Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ Brotherhood ❯ Chapter I: Unforseen Peril ( Chapter 1 )

Brotherhood

 

 

Summary: They fought like brothers, they bickered like brothers, and they defended each other as brothers, now they must prove how strong the bond of a brother really is. The brotherhood of Konoha of this generation must persevere and embrace the will of fire.

 

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto® Kishimoto-sama does!

 

 

 

Chapter I: Unforeseen Peril

 

 

 

The group walked in an unnatural silence towards their destination. They knew they were not overly pressed for time but they moved rather quickly, even with the older Tazuna in tow.

 

Everything about this situation would be a normal shinobi occurrence, but Naruto was not your average shinobi. He was loud, obnoxious, and even rude to a point. But one thing everyone who knew anything about him knew that the hyperactive blonde could not stay silent for more than a few minutes at best.

 

So here was Naruto, deathly silent and deeply lost in thought. Crap I need to focus! I would never forgive myself if I let Sasuke-teme upstage me on this mission. Naruto's eyes focused sharply ahead. The intensity of his concentration was almost palpable to his two teammates.

 

“Naruto calm down…It is not like we are headed through a minefield you know.” Kakashi said pointedly to the young shinobi.

 

He huffed and glanced ahead and spotted a small puddle on the ground. His previous thoughts were forgotten as he gazed into the shallow pool curiously. The hell, it hasn't rained in a good two weeks. How is there a puddle on the ground? And is that the faint traces of chakra that I sense? Suddenly the chakra levels rose. Not by much but the sudden increase was enough to put the blonde on edge.

 

Is that the enemy? The blonde was overjoyed but decided not to reveal the fact that he had sensed the shinobi's presence. Let's see Sasuke-teme's face when I beat the enemy senseless. Excitedly created a kage bunshin in the bushes and quickly performed a smokeless kawarimi with it leaving the clone in his place. From high up in the canopy of the trees, Naruto observed the attack that was about to commence. Underestimate me will you? Well I'll kick your sorry asses back to where you came from. Naruto bounced around, barely restraining excitement.

 

“Naruto” tensed as he passed the puddle…but nothing happened. He positioned his hand closer to his kunai holster and saw that both Sasuke and Sakura showed no signs of noticing the danger that they were in. Can they really not sense the enemy? Unbeknownst to Naruto a startling transformation was beginning to take place within his body and extending to his senses first.

 

As soon as Kakashi passed the puddle, everything went haywire. Two Kiri nuke-nin lunged at the unsuspecting Jounin wrapping him tightly in spiked chains that were linked between them. With a maniacal laugh the two Nin yanked, the chains effectively shredded the silver haired Jounin to pieces. “One down!” one of the kiri nin said as they headed straight for the gap created from the absence of the silver haired jounin.

 

Sakura turned to see Kakashi being ripped to shreds and almost retched on the spot but then she noticed the many split logs littering the dirt path. Kawarimi no jutsu, Kakashi-sensei is so cool, but not as cool as Sasuke-kun! Sakura positioned herself in front of Tazuna, staring down the two, quickly approaching shinobi. “Tazuna-san, stay close to me!” she said, pulling out a kunai and getting into a defensive stance before Tazuna.

 

“We're all gonna die!” the old bridge builder exclaimed, hiding behind the pink haired kunoichi.

 

Sasuke also took a defensive position to the right of Tazuna, wielding two kunai in preparation for the battle with the two shinobi. This is not good. The raven haired Uchiha observed as he watched the skillful movements of the two kiri nin. From what I can tell, both of them are at least a chuunin level threat. Sasuke thought preparing for the worst.

 

Naruto took off in a full sprint to the two Kiri shinobi. “Naruto-no-baka, get your ass back over here!” Sakura called after the fleeting blonde and was about to give chase when Sasuke's voice stopped her.

 

“Matte, Sakura! I'll deal with him you protect Tazuna-san.” Sasuke yelled tearing after the blonde. Che, stupid idiotic Naruto! He's gonna get himself killed!

 

Naruto plucked a kunai from his holster, transferred it to his left hand, and met one of the two kiri nin head on. The sound of metal scraping against metal shattered whatever silence was left earlier. The nin that Naruto had intercepted lunged forward intending to overpower the smaller nin but only succeeded in stumbling forward as Naruto sidestepped the clumsy attack. Naruto grinned evilly as he elbowed the nin at the base of his neck with enough force to send him careening into a tree leaving the nin unconscious. Is this really a shinobi? Man, I'm sure Sakura-chan could take both of them on herself.

