Chapter-6: Academy: Fun & Learn
Naruto Uzumaki was bored. He was in his second year in academy now and nothing much has changed. The Academy was still boring although they now have started Taijutsu spars and chakra control. But other than that, it was still same old History, language, maths etc and he didn't like that. History he was cool it was fun to learn about past Hokage, Shinobi etc. But writing and math was still so boring like how was it supposed make him a badass shinobi. The only reason he studied them was because of his promise to Kakashi and fear of Mikoto's punishments.
"Naruto Uzumaki" Naruto was bought out of his stupor by his sensei. "Hai sensei" the boy answered with that same boredom. "Can you solve this question on the board for the class" the old woman asked and Naruto gulped. "No, I guess" the boy replied with a nervous chuckle. "No, then get out of this class" the old bat screamed and Naruto left without any argument.
He didn't understand how sending him out was going to help him when he already wasn't interested but he soon followed. It was basically norm, the teachers like most others didn't like him. Well, it was far better now than the initial days. Now they only punished him for not answering although harsher than his peers. But it was still better than when he was punished for just about anything from asking a question to drinking water without permission. He was annoyed at first that Academy teachers were like the others.
But he soon reminded himself in his life people like Mikoto, Teuchi, Kakashi, Jiraya, old man and clan heads were the exceptions. People who outright hated him were the norm. Of course, Sasuke didn't like it and complained it to his dad. After that the needless punishments ended he was pretty Fugaku-san has a talk with the teachers. And that man very scary when he wanted to be.
But from there his Academy life was normal other than some name calling from other students which has also been significantly reduced after the class saw his first spar with Sasuke and he handed Kiba his ass.
"You should really start paying attention Naruto" Shikamaru said. "Says, you oh please you literally sleep in class Shika" Naruto retorted. "But teachers don't have it out for me" replied the Nara cheekily. "Shika is right Naruto what do you do to make them dislike you so much" joined in Chouji with his usual bag of chips. "It's the pranks I tell you" Kiba chimed in. "If it were the pranks, you would be probably on the same radar dog-breath" Sasuke snorted in. "Nobody asked your opinion duck-butt" Inuzuka growled back.
"Speaking of pranks. I have any one for Chida-sensei" Naruto said with clear passion and mischief. "Nope, we aren't you remember what dad did when he found out" Sasuke shot him down. "That's because Mr. Little Police decided to confess like a good citizen" Kiba mocked the Uchiha. Sasuke blushed and said "Because it was the right thing to do".
"Come on Sasuke think of it as training, if we can catch chunin off-guard. How good are we" Shikamaru added in. The Nara was too lazy to do this all himself. But Naruto's pranks provided much needed entertainment in their boring Academy life.
"Fine so what's the idea" Sasuke finally relented. "I knew you would come along." Naruto replied brightly and told his idea.
In lunch Shikamaru ran towards Chida-sensei. "Chida-sensei, Naruto and Kiba are having a fight and it has gotten serious" "What, I knew that brat was all trouble" The old woman replied and went with Nara heir. When she reached the ground, she found Naruto on Kiba with a crowd surrounding them. "What's the meaning of this." Seeing her the boys let go and ran away with the crowd. Knowing there no reason to chase she muttered something about "Demon brats ruining lunch"
When she returned, she took her tea. Her tea has gotten cold, Chida was a very methodological woman she liked her tea at perfect warm temperature with little sugar. Anything other than that and her taste buds are ruined. So, she decides to reheat it only find it stuck. After using some chakra, she was able to pull the pot and found some gun under table. Seeing as a stupid prank. The woman reheated her tea. And when she took a sip, the woman screamed at the taste with tears in her eyes. She ran to find some water in fridge and drank only to turn out to be soda increasing her agony. Outside seeing the running screaming old woman Naruto and the others laughed hysterically.
When Naruto and Kiba were distracting her. Sasuke and Chouji snuck into her cabin and stuck her pot to the as a distraction while in reality they have put crushed Chouji's barbeque flavour chip and put it in. Not only that Sasuke has mixed a little mint sauce in it too. When heated everything mixed properly and lit Chida's tongue on fire. The boys have also replaced her water bottle with Soda which ignited her tongue even more.
