CHAPTER 21
Naruto and kyubi, two souls in one body, left Konoha in the dark to get kyubi's gift to Naruto. The moon hung on top in the sky and the trees formed a comforting cloak to hide his figure. Naruto didn't want to hasten and wanted to relax a little.
Naruto was walking leisurely enjoying the surroundings. But if you watch closely, you can hear a slight rustle of leaves all directed towards to him. He was walking slowly but carefully.
Once they left Konoha's border and reached the Valley of the end, where Hashirama Senju and Madara fought. They fought in this place and created this valley to be accurate.
Naruto got into his original form and adorned another mask.
"Where to fox?", Naruto asked.
"We are going north east. Start running. I will guide you", kyubi said.
Naruto complied and started running. After an hour Naruto was in front of a hill which wasn't easy to find without guidance. It was well hidden and ninjas would find it difficult to see this place.
"Where is this?", Naruto asked.
"Sojobo yama (Mt. Sojobo)", kyubi said seriously.
"We are here to visit Sojobo dera (Sojobo temple)?", Naruto asked.
"Yes. Do you know what this place is?"
"Yes. This is where you used to hang out"
"I don't hang out brat. I inhabited this place for more than 800 years"
"So it is like your home then?", Naruto asked.
"More like my territory. Now get to the shrine"
"Sojobo tengu means a divine spirit that lives in forests. Tengu is a divine spirit. There are lot of tengus. So, kyubi, which one are you? What is your name?", Naruto asked.
"You want to know my name? It is too early for that. Except my siblings and father, no one can call me by my name. Because they are the ones I trust. You earn my respect and trust and I will tell you", kyubi said.
"Deal. Don't go back on you word", Naruto was pumped.
"When have I ever? Your prize is at the shrine".
"This place looks gloomy"
"When I was here, greed, pride and evil intentions were accumulated here. I was sent to this temple to serve as a guardian spirit biju to keep them at bay. But Madara captured me and everything fell into chaos"
"Oh. So what am I doing here?"
"I am giving you a chance. The orange mask man is here and you need more help. So, this is the help I am providing because I hate that man too. If you can keep your wits and pass this mountain, you will see the shrine. This place is filled with evil and bad chakra. It will try to affect you. Pass this test and win the prize", kyubi informed.
"Understood"
Naruto started climbing the mountain pass and kyubi receded to the back of his mind. It watched Naruto climbing steadily and gave a proud smirk. His host wasn't affected by the evil energy at all. He was fearless and untempted.
Naruto entered the shrine at the top of the mountain which was hidden. It was in ruin. Naruto concluded that might be the aftereffect of Kyubi's fight with Madara.
Once he entered the temple, Naruto asked him to create a clone and let kyubi out. Naruto created a clone and let the kyubi take over his physical body. Naruto with kyubi cloaked two tail. The two tails Naruto's demonic chakra filled the temple and Naruto guided the clone to the secret door on the underground and asked the clone to bring back a black box at the bottom of the large picture on an altar.
The clone Naruto brought it back and the kyubi Naruto opened it. The moment that ball was held by kyubi Naruto, there was a huge rumbling in the mountain.
"This is Hoshi no tama, kitsune ball which contains a small portion of my power. You use this to….", kyubi said and proceeded to explain some other things.
Naruto returned to Konoha at the dawn and man was he tired. He should have known kyubi never gave him a gift without teasing him. He was completely exhausted.
"You have to train that skill during your rest. You cannot slack off", kyubi encouraged.
"I will. I have to make a training schedule. My clones are already training Wood release. I want to change my training ground to the waterfall area and training ground 44. All other nimble jutsus and important documents, I will shift it to Senju compound. Now that I know, I have the Senju blood, I can rightfully occupy that place without guilt. Never knew my grandparents from mother's side are one Uzumaki and one Senju. Who could have guessed Hashirama's son, who didn't have a wood release, married an Uzumaki woman from main branch and had my mother, who didn't possess wood release, could give birth to me, who have Wood release. World works in mysterious ways", Naruto was amazed.
"Senjus and Uzumakis used to be a single clan. It is not that mysterious", kyubi mocked.
"I wonder who my father's parents were", Naruto wondered.
"Don't know. But they must have been very good in yin release. That's why your father was very good in space-time jutsu. You father's Hirashin no jutsu (Flying thunder God technique). It also requires large chakra", kyubi answered.