 

Sasuke halted his charge as he witnessed the display of skill that the black clad Naruto exhibited. Is that really the dead-last dobe from before? Sasuke thought as he saw the second kiri nin lunge for the blonde from behind.

 

Reacting on instinct Naruto sidestepped the lunge but was not quick enough in his execution. The kiri nin plunged his clawed gauntlet into the blonde's back forcing him forward a few meters. Blood spurted out of the wound and the kiri nin chuckled in satisfaction. Sasuke stood there in disbelief; he knew it was too good to be true. That Naruto would be strong enough to take care of both of the kiri shinobi.

 

Sakura called out to her teammate in worry but remained at Tazuna's side all the while fighting the urge to charge the nin on her own. The body of Naruto went limp on the nin's bloodied gauntlet and the most shocking expression was displayed on the blonde haired shinobi's face when he was turned to Sakura. He was smiling. What the hell?

 

Suddenly there was an explosion and a cloud of ninja smoke obscured the kiri nin from view. Sasuke peered into the smoke, trying to catch a glimpse of his blonde haired teammate. Kawarimi? Sasuke thought, as the smoke cleared it was proven otherwise. Nothing was there, no split wood, no blood, no Naruto. So that only left one possible explanation. Kage bunshin, of course! Why didn't I see that earlier! Even if dobe is an idiot, he isn't stupid enough to challenge two superior shinobi. Sasuke thought but suddenly he was plagued by confusion. If that was a kage bunshin, then where is the real Naruto?

 

Similar thoughts were going on in Sakura's head as she too contemplated the situation. Both Naruto and Kakashi-sensei are waiting to strike so obviously they have some plan in mind but why keep us waiting? They are trying to figure out something, but what? Sakura was so caught up in her thoughts that she almost didn't see the Kiri nin charge her position.

 

The kiri nin dashed at the pink haired kunoichi, expecting very little resistance. That blonde haired nuisance caused a lot of trouble for my imouto but it won't happen again. The nin leapt in the air intending to smash the fragile looking, Sakura into the floor. Her eyes widened in surprise as she raised her kunai to deflect the blow at least. It never came to that as a sandaled foot dropkicked the nin out of the way. The Uchiha crest on a field of navy blue landed softly in front of Sakura. She exhaled a breath of relief as her Uchiha savior came to her rescue. Kakkouii! Sasuke-kun is so awesome! “Daijoubu, Sakura?” Sasuke asked sounding less than concerned but it was more than he normally showed.

 

“I'm alright, thanks to you.” Sakura said dreamily, trying desperately to get Sasuke's attention. But his attention was elsewhere a sudden spike of chakra inclined him to the arrival of their sensei. In a cloud of smoke Kakashi appeared next to the nin, Sasuke knocked out. He scooped the nin up and went to where the one that Naruto had dispatched lay bleeding from a wound to the back of the skull. Damn, Naruto probably gave this guy a concussion from the brute force that was in his strike. It is startling that he could actually fight back decently against these nin and have a plan to get rid of both of them. Maybe we must re-evaluate Naruto's abilities. Kakashi thought as he securely tied the two shinobi to a tree. The ANBU can take care of them later but we have more pressing matters at hand. It seems that Tazuna-san withheld information from us regarding the mission details.

 

“Whew! I thought we were goners.” Tazuna yelled as he wiped the sweat from his brow. Those shinobi almost screwed us over. If I were by my self I would have really kicked the bucket. Tazuna thought as he saw Kakashi heading over to him. Sakura and Sasuke also gathered around but there was still no sigh of Naruto. Where is he? Sakura thought.

 

“Naruto, you can come out now, and you can get rid of your clone on watch. We might be having little a change of plans.” He said, giving Tazuna an appraising glare.

 

Suddenly a hand popped out from under the ground close to where they were standing then another. The two hands seemed to hoist their owner up from beneath the surface of the earth, the owner being none other than the one and only Uzumaki Naruto. He gave one of his trademark foxy grins as he listened to Kakashi. Sasuke gave him a quick, jealous glare and turned back to Kakashi.

 

Kakashi chuckled but his expression quickly turned serious as he faced Tazuna. “You want to tell us why you lied about the mission details Tazuna-san?” All three of the genin's attention snapped straight to their sensei. Meanwhile Tazuna dejectedly lowered his eyes at the ground in shame. “On this mission we are supposed to be protecting you from bandits and thieves, not shinobi. This is clearly a B class mission that should have shinobi of adequate skill to complete.”

