Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ Faith in Humanity ❯ Uzumaki Ruri ( Chapter 12 )

Title: Faith Arc - Faith in Humanity (PG-13)

Author: Karrafear

Summary: AU. What if Naruto survived a murder attempt on his life at the age of 6 and had to leave Konoha for his protection. Now 12, Naruto and Jiraiya returns to face the genin test.

 

Disclaimer: Naruto is an anime and manga series created by Masashi Kishimoto. It does not belong to me; I'm simply using the characters and plot for my own creative devices.

 

"Demon's talk", /Thoughts/, "Speech", 'Speech emphasis', (FLASHBACK), Titles, (Author's interruptions)

 

Warning: I've decided NOT to write out Hinata's, Lee's and Chouji's fights, but I will give you some highlights from the Hinata Vs Neji fight and the Lee Vs Gaara's fight.

 

Pairings: eventually NarutoXHinata.

 

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Chapter 12 : Uzumaki Ruri

 

Naruto trudged dejectedly behind Jiraiya, with his head tilted down and his mind wandering over the last three fights in the preliminary exam, specifically, Hinata's and Lee's battles. He sighed again as the pictures replayed inside his mind.

 

(FLASHBACK)

 

One gentle palm to the chest followed by a direct point to the girl's right arm, and Hinata started spewing up blood from her mouth. All the audience watched in silent horror as the fragile looking girl tried again to attack the seemingly invincible Neji, but was grabbed firmly instead as he slowly but surely pulled her jacket's sleeve up, revealing to the world all the bruised points upon Hinata's arm. One more flick of his palm and Hinata's battered body was flung backgrounds, slamming onto the hard ground.

 

Humiliated, hurt and probably scared, Hinata slowly struggled onto her feet until she was standing unsteadily. She looked up and locked eyes with Naruto's firm ones. He gave her a determined look and nodded. She, in turn, smiled in reply, happy to at least have his support even though she was bleeding and bruised.

 

Again and again, no matter how harsh the assault, no matter how much it hurt, Hinata stood up, always standing up, if only to meet Naruto's approving eyes once more. /I won't run! I won't run! I have someone here who accepts me, no matter how badly I perform. I want to look my best in front of him. I won't shy away. I won't hide. I don't want to hide from him, not from someone I respect. Arigato Naruto-kun. It seems I've at least found some of the courage I've always wanted…/ However, her thoughts were cut short when Neji slammed his palm right into her stomach, knocking the wind out of her while she collapsed onto the floor coughing up more blood.

 

Unknown to Neji, Hinata wasn't listening to his vicious words at all, she was looking into his cold eyes - eyes that held so much pain hidden behind a façade of indifference and anger, anger at the main family and the world as a whole. Suddenly, she realised that she wasn't the only one in pain, how she had never noticed how much her cousin suffered, she didn't know. But now that she could see it, she won't ignore it, and she won't runaway from it either, not like what Neji was doing. /I've already found a way out of the darkness, I won't let him stay there either./ “It's not me at all, Neji-niisan… The person who is lost and suffering within the destiny of the main and branch houses... is you…” She whispered.

 

Above on the balconies, Naruto prepared himself to jump in to stop Neji's wild attack but was held firmly back by the grip of Jiraiya's hand on his shoulder. “Don't.” The older man replied firmly, while Haku jumped down with the other Jounin instructors, Haku was one of the first to the scene - he wasn't involved in holding Neji back, unlike the other Jounin instructors or the referee - his job was to see to Hinata's injuries as the fight was officially over. Watching as Hinata's knee buckled and how she finally lost consciousness, Naruto ignored Jiraiya's words and rushed towards her anyway, feeling an incredible sense of guilt and pride at the same time. Sliding to a stop beside Haku, Naruto tried to assist in Haku's immediate healing of the girl's severe injuries, only to be blocked by Haku's hands.

 

“You're still injured Naruto! I don't want to deal with two people collapsing on me!” Haku hissed but never stopping his hands from moving over the unconscious girl. “MEDIC!! Get down here NOW!” He yelled across the room and his fellow medic ninjas all ran towards him as called.

 

Knowing Haku was right, all Naruto could do was hold onto one of the pale girl's hands firmly and whispered softly: “I'm proud of you,” before letting go and moving away so the other medic nins could attend to the girl's injuries then carry her back towards the medical wing.

 

(END FLASHBACK)

 

Naruto sighed again as he felt the overwhelming guilt slam back into his psyche. /Maybe it would have been better if I didn't encourage her… Maybe she wouldn't have been hurt so badly if I didn't egg her on. But then again, Neji seems like the kind of guy whose bent on hurting her no matter what anyone else tries to do…/ He was abruptly brought out of his musings when Jiraiya snapped at him.

 

“Oi! Stop thinking so loudly! I can hear it from here!!” Naruto stopped moving and looked up at his sensei standing close to twenty metres in front. “Hurry up! Naruto! I really can't imagine what hell Ruri is going to give us once we finally turned up!” Jiraiya said as he turned around and continued to stomp his way forward.

 

Naruto had to run to catch up to the tall man, with Kibi and Kirin keeping up on both his sides. Once again walking side by side with the pervert Sennin, Naruto couldn't help but return his thoughts to the other battle that had really affected him, the fight between Lee and Gaara.

 

(FLASHBACK)

 

It was definitely the most intense fight that Naruto had ever watched in a very long time. He was amazed at the different layers of Absolute defences Gaara had up his sleeve, and he was even more amazed at the speed of Lee's movements. /He's definitely faster than me by a lot. There's no way I can keep up with that kind of speed./ Looking towards Gaara's indifferent expression, Naruto thought to himself. /I don't think I'd be able to beat his first defence, let alone the second one…not without the Tenkun no buki anyway… Man, this guy is strong… too strong to be just a Genin…/

 

Naruto's grip upon the railings tightened as he watched Lee's first Omote Renge (Initial Lotus) go to waste because Gaara had already escaped the bindings of Lee's bandages and replaced himself with a moulded figure created from sand. /LEE! BEHIND YOU!!/ Naruto silently cheered, but was so focused on the fight that he literally jumped when Sakura (who was standing beside him) started shouting encouragements to Lee as well.

