'. Get."
And they most certainly got.
Tsume watched the two leave before fixing Naruto with a flat stare. "Ya use those jokes of yers as a coping mechanism?"
Silence was his response. She didn't really mind it. Kids like Naruto rarely showed their scars and if they did, it was because they were forced to do so.
"Come on." She waved for the boy to follow. "I meant it. Got somethin' I want you ta see. Think of it as yer first lesson."
Naruto obeyed, opting to remain silent instead of offering a snarky or annoying comment.
The two traveled in relative silence, Naruto following just a step behind the older woman. The sun began to slowly set, casting a beautiful orangish glow upon the trail. They walked for what felt like an hour before Tsume finally decided to speak.
"When yer angry, what do ya do?" Tsume questioned randomly.
Naruto was half-tempted to offer a sarcastic answer before thinking better of it. "I punch something really hard and hope it doesn't break." He answered honestly.
Tsume offered a grunt to his response and Naruto wasn't quite sure if she approved of it or not. "Sounds 'bout right, I reckon." She didn't bother elaborating and Naruto wasn't going to ask her to. "And what if ya can't find somethin' to punch? What do ya do?" She questioned once more, leading Naruto down a set of stairs off a beaten path.
Offering a cursory glance to his surroundings, Naruto answered honestly once more. "I... bottle it up and hope it goes away."
Tsume continued to lead Naruto down some old and abandoned path in the forest. "I don't need to tell ya that that ain't healthy. I'm sure ya don't wanna hear it nor will ya even listen to me."
"Then why say it?" Naruto questioned curiously.
The feral woman was quiet for a moment before responding. "Some people need ta hear it for it to stick. Yer probably one of those people. Ya may not want it and ya may not need it, but you'll learn ta appreciate it one day."
"And if I don't?" He questioned.
"Then I've failed as a teacher." She stated simply, shrugging her shoulders.
Naruto didn't really have a response to that and so, left it at that. He continued to follow behind Tsume for another ten minutes, slowly hiking up a small hill before speaking.
"Where are we going anyway?"
They bounded up passed the hill before coming upon a dilapidated looking shrine. Naruto was sure that, at one point, the building had been beautiful. But it's now deteriorated state left little to he desired. Vegetation had long since swallowed the building, covering it in an ugly brownish-green sheen.
"This shrine used to belong to yer Clan." Tsume answered simply, making her way towards the unkept trail that led up the building's entrance.
Naruto furrowed his eyebrows at the woman's comment. "My... clan?" He questioned in confusion.
"Ya know that rule we were talkin' 'bout earlier? Well, it also states that once ya become a Genin, it's up to the discretion of yer Jonin Sensei on whether er not ya get to learn 'bout yer heritage. To be honest with ya, I just found out about it myself not too long ago. Though, in hindsight, it was kinda obvious."
"My... heritage?" He questioned quietly, following behind the woman, thoughts racing around his head. "You mean... You know who my parents were?"
Upon reaching the entrance of the Shrine, Tsume stopped before turning around to face the younger boy. "Oh yeah... I knew them. Knew yer dad alot more than yer mom but yeah, I knew 'em."
Naruto was quiet for a moment before coming to a realization. "Why was this forbidden knowledge...? I mean, I can understand having the knowledge of the Village's Jinchuuriki kept a secret but that same child having no clue who his family was...? It doesn't add up."
Tsume offered the boy a shrug. "Prolly cus yer daddy was famous. Ya definitely know who he was if ya bothered to pay any attention in the academy. The man's face is plastered on that damn mountain back there. Yer mom on the other hand..."
Naruto's frown grew larger as he shifted his body, turning to stare at the Hokage Monument that was currently backlit by the setting sun.
His dad was one of the Hokage. And only one man could have realistically fit that title.
But if that was the case, then why all the secrecy? That didn't make any sense.
"I... don't understand." He stated in a perplexed manner. "Why keep it from me? And what about my mom?"
