544Disclaimer:
I do not own Naruto or Star Wars.
I also want to make it clear that this is obviously my first Fan fiction story, so I ask that any critique given be respectful and open minded as well as any suggestions made be detailed and well thought out. There will obviously be grammar mistakes in here, as well as in other chapters, if I decide to add more, so please don't go all grammar police on me if I make some mistakes. Especially ones most readers wouldn't notice. I also want to point out that I have watched the entire Naruto anime, but I haven't read the manga so I'll be using the names and titles the way they are pronounced in the dub version of the anime mostly rather than the manga. However, I have read enough Naruto fanfiction stories to pick up on how some of the names and nicknames are pronounced in the manga. Still, I want to stress that mistakes will be made! Anyway enjoy the read and remember this is my first story so go a little easy on me if you can.
Chapter 1: A New Friend
It was a bright and sunny day in the village of Konoha. The markets and stores were vibrant with merchants and buyers; children were playing in the streets and parks or practicing with their ninja skills with their senseis; and the birds were filling the air and surrounding forest with beautiful songs. However, one resident in the leaf was not having a very good day. Rather a depressing one. This resident has had it pretty hard in his short time on Earth. For one thing he was an orphan who doesn't know anything about his parents except that they died fighting the nine tailed demon fox spirit, known as the Kyuubi.
Second was that most of the villagers hated, avoided, or just ignored him. They even told their children to stay away from him which in turn led those children to treat him harshly. For years he didn't understand why the adult villagers and shinobi hated him so much; until recently when the rogue academy instructor Mizuki revealed to him that the dreaded and feared Kyuubi was sealed inside him. After that horrible secret was revealed and hearing the encouraging words of the other academy instructor and his brother figure, Iruka Umino, his drive to becoming Hokage and to achieve everyone's love and respect increased a hundred fold. The boy wanted to prove to everyone that he wasn't a loser or a demon monster child. He wanted to show them that he was Naruto Uzumaki a hidden leaf shinobi and future Hokage.
Naruto however was not feeling his usual cheerful and confident spirit today though. He and his teammates of Team 7 just got back from their mission to the Wave Country. A mission that was supposed to be a normal C-rank that quickly escalated into a deadly A or S-rank mission. The main purpose of the mission was to safely escort a bridge builder, by the name of Tazuna, back to the Wave country. They didn't count on that a corrupt business man, called Gato, wanted the bridge builder dead and hired powerful rogue ninja from Kirigakure no Sato, otherwise known as the Village Hidden in the Mist, to kill him.
The older of the two ninja was one of the 7 deadly swordsmen of the Mist known as Zabuza Momochi. The younger of the two was his apprentice and servant Haku. Thanks to the efforts of Naruto and his team, the rogue ninja along with Gato and his thugs were defeated and peace and prosperity were restored to the Wave country. In recognition of Naruto's bravery, kindness, and determination; Tazuna proclaimed that the bridge, he and his village were working on, would be named the Great Naruto Bridge. Naruto was beyond happy and honored. He actually achieved recognition and respect from a whole country.
His happiness, while was immeasurable, was short lived however. During the trip home he barely spoke to his teammates and sensei. Not that it mattered much since Sasuke was busy being….well Sasuke and his other teammate and crush Sakura Haruno was only focused on making sure Sasuke was alright and none of his injuries from the battle on the bridge were acting up. Not to mention his sensei was busy stuffing his nose in that book he keeps constantly reading. Naruto meanwhile just couldn't stop thinking about Zabuza and Haku. How horrible it was that they both had to suffer awful deaths just when Zabuza finally realized how much Haku meant to him as both a friend and a comrade. Naruto also couldn't forget Haku's depressing life story. How his father had killed his mother and how he had to kill his father just to survive before he fully accepted his new life as Zabuza's servant and living weapon.
A role that he served to the point where he killed hundreds of people and even sacrificed his own life all for his master. Zabuza's words on how shinobi were mere tools and weapons to be used by their villages struck Naruto to the core. It made him think if that was what his own village thought of him. Not only as a monster but as a tool to be used and disposed of when he's fulfilled his usefulness. He couldn't stand the idea at all.
