DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN NARUTO (I'LL TRY NOT WRITING THIS AT THE VERY BEGINNING OF A CHAPTER, LET'S SEE WHAT HAPPENS HAHA)
Ch.53A - Independent Exploits
- Outside the Hokage Tower -
It was a serene day in Konoha (Hidden Leaf), with the sun beaming down from a clear blue sky, its radiant warmth enveloping the entire village in a comforting embrace. Amidst this picturesque scene, Shino, Ino, and Naruto stood patiently outside the formidable walls of the Hokage's tower, their figures outlined by the gentle glow of the midday sun.
As they waited, exchanging idle conversation and stealing glances at the bustling activity around them, a sense of anticipation hung in the air. Their sensei, Asuma, had instructed them to wait outside while he attended a private meeting with the Hokage (fire shadow). Both Ino and Naruto couldn't help but wonder about the purpose of this clandestine discussion.
"Why do you think Asuma-sensei wanted us to wait out here?..." Ino pondered aloud, her brows furrowed in curiosity.
Naruto shrugged, his expression mirroring her bewilderment. "No idea... Maybe Hokage-jiji and Asuma-sensei are talking about some important stuff..." he speculated, his tone tinged with uncertainty.
Their sensei's mysterious request had piqued their interest, leaving them to speculate about the nature of the conversation taking place behind closed doors. As they continued to wait, the minutes stretched into an eternity, each passing moment fueling their growing curiosity and anticipation.
"What do you think, Shino?" Naruto turned to their quiet teammate, seeking his perspective.
"Hmmm... I do not know as well, though I believe Asuma-sensei will tell us if he deems it necessary," Shino replied calmly, his voice steady as always.
"I suppose you're right, though I wish we're not on a need-to-know basis..." Ino grumbled, a hint of frustration creeping into her tone.
"Agreed," Naruto chimed in, nodding in agreement with Ino's sentiment.
As they waited, their anticipation mounting with each passing moment, their sensei finally emerged from the tower, a scroll in hand. Naruto wasted no time in voicing his impatience. "What took you so long, Asuma-sensei?" he demanded, unable to contain his curiosity.
"Sorry 'bout that, the Hokage and I had some stuff to talk about, y'know how it is," Asuma replied casually, attempting to brush off Naruto's inquiry.
But Naruto wasn't satisfied. "What kinda stuff?..." he pressed further, his curiosity burning brightly. Ino, too, couldn't help but express her desire to know.
"No can do, I'm not allowed to tell you guys. Hokage's orders," Asuma explained, his tone firm as he shut down any further attempts to pry into the details of his conversation with the Hokage (fire shadow). All he divulged was that they had discussed various details and matters of importance, leaving his students to ponder the mysteries that lay beyond their reach.
Asuma's words hung in the air, captivating the attention of his three students. They exchanged curious glances, silently urging their sensei to reveal the topic of discussion.
"Anyway... Before we get things started, there's something I want to talk about with the three of you," Asuma began, his tone carrying a hint of intrigue that piqued their interest. They remained silent, their anticipation mounting as they waited for him to continue.
"As you all know, we've been training and going on missions for months now, and I can safely say that the three of you have made tons of progress," Asuma continued, his words resonating with a sense of pride in their accomplishments. "I know for a fact that the three of you are also aware of something called the Chunin Exams; I would be surprised if even one of you has no idea what it is. I take it that all three of you know what it is, yeah?..." he asked, prompting nods of affirmation from his attentive students.
"Alright, good, good... With that being said, the Chunin Exams are in a couple of months. Another thing I'd like to establish is that the Chunin Exams are held bi-annually, and so I wanted to ask if the three of you would prefer to participate in the upcoming exams OR sit this one out and join the exams that will be held later this year?... The three of you should talk about this and decide, and once you guys have an answer, please let me know immediately, is that clear?" Asuma explained, his words laden with significance as he presented them with a choice that could shape their future.
