Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ Inner Secrets ❯ Chapter 2

Disclaimer: I own nothing!

 

A/N: Thank you for the reviews, I honestly hadn't expected that many just for the first chapter of a sugar induced idea. This story won't be beta-ed for some time as my editor is tied up with some other work. I'm really sorry about that. Also, if any of you are wondering why it is so much to the storyline, it is part of my plot, but during the Chuunin exams I will no longer follow the tale so closely, so please bare with me! Sorry about the wait! Here is the next chapter!

 

Chapter 2

 

Naruto sighed as he once again read over the details of tomorrow's mission. It was survival training, and they were to retrieve an item from their teacher within a time limit. If they failed, they'd be sent back to the academy for more tutelage. 'Damn Kyuubi... This route is going to take forever to become strong and respected. I can't wait that long.' The blond inwardly complained to his demonic companion.

 

'Well... if you aren't fond of this path, make a new one.' The fox responded in a bored manner while it stared at its humanoid form's fingernails.

 

'A new path? What do you mean?' Naruto inquired, obviously intrigued by his Kyuubi's words.

 

'Yes brat... You could do something that is against all the laws set in place, and do something incredible in secret....' The demon explained excitedly to his container obviously wanting the boy to give in and try it out.

 

'You mean.. Go out and become great while in disguise? Help the weak without holding back?' The blond asked excitedly as he bounced happily on the balls of his feet, thankful that he was in his apartment so that no one would see him and doubt his sanity.

 

'Yup.' The demon said affirmatively while smirking in a preditorial way. 'After all, what better way is there to train then to gather experience on the actual battle field. Away from the expectations of others. But before you go out and do anything, you'll have to devise a disguise and a name for yourself. Though the name depends on what you plan on doing once out of here.'

 

"Okay for an outfit...." Naruto began aloud before moving over to his closet and pulling things out. "Dark would be best...." The blond mumbled as he pulled out all dark clothing. Maybe a tight outfit with a cloak of sorts over top of it. Maybe a mask too, kinda like the Anbu have..." He whispered as he pulled out a pair of black leather pants that no one had ever seen him in.

 

They were dark and shiny, though they had cleverly placed tears all over them, showing off an alarming amount of skin. "These will do.." He decided as he tossed them onto his bed. "Shirt now..." He mumbled while the Kyuubi merely watched on in amusement, the kid could seriously prove to be some fun entertainment, especially with all the talking to himself business.

 

'That one.' Kyuubi stated as he eyed the pure black fishnet top that Naruto had in his hands.

"This one?" The blond asked quietly as he ran a critical eye over the long sleeved mesh shirt that would cling to him like a second skin. "I think it'll work...." He said in agreement as he tossed the top over to join the selected pants.

'Kyuubi... I'll use combat boots, black of course, but I'll have to go out and get them seeing as I only own the one pair and I wouldn't want it to seem suspicious for me to have the same footwear as the mysterious person I'll pretend to be...' He silently informed his partner.

 

"Now all I need is a cloak and a ... hello! Where'd you come from?" He asked out loud as he pulled something out of his closet that he had never before laid eyes on. "I'd don't remember purchasing this, or putting it in my closet...." Naruto mumbled as he eyed the article of clothing in his hand with an appreciative look. "But.. this is perfect." He concluded after studying the black cloak on hand.

 

It was black and heavy, yet it flowed like spun water that seemingly pulled all shadows into it. It was long sleeved, reached the ground and it had a hood. The cloak was almost all black save for the silver stitching on the back which read Kage-Gesshoku in kanji. "Shadow Eclipse...." Naruto mumbled with a smile as he absently trailed a gentle finger over the words. "I like that.. perhaps though I ought have two different names, though still be one being hidden in secrets...." He said more then suggested.

 

Naruto hurriedly shrugged out of his stylish clothing, taking even his boxers off before pulling on the chosen pants. "Damn... That's tight...." He muttered as he did his pants up.

 

"No kidding... It looks almost like you were poured into them. Fair warning now, beware the fangirls....' Kyuubi teased though the blond merely rolled dazzling blue eyes before sliding the top over his head, then he moved over to the mirror to appraise the bottom layer of his disguise.

 

'It needs accessories.' The blond thought matter-of-fact after several moments of contemplative silence. "Belt... " he mumbled as he moved over to his dresser and opened his newly appointed accessory drawer, every guy needed one. "Kyuubi? This one or this one?" He asked as he held out two black belts that looked similar.

 

'Naruto... they look almost the same.. but I'd choose the one on the left, it has that attached holster piece on the back that is detachable.' Kyuubi answered honestly as that was the only difference between to the two belts and the blond merely nodded before placing the unchosen one back in its place before slipping the chosen one on.

 

He pulled out a black choker that had a small silver shurriken charm hanging on it and put it on before removing his resent earrings and replacing them with dark onyx hoops.. "That's better... Now all I need is the boots... mask, and maybe some gloves too..." The blonde summed up as he pulled his cloak on.

 

Without another word, Naruto pulled the hood up, as he watched on in the mirror, the cloak's shadow hid the top half of his face from view. 'Perfect.' He thought with a devilish grin before slipping secretively out of his apartment and moving silently through the city keeping to the shadows.

 

He ran until he reached a near by store, one of the more upper end ones that he had never been allowed in before and silently went inside. It was huge, and had everything.

 

"Can I help you sir?" A slippery voice from a greasy haired man reached him causing him to turn in the man's direction, thankful that the hood was shrouding his appearance otherwise he'd be kicked out. Naruto silently observed the man with a calm calculating look that was unseen, though caused the slimy man to squirm slightly.

 

After a few moments the 'Shadow-Eclipse' nodded his head in a slow and intimidating manner causing the store owner to visibly gulp and sweat.

 

"Uh... Wha...What can I get you sir?" He stuttered out while nervously clasping his hands together in front of him as he awaited the stranger's response.

 

"Boots...gloves.. mask... weapons..." Naruto answered in a low voice, using a henge on it to make him sound far older and deadlier then he truly was.

 

"Yes sir! Right away!" The greasy git exclaimed as he hastily ran off to grab samples for his frightening costumer.