It was evening now, Naruto and Sasuke were standing on a tree with Mikoto. Today the boys were going to learn Tree Walking. They have already mastered leaf, pebble and even kunai balancing. Which allowed them to learn Substitution and Henge. Sasuke has also learnt Bunshin but Naruto still had trouble with it. Mikoto thought it was due to his chakra reserves, illusions were always going to be tricky for the boy. But with tree walking maybe he can finally master it. Although she was sure the main reason Naruto wanted to learn this was to master Shunshin before Kakashi returns. It has been more than a year she really hoped her nephew, sensei and Kakashi were alright.
A year has passed since their failed attempt of Yagura's assassinationand things has turned dire. First, they were forced to flee from their hideout. And the last year has gone by changing island after island to hide from Yagura. And unlike before there were no sympathies from the locals. Yagura definitely made his point in Kiko island. Yagura got their hideout from Mio and stormed the Water Daimyo's office accusing him of collaboration with them. The Daimyo trying to save his own hide sold out the guards and townsmen. Then there was massacre Yagura came himself with Kisame, Kushimaru and Raiga Kurosuki the new wielder of Kiba after Ameyuri basically crippled. He heard she was killed by Raiga in her crippled to obtain the blades. And then there was massacre, Yagura and his forces killed everyone on the island. Man, women, child nobody was spared. He then left the bodies to rot. That was his statement to every other island in Land of Water, if they sympathised with us that's what's in store for them. Shisui like many others barely controlled himself. He wanted to kill Yagura and that masked bastard. After their failure last time, he didn't try to put a genjutsu of his own to stop Yagura. But with his Mangekyo Sharingan he could see the Sanbi was controlled.
It was cruelty beyond reason, those civilians and samurai had nothing to do with them but they were dead. But wasn't it the norm of shinobi world. Smaller nations, villages were always dragged into Great Wars without any choices. How many innocent families were ruined because they were weak that was their crime. As only the strongest gets to decide whether their will be peace or war in their world.
He now understands why Mikoto asked him decline many times. Shisui has always been fun loving, go with the flow kind of guy to think he would think this much about the world is laughable. But then war changes people. It breaks them.
The only consolation he has was that he stopped Itachi from coming here, it would probably too much for the kind child. He made the right decision to ask him to protect Konoha from inside. And he was doing a fabulous job he hadn't had much contact from outside the world but the tid-bit he gets from here and there and what he has heard from Jiraya-sama. Itachi has become the youngest ANBU Captain in Konoha's history breaking Kakashi-senpai's record by 6 months. He was really proud of his little cousin now if somebody told him how Naruto and Sasuke were doing that would be something.
Speaking of Naruto and Sasuke the boys were currently frustrated, it's been few hours since Mikoto showed them the exercise and they had barely made any progress. The thought since the concept was same as Leaf Balancing it wouldn't take much time. But the boys realized there was reason it was taught in last year of Academy. It would too difficult to maintain the right amount of chakra under your feet for long enough to climb the tree. And Mikoto wanted them to master it enough that they can spar on the tree.
Naruto fell down for the umpteenth time in the past hour and screamed, "Damn it why it is so god damn difficult." "Will you shut up, your complaining won't do much" Sasuke said back he was already tired from lack of chakra, and failing again and again. He really didn't want Naruto's complains. "Unlike you I am still trying small battery" retorted Naruto heatedly. "Small battery, forgive me for not being a freak" Sasuke replied with a tick. "Don't call me a freak you duck-haired bastard" Naruto replied back. "Blonde Freak what will you do" Naruto showed the Uchiha by jumping on him soon it turned into a dirt fight.