 

They were both shocked when Lee seemingly recovered from his body's pains and was able to move as fast as he had been before. /NO WAY! THE EXTREME LOTUS (1)!!/ Naruto had heard from Jiraiya that this was an extremely powerful but deadly move; a Kinjutsu (Forbidden Technique) that may well cost the user his or her life. /Heh... Isn't that the type of fire I play with every time I use the Tenkun no buki?/ Naruto thought ironically that both he and Lee had a lot in common. However, while Lee learnt these extremely powerful moves willingly to help him attain his dreams, Naruto had been forced into learning how to control the Tenkun no Buki just because he was the last Uzumaki, and sooner or later, he would be taking over his Aunt's roles as the Master of Oracles. /Heh... not if I find a way to escape my fate. There's no way they're gonna force me into that role without my consent. My goal is to become Hokage, and if I have to merge the Hidden Air village into Konoha to attain my goals, so be it./ Naruto thought determinately.

 

It wasn't long after Lee released all five of the eight celestial gates within his body that the fight finally ended. Lee made a last ditch effort to beat Gaara but in the end, Gaara's gourd of sand still protected the boy from injury and poor Lee was knocked unconscious with a brutally crushed arm and leg as a result of the fight. Haku had once again been the first to the scene with the rest of his team members following behind. Having one look at the boy, Haku had declared him as being in a critical condition, and should be moved into the emergency rooms immediately. Haku then turned towards the still teary eyed Gai and gave the Jounin instructor the bad news.

 

Naruto was not there; he did not think he could stand next to the injured boy and not let his anger lash out at the Sand Genin. However, he was still able to read Haku's lips and what he found out from Haku truly shocked him. “With his body, this boy will never be able to live as a Shinobi again.” Those were the words that left Haku's lips as he gave the Jounin Instructor a sympathetic and sad expression, silently giving the man his condolences before moving away with the rest of the Medic team.

 

Only minutes later, after Chouji and Dosu's short battle, all the final participants of the Chuunin Exam stood in a line in front of the Hokage, awaiting the explanations of the final Exam. “The exam will be held one month from now. What you do with that one-month period is for you to decide. Now, please pick one of the papers from the raffle box.”

 

Each of the participants picked a numbered paper from the raffle box, leaving the last one for Sasuke, the only missing participant of the Exam. After the registration of their numbers the battle line up is as follows: (one) Uzumaki Naruto versus (two) Hyuuga Neji, (three) Sabaku no Gaara versus (four) Uchiha Sasuke, (five) Haruno Sakura versus (six) Dosu Kinuta, (seven) Kankuro versus (eight) Aburame Shino, and finally (nine) Temari versus (ten) Nara Shikamaru. With all the preparatory tasks taken care of, the participants then started scattering to their own destinations. Naruto had informed Sakura that he wouldn't be training with Kakashi and them anymore, because he'll be undergoing his own training. Sakura had accepted his wishes and had promised to tell Kakashi (whom had disappeared once the prelims were over) once she found him.

 

(END FLASHBACK)

 

Shaking his head to clear all the random thoughts out of his mind, Naruto looked up in shock at the Hokage tower. /When did we reach here so quickly?!/ He panicked, knowing that his Aunt was probably silently fuming at his lateness. Naruto gulped but suppressed any other signs of nervousness as he followed Jiraiya into said building as stiffly as he could. Walking through the doors, they were promptly met by several Anbu guards. Luckily, some of them recognised Jiraiya and let the both of them into the building without further problems.

 

As Naruto climbed the stairs up towards the highest room of the tower, he forced his body to numbly follow Jiraiya. Finally reaching their destination, Jiraiya slowly pushed the wooden doors open without knocking first, and Naruto lowered his head to prepare himself for any outbursts of anger. However, to both their surprise, no explosion awaited them at all.

 

Upon entering the Hokage's office as if they were invited, they were met by two pairs of indifferent and calm gazes. One was a female figure seated calmly on one of the chairs next to the Hokage's desk, while another male figure stood coolly by her side. Kibi and Kirin happily ran up to their other mistress and immediately sat confidently by her side, awaiting any further commands. Finally, Naruto breathed in deeply and stepped forward into the room, walking towards his Aunt. He then suddenly knelt down onto one knee as he lowered his head again in a show of respect. “Forgive us for our lateness, Lady Oracle of the Air. I have no excuse except that I have been preoccupied with other matters.” He mumbled softly. Naruto could feel the piercing gaze burning a hole into his head as he refused to lift it up.

 

“Is that all you're going to say?” was her calm and monotone reply.

 

Inwardly, Naruto flinched at the comment but outwardly, he only allowed himself to nod slightly. Lady Ruri gave a soft sigh as her eyes trailed away from her slightly cowering nephew to look upon his sensei, Jiraiya. Feeling her eyes firmly focused on him made Jiraiya shift nervously on his toes.

 

In any other situation, Jiraiya would have loved to have any young woman staring at him as Lady Ruri was currently doing. But even so, he still felt as if the oracle's gaze was seeing right through him, looking and analysing his very soul. Even though he knew Ruri was unable to read his mind or anything like that, but it was still unnerving to have her full gaze focused on you.

 

The uneasiness wasn't due to the Lady being ugly or anything. In fact, if asked, Jiraiya would have replied that the Lady Oracle was down right beautiful. She had long, blonde, sun-kissed hair flowing down her back, reaching almost to the back of her thighs; with pale white but incredibly smooth looking skin; and her deep, sky-blue eyes that would reflect light and hope given any darkness. It was in the eyes that you could see the true resemblance between Naruto and the Lady Oracle, for these bright and amazing clear blue eyes ran only in the Uzumaki bloodline. That was basically all the similarities that they shared.

