"Tch…" The bandaged guy clicked his tongue, landing on the Water Temple roof. "You even sleep?"
"Hm?" The dirty-red-haired guy with dark circles under his eyes noticed him. He sat on one of two man-sized bronze fish adorning the roof, a large sand vessel on his back.
"Never mind…" The bandaged one shrugged, eyeing him with one eye, hunching after the jump. "I'm killing you anyway. You're the only one who could stop me from facing Sasuke in the finals and killing him. Can't let that happen…"
"Heh…" The redhead exhaled, turning to the night sky, watching the full moon emerge from clouds, its light falling on his face. In the glow, his light-green eyes and forehead kanji "love" were visible. "Full moon…" he started. "Hardest time to hold back…"
"What're you mumbling?" The bandaged one approached, drawing a gloved-speaker hand from his long sleeve. "Think your sand's faster than my sound?"
"Looks like… Now I can… Can…" He clenched his fist; eyes changed. Iris turned amber, pupils cross-shaped. Sclera blackened, vessel burrowed into his back, sprouting a tail-paw hybrid appendage.
The redhead clutched his head like fighting agony; the tail-paw whipped wildly, then swung at the foe, shadowing him.
"Y-you… What the hell are you?!" he asked shakily, feeling the guy's ki surge massively. Already dangerous, now his chakra was scarier than his sensei's.
At superhuman speed, the paw-tail grabbed the bandaged guy's head in an instant, slamming his occiput into the roof edge, holding his face—chewing it.
"Ooh…" said the long black-cloaked, hooded man watching from the next roof with a sand shinobi uniform guy. "So that's jinchuriki power? Who'da thought… Even I couldn't take him. Probably…" he said doubtfully, adjusting glasses.
"You've been out of contact too long," the sand shinobi noted.
"Sorry, necessary. They ID'd me and Orochimaru-sama too quick. Had to hide; last days focused on that."
"Understand, but I needed to confirm our deal holds—Sound supports as Orochimaru promised, not just intel."
"Rest easy. Here…" The cloaked man handed a scroll to the sand shinobi. "Give this to Kazekage-sama… Our attack plan. Text sealed; unlock with strong shinobi blood, jonin rank or higher."
"Got it. I'll deliver to Kazekage-sama."
"Count on you and…" Turning, the cloaked man cut off. "Before we part, let's handle that little problem around the corner."
"Yes, you're right…"
'What? Spotted? When… Shit!' flashed in Hayate's mind as he watched. He instant-transmitted away.
"Running? Then…" The cloaked man prepped pursuit, but the sand shinobi stopped him.
"No need… Let me, as loyalty proof to our alliance. Just a little spy. What could go wrong?" he smirked, vanishing too.
"Ready? Let's go…" Boar urged.
"Yeah, jump off the sill; I'm right behind," I said, climbing onto the bed in boots to exit the window.
On the next roof, he strode long to the edge; I followed, asking.
"Whole ANBU captain for me? Must be important," I said. Every scrap from Boar mattered now. Hope he still underestimated me as a nosy kid.
Think…
Think, leaky brain—what'd I slip, and what does Gramps know? ID the Wanderer that fast? Doubt it… But can't rule out. Maybe pistol-whipping me personally for street toads while Kakashi's gone? Why now?
"Nah, volunteered end of shift… Reported as Lord-Hokage asked to fetch you; said I'd dash before leaving."
"Got it…" I said, hopping down after Boar to the street. 7:30 a.m., streets not crowded yet. Cleaners gone; most at morning workouts in parks or grounds, or heading to work. No eyes on me with ANBU escort.
Boar hopped roofs at brisk walk, not running—not super urgent. Odds of big news dropping…
"Hey, am I in trouble?"
"Told ya… No clue, but… Hokage mornings are checks and backlog. Big meets evenings. What, screw up? Kakashi'd chew you out fine…"
"Didn't screw much… Wonder why he wants me?"
"Then don't sweat; find out soon."
"Boar, oh Boar…" I grinned.
"What?"
"What's your chakra nature?"
"Nature? Why ask?"
"Secret, or just don't wanna say?"
"Heh… Earth. Use several, but main's earth."
"Earth, huh… Hard to master?"
