311Extremely long note ahead and the same note across all stories I just updated. In the first instance, the reason I am updating so many stories all at once is because I stick to my word and I did say if I passed my specialist exam, I would update every story that had a proofread chapter ready. Studying for this exam has basically consumed two years of my life so it is a relief that it is over. Then I failed the exam which was quite frankly a crushing blow to morale. At the same time this was all going on, my dad, who has been sick for a while now, got a lot worse this year and passed away mid-year. Even with all of that going on, I was still trying to study for the resit of the exam in October. Then, my own health, which also hasn't been great, also worsened and I needed to be admitted to hospital briefly for some heavy immunosuppression. Again, all this time I was studying for an exam which basically is a hurdle to ever get into a medical speciality and has limited attempts so I was very anxious and stressed. How this ties into the fanfiction aspect of things, is given all of this happening, I just couldn't muster up the motivation to switch stories. What this has meant though, is I've written 300K+ of Danmachi fanfiction in the past year. There is a second exam that I need to do next year, but it is a practical exam, not a memorise all of medicine multiple choice trivia exam. I will keep writing for Danmachi up to a certain point, I'm thinking the Xenos arc, as that one I'm a little bit stuck trying to work out how to play it. Coming to my other stories now. I very much intended to finish TTONU this year but as above, lots of stuff happened. Once I switch from Danmachi, I fully intended to focus on it. That being said, I will also be writing for other stories too. Again, because of the exam, I haven't really been able to enjoy anything, as anything that was not study related, would bring up a feeling of guilt. For that reason, for most of the past 12 months, I've just been watching shows that I can passively watch in the background without distracting me, in other words, not anime. This means I have yet to watch the end of Naruto (really far behind), end of Fairy Tail (somewhat far behind), or Cour 3 of TYBW (releasing now). I plan to write for these archives when I get around to watching them, which will probably be from the start of next year. My pat reon has also been increasing in support so I am now doing two updates a month. I also made a discord server, plus there is another shared writer discord server where I have been spending most of my free time this year Remove spaces first: Currently, I'm doing a rural term and the internet here is pretty spotty, so I'll be doing a lot more writing as I can't really do much else. As I said, I'm probably going to get out a decent amount of Danmachi in the first instance. I'm up to LN 5 at the moment and will probably work my way through to LN 7 or the just before the end of 8. Then I will start catching up on my anime and write for some other archives. The thing is though, I do have a lot of chapters banked, even with all of these updates, I still have 8 raw chapters done and 39 proofread chapters ready to go, so I'll be doing double chapters every month with ease for almost 2 years, even if I don't write a single word, but of course I will be writing. As I have said many times in the past, even if it takes years, I plan to finish each and every story I've started. Thank you everyone for bearing with me and enjoying my stories, I hope to continue to deliver the best work I can for all of us. TL;DR Life has been hard, hopefully turned the corner now. SSJ3 Kyuubi Gohan. Previously:
The reason I seem to have disappeared for most of the year is not because I've actually disappeared, but because I haven't been able to shift my focus.
After getting COVID on the back of last year, I started writing a Danmachi fic. It was fun, easy, and since the world is easy to encapsulate, I was focusing on that in the lead up to my exam, with the plan to switch to my Naruto story, TTONU, after the exam.
SSJ3 Kyuubi Gohan personal discord - discord. gg/ mgAZ9GGuFG
Shared writers' discord - discord. gg/ veQrzjgNYh
Naruto, after his display of Shurikenjutsu prowess, was approached by Ino Yamanaka for assistance in being "awesome". Naruto instructed Ino prior to the academy starting in preparation for the practical component of the day. Ino would also join Naruto, Sasuke, and Yakumo for lunch, mustering up the courage to do so after her training. In the afternoon, Ino would show the fruits of her training. Later, Hinata would defend Yakumo from some bullies at the end of the day, bringing the two together, while Naruto would seek out Danzo for clone techniques.
Disclaimer – I don't own anything from the Naruto anime/manga all I own are my original characters and plot twists.
'Talking'
"Thinking"
'Heavily demonic voice'
'Fox or Death talking'
"Fox or Death thinking"
*expression*
Jutsu
Flashback
Chapter 12 – Older acquaintances
Thursday morning, Naruto arrived to class late, having spent most of Wednesday night practicing clones with Danzo. One of the downsides to Root and its many dark bases, was the fact that you could easily lose track of time, case in point, Naruto didn't realise it was morning until a persistent ray of sunshine had broken through the base. Much to Naruto's surprise, his usual seating companions already sat in filled rows. Sasuke had reclaimed his coveted window seat, with Sai and Shin next to him. Behind their row was Hinata sitting next to Yakumo and Ino. Quickly surveying the room Naruto saw the only row which still had a spot was between a portly boy and another boy who seemed to be deep into sleep before class even started. Giving a yawn, Naruto went and sat next to the sleeping boy, who turned his head to the side and spotted Naruto. The boy sighed before turning his head away again. Naruto smiled and placed his head down on the table. At some point, Naruto dozed off, so it was with no small amount of confusion that when he woke, he had a ruler against his white haired Chunin instructor's neck.
