Chapter 2

Previously -

"W-What's your name?" Hinata asked

"Naruto. And yours?"

"I am Hinata Hyuga. I think we are in same class. M-may be we can sit together sometime?" She asked shyly.

Naruto smiled brightly "Of course."

'Huh. Maybe I made a friend' thought Naruto in wonder. At least the physical exercises he is doing for two years are good for something.

3 Months Later

That day changed his life. In class, they started to sit together. After Academy and on weekends, they started playing together in a abandoned park. He never thought a simple game of tag could be so good but with Hinata chan, everything is fun. In the beginning, she was so shy and unsure about everything. But slowly, day by day she came out of her shell. She is still a little shy but not that meek and her stuttering reduced too. For once, he was happy.

But some time later, he begins to notice things. At first he was so happy that he made a friend. It was his fondest wish to have a friend and now he has one. He is not lonely anymore. But then he noticed how Hinata chan is now treated as his friend. Now other kids ignore her too and a few brave ones taunt her for being his friend. He of course retaliated in the form of pranks but it changed nothing. Somehow he started caring for Hinata chan and how she is treated by others even if now he don't care about his own treatment anymore. So with a heavy heart, he made a decision.

"Hinata chan"

"Yes Naruto kun"

"I don't think that we should be friends anymore."

Hinata was heartbroken.

"B-but why?" she choked out.

"You ever noticed how I am treated by everyone."

"Yes"

"I think now because of me you are treated the same."

"NO! Naruto kun"

"Yes Hinata Chan. Because of me your life has become more difficult. I think it would be for the best if we are not friends anymore."

"NO. You don't understand. Its nothing new to me and I never had any friends. And its not because of you. I was always too afraid to talk with anyone. You are my first and only friend. Please don't leave me." She pleaded with tears in her eyes.

"But because of me, now others go out of their way to avoid you too."

"I don't care what others think. If they want to avoid me, I really don't care. They were never my friends before and they are not going to be my friends ever."

"Also I don't think even your family would be too happy when they found out that we are friends."

"My family is never happy with me. If there is one more thing for them to dislike, then so be it. I am happy as long as you are my friend. Please Naruto kun, you are my best friend."

Naruto was shocked at that but quickly become emotional. He suddenly hugged her tightly with tears in his eyes. She blushed furiously but hugged him back just as tightly.

"Y-you are my best friend too, Hina-chan. And I promise you, we are always going to be best friends. Just as long as you are happy." He whispered the last part.

But all was not good in regards to his ninja training. In the first six months when he was shifted from one teacher to another, he learned almost nothing. Even his personal training also slowed down because of all that time wasted in the academy. It was only after the first six months that when he was transferred to Iruka's class. In this class, he is not sabotaged as much. Teacher Assistant Mizuki of course tried but it was laughably simple to recognize that. He would have paid to have the picture of Mizuki's face when he refused his special katas that were supposed to be better than standard ones. Ha. As if.

On attending Iruka's class, he was surprised to note that what he was doing is not standard training. In first year, most of the classes are based on civilian topics, with one or two exceptions. There were 2 hour periods for History, Math, Science, and for the fourth period Physical training and Chakra for 3 days each in a week. Physical training and Chakra are too easy for him, even after six months of sabotage. Whatever exercises are required in PT, he is doing 10 to 15 times of that daily.

Yes, there were some useful things in PT too like escaping from a rope or climbing the tree but majority of time, nothing good. But in Chakra class, it was truly ridiculous. The entire first year is only for sensing Chakra for first time in Largest tenketsu near heart. Which he did in a single day, when he was six. Everyone treats this period as a nap period instead of doing meditation that they were supposed to be doing.

He was puzzled if they are taking this much time to sense the easiest tenketsu, then how are they going to sense all 361 of them. When on spying on some second years, he was shocked to find that the answer is they wouldn't. Is there another technique to learn seal less Jutsu?

Even after all time spent with Hina chan and all the time wasted in academy, he still somehow managed to complete the next step, even if it took him a whole year. He managed to learn all hand seals and their effects on each tenketsu in his body. With some practice, he can mimic the effect of hand seals and eventually would be able to do jutsus without them. But still it took him too long. At least, now according to the book, he can learn the Jutsus.

Then he did what he wanted to do since the first day. He opened the Jutsu scrolls.

Introduction (E rank Ninjutsu)

1. Clone Technique

2. Transformation Technique

3. Body Replacement Technique

These three Jutsus are classified as E ranked but they have enough potential to be considered S rank if fully mastered. These techniques are so versatile that literally imagination is your limit. Here are the few examples.

