Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ To Measure My Capacity ❯ Chapter 14 ( Chapter 14 )

Chapter 14

 

As soon as they entered the training field, she attacked. Without any warning, Tenten withdrew a kunai and threw it at Naruto. Taken by complete surprise, Naruto narrowly avoided the projectile, only to be faced with many more as Tenten gradually made distance between herself and her target. She would throw, move as the projectiles were in the air, and repeat. Once she was 15 meters away, she stopped her constant barrage, merely throwing shuriken whenever Naruto tried to make a move.

 

Naruto remained passive as he calmly watched Tenten, assessing the situation while calculating the distance between himself and the brown-haired kunoichi. `This might actually be fun.' He concluded. It was obvious Tenten wanted to keep a good distance between herself and Naruto, something Naruto was not accustomed to. He could think of several ways to end the fight quickly, but he wanted to see what Tenten was capable of. It was clear she thought she was merely toying with him currently.

 

Besides, Naruto wanted to test his new weapons out. As soon as he made a move to get closer, however, something always flew his way to stop him. Tenten certainly knew how to keep someone pinned down, and she was making it painfully obvious that she could wound him badly if she desired. The scratches she kept leaving on his face as kunai sped past were evidence enough of that. `At least I still have access to Kyuu-chan's charka, even if she isn't speaking to me.' Naruto thought, the scratches healing as soon as they appeared.

 

`Guess I should wipe that smug smile off her face.' Naruto thought as he formulated how their battle would play out.

 

Tenten was enjoying herself. Naruto couldn't do a thing to her from this distance. She was the expert in ranged fighting, and he was at range. Smiling triumphantly at Naruto's predicament, she began spinning a shuriken on her finger. As if Naruto saw her idle weapon play as an opening, he began making hand seals.

 

`Too slow, Naruto.' Tenten thought, flicking her playful weapon finger to send the shuriken flying towards Naruto's hands.

 

Naruto had expected this. He had anticipated it. Of course, he was meant to stop his sealing and avoid the shuriken. `But why do that when you can do this!' Barely felling the shuriken imbed itself deeply into his right hand, he finished the sealing sequence he had begun.

 

The smile stayed on Tenten's face until it became apparent to her that Naruto had planned for something like this to happen. Realizing she had somehow fallen into a trap, Tenten prepared herself as best she could for whatever Naruto was going to do, not recognising the sealing sequence. In response to her preparation, Naruto visibly drew breath, filling his lungs in preparation for what he was about to do.

“Katon: Gokakyu no Jutsu!” A massive ball of flame shot out towards Tenten, the intense heat carbonizing the grass and scorching the earth. Throwing herself as high as she could Tenten still felt the extreme heat singe her eyebrows as the giant ball of fire continued on its destructive path below her, burning the ground she was standing on seconds before. Landing several meters from her initial position, Tenten watched wide-eyed as the fireball rapidly burnt itself out, disappearing as fast as it had appeared. All that was left was a heavy cloud of smoke and a creator-like path of scorched earth.

 

`Now's my chance!' Naruto thought, seeing Tenten standing, awed and distracted through the thick smoke with his Akaigan. He charged through the smoke, two blades instantly appearing out of the long sleeves of his jacket. He slashed out at Tenten, only to slice through air as Tenten rolled away from Naruto. Her awe vanished, she quickly withdrew a scroll from her pouch, and before Naruto could stop her, had summoned the two kama Naruto had seen her using when they first met.

 

“Let's see how good you are with those blades, Naruto!” Tenten said, deciding to take the aggressive role. While preferring long range fighting, Tenten knew she could hold her own if she was forced into melee. She was a master of all weapons, and equally dangerous with all, ranged or not. She attacked, slashing and spinning at Naruto, who dodged and parried as best he could.

 

Naruto was finding it rather easy to see and counter Tenten's attacks. He had no problem noticing where her weapons were with his Akaigan, despite the random spins and semi-attacks she continued to try and confuse him with. While his twin blades were new to him, he envisaged them as an extension of his flesh and in this way found it easy to incorporate them into his usual defensive stances. Still, some of Tenten's attacks did come incredibly close to connecting with his body. Deciding it best to end their little fight before it got too out of hand, Naruto shot his arm out, blade on target for Tenten's stomach.

 

`That's not going to work, Naruto.' Tenten thought, jumping back.

 

Only to find she couldn't move. Somehow, her arms were being held, preventing her from moving as she intended. Tenten could only watch in horror, the world slowing down to a crawl as the blade came closer and closer. Then it impacted her stomach. Closing her eyes, she let the pain wash over her as memories of her life - so tragically cut short - flashed through her mind.