Despite the melancholy thoughts on the rogue ninja and the idea of being a weapon there was another incident at the bridge that haunted him even more so. It was when his teammate Sasuke Uchiha had seemingly died on the bridge. Naruto couldn't forget the pain he felt when he thought Sasuke had died protecting him from Haku's attack. It was then he realized that while the Uchiha was a prideful, arrogant, bastard, he still meant a great deal to him as a teammate and friend. The pain Naruto felt though was nothing compared to the other emotion that plagued his mind at the time; Rage.
Naruto didn't remember much from what happened but knew enough that he somehow was able to call upon and use some of the Kyuubi's demon chakra. He could remember how the chakra felt coursing through him. All that power and hate was maddening. He now knew why the villagers were so afraid of him. The Kyuubi's chakra made him feel and act like a vicious wild animal bent on killing anything it saw.
There was something else though. Something that Naruto just couldn't explain that had happened at that moment. He wasn't sure if it was another influence from the Kyuubi's power or not but whatever it was it frightened him. All he remembered was that when he was bathed in the Kyuubi's chakra it felt like he was shrouded by another mysterious energy too. Whatever it was it felt dark, powerful, and also very cold. This strange power didn't feel like chakra at all because it felt like it wasn't only a part of him but also a part of everyone and everything around him too.
He only had brief glimpse of it in his mind's eye. This energy had two different sides; one that was bright and warm and another that was dark and cold. In that brief vision, he recalled that he was pulled into the dark half and it was there that he felt his rage and pain, from Sasuke's supposed death, more focused and in turn it made him feel even stronger. With this new sensation along with the Kyuubi's chakra Naruto felt consumed with the need to kill both Haku, Zabuza, and anyone else that dared to threaten his friends. The last thing he remembered of this power was when he felt it explode out of him and shatter all of Haku's ice mirrors. After that everything was a blur until he broke Haku's mask and revealed his identity as the boy he met in the forest while training at Tazuna's house.
When they finally arrived at their village Naruto had a strong need for companionship and comfort. Unfortunately he wouldn't get either since his sensei had to report to the Hokage on their mission, and Sasuke had no interest in anything except training by himself to strengthen his newly obtained Sharingan eyes. Naruto tried asking Sakura if she wanted to have lunch with him, but she said she was too busy and wasn't really interested in having lunch. Although Naruto would never say it to her face, he knew she was lying. It wasn't even a good lie since he was right there with her when she tried asking Sasuke if he wanted to go on a lunch date with her which he turned down.
Naruto even tried sweetening the deal saying that it wouldn't even be a date just two friends having lunch, but she still declined. Naruto then tried using his last resort by offering to pay for the lunch. At that point Sakura yelled at him for being an "Annoying Baka!", and punched him so hard he collided into a couple of garbage cans that were a few yards away. Then she stomped off, grumbling to herself, leaving him in the pile of trash.
Naruto rubbed his head and groaned as he picked himself up from the garbage. As he started to clean himself off, he caught sight of a few villagers glaring at him. One of them was snickering and whispered to the others that, "It's about time someone threw that demon away with the rest of the trash." Naruto glared at the villagers and snarled at them. Daring them to say another insult to him. He was in no mood for any of the villagers having problems with him because of the demon fox. Thankfully the villagers' fear of the fox within him took hold and they backed away. Naruto then sighed solemnly and walked away. Heading to the only place where he can be accepted and have a good meal; Ichiraku Ramen.
That's where we currently find the Leaf's Number One Unpredictable Knucklehead ninja. He could've tried to meet up with Iruka sensei first, before heading to his favorite ramen stand, but Iruka was most likely busy teaching his class during this time of day. Despite the boy's slow pace, it didn't take him long to reach his destination. He lifted one of the flaps as he entered the small stand and took a seat on one of the tools. Folding his arms on the counter and looking down at it, he began to let his thoughts once again become plagued with loneliness, depression, and fear. Naruto didn't even acknowledge when the owner Teuchi Ichiraku and his daughter Ayame Ichiraku spoke to him.