'While I applaud your reaction speed, how about you try staying awake in the classes that you haven't already missed.' Spoke Mizuki calmly, not too concerned with the wooden ruler across his throat.
'Sorry about that, I lost track of time training.' Yawned Naruto, getting the attention of the whole class.
'What training were you doing?' Asked Kiba, ever the most outspoken member of the class.
'I was practicing clones.' Replied Naruto.
'Clones? That's easy stuff.' Laughed Kiba.
'Really? Anyone got a water bottle?' Asked Naruto.
'I do.' Said Shin, throwing a bottle to Naruto, who quickly opened it and gave it a quick toss into the air, spilling its contents into the room, before it turned into a blond-haired replica.
'Pretty cool, right.' Said the two blond-haired ninja in unison.
'Big deal.' Scoffed Kiba, before the clone charged at him, Kiba prepared for an attack only for the clone to jump into the air above him, before breaking down into water, which promptly drenched Kiba.
'I'm soaked!' Exclaimed Kiba in irritation.
'Big deal.' Teased Naruto.
'Well, as interesting as this distraction is, we do have a class to get through today.' Pointed out Mizuki.
'Sorry.' Apologised Naruto, making a hand sign and causing the water covering Kiba to reform into a clone.
'Can you refill that water bottle then dispel on some plants outside?' Asked Naruto, getting a nod from his clone, before exiting the room.
Moments later, the clone returned and handed Shin his newly filled water bottle, before jumping out the window and watering some nearby bushes as it dispelled.
-line break-
'How did you learn to make clones?' Asked Sasuke at the end of the day, after Naruto and Sasuke had walked Yakumo home.
'Just asked someone to show me how to do it. You could probably learn too if you weren't afraid of asking for help from other people.' Replied Naruto truthfully.
'I'll just copy it next time you use it with my Sharingan.' Said Sasuke, only for Naruto to thwack him over the head.
'Knock it off, the Sharingan isn't a cheating tool, you need to put in effort to learn and refine the techniques you both do and don't copy.' Admonished Naruto.
'I was just going to copy the chakra flow and hand signs; I was going to practice with it.' Mumbled Sasuke defensively.
'Were you?' Asked Naruto, causing Sasuke to drop his head and sigh.
'No.' Admitted Sasuke.
'Good, if you are being honest about it then let's go spar and you can copy it.' Continued Naruto with a cheeky grin.
'Seriously?' Asked Sasuke in disbelief.
'Yeah, sure. I mean, if you want to handicap yourself by not practicing the techniques you copy, far be it from me to teach you how to be a ninja. I mean, I'm only the most awesome person in the academy.' Claimed Naruto grandiosely.
'Only in our year.' Said Sasuke.
'Hmm, that's a good point. Sasuke, I'm not coming to class tomorrow, but meet me at your home after class. As for why, well we can discuss that after our spar.' Informed Naruto.
'Then why bring it up before the spar at all?' Asked Sasuke.
'To distract you.' Admitted Naruto.
'Doesn't you telling me that it was supposed to distract me remove the effect of distracting me?' Asked Sasuke.
'No, because you are still going to be thinking about what it might be, even if you know it also serves to distract you.' Pointed out Naruto, before activating his Sharingan.
Sasuke mirrored Naruto and activated his Sharingan, the two now having an equal two tomoe in each eye. Naruto suddenly charged Sasuke, catching the boy off guard as he quickly stepped into a stance. Naruto dived and aimed to kick Sasuke's legs from below, only for the boy to jump. Suddenly, another Naruto appeared and caught Sasuke in a bear hug, before the original got up. And came to stand in front of Sasuke, as he and the clone crashed on the ground.
'Did you catch it?' Asked Naruto.
'No! Why did you attack me?' Asked Sasuke.
'I'm not going to hand-feed you cool techniques, you need to copy them during combat, since that is what it is going to be like out there. Also, this is still training.' Clarified Naruto, as his clone dispelled into a puddle.
'Why can't you do things normally?' Asked Sasuke, getting to his feet and peeling his damp clothing off his back momentarily.
'Because we aren't normal, so suck it up.' Scoffed Naruto, before jumping back and drawing a pair of kunai.
'Fine, be that way.' Huffed Sasuke, before charging Naruto.
