Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ Atelier Uzumaki ❯ Chapter 10

Kakashi looked worried.

 

Team Seven were training as hard as they could. Saki was so close in climbing on top of her tree, while Sakura herself looked hardier, running up and down the tree while taking deep breathes. Naruto… or Narutos, to be exact, were improving leaps and bounds.

 

However, that wasn't what worried him. What worried him was a group of Narutos on the ground, apparently studying some sort of seal. Many of them began to discuss it amongst themselves, pointing out a few lines and codes within the seal, yet they never seemed to agree on anything.

 

Curious, the jounin approached what seemed to be the leader of the group.

 

“Yo, Naruto,” he greeted. “What are you guys doing?”

 

“Trying to modify a Seal,” Naruto replied cheerily.

 

“For what?” Kakashi asked.

 

“To free…” and the boy paused, building up some would-be drama, “… the Kyuubi…!”

 

Kakashi just hit the blonde on top of his head, the joke unappreciated. One of the Naruto's climbing the tree suddenly yelp and fell down, rubbing the back part of his head.

 

“What the hell, Kakashi-sensei!” Naruto Prime demanded, pointing an accusing finger towards the jounin.

 

“I don't appreciate jokes like that Naruto,” Kakashi replied.

 

“What joke?” Naruto Prime asked, looking confused. Suddenly, it seemed to dawn on him, and then grinned. “Eh, you need to have a better sense of humor then, Kakashi-sensei,” and he went back on climbing his tree.

 

“Interesting…” another Naruto, who was studying the Seal, claimed, his hand on his chin. His face was blank and serious.

 

“What is?” the jounin asked, somewhat unnerved to see Naruto looking like that.

 

“The more we use the Jade Shift Technique, the more we understand it.”

 

“Oh, you're also figuring it out eh?” another Naruto, with almost the exact same expression, offered.

 

“What are you guys talking about?” Kakashi asked, scratching the back part of his head. He was expecting any of the solemn Narutos to answer, but instead, the one who answered was the Naruto that joked about releasing Kyuubi.

 

“They probably theorized that the Jade Shift Technique uses the Prime's personality,” he said, grinning like a fox. “They could be right. I'm the playful, clever Naruto. They are the smarty-pants.”

 

“Hey!” the two serious Narutos complained.

 

“What? It's better than calling you nerds,” the grinning Naruto replied.

 

“Wait a minute…” Kakashi blinked. “You mean you clones have bits of his personality? Okay, I can buy that… but Naruto… clever and being… well, smart?”

 

“Well, to be honest, Naruto Prime is clever. He has a good mind when it comes to pranks, and also very clever when running away,” the grinning Naruto replied.

 

“And Naruto Prime's mind was beginning to get worked as he began to expand his Alchemic knowledge,” the solemn Naruto replied easily. “Alchemy is no picnic. All of the scientific processes along with Magical Lore knowledge isn't exactly a walk in the park. I am guessing we're the younger personas.”

 

“Huh… who would have guessed?” Kakashi looked around. “Wonder what other personalities are there…”

 

Leaving the group of Narutos on their own, Kakashi had approached a group of Narutos that were resting in another area. They were, seemingly, looking intently at Saki and Sakura working out, whispering amongst themselves.

 

“Man… Sakura-chan looks absolutely great sweating it out…” the Naruto drooled.

 

“I think Sasuke-teme is more of my type… did you see how big her breasts are?” another Naruto declared.

 

“I think Ino's much better than both… she's got a great set of legs.”

 

“I… I think I like Hinata-chan more.”

 

“I like Kurenai.”

 

All other Narutos looked at the Naruto who spoke last.

 

“What?” the Naruto that claimed to like Kurenai looked confused. “Her breasts are even bigger than Sasuke-temes! Plus the legs…!”

 

“Ooh boy…” Kakashi, who had been listening in, muttered as he steered away from them. At least he knew Naruto was a healthy boy in that aspect.

 

The training continued, and the improvements were now showing. Naruto and Saki were slowly climbing higher and higher, with the blonde overtaking his current rival because of his training techniques… but Saki wasn't the type to quit. She worked herself even harder, trying to catch up. Sakura took less time resting, and began to move faster when running up and down her tree.

 

Of course, all the training was exhausting to the genins. Saki and Naruto both ate with gusto, almost making themselves sick by the speed of trying to shove as much food as they needed to their mouths, while Sakura, although somewhat more conserved and modest, dug in on her own pace.