"Naruto, where've you been? I've been wondering where my number one customer was. Will it be the usual for you?"
Teuchi and his daughter then noticed the sad look on Naruto's face and instantly became concerned. They also noticed that his blue and orange jacket was kind of dirty and smelly.
"Naruto-kun what happened? Did someone throw garbage at you?"
Ayame asked as she reached out and placed her hand gently on his shoulder. The soft contact of her hand with his shoulder was enough to break him out of his thoughts and look up at both of their worried faces. He then put on his famous big wide grin and put his hand behind his head and began to laugh a little.
"Oh I'm all right Ayame-Chan. I just fell into some garbage while walking here. Clumsy me."
Naruto didn't want to mention that Sakura was the one responsible. If he ever got lucky and managed to get a date out of her, he didn't want both the old man and his daughter to have misgivings about serving someone who was mean to him even if he was on a date with said person. Luckily for him it looked like his fake grin fooled them both and they didn't pry any further on the subject. Ayame then offered her hand out and gave him a gentle smile which confused him.
"Give me your jacket. I'll get it washed for you. Knowing you, by the time you finish eating all the ramen you order it should be clean by then."
Naruto stared at her dumbfounded. It never ceases to amaze him just how kind these two are to him. Unlike the previous smile the small one he gave this time was genuine.
"Thanks Ayame-Chan and Old man I'll have a large bowl of beef ramen!"
Naruto then proceeded to take off his jacket and hand it over to Ayame, who then went to the back of the shop and began to wash it, while the old man began to cook the little genin's order. No sooner than when they both left the counter did Naruto once again begin to feel haunted by the memories of what happened on his mission. That power, he felt on the bridge, once more filling him with both curiosity and fear.
'What was that power? That energy? Why do I feel so cold when I think about it?'
Naruto began to shiver as he thought more and more about that strange and yet frightening power. That is until someone's hand was placed gently on his shoulder. He looked up expecting Ayame to be comforting him again; instead he found that the hand belonged to an old man who was wearing some slightly fancy looking robes, had grey hair, and had a small reassuring smile on his face.
"Pardon me my dear boy, is this seat taken?" The old man motioned to the seat right next to Naruto at the counter. Naruto was taken aback. No one aside from Iruka sensei has ever wanted to next to him at the ramen stand. At first he thought the old man was up to something but one look at his smile again quickly diminished any one of those thoughts.
"Sure, help yourself."
The old man then sat down next to him and rested his arms slightly over the counter. Naruto took a closer look at the man, but couldn't recognize him. True, he didn't know every single person in the village but something about this man made it feel like he wasn't from around here. It felt even more evidenced by his clothes. The young genin has never seen anyone in the village wear robes like that. They weren't incredibly fancy, but they definitely looked out of place.
"To answer your question dear boy, no I am not from this village. I'm visiting from my own home."
Naruto was caught a bit off guard from the man's statement and then immediately asked the first question that came to his mind.
"Whoa! Can you read my thoughts or something old man?"
Naruto has never heard of anyone outside of the Yamanaka clan capable of reading thoughts. Every time he's asked Ino about her clan she's always told him to buzz off and that it was none of his business. The old man looked at him and simply smiled.
"No, it's easy to see when you are confused, Naruto Uzumaki."
Naruto definitely wasn't prepared for that! How did this old man know who he was? No one outside the village knows him except for the people in the Wave country. It then dawned on him that this man might be an assassin who worked for Gato or was a business partner of his. Now he's here for revenge for his and his team's actions on the bridge! He immediately leaped from his stool and got into a fighting stance. Waiting for the old man to make his move. To his surprise the old man just looked at him again with that friendly smile.
"Calm down my dear boy. I am no friend of Gato. In fact he and I never have even met. I do not associate myself with cruel, greedy business men like him. The reason I've heard of you is because you are famous Naruto."