Naruto smirked, noting this was the first time Sasuke was the aggressor in their spars, which is something he had been waiting for. Naruto shifted his grip and prepared for a counter, as Sasuke threw a straight right at him. Naruto ducked the punch, then jammed the ring of the kunai into the inside of Sasuke's elbow, causing the arm to bend, before Naruto grabbed it and threw Sasuke over his shoulder, capitalising on the momentum of his charge. Sasuke flipped in mid-air, in the middle of a jutsu, before launching a ball of fire at Naruto. Naruto made another clone and jumped back, letting the fireball evaporate his clone and cause a light mist to hide the battlefield. Sasuke used his special eyes to peer through the mist, easily spotting Naruto's chakra through the mist, despite the small amount of chakra in the mist which was making Naruto's outline somewhat fuzzy. Sasuke pulled out four shuriken which he launched to both sides of the clone, only to see it leap above the projectiles. Sasuke followed up with one more attack quickly, making another set of hand signs, before a second fireball launched out at the clone and met it, causing it to explode and simultaneously make the mist denser and confuse Sasuke.
"That was a clone too?" Questioned Sasuke in shock, before getting kicked in the back.
'Water clones aren't the only clones I can make.' Echoed Naruto's voice from the mist.
Sasuke looked around carefully, trying to spot his opponent, only to feel a burst of chakra behind him and find and arm emerging from the ground recaching out to him. Sasuke stabbed the arm, and it crumbled into a pile of mud.
'Fight me properly!' Shouted Sasuke in irritation.
'This is a proper fight, and you are dead again.' Said Naruto, having grabbed Sasuke from behind and placing his kunai at his throat while also tying up one of Sasuke's arms.
Sasuke sighed and gave the tiniest of nods, causing Naruto to release him and clap his hands, dispelling the mist.
'So what did you plan to do tomorrow?' Asked Sasuke.
'Like I said earlier, we are going to go on a field trip outside the village. I want you to know at least one useable clone technique before we leave though, so your job tomorrow is to either copy one or learn one.' Instructed Naruto.
'How?' Asked Sasuke, only for Naruto to shrug and put his hands in his pockets.
'Hey, you are the one who kept bragging about the Sharingan, what's the point in having it if you can't even use it, figure it out.' Replied Naruto, before walking away.
-line break-
The next day, Friday morning, Naruto was not in class, as he had told Sasuke. Naruto was indeed at the academy however, but instead of attending his own class, he was instead looking in on the class the year above them. The class was nowhere near as exciting as his class, having zero clan heirs, but Naruto did note one person who shared a special set of eyes with someone else in his class, and it wasn't him or Sasuke. Having spent enough time focusing on the individual, Naruto was able to recognise that it was one of the people who had watched from a distance as Hinata was bullied.
"Family should stick together. Wonder what happened here?" Thought Naruto, before a bell was heard.
"Guess I still need to have lunch." Thought Naruto, following his target as they brushed off a challenge from a child with large eyebrows, before finding a secluded place to sit and eat their lunch.
As they ate their lunch, Naruto observed them, before they spoke up mid-meal.
'Come out.' Demanded the boy, causing Naruto to give a small whistle of surprise.
'Man, seven minutes, that's a long time to not notice you're being watched, but I guess that explains you not doing anything that time.' Exclaimed Naruto, walking over to the boy with his hands behind his head.
'Who are you?' Asked the boy.
'I'm Naruto, Naruto Uzumaki. Who are you, aside from being a Hyuuga?' Asked Naruto.
'Hmm, I don't need to bestow my name on a commoner.' Said the boy.
'Hmm, so a Hyuuga couldn't see a commoner for over half a dozen minutes, guess that makes you pretty common too then, nothing special. Hinata can usually spot me within a minute.' Commented Naruto in disinterest, getting the boy's attention.
'How do you know of the Hyuuga Clan Heiress?' Asked the boy.
'Oh, that got you talking. Well, what if I don't want to answer you until you tell me your name, do you think you can force it out of me?' Asked Naruto.
The boy considered it, finding Naruto was starting to grate on his nerves, before taking the path of least resistance.
'My name is Neji.' Said the boy.
'In that case, I know Hinata because she is in my class and apparently her family hates her, since at least three of you were watching her get bullied on her first day, but none of you stepped in to help her before I did.' Shrugged Naruto.
'How could you know who was watching?' Asked Neji.
'I'm not so common after all, but that's a secret and as I always say, no spoilers. I guess now that I know you are one of them, I can try and find the other two, later.' Replied Naruto, turning away from Neji.
'Who do you think you are to meddle in other people's personal affairs?' Asked Neji.
'Me? I'm just someone who doesn't like bad people to get away with things.' Retorted Naruto, causing Neji to clench his fists.
'Then you should take a better look at Lady Hyuuga, since she got away with murder!' Spat Neji.
'Considering she couldn't even defend herself against a bunch of kids, I doubt she could murder someone.' Scoffed Naruto, turning back to face Neji.
'My father! She is the reason he is dead!' Spat Neji angrily.
'So how weak was your father that a little girl could kill him?' Asked Naruto, causing the boy to charge him.
Naruto somersaulted over the charge and landed on the bench, taking a bite of Neji's food.
