Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ To Measure My Capacity ❯ Chapter 11 ( Chapter 11 )

Chapter 11

Naruto and Hinata sat in silence as they at their lunch, both lost in their own thoughts. Naruto was pondering how best to go about `training' Hinata. It was clear from their brief fight with Kakashi that Hinata was proficient with her Byakugan and Jyuuken Taijustu, but there was something in her being that was preventing her from fully utilizing both to their fullest potential. Her lack of confidence was the most obvious perpetrator, but Naruto suspected that there was more to it than that.

`I really need to see her fight more to discover what's holding her back.' Naurto pondered. `She's useless to me and herself in her current state.'

Hinata meanwhile was thinking about her new team mate Naruto. While he had initially seemed rude and cold when she had first met him, he had shown to her today that he could be kind and caring as well. Hinata envied the confidence he had showed during the bell test, and was glad he was on her team and had offered to train with her. She had never trained with anyone but her father before now and was curious of what would happen.

When the two had finished their lunch they stood and Naruto lead Hinata to the middle of the training field. When they got there, Naruto turned to face Hinata, brushing his long hair out of his eyes. Hinata stood, eyes to the ground, feet close together, fingers fiddling nervously. Naruto broke the tension by slipping into a vaguely recognizable, basic Academy Taijutsu stance.

“I thought we'd start with some Taijutsu sparing,” Naruto said. “I'm not very good at Taijutsu,” At least not this kind of Taijutsu “and it's obviously a Hyuuga specialty. It can't hurt to get a little practice in.”

Hinata shifted nerviously. “B-but, Naruto-kun, my Jyu-jyuuken is not meant for casual fighting,” her eyes became more downcast as she continued. “If I did s-something wrong, I might k-kill you.”

`Haha, yeah right,' Kyuubi's malicious laugh echoed through Naruto's head.

`Shut up, fox,' Naruto spat back quickly.

Naruto stood naturally for a moment, thinking. While it was doubtful Hinata could kill him, it would be best to avoid being hit by Jyuuken. At least, it would be best if he didn't get hit by any Jyuuken attacks. `It is essential for my plans, however, that I gain the knowledge of what it is like to be hit. There is no better way to learn the Jyuuken's affects than to expose your own being to them… or at least a clone's being, whose knowledge will be passed on to me when it dispels.'

Smiling to Hinata, Naruto explained the basics of his solution.

“Alright, I've got it! You can fight one of my clones!” Naruto said happily. “They're just like me, except… not me? What do you say?”

Hinata agreed, after all there was no harm in killing a mere clone, mistake or otherwise.

`Well I'm not going to stay around for this, I'm going to sleep. Good night, Naruto-kun.'

`'night, Kyuu-chan, hope you die in your sleep.' Naruto thought back evilly.

Outwardly, Naruto smiled happily.

“Great!” Naruto said, making a cross-shaped seal with his hands. “Kage Bunshin no Jutsu!”

A single clone appeared beside Naruto, acquiring a sloppy stance.

“Let's do it!” The clone said, charging towards the relatively unprepared Hyuuga, who nonetheless easily blocked or parried the clone's attacks. Naruto looked upon the scene, a small smile gracing his features as he anticipated the knowledge he would soon acquire, knowledge even Itachi could not give him concerning the style his own so closely mimicked.

***************************************************************** *******

 

Kakashi made his way through the well lit hallway to the Hokage's office. He was certain now that the long haired blonde on his team was Uzumaki Naruto. Having returned from a mission late at night on the eve of his acceptance of a Genin team, Kakashi had heard rumors that his Team 7 was one member short. Not concerning himself with the rumors, he had slept and woken late. As he had walked to the place where he often mourned his fallen friends, he had noticed a change in the villagers. People were not going about their usual daily business. Instead, there were often groups of 2 or 3 talking in hushed tones to each other, and sometimes there were larger gatherings where heated debates were apparently taking place. Not one to concern himself with the gossip of the village, Kakashi had shrugged it off and was soon lost in the memories of his past.