Itachi found his little brothers having a dirt fight sighing he separated them. Holding the boys by their collars he sighed again, he really did that a lot for 13-year-old. "Do I want to know" Uchiha heir asked "He started it" was the reply he got from both. "It doesn't matter who started it. Apologise or I am telling father" Naruto and Sasuke gulped at thought Fugaku's punishments were scary. "Sorry for calling you a freak" Sasuke was the first to apologise. "I am sorry too" Naruto soon followed. "Having trouble with tree walking" Itachi asked dropping them. "Yup, it's so difficult are you sure I can't learn Fireball Jutsu directly" the younger Uchiha asked. "Well, you can but it will much longer, and you will probably injure yourself" Itachi explained and Sasuke sighed. "Comon let's go home" Itachi told them. "I am not coming tonight. I wanna go to Ichiraku" Naruto said and ran.
Naruto was sitting with his miso ramen still thinking about tree walking. He wanted to master it fast so he can learn Bunshin and catch up to Sasuke. The Uchiha holds that over him a lot. But main reason was to learn Shunshin. More than a year has passes and Kakashi still hasn't retuned. Naruto missed him a lot, but he was also little glad he wasn't back yet. Naruto desperately wanted to show Kakashi that he has learnt the jutsu before his arrival. Now, some say his progress was slow only learning and mastering two chakra control exercises in a year. But for child who has to manage Academy, homework, taijutsu practice with basic exercises to not only stay fit but increase his speed and strength. Combined with cleaning and other manual task there was hardly time foe anything other than weekends.
"Your ramen is getting cold Naruto-kun" an old voice told the boy when he turned around, he saw Sandaime Hokage standing there. "Old man, what are you doing here?" asked the blonde. "I was taking a stroll and saw you. So, I decided to join in" the old Kage replied and ordered a beef ramen. "So, how has been Academy" asked Sarutobi. "Pretty good, but its so boring" complained the little Uzumaki. Sandaime chuckled and replied, "It might be Naruto-kun, but you still have to pay attention. After all our future Hokage needs to know hi stuff."
"Yeah, yeah hey old man when Kakashi and Pervy Sage are coming back" Naruto questioned. "I don't Naruto, there mission is a very important one" replied Sarutobi. "Why missing them" "Yup, but if I knew that than I will how much time I have to learn Shunshin" Naruto told the old Kage. "Oh, I remember you told me about it when asking for calligraphy set. How is your progress in both" inquired the old Kage. "Calligraphy is good, I am pretty sure now I have best handwriting in my class. But forget Shunshin I haven't mastered even tree walking" the child replied clearly irritated. "Having trouble with chakra control huh. So, what's the issue now"
"I know how much chakra to put, but its so difficult to constantly put the that amount" Naruto answered the old man. "You are concentrating too much Naruto-kun. You have to relax and make it a habit. No one can have 100% concentration for a long period of time" the Professor explained. "Relax, but I will fall if I am not concentrating" asked Naruto "You know how much chakra is needed to climb the tree, start with putting it and then keep climbing without much thinking." Clarified Sarutobi. "Oh, thanks old man. I will try" The duo than chatted for little bit and left for their homes. Naruto was very excited to try Sandaime's advice tomorrow. If it worked, he can start learning Shunshin very soon. Kakashi will be very proud when he returns. He hoped Kakashi was alright.
Kakashi meanwhile was sitting in the conference tent. After the Mio Tanaka situation. Only those who are going to be the part of the mission are going to briefed about it. And currently, they were deciding on what could be the final mission. After a year of running away and regrouping they have decided to make the final attack. Both the rebels and the Konoha-nin were getting impatient. There was no permanent base of operations and risk of getting found out has become too clear. They thought of going to Ushio, but even the ruined city was now checked by Yagura's guards. So, here they were with their final plan.
"To all those gathered here, we all are going to do our final assault on Yagura in the next week. And this time there will be no loose ends. We will everyone from Yagura and rest of his council" Mei addressed everyone.