 

`Is this what it's like to die?' Tenten thought, hearing the sounds of laughter, pain a mere memory to her. `It's not so bad. But still, there were so many things I wanted to do before… I… died…'

 

Sighing, Tenten let the sounds of laughter wash over her, resigning herself to her fate. `That laughter… it almost sounds like… Naruto?' Realisation dawning on her, Tenten opened her eyes to see Naruto doubled over, clutching his stomach and laughing.

 

Naruto had never allowed himself to laugh in a fight before, but there was a first time for everything. The look of horror and pain on Tenten's face was too much for Naruto to handle. He couldn't believe his little optical trick worked so well. As the blade was about to impact, Naruto had retracted it and merely gave Tenten's stomach a solid finger poke. Tenten's face had gone through a myriad of different expressions and her eyes had scrunched tightly shut as the `blade' impacted. When it became obvious Tenten thought she was mortally wounded, Naruto couldn't help but laugh.

 

The two clones holding Tenten gave Naruto concerned looks, seemingly questioning his sanity, before letting go of Tenten and dispelling.

 

“Naruto…” Tenten growled.

 

Naruto had never really understood why Jiraiya feared being hit by an angry woman so much, but several minutes later he felt he could empathise with the old pervert. For once.

 

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Naruto was alone, exhausted and panting heavily. Every day for the past week he had been at it, sometimes going hours without rest. His arms were growing tired due to the nature of his repetitive task, but he still wasn't completely satisfied.

 

`Do you never grow bored of playing with yourself?' A familiar voice echoed through the mind of Naruto for the first time in weeks, causing him to stop what he was doing.

 

`Nice to hear you too, fox.' Naruto replied sardonically, but the fox's voice actually coming as a welcome relief from the silence of his own mind. `And I play with myself because I don't have anyone to do it for me. Not well enough to satisfy my needs, anyway.'

 

`Naruto-kun, if you let me out, I would be happy to help you.' Kyuubi offered, seemingly still intent on using the Kage Bunshin no Jutsu to give her a corporal form to stretch her legs in.

 

Naruto thought about it for a moment, debating the advantages and disadvantages associated with giving her demonic mind a body. Besides making Kyuubi happy, and therefore Naruto happy, there were numerous advantages and few disadvantages. She was, after all, ancient in age, and while she didn't take on a human form very often she would still be experienced enough for Naruto's needs. And Naruto was growing very bored of killing his own Kage Bunshin with his blades. Besides, he had promised two weeks ago to let Kyuubi out to make up for the rash and hurtful words he had said during his short Genjutsu training.

 

Deciding, Naruto asked what needed to be done in order for the jutsu to work.

 

`I've told you before, just do your normal thing but use my chakra.' Kyuubi replied happily. `I'll take care of the rest.'

 

Shrugging, Naruto did as he was told. Creating a single clone in front of him, Naruto tried to imagine what Kyuubi would look like in a human form, but really had no idea. In any event, this jutsu was more Kyuubi's than Naruto. Keeping an open mind, Naruto was still surprised to see when the smoke cleared a tall, slender woman staring back at him with deep crimson eyes.

 

She appeared to be in her mid twenties with long, straight hair reaching past her slim waist. The hair framed her beautiful face as it proceeded on to cascade over her slender shoulders. The hair's golden color, similar to Naruto's own, was streaked with oranges and reds, making it seem as though it were alive as it drifted softly in the breeze, creating an effect likened to that of flames licking and dancing in the wind. Her flawless alabaster skin contrasted remarkably with her black… ninja garments?

 

Indeed, a tight, form-fitting T-shirt clung to the upper body accentuating more than hiding the woman's ample bust. Loose, knee-length black shorts complete with shuriken holster and a pair of black ninja sandals completed the outfit.

 

The woman smiled happily as she looked around. They were standing in the middle of a training field, the grass soft beneath their feet, the sun's warming rays shinning brightly from above.

 

“This is nice,” Kyuubi sighed contently as she took in her surroundings.

 

Naruto continued to stare at the woman in front of him, his mind barely registering the fact that she was an ancient demon responsible for immeasurable terror and destruction. Eventually, crimson eyes turned to look into blue.

 

“What is it?” Kyuubi questioned, her voice soft, completely different from the booming, demonic voice Naruto associated her with. “Is there something on my face?”

 

“No, it's nothing.” Naruto said, blinking for the first time in minutes.