As Kakashi waited outside the Hokage's office, he continued to assure himself of his young student's identity. The whispers and debate were still apparent as Kakashi made his way to the Academy to pick up his team. Being as late as he was, Kakashi did not stop to ask what was so interesting. He wasn't that inconsiderate to his waiting team. He wasn't surprised when he saw 3 waiting Academy graduates in the classroom; it was to be expected from the Hokage. As the team introduced themselves, he was not that surprised at the blonde's introduction. Many ninja were reluctant to show their true colors at first a first meeting, and Kakashi was one of those people. He knew he would discover who the blonde was in time.

Now, Kakashi knew why the blonde said that they would find out his name soon, and why he smiled in the melancholic way he did as he said so. Kakashi now knew why the village was full of rumors, and why everyone spoke in hushed tones. Many had thought the Kyuubi container dead after mere days of there being no sighting. His return would make most of the villagers furious and a large proportion of the ninja populous would be equally angry. Kakashi himself saw the young ninja as what he was, a young boy that was only the container for the great Kyuubi and not the monster itself. He was in the minority, however, and most still saw him simply as the Kyuubi reincarnated.

Shaken from his thoughts, literally, by a Chuunin, Kakashi was lead into the Hokage's office. The Hokage sat alone at his desk, behind a never-shrinking pile of paper work, smoking on his beloved pipe.

“Ah, Kakashi,” the Hokage spoke as Kakashi entered, releasing a cloud of smoke from his mouth. “I thought I might be seeing you soon.”

“Hokage-sama,” Kakashi said, bowing slightly. “I had several questions for you, but now, it is beginning to make sense.” Kakashi's eye shifted to look behind the Hokage. “It has been a long time, Jiraiya-sama.”

Jiraiya released the jutsu he had used to conceal himself, appearing behind the Hokage.

“As sharp as ever I see, Kakashi.” Jiraiya said. “I assume you have figured out for yourself the identity of your blonde team mate.”

Kakashi nodded. “I believe I have. I must admit I was surprised at first, but your presence here, Jiraiya-sama, explains a lot.” Kakashi sighed, but continued. “He seems weak, considering he trained with you for however many years it was. I would have expected more, considering who your last apprentice was.”

“Oh?” Jiraiya grinned. “And what exactly made him seem weak?”

“Well,” Kakashi thought for a moment, “his Taijutsu, for starters. It was simply terrible.”

The Hokage sent a surprised look at Jiraiya. “His Taijutsu is weak you say, Kakashi?”
Jiraiya scoffed as Kakashi continued his evaluation. “It was about what you'd expect from a 6 year old that just entered the Academy. That may even be a generous assumption.”

Jiraiya chuckled. “That's because it was a 6 year old's Academy Taijutsu. Naruto wouldn't use his normal style in a friendly fight for fear of killing you, Kakashi.”

Kakashi's single eye widened at that. He was not expecting an answer like that from Jiraiya.

“Well, the rest of his performance wasn't very exceptional, either.” Kakashi continued. “While his use of a certain defensively offensive jutsu surprised me,” Kakashi glanced briefly to Jiraiya, “he still fell for a simple trapped bell.”

“Unlikely,” Jiraiya countered. “It was probably a shadow clone designed to trap the trapper. No doubt you were attacked once you went to retrieve the bell, Kakashi?”

Kakashi frowned under his mask. “Well, yes, but I had purposely let my guard down to draw out Sasuke.”

“And no doubt that worked,” Jiraiya said, “but that probably messed with Naruto's own plan for you. You didn't think you had trapped Naruto so easily, did you?”

Kakashi scratched the back of his head nervously. “Well, I, uhh… may have underestimated him somewhat.” Kakashi finally conceded.

The Hokage smiled at Kakashi's embarrassment. “Don't worry, Kakashi. Jiraiya here doesn't even know how strong Naruto is and he's been with him all these years. Naruto makes himself seem weaker than he is to incite false confidence in his opponents.”

The Hokage chuckled to himself, remembering how Naruto had taken down Mizuki because he had `been rude to me, and I wanted him to apologize'.

“As a friendly note, Kakashi,” the Hokage said, still smiling. “You don't want to get on Naruto's bad side. He's not as nice when he's angry.”