"What would happen if we decided to sit this one out and join the second exams?..." Ino inquired, her curiosity driving her to seek clarification.
"Nothing really; it's your call when to participate or whether you're going to participate at all. I know tons of people who remained Genins (Low/Junior Ninja) either out of choice or..." Asuma trailed off, leaving his sentence hanging as he contemplated the myriad of reasons why some individuals chose not to pursue advancement.
"Or what?..." Naruto and Ino said in unison, waiting in anticipation.
"This may sound harsh, but it's the honest truth: some people just don't have what it takes to become a Chunin (Middle/Journeyman Ninja). I also know a lot of Genins (Low/Junior Ninja) who tried and tried yet they just couldn't pass whatsoever; that's just how things are sometimes. Though you three shouldn't be too worried about it, the three of you have potential, I know it. But at the end of the day, it is your call," Asuma said, his tone firm yet not unkind.
The trio of young ninjas remained silent, absorbing their sensei's words with a mixture of apprehension and determination.
"Think about it carefully, but that's enough of that! Moving on to business, as you all know, I said that we won't be doing missions that would take place outside of the village, the reason for that is simple, a change of pace, it's as simple as that. We've been doing a lot of missions outside of the village and I felt that it's about time we shake things up, another reason for this is that this will provide us time to take things easy, it'll also give us plenty of time to train together as a team. Which is why the Hokage (fire shadow) gave me three D-Rank missions for the time being, one for each of you, the reason for this is simple as well, I believe that the three of you have what it takes to become a Chunin (Middle/Journeyman Ninja), and part of being a Chunin (Middle/Journeyman Ninja) is being expected to do missions by yourself," Asuma continued, his words flowing with the ease of one who had spoken them many times before.
His proclamation shocked both blondes, their expressions betraying a mixture of surprise and uncertainty. Before they could react, however, Asuma urged them to remain calm and listen.
"A typical Chunin (Middle/Journeyman Ninja) has a lot more responsibilities compared to a Genin; a Chunin (Middle/Journeyman Ninja) can be expected to lead a two-man cell of Genins (Low/Junior Ninja) much like how Jounins (High/Elite Ninja) can be expected to lead a three-man cell of Genins (Low/Junior Ninja), just like our team. And another thing! Chunins (Middle/Journeyman Ninja) can be expected to assist Jounins on B-Rank and higher missions, which is why we're doing this exercise. I want you guys to accomplish a mission all by yourself, and I think starting with D-Rank missions is enough for that. Any questions?..." Asuma concluded, his gaze sweeping over the trio.
But his question was met with silence.
"I'll take your silence as a no, so pick a scroll, any scroll!" Asuma said with gusto, holding out three scrolls for his students to choose from.
The trio exchanged glances, silently communicating with one another before Naruto spoke up, breaking the silence that hung heavy in the air. "Anyone wanna go first?" Naruto asked.
"You go first," Ino asserted.
"EHHH?!... Why me?!" Naruto protested.
"So that you can get the crummy missions out of the mix!" Ino countered.
"No way! You go first!" Naruto insisted.
"Nuh-uh, you go first!" Ino retorted.
"No, you!" Naruto shot back.
"You!" Ino insisted.
"No, you!" Naruto repeated.
Asuma sighed at the familiar squabble. "ENOUGH! Shino, you go first," he directed. Shino understood the implication and obediently took a scroll from their sensei's hand, leaving only two remaining.
"Now, both of you, take one scroll at the same time," Asuma ordered.
They both gulped and grabbed a scroll each. "Good, now open those bad boys up and see what you got," Asuma instructed.
All three of them opened their scrolls in unison, and each gave mixed reactions. Shino remained expressionless, but surely beneath his stoic demeanor, he harbored opinions about the mission he received. Naruto, though not thrilled with his mission, didn't voice any objections. In contrast, Ino's dismay was evident, and she immediately expressed her desire to swap missions with either Naruto or Shino.