 

Unlike Naruto, who prefers to wear vibrant colours or non-descript colours depending on his mood; Lady Ruri was always seen in a white dress; it may come in different styles and patterns, but it will always be a white dress - as dictated by the Uzumaki family legacy. This time, she wore a two-piece dress. Her top was high collared and long sleeved, stretching down to her knees (2) while she wore another skirt underneath that stretched all the way down to the floor, covering her shoes.

 

Next to her, stood her loyal bodyguard and protector, Kaga, the only true shadow master left. He too, wore his traditional black ninja outfit: a fishnet shirt, covered by a tight black `gi'; slightly baggy black pants with some bandages strapped across them; heavy metal arm bands on both of his arms with fingerless gloves underneath; and finally, his two black high combat boots that was the only `non-traditional' ninja type attires he wore. Kaga's face was completely covered up by bandages (3) due to the severe burns he had attained since his childhood, only his clear emerald eyes and a slight bang of chestnut hair can been seen peaking out of his bandaged face and head.

 

Finally, Ruri decided to end the enduring silence by turning her attention back to Naruto. “Come here, Naruto. Take off your shirt and let me see your back.” She said calmly, though the overtone of authority was very clearly heard.

 

Naruto complied, slowly peeling his jacket and shirt off, placing it on the near by table (neatly folded of course) before manoeuvring himself to sit in front of his Aunt, with his bandaged back facing her. She placed her right hand over his injured back and arms, then started murmuring soft words as she activated the special healing jutsu taught to every Air Nin ever established. Though very similar to the Chiyute no Jutsu (Healing Hands Techniques) used by most Medic ninjas, this particular healing technique does not require hand seals and instead of just pushing the healer's Chakra into the one being healed, it actually stimulates the injured person's own body to start regenerating itself and create it's own healing Chakra, guided by the healer of course.

 

Due to the visions of the future and the past, not to mention having done this many times before, it only took the Lady several minutes to be done with the process of healing Naruto's back and arms completely. Once the process had finished, Naruto automatically stood up again without being asked to. He stretched his previously aching muscles until they were no longer stiff and then started cutting off all the bandages, revealing a perfectly smooth back with unscarred skin.

 

Jiraiya whistled in admiration as Naruto pulled his shirt and jacket on again. “Man. You're as good as Tsunade when it comes to healing, why didn't you ever take up the medic Nin profession instead, eh?” He said smugly, trying to lighten up the tension in the room.

 

Unfortunately for him, Ruri did not appreciate such jokes and replied back coldly: “I'm an Uzumaki. We don't get to choose our own careers.” Jiraiya shifted in nervousness again, mentally berating himself for even trying to get some reaction out of the despondent Lady Oracle.

 

By the time Naruto was finally dressed, he turned around to face his Aunt again, waiting for whatever she had planned for him. Ruri took a few more moments to stare at him before finally starting her explanations as to why she would come here to Konoha in the first place. “You seem well, Naruto.” He nodded in return. “You're probably wondering why I'm here.” It was not a question, and again, Naruto nodded in return. “I'm here to attend your Chuunin Exam.” Naruto's eyes widened slightly at the implication of this statement.

 

Jiraiya was about to protest when Ruri continued forward with her explanations. “And as long as I'm here, and you're participating in the exam, you will be representing the Hidden Air village instead of Konoha. This means that you will be wearing the Hidden Air head protector instead of the Leafs. Now, as to your training, you have one month from today to become as strong as possible. You will spend three weeks with Jiraiya learning how to properly control, maintain and manipulate your Chakra; then you will spend the rest of your time with me. Any questions?” The Lady said confidently.

 

Jiraiya closed his mouth. He knew there was no point in debating further. Even though Naruto was now officially registered as a Shinobi of the Hidden Leaf village, but anyone who has connections to the Hidden Air must take up the banner of the Air whenever a dignitary of the same village came across them in any public event. It is true that the rest of the world rarely sees anyone originating from the Hidden Air village but when they do appear, their traditions dictate that they have to proudly wear the Hidden Air symbol in any important public functions, to ensure their own safety. Traditionally, all Hidden Air personnel are neutral in their stances in whatever dispute. As long as no one interferes with them, they don't interfere back. It's a very twisted philosophy but it is what their traditions dictate and it is one of the most important rules that the people of the Air follows.

 

Suddenly, Kaga threw a small scroll at Jiraiya whom clumsily caught it due to his surprise at the move. Before he could even voice his thoughts, Ruri started explaining her plans for them for the next two weeks of training. “Jiraiya.” Said man looked up at Ruri's stern gaze. “You must follow every instruction written on that scroll, for it is the planned training schedule for Naruto for the next three weeks. Follow it word by word. Go to your favourite place to train.” Looking confused, Jiraiya could only nod in return, accepting Ruri's orders were much easier then going against her wishes, safer too.

 

Turning her gaze to Naruto instead this time, she continued with her instructions. “Return Kibi to his stable form.” Naruto blushed slightly at having forgotten about Kibi completely. He did as told and was surprised that this time, the aftershock of having a huge surge of Kyuubi's Chakra flowing through his veins didn't hurt as much as before. It still throbs, yes, just not to the same extent as when he re-sealed Kirin.

 

Looking back to his Aunt in confusion, Naruto waited for her to tell him what the differences were between the two incidences. “When you are injured and low on Chakra, the limited amount of Chakra left cannot be used to protect the inner coil system, coating the walls to prevent any further burns due to the forced surge of Kyuubi's Chakra.” Ruri explained evenly.

 

“When I taught you how to summon both Kirin and Kibi, or even any other jutsu or Summoning that requires a large amount of Chakra, your body unconsciously coats the veins of your inner coil system to prevent it from been burnt from the inside out while the surge of Chakra travels through it. You remember the first time you practiced the Rasengan?” Naruto nodded, remembering how his hands were completely burnt from the excess Chakra that swirled around in his palm. Even his arms were hurting.