 

Tsunami, Tazuna's daughter was more than happy to see her food enjoyed so much, but there was only one other person who seemed to not enjoy the humble festive.

 

“You guys are morons!” Inari shouted. “You're just wasting your time!”

 

“Yeah, yeah… hey, you eating that, bastard?” Naruto looked towards the fish that Saki had been getting from, incensing the young boy as he was ignored.

 

Four more days passed, and the Narutos were finally cracking on the Seal. Redrawing it, and then presenting it to Kyuubi (who saw it through Naruto Prime's eyes), the Fox Mana gave a nod, concluding that the Seal modification wouldn't end the world, or something silly.

 

It was a good time too. One of the Narutos finally got on top of his tree, and the rest followed suit, with Naruto Prime also taking it to the top. Saki followed soon afterwards, not wanting to be beat up too badly, while Sakura just looked at her two teammates with awe.

 

“Alright! Kick ass!” Naruto Prime exclaimed. He had mastered the exercise, and he also finished doing the Seal modification.

 

“Good work team!” Kakashi declared proudly, smiling at his students. “I still want you to continue. Build more stamina. Saki, Naruto… time to do what Sakura does… running up and down the tree trunks. Anyways… lets go and take a well-earned rest!”

 

“Awesome!”

 

“Hn…”

 

“Isn't that great, Sasuke-kun?”

 

Their celebratory remarks weren't lost, however, as Inari seemed to take offence once more and sat up, looking at them.

 

“Are you all a bunch of morons? You're all going to die! Why are you wasting your time training!?” he demanded.

 

Naruto looked a bit put off.

 

“Sheesh… you're annoying, you brat,” the blonde muttered. “Always the same thing…” and then, he squeaked, trying to imitate Inari's voice, “`You guys are morons! You will die!' Change the damn record already.”

 

“Who do you think you are, with your always goofy expression and annoying smile?” Inari exploded. “You wouldn't understand how I feel! Some of us doesn't have nice lives like you!”

 

Naruto's eyes narrowed, taking Saki by surprise. Kakashi tensed, knowing Inari had hit a slight nerve towards the blonde.

 

“I'd rather have my so-called `nice' life than becoming an overbearing drama queen like you!” Naruto exclaimed immediately, his voice so cold it took Sakura, Tazuna and Tsunami by surprise. “You what… lost someone? Sure, I wouldn't understand that. I grew up alone most of my life. I had no one to back to, unlike you, so don't start lecturing me about life, you goddamned brat!”

 

“Naruto!” Sakura looked horrified. “That's enough!”

 

“Yeah, I had enough,” the blonde whispered, standing up, and then going towards the door.

 

“Hey… where are you going, Naruto?” Kakashi asked.

 

“Training.”

 

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

 

Training was… well, inaccurate to describe what Naruto was planning. Naruto Prime looked at his group of clones. He nodded towards them. It was finally time.

 

Kyuubi had taught him the basics of Alchemic Sealing, and its theories. Along with a few well placed lectures more specifically on mixed Seal Functions, and its Laws, a few of his clones had made a modification which satisfied the great Fox enough to warrant a try.

 

Now was a good time as any. There was still light, and he had already mastered tree climbing, and his fuse was lit. The kid had been annoying for the past few days, and Naruto tended to ignore the brat, but just earlier was the last straw. Eager to dish out some pain, he figured the best way to do so was break through a barrier, face off with a powerful unknown adversary inside.

 

Hey, no one argued Naruto was a clear thinker most of the time.

 

Spreading his clones around the surrounding boulders, all of them, in sync, grabbed out a brush and ink and began to modify the Seal. Some Narutos were slower than the rest, but it was fine, because nothing happened until the final part.

 

Drawing the modifications wasn't enough. To finish the job, the Narutos would then bring forth energy from their hands, and with Kyuubi's instructions, the Seal was finally changed. There were no fancy light shows, or ominous rumbling… underneath them, the ground shifted, and then, nothing.

 

Not exactly sure if it worked, the Narutos looked at each other, wondering what to do next. The self-proclaimed Great Mana made its opinion known…

 

Just go in already, you damned coward.

 

Shut it! I was just being cautious!

 

Naruto Prime took a tentative step forward, and passed the boulder with no difficulty. The barrier he, or more specifically, one of his clones that had encountered days before was gone. Confident at that, the other Narutos followed suit, and began to enter circle.