 

Kyuubi looked Naruto up and down before frowning. “For some reason I thought you were taller than that.” She chided. “Oh well, should we get started?” She added, stretching, her arms reaching into the air.

 

“With what?” Naruto questioned, clearly not paying attention.

“Training with those blades.” Kyuubi said, bringing her hands together and cracking her knuckles. “Or have you forgotten what you've been doing non-stop everyday since I left? Not tired are we, my dear Naruto-kun?”

 

“No,” Naruto replied, stretching his own arms into the air. “But aren't you just a normal Kage Bunhsin? Won't you just dispel when I hit you?”

 

A mischievous grin found its way onto Kyuubi's face. “Just try and hit me with those blades, Naruto-kun.”

 

Shrugging, Naruto burst forward, body low and arm striking forward. Reacting instantly, Kyuubi jumped away swiftly, easily avoiding the attack despite its speed and technique.

 

While not visibly showing it, Naruto was pleasantly surprised. The woman had moved a lot faster than Naruto had thought possible. He thought her to be a mere Kage Bunshin, but he had clearly underestimated the fox. This was a clone filled with demonic chakra, its mind that of a great Youki containing eons of combat experience, after all. She was not to be underestimated.

After 5 minutes of chasing the elusive Kyuubi, however, Naruto was growing annoyed. Whenever he attacked, blades extended or withdrawn, Kyuubi was easily able to avoid the attack. Her speed and reflexes were like nothing Naruto had ever seen before, and he was unsure of how to counter it. Muttering under his breath, Naruto made several clones to help him chase the fiery vixen, but their efforts were in vain as the woman continued to slip through their fingers.

 

Trying his best to contain his annoyance, Naruto pulled his favorite trick - something no one was able to avoid as it was instantaneous. In a puff of smoke, two clones appeared already holding the kitsune, restraining her arms.

 

Only to be met with elbows to the face, their bodies disappearing before the smoke of their arrival cleared.

 

Kyuubi came to a stop and giggled, turning to Naruto with a playful look on her face. “Naruto-kun, I know you better than you know yourself. If you want to catch me, you'll need to think of something you would never think of doing!”

 

Growling angrily, and growing tired of Kyuubi's games, Naruto conceded.

“I give up, Kyuu-chan.” Naruto called out, causing Kyuubi to pout and walk towards him.

 

“You're no fun.” Kyuubi said as she walked towards Naruto, the pout still on her face.

 

As soon as Kyuubi was close to Naruto, his arm shot out, blade instantly appearing from within his sleeve, its sharp point piercing through Kyuubi's elegant throat. It exited with a burst of blood, the blade shinning a bright red as the sunlight caught it.

 

`You… you…' Kyuubi growled angrily, lusting to rip Naruto in two, but unable to in the refines of her cage.

 

`What?' Naruto smirked happily in his mind. `You told me I needed to think of something I would never think of doing, so I did. You should know by now, Kyuu-chan, that I never give up.'

 

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Naruto left the training field intent on heading to his apartment for some food and sleep. Walking along the river that wound lazily through Konoha as a subtle way to practice his chakra control, Naruto came across an interesting sight. What appeared to be a large cloud of steam billowed into the sky just out of sight of Naruto. Curious, Naruto continued to follow the river around the next bend where he found the source of the steam.

Sasuke, who was standing on the river bank, appeared to be practicing various Katon jutsu, evaporating large quantities of water in the process.

`So the Uchiha knows his fair share of Katon jutsu, does he?' Naruto thought as Sasuke sent several small balls of fire shooting out across the river, trails of steam following quickly behind.

Spotting an opportunity to act upon his idea to active Sasuke's Sharingan, Naruto created several clones which instantly rushed head long towards Sasuke. Without hesitation, Sasuke shook off his surprise at his team mate's completely sudden attack and defended against the clones' attacks, backing away and avoiding the clones' attempts to surround the young Uchiha.

 

`He's certainly got some skills,' Naruto thought as Sasuke managed to deflect several flying kunai while simultaneously stab another clone attacking from his side, causing it to burst into a cloud of smoke. `But that alone won't be enough.'

 

Suddenly, all four remaining clones changed their Taijutsu style. Their weak, inaccurate attacks instantly morphed into swift, precise strikes. Completely unprepared by the abrupt change in style, Sasuke felt stinging blows rain down upon his body. Unable to see, let alone counter such a swift barrage from multiple sides, Sasuke felt himself begin to stumble and falter in his attempts at both defending and counterattacking. Becoming desperate, Sasuke threw himself into the air, breathing in deeply as he rose, watching as 4 amused faces grinned up at him. Black eyes filled with contempt and fury glared back, only to light up like coals as a huge ball of fire forced its way out of Sasuke's mouth, engulfing the 4 grinning Naruto below.