Clone Technique. At its most basic form users create one or more images of themselves to move alongside them. But when truly mastered, a user can create image of anything. It can be used to hide traps or attacks with something harmless or distract someone with a horrifying image. And if mastered, then unlike a low level genjutsu, it can not be so easily dispelled.

With Transformation Technique, at its most basic, can be used to transform yourself as someone else of same mass but when mastered you can change yourself into anything living or non living. You can become an animal to spy on someone or hide as a rock. Note - It takes exponentially more chakra to change your mass. Do not attempt to become a bird and fly if you do not have enough chakra.

The Body Replacement technique is a literal space time jutsu that is so easy that it is classified at E rank. At its most basic, you can replace yourself with something of similar mass, like a log. But when fully mastered, user can replace themselves with anything like a shuriken, kunai or any small rock. If user have more chakra then enemy then it is also possible to replace with them in middle of the battle to make them hit with their own attack.

'If E ranked Jutsus are this powerful, then how powerful, S rank jutsu are gonna be' Naruto wondered. He wanted to share this with Hina-chan but was hesitating a little. Because after showing her this scroll, he would have to explain how he got it. That would mean explaining the Book and the letter and also about his parents. Holidays has just started and they regularly meet in the abandoned park to play. Would she be mad if he hide this from her. But is there a reason to hide? He can honestly say that he trusts no one more than her. If he didn't tell her, then would it be betrayal. Was it like this for Jiji too? No! he is not going to be like that. He trusts her. He will tell her.

Later that day, after playing he invited her in his apartment where ANBU don't monitor him.

"Hina-chan"

"Yes Naruto kun"

"I think there are somethings that you should know about me. I am so sorry that I hide them from you."

"What are you talking about?"

"When I said I am a orphan and do not know who my parents are, I was not exactly truthful."

"What? So you are not a orphan? Who are your parents?"

"No, I am an orphan. That part was true. But I do know who they were."

She sensed that he was uncomfortable.

"You don't have to tell me if you don't want to, Naruto kun"

"Oh Hina chan. I want to. I trust you. Just wait a minute"

She was touched by his trust but still was shocked silly when a book materialized out of thin air in his hands.

"Whaaat? But how?"

"The answer is seals. I don't know much more than that for now but I intend to change that. Anyways, I think you should read this letter. All will be clear soon."

She took the letter and read with wide eyes.

"So now you know the reason everyone hates me. They think that I have Kyubi inside me. I understand if you don't wish to be friends anymore."

She slapped him and started crying. And then immediately hugged him.

"Naruto kun. Please don't. However many times do I have to tell you that you are my best friend."

"Even if I really have Kyubi inside me?"

"Yes Naruto kun. Even then. I don't care if you are a Jinchuriki because that would mean you are protecting everyone by keeping it inside you. I am not going to leave you. No matter what."

"Promise?"

"Yes I promise. Now you promise me that you will never again attempt to break our friendship."

"I am so sorry Hina chan. I didn't mean to hurt you."

"Promise Naruto kun"

"I promise. We are always going to be best friends."

"Yes. Always"

After a few minutes, they separated. Naruto summoned the Book. She was again surprised a little but not that much.

"Hina chan. I wanted to show you something."

He showed her the book and everything inside it that was unlocked.

"Naruto kun, are you sure you want me to see this? Lord fourth wrote this book for his son. For you."

"Yes Hina chan. I want us to grow stronger together. But only us and no one else. Will you keep this our secret."

"Yes Naruto kun. I promise."

"Then from tomorrow, we will start training together.

2nd year

From that day, they started training together. The Chakra unlocking was not very difficult for Hinata, because unlike Naruto she can see all 361 of her tenketsu. Within first six months, she can manipulate chakra lightly from all of them without meditation. Meanwhile Naruto, more than mastered the three basic jutsu and can do them without any hand seals. Now not only he can do all the things specified in examples but a few other things as well. With the body replacement jutsu, he can remotely replace any two objects if one of them is near him.

To become a bird using Transformation technique, he had to study that birds anatomy in exceptional detail. He choose a raven. From how cells work together to make tissues and then organs and how all organs interact with each other, he had to imagine it all while transforming. He can stay as a raven for 10 minutes before exhausting. He used this to make a cool escape trick in which he become a raven and summon a flock of raven clones. And when they dispersed, nothing is left. Hina-chan was so proud when he showed her this.

He also used the clone jutsu to make a blindfold directly on the enemy's eyes. Of course it did not work on Hina-chan because of her Byakugan but he is sure that it can really disorient anyone else at a critical moment before dispersing.