'Hmm, this is good stuff, guess you made it yourself. Would have been nice to have learnt how to cook from parents, but I guess you were lucky there.' Commented Naruto, continuing to eat Neji's lunch.
Neji frowned at this, but didn't charge again.
'What? Don't want to attack me anymore because I'm an orphan? Isn't it the same for that kid you brushed off earlier?' Asked Naruto.
'It would be demeaning to attack an individual of lower class.' Spoke Neji coolly.
'I know, that's why I didn't attack you. It takes a pretty low-class individual to watch their sister get beat up and not intervene, or are you cousins?' Asked Naruto, before swallowing the last of Neji's lunch.
'What is your goal here?' Asked Neji.
'Just trying to figure out why you are taking out your anger on a little kid who is your family, instead of whoever really got your dad killed, that's all. Guess it's just something to think about later, since the lunch bell is about to ring.' Sighed Naruto, hopping off the bench as the bell rang moments later.
'Thanks for the meal!' Called Naruto, waving a hand over his shoulder, before walking off.
-line break-
As class let out for the day, Naruto joined Sasuke and Yakumo, who were walking home.
'So how was the day?' Asked Naruto.
'Same as the past four days, only without you doing something to liven things up.' Answered Yakumo easily.
'You know what they say, always leave them wanting more.' Shrugged Naruto.
'What did you do today anyway?' Asked Sasuke.
'Uh-uh, no spoilers. You'll find out eventually though. I just wanted to let Yakumo know that we are planning a trip this weekend, so I won't be able to come visit.' Replied Naruto.
'That's okay, apparently I'm having a girl's weekend.' Advised Yakumo.
'Really? How did that happen?' Asked Naruto in genuine curiosity.
'Hinata invited me for tea on Saturday and Ino overheard and invited herself and decided we should all do floral arrangements Sunday and have a picnic.' Explained Yakumo.
'Hmm, it's been a long time since I could really mean this, but I'm surprised. Well, have fun with that. Guess that means we're having a boys' weekend Sasuke.' Joked Naruto.
'I still haven't gotten a clone technique.' Muttered Sasuke.
'Really? After I made it homework? Fine, just this once I'll spoon-feed you a technique, but this is a one-time thing.' Groaned Naruto, making a hand sign as Sasuke activated his Sharingan briefly, before letting it dispel, as Naruto dispelled his water clone.
'One. Time. Only.' Reiterated Naruto.
'Thanks.' Said Sasuke bitterly.
'Hey, don't be sour grapes, there are thousands of techniques out there you can copy, how are you going to learn if you get them all from me?' Questioned Naruto, causing Sasuke to sigh.
'Either way, pack a bag for the weekend, I'll come by in an hour, I need to go see someone first. Later.' Advised Naruto, before breaking off from the pair.
'Who would he need to see?' Asked Sasuke, only for Yakumo to tap her nose.
'Right, no spoilers.' Grumbled Sasuke.
-line break-
'So you plan to go outside the village with one of our most high-profile assets?' Questioned Danzo, as Naruto informed him of his expedition plans.
'Don't worry, I'll leave a clone behind. Besides, aren't you curious about what's happening in the Land of Wind as well?' Asked Naruto.
'So this is a reconnaissance mission then?' Asked Danzo.
'No, I just wanted Sasuke to see the outside world, maybe bloody his hands. He is too sheltered, and he will need to face some reality soon and that won't happen here.' Admitted Naruto.
Danzo stared at Naruto silently, his eye only cracked open a sliver. It was times like this that reminded Danzo that Naruto was closer to a weapon than a solider. If only he wasn't a double-edged weapon, one which could just as easily hurt him as well as his enemies, as that would allow Danzo to not be so worried about the underlying meaning of everything he did. Danzo knew for a fact, getting Sasuke into danger was a sure-fire way to bring Itachi back to the Leaf and that was something Danzo was very keen to avoid. Could he use Naruto as an excuse to remove Sasuke from the public eye? Quite possibly, but the risk would not match the reward of such a gambit. Unfortunately, Danzo was not a trusting individual, so he could not sign off on Naruto's plan in good faith alone.
'You will have backup.' Ordered Danzo, which caused Naruto to frown.
'Then they will need to remain hidden at all times. I don't think I need to tell you that if Sasuke finds out you are helping me, he will come straight for you and that won't be good. Sasuke is not someone who would fit in with your personal army and you know that.' Cautioned Naruto.
'That is where you are wrong, everyone can fit in. We have mutually agreed not to do the same to you as it would compromise your effectiveness.' Countered Danzo, causing Naruto to grin.
'Yeah, I do have an award-winning personality, don't I?' Said Naruto with a grin, before giving a small salute and leaving, his footsteps continuing to echo long after he disappeared from Danzo's sight.
'Sai, Shin, follow your classmates.' Commanded Danzo aloud, as two agents appeared in front of him and nodded, before vanishing just as quickly.