Kakashi nodded, the revelations that Naruto had been holding back causing him to think back on the test and what had happened, how he was manipulated to feel as though he was in control.

“I will certainly remember that,” Kakashi said.

The Hokage's smile grew bigger. “Another thing Kakashi; did they pass? You have said little on the team's performance as a whole.”

“They passed,” Kakashi confirmed. “While they didn't get the bells from me, they were mere seconds away from succeeding.”

“They?” Jiraiya questioned. “I had no doubt Naruto would figure the test out eventually, but he's not exactly a team player. How did he get the Uchiha to work with him?”

“He didn't.” Kakashi deadpanned. “It was Hinata he teamed up with. They worked quite well together, I must say.”

“The Hyuuga?” Jiraiya asked, a look of curiosity crossing his face. Kakashi nodded, and went on to explain how Hinata had attacked Kakashi, how Naruto had ambushed him, and how they used the Byukugan to find him again to spring their final trap.

“And since Sasuke had come close to getting a bell on his own,” Kakashi concluded, “I passed them.”

“Most excellent,” the Hokage said, now positively beaming. “It seems we have 3 teams achieving the ranks of Genin this year; Teams 7, 8 and 10. If that is all, Kakashi, you are dismissed.”

Kakashi thought for a moment. “I believe all my suspicious and questions have been confirmed and answered. Thank you for your time, Hokage-sama, Jiraiya-sama.” Kakashi bowed once again and left.

“It seems Naruto is now officially a Genin of Konohagakure.” The Hokage said, turning to Jiraiya. “It will be interesting to see how he interacts with those around him.”

“That reminds me,” Jiraiya said, “I must tell Naruto when to meet with that hot Genjutsu specialist of yours. I can't have him missing his first date with a lady, now can I!” Jiraiya winked at the Hokage, a lecherous grin on his face.

The Hokage chuckled. “No, we can't have that. I will see you later, Jiraiya.”

“Later, Sarutobi.” Jiraiya called back, already half way out the window he thought of as the only exit.

***************************************************************** *******

 

Naruto was, unsurprisingly, bored. It didn't seem to take much, or uhh, it seemed to take too much to make him not bored these days? Either way, he had been watching his clone and Hinata sparing for a good 5 minutes, without Hinata taking any offensive stance against the clone. She was defending herself very well, but when it came to exploiting any opening the clone's attacks made, she did nothing. She had not taken a single step forward during the sparing session, a clear sign she was making no effort to attack the clone. So not only would she not initiate combat with the clone, she wouldn't even counter attack. She was forever on the defensive, and while she was good at being defensive, you cannot win by never attacking.

Truthfully, Naruto was worried, and he rarely worried. He was worried because Hinata didn't seem to understand the need to be aggressive when the time is right. She didn't seem to realize that she would never win a real fight because she never attacked. She seemed content to defend, forever. Yes, he worried. He worried because he needed Hinata to attack in order to gain knowledge of the Jyuuken style. Naruto was gaining nothing by sparing with her like this, and neither was Hinata. It was pointless. As he continued to watch, Naruto felt an emotion he hadn't felt in a very long time.

Frustration.

He was frustrated. Frustration is an emotion Naruto did not like feeling. It meant he was doing something, or trying to achieve something, that he either couldn't or wasn't able to do or achieve. It caused his insides to knot to see something so pitiful, so worthless, so wasteful when it held such potential. Hinata's true potential was not being expressed because of whatever it was that was preventing Hinata from attacking, asserting herself, confidently attacking back. Naruto knew now what Itachi thought and felt when he saw Naruto bleeding to death those long years ago. A waste of potential. It was the idea of something that could be great being reduced to nothing. Itachi had seen it, he had seen the potential Naruto had, and he knew that without intervention it would go to waste. He made a decision, and acted upon it.

Naruto knew now what he needed to do. You only feel frustrated when you feel powerless, when you know no actions you take will make a difference. Naruto needn't feel this emotion. He knew now what was holding Hinata back; preventing her from excelling. It was the same thing preventing Naruto from acquiring knowledge essential to his growth in power. It was Hinata's passive nature.

