Chapter 9: The shocked, the shy, and the hungry
(Outside of the Hokage Mansion)
We now see the newly formed team 7 in front of the Hokage mansion
"Yosh! You guys are dismissed. I'll go report to the Hokage. See ya guys" Kakashi bid them farewell and headed inside
The three of them said their goodbyes as Kakashi went in the building
The three of them look at each other. Naruto was the first to break the silence
"Now that's all over I'm starving, you guys cool with ramen?" He said as he placed his hand on his stomach
Sasuke shook his head. "Sorry, but I have something important to do"
"Me too, I gotta prepare for Kakashi-sensei's training" Sakura remarked, shuddering at what Kakashi had prepared for her
Naruto and Sasuke thought 'Yeah, so that we can't carry you all the time' as they looked at her deadpanned
"Well all right then. See you guys in three days!" grinned Naruto. Sprinting to Ichiraku Ramen, leaving the two of them
Sakura stared at Naruto then changed her gaze to Sasuke. She looked at the ground, blushing
She gathered her confidence and went to ask Sasuke, but there was no one there. Dejected, she headed home
We now go back to Naruto heading to Ichiraku for some delicious ramen, thinking about it made him salivate a bit. He immediately stopped as he saw someone familiar walking with their head down. He now realized who it was and called out the person
"Hinata!"
Hinata heard someone call out her name and looked towards where the voice originated. She saw Naruto walking to her
"N-Naruto-kun..." She meekly said
"What's up? You look upset for a second there" he said
"O-oh... It's nothing. Don't worry about i-it" she assured him
Naruto simply looks at her. He thinks for a while and comes up with an idea. He closed the gap between them and stood in front of her, a few inches from her face, and said
"Wanna join me for some ramen. Might cheer you up?"
Hinata was taken aback and her face flushed red. Seeing Naruto's face up close in front of her made her dizzy, with steam shooting out of her ears
"Are y-you sure, Naruto-kun?" She asked shyly
"I'm ok with it! Dattebayo!" He said, as he smiled at her
She bashfully nodded and the both of them head to Ichiraku
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(Hokage office)
Inside we see two joins reporting to Hiruzen
"Team 8 passed, Hokage-sama" Kurenai Yuhi said
"Team 10 also passed, Hokage-sama" Asuma Sarutobi said with a unlit cigarette on his mouth
Hiruzen nodded "Good work Asuma, Kurenai" he praised them as he read their reports
They heard the door open and sees Kakashi steps in. His body healed, but his clothes were cut and ruffled
The three both raised an eyebrow, but Kakashi interrupted their thoughts
"Sorry I'm late a black cat just crossed my path. So I had to take the long way" Kakashi said, scratching the back of his head and smiled
All three of them had an annoyed expression hearing his excuse
"Kakashi cut the crap and just get on with it" sighed Hiruzen wanting to get this over with
"Yeah did they pass or did they fail like the others?" Asuma asked curious. Kurenai was also curious as well
Kakashi's expression didn't change and nonchalantly said
"Team 7 passed"
They were shocked. They had to double take on what they had heard cause knowing Kakashi's reputation on failing teams. That was not surprising but this was a first
"Hehe. So what did they do to pass then?" Asuma asked now putting his cigarette on his pocket
"You know, the usual" Kakashi answered
"So... They passed your test?" This time Kurenai asked
"Yeah... We'll sort of"
"...eh?"
"Huh?"
Hiruzen confused on Kakashi's report
"Explain" said Hiruzen
Kakashi explained to them about team 7's performance. He told them of Sasuke's capability of performing the Katon: Gōkakyū no Jutsu, his clans signature Jutsu and his taijutsu abilities, Sakura fainted to a D-rank genjutsu
The three had impressed looks when they heard Sasuke's potential. Their expressions change when they heard about Sakura's
Kurenai puts a hand on her forehead, disappointed
"I swear if that girl won't change then she won't survive outside the village..." She said, getting tired of these fangirls coming out of the academy
"You said it" Asuma said as he lit his cigarette
"I should probably do something about that. So that female academy students won't be like this" Hiruzen said, sweat drop. He then asked for Naruto
"Well then what about Naruto?" He asked
"Naruto? You mean the blond kid who wears a kimono and rookie of the year in the academy? That Naruto?" Asuma questions
Kakashi nodded "yeah that's him, you know him?"