-line break-
'Ready to go?' Asked Naruto, popping in suddenly on Sasuke, causing him to jolt slightly and drop the last tomato he had been packing.
'Yeah, where to?' Asked Sasuke, sparing a dejected look at his spilt food.
'Follow me.' Replied Naruto cheerfully, gesturing for Sasuke to follow him with his right index finger, before making his way onto the street.
Making their way to the edge of the boundary of the Uchiha Clan district, Sasuke was confused when they stopped in the middle of the street.
'Why did we stop?' Asked Sasuke.
'Because we've reached our destination.' Answered Naruto, pointing down to the manhole.
'The sewers? That's how we are going to get in and out?' Asked Sasuke in disbelief, while also crumpling his nose in distaste.
'You didn't seriously think we were going to walk out the front doors, did you?' Asked Naruto.
'No, but I thought it would be something better than the sewers, like a hole in the wall, or some secret passageway.' Admitted Sasuke.
'Any hole would be patched, and a secret passageway isn't a secret if I start showing it to people. This is the best way in and out undetected. Now come on, before someone does come by and sees us.' Urged Naruto, lifting the manhole and gesturing for Sasuke to jump in.
'I can't believe this.' Muttered Sasuke under his breath, before climbing the stairs down.
Once Sasuke was out of sight Naruto crossed his fingers together and made a clone.
'Make some backups just in case.' Instructed Naruto, getting a salute, before his clone made another clone, before the original clone turned into Sasuke and the pair walked off, as Naruto climbed down the manhole and replaced the cover.
'Now follow me and don't get lost, there is some weird stuff down here.' Warned Naruto, taking the lead.
In no time at all, the pair took their first steps outside the village for a while now.
'Well Sasuke, excited to be outside of the village for the first time?' Asked Naruto as they started walking away.
'I've been outside before.' Replied Sasuke defensively.
'Really? When?' Asked Naruto.
'I was hunting a boar once with…' Started Sasuke, before going silent.
'A boar huh? Sounds like fun. I think we might find something more interesting than a boar this time though, since we've got a day and a half until we need to come back.' Said Naruto.
'What are we looking for?' Asked Sasuke.
'Who knows, this is more of a trial run, we can come out another time.' Advised Naruto.
'If you say so.' Shrugged Sasuke, as the two shelved conversation to focus on moving faster.
Despite the pair still being a pair of pre-teens, the speed of their running was easily beyond that of a non-shinobi adult. A few hours in, Naruto stopped Sasuke and gestured for them to set up camp.
'This is far enough away from the village that we shouldn't be spotted and not far enough that any enemies will be around. We should rest for the night and see what we can get done tomorrow.' Advised Naruto, to which Sasuke reluctantly agreed.
'I'm just going to go take a leak, don't worry if you hear anything funny and yell if something happens and you need help.' Said Naruto.
'I'll think I'll survive for a minute on my own.' Scoffed Sasuke.
'You'd be surprised.' Teased Naruto, before walking off.
Finding a small space to do his business, Naruto prepared to relieve himself, only to seemingly change his mind.
'Actually, come down here first, I can't go with the two of you watching me.' Spoke Naruto aloud.
Two masked individuals appeared in front of him.
'You better not be seen and unless I am almost dead, don't interfere with anything.' Warned Naruto.
'That's what we're here for after all.' Said one of the agents.
'I better not see you again until Monday.' Cautioned Naruto, before the two disappeared.
'There, that's better.' Groaned Naruto, before finally relieving himself and heading back to Sasuke afterwards.
-line break-
The next day, the pair of children found a small village. It was a small farming community focusing mostly on fresh stone fruits. The pair were quickly noticed by the villagers, before finally being approached by one of them.
'Hello there, can I help you two?' Asked a balding, portly man, with a smile.
'Not really, we were just looking around and exploring. What is this place?' Asked Naruto.
'This is Umeboshi Village, we specialise in growing stone fruit but are most well-known for our plums, would you like to try some?' Asked the man.
'That sounds great, but we wouldn't want to take them for free, is there anything we can do to help you first?' Asked Naruto.
'Well if you are offering, we do have some fences that could use some mending.' Said the man.
'Show us the way!' Declared Naruto brightly.
The portly man led the two to an iron fence, which had some twisted wire with gaps.
'What happened here?' Asked Naruto.
'We're not sure, we think some wildlife got tangled up, but never found anything.' Admitted the man.
Naruto looked at the wire and noted it did look like a tangled mess, but perhaps an organised tangled mess.
'That's okay, leave it to us.' Promised Naruto, before he and Sasuke grabbed some nearby wire cutters and spools of wire and redid the fence, with Naruto placing some sharpened stones around the perimeter.
'That should help prevent anything getting tangled again. So how about those plums?' Asked Naruto, causing the man to laugh as he led them to a small hut.