Naruto didn't think kyubi would answer. He just asked in passing. He decided to catch couple of hours sleep and make a schedule later.
Kakashi sent Pakkun to Naruto informing his friends's decision to help him. Naruto was amused to see Anko's name on the list.
Naruto sent a message to the third hokage to make things smooth.
Naruto was practising day and night simultaneously making plans for next set of missions. He reviewed the budget, travel essentials and time. Three days passed like that.
When the day for training with Kakashi and Co. came, Naruto asked them to meet them on forest of Death in the deepest part. Others thought that Kakashi was going to train with his friends and a clone Naruto was already cloud-watching with Shikamaru and Choji to provide alias. Naruto already set up necessary seals to conceal his presence over the area.
When they arrived, they couldn't detect Naruto's chakra presence. Genma, Anko and Guy was surprised. Kakashi used kuchiyose (Summoning) jutsu to summon Bull to track down Naruto. Bull tracked him down to a tree where Naruto was dozing off in a branch.
"Your student is as lazy and disrespectful as you Kakashi. He invited us but he is dozing", Anko growled.
"You told him to do that didn't you?", Genma accused Kakashi.
"Damn rival, your hip and cool attitude out shined my youthful energy in Naruto-kun. Fear not, I will provoke his youthful energy", Guy was outraged.
Kakashi didn't bother to answer any of them because he could see the truth. Naruto was resting after a long hustle of something. Could be training, could be a fight outside Konoha, but something tiring.
Before Kakashi could call him, a kunai whooshed past him towards Naruto.
Naruto caught the kunai without opening his eyes still lying on the branch. He looked comfortable like he was sleeping in a bed.
Anko was pissed that a genin caught her kunai and Genma was impressed. Anko was fast and Naruto didn't even open his eye. Guy was pumped and Kakashi smirked.
Naruto jumped down from the tree.
"Sorry. I just dozed off", Naruto said stretching and yawning. "Thank you for agreeing to help me". He smiled.
"Oi chibi, I haven't agreed yet. If you don't pass my test, I will not help you", Anko hissed.
"I wouldn't have it any other way nee-san", Naruto winked.
"Nee-san?" Genma asked.
"Yes Genma-san. When she was in ANBU, she would always pretend that she didn't know where I was when I pulled pranks. She was kind to me, so I deemed her nee-san dattebayo", Naruto said sheepishly.
Anko made a stunned face caught between shocked and surprised. She was called lot of things but not kind and never a nee-san. She didn't know how to respond.
Genma laughed at her. 'Good job Naruto. You made Anko speechless.'
Guy was impressed and gave a speech about how youthful Anko's kindness was.
Kakashi smirked under his mask and gave an enquiring look at Naruto asking was he ok. Naruto gave a reassuring smile at him.
"Anko nee-san, you never wanted to catch me then but let's see can you catch me now", Naruto said.
"Yare yare, you think you can outrun me? If you can survive my summons without getting caught for an hour, I will help you with anything brat", Anko challenged.
"Let's start", Naruto said.
"Are you sure Kakashi? Anko doesn't play nice", Genma cautioned.
"You heard him. Let's get the party started", Kakashi said and everyone jumped to the trees except Anko and Naruto.
"Kaki, run", Anko said and Naruto shunshinned away.
"He can use shunshin!", Genma was surprised.
All four of them followed Anko's summons to see how Naruto was faring. The summons had yet to find Naruto and it had been five minutes. Anko got angry and summoned snakes over snakes to find him. Naruto who was under camouflage eating a fruit, decided to make this interesting. He created three clones and sent it to three different directions to lure away the snakes.
"Your training paid off. My gift helped you didn't it?", kyubi asked proudly.
'Seriously? It paid off but maybe too much. I have been running for three days straight', Naruto complained.
"Thanks to me you are showing off now", kyubi replied.
'I can already outrun snakes. I can outrun a sharinghan remember. I was trained by two great Uchiha shinobis in escaping skills. You did this to prove you don't care about me because you were flustered by what I said to Kakashi. Agree it', Naruto scowled.
"I don't agree to anything. Play with those idiots", kyubi turned his face.
'Tsundere fox', Naruto teased. He finished eating and went back.
Anko's summons finally saw Naruto and got excited. She sped up to catch him leaving the three shinobi behind. When they followed her, they were stopped by Kakashi.