Passive. Naruto almost spat the word out, it tasted terrible in his mental mouth. You gain nothing from being passive. It prevents you from being aggressive, outgoing, assertive, confident in your decisions and decisive in your actions. You choose only to defend when being confronted, or back away entirely. `Avoid confrontation at all cost', that would the motto of passive if a word could have one. But there are times when even passive natured people are forced to act, the result being Hinata's hesitant, indecisive attacks on Kakashi. She would press forward, then hesitant and withdraw her attack, as if second guessing her decision. Naruto knew now that Hinata only agreed to his plan because it was easier for a person of her passive nature to agree with another's decisions rather than make her own, or oppose the decisions others.

Naruto decided that he would do what Itachi did; take what has potential and make sure that potential was realized.

`Let's try a few subtle hints, shall we?' Naruto thought, mind clear and focused, aware of the… motivations he might need to employ to break Hinata's passive nature.

“Oi, Hinata.” Naruto called out, his decision final. “You need to attack the clone; you can't win battles just by defending!”

If Hinata had heard him, she didn't give any indication, nor did her defensive actions change.

`Okay, subtle hint #2'.

A second clone appeared beside the first and started attacking Hinata with the same, sloppy attacks the first one used. Hinata's eyes widened and she stumbled back slightly as the second joined the first, but soon regained her stance and adequately defended against both clones, still neglecting to press any advantage she had.

“Hinata!” Naruto yelled, “You've got to attack sometime or else you might get overwhelmed! Press any advantage you see!”

Hinata nodded this time, making some weak offensive moves on the clones, none of which fatal enough to dispel the clones.

`Well, that was slightly better I guess. Time for subtle hint #3'.

Yet another clone appeared, this time behind Hinata. It thrust a rough kick into her lower back, sending the young Hyuuga stumbling forward into the two clones in front of her. The clones, admittedly, weren't expecting the lithe girl to come forward at them and backed away quickly, expecting some form of counterattack from the girl, but none came.

Naruto frowned as he watched. The clones had hesitated, but Hinata had not pressed the advantage. She instead took the time the face all three clones and took up the same old defensive position.

“Hinata!” Naruto once again yelled out. “You must press any advantage, do not hesitate!” Words from Itachi echoed through Naruto's head. “Every time you hesitate your enemy gets another chance to kill you, and their reinforcements are that much closer! Do not think, just act! Never second guess yourself!”

Hinata, who now looked extremely confused and startled, nodded once again. She didn't have any idea what Naruto was trying to do, but she thought it best to just follow his advice and do what he said.

`Let's try subtle hint #4'

Yet another clone appeared behind Hinata, once again sending a rough kick into her lower back. This time, however, the other clones did not back away. Instead, they each rushed forward and thrust their clenched fists into Hinata's stomach in turn, causing Hinata's small form to hunch over, gasping for breath. Her eyes widened as the clone behind her took her hunched form as a sign of weakness, rushing from behind and dropping an elbow on her exposed neck. Hinata collapsed to her knees, clutching her stomach, tears forming in her eyes lavender eyes.

Naruto sighed at his clones' antics. `Oh boy.'

Dismissing his clones, Naruto went over to Hinata. Placing his hands on her shoulders, and causing Hinata to flinch, Naruto forced Hinata to look into his eyes.

“Look, I'm sorry.” He admitted. “I guess I got carried away, and I didn't really explain what I was trying to do with you. I took you by surprised and I shouldn't have, and I'm sorry for doing so.”

Hinata looked away and was silent for several moments.

`Hahahaha, what did you do to her?' Kyuubi's demonic voice questioned happily.

`Shut it, fox. Weren't you sleeping?' Naruto cursed.

`I was, but the cries of children are like music to my ears, I couldn't help but see what the commotion was all about.' Kyuubi admitted.

`Just wonderful. As for what happened, I messed up. I'll probably never get her to trust me again.' Naruto thought back, dismayed.

`Sure looks like it. Nice to see you're such a hit with the ladies.' Kyuubi chuckled.

`Well, she certainly got the “hit” part right' Naruto cursed to himself.