 

The place was huge. Naruto Prime knew it, but it was the first time he appreciated the largeness of their surroundings. He had clones a few kilometers away from him, all of them looking around, searching for a clue to help them identify what awaited them.

 

The Shrine was in a bad shape. While there seemed no man-made damage, Nature wasn't merciful. The place was literally littered with cobbled stones tiles scattered around, indicating that there was a road here before. The small buildings were destroyed, the rooftops seemingly toppled by wind… but there was something else that caught Naruto Prime's eye.

 

Scratch marks on trees. Empty places of soil, indicating there was a trees planted on that place before something forced it to turn to a crater.

 

“Careful, I am sensing heavy magical energies around,” Gwendolyn, the Wind Mana sitting on Naruto Prime's shoulder, warned.

 

“So… is it really a Mana presence?” Naruto asked.

 

“I'm beginning to think so…” the Wind Mana replied. “And… I'm not sure its friendly.”

 

“Corrupted?”

 

“Yeah… probably,” Gwendolyn replied.

 

“That su… AGH!”

 

Naruto Prime suddenly screamed, clutching his arm.

 

“Naruto!” the Wind Mana looked at his partner. “What's wrong?”

 

All the other Narutos seemed to understand the situation immediately. They all suddenly ran, converging towards a specific location, while Naruto Prime stood up, the pain finally fading.

 

“Damn it… one of my clones stumbled upon our target… got hurt,” Naruto Prime declared. He looked at his Mana partner, “Let's go!”

 

Nodding, Gwendolyn followed the blonde towards the location, wondering what kind of monster they had faced. When the clearing cleared, the only thing they could see was Narutos facing off against what seemed like a giant tree.

 

It was huge, with two glowing eyes, its head wrapped around purple and green leaves. On its side were two large branches acting as its arms, breaking to smaller yet sharp looking branches that seemed to act as its hands. On the bottom, two large roots acting as its legs and feet.

 

“Whoa…” Naruto Prime looked up. “It's a tree.”

 

No duh, Sherlock. Its another Corrupted Mana…

 

“Heh… if that's the case…!!”

 

Narutos suddenly backed away from the battle, instantly knowing what Naruto Prime wanted. Grabbing out their cards, they suddenly shouted, flipping the deck from one hand to another, “NARUTO SPECIAL! SHUFFLE TIME!”

 

I wish you'd change the stupid name!

 

Ignoring the Fox's protest, all the Naruto's threw their decks towards, the cards scattering in the the darkening sky, attaching themselves towards the Tree's trunk, arms, and legs. All the Narutos surrounding the Tree then pulled hard, forcing the tree in its place. It growled.

 

“Alright! Lets get the Purification on the way!” Naruto Prime declared, spreading his own cards in front of him. Grabbing the Tree's Card, he then began to pour in his energy unto it, hoping, like what happened to Gwendolyn, it would purify the Mana.

 

However…

 

“Um… boss… its not working!!” one of the Narutos declared as nothing seemed to happen. The Tree just struggled to free itself.

 

“What the hell…?” Naruto Prime stopped the Purification Process, confused.

 

Hmm… I guess its far too late. The Corruption has spread over the Mana completely, encasing it. Purifying it won't work… you'll have to destroy the body of that monster to free the Mana inside.

 

“Oh, crap…” Naruto Prime muttered.

 

The other Narutos screamed, the tree finally overpowering them. With a flick of its arms, three Narutos flew away, and soon, two hands of the Tree finally broke free. Fortunately, its legs were still trapped by six more Narutos that held on, but they knew it'd break free.

 

“Aim for its legs!” Naruto Prime shouted, his hands grabbing all the thrown Narutos, and began to arrange them so they would surround the Tree monster.

 

Its made of wood, so your best bet is fire!

 

I know, I'm not that stupid!

 

Could have fooled me.

 

Shut it, bastard-fox!

 

Six Narutos, those that weren't holding the tree in its place, each threw six Fire Bombs towards the legs. They all exploded into a large crimson flame, burning its stumps it was using for legs. The Tree roared in anger as it collapsed, its charred wooden stumps now useless.

 

“YES!” Naruto Prime screamed in victory. Now that the legs were gone, the tree would tumble, losing all mobility. All they had to do was cut off its arms, and systematically just finish of the wood monster…

 

Seems like it won't be that easy…

 

Kyuubi's voice brought him back from his thoughts. He had expected the tree on its back already, but apparently, it seemed to have done something else. It was still standing vertically, its body seemingly burrowing on the ground. When the smoke cleared, Naruto Prime noticed that their enemy seemed to have planted itself on the ground, roots forming above the soil.