The genin slowly relaxed his stance with a dumbfounded look on his face.
'I'm famous? I'm actually famous? How is that possible?'
Naruto couldn't believe it. How was he famous? The young shinobi hasn't done anything spectacular or amazing like the Kages. He would've found it hard to believe, yet for some strange reason he trusted that the old man wasn't lying to him.
"Word of your brave and heroic actions in the Wave country reached my home not too long ago. I've traveled all this way to meet with you Naruto and I can honestly say that you definitely live up to your reputation as the great, kind, and powerful warrior that you are."
Once again Naruto was caught completely off guard. It's true that he helped Tazuna and his village a great deal, but he didn't think it was that great that word of his aide would spread that fast. In fact he didn't think many people would find out about it at all. Just a few travelers who would use the bridge and wonder where the villagers got the name for it from. The shocked genin then dropped his battle stance completely and just sat back down on his stool. Taking in the fact that he was already becoming famous.
"You seem surprised my boy. You shouldn't be. It's rare for a 12 year old young genin such as yourself to defeat a highly trained assassin and on top of that convinces his master to forsake his evil ways and to redeem himself."
Naruto looked at the old man with wide eyes. Normally after hearing something like that, he would be bouncing off the walls with joy. Stroking his own ego about how he will definitely become Hokage after a feat like that. Instead sorrow engulfed his face again and he just looked back down at the counter. Folding his arms up and resting his chin against his hands.
"What seems to be the matter my boy?" The old man reached out and placed his hand on his shoulder again. Naruto looked up at him and tried masking his depression.
"Oh, it's nothing mister. I just can't wait to eat my ramen!"
Naruto licked his lips and flexed his fingers constantly. Trying to make it look like he was impatient to get his meal. The old man merely smiled again and took his hand off Naruto's shoulder.
"It seems you are also very skilled in the art of deception too dear boy. However, when you've lived long and traveled as far and wide as I have, you learn to sense when someone is showing you their true feelings and when they are not."
Naruto couldn't believe it. Only Iruka and Old Man Third has ever seen through his fake smiles. Before he could think further on the subject though, Teuchi came back with a big steamy bowl of his famous ramen in his hands and placed it in front of Naruto.
"There you are Naruto. One big bowl of beef ramen!"
The ramen chef was about to turn away when he noticed the old man sitting next to the genin.
"Oh, I didn't see you there! Would like anything to eat or drink sir?"
The old man smiled at the chef and gave his order.
"Yes, I believe I will have what my new friend here is having and also some green tea please."
"Sure, coming right up!" The ramen chef then proceeded back into his kitchen to prepare the new order. Naruto meanwhile was so busy looking at the old man next to him that he completely forgot about the big bowl of ramen in front of him which is a rare occurrence indeed!
"You...really want to be my friend mister?"
The old man looked at him again. That same smile still gracing his face.
"Of course my dear boy! You seem like a nice young man to me. Not to mention that from what I have heard of you is that you are pleasant, talented, and loyal to a fault. Why wouldn't anyone want to be your friend when you have such admirable qualities?"
Naruto would have to ask Kakashi-sensei later to help train him to keep his guard up better because once again, for what seemed like the millionth time, the strange old man next to him seemed to catch him with it down again! He's never been complemented like that before. Not even by either Iruka sensei or Old Man Third! However, a look of fear began to creep its way onto Naruto's face. If the old man found out that the reason all the adults hated him was because of the Kyuubi, then not only would he lose a chance to gain a new friend but he would also have another adult that hated him for that demon fox inside him.
'NO! I refuse to let that stupid fox ruin this for me! I need to come up with something fast!'
Naruto then thought up the perfect cover story to give to the old man.
"Well a lot of the villagers and kids my age here hate me because they think I'm an annoying loser who does nothing but pull pranks and doesn't take his studying seriously."
Naruto scratched his cheek nervously. Hoping the old man would buy his story. Luckily for him it would seem he did bought it but not the way he expected.