 

“That was because you didn't coat any of your inner coil veins. Most people actually don't do this because it's not really necessary. However, any smart man would know that causing him-self harm during a fight would probably be the stupidest thing to do. And so, that was one of the first things I taught you, imprinting it into your subconscious mind so that it would happen automatically every time you use a high level jutsu.” Ruri paused for a bit to let that information sink in before continuing on. “When you re-sealed Kirin, your body was already worn by Orochimaru's fight and then coupled with Kiba's, it didn't have any more reserves left for you to protect yourself from your own backlash. But now that you are completely healed, you can feel the difference obviously.” Ruri said nonchalantly, as if she was talking about the weather instead.

 

Naruto nodded numbly as he reviewed the information given. He would have to keep that in mind whenever he uses large amounts of chakra consuming jutsus next time. He was taken out of his musings by the last orders of his Aunt. “If that is all, then leave the vicinity to start your training immediately. Kibi and Kirin are to stay with me until your three week period is up.” Bowing to the command, both Jiraiya and Naruto disappeared from the room into a cloud of smoke.

 

After several moments of silence, Ruri finally sighed and rested back onto her chair as if in weariness. “You didn't tell him.” Kaga stated softly from beside his mistress. Ruri shook her head.

 

“No. He doesn't need to know. Not yet anyway.” Ruri's words were cut off as the door to the Hokage's office slid open once again, this time, to emit the 3rd Hokage of Konoha himself. Ruri and Kaga both stood up before bowing slightly in respect to the elder ninja, and the Hokage returned the gesture with his own bow of respect.

 

“It is a great honour to finally meet you face to face, Lady Oracle of the Air. And it is a pleasure to see you again, Kaga-san, Shadow warrior.” The Hokage replied diplomatically as he quietly shut the door behind him.

 

“The pleasure is ours, Hokage-sama.” Ruri answered back, also with a very diplomatic expression on her face.

 

“Hmm...” Hokage smiled as he slowly trotted to his worn looking chair behind his paper filed table. Sitting down comfortably, he gestured for his guests to sit as well. Ruri sat down on her original chair while Kaga opted to stand beside her at the exact same location he had stood beforehand. “So... what brings the great and wise leader of the entire Air village here to my humble Konoha?” Hokage laughed as he enquired.

 

“War is at your doorstep.” Ruri replied suddenly, completely cutting off all diplomatic procedures. “It would be wise for you to prepare yourself.”

 

All humour gone, the Hokage looked at Ruri with a very serious expression on his face. “If this is about the Dokudes Hyuuga incident (4), I sincerely apologies for my subject's actions. However, going to war is certainly a bit extreme. Not to mention, the incident happened so long ago too...” The Hokage tried to waddle himself out of a dangerous situation with the Air mistress.

 

“The air is not your enemy. Though we are not exactly what you would call `friend' either. It is the Sound you should be prepared for. After all, you already know that it was your former student, Orochimaru whom founded the Sound village.” Ruri replied back, coldly but without pause. “And as for that `Dokudes Hyuuga' incident - as you liked to call it - there will be repercussions to that dispute. However, it will not be the Uzumaki that would take up vengeance.” Ruri's voice dropped to an icy tone, as if threatening the Hokage.

 

The tension in the room was so apprehensive that everyone in there could literally feel the sparks of electricity waiting to burn off all the pressure. Releasing a heavy sigh, the old Hokage seem to slump into his chair. “I know. I just hope that the rest of the Leaf villagers will not be involved in your dispute with the Main Hyuuga family. Please give me your word that the Air would not attack any innocent people in your quest for justice.” The Hokage looked old, tired and with a slight pleading glint in his eyes as he gazed at the Lady in white.

 

Ruri gave him a short nod. “No matter what the situation, every Air Shinobi are inherently neutral, they would not stick their noses into other people's affairs unless provoked. However, they would also not allow anyone to disrespect their family and clansmen. What the Hyuuga family did was unforgivable in the eyes of the Dokudes clan, and their young representatives will carry out justice. Know that the Uzumaki clan and the Ruling counsellors do not have a grudge against the Leaf. After all, it is where Naruto's origins are from, and because of that, the Leaf and Air share a unique bond.”

 

The Hokage sighed again in relief this time. However, his wishful expression soon disappeared into a more serious one again. “Okay. Let's leave that issue alone for now. We have a common enemy in Orochimaru that we must concentrate on annihilating.” He nodded firmly to himself, as if forcing himself to accept this truth.

 

He was pulled out of his musings however when Ruri declined the offer to fight. “The Air will not participate in the clash between the Leaf and the Sound. As I have said before, we are inherently neutral and we cannot favour one side or the other.”

 

“But Naruto was involved in a battle against Orochimaru and was badly hurt as a result. Don't you think that would be a good enough reason to act, Lady!” The Hokage protested, knowing that having Ruri and Kaga's involvement would help the Leaf a great deal if a war was to come.

 

“Naruto was wearing the Leaf head protector when he fought against Orochimaru. That means he was fighting as a Leaf Nin, not an Air nin, and therefore it is of no the concern of the Air. If, however, he were to fight wearing the Air head protector, then if Orochimaru still attacked him, the attack would be seen as declaring war on the entire Air village.” Ruri said firmly. “Those are the rules of engagement. I will not break those ancient rules.”

 

Hokage sighed as he felt a headache coming along. Rubbing his forehead warily, he finally succumbed to the inevitable. “So, what are you doing here then, Lady Oracle? If you are not prepared to fight with us, what do you plan to do?” He asked tiredly. /Damn it! I can't win in this verbal battle. But then again, I am going against a prophetess in the first place… Damn it!/

 

Ruri gave a small smile in victory. “I'm simply here to watch the show... and to warn you about your upcoming problems concerning Orochimaru… so I suggest that you start summoning all your Shinobis for an inter-room assembly to discuss the problem at hand.”