'Do you do any trading with other villages?' Asked Sasuke curiously.
'Hmm, not so much. We usually have a deal with a few travelling merchants who help sell our product to the larger villages and towns in exchange for items we require. It is a quiet place out here and we don't get much trouble. It is a great place to get away from the busyness of the world.' Explained the man, as he entered the hut and started moving around a small kitchen
'Yeah, it sure feels relaxing out here, even the air tastes clean. Do you do any baking or work with fire?' Asked Naruto.
'Aside from cooking our meals, nothing on a grand scale.' Said the man, as he brought the pair some pickled plums in a bowl.
'Hmm, these are great.' Mumbled Naruto, bitting into one of the dried plums, with Sasuke nodding in agreement.
'Thank you, I like to think we are doing something right, considering the Land of Iron is one of the main places where our travelling merchants come from.' Said the man, preening slightly at the praise.
'I'll bet.' Agreed Naruto.
'Well, we better get going, lots to see still.' Advised Naruto.
'Take care now.' Said the man, as the two boys left the village.
'Why did we help fix a fence?' Asked Sasuke, once the pair could no longer see the village behind them.
'It got us some free food. Also, did you notice the fence?' Asked Naruto.
'Yeah, I don't think that was a boar.' Commented Sasuke, to which Naruto nodded.
'Considering the possible resale value of those plums, I'd say it was bandits trying to make it look like a boar, but they didn't do a great job, at least to a shinobi's eyes, probably enough to fool a civilian though.' Elaborated Naruto.
'So what are we going to do now?' Asked Sasuke.
'Try and find out if my hunch is right first and then if it is, get rid of the bandits. That was a nice village, and they shouldn't be taken advantage of like that.' Declared Naruto, with Sasuke nodding after a moment.
'Why were you asking about baking?' Asked Sasuke.
'I thought I smelt something.' Admitted Naruto.
Sasuke looked to Naruto expecting some elaboration, only to find Naruto wasn't going to give him any.
'Whatever.' Scoffed Sasuke.
After walking for a bit longer, the terrain started to lose its vibrance, becoming less green and browner, as sand started to replace grass and green leafy plants were replaced with brown and prickly flora.
'Sasuke, stay behind me, something is up ahead.' Spoke Naruto seriously.
It was perhaps the first time Sasuke had heard Naruto speak so seriously, so he closed rank and positioned them into a single file. Naruto strained his ears to hear and heard a small sniffle. Naruto carefully moved into a direct line of sight of where he heard the voice from and saw a red mess of hair. It looked like a small child wearing a loose beige shawl over a dark blue shirt and shorts. Naruto edged closer and tried to sneak up on the child only for a breeze to pass through and the child to stop sniffling.
'Are you here to try and kill me as well?' Asked the boy in a hollow voice.
Naruto gestured for Sasuke to back up as they started to retreat, only for the boy to lock eyes with them.
'You are too dangerous and need to be removed.' Said a new voice, as a Sand Jounin appeared off to the side, staring the boy down.
The boy's gaze lingered on Naruto and Sasuke, before turning to face the fully grown ninja.
'And you thought bringing me out into the desert was the best way to do that?' Asked the boy.
'No one will find the body this way.' Said the ninja.
'You're right, but it'll be yours!' Shouted the boy, as a wave of sand shot up from the ground and engulfed the ninja.
'Die!' Screamed the boy as the sand compressed the man, a sickening squelch sound ringing out through the clearing.
'Leave me alone.' Muttered the boy.
Naruto again made to approach the boy, only for a new presence to appear behind them.
'Don't move.' Commanded the voice.
Naruto obeyed, standing still, Sasuke behind him mirroring his actions, as a new figure appeared beside the mysterious boy.
'That's your sixth time now.' Said the man.
'What do you want, Kazekage?' Asked the boy coldly.
'Is that anyway to speak to your father, Gaara?' Asked the man.
'So I am Gaara now, does that mean you finally learnt I won't die?' Asked the boy.
'No, we will all die, but we won't try to assassinate you anymore, it is a waste of resources, and you have proved yourself as a valuable asset.' Said the man.
The boy turned slightly to look at Naruto, spotting him pressing a finger to his lips.
'Fine, let's go.' Grumbled Gaara, before he walked in the opposite direction of where Naruto and Sasuke were.
The man with him looked at the moist sand patch to his side, before following after Gaara.
'Turn around slowly.' Said the voice.
Naruto and Sasuke obeyed and saw a figure wearing an Oni mask.
'Follow me if you don't want to die.' Said the voice.
Without quite knowing why, Naruto followed the stranger, with Sasuke also following. The pair were led to a small cave. After they had all entered the cave, a boulder rose up and blocked the entrance, before three shining red balls floated around them, providing them light again.
'What are you doing out here?' Asked the masked figure.
'Exploring.' Admitted Naruto with a small shrug.
'We aren't even anymore. You owe me one now.' Said the figure.