"It's a good thing their numbers have dwindled with Jinpachi's and Ameyuri's death and Zabuza's betrayal" Mangetsu replied. After their initial attack Raiga has taken the Kiba. But there was two new rising stars the first was Zabuza Momochi who instead of taking the remaining Kabutowari or Shibuki challenged Juzo for Kubikiribōchō and won. Due to which Juzo has taken Shibuki making him considerately less dangerous. But Zabuza in a shocking turn of events has betrayed Yagura and tried to assassinate him. When failed has fled with the Kubikiribōchō. "But don't forget we will be attacking the whole inner council of Yagura meaning the Head of Hunter Division, Jonin Commander and Black-Ops Commander will also be there" Ao added. "That makes eight heavy hitters to be precise excluding the masked man" said Isamu Kiba the new head of Kiba clan.
"We also have the numbers to match them. Jiraya-sama, Mei-sama and Shisui-san will take care of Yagura and the Masked man. Ao-san can deal with Kushimaru. Mangetsu-san and Kisame are even match. Us Four clan heads with Kakashi-san can fight the rest" Ryosuke Terumi, Mei's cousin added. "It isn't as the game of numbers you make it Ryosuke-san. We thought that before and look where it got us" Umeko Ayomi the sister of Kaito Ayomi said with distaste. "It's true its not as easy as match up game. But we still have to try for our predecessors and people who aren't here to try themselves. And I would rather go with hope than with fear" Shiori Shiro said smiling brightly.
"Shiori-san is right. I know we failed before and Yagura is no easy opponent especially with so many people to back him up but I believe we can win. And sure, there will be some losses but if we take down Yagura, we can create far better future for rest of the children of the Mist" Mei spoke with enough passion to clear any doubts the scene was set and it's time to take action.
The Konoha shinobi were sitting in their rooms. "It's good thing it will be over soon. It was getting annoying to outside always with a mask" Shisui said with a sigh. "It's not over till its over brat" Jiraya explained. Kakashi nodded without looking from his book. "Yeah, I remember our last attack. But still I am getting home sick" Shisui said. "Me too, I am missing Naruto." Kakashi said. "Well, I miss the brat too. That little hellion is sure endearing" Jiraya added. "I miss Sasuke and Itachi too." Shisui chimed in. "But I worry what kind of world our we leaving the younger generation" Uchiha added. "This again, Shisui I told you should stop worrying about shinobi world. There is nothing we can do to change it" the cyclops replied with sigh. His kohai really thinks too much. "Now, Kakashi there is no need for such pessimism. We can change the shinobi world even it is little by little. And as for Shisui we are leaving the world to younger generation with hope. Hope that they can be better than us" the sage explained. Shisui hummed and Kakashi rolled his lone eye. After some much lighter discussion the guys slept.
Meanwhile in Konoha, Uzumaki Naruto and Uchiha Sasuke stood on the tree with Naruto's punch on Sasuke's heart and Sasuke's chop on Naruto's neck. This like there many spars has turned out to be a draw. But the difference it was spar on tree meaning both boys were ready to learn their jutsus. Itachi Uchiha stood on the ground with Fugaku both Uchiha admiring how far the boys have gotten.
Once Naruto applied Sandaime's advice he climbed further than before. But fear of height was enough to bring that careful steps again so he fell. He then told Sasuke about it and then the only things boys needed to trust in themselves and overcome their fear of heights. After that it took barely an hour to reach top and run up and down. Naruto then tried Bunshin and for the first time made three successful clones. After that the next four days were used to build stamina, make the exercise a habit and sparring under the watchful eye of adults. On fifth day this was the result and boys' teachers were very proud of them.
Now they were allowed to learn the Great Fireball and Shunshin respectively. But since they have test on Monday, their training for new jutsu has to wait for now.
Naruto was reading the Shunshin scroll he has gotten from Kakashi with giddy excitement he can't wait to learn that tomorrow. He has already prepared and since it was a history test Naruto didn't need revision. He can't wait for tomorrow evening. Kakashi and Pervy Sage wouldn't what hit them.
In the Mist morning has already arrived and Mei's contingent has also reached the Hidden Mist. Now they were just waiting for the meeting to start for their final mission. In less than hour the Hidden Mist will have new era. Whether it be finally be Mei's rule of peace or Yagura's reign of terror with full control would be known soon.