 

“Oh you've got to be kidding me…” the blonde muttered.

 

Before he could say anymore, the Tree's mouth suddenly opened, and a bright light came from within it. Suddenly, balls of magical energy suddenly shot out of its mouth, splitting up, and converging to all other Narutos.

 

“WHAT THE HELL…!!”

 

The blondes, including Prime immediately formed a wall in front of them, using their cards as a ball came at them with almost blinding speed. It impacted their defensive forms with a rather powerful explosion, sending all of them back a few paces.

 

“Whoa! That was strong!!” Naruto Prime declared, seeing some of the Narutos on the ground, even with their defensive shield, they had been driven towards the soil. The only reason why Naruto Prime was still standing was because Gwendolyn had supported him.

 

A spread attack… powerful one at that. If it hit you… you'd have died.

 

I know! I know!

 

Naruto did what he had to do. Spreading his cards in the air, he then recalled all his clones, and canceled the Jade Shift Technique. His clones disappeared from sight.

 

Good… we can't have your clones getting hurt. You're much better off facing it alone. Now… got a plan?

 

I could try and burn it using more Fire Bombs… but I used most of it against that eyebrow-less freak.

 

Well… just remember… Wind feeds Fire.

 

Naruto blinked before he felt Kyuubi remain silent. He grinned. A plan began to form in his head, taking to heart that he was limited on using his dwindling number of Fire Bombs and then, his earlier training too would come in place. However, for the plan to work, he needed Gwendolyn.

 

“Hey… Gwendolyn-chan… I need your help,” Naruto declared, looking at his Wind Mana partner. Gwendolyn just nodded.

 

His whole body glowed, and suddenly a cyclone appeared around the blonde. When it died down, he was wearing the armor clothing, signifying that he and his Mana had combined. On his right hand, Gwendolyn's spear.

 

“It's been a while since I wore this…” Naruto proclaimed, looking at himself. Last time he had worn it, was when he faced off against Kakashi. “Meh… I hope it'll be better this time.”

 

Gwendolyn giggled, “Don't worry Naruto. This time… you're ready.”

 

“Alright… let's cut this tree to toothpicks!”

 

Naruto then suddenly shot forward, pointing his spear towards the tree. Suddenly, a narrow yet long cyclone appeared from the tip of the spear, smashing against the tree. It groaned as a new hole appeared in its body from where the attack had hit, and Naruto wasn't done. He launched more wind barrages, each hitting on different places, forming more holes.

 

The Tree opened its mouth, and again, magical energy balls launched itself at him. Unlike earlier, they didn't split, which made it easier for Naruto to dodge. Passing by them, he then felt the wind warning him about something approaching him from behind, and looking back, he saw the projectiles he had dodged were following him.

 

It seemed Wind reading was more effective and powerful when he was combined with Gwendolyn.

 

When they got near, Naruto just jumped away, making the balls hit the ground where he stood. With the Wind Armor, the blonde felt light and fast, faster than even before. He dashed towards the tree, one of his arms going towards the Storage Seals in his sleeves, and grabbed out a Fire Bomb. His left foot stepped on the tree's trunk, and using his training, he immediately pushed out the right amount of chakra on the sole of his feet for it to stick.

 

“RAAAHHH!” Naruto screamed in effort as he began to climb the tree, putting a Fire Bomb in random holes he had done earlier while continuously climbing the monster's trunk. When he was out of bombs, he just continued his way to the top.

 

The Tree wouldn't just let him though. Its two large branches acting as arms came at him, but Naruto, reading the wind, easily side stepped the first incoming branch, and then jumped away on the second branch, using it as a footstool to get as high as he could.

 

Naruto, mid-air on top of the tree, readied his spear, his smile becoming more and more pronounced as time passed. The bombs that Naruto had planted suddenly exploded, and since they were placed in different locations, the flames spread quickly, eating away the wooden body of the monster, but the blonde was not done.

 

“EAT THIS!” he shouted as he pointed the spear down. A massive cyclone emerged from the tip of the weapon, covering the flaming Tree. The wind, instead of blowing out the flames, fed them with oxygen, fanning it, turning a simple blaze into a massive cyclone inferno. The Tree could only shout as its body was slowly eaten away, as the blonde landed safely on the ground a few paces away, his clothes now back to normal as he watched the Flames spread and contained.