"Back then I saw him hanging out with Guy and his student Rock Lee. Heck Guy even mentions this kid whenever we meet" Asuma replied, Kurenai also nodded remembering the times Guy told them about him
'oh so that's why' Kakashi thought. Now knowing who trained Naruto in taijutsu as he thought back at the axe kick Naruto did
"Naruto... He is unpredictable, fast, strong and tactical. He has wind, earth and lightning chakra natures and he is skilled in kenjutsu. His kenjutsu has certain flaws, but they may be overcome with proper training. He even has unique Jutsu's he created"
Hiruzen surprised "he has three chakra natures and created a Jutsu by himself?" He asked Kakashi
Kakashi nodded as the old man was in thought
'he really is their child after all' he thought and smiled
"But Hokage-sama I want to further test him. To know his potential and limits. I got a firm understanding on Sasuke. I also got a training regiment ready for Sakura as well" Kakashi said
Hiruzen nodded "very well"
"By the way... Let's talk about your clothes. Did you have a hard time facing those two?" Asuma joked as he pointed at Kakashi's ruined clothes
"Well... Yeah... But mostly from Naruto" Kakashi sheepishly said, he scratched the back of his head
"..."
"..."
"..."
"Ahaha...haaa..."
The room fell silent, not believing Kakashi's claims
"Kakashi, don't joke about this; he's just a genin" Kurenai said, breaking the silence
Kakashi's whole demeanor changed and said
"I'm telling the truth Naruto did all of this while Sasuke did some support. His wind and lightning jutsu are strong enough to be called A-rank. They trapped me, and Naruto was the one who delivered the last blow. If it was a real combat instead of a test, I would've died there because I underestimated him" Kakashi pointed at his ruined clothes and said the last part serious
The three of them had various expressions. Asuma was surprised, Kurenai was shocked and while Hiruzen has a proud smile on his face
'Looks like we have a genius with us. You never ceased to amaze me, Naruto" he thought as he adjusts his hat
"Is that all Kakashi?" Hiruzen said. He received a nod from Kakashi
"Well then I wish you three and your team's luck. Dismissed"
The three of them bowed and exited his office. Hiruzen stands up and looks out of the window and in thought
'Minato, Kushina. Your boy has grown, and with time, he will be as powerful as you two. I made a terrible mistake not bringing him in, but I promise to guide and protect him while he is young and so much to learn. This, I swear' he thought and promised. He reminisces about the times of the fourth Hokage Minato Namikaze and Kushina Uzumaki
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"Here you go! Your usual, Naruto!" Ayame said
She placed two bowls of ramen on their table as the two genins looked at the delicious ramen Infront of them
"Eat up!" She joyfully said as she now goes to help her father in the kitchen
"Thank you Ayame-nee chan!"
"Eat up Hinata! It's my treat!" Naruto said smiling
"Oh...um t-thank you Naruto-kun" she said
As the two begin eating, Hinata thought of something
'this feels like a date...' she thought
She realised what she had thought. Her head began to steam and her face grew bright red as she pictured herself and Naruto on a date, which made things worse
Naruto noticed this and asked
"Hey you all right? Hinata?" As he put his hand on her shoulder
She flinched and apologised to him. Naruto sweat drop and just smiles at her, which makes her face grow bright red again
Unbeknownst to them, Teuchi and Ayame are watching from inside the kitchen. They looked at each other and had a knowing smile
After calming down he asked her "Sooo, could you explain why you were feeling down?"
Hinata looked at Naruto and looked down upset
"W..well we've passed our test from Kurenai-sensei on our teamwork... But I just think that I was the only one who didn't do much..." Hinata explained
"Why did you think that?" Naruto asked, raising an eyebrow
Hinata looked at her bowl of almost finished ramen then continued
"It's because Kiba-kun and Shino-kun did all most of the work while I did little to help" she said
"Come on, that's not true; Kurenai-sensei's test is to evaluate you guys' teamwork. I'm very sure everyone performed this test, including us, and you did more help by assisting your teammates" he reassured her.
"You're just doubting yourself, Hinata" Naruto continued "You've got to have more self-confidence"
Hinata looked up and faced Naruto, intending to object, but she was cut off
"Look... You contributed to your team, even if it was small, by helping and giving your all. All three of you passed, meaning that Kurenai-sensei deemed it by working together"
Naruto flashed her a gentle smile and said
"You just have to believe in yourself that you can do it"
Hinata was shocked; she did not expect Naruto's kind words, but they made her heart flutter
She blushed and smiled back at Naruto
"T-thank you Naruto-kun"
The father and daughter, watching them from the kitchen, grinned at the two genins.
"Ahh... to be young again" Teuchi said.