 

--------------------------

 

Naruto blinked as he followed Jiraiya to the hot springs of Konoha. /So this is where she meant when she told him to take me to his favourite place.../ He thought as he pondered what he would be learning. /If it's about walking on water, then I already know all that./

 

Stopping directly in front of a large pool of steaming water, Jiraiya opened the small scroll given to him by Kaga to have a look at what the Lady Oracle had planned for the both of them. As he read silently to himself, his brows furrowed and then widened in amazement. Blinking to clear his head, Jiraiya finally rolled up the scroll, hid it somewhere on his person and finally turned towards Naruto with a slightly sadistic grin on his face.

 

Naruto looked at his sensei with suspicion in his eyes. “What?” He snapped. If possible, Jiraiya grin only widened in reply, which only led Naruto to become more nervous than he already was.

 

“Okay. Kid... We both know that you know how to walk on water, right?!” Naruto slowly nodded. “So, can you perform a handstand on the water instead?” Naruto blinked, looking confused at the white haired man. Jiraiya still had his sadistic grin plastered on his face. “Well, go on. Try it!”

 

Turning towards the still steaming water, Naruto prepared to place his hands on it, only to get burnt in the process and quickly pulled his hands back, yelping in shock at the heat of the water. “Aha! I forgot to tell you!!” Jiraiya chuckled on Naruto's unfinished performance, earning a glare. “The water here is at least 60 degrees! (5) If you fall, you might become a boiled egg soon!!”

 

Naruto glared at the perverted Sennin, mentally screaming that he would prove to the old man he could do it. He quickly stood up again, focusing chakra on his hands and then jumped into the water, forcing his body into a vertical, up-side-down stance, and firmly placing his hands on top of the water. Naruto lasted all of one second before the heat of the water started burning through the thin chakra barrier he had created to surround his hands and began heating up his palms, distracting him enough to lose focus on the chakra flow so he ended up falling straight into the pool.

 

Naruto immediately hauled himself out of the incredibly hot water, only to watch as his sensei literally rolls around the ground, clutching his stomach and laughing hysterically. Naruto's eyebrow twitched in irritation and his eyes blazed with fury at how humiliated he was currently feeling. “STOP LAUGHING!!! YOU OLD PERVERT!!!” Naruto yelled in frustration and anger.

 

Eventually, Jiraiya was able to pull himself together again before finally taking the time to look back at a disgruntled Naruto, mentally fighting off the urge to laugh again if he valued his life. He sighed as he tried to explain what Naruto was doing wrong. “Well, this was the first exercise listed on the scroll. Basically, we're use to standing on water or on trees and ignored the fact that our shoes usually protect us from most of the elements. Yes, it is true that our feets are the hardest places to focus chakra on, but our hands are also equally difficult to precisely command chakra as well. So, there are two things that must happen before you'd be able to fully complete a handstand on such hot water. One, you have to be able to balance the amount of chakra used to protect your hands from the elements, in this case, the steaming water underneath you while you also balance your body without falling sidewards. Two, you have to precisely control the amount of chakra released to keep you afloat on the water's surface. Basically, Ruri wants you to keep on practicing until you could continue to hold the hand stand for at least 3 hours a day.” Jiraiya smirked as he looked at Naruto's bewildered look and waited for the reaction.

 

“3 HOURS!!!!” Naruto bellowed in protest, drawing many attentions as the people inside the bathhouses took a peak outside at all the noise. “I can't hold out that long! Hell, I'm not even sure I can hold out for 2 hour at standing on the water on my own two feet!”

 

“Sorry, kid! But that's what the scroll said.” Jiraiya continued to smirk at his student. Standing up to his full height, Jiraiya gave Naruto another sadistic look. “Well, guess I'll leave you to it then. See you tomorrow, Naruto.” Jiraiya turned away from the bathhouse and hot springs and started walking away.

 

Shaking all the shock away, Naruto glared at Jiraiya before yelling: “Where do you think you're going!!??”

 

Without pausing Jiraiya called back with his own reply. “There's nothing else I can do for you. You have to figure it out yourself. And remember, Naruto. Practice! Practice! Practice!!” Jiraiya's form disappeared into the distance, leaving a fuming Naruto behind. Naruto growled low in his throat before turning away and returning to his training. /I'LL SHOW HIM!! I'M GOING TO SUCCEED BY TOMORROW!!/ He vowed silently to himself.

 

For the rest of the day, Naruto continued on with his practice, each time enabling him to stay on top of the water for longer periods of time. After the first hour of constant strain, forcing the chakra to keep him above the water while burning his hands in the process and trying to keep his body from toppling over and of course failing, Naruto had found himself completely soaked and had thrown most of his clothes away in an attempt to lighted his body's weight. Another hour of practice had him bandaging both his hands from the almost severe first-degree burns on them while he continued with his training. During the third hour, Naruto had found it very difficult to concentrate due to all the steam covering his eyes and the rest of his body, making him sweat, distracting him enough to make him fall. He finally took a short break, buying something from the near by shops to eat before summoning forth some of Kyuubi's chakra to heal his hands. He maybe exhausted but was not willing to quit just yet.

 

/Don't think about doing it! Just DO it!/ Naruto thought to himself as he remembered Kaga's favourite phrase as he tested Naruto's endurance while training him during his stay in the Air village. Again and again, Naruto timed himself, forcing himself to stay on top of the water longer than before, and then letting his body collapse into the hot water before finding the strength to pull himself out. He always climbed back up after every failure. This was his true strength, Naruto knew. /I won't give up! I won't give up!/ He chanted in his mind, completely focused on the task at hand.

 

Naruto had known before that he was no genius when it comes to learning things, but after meeting his Aunt, Kaga and the rest of the Air Nins, he finally realised that he was acting like such a baby when he was younger. Sure, he had pestered Jiraiya until the older man gave in and taught him something new, but Naruto had never really put any effort into respecting those jutsus. He had been so busy running away from the fact that he carried a demon inside of him, that he welcomed any strenuous training able to force his mind to concentrate on other things, namely, staying alive long enough to complete the next jutsu. He never even really completed any of those jutsus either. They were all `half-arsed.' As in, he couldn't control them very well at all. Even the Rasengan, which was one of his favourite jutsus, he had stopped learning it after the third level when there were eight levels all together. Hell, he couldn't even properly perform the Taiyuu Kaga Bunshins until after he had been forced to improve his Chakra control by his Aunt.