"Mmm…" He crossed arms, slowing. "Nah… Or maybe I'm just that good… Dunno."
"If I get earth nature, help?"
"Huh? Help with earth? Busy in ANBU—schedule sucks. Why think you'd have it?"
"Just hypothetically… Don't know mine yet…" I said, hands behind head as we arced toward the Kage building.
"I see… Listen… You're definitely not earth-inclined."
"Huh? Why?"
"Just… Character signs show affinities. Taught to read in battle—behavior reveals essence. Might be wrong, but… Earth shinobi like me: calm, deliberate, cautious, loner, sturdy build."
"And?"
"Not you, except build—you're well-trained for your age. Tall, sturdy kid, maybe tougher than me."
"Well… Then tell me, oh prophetic Boar, what nature suits me?" I teased as we entered, climbing to third floor.
"Heh… Won't drop it, huh?"
"Nope…" I grinned.
"Probably… Wind."
"Wind?"
"Yeah… Moody like wind, calm one sec, unstoppable next. Quick decisions, sudden shifts. Might be off, don't know you well, but…"
"Nah… You nailed it. Sounds like me…" I looked down. Boar's sharp in psych. Don't underestimate. No wonder ANBU captain—not Itachi at 13, but smart, probably strong. At least jonin-level. Fat hint: don't underrate locals… Or it'll end bad. Stop thinking you're the smartest.
Boar knocked at Gramps's office; we entered.
"Lord Hokage, per your order, delivering Uzumaki Naruto." He knelt reporting. I respected the old man too, standing back-turned, smoking out the open window behind his desk.
"Lord Hokage, reporting as ordered," I said, kneeling and bowing.
"Ooh…" He turned, removing pipe, approaching desk. "Boar, you're dismissed; held you up enough."
"Thanks." Boar phased through the floor. Whoa… Earth technique?
"Rise, Naruto."
"Yes, sir."
"Good to see you've learned etiquette."
"Growing up… Or aging," I shrugged.
"Ha-ha-ha…" He laughed genuinely, smiling as he sat. "Think you're in for it over the toads?" Gramps nailed one reason for my politeness, smirking slyly.
"Uh…"
"Relax… More good news herald. Only one could teach toad summoning. They broke nothing, so no real punishment…"
"Phew…" I exhaled.
"Naruto, truth is, I wanted a serious talk—put it off too long." Gramps frowned. I tensed.
"Listening…"
"Kakashi reported forest events. Orochimaru's appearance…" He closed eyes, setting pipe aside. "Shouldn't have happened."
"Plenty shouldn't. Point? Act now, not fret, Lord Hokage."
"Right… Measures in motion. Orochimaru's serious threat, but we'll hold if he seeks revenge on village or me."
"He doesn't care about village or you… You know what he wants?"
"Sasuke? You think?"
"Isn't it? Told Teacher Kakashi—he tried weird technique on him, targeted him in clash."
"I'm leaning that way too—Sharingan one goal… He won't get it, Naruto. I'll protect Sasuke and village."
"Glad, but… Not here to discuss that?"
"Hm… Sharper than ever, Naruto." He smiled. "You really ready…"
"For what?"
"First, examiners recommend chuunin rank. Now, I agree. You've matured."
"So?"
"Right… Tournament outcome irrelevant—you're chuunin post-exam. Congrats…"
"I see… Thanks for trust." I bowed crisply.
"Head up… Ties to my request."
"Request?"
"Yes… In your fight with Neji Hyuga… Don't use Nine-Tails chakra." Ah, there it was…
"Huh? Don't use it?" He nodded. "Even if I lose without?"
"That's why advance notice—you're chuunin regardless. But… Better keep that power secret. You scared everyone at prelims. Now, not just foreign jonin on stands. High-profile guests scrutinizing matches. Specialists too, mostly guards, but… Village hurts if they ID Nine-Tails power in you. Not just village interests. Understand the power?"
"Roughly…"
"Then straight: no half-truths… Nine-Tails is village strategic weapon. Massive danger factor. Could save or doom us. You…" He pointed. "Fate made you its vessel. Such folks holding beasts inside are jinchuriki."
"Jinchuriki?" He nodded.