"So?... What'd you guys get?" Asuma inquired.
"Hmmm... I see... My mission is to help an old lady remove the weeds in her garden," Shino replied, earning a nod of acknowledgment from Asuma. "Pretty straightforward... What about the two of you?..." he asked again.
"Huh... Apparently, my mission is to help out your mom, Ino," Naruto chimed in, immediately piquing the interest of Ino.
"For real?! Naruto let's trade! It's only natural for a daughter to help out her mom!" Ino argued.
"No way! You clearly don't like the mission you got! What makes you think I'm gonna want it?!" Naruto retorted.
"Oh, come on!... It's not that bad! Let's trade, pretty please?..." Ino attempted to coax Naruto into agreeing.
"If it's not that bad, then YOU do it!" Naruto countered.
"I'll treat you to some ramen!" Ino resorted to bribery.
"Nope!" Naruto remained firm.
"I'll do your work for the next three shifts!" Ino offered.
"Not happening, Ino" Naruto reiterated.
"I know! I know! I'll clean your apartment!" Ino suggested.
"My apartment is already clean, Ino!" Naruto pointed out, causing Ino to sigh in defeat. She then turned to her sensei, asking if he could assign her another mission, but sadly he informed her that the Hokage (fire shadow) had no other D-Rank missions available. Asuma then inquired about what was so bad with her mission, to which she explained that she was tasked with helping a civilian fix leaking pipes by going into the crawl space of his home, which would inevitably soil her clothes.
With their respective missions assigned, Asuma informed them that they had until the end of the day to complete their tasks. Additionally, he instructed them to meet him at the front of the academy once they finished, as he would be teaching them how to write a mission report—an essential skill for every shinobi. With that, the three of them dispersed, each heading off to accomplish their assigned tasks.
Ch.53B - The Root of the Problem
- With Shino -
Shino approached the residence of the elderly lady, anticipating a straightforward task of weeding her garden. However, his expectations quickly shifted upon beholding the expanse of greenery that stretched before him. What lay before him was no mere garden but rather a sprawling wilderness of vegetation, defying any conventional notion of cultivation.
"Not so bad, right?" the old lady chirped, her voice brimming with optimism.
"I-I see..." Shino replied, adjusting his sunglasses to shield his eyes from the bright sunlight.
"Alrighty then! Do you have any questions on how to use garden tools, or do you already know how to use 'em?" the old lady inquired.
"I-I think I'll manage..." Shino replied, though a knot of apprehension tightened in his stomach as he contemplated the monumental task ahead. With a nod from the old lady, he set off in search of the necessary tools.
Approaching the shed adjacent to the house, Shino prepared himself for the work ahead. However, his efforts to open the door were met with resistance, the stubborn wood refusing to yield. Undeterred, Shino applied more force until the door relented, though perhaps a bit too eagerly, as it came loose from its hinges with an audible crack. Sighing, Shino set the door aside, making a mental note to repair it later.
Inside the shed, a scene of neglect greeted him. Layers of dust obscured every surface, and tools lay scattered haphazardly, a testament to years of disuse. Shino surmised that the old lady's ambitions of gardening had been long postponed, leaving the shed in a state of disrepair.
Among the clutter, Shino discovered a bottle of weed killer, only to find it empty upon inspection. Rusty pruning shears and a handle-less hoe proved equally unhelpful, thwarting his efforts to salvage any usable tools. Disheartened, Shino's gaze fell upon a gleaming hand weeder, miraculously untouched by the passage of time. With a renewed sense of purpose, he selected the tool and inspected it for any defects.
Emerging from the shed, Shino prepared to tackle the daunting task of weeding the overgrown garden. Armed with his trusty hand weeder, he ventured forth, steeling himself for the challenge that lay ahead.