 

Naruto had learnt from his mistakes. His Aunt and Kaga-san had made him practice things day and night, without rest until they were satisfied with the quality of him doing things, not quantity. Only after he had appeased their sense of `righteousness', would they give him a break to rest, and at most, it was only half a day.

 

Jiraiya had always made him to use the most amount of Chakra at any one time, forcing him to practice using Kyuubi's chakra when ever possible. And that only led to Naruto becoming even more stubborn and depressed. However, Ruri and Kaga had concentrated on making Naruto fine-tune most of his jutsus into a workable order. After the additional seal placed on his belly button, Naruto had a limit to which he could use Kyuubi's chakra. With that safeguard in place, Naruto had felt that he could at least feel proud that anything he did from then on was his own achievement, not the Kyuubi's.

 

Shaking his head to clear his mind, Naruto continued with his practice as the sun slowly lowered itself into the horizon. Naruto ignored the cold as the steaming hot springs continued to boil under his palm. He spent the rest of the night following the same ritual as he did the day.

 

--------------------------------

 

The second day of training was spent pretty much the same way as he did the first. Naruto had taken some breaks - food, toilet, sleep, etc…, but mostly, he continued with his training. He was finally happy about the progress he had made. By the end of the day, Naruto could stand on the water for a time-duration of one full hour without wobbling at all from the strain. It didn't seem like much but when he started out being unable to withstand even ten seconds of the heat and burns, it seemed like a huge improvement. Naruto had also slowly begun to get use to the burns on his hands and unconsciously, he would continuously release a small portion of Kyuubi's chakra into healing his palms before they could distract him from his balance. And he was also developing quiet a high tolerance for heat and burns, especially on the palm of his hands. Overall, he was happy with the progress, not as fast as he wished it to be but better than nothing.

 

--------------------------------

 

On the third day, Naruto had focussed on channelling his chakra precisely over long periods of time. He was starting to gain the unwanted attention of other people though. The crowds always wandered around, looking at his weird up-side-down stance on the water for hours on end, wondering if he was insane or something. Sometimes, he wondered too, since having most of the chakra controls almost going on subconsciously, Naruto had time to think again (6).

 

It was late on the third day that Jiraiya finally made an appearance. “So, what'cha up to?” He asked, amused at the display of a half naked, upside-down boy, hand standing on the water's surface.

 

“2 hours, 45 minutes.” Naruto grunted in reply. “And still going strong.” He said proudly, as if he was just waiting for the pervert Sennin to contradict him. Jiraiya only chuckled in response as he stood silent, waiting for Naruto to finish up the three hour mark.

 

Finally, after 2 and half days of training, Naruto had completed the first part of the training program as dictated by Ruri. He sighed as he collapsed onto the ground beside the pool. Truthfully, he wasn't really that tired, not physically anyway, just mentally from all the concentration work. But at least now, he could probably do the same chakra channelling instantly without having to consciously think about it. It became just a reaction like many of his other movements and practices.

 

“So… you ready for the next parts?” Jiraiya asked, this time, with a certain tone of concern in his voice.

 

Naruto sighed, knowing that he would not enjoy what ever his Aunt had conjured up but have no way to escape his fate either way. “Fine. Just spill it all, okay?”

 

Jiraiya nodded before he pulled out the scroll of instructions and then spread it out on the floor displaying it to both Naruto and himself as they both settled down opposite one another to view the scroll's content. “Okay, after you've completed the first exercise. You're supposed to try it out with one-hand on the water's surface for 3 hours. You can also practice doing vertical push-ups while you're performing the handstands at the same time. This will enable you to physically exercise your body's muscles as well as your chakra control.” At this point, Naruto groaned and Jiraiya smirked in response. “That's not all of it kid. There's more.”

 

“Now, after you've become very familiar with channelling the right amount of chakra instantly to your palms, then comes the hard part of manipulating that chakra into doing what ever you want. It says here that you have to learn how to `move' yourself across the water without moving any part of your body. You can do this by pushing the chakra from your palm into the water and manipulating the currents underneath you, manoeuvring them until you feel as if you are the one moving across the water. Let me tell you now that this exercise is NOT easy.” Jiraiya looked sternly at the pale-faced Naruto. “Personally, I'm not even that good at it myself. As you can tell, this is strictly Air Shinobi chakra control training. The leaf Nins usually don't go to such an extent with practicing chakra control.”

 

Naruto could only nod in return as he finally realised how difficult the rest of his three weeks training will be. Jiraiya paused a bit longer for the shock to sink in first before continuing on with the rest of the instruction. “If you are able to do that too, then you have come to the really hard part. This is the advance Chakra control stages, where you learn how to manipulate the water currents and movements using your charka, in such a way that you should be able to create small whirlpools and waves surrounding you without affecting your own body's balance. It uses the same concept as before but it takes a lot more concentration and focus.”

 

Pausing once again to let that particular set of information sink in, Jiraiya finally broached the stage where he, himself, would find it very difficult to perform. “If you can actually do that, then you've finally reached the last stage. This final stage requires you to be able to manipulate the pressure in the water. You should be able to use chakra to freely condense the underwater pressures and or release it. For example, you can practice condensing the pressure directly underneath you, then release it quickly, forcing yourself off the water's surface and flipping easily onto other surfaces.” Taking a peak at Naruto's ghostly pale face, Jiraiya sighed. “Look, I know this will be hard. I did say before that even I would have problems, especially with this last move. And the scroll did say that you didn't have to complete everything, just as long as you practice it whenever you can.”