 

Moments later the man hurriedly scrambled back towards his intimidating costumer arms laden with several things, though he was also followed by, or so Naruto assumed, the man's assistant who was likely wise hauling many things.

 

"Boots first!" The slimy one said noisily as he set his pile down on a counter before retrieving a pair of boots. "I took the liberty of grabbing the best pair we have. The only one of its kind." He explained hastily while greedily rubbing his hands together as he eyed the stranger who was examining the boots with a critical eye.

 

They were indeed exquisite footwear. They were black leather which shone with the light yet danced with the shadows. They were tall, and would likely reach to just above the calf, and they were draped in shimmering chains. It held many secret compartments in it, even one that could hold a decent sized dagger. The shop keeper had been correct in the assumption that those boots were perfect for he who would be great.

 

"They'll do." Naruto answered with a sharp nod, his voice still concealed under the henge.

 

"Excellent! Gloves!" He hurriedly chuckled as he pulled out the few pairs that they had grabbed. "We have full gloves, fingerless gloves, fighting gloves, and so on...." He explained as he set the gloves down for his costumer to regard.

 

"Those..." The cloaked ninja stated simply as he pointed at the pair at the far right. They were simple yet extravagant, which was a paradox in itself. They were a pair of fingerless black gloves with silver spikes on the knuckle points. More then likely they would come in handy in his 'secret life'.

 

He set them on top of the boots which he hadn't tried on, though he was 100% positive they would fit perfectly. "Now... We have a variation of masks here. Anbu style to masquerade, to blank point ones." The greasy man said in a slippery voice as he and the assistant placed the masks before their frightening costumer.

 

"That one will suffice." Naruto said as he motioned towards the one that was pure black on one half and silver on the other. Simple, but it would serve the intended purpose.

 

"Excellent, now my assistant will ring these up while I show you the weapons area." The owner stated before he lead the way across the store, the blond in silent tow. He walked past the weapons display causing the blonde's curiosity to grow.

 

'You don't suppose he has an illegal stash of hidden weapons do you?' The blonde silently asked his companion who shrugged.

 

'Probably... He is a shifty, greasy bastard, and those are generally the type who'd own something like that. Probably sells in the underground.' Kyuubi stated with a sigh. 'I seriously don't like guys like him...' the fox muttered before silence fell over them.

 

Naruto inwardly chuckled as they both came to a halt at a blank space of wall. He silently observed as the man looked around nervously before tapping a section of the wall. The store was filled with an electrical humming noise before the wall that was tapped shifted inward at a point about the same size as a door.

 

The greasy man motioned for his costumer to step in and the blond did so without a second's hesitation and was hurriedly followed by the man who shut the 'door' behind them encasing them both in pure darkness.

 

Fumbling was heard before a few dim lights turned on allowing the blond full view of the room beyond the wall.

 

It was huge.

 

Shelves and display cases littered the large room, each bearing many kinds of fancy weapons, even some that looked obviously illegal. This was perfect. He moved over tot he nearest case and regarded the strange but deadly weapons that gleamed in the little light.

 

But he barely had a chance to investigate as the wall door slid open once more and in walked a man with an arm full of wrapped packages. "Kazuki-san!" The man called out in greeting as he spotted the greasy man. "I thought you'd be back here since only that bloody assistant of yours was out front." The man said in a deeply accented voice that sounded kind. "Ah! I see you have lured another costumer in!" He exclaimed as he set the packages down while looking at Naruto in all his cloaked glory which allowed the blond to fully see the man.

 

He was tall, towering taller then anyone he had ever met, which of course made him seem all the more smaller. He had black hair, which resembled strung silk, tied in a low ponytail at the nap of his neck. His pale-purple eyes gleaming with a mischievous glint. He was dressed in a rich crimson man's kimono which made his golden tan all the more alluring.

 

"I am Kyokyusha Fushojiki, but you can call me Kyo." The man introduced himself as he eyed the cloaked figure before him. "And, judging by your attire, you rather not have your true name known, so what shall I call you? The Shadow Assailant perhaps?" The man concluded as he tapped his chin thoughtfully.

 

"I am Kage-Gesshoku, Shadow Eclipse, though Shadow Assailant will do fine for a second name." Naruto responded his henge voice all the more mysterious with the newest name.

 

"Ahh..." The man said with a smile while he looked over at the greasy man known as Kazuki. "I take it you are here for some specialty weapons?" The man asked as he returned his attention to the blonde while ignoring the now scowling shop keeper. The blonde nodded sharply. "Well... You shouldn't by them from him," He said pointing his thumb at the man before he continued, "He has the cheaper quality items and he sells them for insane prices. Come with me and we will discuss business further at my office." He finished before he turned and walked over to the hidden door which had been left open and exited the secret room.

 

Naruto, followed after the man curiously, the shop keeper at his heals. "Come Kage-Gesshoku. My office isn't too far." The man said as he waited by the door.

 

"Ahh... just a moment!' The shop keeper called. "The young man here was about to purchase these things." He concluded as his assistant held out Naruto's purchases towards the blond who took it and was about to fetch his wallet before Kyo spoke.

 

"Kazuki-san! Put them on my tab!" He exclaimed before leading the cloaked ninja out of the shop.

 

The young genin followed the man out into the village which was a lot less busy at this hour as the sun would soon set, meaning that most families were likely to be eating dinner at that point. They moved through the streets, Kyo occasionally greeting people he knew, all of which gave the cloaked figure a curious glance but made no move to question the tall man who had to have been a well known villager judging by all the greetings.

 

After a good ten minutes or so, they arrived outside of a rich teahouse, the best tea house in all of Fire Country. "My office is in here." The man said as he lead his way up the stone steps and to the door which was opened for both of them.

 

At the door was a young girl with her hair held in a simple low ponytail, though she wore a positively stunning kimono which was a pale pink and had white flower pedals flowing along the silk material. The obi was white and tied in a simple unextravagent manner. "Welcome back to Mukuren Fushojiki-sama." The girl greeted as she performed a deep bow, her eyes never reaching theirs. "Welcome honored guest." She said as she likewise bowed to Naruto who was busy observing the place as he had never been in such a beautiful and luxurious place.