Tsume could only shrug her shoulders helplessly. "Beats me, kid. Though, there's some rumors floatin' 'round 'bout a certain councilman and his... actions regarding the night the Kyuubi rampaged." She released a quiet sigh before leaning against the dilapidated building. "I never put any stock in them. Sounded like a wild conspiracy at first but the older I get... The more some things just seem to make sense." She paused for a moment before shaking her head. "Yer mother was an Uzumaki refugee from Uzushiogakure. They were a powerful bunch, totin' crimson hair with the uncanny ability to understand and wield Fuinjutsu. They're also the only known individuals who are capable of holdin' the Kyuubi. So, ya know... Yer smart enough to come to yer own conclusions about that one."
Naruto didn't know how to feel. Anger was certainly there but so was joy. It came and went, coming in cycles and Naruto quickly realized why the woman had been asking him those questions earlier. She had wanted to see how he'd react to this information.
The Inuzuka Matriarch deserved more credit, in Naruto's opinion. The village liked to believe that the Inuzuka Clan were just a bunch of feral freaks, incapable of using their brains. Naruto knew that was a load crap but Tsume was proving to be an incredibly perceptive woman.
"I want to be angry." He stated quietly. "But it just seems like such a waste of energy. I can't change it and honestly... I don't know." He paused for a moment, falling to his knees with a frown. "I had always thought learning who my parents were would fill that void in my chest."
Tsume stared down at the boy for a moment before speaking. "And did it?"
Naruto's frown was telling. "No... I just feel... sadder."
Tsume sighed quietly, contemplating her next step. She wasn't an expert on this particular subject. She could offer no words to Naruto that would help him. This was an experience that was, while common to some, was completely foreign to her. She knew who her parents were, didn't possess one of the strongest entities in the world in her body and wasn't a confused and lost twelve year old child who had been abused and neglected by an entire populace.
Tsume was a realistic woman, hardened by the culture in which she was raised. The pact mentality of the Inuzuka Clan were practically ingrained into their genetics. A pack is only as strong as its weakest member and those with more strength were duty bound to aid and support the sick and weak.
"Nothing I say is gonna realistically help you, kid." Tsume opted to say, staring up at the darkening sky. "Yer also not gonna wanna hear it from me. I don't know you and ya don't know me. I've no idea the things you've gone through and I'm not gonna stand here and pretend I know what yer feelin'." She paused for a moment, gaze traveling back down to Naruto. "The Inuzuka Clan has a sayin' when we bury the dead. 'The afterlife is where an Inuzuka can finally be truly free.' It's nothin' philosophical and Kami knows we ain't that bright." She chuckled at her words, missing Naruto's tiny smile.
"Death has a way of unburdening one's soul. In life, only one thing is forever a constant. And that's death. It takes a lot to want to continue living because death is so easy. If ya never know struggle and hardship, then ya never know what satisfaction is. Ain't shit in the world that's perfect and ain't nothin' wrong with that. It is what it is, kid. Just gotta get up and keep movin'. Cus if ya stop..."
"Then ya die." Naruto finished quietly.
"Ya catch on quick." The feral woman stated with a grin.
Naruto snorted quietly, slowly shuffling to his feet. "If I don't, I might just have to listen to another motivational speech from you."
"It wasn't that bad, was it?"
"Ya kinda just said a bunch of words but I've heard far worse..." He gestured lazily with his hand. "I'll give it a seven."
"Better than nothin'. I'll take it." She replied with a grin. "Now, come on. This building can only open with the blood of an Uzumaki. Shit's been abandoned for over thirty years."
Naruto slowly walked forward, coming side to side with his Sensei. "My mother never came here?"
"Yer mom prolly never knew this Shrine existed." Tsume answered with a shrug. "I only knew about it cus I told Hokage-sama I wanted ya on my team and that I'd be tellin' ya about yer heritage."
Naruto merely nodded his head before staring up at the Shrine with slight confusion. "How am I supposed to open this up?"
The Inuzuka only shrugged her shoulders. "Fuckin' beats me. I'm not adept at Fuinjutsu but considerin' it needs the blood of an Uzumaki... I just kinda assumed that ya'd cut yerself and bleed over the doors er somethin'."
Naruto's expression became flat. "That sounds completely idiotic."
Tsume merely shrugged her shoulders.