 

Naruto was feeling very overwhelmed at the moment. He remembered watching the other children of the Hidden Air village practicing some of these exercises. He remembered how he had asked Kaga what they were doing and then laughing at them when they fell. Now that it was his turn to perform the same thing, he finally understood just how HARD some of these training methods were on those young children. /Man! I just knew Aunt Ruri would find some way to torture me…/ He groaned internally. Naruto tiredly got up to his feet and looked on resolutely at the hot springs in front of him. “Oh well. You might as well bring some the camping stuff here then. Looks like I'm going to be staying here for a long while yet.” He sighed dejectedly at Jiraiya.

 

-----------------------------

 

Naruto spent the next few days waking up at the break of dawn (4 in the morning) to start his exercises. Taking a break at 8 for breakfast, returning to his exercise, take another break at 1 for lunch, then going straight back to his training, finally stopping at 6 to take a bath, dinner and then slump into unconscious exhaustion at around 9 or 10, only to start the whole process again the next day.

 

By the end of the first week, Naruto had reached the third stage in his training. He had successfully manoeuvred himself across the water's surface by using the chakra manipulation techniques he had started to master during his time of training. He was able to stay on his hands for the entire day and had learnt to push himself in any direction via the water currents while doing vertical push-ups at the same time. He was even able to push himself up-stream, going against the water currents when he tried it out once on a real river. After he had collapsed from that particular successful practice session, he took the opportunity to treat himself to a Ramen dinner, Jiraiya paying of course.

 

Naruto then spent most of the next week practicing the advance stages day after day, night after night, practically collapsing in exhaustion every single day. However, he was only slowly improving his chakra manipulating skills. One day, his anger at the lack of progress finally made him snap. /DAMN IT!! THIS IS HARD!!!/ Frustrated, Naruto decided to quit for the rest of the day to travel around the village and to clear his head. He spent some time at the Ichiraku stand, eating several bowls of ramen, before spending the rest of the afternoon on top of the fourth Hokage's head (on the mountain sides) watching the clouds (7).

 

/What a clear day we have today…/ Naruto thought tiredly as he gazed at the clear blue sky. Indeed, it was a cloudless day, blue beyond the horizon and brightly illuminated. Naruto's thoughts began to wander as his body settled in to have a nice relaxing afternoon. Slowly but surely, Naruto started doze off into a light sleep.

 

---------------------- (Another vision, so this is in Naruto's dreamscape)

 

Naruto opened his mental eyes and looked upon the pitch-blackness that surrounds him. /Damn IT! Not this again.../ He grumbled.

 

Once again, there stood a tall dark mirror, not two steps away from Naruto's dreamscape figure. The mirror started shimmering into life and Naruto quickly looked away before any images started appearing on the mirror's surface. Shutting his eyes tightly, Naruto tried to force all the memories and sounds out of his mind. /I don't want to go through this again! I already know it! There's no point in reliving it again and again!!/ He willed. And surprisingly enough, he could feel his advance bloodline powers beginning to kick in for the first time since slowly awakening his visionary powers.

 

He felt his chakra actually responding to his emotions. As he slowly opened his eyes and looked back at the mirror, it continued to shimmer but it no longer showed him his past. He could feel it, the mirror reacting to his mind and emotions, understanding what he was currently feeling and modifying itself to suit him. The mirror would finally stop replaying his memories, he realised. It's evolving just as he was growing out of his original state of mind, the mirror responds to Naruto's growth and wishes by changing itself. Naruto blinked in surprise.

 

He had heard from the Lady Oracle that when an Uzumaki comes of age (mentally that is), the underlying powers in their advance bloodline would evolve with the child. However, since Naruto had undergone very little growth (in the mental departments anyway) in the past 5 or so years, he had always believed that the rule of thumb didn't apply to him. He had been suspicious that having the Kyuubi contained inside his body had stopped his growth because he was considered quite old to be finally growing out of his childish ways. His aunt Ruri had only been 5 when she first started seeing visions, and his own mother was around 8 when the same happened to her. Naruto hadn't started his visions until he was 11, which was very old by the standards of the Uzumaki legacy.

 

Shaking away his thoughts, Naruto looked back at the now blank mirror. /Let's see if I can finally control my visions then…/ Concentrating, he could feel his inner voice speaking in a soft tone: “Let me see the future…” Suddenly, an overwhelming surge of Chakra burned through the area of his heart; he could feel his blood literally boiling inside his veins. It was hot, but not hurting him. Confused but not unhappy about the new changes, Naruto focused his energy towards the mirror in front of him. Willing it to understand his new desire and following his command. Surprisingly, it worked.

 

The dark surface of the mirror faded away, only to show a typical hospital room where a severely injured boy was resting. /LEE!/ Naruto thought as he recognised the bandage clad figure. Suddenly, another person came into view. It was Gaara. Naruto tensed as he continued watching Gaara walk towards the edge of Lee's bed. Stretching his right hand over the unconscious boy, sand started to form, floating out of Gaara's gourd and swirling around Lee threateningly. /NO! LEE! WAKE UP!!/ Naruto panicked; even as he realised this was only a vision from the future.

 

All of a sudden, Gaara stopped moving and Shikamaru's figure could be seen on the edge of the viewing mirror's surface. Seeing their mouths moving but with no sound being emitted, Naruto focused more chakra into the mirror, willing it to evolve and forming the ability to emit sound. /I need to know what their talking about!!!/ He thought anxiously.

 

-------------------- (Inside the vision, as shown on the mirror)

 

“What the hell are you doing here?” Shikamaru asked calmly as he binds Gaara's shadow to his own.

 

“I was trying to kill him.” Gaara answered back simply in a monotone voice.

 

After a short pause, Shikamaru continued to question Gaara, though beads of sweat were already forming on his forehead. “Why is there a need to do that? You already won the fight. Do you have a grudge against him?”

 

“I do not.” Gaara replied with no emotion in his voice. “I'm going to kill him just because I want to…”

 

Shikamaru startled at the answer. “You must have had a very, messed up childhood... How selfish can you be?” Even as he said this, Shikamaru's body tensed further.

 

“If you get in my way, I'll kill you.” Gaara threatened menacingly, with narrowed eyes.