"All great nations have them. Think—if village enemies like Orochimaru learn who's sealed with Demon Fox, what might they do?"
"Say power gets me killed?"
"If lucky… Worse if they seize it. You die anyway, but… Enemy hands on that might? You get it. Loved ones endangered. That's why I ask—no use unless desperate."
"I see? Now scared they'll ID me? Just pull me from exam? Why beg?" I clenched fists, voice rising.
"Tricky… You're entered Konoha shinobi. Cancel now, hide you—too late. Your words? Too much shouldn't happen? Act now…"
"So? Regret my freedom, Lord Hokage?"
"Naruto…"
"Don't buy me off with chuunin to hide YOUR mistakes!" I yelled. "Fate's will? That fate named Minato Namikaze?!" Gramps flinched.
"Naruto, you…" He stood. "Listen, try understand… Huge tragedy. No one wanted this; swear if possible, I'd prevent it. You've had it rough; I'm partly to blame… But… Fourth—no, Minato… Sure he left Nine-Tails power for reason!"
"Don't care why. Reasons don't fix. I live with it, get it?! I decide what to do!"
"Naruto, you… Some things beyond control and…"
"Too bad Fourth took Fox to afterlife, sparing your regrets. Don't give freedom then regret. You're right… Much shouldn't happen, but did; I accepted. Can't order no full power—violates exam rules, international treaty. If request, sorry Lord Hokage, must decline. If I deem fit, I'll use as needed, within rules and laws—which unlike you, I respect." I turned to door.
"Naruto… You're right; sorry for pressure, but think—isn't my request logical? For your good…"
"You've 'helped' my good enough… Enough care—just worsens! Orochimaru one of three legendary ninja, right? Whose student?" Gramps looked down as I glanced over shoulder. Hand on knob, I faced Hokage portraits.
"I swear to fix Fourth's errors and surpass him!" Gramps's eyes snapped up, like cold water splash. "I swear no harm to village or people. Trust me with chuunin? Know that's my ninja way!" I opened door, left. Think he smiled…
"So that's it… Naruto. Truly fine shinobi and…" Gramps thought, donning Kage hat from desk.
"You're worthy son of your father. I believe in you—you're our future. Look ahead, step ahead, charge ahead, follow heart. I'll handle Orochimaru, fix past mistakes. At least one…"
I no longer felt like sleeping at all. When I got home, Sakura wasn't there, so I decided to make myself some breakfast. I cooked a bit of rice and eggs. I also boiled water for tea. They didn't let me finish eating—a knock sounded at the door.
Of course, it was Sakura...
"So you're home? I was wondering when you'd show up at the Training Ground..."
"Sorry, I'm not feeling well—let's postpone training for later. For now, practice what I showed you; it won't hurt."
"Not feeling well? You never get sick at all." She looked surprised on the doorstep. "And you don't even look unwell... Damn, why is her attentiveness kicking in right now of all times?"
"Heh... I have to complete a task from Teacher Hayate today. I trained half the night yesterday, so I skipped my morning workout. Sorry, but... I can't help you with training today. Try finding the pervert in the same spot, or maybe he'll be at the springs again."
"Maybe you'll come with me to the hospital to see Lee?"
"To the hospital? Listen, I'm planning to resume sword training soon anyway, and..."
"Fine, I get it... I won't beg. You had time for walks with the sand princess, but you won't visit a comrade... I'm going, Naruto. You can find me at the third Training Ground in the mornings." And she turned away... Is she offended? Damn, what's the point of visiting Lee if he's just lying there unconscious anyway? But why'd she bring up Temari like that—thinks it'll trigger my guilt?
"Jealous? If you get tired of chasing Sasuke, come by, and I'll give you a ride on the toads!" I yelled after her as she headed down the stairs. Naturally, I quickly shut the door after hearing only...
"Naruto, you idiot!"
After finishing my breakfast, I warmed up a bit right in the room, grabbed my equipment, and headed to the Training Ground. I had two main tasks... Finish the rasengan and train my sword-drawing speed.