Ayame continued to observe them and thought
'Those two... I hope they end up together' she said in her thoughts
They finished their ramen and said farewell. Naruto wanted to accompany her home, but Hinata assured him it was fine and not to worry. As Hinata left Ichiraku, the father and daughter teased Naruto about his date with Hinata, but Naruto merely assured them it was just a hangout, but the father and daughter didn't stop teasing him, triggering Naruto to become annoyed and blush, making them to laugh
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Naruto arrived home after finally escaping from Teuchi and Ayame's teasing. He can now gather his thoughts and read the notifications
'status'
______________________________________________
|Status|
Name: Naruto Uzumaki
Age: 12
Level: 30
|Attributes|
Strength:high chūnin
Chakra:high jonin (Uzumaki heritage)
Chakra control: high
|Skills|
Ninjutsu:
(Shadow clone)
Wind: (Great Breakthrough)(Violent Whirlwind)(Vacuum Sphere)
Earth: (Mud Wall)(Hiding like a mole)
Lightning: (lightning style: shadow clone)
Genjutsu: none
Taijutsu: high chunnin
Fuinjutsu: storage seals, weight seals, Adamantine Sealing Chains
Sage art: none
|Breathing styles|
Wind Breathing, Thunder Breathing, Water Breathing
_______________________________________________
'I'm now level 30. Yes!!' Naruto celebrated
'ok, system can you tell about water breathing' Naruto thought
/Yes Host. Water Breathing is a Breathing Style that mimics water, specifically the flow, flexibility and adaptability of the liquid and replicates it with the user's movements, techniques and abilities. Most, if not all, known techniques involve the user bending their body, arm and weapon in a fluid motion to match the movements of rushing or flowing water. It is said to be the most common Breathing Style among Demon Slayers due to being the easiest to learn for beginners/
'so this breathing style is easy to learn?' Naruto asked
/Yes Host/ the system replied
'Huh, this will be a piece of cake. I've mastered wind breathing and almost finished mastering thunder breathing so training water breathing will be breeze' Naruto thought
'then what about the Adamantine Sealing Chains?'
/... The Adamantine Sealing Chains are chains made out of the users chakra, which typically emerge from their torso. Users control the chains as they extend outwards from their body, most commonly to wrap around targets and restrain them. The chains are extremely durable, enough that even the Nine-Tails would struggle to destroy them. A barrier can be erected between two or more. In addition to physically binding targets, the chains are said to neutralise their target by binding and nullifying their chakra. This is a sealing technique that is characteristic of the Uzumaki clan/
"Uzumaki? Like me?" Naruto asked
/Yes Host/ it bluntly said
'maybe I should ask Jiji about this. I didn't know I'm part of a clan'
'thanks system that would be all' he dismissed the panel and went to sleep
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(The next day)
Naruto walked to the training grounds for training his thunder breathing and tried out the chains
He arrived at his destination and began stretching to warm up. After that, he was going to move when suddenly he heard rustling in the bushes. He looked at where the sound came from, but it stopped, he waited for a while and shrugged
"That was close" remarked a voice, ducking behind the bushes he is hiding in
"What's close?" The voice suddenly heard Naruto behind him
"Ahh!" He yelled out
Now out of the bushes, Naruto could clearly see who it was and was surprised to see Konohamaru
Naruto had tons of questions to ask so he started with "Why are you here?" Crossing his arms and looked at him intently
"Haha, well you see, I followed you from the streets when I saw you" Konohamaru explained
Raising a brow Naruto asked "For what reason"
"To watch you train of course!" Konohamaru said grinning
"That's it?"
"Yup!"
Naruto just looked at Konohamaru for five seconds and just shrugged
"Alright just sit on that rock over there" Naruto said, pointing at the large rock
"Sure boss!" He mocked salute as he sprinted to the rock and sit still, eagerly watching Naruto
'Boss?' Naruto thought with a question mark floating over his head. He shook his head and started his training
He spent the remainder of the day training hard to master thunder breathing. He summoned twenty-five clones to speed up the process. Some are running, some are lifting rocks, some are doing push ups and sit ups. Konohamaru witnessed this and was astounded by what he saw
'so this is how shinobi trained' he thought with stars on his eyes
Naruto is sparring 15 of his shadow clones as they try to overwhelm him with numbers. The remaining clones worked on other techniques
He saw his clones charging towards him. He got on a stance as he inhaled heavily
"Thunder breathing Fourth form: Distant Thunder!"
Naruto unleashed a ball of thunder. It hit all of the clones in the vicinity, electrocuting them all
Some clones dissipate while some others held on
Naruto saw this and yelled "Come on!" He had a wide grin on his face
The clones rushed at him. He clashed with them as he parry and dodge their attacks. He was suddenly taken aback when he felt his arm got cut
'their getting faster!'