Surveying the vast expanse of the garden, Shino calculated the time and effort required to complete the task at hand. He knew that the size of the garden was manageable, but the absence of additional assistance weighed heavily on his mind. A pang of longing for Naruto's company crossed his thoughts, knowing that the presence of his friend's shadow clones would have expedited the process exponentially. However, Shino resigned himself to the reality that he was alone in this endeavor.
Considering his options, Shino contemplated the feasibility of using clones to aid him in the task. However, he recognized the limitations of his Bunshin no Jutsu (Clone Technique), which merely created illusory duplicates incapable of physical labor. Disappointed but undeterred, Shino turned his attention to his kikaichu, his loyal insect companions.
Unfortunately, Shino knew all too well that his kikaichu (parasitic destruction insects) were ill-suited for the task at hand. Their diet of chakra rendered them uninterested in consuming anything else, and his previous attempts to coerce them into eating something else had been met with defiance. Reflecting on the disastrous outcome of his ill-fated endeavor to force-feed his beetles, Shino resolved to seek alternative solutions.
In a moment of inspiration, Shino enacted a series of handseals, invoking the Hijutsu: Mushi Bunshin no Jutsu (Hidden Technique: Insect Clone Technique). With practiced precision, he channeled his chakra, orchestrating the transformation of his insect allies into lifelike replicas of himself. Now, with two additional sets of hands at his disposal, Shino mobilized his insect clones to commence the task of weed removal in a different area of the garden.
As his insect clones set to work, Shino acknowledged the inevitability of a prolonged endeavor. Despite his resourcefulness and ingenuity, he recognized that the magnitude of the task would require considerable time and effort to complete. With a resigned sigh, Shino steeled himself for the laborious task ahead, knowing that patience and perseverance would ultimately lead to success.
Ch.53C - Dirty Business
- With Ino -
"Hehe, I didn't expect a kunoichi to come and help me with this sort of stuff, though I really appreciate the help!" the man expressed his gratitude.
"I didn't expect this kind of mission as well, but you're welcome..." Ino responded, attempting to convey positivity in her tone, though a hint of disappointment lingered.
"I understand if you're uncomfortable with this kind of thing, but this won't take long as long as things go smoothly," the man reassured her, but Ino remained disheartened.
She found herself inside the crawl space of her client's house, realizing that her clothes would inevitably become soiled and dirty. However, what she didn't anticipate was the assault on her sense of smell. A plethora of foul odors assaulted her senses, ranging from the musty smell underneath the house to the stench of animal droppings and the occasional scent of decay.
Ino was covered in mud, from her arms and legs to her neck and parts of her face and hair. She cursed herself for choosing the scroll on the right instead of the left. If she had chosen wisely, she wouldn't be covered in muck and could be assisting her mom instead. Her thoughts were interrupted by her client's voice.
"I need a little help here," the man called out.
"What do you need help with?..." Ino asked.
"You see that hole over there?" the man pointed out.
"Yeah? What about it?" Ino inquired.
"I want you to put your hand inside the hole and try to yank the pipe out. For some reason, the pipe got pulled back inside the hole, and my hands are too big to fit and reach in," the man explained.
Ino sighed, realizing she had no choice but to help. The quicker they fixed the pipes, the sooner she'd be out of there. Crawling closer to the hole, she reluctantly inserted her hand, feeling repulsed by the slimy texture she encountered.
"Ewww... Why the heck is it slimy?... Gross..." Ino expressed her disgust.
"Oh, that's normal; pipes get slimy sometimes when they're in a moist environment. Or maybe it's moss or something; either way, you're doing a great job. Now pull that pipe out," the man reassured her.
Gritting her teeth, Ino tightly gripped the pipe, despite its slippery surface. Carefully, she pulled it out of the hole.
"There I see it! Nice! Stand aside, I'll take it from here," the man said, preparing to retrieve the pipe. But as he reached out, his head bumped against something, causing the pipe to slide back inside the hole, prompting Ino to sigh, wishing for her mission to be over.
DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN NARUTO (IF YOU'RE A PERVERT, LEAVE A COMMENT HAHA ;))
Ch.54 - Bathhouse Buffoonery
- With Naruto -
- Inside a Bathhouse -
"Thank you for all the help, Naruto-kun. I also did not expect you to be the one helping me out today, what a coincidence," Noriko said, her tone grateful yet surprised.
"Don't worry about it, Noriko-san. I'm just doing my job, dattebayo!" Naruto replied, his trademark foxy grin spreading across his face.
"So let me get this straight, Shino and Ino are doing other missions as well, right?" Noriko asked, seeking clarification.
"Yep! Asuma-sensei gave each one of us our own missions to do, and after we finish, we have to meet up with him at the academy," Naruto explained, his enthusiasm evident in his voice.
"I see... Well, that's very interesting, and I suppose I see why your Asuma-sensei did this type of exercise. He's training the three of you to be independent and self-sufficient," Noriko observed, her insight reflecting her experience.
"Well, that's the last of it, that wasn't too hard now, was it?" Noriko said with a smile, to which Naruto smiled in return, feeling a sense of accomplishment.
"Where should I place this vase?" Naruto asked, prompting his clones to chime in with their own queries.
"Mine too!" a clone voiced out.
"Same here!" a third clone said.
"Don't forget me!" another clone exclaimed.
Noriko found this amusing, her laughter echoing in the room as she assured Naruto and his clones, they could simply place the vases by the wall and leave the rest to her.
Following Noriko's instructions, Naruto and his clones carefully positioned the large and heavy vases against the wall, ensuring they wouldn't obstruct the space. Once their task was completed, Naruto dispelled his clones and bid farewell to Noriko, knowing he had to head to the academy to meet with his sensei. Despite his initial thoughts of grabbing a quick bite at Ichiraku's, he decided against it, opting to wait until they were finished at the academy before indulging in a meal.
- Outside -
As Naruto made his way to the academy, his keen eyes caught sight of a middle-aged man perched atop a nearby roof, a pair of binoculars in hand. Immediately, Naruto realized the man's dubious intentions and felt compelled to confront him.
"OI! WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING THERE?! YOU PERVERT!" Naruto's voice boomed through the air, drawing the man's attention as he turned to see Naruto glaring up at him.
"Be quiet, you're interrupting my research," the man retorted dismissively, his focus still fixed through the binoculars.
"Research?! Is that what people call peeping nowadays?!..." Naruto couldn't help but voice his disdain.
"Keep your voice down, you fool. You're going to blow my cover," the man hissed, but it was too late. The women inside the nearby bathhouse had finally spotted the intruder.
"KYAHHHH! SOMEONE'S PEEPING!" one of the women shrieked, setting off a chain reaction of panic among the others. They began hurling objects at the man, who skillfully dodged each projectile with practiced ease.
"Ladies! Ladies! Calm down! I'm just doing some research, that's all!" the man attempted to reason, but his words fell on deaf ears as the barrage of objects continued.
"Haha, you can't hit me," the man boasted, only to receive a direct hit from a well-aimed bucket, sending him tumbling down to the ground where Naruto stood.
Rubbing his sore head, the man grumbled, "Look what you did! I was getting good material right there!"
"Serves you right! You pervert!" Naruto shot back, unimpressed by the man's excuses.
"Lower your voice! Idiot!" the man scolded, but Naruto refused to back down, continuing to berate him.
"What would it take for you to shut up, huh?..." the man challenged; frustration evident in his tone.
"What?... Are you gonna give me money or something?... You don't seem like you have much though..." Naruto retorted, his skepticism clear.
"Don't you know who I am?!..." the man declared proudly, puffing out his chest as if expecting recognition.
"I have no clue who you are, all I know is that you're a pervert... So, who are you supposed to be?..." Naruto asked, his curiosity piqued.