"Wait, if she finds him she will give an excited shout and we can follow. Knowing him, she is probably chasing his clones", Kakashi said knowing that Naruto's favourite jutsu was kage bunshin (Shadow clone) jutsu.
"Naruto knows shadow clone jutsu?" Guy asked.
"He knows multiple shadow clone jutsu too", Kakashi explained. 'And 50 other jutsus'
Suddenly, there was a tap on Genma's shoulder.
"Do you think she will get angry if I hurt her snakes?", Naruto asked.
Genma almost jumped seeing Naruto hanging upside down from the branch.
"Damn, you are quite good at sneaking", Genma was taken aback.
"Naruto, that's out of question. Don't hurt them", Kakashi said.
"Ok. Can I scare them?", Naruto pouted.
"Go ahead", Kakashi said it reluctantly but he was really interested in Naruto's pranks.
"Yatta", Naruto agreed and ran away not giving them a chance to follow.
"Let's go and watch the fun", Kakashi invited his friends and they all sped away.
"He is fast", Genma approved.
"What are you doing here brat? You sent me behind your clones", Anko shouted.
All three of them reached Anko where Naruto could be seen standing on a tree and Anko's summons were nearing him.
"Do you think my summons can't climb trees brat?", Anko growled fuming.
Naruto didn't respond. Kakashi, Genma and Guy was standing behind Anko to watch what Naruto would do.
Three Naruto's clones brought back all of Anko's summons tied like a firewood bundle with a water whip. They three them down along with the remaining summons trying to climb the tree Naruto was in. Suddenly flames emerged from behind Naruto making him looking like a human with wings of fire.
"Go", Naruto said and the flames formed a fire wall stopping the ninken snakes. The snakes tried to find another way and the fire wall separated into individual arrows and hovered over at every snake warning them.
"Here", Naruto said and extended his hand. A bird that looked like a luan came and sat on his outstretched hand.
"Do you want snake meat, Ichi Baqi?", Naruto asked looking at it fondly.
"Don't you dare!", Anko hissed aggressively.
The bird gave a caw in response to Anko and all the snakes shook in fear. Anko recalled them.
"Don't be angry. Here eat this jerky Thanks for today", Naruto said and sent it away. He jumped from the tree and landed near them.
"That bird was the combination of basan bird and qilin bird. They were healed by nine tails chakra and they gave birth to a new species Baqi. It is the king of animals and it can command all animals. It cannot be bullied by normal summons. Only a dragon and bijus like me can rival it. You like the summoning contract to that bird kid?", kyubi asked arrogantly.
'I do', Naruto agreed. 'Thanks for the gift kyubi'. Naruto was really grateful.
Everything was over in less than 30 seconds and all four of them still has to regain their composure.
"Is it your summon Naruto?", Guy asked surprised.
"Catch me if you want an answer. You can use the snakes. You have remaining 30 minutes", Naruto said seriously turning his back to them.
"Let's start", Naruto said and undid some of the constrains on his gravity seal. It created an audible rumble and Naruto ran the next second.
Anko was the first one to recover because she was pissed. She released her ninkens and followed. So did Guy and Genma.
They were playing cat and mouse game for 30 minutes. There were times they almost reached Naruto but they had to touch him yet. Kakashi refused to help. He was here to watch his friends get their asses whipped, not his own.
Once the time ended Kakashi called it. All five of them assembled. Three of them were panting not because they have been running for 30 minutes but because Naruto made them run around more so than usual by teasing them. Kakashi was smirking and Naruto wasn't even sweating. It was not a good look for the jonins.
"Yes. That was my summon", Naruto said.
'Wonder how Jiraya will react if he knew Naruto has bird summons instead of frog. No problem. One can have up to three summons anyway', Kakashi asked and answered himself.
"Told you guys that you will be surprised. He is fast", Kakashi said not even making an attempt to conceal the pride in his voice.
"I am going to kill you chibi", Anko said really impressed.
"You are very youthful Naruto-kun. Since I am so un-youthful I would climb hokage mountain with my hands", Guy was excited.
"You are good Naruto but I know someone faster", Genma said and Kakashi stiffened.
"No you don't", Naruto refused.
"He was as fast as a lightning", Genma said.
"Can he avoid the sharinghan?", Naruto asked.
"What?", Genma asked and Kakashi was interested too.