 

"Thank you Shikana-san, could you possibly have some tea sent up to the office for us?" He asked politely as he slid his feet out of his wooden sandals which the girl hurriedly placed in the show rack.

 

"Yes Fushojiki-sama." She said before bowing her way out of the hall and left through a sliding door directly to the left of the entrance.

 

Kyo lead the way down the hall and out another door which lead to the court yard. Outside was a beautiful grassy area, filled with many glorious plants. Every where you looked there was Geisha entertaining the men. Naruto of course merely looked on, not fully interested in the whole thing as he followed the tall man down the highly polished wooden walkway, and over to another door which revealed some richly decorated stairs.

 

Without a word the two ascended the stairs and came up into a long hallway with only a single door at the center. Through that door they passed, and inside was a cosy little office set up in a traditional style. "This is my office." Kyo stated as he sat behind his low desk before he motioned to his guest to sit on the comfortable looking pillow before the desk.

 

"Tell me, what do you think of my little Tea-house?" He asked curiously as he observed the blond as he sat while placing his purchased goods on the floor besides him.

 

"It is beautiful." Naruto answered honestly.

 

His words seemed to greatly please the Tea-house owner, though before another word could be spoken, the door slid open to reveal the young girl from before carrying a silver platter that held a pot of tea and two cups for them.

 

"Thank you Shikana-san. You are dismissed." He stated as soon as she set the tray down and she hurriedly bowed before exiting the room, sliding the door shut behind her. "Now down to business. I take it you are a ninja." He stated more then asked and was proven right by the nod. "Excellent. I'll be blunt and to the point. I want to be your supplier." Kyo said.

 

"My supplier?" Naruto asked curiously.

 

"Yes. Meaning if you need weapons, poisons, tools information, or anything of the likes you can get it from me free of charge." Kyo explained.

 

"Why?" The blonde genin countered.

 

"You have an air about you that I like. I can tell you have potential to be great. Besides, what's a rich man to do when he grows bored of the beautiful Geisha at his feet?" He chuckled in amusement as he poured his guest, then himself some tea.

 

"What would you get out of it?" Naruto asked as he picked up his tea and took a sip of it.

 

"Nothing but the satisfaction that I'm helping he-who-will-one-day-be-famous." He said with a cheerful smile as he took a sip at his tea.

 

"How are you so certain I'll amount to that?" Naruto inquired before he took a tentative sip of his tea.

 

"Well... I have this, I guess you could call it gift, of being able to read a person's character. You have one that is striking, powerful, creative, and strangely balanced that it would be a blasphemy to not amount to anything. I suppose I'm not making much sense, but it isn't an easy matter to describe to one not blessed with the gift." He said while laughing in a heart felt matter. "But I suppose I can test you. What do you find suspicious?" He asked in an aloof manner that could mean he was speaking of anything.

 

"Many things but namely, at the moment, this room. The tea house is rather large, and the building we are in was built equal size on the base and top. Through our passing through the building, the only doors lead to the gardens, the washrooms, and the bedchambers, while one door lead to the stairwell. The stairwell is the only one in here and it leads to a very long hall which only has one door. The door to this office, but it is far smaller then the rest of the building. Meaning you have many a hidden room on this level." Naruto easily explained as he finished his tea and set the empty cup back on the desk in front of him.

 

"Exactly! My point is proven that you are an incredible person. No one would have been able to gather that much so quickly, and remain calm when such a possibility could mean there is a threat. In other words, you are the perfect one for me to supply to. What do you say?" Kyo finished as he set his half drunk tea on the table and fixed the boy before him, whose face he couldn't see, with an intense and almost pleading look.

 

"Very well, how much will I owe you for your services?" Naruto questioned.

 

"Nothing." He answered as he stood. "Come I'll show you to my supply room." He said as he moved towards the wall directly behind his desk where a scroll painting was mounted. He pulled the picture up and pressed a little notch behind it causing the wall to their left to silently slide open.

 

Naruto got to his feet, and moved towards the wall leaving his earlier purchased goods where they were to collect later.

 

If the room at the Kazuki's store had been impressive it was nothing in comparison to the massive room beyond.

 

At the far wall was a massive computer, that likely would carry all the information anyone could ever want. Technology like this was foreign to ninja villages and was likely more advanced then most of the non-ninja dwellings that existed. "A friend of mine is a real computer genius. Best of the bunch. I had him make me that lovely pet, and it holds all the information you could ever dream of on every and any subject. After all its all the gathered intelligence from my world wide web of spies." Kyo explained obviously very proud of the computer.

 

The blond let his eyes wonder over the weaponry that was shelved and well ready for use at any given moment. He noted various vials of all sizes and colors which most likely were all sorts of poisons. He spotted amour, and clothing all fashionable and highly unnoticeable. But at the other end there seemed to be a library of sorts with many books and scrolls which caught his eye.

 

"Those," Kyo said spotting the blonde's gaze, "are copies of all ninjutsu styles of every village, from every country." he explained.

 

"This room is always at your exposal. You may come and go as you please, and I'll even work as your personal assistant here while creating works and such that would be useful to you. So what do you think?" He asked with a smile.

 

"Impressive." The blonde answered.

 

"Glad you like it." Kyo said with a smile as he walked over to the computer and grabbed a small one centimeter thick, five centimeter wide wrist band and tossed it to Kage-Gesshoku who easily caught it though he held it unsure of what it is. "That there is another device my friend made. It is a mini version of a massive computer and has full access to the main computer here. It is voice and key commanded meaning you can press that little black button beside the screen and it'll open the mini key pad, or you can press the blue one beneath it and simply word your request.

 

"It also works as a communication device, and I have the other." He said as he pulled up the right sleeve of his kimono to reveal a same looking piece. "If you need anything just pressed the red button below the blue one and that will cause a vibration to be sent through the piece to the wearer, so that it attracts no enemy attention. Now on the other side of the screen is the green button, press that and the device will gain a little illusion to make it look like a simple wrist bracer.

 

"Oh and it will only work for you as I have already programmed it." He finished with a smile while the blond slipped it onto his left wrist.