- (Kabuki Tejime: Jiraiya Intro Sound) -
With a smirk, the man struck a dramatic pose, delivering his introduction with flair. "Thank you for asking me! Know me as the Mountain Toad Spirit Sage who acquires immortality, also commonly called the Toad Mountain Sage." Despite his grandiose introduction, Naruto remained skeptical, his confusion evident in his expression.
"M-Mountain Sage?..." Naruto stammered, taken aback by the man's proclamation.
"Exactly!" the man affirmed proudly.
"So?... What kind of 'research' were you supposed to be doing huh, Ero-sennin?..." Naruto questioned, suspicion lacing his tone.
"I'm a writer, and I'm getting material for the novel I'm working on," the man explained, producing a book for Naruto to see. Upon seeing the title, "Icha Icha Paradaisu (イチャイチャパラダイス/Make-out Paradise)," Naruto's eyes widened in recognition.
"Ohhh!" Naruto exclaimed, his tone shifting as he realized the nature of the man's work.
"Oh ho?... So, you're familiar with my work, huh?..." the man responded, a hint of pride in his voice.
"That's not much of a novel! Calling it 'research,' you're just peeking at the girl's bath!" Naruto exclaimed; his indignation clear.
"KYAAAAAH!" the women inside the bathhouse screamed once more, causing chaos as they fled from the premises, thwarting the man's plans to resume his peeping.
"NOOOOOO!" the man lamented; his frustration evident. "Idiot, idiot, idiot! Now you've really ruined my research!" he accused, pointing an accusatory finger at Naruto.
"You pervert..." Naruto muttered under his breath, his disappointment palpable.
"F-Fool! I'm not just a pervert! I get inspired by peeking and can write better pieces!" the man defended himself, desperation creeping into his voice.
"Liar! No excuses," Naruto retorted, unimpressed by the man's justifications.
"Fine, fine, fine... You got me, I was peeking..." the man conceded, his shoulders slumping in defeat.
"See?!" Naruto exclaimed, feeling vindicated by the man's admission.
"And to pay for my misdeeds, I want you to have this," the man said, offering Naruto the binoculars he had been using earlier.
"What am I supposed to do with this?..." Naruto asked, perplexed by the gesture.
"LOOK! ANOTHER PEEPER!" a group of women suddenly yelled, causing Naruto to turn and see a mob of angry women glaring in his direction.
Panicking, Naruto searched for the man, but he had vanished into thin air. "IT'S NOT WHAT YOU THINK!" Naruto tried to explain, but the mob of women gave chase, forcing Naruto to flee for his life.
- At The Academy -
Asuma and his students sat inside a classroom, the atmosphere thick with anticipation and impatience as they awaited Naruto's arrival. Asuma, with a hint of frustration, glanced at the clock for what felt like the hundredth time, noting the passing minutes with growing agitation.
"Where the hell is Naruto?..." Asuma muttered under his breath, his usual calm demeanor tinged with irritation.
Ino, her irritation palpable, replied with a sharp edge to her voice, "Beats me..." her frustration evident as she shifted uncomfortably in her seat, remnants of dried mud clinging to her clothes.
Shino, though typically reserved, couldn't conceal the sweat stains all over his clothes and the beads of sweat glistening on his forehead, a testament to the amount of work he had to do earlier. He remained silent, his usually impassive expression.
With a resigned sigh, Asuma decided to grant Naruto a few more minutes, hoping against hope that he would make an appearance soon. Despite his best efforts to maintain his composure, the sensei couldn't shake the nagging feeling of frustration gnawing at him as they waited in limbo for their wayward teammate to arrive.
(A/N: Consider this as a double feature or something? I'm growing sick of the numbers not matching because for example I'm making number 49 but according to the chapter list its number 48, this happened because of 13A and 13B but I think this would fix it, anyway... Naruto and Jiraiya finally meet huh? Though Naruto still has no clue who Jiraiya is. Regardless, show me some love, RnR, love y'all, take care and cheers!)