I felt like there was some hidden trick to it... Some cunning. Hayate used the Body Flicker Technique to disrupt my draw. Is it possible to draw it in a way he can't interfere? Use the Body Flicker Technique simultaneously with him? I'm not sure I can do it in the exact instant he moves to me. It'd be a gamble—even if I succeed 6 out of 10 times, that's not enough for real combat. And if I get used to it against Hayate, it won't work on a real opponent, since I'd have to dodge a lethal attack, not just a disarming attempt.
I split my clones into two groups. I ordered one group to inflate a hundred balloons and start rasengan practice. That group had about 15 clones. Meanwhile, 14 more clones and I focused on drawing swords, concentrating on speed.
Good thing the balloons were only 5 Ryo each and cost me just 500 Ryo total. The first thirty burst almost immediately. Then two batches of ten and two of five. After that, it went pretty well, and after just half an hour, I gathered the experience from the clones and repeated the process.
Only 1 out of 15 balloons burst instantly now. Looks like the chakra stabilization phase will be easier than I thought.
Trying to train on two fronts at once gave me a sharp headache when I tried to gather experience from the sword group too. Because of that, the balloon clones lost focus, burst another ten balloons, and dispersed.
I'd never felt feedback like that. Both palms burned like fire, my eyes watered, and blood trickled from my nose. My legs buckled, and I dropped to my knees, then onto all fours. It only let up after a full minute.
The Fox said nothing, and I didn't want to ask. He'd warned me about the consequences of overloads like this, and he wasn't the type to repeat himself for idiots.
After sweating buckets, I wiped the blood from my nose and decided to rest—just sit on the grass and sip some sweet tea from the bottle I'd brought.
Nice when no one's bothering you... It's been a while since I've been alone in a setting like this...
Closing my eyes, I realized I was dozing off, and the image of Hayate drawing his sword and striking at Baki flashed in my mind like bright bursts—I snapped awake.
By my senses, about half an hour had passed.
That hit me hard...
Standing up, I tried to process what I'd seen, and then it clicked. I smacked my forehead hard...
Right!
Hayate didn't draw his sword—he kept his hand on the hilt and concentrated chakra right away for his technique.
Sneaky samurai bastard!
Sword drawing... Yeah, no way to realistically draw it before Hayate interferes, so the main task is to eliminate the chance he'll try to disarm me during the draw.
I haven't learned any kenjutsu techniques and don't know them, but if I think about it...
The toads just sharply accelerated their weapons by channeling chakra. I can already enhance strikes by channeling chakra into the sword. Isn't that a kenjutsu technique? Or at least one stage—then what's the second?
In his moon dance technique against Baki, he used three ghosts to distract and the Body Flicker Technique upward.
The Body Flicker Technique... Plus chakra concentration and control...
Agni's movements in his swings...
Got it.
Opening my eyes, I already knew what to do.
The Body Flicker Technique doesn't just work on the whole body. Concentrating chakra in my hand and lightening it, I drew the sword—if not three times, then definitely twice as fast. That way, while Hayate's flying at me, my hand draws at equal speed, and without something like Sharingan, he'll never track my movements. Still need to practice, which I planned to. Sudden acceleration and mass manipulation in one limb instead of the whole body requires advanced chakra control. Could try combining it with Kurama's chakra later, but that's for the future. First, master this...
As for naming the sword, I pondered it after another half hour of training. Teacher Iruka gave me this sword after I protected him from Mizuki. I used it to protect Tazuna from Zabuza and Sasuke from Haku. I also used it to protect Sasuke and Sakura from Orochimaru... My real name translates from Greek as "protector." I also didn't want to use it against Kiba, lest I accidentally kill him.
Looking at the one-handed katana in my hand, I knew how I'd answer Hayate's question about its name.
All that remained was mastering the rasengan. Five days of training out of a month had passed, and I wasn't stopping, but today was the first warning not to overdo it. I'd played around too much with Kurama's power already, and it couldn't fully cover training like this at my age. Especially after blood loss and sleep deprivation.
It was lunchtime, so I headed home to rest properly. In the evening, I'd summon toads and continue prepping my plan for the Leaf vs. Sand clash at the exams.
***
Hayate arrived at the Training Ground the next morning while I was still drilling Sakura.
Over those few days, she'd already started running sprints at a solid four by Academy standards.