 

Hmm… at a time like this, you should say something smart.

 

Huh…? Why?

 

Just for style points.

 

“Um…” Naruto thought about it for a moment. He then pointed at the Tree, and declared, “If you can't take the heat, get out of the kitchen!”

 

Eh… seven points.

 

Hmph… shut up.

 

Gwendolyn looked at Naruto, then suddenly giggled.

 

“What?” the blonde asked.

 

“Couldn't you do a more original quip?” the Wind Mana asked.

 

“Oh kami, not you too?” Naruto sighed.

 

The Wind Mana giggled again, though this time, she was cut short by the bright light suddenly emanating upon the burning carcass of the Tree monster. The blackened sooth exploded outwards, and Naruto was temporarily blinded by the light that he covered himself until his eyes could adjust.

 

“I'm… free…”

 

Naruto blinked. The light had resided, and Naruto came face to face with a…

 

“Wow…” he muttered.

 

The Mana was another beautiful woman… though younger looking than Gwendolyn. She probably had one of the most amazing thighs and legs he had seen in a while… but then again, this was the first time he had seen close up a woman's legs. Her clothes were oddly a mix of green shades, giving her an organic look, covering only her arms, upper body and a small part of her lower body, leaving her legs exposed. She didn't even wear shoes.

 

Upon a more general inspection, Naruto noticed the Mana was blonde, her hair done in numerous curls, and on top of her head was a crown of flowers. Her ears were also slightly elongated, her brown eyes sleepy as she yawned, stretching herself.

 

“Whoa…” Naruto muttered, noticing she was carrying a weapon. It looked like a crossbow, but it was rather large, three-fourth's Naruto's current size, and had a large red jewel on the tip.

 

“Hey…” the blonde Mana noticed his presence. She then flew towards him, showing beautiful butterfly wings on her back. “You're an alchemist?”

 

“Um… yeah,” Naruto replied.

 

“Thank you. I'm Yggdrasil…”

 

“Uh… Yeeg-what?”

 

The blonde Mana giggled. “Call me Mercedes.”

 

“Naruto,” the blonde ninja smiled. “Ninja extraordinaire and learning Alchemist!”

 

“I see… you have a Wind Mana with you, and another inside of you,” Mercedes nodded. “I'm a Wood Mana, guardian of nature, and the wielder of Riblam, the Piercing One.”

 

“Riblam…?”

 

Mercedes then pointed at her weapon.

 

“Long ago, I was made the guardian of the Shrine, as old Alchemist partner retired here… but when he had died, and time began to pass, I was slowly being corrupted. Not wanting to get anyone hurt, I had taught the care-takers of the Shrine to seal the area… and I went to a long sleep… but then, you can see what happened.”

 

“Wow…” Naruto declared.

 

“You're pretty powerful,” Mercedes commented. “I'd like to join you, a great alchemist, on your journey.”

 

Naruto looked towards Gwendolyn, who was now in her full size, and she nodded. Naruto then looked back at Mercedes, and smiled at her.

 

“We'd be glad to have you.”

 

“That's great! I, the Wood Mana Mercedes, wielder if Riblam, shall pledge myself to you,” Mercedes then began to glow. She winked. “Take care of me.”

 

The Wood Mana vanished, leaving Keitaro bewildered as he felt something in his hands… it was the Riblam. Like Gwendolyn's spear, it weighed almost nothing, and he could feel the Earth and the Trees' energy roaming around him.

 

His clothing had changed too. He wore a full body suit of loose clothing of different green shades, gloves and shoes. It wasn't armored, but for some reason, Naruto felt something special about his clothes.

 

“I'll tell you the basics of your new abilities…” Mercedes' voice whispered. “Riblam is a magical bow with piercing qualities. Its power depends on your thoughts… it can stun or kill targets. You can shoot out bolts of energy out in rapid succession, or charge it for a burst shot that have homing capabilities.”

 

Naruto nodded, and looked around him. Taking aim, he went for one of the destroyed structures around the Shrine, and pulled the trigger of his bow. Immediately, two shots came out of rapid successions, making holes on the sidewall. Taking aim once more, he held the trigger this time, and the red jewel began to glow as energy gathered around it, and when the blonde released the trigger, a massive burst of energy came out, breaking down to multiple bolt energies that demolished the wall he was shooting.