 

"Next on the list, weapons!" He stated as he moved over to the weapon selection. "Now as I'm sure you gathered, I supply weapons to underground black-markets. But I keep the best of the best here." He said with a devilish smirk and wink. "Now.. Seeing as you are a shinobi, you will likely use ninja tools. Correct?" Kyo asked happily.

 

"Yes." Naruto answered with a light nod.

 

"Right so you'll need the basics; ninja stars, throwing knives and so on." He said as he pulled out a holster of sorts and placed the necessary ninja tools, including exploding notes, inside the holster before tossing it to the boy who caught it and attached in to his belt, showing that the front of the cloak was undone.

 

Without a look in the blonde's direction, Kyo tossed several sheathed daggers at him which he caught and placed them around his thighs. "Those will be good distraction weapons, and here are two flat blade versions that would do well in those boots you got from Kazuki-san." He explained as he tossed two more at the blonde.

 

"Here are a packet of 10 000 mini senbon needles which can be coated in an desired poison." He explained as he tossed a small box towards the blond. "And this is the shooting device for them. With one chakra filled flick of your wrist it'll launch as many as you wish, and as a bonus to any eye it looks like a simple wrist brace." He said as he held up the device then tossed it like all the rest towards the ninja who slid it on right away.

 

"I think you'd do well with two swords. Simple, averaged sized swords. Ones that are chakra enhanced." Kyo mumbled to himself as he looked over the swords. "Aha! The perfect pair. Muchitsujo Kage no Tanto. The Chaos Shadow Blades if you will. Both are of very fine make and have the ability to mold shadows into a solid assault. You can also perform jutsu through the blades." He explained as he picked up the sheathed beauties. "Back or waist straps?" He asked as he looked back over at his hero to be.

 

"Back." Naruto said after a moments contemplation, the Kyuubi's opinion taken into account.

 

Kyo nodded as he attached the two sheathes to a back harness before throwing them to the blonde who managed to slip it on so that they were partially under the cloak, though he had to tear a spot in the top for the sword hilts to stick out. He looked dangerous.

 

"Well, that should do it for weapons. Now onto poisons!" He said almost cheerfully. "Now my collection of poisons is very vast and dangerous, but I have the antidotes to all of them just incase." He said with a wink. "This one is the Silent Death. As suggested by the name the person affected by it will loose the ability of sound before keeling over dead, takes about two hours to works, and is only reversible to up to an hour after the poison was administered.

 

"Next," He said as he picked up a vial containing a glimmering white liquid, "Is the Inner Fire. It causes the victims blood to heat up and boil, cooking from the inside out." He set the vial down. "This one," He pulled up another vial but this time it had a pale blue liquid inside, " is my personal favorite. Eternity of Torture. It has no known cure at the moment, and is by far one of the worst ones to be infected by.

 

"It has seven stages. The first is a high fever; second, breaks every bone in the body one at a time; third, causes the blood to heat up to unstable points that cause the veins to burn up; fifth, the heart dries out and the lungs become flooded; sixth all nerve endings become hyper-sensitive; seventh and final stage; a slow death. The whole period of this poison lasts about two months." Kyo said with a smile. "Call me a sadist if you must, but that won't change my opinion." He said with an honest shrug.

 

"I'm sure it'll take forever to go through all these so I'll just give you the three poisons I told you of and the two antidotes for them to carry on you and I'll packed the rest up." He decided as he walked over to the blonde and handed him the vials which he immediately placed in the holster that was part of the belt. Kyo moved over to the corner of the room and grabbed a beautiful wooden box lined with soft silk. He place a vial of each poison, which were all labeled, at the bottom of the box before placing a divider over top where he set all the antidotes which were also labeled.

 

"Now I have all vials labeled so that when you have the chance you can look them all up on your computer." the man said as he closed and locked the box. "To open this, simply touch a chakra filled finger to the keyhole." He said as he set the box off to the side.

 

"I don't think we need to worry about your outfit. It is fine as is. And for now we should hold off on the scrolls, seeing as you have much to carry as is." He said with a smile, but drop by any time you wish, and the maids will show you in." He told him as he picked up the poison filled box and the two of them walked back into the office, the wall sliding shut behind them.

 

Naruto moved over to his purchases and slipped the mask on, before grabbing the gloves as well and sliding them onto his hands. Next he pulled on his boots before he moved to stand in front of his kind supplier. "Thank you. I appreciate this greatly." Naruto said with slight inclination to his head.

 

Kyo simply smiled. "Don't mention it. Now here." He handed the blonde the vials. "Come back whenever you need something, you know how to get in if I'm not here, and how to reach me if you need something I don't have." He said before the blond nodded and simply disappeared from the room in a way of the most experienced of shinobi could.

 

*

 

Morning dawned early for the blond as he had been out late last night acquiring all his goods, and when he came home he had to build a small closet style thing to keep all of his hidden life's goods. First he built in then he concealed it, making it look like a part of the wall, then the door, which was also concealed, was locked and could only be opened by his chakra signature.

 

It was a much similar method of costume hiding as all the super heros in comics had. A secret room with many mysteries. Ones that weren't to be found out.

 

He had only been asleep for the last three hours or so and he had already slept in enough that if he didn't hurry up, he'd be late for the set time. 'I don't know why you are rushing..' The Kyuubi drawled as he watched his host hurriedly pull on a pair of leather pants before shrugging on a black tank top. He slid on the two wrists bands, that looked inconspicuous, despite their true nature.

The blond had decided that since the computer was illusioned to be not seen, and the needle launcher wasn't something out on the market yet, plus it looked like a normal wrist band, he'd wear them from now on. After all it was good to be prepared.

 

He pulled out several other accessories and attached his old ninja pouch, which was now black, and raced out the door having not eaten even though it wasn't due to the warning his sensei had placed on them the other day.

 

He raced out the door, a random bag on his shoulders, and ran off to the training field, as he was near-by to his destination he sensed the two chakra signatures of his teammates approaching the location so he slowed his run down to a walk and adopted a tired expression. At the same time, Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura entered the field at a tired pace and met at the middle giving half-hearted greetings at the insane hour of the morning.