“Y-you were right,” Hinata said softly, so softly Naruto barely heard her despite his close proximity. “I sh-should have attacked, I should have d-done what you sa-said -“

“No!” Naruto interrupted, shaking the startled girl in his arms. “You shouldn't do something just because someone tells you to! You should evaluate what they tell you, form your own decisions on what to do, and act on your own!” Naruto seemed to realize what he was doing, and stopped yelling at and shaking the startled girl.

Naruto took his hands off the girl's shoulders and sat beside Hinata. “You said you wanted to be a strong leader of your clan, right?” Naruto asked, looking at the young Hyuuga's face. She no longer had tears in her eyes, but was still struggling to breathe evenly, and still looked shaken.

Hinata nodded, but then spoke. “I want to b-be s-strong, but ev-everyone knows I'm w-weak. The c-clan Elders, they want to make m-my yo-younger sister Hanabi Heir.” Hinata's eyes became downcast and clouded. “Such a t-thing has ne-never been pro-proposed before.

“Why would you let that happen?” Naruto asked, shocked. It was the way of every noble family that the eldest is the Heir and would inherit; such a proposal was unheard of, in any noble family.

“Th-the Elders, they -” Hinata started, only to be cut off by Naruto.

“Screw the Elders! Why would you let that happen? You're weak now, so what? You don't have to stay that way, Hinata! You can't let everyone else make your decisions for you!” Naruto's voice became softer. “You have to make a stand sometime, why not now? We can help each other, and together we can become stronger.”

“B-but, I'm so weak.” Hinata despaired. “Hanabi is stronger than m-me.”

Naruto smiled at Hinata. “You're not weak, Hinata. You have so much potential; you're a member of the Hyuuga after all. You're only as weak as you allow yourself to be. You have to stop letting others make decisions for you, and you have to assert yourself with confidence, and attack with certainty.”

“D-do you really think so?” Hinata asked, unsure of herself and her potential.

Naruto gave Hinata his most confident smile. “I do. If you want, we can continue our training together, and I can help your realize this.”

“Ar-are you sure?” Hinata hesitantly replied.

“Don't ask me, ask yourself.” Naruto responded. “You shouldn't let others make decisions for you; be your own person and make your own decisions. How are you going to lead your clan if you only act on other people's decisions? You must listen to what people say and come to your own conclusions.”

Hinata was silent once again, thinking over everything Naruto had said. If it was true Naruto could make her realize what was holding her back, she would be forever grateful. She truly wanted to be a strong leader of her clan, but no one thought she was able to. Naruto did, he seemed certain of it. But, Hinata realized, it was her decision to make and no one else's.

`Well it seems you rectified the situation well. Next time don't screw it up to begin with, moron.” Kyuubi said, her presence vanishing before Naruto could reply.

Hinata finally reached her decision. “I will train with you, Naruto-kun. Together we will become stronger.”

Naruto beamed. Standing, he withdrew a kunai from his weapons pouch and carved into the grassy field a circle, roughly 2 meters in diameter.

Turning back to Hinata, Naruto offered his hand to her, which she quickly took. Pulling the lithe Hyuuga to her feet, Naruto `explained' his idea.

“Don't leave the circle. It's that simple. If you trust me, Hinata, and believe that this will help you, it will.”

Hinata nodded. “I trust you, Na-Naruto-kun. H-how long will this last?”

“You'll know when you've passed.” Naruto smiled.

If Hinata was confused, she gave no indication, simply nodding and standing in the center of the circle.

As she turned to face Naruto again, shuriken flew past her face so close she could hear the faint noise they gave off. Surprised, she looked at Naruto who was now throwing several kunai in a fluid motion at her. Dodging to the side, Hinata successfully avoided all the objects, only to feel a sharp stinging in her lower left leg. Looking down, she saw a small cut in her leg; evidently a kunai had just past her, taking some skin with it. She soon noticed another Naruto behind her, now also throwing kunai and shuriken. Not knowing what to do, she was about to run from the circle when Naruto's words stopped her; don't leave the circle. Whatever happened, Hinata was going to pass Naruto's test and become strong, for her and her clan's sake.

Naruto began talking as he threw his shuriken. “All your life you've been told what to do, what to think, how to act. Isn't that right, Hinata?” Naruto threw a kunai with an attached explosive note at Hinata. It missed, flying past and exploding in the ground a good distance away.