 

“AWESOME!” Naruto was delighted, and then, began to jump around, shooting things at random, much to Mercedes' surprise.

 

“Hey… wait… I have to explain your clothes…”

 

“WOOHOO!!!” Naruto bounded around, using his chakra to climb out of the depression where the Shrine was, and began to shoot more and more bolts out. He didn't notice Mercedes separating herself from him, his clothes turning back to normal, too excited as he was having a blast with a weapon that was so easy to use.

 

“… I take that back. He's not that great of an alchemist. He's still a kid…” Mercedes muttered.

 

Gwendolyn, who was beside the Wood Mana, giggled. “You'll get used to him. He's just a bit excited. Besides, the woods here are practically empty. He won't shoot anyone by accident.”

 

“That's all good… but he has to know where the energy from those bolts come from…”

 

“Oh? Where?”

 

“From himself.”

 

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

 

Crickets chirped at the Tazuna home, with Saki looking outside, watching for any signs of orange or yellow. It was already ten, five hours since Naruto had left to `train', and there were no signs of him. She sighed.

 

“Don't worry about Naruto… he probably exhausted himself,” Kakashi declared, arriving behind Saki, who didn't seem to even acknowledge his presence.

 

“He probably did something stupid,” was all she said.

 

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

 

In another part of the woodland area, Naruto was snoring, unknowingly spending all his energy after ten consecutive Burst Shots. Kyuubi could only describe the subtle and artful image of his alchemic partner suddenly dropping on the ground, empty of any energy…

 

What a frigging moron…

 

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

 

Haku smiled as the sun came down on the woodland area. The apprentice of Zabuza took time to watch nature do its work, before gathering herbs. The Devil of the Mist was recovering well, but he still needed herbs to speed up the process, and that's what brought Haku out today.

 

With a kimono, the fake hunter-nin began to collect the necessary herbs, and putting them on the basket Haku brought. A few paces away, Zabuza's apprentice noticed something off…

 

The whole wooded area was a mostly wash of brown and green… then, she spotted orange, black and yellow up ahead. Ready and alert, Haku took a few steps forward, readying a senbon needle just in case… and spotted Naruto on the ground, sleeping.

 

His innocent face made Haku stare at it for a while, studying it. Blonde hair, six whisker marks running on his cheeks, his clothes, and his forehead protector. It was one of the genins in Kakashi's team.

 

Naruto groaned as he felt a slight pressure on his shoulder. He tried to force it away, it was separating him from the big bowl of ramen the gods have given him. It took a few more shakes before he exited the dream world, and was greeted by sunlight, and a strikingly beautiful face.

 

“WAHH!” Naruto screamed as he sat up.

 

“Hey, its okay!” Haku said steadily, trying to placate the blonde.

 

Naruto blinked a few more times, then looked around. He laughed nervously, scratching the back part of his head.

 

“Sorry… you just surprised me,” Naruto explained.

 

Haku giggled. “Aren't you a bit too young to be sleeping here? What are you doing here?”

 

“Um… training, I guess,” Naruto replied.

 

“Training for what? Are you a ninja?”

 

“Yup, sure am!” the blonde replied proudly. “I'm training to be the strongest there is, and become the greatest Hokage ever!”

 

Haku just smiled. “Why do you seek strength…? Isn't your strength enough?”

 

“Well… no,” Naruto replied, looking a bit solemn. His mind flashed towards the day Mizuki had tricked him into stealing a scroll from the Hokage's Office, with Iruka almost dying on him. “To protect my friends… I have to get stronger.”

 

Zabuza's apprentice looked at the blonde's face, and nodded slightly with understanding.

 

“You will become stronger then…” Haku smiled more warmly.

 

“Thanks miss,” Naruto said.

 

“Well, I must be going now,” the fake hunter-nin declared, standing up and walked away from Naruto but Haku looked back at the blonde before crossing the clearing. “By the way… I'm a boy.”

 

Naruto blinked, then smirked. “Hah! Like that will fool me! Fool me once, shame on me… not fooling me twice!”

 

“Huh?”

 

“I'm not going to get fooled. Sasuke-bastard was one thing, but you're obviously a girl!” the blonde declared. He then waved at Haku. “Hope we meet again miss! I think we probably will!”

 

Zabuza's apprentice just smiled, and turned away, her thoughts and her expression darkening with every step. The blonde was right though… they would meet again, though not in better circumstances.