This time, I additionally made her practice strike exchanges with her shadow clone, already on the river surface—which, surprisingly, she handled well. Hayate even patiently waited until Sakura finished the exercise and returned to me with my overseer clone, which I dispersed.
"Good morning, Teacher Hayate."
"Good morning, Sakura." He greeted her back. "Hope I didn't interrupt... *cough-cough*... Sorry... You preparing for the exams here?"
"Sort of—I asked Naruto to help with training since Teacher Kakashi's busy."
"I see... Naruto came up with a good way to make you drill moves with your clones. It'll boost efficiency, but... You're just reinforcing errors that way, and Naruto doesn't spot them in your technique."
"I told her that, but... Better than training alone."
"Well, I don't know... *cough*... *ahem*..." He cleared his throat. "Sorry... Anyway, Sakura, step up and take a stance... That strike from eighth position..." Hayate took the time to point out errors in her strike setups and stances. He demonstrated visually when and which muscles to tense and told me to watch so she didn't repeat them. Otherwise, he called her taijutsu ideal and rated it a four-plus.
"Thanks for the praise, Teacher Hayate, but compared to Lee, I'm..."
"Don't compare yourself to Lee—or anyone. Everyone has strengths and weaknesses." Hayate cut her off. "You beat a clan kunoichi, and now you're getting stronger, Sakura. Don't undervalue your abilities."
"Got it, Teacher. If you don't mind my boldness, but... Could you teach me a combat-useful technique? I'm afraid what I have now won't beat the sand princess." Sakura said sadly.
"Well, you couldn't beat her anyway, sorry. That girl's definitely strong-chunin level. And she's older—no surprise..."
"I see... Too bad." She dropped her gaze to the ground.
"Well, my techniques are narrowly specialized, but I can give you some basics..."
"Huh?" She looked at him with renewed hope.
"You know the Body Flicker Technique?"
"Well... I managed it once in the Academy during testing. But it was weak, nearly made me puke, and I only did it on the retake to spite Ino. Haven't used it since."
"Got it—that'll make it easier. You control chakra better now, so no disorientation, and speed should be higher. Work on range... I want you jumping from here to the monument and back."
"No way!" I blurted. "Fifty meters! Even I can't do that!"
"You can—you teleported to Neji. You just haven't trained jump range. Sakura... *cough-cough*... Sorry. Go try. I'll work with Naruto meanwhile."
"Right, Teacher—thanks for the help."
"So? Ready?" He asked, pulling out another coin to toss. Grinning, I nodded, and he flipped it.
"This time... I won't fall for it..." The coin hit the ground, and Hayate and I flickered simultaneously. He on his whole body, me just on one arm, tucking it behind my back. Standing still, I sensed his moves via concentrated Kyu within ten meters. I felt him going behind me—the sword tip aimed right there, at his throat, as I crouched low in stance.
"Whoa..." His eyes widened seeing he'd nearly impaled himself on my sword with his flicker. I turned my head and smirked. "Congrats, Naruto... *cough-cough*... Sorry. You're impressive—I'm blown away."
"By the way, coulda hinted at the trick." I said, sheathing the katana. "Bit unfair..."
"A swordsman must not just know and use, but understand every nuance. You should've figured it out yourself on the sword path. Mastering it proves you took up the sword for a reason. What's your sword's name?" He pressed.
"This sword..." I drew it and looked at the blade again. "I don't want to use it as a killing tool. I want..." In the distance, Sakura attempted another flicker but failed and went to taste the ground. Good thing she's no kid—won't break her legs falling. I glanced at her a second, then at Hayate. "I want to use this sword for protection. To protect me and my comrades—that's why I took it up. If I must, I'll take a life with it, but... Its name is Protector." Hayate smiled and nodded.
"Excellent, Naruto. I think you'll be a great swordsman. Lessons start now..." With that, he gripped his katana hilt, face turning deadly serious.
***
After two weeks of daily training, Hayate finally went on some mission, but I'd gained way more experience and knowledge from him than from Kakashi or Jiraiya. Both had vanished, by the way. The first was obvious, but where'd the pervert disappear to?
Trying to find someone search teams couldn't was very, very stupid.