'Anymore?' Asked Sasuke in confusion.
'No way, is that really you?' Asked Naruto, having pieced together the identity of their saviour, knowing he had only ever had one person owe him outside of the village.
The figure took off their mask and it revealed the visage of Pakura.
'What are you doing out here?' Asked Naruto.
'Making ends meet. Clearing my mind.' Replied Pakura, sitting down on a smoothed boulder.
'What happened to going to the other villages?' Asked Naruto.
'Turns out you were right, and I can't really trust any of them, so I've just decided to do mercenary jobs until I work out what to do.' Admitted Pakura.
'Who were those two?' Asked Naruto.
'That was the Kazekage and the Sand Village's Jinchuuriki, otherwise known as Gaara, youngest son of the Kazekage.' Revealed Pakura.
'So his dad was trying to assassinate him? Why?' Asked Naruto.
'He thinks he is too dangerous to control.' Explained Pakura.
'Isn't he?' Asked Sasuke.
'You're alive, aren't you? I'd think that says he has control. A mindless killing machine would have destroyed you the second they saw you. They especially wouldn't have kept your identity and position secret knowing that outing you would have likely meant your death.' Pointed out Pakura.
'Who are you anyway?' Asked Sasuke.
'This is Pakura, she was sold out by the Sand to the Mist, and I saved her life.' Interjected Naruto smugly.
'And then I returned that favour when I saved your life from some Jounin from the Mist.' Added Pakura, causing Naruto to pout.
'I see you've changed your personality a bit.' Commented Pakura, causing Naruto to grin.
'Got to keep things interesting.' Replied Naruto, before returning his face to a neutral expression.
'You two should go home.' Advised Pakura, standing up and going to organise her belongings.
'That's just mean.' Whined Naruto, causing Pakura to look at him over her shoulder.
'You know calling that place home is a stretch.' Continued Naruto, crossing his arms over his chest.
'Either way, you should get back indoors. If I hadn't been around, both of you would be dead.' Said Pakura.
'What, you mean you wouldn't have tried to save us if they attacked us?' Asked Sasuke.
'No, I am a bad matchup for both of them, I would have left you there if you had been spotted by the Kazekage, not to mention, he wants my head too.' Confessed Pakura.
'What do you mean, bad matchup?' Asked Naruto.
'I mean you can't dehydrate sand; it is already without moisture and both of them use it, at best it would be a stalemate, at worst they would crush me.' Elaborated Pakura.
'So what now then?' Asked Naruto.
'I have more than one hideout and more than one asset.' Answered Pakura uncaringly.
'So your plan is just to keep running away?' Asked Sasuke.
'For now. I'm still working out what I want to do next.' Admitted Pakura.
'Come on Sasuke, we've been guests for long enough, let's start heading back and make camp. We can be back in the village by tomorrow evening if we take our time.' Said Naruto.
'I'll give you an exit.' Advised Pakura, before the rocks in the cave shifted and created a new exit for the group.
'Guess we'll leave then.' Muttered Sasuke, starting to walk towards the exit.
'You know, I wonder about you not being able to win against those two. I think you can do it, but I guess if you don't believe in yourself, you can't win.' Commented Naruto.
'Believing only in yourself can't sustain a person.' Countered Pakura.
'Then believe in me, I'm sure we'll meet again.' Replied Naruto with a grin, before following Sasuke out of the cave.
'We'll see.' Whispered Pakura, before closing the exit to the cave again, plunging the cave into a darkness only illuminated by her flaming orbs.
-line break-
Sai and Shin watched as their two assets followed a strange figure into a cave and disappeared.
'Should we be concerned?' Asked Sai.
'Not necessarily.' Replied Shin, as the two observed.
A few minutes later, the pair emerged from the cave from a different point than they entered.
'See, nothing to worry about.' Said Shin.
'I do believe we should be concerned that they had an encounter with two high profile targets however.' Pointed out Sai.
'Yes, but we will report everything back and let our superiors handle any further action. We are just to follow and watch.' Advised Shin, getting a nod from Sai.
-line break-
As Naruto and Sasuke set up camp for the night, a small fire between the two as they ate some fish they had caught, Sasuke broke the silence.
'How did you know that lady?' Asked Sasuke.
'Well, you had a boar, I had a hundred Mist ninja and citizens last time I left the village.' Admitted Naruto.
'Was what she said true?' Asked Sasuke.
'Yes. I saved her life, and she saved mine after that.' Said Naruto.
'Funny, I never thought you were the kind of person who needing saving.' Joked Sasuke.
'Everyone needs saving Sasuke, even if it just from the boredom of everyday life.' Teased Naruto, causing Sasuke to grunt.
'So was there a point to all of this?' Asked Sasuke.
'You tell me, did you learn anything?' Asked Naruto.
'Why don't you tell me what I was supposed to learn?' Retorted Sasuke.