"That person you told that was fast, can he avoid sharinghan?", Naruto asked.
"Probably", Kakashi answered.
"Then I win. I can certainly avoid the fully matured sharinghan at 7", Naruto said.
"Damn. How?", Genma asked and then looked at Kakashi to know if he was using kyubi's power.
"I was trained by an Uchiha. That's why", Naruto said eliminating all the doubts they had and might have regarding Naruto's strength.
"Which one?", Anko asked.
"Shisui Uchiha", Naruto answered.
"Wow. Why hide your strength?", Genma asked.
"'A nameless shinobi who protects peace within its shadow, that is a true shinobi', my first sensei told me that. For whatever reasons, I cannot explicitly reveal my strength. I have to do from shadows. I am someone who was assigned to protect the village an hour after I was born and I want to do that job to my best, through the end. So, I want you guys to help me to do that job better, please", Naruto said sincerely and bowed.
"Anko and Guy, it seems we already lost the bet to be his favourite sensei. Wanna bet for the second favourite?", Genma asked and Naruto smiled a genuine smile.
"Yare yare, I am going to beat you guys like a pulp. I am already his nee-san", Anko folded her hands on her chest and agreed to the bet.
"Favourite nee-san doesn't mean favourite sensei. I will win this", Genma challenged.
"I agree to this youthful challenge my friends", Guy said.
While they were arguing Kakashi gave an approved nod at Naruto indicating he earned their respect by his skill and will.
"Since you guys know that I have potential, let's spar so you can assess my skills and we can come with a training schedule. Anko sensei already know my skills falling on her jurisdiction. Guy sensei and Genma sensei, let's start", Naruto said.
"Sure. I will start first", Guy said.
Naruto adjusted his gravity seals to support strength and not speed. He already knew Guy's fighting style. Kakashi set the time for another 30 minutes.
The spar was powerful. No other word to describe it. Genma got excited and wanted to spar next.
After five minutes break, the next spar with Genma was held. Same rules.
"Genma sensei, I heard your senbons can deflect kunais. Is it true?", Naruto asked taking out his kunai.
"Yes. First, I will come out with senbons, you avoid them. Then you come with shuriken and kunai. I will show you how I avoid them with senbons. Then we can do both together", Genma said.
"Ok"
When Genma sent the senbons, Naruto avoided them perfectly. Then Naruto came at him with Gen'ei Tajū Shuriken (Multiple phantom Shuriken) no Jutsu, and he threw multiple kunais at succession. Genma bid his time for 10 minutes. After that, they decided to spar with their respective weapons. Naruto surprised Genma and Kakashi by releasing senbons. He did Senbon kage bunshin (Senbon shadow clone) jutsu which was good in control but lacked force and speed behind it compared to Genma's.
"That was good Naruto. When did you learn it?", Kakashi asked after they stopped fighting.
"I used to train with Haku every day when he was alive in Wave. After he died, I practised it", Naruto said reaching for the chain on his neck.
"Don't worry Naruto. You will learn senbons in no time. I am sure your friend is already proud", Genma said.
"He will be even if I don't train in senbons. That's the kind of person he was", Naruto gave a sad smile.
Kakashi put a hand on Naruto's shoulder to offer support.
"That was a great. Naruto, you did good", Sandaime appeared out f thin air.
"Hi jiji", Naruto waved to the hokage.
'Jiji? So they made up huh? That was fast. Wonder what Naruto said to him?', Kakashi wondered.
"Sandaime-sama", other four greeted him.
"So you decided to train Naruto-kun huh?", Sandaime said.
"Yes", all three agreed.
"Good. Take good care of him. Co-ordinate with Kakashi to align your missions", Sandaime Sarutobi Hiruzen ordered.
"Thank you hokage-sama", Kakashi said and others followed suit.
"Now, go on your way. I have something to talk to Naruto".
Everyone left happily having hokage's support in training Naruto but Kakashi hesitated. "It's ok Kakashi sensei. We are good", Naruto reassured. Kakashi left with a nod.
"So, how are they? Will they do?", Sandaime asked.
"They are rusty but I can whip them to shape and make do", Naruto answered.
"What about Kakashi? Don't you want him to join you?", Sandaime questioned.
"I want him to join occasionally. He can't join if he still need to keep his name on your list of three", Naruto answered.
"You know about the list?"