Meanwhile, in Academy, periods were readjusted. Periods were shortened to one and half hours. PT was changed into Taijutsu and shifted to its own period. Another class was added for weapon training but civilian subjects were same. For weapons training, all students were encouraged to buy their own shuriken and kunai sets and if they are interested in it, a sword too. He bought the weapons while transformed as someone else.

Those few students that succeeded in finding their chakra were advanced to leaf sticking exercise. But it was difficult for them because they were expected to move their chakra from near the heart to forehead to stick the leaf instead of just using a tenketsu in forehead. Neither he nor Hina chan had any difficulty in this but on his request, they pretended to fail in it. Most still used this as nap period.

After truly learning how advanced they really are, Naruto began to fear what would everyone's reaction to that would be. A few questions like how, when and why could be really inconvenient. After discussing this with Hina-chan, he proposed.

"Hina chan. I think we should keep our training a secret."

"I understand Naruto kun."

"Thank you so much Hina-chan. You are the best."

For Taijutsu, when he sparred with her for first time, she did not give her best because she did not want to hurt him. Naruto scolded her lightly and explained to her to become strong they had to accept a little pain too. After many spars and many talks, when she finally let go of hesitation, Naruto learned that there is nothing gentle about Gentle Fist.

In the next six months as she mastered wall walking with all the leaves, he used the time to start fuinjutsu training. There are 10 levels in Fuinjutsu training. Level 1 is to memorize and practice all the kanji and their seal symbol. After completing this, it was the first time that a Uzumaki scroll unlocked itself. Naruto was very pleased to learn that it was a scroll for Uzumaki sealing jutsu.

The reason he started the Fuinjutsu training so late was he knew that he was not going to get any sealing ink or sealing paper that are necessary to make a working seal. But this Jutsu when mastered converts a user's chakra directly into a special chakra ink that can be applied directly without any sealing paper required. The applied seal can be removed using same jutsu. If he knew about this jutsu, he would have started on Fuinjutsu a long time ago. Before the second year was over, he completed all the basic seals given under Level 2.

He can now make heat, cold, soft, hard, lock, unlock, light seals which he used to make his and Hina-chan's life more comfortable. He used heal seal on winter clothes. The more chakra is injected in seal, the more hot it become. Using this seal he also made a always hot Mug, a hot plate and a basic oven. Similarly he used cold seal on summer clothes and also on a water bottle and Ice box. He placed both heat and cold on the shower and on the bed along with soft seals. He locked the door with lock seal and applied unlock seal on key. He even replaced a few light bulbs with light seal before removing them after realizing, Jiji may question about them when he visits.

She mastered wall walking with all the leaves but can only do it for a single minute before exhausting. After that, he taught her 3 basic Jutsus and all their uses from the book and those he discovered. It was clear she has a much smaller chakra capacity than him so she could only make use of few of them.

"Naruto kun! Does the book also have a section on Iryoninjutsu?"

"Yes Hinata chan. But it will only unlock after mastering waterfall climbing along with kunai spinning exercise. Look"

But when he handed the scroll to her after opening the Iryoninjutsu part, it suddenly glowed and in place of blank page, the instructions on Iryoninjutsu and human anatomy become visible.

"Whoa!" Naruto exclaimed

But when Naruto tried to look at the contents, it again become blank.

"That's never happened before. Why did it do that?"

"I think this book can somehow sense our chakra control. Because you have too much chakra, to learn Iryoninjutsu, you need to have more control. But as I have less chakra and enough control, it unlocked for me."

"Yes Hina chan. I think you are right. Dad made a really intelligent book. Didn't he?"

Hinata giggled at that.

3rd year

After completing the seal less jutsu training, Hinata focused on Iryoninjutsu and Naruto continued his studies in Fuinjutsu.

Academy was mostly waste of time. 9 hours a day for six days a week was difficult and many of students dropped out. Those that were able to stick one leaf, were told to try it with two. Civilian classes was a total waste of time. What they could memorize within a week was somehow stretched to a complete year.

In Intermediate Taijutsu, a few advanced katas were taught. Weapons training continued with shuriken, kunai and sword training.

It took her an entire year to complete memorizing human anatomy in exceptional detail along with too many herbs and poisons, before she got access to Mystical Palm Jutsu. Naruto meanwhile continued to learn more seals.

Smoke seal, Flash seal, Burn seal, Shock seal, Explosive seal and a few others.