 

After a while the blonde gracelessly plopped himself down on the ground. ' As I said earlier, I don't know why you rushed. You know well enough that your teacher will be a normal three hours late.' Kyuubi dead panned.

 

'Simple. I came early as to not arouse suspicion, plus it proves that I can follow the orders of my superiors.' The blonde explained to the fox.

 

'I suppose you have a point. Say... tonight are you going out as the Kage-Gesshoku for your debut? After all Kyo, no matter how suspicious he is, has my trust, and I think it would be more respectful to get into action soon.' Kyuubi explained and the blond could only inwardly nod in agreement.

 

'Tonight it is...' Naruto wordlessly whispered as silence fell over his mind, much as it had on the field. It would be a long wait.

 

*

 

"Yo!" The voice of their sensei greeted the students as Kakashi appeared in a puff of ninja smoke. He had his happy eye look going on that made it seem as though he was smiling. Though one couldn't be sure for certain unless he did that action with his mask off, which wasn't likely to happen anytime soon.

 

"YOU'RE LATE!!!!!" Naruto and Sakura screamed in sync, as they glared hotly at their teacher and Naruto was pointing in an accusing manner. Off the side, the Uchiha prodigy silently observed his teammates with disdain. They were going to pull him down and be a hindrance to his vengeance plans.

 

Kakashi ignored his students' words and walked over to a near-by tree stump where he set an alarm clock of sorts. "You'll have to noon." Kakashi began as he caught the three genin's attention. "I have two bells," He said as he pulled out two golden bells held on a red ribbon each, "that you three must steal from me. Whoever doesn't get a bell fails and will not get lunch and will be tied to that tree stump to watch the rest of us eat."

 

The three inwardly groaned, each thinking the same thing 'So that's why he didn't want us to eat.'

 

"Each of you have to try and get a bell, and since there isn't enough to go around, one of you will definitely be tied to the stump. Meaning one of you will be heading back to the Academy in disgrace. You may use any weapon at your disposal and must come at me with the intention to kill." Kakashi finished.

 

"But that's dangerous!" Sakura immediately exclaimed.

 

"Hah! This will be easy! I mean you couldn't even dodge a simple eraser!! You're going to get yourself killed!" Naruto said while laughing in amusement, keeping up his dumb-blond facade.

 

"The weakest are usually the loudest. Now let's ignore the dunce and we'll start on my signal." Kakashi said in all seriousness. Though his words triggered Naruto's mask's rage.

 

The blond hurriedly reached into his weapons pouch and withdrew a kunai with a twirl before he raced forward with enough speed to come off as a moderately quick genin. In a move that his teammates couldn't see, Naruto was spun around, Kakashi's one hand hold the blond's wrist so that the kunai was millimeters away from the spiky gold hair, while the other hand had a firm grip on the boy's head.

 

"I didn't give the signal yet." the jounin said in amusement. "But you came at me with the intension to kill. So it seems you've begun to respect me." He said with pride and contentment shimmering in his one visible eye. "Maybe... just maybe, I'm beginning to like the three of you." He said after a pause. "Now ready, steady, go!" Kakashi exclaimed and his three students disappeared from sight with the skill of a genin which was easily seen through by his superior skills.

 

'Well it seems they know how to properly hide themselves....' Kakashi thought before he caught sight of the blond standing boldly out in the open. 'Well... except him.' He thought with a sweatdrop.

 

"It's time for the real fight to begin!" Naruto boldly declared while smugly folding his arms in front of his chest while he inwardly winced. Good he hated being like this.

 

'That fool!' Sasuke mentally hissed from his hiding spot within the foliage of the trees where he was observing his teacher and teammate.

 

'He's so pathetic...' Sakura inwardly complained. 'He's no where near as cool or strong as my Sasuke-kun!!' She thought with a happy fangirl squeal.

 

"I suppose we could start in the hand to hand combat, otherwise known as Taijutsu..." Kakashi stated as he looked up to the sky in contemplation as his hand slipped towards his weapons pouch, paying no heed to the now charging blond, who paused in his tracks as he saw the teacher reach towards his weapons pouch.

 

'Hand to hand combat? Then why is he reaching for a weapon?' The blond genin silently asked himself before sweat dropping as he saw his teacher pull out a little orange book, that was most obviously one of the porn novels. 'Now that is insulting....' He growled to the fox.

 

'This test is a test of team work, and judging by your comrades, they won't help you... I suppose you could let a little minuscule fraction of your skills shine through. After all you need that bell....' Kyuubi said in a deciding manner. 'But don't forget to make it look like it was still a dunce like fluke.'

 

'Right Kyuu-chan!' Naruto inwardly cheered before a devious smirk graced his face and he charged forward aiming a punch at Kakashi who easily evaded the assault. Unperturbed, the blond pressed his attacks until his teacher vanished from eye-sight which naturally caused him to stop. 'He's coming up behind me....' Naruto whispered to Kyuubi though made no move to acknowledge it.

 

"Showing you back to your opponent is a poor thing to do." The silver haired jounin said with a sigh before his hands moved through a series of seals before he yelled, "Hidden Leaf Ancient Taijutsu Supreme Technique: A Thousand Years of Pain!" before he rammed his middle and index fingers of both hands against Naruto's butt sending him airborne.

 

His teammates watched on feeling embarrassed by the blonde being so weak as they watched him crash into the deep river with a large splash.

 

'No matter how much of an idiot my mask is, no one and I repeat no one makes a mockery of him like that!' Naruto inwardly raged as he swam to the surface a plan in mind. He broke the water with a gasping breath as he pulled himself onto the shore his stomach rumbling pitifully, though only the mask was affected by the shown weakness.

 

"What's the hold up? You do realize you have to get one of these bells before lunch time to pass right?" Kakashi asked as he looked down at his student his orange book still in hand.

 

The jounin turned with a sigh and began walking in the opposite direction before a massive splashing noise rang through the air as ten Naruto clones leapt out of the water. "Hah! Meet my specialty attack! The Kage Bunshin no Jutsu!" The blonde still seated at the shore said with a proud look on his face and a feeling of success in his heart that none could take down.