“Don't leave the circle.” Naruto warned. “You haven't needed to assert yourself, have you? Everything is done for you.” Kunai continued to fly, many Hinata only just managing to avoid, a few scratching her skin.

“Don't leave the circle.” Naruto continued. “You never need to think for yourself, you do whatever you are told to do.” One shuriken imbedded itself in the sleeve of Hinata's cream jacket, a close call.

“Don't leave the circle.” Naruto again warned. “Normally, doing what you're told and without question would be called discipline, but with you, Hinata, and your passive nature, it is a way to avoid conflict, a way to avoid asserting yourself, a way to avoid making your own decisions. Not what is wanted in a leading figure at all, not what is wanted in a Clan leader. You do what you're told, without thinking for yourself.”

Naruto created another clone, and the number of shuriken and kunai that started flying through the air was beginning to overwhelm the Hyuuga girl.

“Don't leave the circle.” Remind Naruto, but his voice changed. It became somewhat softer as he continued.. “Why is it, Hinata, that you don't leave the circle? It is because I told you to? You should do what you think is right, you cannot always do what others tell you. You must decide for yourself what is right and act upon those decisions. How can you lead your clan when others make your decisions for you?”

Hinata was tiring. The rain of shuriken and kunai was beginning to overwhelm her. Don't leave the circle, that's what Naruto was telling her. But she wanted to, so badly, but he was telling her otherwise. It would be easier to just do what was said. But, those damn clones were so annoying, just a short distance away - just outside the circle, she could almost feel her palm impacting into their chests. But she couldn't leave the circle.

Why couldn't she leave the circle?

A determined look crossed her face. It was clear to her now. Everything Naruto had said made sense to her. She was weak only because she let herself be weak. Don't leave the circle - that was the story of her life, she never left the comfort of her circle, and always avoided what came to her rather than leaving her circle and making it avoid her. She always went with what others wanted, went with the flow of things, so she didn't seem like a rock in the river, disrupting the flow and standing out.

But now, it was time to make a stand - time to leave her circle of comfort for good. She would take what came at her and use it for her own means, no longer avoid it completely. She would make her own decisions from now on, and act upon them without hesitation or second thought. Don't leave the circle, huh? Screw the circle!

Hinata abruptly left the circle, dodging her way to one of Naruto's clones and swiftly dispatching it with swift burst of chakra out of her palm as it impacted into its chest. Naruto smiled as he gained the clone's memories of the attack, impressed by its power.

As Hinata turned and charged towards the other clone, Naruto saw the Byakugan had manifested itself in her eyes. Reaching the clone, she parried the sloppy punch the clone had sent at her, and, taking advantage of the large opening to the chest to punch had left, thrust her palm forward, the ferocity of the attack visible as a burst of chakra visibly erupted out of the clone's back.

Panting, Hinata turned to Naruto, the determined look on her face just about enough to make Naruto take a step back; he was almost worried she would now attack him. His fears were unwarranted, however, as she simply gave Naruto a small smile before falling to her knees, exhausted.

Smiling, Naruto walked over to her. The display she had put on was more impressive than he could have ever hoped for. Naruto knew now what Itachi had felt when he had completed his own circle test - the feeling of knowing you have forever changed someone for the better.

Placing a hand on her slouched shoulder, Naruto looked down to see Hinata had her eyes closed, was breathing easily and had a small smile on her face. Naruto couldn't help but think she looked… cute. Not a word he used often.

Sighing, Naruto looked to the sky to see that it had been only 2 hours since the team had officially been passed. Naruto was surprised at this; he thought he had been here with Hinata longer than that. Sitting beside his sleeping team mate, he took the time reflect on what had transpired today. He had met that Tenten girl, thought of a new weapon to master, grown accustom to his Akaigan, become a Genin of the village that despised him, and found an unlikely training partner in one Hyuuga Hinata. All this, and it was barely passed midday.

`What else could happen today?' Naruto thought, laying on the grass and looking to the sky, sunlight shining brightly down on him. He wasn't even aware that he himself was falling asleep.