"Well, I don't think that at all my boy. Quite the opposite in fact. I think you're a shinobi that has extraordinary potential. The only negative quality I can think for you right now is that your allowing that delicious looking ramen of yours to go cold!"
Naruto's eyes went as wide as dinner plates and yelled as he realized that the old man was right. He's been neglecting his absolute favorite meal! He immediately broke his chopsticks and started to scarf down his ramen. Throwing his table manners right out the window, but his new friend didn't seem to mind. While he was eating he thought about what the old man said. That he had extraordinary potential. This new friend of his was really starting to soar high up there in his list of favorite and most precious people. Just right below his teammates.
"In fact it's more than likely because of your potential that your fellow shinobi and the villagers treat you so horribly Naruto. They may not like you because they don't trust you, and they don't trust you because they fear you. Fear for the power inside you."
Naruto stopped mid-eating and just looked at the old man. Eyes wide and full of fear.
'Oh shit! Don't tell me he knows about the stupid fox! Damn! Why can't I find just one other person besides Iruka sensei, the old man, and Ayame-Chan that will just accept me for who I am!'
Before Naruto could confirm his worst fears about his new friend knowing about the fox. The old man patted Naruto on top of the head.
"It is only natural Naruto. People often fear what they don't understand. No matter how much they try to deny it. It is in their nature. Now tell me my boy what seems to be troubling you so deeply?"
Just as the old man finished asking his question. Teuchi came back with another big bowl of ramen and a cup of green tea.
"Here you are! One large bowl of beef ramen and a cup of green tea. Can I get you anything else?"
"No thank you. That's quite enough for me."
The old man slightly bowed and started to take some sips from his tea. After that he broke his chopsticks and began to dig into his own ramen. All the time he was eyeing the boy next to him. Waiting patiently for him to tell of him of his troubles. Naruto was still sitting there staring into his ramen bowl as he thought of whether or not he should tell his new friend. Finally he decided that if the old man was willing to listen to him, then he should oblige. After all he was his new friend and precious person.
"Well, I've been feeling kinda...no really bad for the two rogue ninja I met in the Wave country."
The old man stopped eating and continued listening to the boy's tale.
"They didn't seem all that bad to me. In fact in some weird way I kinda liked them. I just wished they didn't have to die. Just when Zabuza finally understood that Haku was his friend not a disposable weapon and poor Haku after having such a miserable and lonely life before meeting Zabuza and then allowing himself to be used as a weapon. Haku may have done bad things for Zabuza, but I could tell he was a good person that just wanted to be acknowledged. I just wish...I just...I just wish that things could've ended differently."
The old man nodded his head showing he understood what the boy was saying. He took another sip of his tea and then placed his hand on the boy's shoulder.
"Once again you certainly live up to your reputation as an amazing shinobi, Naruto. Yes, life can be rather cruel to certain individuals. Especially in this...shinobi world."
Naruto nodded his head in agreement. He never thought, before this mission, that the world he lived in could be so cruel and dark. Sure he studied the Three Great Ninja Wars at the academy, which were terrible events, yet he thought since those wars ended life as a shinobi was just all about having adventures and growing stronger for big exciting battles. Now that he's realized how naive he was being, he doesn't feel up to asking the Hokage for big rank missions for awhile. A long while.
"However, there is one thing you need to understand, Naruto. They chose their fate because of their own feelings for each other. Despite what your teachers and elders tell you about how shinobi should clear their minds of emotions during missions, it is one's own feelings that can truly give one the strength to achieve their tasks and goals. Haku's feelings for his master allowed him to fulfill his desire to protect him and Zabuza's own feelings for Haku allowed him to destroy Gato and to die peacefully right by Haku's side. As for you Naruto it was your own feelings that gave you the power to protect your friends. Always remember this my boy, no matter what anyone else tells you, you're feelings are what make you so special. Never bury them and you will always have the power to triumph any challenge and to achieve your dreams Naruto."