 

'Ten distinct bodies! What technique is he using??!?!' Sasuke thought with wide eyes, feeling utterly shocked to see those clones as it was a well known fact that the blonde was pathetic with clones.

 

'They aren't illusions! They are solid clones!' Sakura thought in shock as she peered out from under the bush she was huddled under.

"Not illusions, but clones made of flesh and bones, each with their own amount of chakra..." Kakashi said in shock as he gazed on at the on coming clones having not expected his blond student would be able to use that forbidden technique. "But at your level... you couldn't possibly be strong enough to hold this up for more than a minute. You may talk big, but you don't have what it takes." The teacher continued almost sadly.

 

"Whhaaaatttt??!!?!" Kakashi managed to get out as another Naruto jumped onto his back and grabbed his arms in a way so that the older jounin wouldn't be able to use his arms.

 

Both Sasuke and Sakura looked on in surprised shock. 'When did the dobe learn to do something like that?' The Uchiha said in silent shock.

 

"You said something back watching your back sensei?" The blond asked with a devilish smirk in place. 'Damn....'

 

One of the other Narutos rushed forward. "I told you I'm only going to hit you once!" It screamed as it pulled its fist back and slugged away, the fist hitting another Naruto who stood in the teachers former position. "What?"

 

'He used substitution...' the blonde inwardly cursed. "He must have changed into one of us!" He declared and all of his clones played along as they began pummeling each other. Only after he was certain he put on a good show did he pull back. "Wait! I know! If I dispel this jutsu we'll find the real Kakashi!" The blonde said cleverly. 'Too bad he isn't here but over in that tree....'

 

In a massive puff of ninja induced smoke all the clones vanished leaving one Naruto still standing, looking worse for wear. 'I'm bored of this... If I could challenge Kakashi-sensei at full strength, it would be an awesome fight. I might be lucky to beat him, though it would likely be a close match. Oh!! Look at that pretty trap! I know the perfect way to get out of this!' The blond thought as he outwardly snickered.

 

"Kakashi-sensei must have accidentally dropped that bell while fleeing my attack!" The blond said loudly enough for his close-by teacher to hear before he moved to grab the bell only for a robe to snag his ankle and pull him up in the air.

 

'Of course that was a trap...' Sasuke thought as he frowned. 'The most disturbing part is that he didn't even once drop his guard in the battle with Naruto....' He summed up.

 

"Naruto..." Kakashi said as he walked out of his spot and bent down to pick up the bell. "If the bait is obvious don't fall for it..." He scorned the boy with a frown as he reattached the bell to hang beside the other. "You're supposed to look under the underneath." He said cheerfully as he smiled up at the suspended blond.

 

"I know that!!" The blond raged as he swung his arms violently. 'Only an idiot wouldn't...wait... forgot my mask is an idiot. Great now I'm insulting myself...' The blonde inwardly sighed.

 

"No. You don't, that is why I'm saying it." The teacher sighed.

 

'He's off guard! Now's my chance!' Sasuke silently shouted as he withdrew several kunai and shurriken and launched them at their sensei, each on hitting their mark in a fountain of crimson blood.

 

"Sasuke!! That was overkill!!" The blonde shouted at his brooding teammate. 'That poor log, you will be forever remembered.' he inwardly said in a funeral-like manner as the bloody corpse of their teacher puffed up in smoke to reveal the pierced log.

 

'Kuso! Substitution again! Now he knows my position!' The dark haired genin inwardly cursed as he raced off in a different direction. 'He dilibertly pretended to be off-guard and I fell for it like an armature. Like Naruto!'

 

'Sasuke! Where are you?' Sakura silently whispered as she tore off after her crush hoping against hope that their teacher hadn't gotten him. A rustle in a near by tree caught the pink haired girl's attention and she stopped to see her sensei. 'Good, he hasn't seen me...'

 

"Sakura behind you..." A voice whispered before a rush of leaves and wind struck the girl.

 

 

With a sigh Naruto used a kunai to cut himself loose, completely aware of the trap below, though he allowed himself to land in it before being dragged upwards once more. "Not again!!!" The blond yelled in outrage as he fumed where he was hanging. "I can't believe he set a second trap below the first!" he whined loudly.

 

 

A dazed look momentarily fell over the pink haired kunoichi before she shook herself and looked around warily. "What was that?!?!? Where'd Kakashi go?" She asked as she spun on spot.

 

"Sa...Sakura..." A voice behind her mumbled in a rough voice.

 

'That sounded like...' "Sasuke-kun!" She said as she happily turned around, though he smile vanished as she took in the form of her long-time crush.

 

He was covered in gashes and scratches, various ninja tools imbedded deeply in his flesh. His left arm was completely severed and was no where in sight, while his left leg was turned at such an angle that it was obviously broken. "Sa...S...Sa..kura.... H..help.. meee...." He managed to rasp out as more blood poured from his mouth.

 

A look of sheer horror graced the girl's face before she released a head splitting scream and fell to the ground in a dead faint. "Was that too much?" Kakashi asked himself from his perch on his branch as he dispelled the genjutsu.

 

 

Sasuke tensed where he stood surrounded by trees. "Was that Sakura?" He quietly asked aloud.

 

"That was the second art of the ninja." Kakashi said lazily as he read his book and was leaning comfortably against a tree behind the Uchiha prodigy. "Genjutsu, the art of illusion and Sakura fell for it."

 

"I'm not like them!" Sasuke said darkly.

 

"Save your boasts for when you actually get a bell..." Kakashi said with a sigh. "The strength of the Uchiha clan... I'm looking forward to see what you can do." He finished as the boy hurriedly charged. 'A frontal assault!' He thought as he dodged the kunai which struck a trip wire. 'A trap?!' he thought in mild surprise as he dodged the trap of ten kunai flying at him. All of which clattered and stuck to a tree.

 

As he landed he had to bring up his arms to block a kick, and grabbed the foot before a fist was throw at him, which he too caught and held. In a consecutive motion, Sasuke used the momentum to spin upside down and aimed a kick at his teacher's head while he was still being held by said jounin.

 

Kakashi brought the arm with the wrist in it up to block leaving his two arms up which left his mid-sections and the bells wide open. Sasuke brought his remain hand down and just barely brushed his finger tips against one of the bells before the teacher realized what happened and he pushed himself away from the boy.

