Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ Twist of Time ❯ The Jutsu ( Chapter 1 )

"Age Appearance altering?" Naruto groaned, glancing at the chapter title for his next lesson. Turning sapphire orbs to Tsunade in a glare, the twenty-year-old asked, "When the hell am I going to use Age Appearance altering?"

"Now, Naruto," the Hokage told the Jounin through clenched teeth. "No one knows what Jutsu one must know before going into battle. After all, one day you may need to take on the appearance of and elder or even your younger self." Naruto continued to glower and Tsunade growled before bopping him on the top of the head. "Damn it, Naruto - I have to take time to personally train you because you're still doing worse than your peers!"

"You think I don't know that!" Naruto yelled. "It's not like Sasuke hasn't noticed." The blonde folded his arms across his chest and grumbled, trying not to fume worse over the memories of the dark-haired Shinobi gloating.

Tsunade sighed as the blonde ranted and attempted to figure out how she could get Naruto to work when he clearly didn't want to. Ramen, maybe? No. She was already too deep in debt, no reason to add on more. He had no real interest in money or anything else really.

Finally, she decided to hit low and said, "You know, Sasuke has already almost mastered this technique."

Immediately Naruto looked up, fiery determination in his eyes.

"Really?"

"Of course." No. She hadn't even mentioned the technique to him.

"All right," he suddenly said, clenching his fist. "If Sasuke can learn this, then so can I! And I bet I can finish it quicker!"

Tsunade gave a forced grin. "Sure," she drawled. "Now, Naruto, do you remember what this Jutsu entails?"

"Of course…"

"Well?"

Suddenly he grinned sheepishly. "I know them, I know them… But do you remember?"

Tsunade gave a frustrated groan, tilting her head back momentarily before saying, "You don't pay attention ever, do you?!" Placing a hand on her forehead, she explained without waiting for Naruto's response, "This Jutsu alters the time in and about one's body. With the correct amount of chakra the user can either speed up time or reverse it enough to change one's age. It's a temporary Jutsu lasting up to twelve hours at most and uses hordes of chakra. It's extremely difficult to gauge and use the correct amount of chakra and sometimes take years to master."

"Right," Naruto said, nodding. "And the seals to go forward are monkey, rat, tiger, boar, rat, hare, dragon, bird, bird, dog, monkey and back is ox, hare, tiger, hare, ox, serpent, dragon, bird, ox, ram, dog, right?"

"Close - the last seal for back is horse."

"Horse. Got it."

"Good. Now, try it. Go back."

Naruto placed his legs apart and brought his hands together, closing his eyes and focusing. Feeling the rush of chakra running through his body and gathering at his finger tips, his hands began to fly, forming the seals.

Ox.

Hare.

Tiger.

Hare.

Ox.

Serpent.

Dragon

Bird.

Ox.

Ram.

Dog.

No! Wait! Horse!

It was too late.

Chakra rushed before Naruto eyes, filling his vision with blue light. He felt the bones in his body shifting and the muscles stretching to their max before constricting painfully. A cry of pain left his lips before he collapsed to the ground, darkness overtaking his vision.

Damn muses, waking me up at 1:30 in the morning to write this damn thing.

Naruto: What are you talking about "waking up"? You hadn't even gone to sleep yet!

Angel: I was just getting into bed! That counts! -pouts and curls up in Kakashi's lap; yawn- Me shweepy. Say disclaimer, Nine.

Nine: Angel doesn't own Naruto, otherwise this would wind up being truth.

Kakashi: -glances at Angel who's passed out in his lap; looks at Nine; shrugs; throws Icha Icha Paradise at Nine-

Nine: -glare- Damn you…

Kakashi: -grin- And, in Angel's place, Till next time!