Sakura couldn't flicker fifty meters yet, but thirty was solid for her. Her version was noticeably slower than mine, but the fact mattered. Huge boost to her skills. I helped her integrate it into knife and hand-to-hand combat, plus shadow clone substitution. Overall, she'd leveled up big in clone use. Her main issue now: low chakra reserves compared to other shinobi. Fine for a girl, but... Sasuke had twice as much. Probably more now.
Another problem: nothing left to teach her. Hayate even showed her the "ghost escape technique," which she picked up in a week—kinda crappy still, but... Translucent... Hard to spot from afar, but up close, the blur and outlines show.
Killing a couple evenings, I finally perfected the rasengan. Tough, but popping a tree with one strike and safely dispersing it afterward? Technique mastered. Toads who'd seen Minato's version rated mine highly.
"Just make it 1.5 times bigger, and it'll match Minato's." Agni noted then.
I gave Sakura a final test.
She had ten minutes to land one real hit on my original. She hesitated at first, but I calmed her, saying I'd survive even a serious wound—reminding her of my regen.
Sakura exceeded expectations. Frontal assaults failed, ranged too, hand-to-hand and knife fights.
Obviously, no sword or toad summons, or she'd never approach... Just shadow clones and my taijutsu with gear.
Credit where due: smartly mixing substitution with shadow clones and boosted taijutsu, she got close several times, but... Eight minutes in, still zero. She'd popped over twenty of my clones, reached the original a few times dodging my combos—even explosive seals—knife-fighting at flicker speeds. In air and on ground. One lapse in focus, and I'd eat a hit.
Her strikes hurt even blocked. She broke one of my kunai in knife combat; without bracers, arm sliced—but I didn't count that attempt.
Her chakra shortage hit now. She was on fumes. Sweat dripped from her brow, legs and hands trembled, breathing heavy. If she couldn't hit me and burned out first, big problem.
"Maybe we call it?" I started.
"Call it... Heh... What're you on about? I won't get stronger like this, Naruto... You're holding back hard?"
"Not really..." I scratched my head, eyes locked, still poised with kunai. "You made me sweat good."
"I want you to show me real fighting... You can do more."
"Heh... Fine. But next attack decides. 'Mass Shadow Clone Technique!'" I spawned about a hundred clones, dumping nearly all available chakra. "Raising stakes—expect full effort from you too."
"Got it!" She nodded. "'Shadow Clone Technique!'" Sakura made nine clones—her record. On her limit... Respect!
Nine vs. a hundred: bad odds, but she had gear and planned full use...
She bolted, hurling explosive kunai, regular shuriken from air, even pepper bombs to the face.
Hand-to-hand and knife, no mercy—pushing to me as best she could.
Twenty of mine down, two of hers... Uneven trade. At this rate...
I joined with original, smashing two Sakura clones as I realized her gear ran dry.
My clones stopped melting; we fought with every trick. Kunai tosses, hand-to-hand rushes...
My numbers crushed three more of hers.
Score: 50 to 6.
I caught one of her clones, backstabbing with improved flicker.
My clones pressed, killing two more...
Score: 60 to 9? Wait, 60 mine left? Her clones gone—where's the original? Thirty seconds...
My clones started popping...
What the hell?!
She transformed into me and topped with ghost escape? Sneaky... She'd appear, pop two-three clones, vanish folding tiger seal.
I used Kyu, knowing she'd need to close for the hit...
There—she appears behind in my form, attacking. I react, hurling chakra-charged kunai at her...
Come on... Block it, or...
She doesn't block, throws hers. I duck—and her throat's pierced by my kunai... I panicked. Precisely: my throat pierced by my kunai, transformation dispelled as "her" body fell. Then she popped... Like a shadow clone.
Damn... Thought of the kunai flying over too late. It turned to Sakura as I looked—midair, landing, she punched my face!
I flew a meter back, plowed another meter on ground. All clones dispersed. Nose broken, blood trickling as I stood.
"I... Win..." She flashed V-sign and collapsed unconscious. I caught her with shadow clones. Chakra fully depleted. She'll be out a couple days... Better take her to the hospital.
***
After dropping Sakura at the hospital, I got home, and the wall calendar brought good news.
Tomorrow's October 10th...
Naruto's birthday.
***
Read the story months ahead of the public release — early chapters are available on my Patreon: patreon.com/Granulan