 

'He's not bad... I can't even read my Icha Icha Paradise...'

 

 

Sakura slowly came to and sat up a hand running through her hair as she blinked in confusion. 'Oh yea! Sasuke was dying!' "Sasuke don't leave me!!!" She screamed at the top of her voice as she stood to hurriedly search for her crush.

 

 

'Well... I got what I wanted...' Naruto thought as he pulled out one of the little bells. 'I'm surprised he didn't notice when I aimed that punch for him. I switched the bell with a rock on a string then placed a henge on it.'

 

'You did well brat.... You even made yourself look... interesting in the eyes of your peers and teacher.' Kyuubi said with pride. 'But tonight is when the real fun starts.'

 

"I can see our lunches!!" He exclaimed as he eyed the boxed lunches sitting unattended by the monument rock.

 

 

"I admit you are not like the others." Kakashi admonished as he slipped his beloved book back into his weapons pouch.

Sasuke stood smoothly and began forming seals. "Katon Goukakyuu no Jutsu!" He said as he inhaled a deep breath.

 

'What!?!?! No genin should be able to do that technique it requires way too much chakra!' He inwardly exclaimed though he was wrong and in one smooth breath the boy lived up to his prodigy title and breathed out a massive breath of flames. They charred along a large path of earth and even melted a whole in the ground.

 

'He's gone!' Sasuke said to himself as the smoke cleared, causing him to look around. 'Behind me? Above? Where'd he go?!??!' He spun around looking about the area frantically.

 

"Below." A voice said causing the Uchiha to look down just in time to see his teacher's hand shoot up from the ground and grab his ankle. He had no time to fight back before he was pulled down into the ground so that only his head stuck up. "The third art of the ninja: Ninjutsu. Oh well... At least you performed better then the other two as was expected.

 

"Well, you know what they say: The nail that sticks up is the one that gets hammered down." Kakashi said as he walked away leaving the cursing ninja behind, trapped.

 

 

Naruto clapped his hands together as he sensed his sensei's arrival, he had a show to put on. "Even if I can't take those bells fair and square, I can deal with it! I'll just hang out here and eat every bodies' lunches!" He exclaimed greedily.

 

"Ahem!" Kakashi's voice rang behind him.

 

"I was just joking!" The blond said in attemptive defense.

 

"Too late!" The instructor said in a happy voice.

 

 

Sakura ran, eyes darting each and every way, her only concern was for her beloved Sasuke. She ran into a clearing and froze in her tracks. There before her was Sasuke's head. A look of fear crossed her face. "EEEYAAGH!!!! Sasuke's head has been severed!!!!" she screeched before fainting once more.

 

Sasuke blinked. "What was that all about?" He asked the none responsive girl before he began to dig himself out of the ground. It took him a good twenty minutes to get out and once out he sat down beside the passed out girl who was beginning to stir. "Hey..." He greeted.

 

"Sasuke!" She exclaimed as her eyes fully opened and she hurriedly sat up. "You're alive!!!" She said as she grabbed him in a tight hug.

 

"Yeah... fine... you can let go now!!" He shouted as he pushed the girl off him and stood up. "Time's running out, its almost noon." He said.

"Sasuke, do you honestly think you can get one of those bells?" She asked as she watched him from her spot on the ground.

 

"I touched them." He answered.

 

"WHHATTT!?!?!" She shouted in shock as she leapt to her feet. "Wow! You are so amazing!" She said nervously as she clasped her hands together. 'This is bad! How can I ever get one of those bells? If I don't get one I might be separated from Sasuke-kun!' she inwardly worried. "There is no more time... I'm sure next time if we give it all we got we can get the bells...." She trailed off with a gulp as she saw the glare the Uchiha was shooting her with.

 

"Only I can kill him." He said as he turned his back to the girl.

 

"Who? Do you mean Kakashi-sensei?" She asked curiously.

 

"He... made me cry..." He kept going.

 

"You cried...?" Sakura asked wondering where this was leading too.

 

A bell cut through the air before the prodigy could continue. "Crap! I should have saved my breath..." Sasuke said as he began to walk back towards the starting point, the pink haired girl at his heels in silent contemplation.

 

 

Ten minutes later found Sasuke and Sakura seated on the ground with Naruto tied to the stump between them. "My! Just listen to the rumbling stomachs!" Kakashi exclaimed. "None of you have to think of returning to the academy." Kakashi said but was then interrupted by the cheering of the louder two and the pleased smirk of he who broods. "As I was saying... You three are hopeless! Not one of you got a bell, nor did you understand the point of this exercise! None of you will ever be ninja!" He exclaimed.

 

'I'll show him!' Naruto inwardly raged and ignored the voiced warnings from the fox. "That is where you are wrong Kakashi-sensei!" the genin exclaimed as the ropes slid off of him and he landed with expert ease while shocking the three present.

 

"Oh? Please elaborate Naruto-kun?" Kakashi asked as he regarded the student before him.

 

"First off this was a test of Teamwork. I would have asked to work with Sasuke but he'd say 'I work alone!' and Sakura would ignore me in favor of Sasuke.

 

"Secondly, look down at your bells." The blond said as he crossed his arms causing all three to look at the bells only to note there was one bell and a rock tied to a string. With wide eyes they all looked back to Naruto who now held up the bell he had earlier snatched.

 

"How did you...?" Kakashi trailed off his visible eye wide.

'Uh oh... I think I gave way too much away...' The blonde demon vessel inwardly winced and purposely ignored the pointed 'I told you so's' coming from the fox.

 

"Uh... Well, I got one of my clones to do that when I snuck up behind you..." He explained nervously as he ran a hand over the back of his neck.

 

'Hmmm... I should keep a closer eye on him.....' Kakashi thought. The blond easily noted his teammates' and his sensei's suspicion.

 

"It's the same type a prank I did on one of the villagers!" He exclaimed. "He was a cranky old shop keeper so I snag the keys he carries on him. He spent four whole hours trying to get the fake key to open the door!!" The blond said smugly his mischievous smirk in place.