 

Tazuna glanced at a nearby boulder and sat down on it for support. He buried his head in his hands and proceeded to explain his predicament. “Wave cannot afford such a pricey B class mission and that is with the entire gathered funds of the entire country!”

 

“Gatou a business tycoon and one of the richest men in the world has decimated the economy of Wave to the point that we must even send our little children to steal food off of someone else's plates just to make it through the day. Our country is dying and I have to complete that bridge to ensure the survival of my people.” Tazuna explained in a hushed tone. Tears slid from between his hands and Sakura had moved to comfort him.

 

Kakashi had heard enough. From the beginning he was going to accept the mission but now that he heard the man's reasoning behind his actions he'd be damned if he couldn't help this country prosper if only for a bit longer. Knowing that those two nins who attacked us earlier were chuunin level nuke-nins the next one who will come after us will at least be a jounin. With a sigh Kakashi walked until he was right in front of Tazuna. “We will help you complete your bridge Tazuna-san. We will stake this on our pride as shinobi of Konoha.” Kakashi said then turned back to his team. “All right listen up.” Kakashi commanded and all of the genins stood at rapt attention. “We are going to camp out about a mile from the port where we will catch our ferry. We are expecting reinforcements so we will wait for them to arrive once we reach the port.” Kakashi said monotonously and in the same tone he used in his ANBU captain days. The three genin nodded in compliance and reinstated their formation around Tazuna. They continued to travel well into the evening hours

- -

 

Kurenai and her team leapt swiftly through the trees. They had been running for hours and had yet to catch up to the other team of rookies. They must really be serious. Kurenai thought as she followed closely beside Kiba and Akamaru who took point and led the team in the direction of team seven's scent. Shino and she took the flanks and Hinata took rear guard activating her Byakugan periodically. “Down there!” yelled the energetic Kiba as he pointed to the dirt path below.

 

Soundlessly the four Konoha nins dropped out of the forest canopy and made their way cautiously through the brush. Kurenai made a few hand signals and a familiar spike of chakra informed her that the message was received. I'm glad I taught them those hand signals. Now it is up to them. Kurenai thought as she observed her female charge.

 

Hinata had seen the message to activate her Byakugan and she quickly activated her kekkei genkai. What she saw was not entirely expected but not unlikely. The signs of a struggle were evident by the several chunks of split wood, and a large hole in the ground. There were even two unconscious shinobi tied tightly to a tree trunk. I hope Naruto-kun is okay… Even though the blonde wasn't on her team she still worried about him.

 

Hinata relayed the information she acquired via hand signal and also told them that the coast was clear. Even though she knew these precautions were not necessary on this particular mission it was perfect training for the real thing. Kurenai nodded and directed the team forward onto the dirt path.

 

Kiba was in shock he had yet to see the carnage of an actual shinobi battle, even a small scale one such as this one was. This was the result of the, dead last, Naruto's fight? It couldn't be. Must've been Sasuke Naruto can barely do a henge right much less anything more difficult.

 

Shino observed his surroundings carefully. His bugs had told him that an oppressive aura had been there earlier and traces of the aura were still palpable even after so much time has passed. Shino was actually quite afraid now. If there was an enemy strong enough to make his bugs cower in fear then there was probably no one on his team strong enough to take them on even with Kurenai-sensei. I have a bad feeling about this mission.

 

Those two nuke-nin…those are the two demon brothers of the mist. Kakashi's team must be quite skilled to take on such a brutal pair. Kurenai looked up into the sky and noticed that the sun was just beginning to dip behind the highest mountain peak. I can see now why they would make haste their enemies are going to be much stronger than these two most likely. “Alright listen up team.” Kurenai ordered and the three genin formed up in ranks and listened to their sensei with rapt attention. “We'll have to double or triple our current pace if we are going to catch up Kakashi's team and to do that we will have to go all out. If we travel quickly we may be able to make it to them before nightfall.” The three genin nodded while Akamaru yipped in anticipation.

 

“Alright let's go!” Kiba yelled as he took to the trees with his teammates following close at his heels. I'll find out what happened in that battle from Sasuke or maybe Sakura. Thought Kiba as he pumped chakra into his legs and exploded off of the branch clearing at least five trees in his elongated stride.

 

His teammates sensing the impatience of their dog-wielding companion followed suit and dashed forward hoping to reach team Kakashi before nightfall.