The old man's speech along with his serene smile seemed to clear all the depressing thoughts that have plagued Naruto's mind for the past few days. He finally felt at peace with his mission. So much so a big genuine smile plastered his face.
"Thanks mister! You've really helped me out big time! I feel so much better!"
Naruto then continued eating his ramen and finished it up all within ten seconds. He licked his lips and proceeded to pat his belly.
"Ahhhhh! Nothing beats Ichiraku ramen! I'm gonna order another!"
The old man chuckled and pushed his own ramen bowl to the genin.
"Well then by all means you can have mine. You have a great taste in food my boy! This is perhaps the tastiest ramen I've ever had! Unfortunately my old age prevents me from finishing it. It would be shame to let it go to waste. So I insist that you take it. A growing boy like you needs it more than I and you deserve it for your heroic actions of late!"
Naruto grinned at the old man.
"Thanks mister! I just love ramen!"
Before Naruto could devour his second bowl, Ayame came back with his jacket.
"Here you go Naruto-kun. I cleaned it as best as I could. I managed to get all the garbage off, but the smell is still bad. I'd take it to a washer later. Wait, you're only just starting your second bowl!? You're not sick are you!?"
Naruto grinned, rubbed the back of his head and chuckled.
"No, no Ayame-Chan I was just talking with my new friend here. His name is...uh...um...hey old man what's your name?"
The old man turned to Naruto, his friendly smile still gracing his face.
"My name is Palpatine. Palpatine Sidosaki."
"This is my new friend Old Man Palp, Ayame-Chan!"
Ayame bowed to Palpatine and gave Naruto his jacket before heading back into the kitchen to wash some dishes. After Naruto put his jacket back on, he devoured his new friend's ramen bowl. They continued chatting while Naruto ordered bowl after bowl of ramen until Palpatine brought up another question for the boy.
"Tell me Naruto was that pink haired girl I saw you with earlier a member of your team?"
Naruto, who was on his 8th bowl of ramen, nodded his head and had slight sad look on his face. Palpatine then leaned in next to the boy's ear.
"Why did she strike you into the garbage like that? That doesn't seem very appropriate considering that your her teammate and comrade."
Palpatine was eyeing Teuchi and Ayame while he asked that. Knowing full well that the boy doesn't want either of them to overhear.
"Well, I guess it was because she thought I was annoying her too much with asking her out to lunch with me."
Palpatine arched a brow at the boy's answer.
"So, she didn't take kindly to the idea of being on a romantic lunch date with you?"
Naruto took a large swallow of the ramen he was eating.
"I don't really know why she got angry. I even told her that it was just a lunch between two friends and I even offered to pay for it!"
He then started to play with the noodles using his chopsticks.
"She's always yelling at me or hitting me. I do like that she's at least acknowledging me, I just wish she could treat me the same as Sasuke."
Palpatine nodded with puzzled look on his face.
"That certainly is strange indeed my boy. Especially after all you've done for your team and an entire country you would think that she would treat you with a bit more respect or kindness. However, I wouldn't dwell too much on it for now. After all you need to focus on preparing for the Chuunin Exams."
Naruto stopped twirling his ramen noodles and looked at his friend with a confused expression.
"The Chuunin Exams?"
"Why yes my friend. The Chuunin Exams are going to be held in the Leaf this year. In fact they should be announcing it within a few days. Genin from other villages will start to arrive here pretty soon. Many of them will be strong and difficult opponents."
A small smile came upon Naruto that quickly grew into a big grin that pretty much stretched across his whole face.
"Awesome! This is just what I need! This is my chance to finally get everyone to notice me and to stop treating me like a loser! Maybe Sakura-Chan will finally go on a date with me too if I do well! Yes!"
Naruto pumped his fist into the air and Palpatine chuckled at the boys antics. Suddenly though Palpatine's face took on a serious expression which caused Naruto to stop his tom foolery and wonder what was wrong with his new friend.