 

Shikamaru relaxed his stance slightly, wanting to present an air of calm and superiority. “You are in my shadow bind. You can't do anything right now. If you promise to leave this boy alone, I'll think about releasing you.” He bluffed.

 

“I'll say it again. Get in my way and I'll kill you.” Gaara emphasized.

 

Eyes narrowing in agitation and nervousness, Shikamaru murmured under his voice. “What kind of Shinobi are you? Killing just for the pleasure of killing?”

 

“A monster.” Gaara answered back with a blank expression. “I'm a real monster.” Seeing the confusion in Shikamaru's eyes, Gaara decided to explain for the time being. “I was born into this world by taking the life of the women I would have called my mother… to become the ultimate Shinobi… with my father attaching the incarnation of sand upon me through Ninjutsu. I was born a monster.”

 

Looking at the shocked expression on Shikamaru's face, Gaara continued. “The living spirit of an old Hidden Sand priest, Shukaku, was originally sealed within a kettle, before it was merged with my very being.”

 

“Damn…” Shikamaru murmured, finally realising what kind of trouble he was facing. “What a strange expression of love you Sand Nins have...” He said sarcastically.

 

Gaara's eyes narrowed in anger. “Love? Family? They're nothing but pieces of meat connected to me with murderous intent and hatred. By sacrificing my mother, the Kazekage, my own father, created the villager's greatest masterpiece. He spoiled me when I was young, allowing me to do as I wish, never punishing me. And then…” Gaara displayed cruel smile. His eyes became wide with an insane look on his face. “When I reached the age of 6, my own father has tried countless times to assassinate me…”

 

Pausing for a time, Gaara's eyes blazed with fury as he explained why he was hunted. “A being created to be the ultimate tool, and yet I was ultimately unmanageable due to my unstable mind. The villagers finally realised that I was slowly becoming more of a danger than I was worth, so I was to be destroyed like an inanimate object. To them, I am an object, to be used and then discarded. An object from the past that they wish would disappear… Then why do I exist, what is my purpose, why am I alive? I needed a reason to exist… and I found one. I exist to kill every human being except myself… As long as there are people out there to kill, my existence is justified…”

 

-----------------------

 

The mirror's images faded into darkness once more. Naruto was kneeling on the floor in front of it, his hands clutching his head as if in pain. “No more…” he whispered. “Please no more!!! I don't… I can't… God… not another one…” Inside his mind, the same phrase was repeated over and over. /He's like me… He's like me… He's like me…/ Collapsing under the emotional strain inflicted on himself from the vision, Naruto forced his way into consciousness, running as fast as he can away from the truth displayed on the now blank mirror's surface. /I've gotta get out of HERE!!!/ Naruto's panicked mind concluded as his dreamscape shattered, allowing him to rise into the conscious world once more.

 

-----------------------

 

Naruto screamed in fright as he woke from his sleep. Completely shaken and confused about his surrounding, he quickly looked around only to find himself alone on top of the fourth Hokage's head. The sky had darkened due to the setting of the sun and the rising of the moon and stars. But Naruto could not take the time to appreciate his surrounding's beauty because he was in inner-turmoil. /GOD NO!!! NOT ANOTHER ONE!!! HE'S LIKE ME…/ He thought frantically.

 

Struggling to gain some semblance of balance on his tortured mind, Naruto was completely startled when he heard a calm voice from behind addressing him. “You're not him, Naruto… Remember that.” Naruto instantly turned around, only to meet the piercing gaze of his Aunt and the silent shadow figure of Kaga-san behind her.

 

“I... I…” Naruto struggled to form words to describe his pain, unease, anxiety and other emotions raging inside him but to no avail.

 

“You do not need to speak Naruto.” His Aunt told him softly, eyes sad as if knowing exactly what he was going through right now. “Just remember that you are Uzumaki Naruto, not Gaara of the sand. You are not him and you never will be.”

 

Blinking back tears, Naruto tried to push aside all his uncontrolled emotions, he knew he had many questions that must be asked and yet unable to find the words to voice them. All he could come up with was: “Why? How can I…? I just…” Biting his lip, Naruto's body started shaking, unable to suppress the roaring emotions and stress he had been forcing down for however long, even he wasn't sure.

 

Then, his aunt did something completely surprising. She kneeled down onto the floor next to him and pulled him into a hug. An awkward hug at first, but with all of his emotions running wild, Naruto grasped at his aunt's dress shirt tightly like a lifeline, squeezing his eyes shut and let loose the silent tears that had been waiting to be released. She held him for a long time, firmly but not tightly, letting him know that he had her support no matter what.

 

And as Naruto's tired body and mind started to slip back into the unconscious world again, Ruri started to speak in a very soft and motherly voice, of which Naruto had never heard from her before. “You are Uzumaki Naruto, the miracle child of Yuuki Hime and the most powerful Hokage in history. You are not a monster, you are a gift...a gift from my sister to help set me free. (8)… One day, Naruto, you will change the world… Let your light guide those whom lived in the darkness.”

 

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(1) I don't know the translation in Japanese, so I'll stick with the English version.

 

(2) It's sort of like Sakura's dress (except it is high collared and with long sleeves), though Ruri wears a long skirt underneath instead of Sakura's green shorts.

 

(3) Similar to the picture placed on the cover page for Chapter 200 of the Naruto manga.

 

(4) Dokudes is a powerful clan in the Hidden Air village. They are the poison handlers. This `incident' between a member of the Dokudes clan and the members of the Hyuuga main family will be explained much later on.

 

(5) Not sure whether he refers to `Fahrenheit' or `Celsius'. That was just what Ebisu said to Naruto in Chapter 90 of the Naruto manga.

 

(6) Like driving a car - when you start learning, it takes all your concentration. But once you're use to it, you can do other stuff while driving.

 

(7) Yes, I know this is Shikamaru's favourite pastime, but Naruto can indulge in it once or twice.

 

(8) Will be explained at the END of the story!! Be patient.