"I can't believe I'm doing this. Give me a kunai." He held out his hand, frowning as the woman placed the weapon in his palm. "Well, here goes nothing."
With a minor hiss of pain, Naruto slices the palm of his left hand before placing it upon the entrance of the Shrine. When nothing immediately happened, he then channeled his Chakra and felt something tug.
With a gasp, he pulled his hand away, staring in awe as the building shone a brilliant gold, indicating that some sort of sealing mechanism had been trigger. The sound of locks untwisting and moving was heard for several seconds before the double doors of the Shrine began to slowly move, scraping along the concrete floors.
Once the doors finally parted, Naruto and Tsume offered a glance to one another before peering into the eerie darkness of the Shrine.
Taking the initiative, Naruto slowly stepped forth into the building, followed closely behind by Tsume. Before Naruto could even make it three feet into the building, a series of torches suddenly sprang to life, cascading the rather spacious building in light.
Naruto's eyes widened immensely as he stared at the spacious room. "Whoa... It looks nothing like the outside. It's like someone's been maintaining it."
Tsume frowned as she gazed around the Shrine, noting the odd trinkets and scrolls that were haphazardly lying around. "Ain't possible... Place has been abandoned for years."
Naruto walked farther into the room, eyes trained on a peculiar set of masks situated on the very back of the walls, emanating with an odd Chakra. "Maybe it's some kinda Fuinjutsu?"
Tsume followed closely behind her student, frowning at the feeling she getting from some of the odd looking masks. "Maybe..."
Naruto's curiosity got the better of him as he reached the wall of masks. Each one of them had unique and bizarre designs, signifying a concept of some sort. He reached out to grab one of them before Tsume latched unto his wrist, preventing any further movement.
"Are ya fuckin' stupid?" She questioned harshly. "Ya can't tell me ya don't feel what I'm feelin' 'bout these masks. Don't fuckin' touch 'em 'till we know what they do."
Naruto adopted a sheepish expression. "They looked so cool though!"
"Kami... Yer gonna get us fuckin' killed." She shook her head in annoyance before letting go of the boy's wrist and glancing around the building. "Look for clues er somethin'. Gotta be somethin' 'round here."
"I'll let ya know if I find anything..." Naruto muttered quietly, walking around the Shrine looking for anything that explained the odd masks. The only thing he could find was an aged scroll that had several Kanji written upon it, each signifying what the masks could potentially be used for.
Some of them, like the word Death was relatively easy to figure out, or atleast, Naruto believed so. Perhaps these masks governed over a concept in everyday life. Such as the Death mask having the ability to control the dead or something.
"All I found was this old scroll, Tsume-Sensei... It doesn't really explain anything but it has the same amount of Kanji on it that there are of the masks... And considering each masks represents some kind of concept..."
Tsume walked over, briefly glancing over the scroll before nodding her head in agreement. She reached into her back pocket before pulling out a scroll. "There's some interestin' artifacts here that might interest ya but I can tell that the masks have gained yer attention. Bag everythin' up and let's get a move on. It's gettin' late and we still have things to do."
Naruto nodded his head before gathering everything of interest and sealing it into the various scrolls that Tsume had provided. Once everything had been sealed and properly stowed away, the two Shinobi left the building, resealing the Shrine back up and making their way back to the Inuzuka Compound.
Naruto had opted to give all of the scrolls to Tsume to not arouse any suspicion on what he might've or might not have had sealed. With an innocent smile on his face, Naruto silently patted his jacket pocket where the unique mask of a Hannya with the Kanji for Provocation was written on it.
That sounded right up his alley.
Little did he know that this particular mask would change his life. For better or for worse.
AN : I'm just gonna start this off by saying I was inspired by a Tiktok from one of the members in my discord.
TLDR : Naruto has the uncanny ability to instigate and provoke individuals into fights, while manipulating those with weaker mental fortitude to do his bidding.
This probably won't be a story that gets updated regularly considering it's a crack-ish story with some semblance of plot, however, I was inspired and had already drafted up a 3k chapter before deciding to post it.
If ya like it, cool! If ya don't, whatever. Sugma. See ya nerds.