As these seals are increasing in levels, they are increasing in difficulty too and taking more time to learn. But one of the most useful seal that he learned was impervious seal. It makes everything impervious to wear and tear and when stacked a few times, can make normal clothes in armor. He used it everywhere. Clothes, Sandals, Doors, Windows, Walls, he covered everything with it. Slowly his apartment turned into a fortress and along with offensive seals that he used on doors and windows, a potentially lethal fortress. He also used offensive seals on shuriken and kunai to make them more dangerous.

Most difficult thing in this was not to apply these seals. No, that was easiest thing with the Uzumaki sealing jutsu. More difficult was to hide the seals. Fortunately another Uzumaki scroll was unlocked inside which was instruction for Uzumaki Hidden seal Jutsu. This Jutsu can hide any seals and turn them invisible to everyone but the user until they are activated. This really increased his trap making potential.

Along with all this training, he and Hina chan together learned the Body Flicker technique. This was a great technique to travel but Naruto thought it was not that great for a fight. It was not a true Space Time technique like Replacement Jutsu. Its simply enhancing the body and especially legs to move at great speed to make it appear that the used teleported. It was not really combat worthy because even when mastered, it gave the user tunnel vision.

But through trial and error, they discovered, it was a perfect technique for Hina chan. Tunnel vision problem was solved by her Byakugan and because it was a D ranked technique, it was not that chakra intensive too. After mastering this, she can virtually teleport circles around enemy and when combined with gentle fist, this technique becomes lethal.

When in a spar, she used Body flicker and Naruto used Body replacement with all the leaves placed around specially for this, the level of fight was such that even chunins would be hard pressed to follow. He knew that her single strike can end the spar so he did everything to avoid that. Eventually because of his high stamina and chakra levels, he outlasted her and spar ended in his favor.

4th year

Finally the fourth year arrived. It was this year when they would take Graduation test and depending on the result, would be divided in genin teams. There were some changes in academy schedule. Chakra period was renamed as Jutsu period and Taijutsu is now called Advanced Taijutsu. The math and science period was combined into one and was for 3 days each. A Geography period was added in that slot.

While Naruto continued his Fuinjutsu studies, he did not neglect Taijutsu. He really wanted to learn the Physical enhancement technique but for that a really high level chakra control was required. And of course he could not simply go to a lake or river for water walking if he did not want some inconvenient questions to be asked. Even if he somehow fooled his shadows, risk was just too great. If he was caught, then all the effort for last few years to hide their training would be wasted. Better not risk that. Just wait until becoming a genin so that a book from library can take the blame for any advanced knowledge.

Hinata mastered the mystical palm technique and started working on specialized techniques used to treat bones, nerves, brain, heart and various other organs. On Naruto's suggestion, she also learned Physical enhancement technique. When she mastered it and combined it with her gentle fist, it become even more lethal. Now the more difficult part is convincing herself to use it instead of actually using it but Naruto was working on that. He slowly convinced her that she should use it. When she finally agreed his impervious and cushioning (soft) seals really got a workout.

After all the Fuinjutsu practice, Naruto can firmly say that he is a Level 5 learner in the art of seals. He can now easily create Storage Seal, Paralysis seal, Chakra binding seal, Gravity (Weight reducing and increasing) seals. With his now complete mastery of Uzumaki sealing Jutsu, his single touch can Paralyze someone and bound their chakra in the next instant. But none of these would be most useful seals that he recently learned. No, that honor would go to Resistance seals.

As the name suggests it increases or decreases the resistance for the body. Increased resistance can be used while training to multiply the gains, but it is the decreased resistance that truly made this seal overpowered. After decreasing the resistance to less than normal, user can move many times their normal speed. He of course applied it on himself and Hina-chan. But neither dared to use it in a spar. After all, the impervious seals on the walls can only take so much. And of course they cannot use a training ground.

He wanted to learn the elemental Jutsu but according to book, the correct way to do that is to finish elemental training first. But as they don't even know their elements and are not gonna get chakra paper, its just not possible yet.

While searching for a non elemental D ranked Jutsu, a specific one caught his eye. The shadow shuriken jutsu and because of the given reference, the Shadow clone Jutsu. Naruto was floored when he finished reading the description. He could not believe that something like that could exist. But here it was, in front of him.

"Hina-chan! Look what I have found."

He handed her the scroll.

"Oh Naruto-kun. Yes I can see why you are so excited. This Jutsu is solution to all our problems. But it is B rank Jutsu. It would be difficult to learn."

"Just you watch me Hina chan. I am gonna learn it within an hour."

An hour later, he did it. Oh, so many possibilities, he can't wait for everything.

A/N - I urgently need someone to edit my stories. If anyone is interested, please pm me.