 

' .... I got fooled by the same move he used for a prank....?' Kakashi thought in embarrassment as he forcefully pushed aside the voice of uncertainty. For now he'd believe his student's words, but should it happen again...

 

"Alright... since Naruto had good points, I suppose you all pass. Your first real mission will start tomorrow, meet at the bridge for.... oh say noon. Ja!" Kakashi told them before vanishing once more in his puff of ninja smoke.

 

"Sasuke-kun!! Do you want to go for dinner with me?!?!?" Sakura almost begged as she turned pleading eyes on the Uchiha prodigy.

 

"No." Was her curt response as the dark haired genin stood. "Go home Sakura." He ordered and noted with satisfaction that she did get up and leave without so much as a question. Like a dog to its master.

 

"Naruto... how did you honestly get that bell?" Sasuke asked as he narrowed curious eyes on the blond. He didn't believe the story spun for one minute.

 

"Uh... fluke?" Naruto asked more then said as he sheepishly scratched the back of his neck. "Well Sasuke-teme, it has been a blast but I got to fly! I promised Iruka-sensei I'd make him a late lunch!" The blond shouted as he happily ran off towards the village leaving the brooding teen alone to this thoughts.

 

*

 

Naruto sighed. It was nearly sundown and he had finally escaped from his beloved teacher's home after being drilled for the details of his first task. It was a bit tiring, but now he felt enervated. It was finally time.

 

He hurriedly prepared himself, clothing and weapons all in place and as he was about to slip unnoticed from his apartment a strange sensation tingled through his arm. "What... the?" He asked his voice the same as normal.

'The communication device!' Kyuubi said causing the blond to look at the device.

 

"Kyo-san?" He asked his voice back in his henge as he looked on at the face of the man that was his supplier. "You look kinda squashed on the screen." He commented as he nodded, though his bemused expression was lost with his mask up.

 

"I could say the same to you Kage-Gesshoku." The man chuckled in greeting. "I would have never pegged you as a blond though." He commented with a smile.

 

"Yeah... not too many would." He agreed, not caring in the least that the man saw his true hair color as he had left the hood down. After all he did have his mask on.

 

"Anyways.. I am certain you were wondering why I called you." he said and received a nod from the blonde. "Thought as much. Now as you will be new to this whole thing, I figured you wouldn't know where to start, so I made you a bingo book of sorts." Kyo began.

 

"Now, this bingo book holds all the data of all the 'evil' organizations and all missing nins that could prove to be a threat. I figured you'd want to start with a bang, so I figured you may as well take out one of the organizations of nuke-nin.

 

"There are three bigger ones. The first and largest is the Kenryoku Shihaisha. They are a group of one hundred and thirteen missing nin lead by three powerful war lords. They have eighteen fully fortified bases all of different build and set up, making attacks very difficult. Their primary goal is to gain dominance over all non-ninja villages with Fire, Water and Earth countries.

 

"Second is the Kompku Renpo, composed of forty-three members of both samurai and missing ninja origins. They are lead by a ruthlessly strong samurai named Satsujin Yaiba and their main goal is to gather all rare and powerful artifacts for a plan that no outside source yet knows. They only have three bases all located in Wind Country.

 

"The third and most deadly of the three, the Akatsuki, is composed of only nine members, the leader and eight others who works in pairs. They are the strongest of the S-class missing nins. Lead by a man we know nothing of not even his name. They work solely within the borders of Fire Country and their goal is to gather the power of all the sealed demons." He concluded.

 

'It seems I'll have a group of S-ranked nuke-nins on my tail soon enough with you inside me Kyuubi.' The blonde informed the fox who merely nodded.

 

'I guess that's what you get for having such an incredible creature living in your ramen filled belly.' Kyuubi teased as he struck a disturbing pose that would scar many children.

 

'Ha ha.. Real funny Kyuubi...' Naruto drawled sarcastically as he rolled his eyes in the fox's general direction.

 

"Now..." Kyo's voice rang through to them snapping both the teen and the fox back to attention. "I'd say you start your first mission by taking out the two secondary masses of the Kompku Renpo. Taking down all three along with the leader would take too long and I believe you are likely to have engagements tomorrow. Correct?"

 

"Yes." Naruto said a little shocked by how 'all-knowing' his assistant was.

 

"Okay. The two bases are within a five kilometer rang of each other, and they are of similar design. The closest to your present location is the Rise Base. Here is its blueprints in 3d!" He exclaimed as his face disappeared as a hologram projection of sorts popped out of the screen in the shape of a large and well built fortress.

 

"As you can see, it is composed of five over-ground levels and two underground levels. The main defense and guards are located on the barricades and first level, very few on the four upper levels or the first lower level. The bottom level has rotating guards as that is their prison area. And yet they do have some innocent captives that you should free before you annihilate the joint." He said with a chuckle.

 

"My last report, which came in about twenty minutes ago stated that they only had eleven prisoners in there. Five simple village women who were in the wrong place at the wrong time and six men who either owe the organization something or know the whereabouts of certain artifacts but aren't willing to speak.

 

Naruto scanned the blueprints, taking in all structural bites while analyzing the best course. "Alright."

 

"The second base is the Set Base. This one will be a little more tricky as this is their weapons stronghold, meaning they pack a lot of fire power that could be quite dangerous, though if you destroy the place in one fell swoop you should be fine. And lucky for you there are no prisoners at that base as it would be too risky with all those fine arms. Here is the blueprint." He said as the current one faded fuzzily only to be replaced by the image of the second one.

 

"I'm sure if there is anything else, you'll find out soon enough. Good luck!!" Kyo cheered before the hologram vanished and the communicator turned itself off.

 

"He left in a hurry..." Naruto mumbled. "But I suppose I should head out, after all I have a long night ahead of me...." He said before he ran off into the the shadows.

 

His new life was about to begin.

 

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

 

That's it for that chapter. Thank Kami-sama for the Easter holidays which gave me the chance to write this short chapter. Now I'll be working on chapter 9 of Heading Home next, so this story's next chapter won't be up for some time. But maybe with some healthy amount of flames and comments I'll have it up ASAP. Thank you for reading! Ja!