"Naruto, I must tell you that there is another reason that I've come to see you. During the Chuunin Exams you will have to enter the Forest of Death and in there you will encounter three ninja from a new village called Otogakure. They are extremely deadly and they will have been given orders to kill you and your teammates. One of them in particular is a rather unpleasant sadist that will delight in hurting you and your friends."
Naruto was speechless. Why on Earth would some shinobi from a new village, that he's never even heard of, want to kill him and teammates? It didn't make sense. They haven't done anything to provoke anyone from that village at least not to Naruto's knowledge. His confusion soon became replaced with anger.
"Yeah!? We'll let them try! If they think I'm gonna just sit back and let them hurt my friends, then they got another thing coming! I'll beat them up so bad they'll wish they stayed out of the exams! No! They'll wish they never became shinobi!"
All of a sudden cracks appeared on Naruto's ramen bowl and Palpatine's tea cup and the small ramen shop began to slightly shake. The young genin's anger quickly dissipated when he felt that strange power again. He grabbed both of his arms for warmth as he felt the cold come back.
'What's going on!? Why is this power back!? What is it!? Where's it coming from!?'
His shivering stopped when Palpatine placed his hand on the boy's quivering shoulder and spoke in a soothing voice.
"Do not be afraid of this power my boy. It is a gift that very few receive in this world and it is the only thing that can truly save both you and your friends."
Naruto looked at the old man wondering how on Earth he knows about this power. Before he could ask, he started to hear someone calling out his name.
"Naruto!? Naruto!? Naruto!? Oh, finally! There you are! I've been looking everywhere for you!"
Naruto turned to see Sakura standing there with her hands on her hips and with a annoyed look on her face.
"Sakura-Chan? What are you doing here?"
Sakura started to look like she was getting more annoyed and impatient.
"I just told you that I've been looking for you Baka!"
Naruto had a look of confusion that quickly turned into one of happiness and hope.
"Did you change your mind about having lunch with me?"
A twitch mark appeared on Sakura's forehead and she started to grind her teeth. She couldn't believe anyone could be this stupid and annoying. Naruto unfortunately though proves to her time and again that apparently such a thing was possible which he was about to regret.
"NO, YOU BAKA! I CAME LOOKING FOR YOU BECAUSE KAKASHI-SENSEI WANTS TO SEE US! GOD FOR ONCE WILL YOU JUST USE THAT THICK HEAD OF YOURS AND REALIZE THAT I WILL NEVER WANT TO GO ON A DATE WITH A LOSER LIKE YOU! GET YOUR STUPID BUTT MOVING SO WE CAN GO ALREADY!"
Naruto had to hold his ears with how loud Sakura was shouting. His once happy face once again filled with sadness. Why did she have to be so mean to him? It wasn't his fault that he thought she changed her mind about having lunch with the boy. Why couldn't she just treat him with just even a hint of the same respect and kindness that she gives to that teme Sasuke? It seemed that she'll always see him as nothing more than just an annoying baka to take her frustrations out on. As Naruto was about to move from his seat, his new friend calmly spoke up.
"Young lady, I don't care how quickly you need to get back to your sensei, that is no excuse to publicly scream at and humiliate your friend and comrade. Just think of how disappointed your sensei would be in you if he saw you acting so disgraceful right now. The boy's confusion was perfectly understandable. Perhaps next time you should take that into account first before letting your childish temper get the better of you. Naruto doesn't deserve to be treated that way; especially not after his noble actions in the Wave country. You should be ashamed of yourself."
Naruto couldn't believe what he was hearing. No one not even Iruka-sensei has ever defended him like that from his fellow classmates! Especially not from Sakura! A part of him was mad that Palpatine called Sakura childish and disgraceful, but he felt too overjoyed of the fact that his new friend was actually defending his feelings like he was a fellow human being and not some nuisance or monster.
Sakura was also speechless. She's never been lectured about yelling at Naruto and calling him a baka or loser, let alone lectured for misbehavior in general. She's always thought of herself as a well behaved and mature kounoichi and believed that all the other kids her age, with the exception of Ino, and the adults thought so too. In fact for as long as she could remember most of the villagers have actually told her she was doing the village a great service by constantly yelling at and smacking the boy.