 

`Not bad, not bad at all,' Naruto thought as the inferno burnt itself out. `But you won't live long without the Sharingan. That attack must have taken a lot of chakra.'

 

As Sasuke began to descend, 10 clones appeared below him, each smirking, waiting in various combat stances for Sasuke to finally land. Only this time, it was not flesh that Sasuke would feel rain down upon him, rather sharp steel.

As soon as Sasuke's feet touched the ground, 10 sets of blades came slashing towards him. Doing his best to parry and counter, Sasuke couldn't help but be hit by some of the attacks, wounds seeping blood appearing all over his body, his clothes becoming slashed and ripped.

 

Desperation descending upon him, Sasuke slashed and flailed as much as he could to avoid the attacks, but it was becoming clear to him that he could not win, and would soon die of blood loss, if not from a fatal wound sooner. Desperation finally fully gripping him, Sasuke slashed out wildly at an incoming attacker, managing to strike first, dispelling the clone before it could connect with its blade. Seeing something out of the corner of his eye, Sasuke spun around, catching an arm in his hand as he turned to kick another clone in the face. Turning back, the owner of the trapped arm smiled at Sasuke behind his coat before dispelling, the other clones leaving with him.

 

Confused, Sasuke looked around wildly; searching for more attacks or anything at all that could represent one. He thought he saw movement near the river, but the blinding sun reflected back off the water, preventing him from focusing. Dismissing it, Sasuke left the river's edge, clutching his bleeding wounds as he made his way to Konoha hospital.

 

Naruto watched as Sasuke left the river, a content smile appearing on his face as the memory of two furious blood-red eyes with two black marks appeared in his mind.

 

“Sasuke,” Naruto said quietly as the Uchiha fan on his back retreated slowly into the streets of Konoha, “I've helped you, now it's time for you to help me. Show me what your Sharingan can do.”

 

Turning to the direction of his apartment, one last thought flashed through his mind.

 

`Itachi-sensei, we will grow strong enough for you.'

 

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It had been two months since Naruto had first come to Konoha, and things had been developing for him well. He had learnt an immense amount of information about the Jyuuken style from Hinata during their frequent training sessions, and as a result her ability to hit the Tenketsu in even moving targets had developed into over 90% accuracy.

 

Naruto now let Kyuubi `out' almost daily, but in spite of this was still unable to strike her. As a result of their blitzing game of chase, however, Naruto's speed had skyrocketed in a short time, but he was still no closer to catching the kitsune. He vowed that one day he would catch the elusive nine tails.

 

He had also kept his promise to Kaji in that he reported all his findings and suggestions for improving the weapons Kaji had given him. As a result, the blades were now hidden by Genjutsu in their `resting' position, and could have a paralyzing poison applied to them at will. Kaji and Naruto were also working on developing a way to channel chakra through the blades in order to both strengthen and lengthen the blade, providing yet another surprise attack.

 

One thing that hadn't changed throughout the long weeks in Konoha, however, were the entirely pointless missions they were continuously being given.

 

And Naruto was sick of it. They all were. And they were not happy. Not happy at all. And now, the Hokage knew it.

“Very well, Kakashi, I will give your team a C-rank mission.” The Hokage concluded. Turning his head, he spoke to an awaiting Chuunin. “Bring him in.”

 

An old man shuffled drunkenly through the doorway, bottle in hand. He looked on the three young beings that were to protect him with barely hidden disgust.

“These are the ninja that are meant to protect me?” He asked drunkenly, taking a swig from his bottle as he did so. “Bunch of brat kids and a one-eyed ninja?”

“Kakashi, this is Tazuna. He needs an escort to Wave country. See he gets there, your team should have no trouble.”

“Very well, Hokage-sama,” Kakashi said, bowing deeply. Turning, Kakashi looked at his team.

“Sasuke, Naruto, Hinata, let's go.” Kakashi said enthusiastically.

 

“Hai!” Hinata replied obediently, the only one to respond.

 

“…” Sasuke said, turning and walking out the door.

 

“…” Naruto said, face expressionless. `It's not gardening work,' Naruto thought `and it gets me out of the village.'

`There might even be fighting!' Kyuubi added.

 

Naruto followed Sasuke out of the building. `We can only hope. It's been a long time since I've had a good fight.'

 

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Sorry about the longish updates, I had some exams then went overseas on holiday. Let's hope I update more quickly now!