- -

 

Kakashi glanced around as he watched his team set up camp in the middle of a small clearing. Not the best place to camp out but better than nothing. Naruto was busy getting firewood, Sasuke was getting bucketfuls of water from a nearby stream, and Sakura was to hunt for food while he looked after Tazuna. He sat down on a tree stump and pulled out his orange book to read while he pondered certain events that had transpired earlier. Something happened to Naruto…there is just no way he would have been able to take out a chuunin strength shinobi on his own, especially with his mediocre taijutsu and horrible chakra control skills. Improvements like that in such a short period of time is unheard of even for tensai nin. The mystery behind his blonde haired charge's growth was frustrating to say the least. Well as long as it does not complicate the mission any further then I will not worry…For now.

 

Sasuke, Sakura, and Naruto had finished their tasks and had left do enjoy themselves around a bright crackling fire. Sasuke and Sakura were actually conversing though most of the input was Sakura's but Sasuke would toss his two cents in occasionally and grunt noting that he was at least paying attention. Their conversation mostly revolved around their blonde haired teammate. “Ne, Sasuke-kun, do you think Naruto actually started taking his shinobi training seriously?” Sakura asked in low tones as Naruto was sitting above them on a high tree branch.

 

“Iie that must have been a fluke the dobe could not get that good that fast. He won't be able to count on that next time though.” Sasuke huffed as he glared into the flames knowing full well that Naruto's development was no fluke. Just who are you Naruto…?

 

“Hmm…” Sakura shrugged her shoulders as she also contemplated her blonde haired teammate's growth. If Sasuke-kun says it was a fluke then it probably was…but I can't help but feel that Naruto's strength was genuine.

- -

 

Naruto sat where he was observing the stars and also contemplating the battle that had happened earlier that day. What was that strength…that overcame me as I fought? A certain part of the battle flashed across his mind.

 

-Flashback-

 

The nin that Naruto had intercepted lunged forward intending to overpower the smaller nin but only succeeded in stumbling forward as Naruto sidestepped the clumsy attack. Naruto grinned evilly as he elbowed the nin at the base of his neck with enough force to send him careening into a tree leaving the nin unconscious.

-End Flashback-

 

Somehow I took pleasure in almost killing that mist nin. Am I turning into the monster that everyone in Konoha fears? Naruto brought his hand up to his face only to find that he was trembling. Am I turning into the Kyuubi no Kitsune?

 

A sudden loud, boisterous bout of laughter thundered in his ears startling him half to death and almost making him fall out of his perch. “Hate to break it to you gaki but you will never be me.”

 

Naruto was about to respond but a sudden force stole his breath away from his lungs. “It wouldn't do you any good if your sensei and your teammates found out that I can speak with you. I'll take you somewhere more private.” Suddenly all went black for the blonde.

 

When Naruto awoke he found himself laying face down in shallow water. He got up and to his surprise the water felt strangely like air. Naruto observed his surroundings and all he could see in the dim lighting of the dungeon was huge dripping pipes and an infinite labyrinth shrouded in darkness. Where the hell am I? Naruto thought as he numbly ambled through the dank labyrinth.

 

After what seemed like an eternity of mindless walking Naruto could faintly hear growling and could see a faint red glow spilling from an open doorway. Damn, stupid fox. Naruto turned into the chamber and gasped as he witnessed the structure that caged the Kyuubi no Kitsune. What seemed like a huge iron gate housed the greatest demon that had crossed over into the ningen-kai. A simple paper with the kanji for seal held the iron gates shut.

 

Suddenly the silhouette of a large fox emerged behind the bars and Naruto unknowingly took a step back. S-so this is t-the Kyuubi no Kitsune…

 

“It is nice of you to have noticed gaki.” The oversized youma said sarcastically.

 

“What, you can hear my thoughts?” Naruto asked dumbly.

 

“Of course baka, we share the same body and are linked by the other blonde brat's damnable seal!” Kyuubi roared. Naruto flinched at the volume but otherwise showed no other signs of discomfort in the fox's presence.

 

“Ne, why the hell did you all of a sudden start making a racket in my head? A shinobi's got to be able to think and I can't do that with some fox laughing their ass of at some untold joke.” Naruto yelled at the grinning fox.