Despite that though the more she thought about it the more she realized that perhaps she was a bit too hard on Naruto just now. It's true that it was perfectly understandable that he would have no idea why she was looking for him. Not to mention that their sensei is always running really late to their meetings. That and Naruto did perform admirably in their mission to the Wave. It's just that he annoys her so easily that sometimes she just can't stand it! Still it wasn't a valid reason to publicly humiliate and insult him like that. Especially, when it looked like he was having a pleasant conversation with this old man that she may have rudely interrupted.
"It's okay Old Man Palp. Sakura-san is right. I was just being an idiot as usual. We should meet here again sometime! I really enjoy hanging out and talking with you!"
Naruto had a downtrodden look on his face the whole time he said that, but Palpatine could see it in his eyes. The boy was really thankful for him coming to his defense. He pulled out his frog wallet to pay for the meal and opened it only for a moth to fly out. The damn thing was empty!
'Oh man! I forget to get paid for that mission we just did! Damn it! I hope the Old Man will just run it up my tab!'
Palpatine noticed the boy's predicament and gave him a reassuring smile.
"Fret not my boy, I can cover for you."
Palpatine then took out some money and placed it on the counter.
"And I would be more than happy to meet with you again in the future. I shall be watching you and your ninja career with great interest!"
Naruto once again made a big grin and pumped his fist in the air.
"Yeah! I can't wait Old Man Palp! And thanks for telling me about the Chuunin Exams! I'm gonna beat everyone and become the strongest chuunin in this village! Believe it!"
The old man kept on smiling placed both hands on Naruto's shoulders.
"Good to hear and remember what I've told you Naruto. Never bury your feelings and do not fear to use that power within you. No matter what anyone else tells you."
Naruto smiled, gave him a thumbs up, then hopped off his seat and ran past Sakura to the bridge where Team 7 usually meets. Sakura was still surprised that Naruto defended her, after she yelled at him like that, that it took her a few seconds to realize Naruto was already leaving without her.
"Naruto! Wait for me!"
When she finally caught up to him, she started asking questions about who that old man was? How come she's never seen him in the village before? How did he know about their mission to the Wave? What power was he talking about? How he already knows in advance about the Chuunin Exams? Naruto only answered the first question by saying that he was a "New Friend" and didn't answer her further which unnerved and annoyed her a little bit until they arrived at Team 7's meeting location and were surprised to see that Kakashi-sensei was on time for once.
While Kakashi was informing them on how the Hokage was impressed with their skills and efforts during their mission to the Wave, and that they deserve a few days off, Sakura realized that earlier Naruto called her, 'Sakura-san', without the usual chan suffix to her name. The nickname always annoyed her, but for some reason it didn't feel right to not have Naruto call her that. It felt so unNaruto. Before she could ask him about it, when the meeting ended, he already left without saying a word.
She started to feel guilty and think that she may have really hurt his feelings earlier which certainly would explain his abnormally quiet behavior. Even after she made a promise to herself that she would treat him better that day at the park bench. She slowly walked home thinking of ways to make up for what she did until those thoughts all but disappeared when she spotted Sasuke and started falling back into her fan girl routine.
Elsewhere, in a dark chamber with only a few lights blinking from the walls, a figure clothed in dark robes and a hood, that partially hid his face, cracked a sinister smile on his face.
"Patience. Everything is proceeding as I have foreseen. Soon the resurrection of Lord Vader will be complete. My former apprentice shall soon have a new body. One far younger and more powerful!"
The dark lord started to laugh. His evil cackling echoing around his small but frightening technological throne room. After this day the fate of Naruto and the balance of the shinobi world will forever change.
Okay that's chapter one for ya! It was a bit longer than what I intended but I just couldn't resist using all these ideas I had for Naruto and Palpatine's first meeting. Anyway if you liked it, I'll continue the story. If not well then I guess my first story will just have to be a one shot with an aggravating cliffhanger! See ya later!