'That kid was our age and killed a Jounin. Do you think you are on his level? Do you think I am on his level?' Asked Naruto.
'It doesn't matter, because I will surpass everyone in time.' Replied Sasuke calmly.
'Really? Even me?' Asked Naruto jokingly.
'Especially you.' Replied Sasuke, causing Naruto to smirk.
'Then you better get serious. I don't get why you are so distracted by your admirers anyway. You could just choose one and that would deter the rest.' Advised Naruto.
'None of them are at my level.' Snorted Sasuke.
'I don't know about that. It all depends on what you consider your level, technically, we are all academy students in the same year.' Pointed out Naruto.
'I'm being serious.' Grumbled Sasuke.
'So am I. Even a diamond starts out as a clump of dirt, you need to see the inner worth of things and others. After all, you never know just how much someone is hiding.' Explained Naruto, causing Sasuke to shake his head.
'Whatever. I won't pick one just to deter others.' Said Sasuke.
'What about all of them then? If you dump them, they might drop out altogether.' Suggested Naruto.
'Isn't that a little mean?' Asked Sasuke.
'And stalking and harassing you isn't?' Retorted Naruto with a raised eyebrow.
'Point taken, but I'd rather just get through the academy and not have to deal with them after that.' Admitted Sasuke.
'And what if one of them is on your team, or even worse, two?' Asked Naruto.
'Then I'll go with the date and dump option.' Answered Sasuke, eating the last bit of his fish.
'Fair. Who knows, they may even be competent by then and change your mind.' Joked Naruto, only for Sasuke to snort.
'Unlikely.' Said Sasuke.
'Yeah, I just think it is worth having a laugh before bedtime. Night Sasuke.' Said Naruto, tossing his stick into the fire and moving away to lie down.
Sasuke continued to stare into the fire for a moment, thinking about the events of the day.
"A kid my age who scares and kills Jounin. What am I doing wrong?" Thought Sasuke, before kicking some dirt over the fire and going to sleep as well.
-line break-
In the Leaf the next day, two figures appeared in a darkened street.
'And we're back.' Said Naruto, before noticing two of his clones standing in front of him.
'Anything to report?' Asked Naruto.
'You got stalked, couldn't find out who without using chakra.' Admitted the Naruto clone.
'That's fine.' Nodded Naruto, before turning to the Sasuke clone.
'I got a lot of free food.' Said the clone.
'Anything good?' Asked Naruto.
'Lots of tomatoes.' Replied the clone, causing Sasuke to blush and Naruto to laugh.
'Thanks.' Said Naruto, before the two dispelled.
'Hmm, guess the picnic went well too.' Mumbled Naruto, before his eyes widened.
'Come on Sasuke, time to go sleep, we've got class tomorrow.' Advised Naruto.
'And you're coming this time?' Asked Sasuke.
'I'll be coming in every day now.' Replied Naruto, causing Sasuke to raise an eyebrow.
'Okay then, see you tomorrow.' Shrugged Sasuke, before walking off.
Naruto jumped down into the manhole again and made his way to his lab.
'Mikoto! I've got great news.' Called Naruto, only for a floating ball of light to approach him.
'I'm going to have you fixed in no time now, now that I can do this.' Continued Naruto, before making a clone.
'I won't have to leave you alone again either, so I'm sure we can help her out as well, in fact.' Rambled Naruto, before walking over to the girl and opening her eyes.
Two milky eyes stared at Naruto, before his Sharingan appeared and started to swirl, the tomoe spinning faster and faster until a third joined the two in each eye. Naruto could feel his eyes straining as he squeezed chakra into them before the vacant eyes in front of him seemed to gain a hint of colour before fading. Naruto staggered back and closed his eyes.
'There, now I have the blueprint, time to cook something up.' Groaned Naruto.
'Or more accurately, time for you to cook something up.' Amended Naruto, making a clone which then dispelled, getting his first clone to nod.
'Now I need some rest after that.' Admitted Naruto.
-line break-
'Report.' Ordered Danzo curtly, looking at his two kneeling subordinates.
'The two assets encountered two high profile targets. The Kazekage and the Jinchuuriki of the Sand, Gaara of the Sand.' Reported Shin.
'And the status of the assets?' Asked Danzo.
'Returned without any harm.' Replied Shin.
'I see. You are dismissed.' Said Danzo.
The two hesitated, which grabbed Danzo's attention.
'Is there anything else to report?' Asked Danzo.
'The Jinchuuriki was met while an attempted assassination took place. It seems there is no love lost between the Jinchuuriki and their village.' Added Shin.
'I see. Good work.' Finished Danzo, to which the two nodded before leaving.
Danzo stood still after his two agents left, his mind mulling over many things, before ultimately coming to a decision that would change the face of the Hidden Villages for years to come.
"I will have my weapon after all." Thought Danzo, the corners of his mouth turning upwards on his decrepit face.