"I know few things in Konoha you must be aware of but you are not", Naruto informed.
"What is it?", Sandaime was taken aback.
"You don't have to worry. I will take care of it. If you know it now, it will be hard to keep the barely there peace in Konoha", Naruto said.
"But you said I must be aware"
"I will tell you in time. I don't trust you yet jij. Anyway, where is my mask?", Naruto asked.
"Naruto Uzumaki, from today, you are appointed as Konoha's ANBU captain of team zero. You don't answer anyone but me. Even ANBU commander cannot control you. You can choose your team as you see fit and go on missions as deemed necessary for the village. This is your ryu (dragon) mask which is the strongest creature. Serve well and let the Will of Fire burn bright in you", Sandaime said.
"Thank you hokage-sama", Naruto said and took the mask.
Suddenly, Sarutobi laughed.
"What is it jiji?"
"I wondered how they will react if they know you were testing them to recruit and not them testing you to be their student".
"I hope they won't know for some time. That's why I maintained my chibi form in front of them. I don't want to reveal myself and they won't respect me with the level I am shown. I don't want to make a permanent team yet. I want to choose the team missions by missions If I have a permanent team, I will let them know", Naruto said.
"I understand Naruto"
"I will update you regularly. Keep this from Kakashi too. If he knows I became ANBU, he will blame himself again", Naruto asked.
"He isn't as bad as he was before he met you. I should have allowed him to see you sooner", the hokage sighed.
"Of all the things, it wasn't your fault. He wasn't ready", Naruto replied.
"Don't be away from Konoha too long", hokage said.
"Not more than ten days. I have agreement with Kakashi", Naruto replied.
"Jiji, I am not going to run away. Konoha is my home. I am going to make it better and I need to better prepare myself for that", Naruto assured.
"I will see you Naruto-kun", the hokage left hoping Naruto's Will of Fire make Konoha better.
Ten days passed and team 7 resumed their rank missions to which Naruto sent a clone.
Kakashi was learning the uses of sharinghan and learnt how to improvise lot of his already known jutsus. It was a work in progress and it would take months but he had months, thanks to a certain blonde postponing chunin exams. In the meantime, he made a clear warning to Naruto's building owner which was backed by lot of shinobi visits to the building and some people around the bar, thanks to all Naruto's senseis. The message sent was that, it didn't matter who it was, as long as someone attacks someone wearing Konoha headband, it would seem as an act of betrayal against the hokage and they would be expelled from the village without any questions. The word 'expel' sent warning bells to everyone. They never imagined that the hokage would see it as an action to rival his authority which made even the council to hold down their neck regarding Naruto.
It didn't help every ninja and civilian who were involved in repeated attacks on Naruto were mysteriously injured or had nightmares which particularly included burning alive or being stabbed by a kunai for ninjas and the other worst personal fears for civilians.
Everyone knew who did it. Hatake Kakashi. But no one can question it as there was no proof and no one dared to question it if they had one. The council got the answer from Sandaime that Kakashi was focusing on Sasuke as they wanted and as for any other things they want to suggest him, they do it person.
Who dare to do it? The person who opened their mouth would expose themselves of Naruto's abuse. Negligent or not, they were aware that Kakashi wouldn't tolerate anyone abusing Konoha's children, much less his student. If anyone opened their mouth regarding the release of civilians who attacked Naruto, they might as well write their last letter to their families and confess to their capital punishment. They knew that there wouldn't even be a body left to bury.
Word on the mouth was, no one saw Kakashi's sharinghan and lived to tell the story, except the hokage. They didn't know about Naruto and Itachi. Naruto survived when he forced Kakashi to open his sharinghan during a training session in Wave after Itachi revealed Naruto's strength. Kakashi won by a hairline but he knew that if Naruto dragged the fight he would win on account of more chakra. He didn't fight with Itachi but Kakashi wouldn't win with genjutsu against him.
When everything was going on, new bingo book was published with additional name.
Name : Unknown
Nickname : Captain ryu
Alliance : Konoha
Class : S-rank nin
Skills : Ninjutsu
Taijutsu
Kenjutsu
Weapon : Kunai, tanto
Wanted for : Eliminating terrorist group in Kirigakure including 2 S-rank, 5- A rank and 29 B-rank criminals. Eliminating two bandit groups in Curtain village.
Traits : Works in solo. Very strong and cunning.