 

“Pfft, like you could think in the first place. Your pathetic mind and body is only now starting to grasp my power when it should have as soon as I was sealed in your damnable body!” Kyuubi again roared. “But there is no time for that I wanted to bring you here so you could start the training your Yondaime Hokage left for you. This is the first scroll.” Kyuubi said tossing a small scroll through the bars. Naruto caught the scroll and eyed it curiously. It was a normal looking scroll but had a spiral seal holding it shut the same spiral that Naruto wore on his back.

 

This is… Naruto began but Kyuubi cut him off.

 

“That is a scroll that explains your kekkei genkai. I don't know much about it but the ones who wielded it are the masters of the earth but that is all I can tell you.” Kyuubi explained. Naruto nodded in understanding as he pocketed the scroll intending to read it later.

 

Naruto was about to leave but the voice of Kyuubi stopped him. “Gaki, about your performance today…” as soon as those words left the foxes mouth the boy had whipped around and listened intently for the answer. “It was your body's instinctual reactions coupled with the increased merging of our chakra. It is your defense mechanism, use it wisely.” And with that the Kyuubi banished him from the mindscape leaving Naruto in total blackness once again laughing heartily the entire time.

- -

 

“Oi, do you think he is dead?” a slightly winded Kiba asked looking down to where Naruto was. Apparently he had fallen out of the tree while he was conversing with his tenant.

 

“Kiba-kun!” a cross looking Hinata tried her best to glare at her teammate but only managed to make the boy burst out laughing which, in turn made her instantly find the ground more interesting.

 

“That was kawaii Hinata! The mighty Hyuuga staring down the…” SMACK, a sudden fist found itself in his face. Kiba flailed around growling, hissing and grabbing his face in an effort to stop the pain. Akamaru got defiantly in front of his master to stave off the attacker but quickly leapt behind Kiba when he saw who was there.

 

“Damare, you are far too noisy.” A different more menacing looking Naruto growled before turning on his heel and leaving for his team.

 

N-Naruto-kun! Hinata blushed at the thought of seeing her crush so close to her. Especially in his new and improved wardrobe. Her bright tomato red face would have probably been a beacon in the night if it weren't for the fire nearby.

 

Kiba who had recovered enough glared hatefully at the retreating back of Naruto. Damn you! “Oi Naruto get your ass back over here!” Kiba yelled. Naruto didn't even spare a glance at the boy but he did give him the finger. Why you! He would have charged the boy but a hand gripping his shoulder held him in place. He turned to see Shino shake his head disapprovingly. The Inuzuka boy sighed in defeat. Che, Naruto has a way of pissing everybody off I think.

 

Hinata watched and was very glad for Shino's intervention. I-I wish I was strong enough to keep the peace between our teams.

- -

 

Kakashi, Tazuna, Kurenai, and the rest of team 7 watched the spectacle from afar, simply refusing to get involved. Kurenai turned to Kakashi who was reading a familiar, orange covered book. “Kakashi I thought you would have taught him better.” Kurenai said.

 

“Well, he hasn't been himself lately. If he were then we would have to have intervened.” Kakashi said simply not even turning his gaze away from his book. Kurenai raised her eyebrow at this but said nothing. Tazuna muttered something about super crazy kids before turning back to Sasuke and Sakura and informing them more about Wave country.

 

Naruto ambled beside his sensei and said one word loud enough for the silver haired man to hear. “Training.” The silver haired jounin said nothing for a moment and the blonde started to walk off before the jounin's voice caught him. “One hour.” He nodded and the boy walked off leaving a puzzled Kurenai who had been standing right next to Kakashi.

 

“What happened to him? I thought he was a nuisance?” Kurenai asked confusion etched deep into her voice.

 

“Who knows?” Kakashi said still not turning from his book. Kurenai gave him an incredulous glare before turning back to the fire.

- -

 

“Damn it! I paid you good money and all you can thank me with is FAILURES!” a short stubby man dressed in a finely tailored suit yelled at a tall dark haired man who wore a slashed Kiri hitai-ate.

 

“Damare. There will be no more failures” The man said drawing a huge head-cleaving knife from beside him and brandishing it at the suit wearing man. “Because I will take care of this myself.” The man said with a dark chuckle. The suit wearing man backed up to the far wall.

 

“You better be right. That bridge builder better be dead by the end of the week.” The man in a suit said before leaving.

 

Someone who is able to dispose of the demon brothers…this might be a challenge. I'm looking forward to it. The man thought as an evil laugh reverberated through the building.

_________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________

A/N: Yes! My first chapter done I hope you are enjoying this story so far if you have any questions or concerns e-mail me or post it in your reviews and I will get back to you as soon as possible.