He ducked towards a slash and slashed his clone deep. He deflected a attack and immediately counter attack it, breaking it's guard he went for the killing blow, he reared his katana to his waist and quickly sliced it up following the momentum he turned towards to two other clones and sliced them
He exhaled and looked at the remaining clones and thought
'OK, let's try it'
He focused his chakra from his back he imagined chains
His focus broke when his clones started to attack him. He quickly block it and jumped back to gain distance
'shit! This is harder than it looks'
He tried again, he saw his clones charging at him ready to slice him up
Suddenly two golden chains came out of his back. It wrapped around his clones restraining them as they struggle
Naruto had a relieved expression seeing the chains
'Yes! It worked'
He controlled his chains and slammed the clones to the ground causing them to disappear. The chains behind his back disappeared
He looked at one remaining clones and got an idea
'hope this works'
He sheaths his katana and focused his chakra on his palmed. He saw it formed and he grinned
He thrusts his left hand and a single chain with a pointed end shot out, impaling his clone
"GET OVER HERE!" He shouted
Tightening his hold on the chain, he gave it a hard tug and reeled his clone towards him. The impaled clone nearing him he quick draw his katana out and decapitated his clone now poofed away. The chain like a snake returned back from his palm
"(Pant) (Pant)" Naruto panted, satisfied with the results. He heard cheering from Konohamaru, he chuckled and went to him
"You like the show?" Naruto asked Konohamaru who has stars on his eyes
"Yeah! You were so cool! I was so surprised when I saw a chain come out of your hand!" Konohamaru rambled as Naruto listened to him
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It's now afternoon, around 3:55. Ebisu wanders the training grounds looking for Konohamaru
"Honourable grandson! Where are you?!" Ebisu yelled out
'the Hokage will have my head if I didn't found him'
He heard laughing from a distance and went towards it. He saw Konohamaru laughing and beside him is Naruto. He remained hidden behind the tree and watched
"Hey can I ask you a question?" Naruto asked
"Sure, go for it" Konohamaru said
"Why are you going for your grandpa so much?" Naruto asked, wanting to know the reason
Konohamaru frowned. Naruto saw this and said
"It's ok if you don't wanna say it"
"No it's fine. I wanna get this off from my chest" Konohamaru looked down
"My grandpa gave me the name Konohamaru. He named me after the village"
"But even though everyone is used to that name here... nobody ever calls me that"
Naruto remained silent, including Ebisu who is eavesdropping
"When everyone sees me or calls me...all they see is the Hokage's grandson"
"Nobody sees me as me. I'm sick of that. That's why I want the Hokage title now" Konohamaru finished
Ebisu who heard this was shocked. He thought to the time he calls him honourable grandson
'honou- no, Konohamaru I didn't know you felt that way'
"You want to be Hokage but no one's gonna acknowledge you ya know?"
Konohamaru surprised he let out a "Huh?!"
"It's not that easy. Now one's gonna acknowledge some brat who has the title" Naruto said
"Then what should I do then?!" Konohamaru angrily asked
Naruto faced him and said
"Listen, you stated that you wanted everyone to see you as you, so work for it. Simply be yourself, work hard, build trust, and earn their respect. Take a look at me; I was treated like trash back then because of what I was labelled as. But I worked hard and helped others; the reason I'm training is so that people will recognise me as Naruto Uzumaki!"
Konohamaru was shocked and was inspired by Naruto's words, even Ebisu
"T-then...can I be strong like you?" Konohamaru asked
Naruto smiled "It ain't easy, you'll have challenges and obstacles on your way but yes you will"
Konohamaru filled with determination and Ebisu who was hiding smiled
'those rumours were false, I'm glad..." Ebisu's suspicions are cleared and he now believes in Naruto
"Damn! That just makes me want the Hokage title right now!"
"Idiot!" Naruto punched Konohamaru's head
"Gah!" He yelped and gripped his head in pain
"Didn't you hear what I just said! I said it ain't easy dumbass! There are no shortcuts!"
But Naruto started to chuckle. Konohamaru looked at him confused
"Well...if your gonna be Hokage then wait in line. Cause your looking at the future Hokage and strongest swordsman!" Naruto said
"Oh yeah? Then from now on we're rivals! Starting tomorrow I'm taking my first step as a shinobi. But hey maybe one day I'll fight you for that title" Konohamaru declared
"I'm looking forward to it, Konohamaru" Naruto smiled
After the declaration they bid farewell and went their separate paths. Ebisu seeing this he decides to reveal himself to Konohamaru surprising him
"Eh?! Ebisu-sensei?!"
"Yo"
"What are you doing here?" He asked
"Well, I was looking for you"
"O-oh right sorry about disappearing all of a sudden" Konohamaru apologized
"It's all right" Ebisu waved his hand
Ebisu cleared his throat and asked
"Konohamaru you wanna get some dango it's my treat" Ebisu offered
Konohamaru's eyes widened and smiled
"Sure!"
Ebisu had a gentle smile on his face as the teacher and student went to get some dango
"ACHOO!"
Somewhere in the village a woman with purple hair suddenly sneezed. She rubbed her nose and asked
"Did someone say dango?"
To be continued
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone