So probably fitting I put this chapter up now that I am churning out chapters for my bleach fic again, so glad TYBW got animated at last. Thinking back on it though, Aizen was underutilised in TYBW, aside from delaying Yhwach, proving he can be smug in a chair even when tied up and that brief moment of trickery against Yhwach and his little talk of courage at the end, Aizen didn't really get to do much. Still no Bankai too… almost everyone else got a Bankai… Either way, enjoy the chapter. SSJ3 Kyuubi Gohan.
Previously:
Naruto, through Tayuya, decided to approach Danzo and reveal Naruto's capacity for wind chakra. The next day, Naruto and Tayuya would meet up with Kurenai, Asuma, and Asuma's team, for a training session. The training would eventually be interrupted by a mission request taking Asuma, Shikamaru, and Choji away from the village, with the rest going to have lunch after a day of hard work.
Disclaimer – I don't own anything from the Naruto anime/manga. All I own are my original characters and plot twists.
'Talking'
"Thinking"
'Heavily demonic voice'
'Fox talking'
"Fox thinking"
*expression*
Jutsu
FlashbackChapter 11 – Expect the unexpected
'Ramen? Really?' Asked Ino.
'Did you expect anything different?' Asked Tayuya curiously, causing Ino to sigh.
'I just don't understand the appeal. Especially not in these quantities.' Said Ino.
'What, you mean you don't have a favourite food?' Asked Tayuya.
'Not really. I mean I like cherry tomatoes and pudding, but they wouldn't be my favourite food.' Said Ino.
'So what'll you all be having today?' Asked Teuchi.
'Hmm, well, this is enough for two bowls each… four chicken ramen for me and Tayuya.' Said Naruto, before looking at the other two.
'I wouldn't mind a shrimp ramen, but just the one would be enough.' Said Kurenai.
'I'll just have a vegetable ramen.' Said Ino.
'Seriously! What is it with you and Sakura always getting veggie ramen? Ramen already comes with vegetables and if you are looking to get the most bang for your buck, the meat is the most important part. It's like making a cake without sugar, what's the point? Sure, it'll look the same, but you won't enjoy it as much.' Ranted Naruto.
'He does have a point you know. You should at least be having chicken ramen since that has the least fat and most protein.' Said Tayuya.
'Diet tips? From Naruto?' Asked Ino flatly.
'Well this Naruto has buns of steel! You all can't handle my greatness.' Said Naruto, standing up proudly.
'Hmm, I wonder what Tayuya thinks of that?' Said Ino coyly.
'As much as I hate to admit it… they are probably better than mine.' Admitted Tayuya.
'Oh, is that so? So is Naruto getting pegged on the regular then?' Asked Anko, sliding an arm around Tayuya, only for the girl to hiss as though Anko had the plague and back away.
'I knew it, this was an ambush. That's it, eat the toppings first Naruto, we can use the broth to keep that monster away.' Said Tayuya, taking up a fighting stance as the bowls started to come out of the kitchen.
'As if I'd waste any part of ramen on her… or anyone for that matter. Blasphemy. Just get her a standard pork ramen.' Suggested Naruto.
'Someone probably needs to pork her.' Said Tayuya, before grabbing her bowl and sitting furthest away from Anko, with Naruto between her, Ino, and Kurenai, with Anko sitting down besides Kurenai.
'You'd be an expert on pork, wouldn't you?' Said Anko.
'Nu-uh, Tayuya prefers chicken ramen.' Said Naruto, before his second bowl was placed in front of him.
'When did you finish the first?' Gasped Ino, seeing Naruto halfway through his second.
Tayuya kept a glare on Anko from the corner of her eye, before starting to eat as well.
'Fine, I'm not going to complain about free food anyway.' Said Anko, as a bowl was placed in front of her.
'It isn't free, Asuma provided the money to Naruto as a reward for tricking him and winning a battle.' Explained Kurenai.
'Wow, Asuma must be slipping then.' Said Anko.
'Hey! Asuma-Sensei is a good teacher, Naruto's just too unpredictable.' Said Ino, rushing to defend her team leader.
'Yeah. I still say he isn't as cool as Kakashi-Sensei, but he's got you beat snake lady… I think… I don't actually know how you fight aside from using kunai and licking blood.' Said Naruto thoughtfully.
'You'll just have to be lucky enough to be my minion on a mission at some point then.' Said Anko.
'On that note, you should really find your team and do some training with them.' Said Tayuya, speaking to Kurenai.
'Yeah.' Chimed in Naruto, although whether it was about training, or satisfaction with his meal, as he placed his second empty bowl of ramen down, was anyone's guess.
'Very well then. I will go and request them for a mission.' Said Kurenai.
'Request? What is this, a dinner party? Go get your students lady.' Said Tayuya.
'What's with the sudden enthusiasm?' Asked Ino.
'Well not for nothing, but if I'm going to have to count on all of you to have my back, I'd prefer you to not accidentally trip and stab yourself on the wrong end of a kunai. Both Naruto and I beat your entire team single-handed. If that's not a flaming indictment on your abilities, I don't know what is.' Said Tayuya.
'Well, I mean I heard Choji beat your big friend and Neji killed six arms… not to mention Lee and Shikamaru managed to hold off that Kimimaro guy, and with Gaara's help they beat him. Maybe the stakes just weren't high enough in the spar.' Suggested Naruto.
'I guess that is one explanation. The other could be that veggie ramen is just the weak link.' Said Tayuya, causing Ino to growl.
'You'd be a lot more threatening if I didn't just beat you in a three-on-one handicapped fight.' Said Tayuya, as Ino silently fumed.
'I'll have you know that I am the true brains of the Ino-Shika-Cho formation!' Declared Ino hotly.
'Yeah… I'd still trust Shikamaru over you Ino. Veggie ramen? That shows short-sightedness. Veggie ramen implies you don't expect to do anything strenuous as it's lower energy and protein. It's basically like throwing in the towel for the day. Even Kurenai-Sensei got shrimp which has that good fat for your brain, which makes sense, because Genjutsu take a lot of thinking.' Said Naruto.
'Naruto, do you think this intensely about all of your food?' Asked Kurenai.
'What do you mean, ramen almost exclusively makes up my entire diet, of course I needed to learn to balance the different types of ramen and make sure to drink plenty of water.' Said Naruto smugly.
'Hmm, I wonder if I can pull that off with dango.' Hummed Anko.
'If you get enough meat based dango you might be able to pull it off, but you wouldn't feel great. Most dango are just good for sugar. If anything, you'd just get fat, which I hear is something girls don't want.' Said Naruto.
'I'm not a girl though.' Said Anko, causing Naruto to leap out of his stool and bolt.
'The snake isn't a summon! It's real!' Screamed Naruto, as he left the stand running.
'So you don't need a strap-on then I'm guessing, especially if you've got a real snake in your pants.' Said Tayuya, before sighing.
'I better go calm him down.' Said Tayuya, after a moment of Naruto's ravings.
'Why would you say that, Anko?' Asked Kurenai.
'Well, I was going to follow up by saying I was a woman, but he didn't let me finish.' Said Anko.
After a minute, Tayuya dragged a suspicious looking Naruto back into the stand.
'Look, you've still got enough left over for another bowl.' Said Tayuya.
Naruto hoisted himself back onto the stool and carefully eyed off Anko, before making his selection.
'One pork ramen.' Said Naruto.
'I bet you will one of these days.' Sniggered Anko, getting a glare from Naruto.
'Whatever, man.' Said Naruto, staring at Anko intently until his food arrived.
'All right, after this, we go find Kurenai's team and get them some real training.' Said Tayuya.
-line break-
As the group of five made their way to the clan district, Ino and Anko kept their eyes on Naruto and Tayuya respectively, keenly observing them and noting their interactions. Much to their disappointment, there didn't seem to be any sign of a significant element of attraction, causing the two to simultaneously question if what they had seen and heard about was true or not.
'The Inuzuka are the closest, I'll see if Kiba is done with his partner training.' Said Kurenai, leaving the four outside of the compound as the woman entered.
'What are you staring at me for, Ino? Do you need more diet advice?' Asked Naruto, startling the girl.
'I wasn't staring.' Protested Ino.
'If I didn't know any better, I'd think you were out to get me. You've been watching me since we left the ramen stand.' Said Naruto.
'No I haven't!' Denied Ino.
'What, you got a thing for blonds or something?' Asked Tayuya.
'No.' Said Ino.
'Well he's not wrong, you've been watching him the same way she's been watching me, and you just know anything with a pulse is good enough for her… probably even things without a pulse.' Said Tayuya.
'Naruto!' Said Kiba, as he rushed out of the compound, Kurenai following behind him.
'Hey Kiba, how's Akamaru doing?' Asked Naruto, only for said pup to pop his head out of Kiba's jacket and bark.
'Hey Akamaru, keeping Kiba out of trouble are ya?' Asked Naruto, only for Akamaru to bark positively.
'What do you mean you're trying your best, what trouble?' Asked Kiba, before sniffing something and locking on to Tayuya.
'Who are you?' Asked Kiba.
'A former enemy.' Said Tayuya simply, causing Kiba to snarl.
'Knock it off Kiba, Tayuya is one of us now.' Said Naruto sternly.
Kiba looked at Naruto, visible anger and confusion in his expression.
'One of us huh? We'll see.' Said Kiba, before Kurenai reached the group.
'The Hyuuga compound is next.' Said Kurenai, before the group moved on.
Arriving at the Hyuuga compound, Kurenai spoke with a Hyuuga clansmen who entered the compound while they waited outside. Hinata exited the compound shortly after, starting slightly when she saw who was gathered and just how many people were around.
'Naruto, what are you doing with Kurenai-Sensei?' Asked Hinata.
'Oh, we just had ramen together.' Said Naruto, causing a pang of jealousy to go through Hinata.
'O-oh I see, that must have been nice.' Said Hinata, causing Naruto to grin.
'Of course, ramen is always good.' Said Naruto, causing Kurenai to sigh softly.
'Let's go get Shino then.' Said Kurenai, before the group was led to the Aburame compound.
Shino was standing outside the compound, waiting for them it seemed.
'I am ready to go, why you ask, because I could feel you gathering.' Said Shino.
'Well, I was thinking we could get together for a nice team training exercise.' Said Kurenai, as the group headed back towards the training grounds.
'Should we do three-on-one handicaps like before?' Asked Naruto.
'I think the team training is for the actual team.' Said Tayuya.
'What do you mean? The two of us are a team, we could even carry those two with our collective awesomeness.' Said Naruto, gesturing towards Ino and Anko.
'Carry us? I can't remember the last time a brat mouthed off like that to me.' Said Anko.
'Guess you are getting old then, since I mouth off to you like that all the time.' Commented Tayuya.
'Yeah, as if Naruto would carry me. I'm clearly the superior blonde.' Said Ino with a huff.
'Didn't look that way when I was on top of you.' Said Naruto, causing Ino to growl and Hinata to blush.
'You just surprised me! I'm ready for round two whenever. I'll drive you into the ground.' Said Ino.
'Sure, if I use my clones, you'll be knocked out so fast you won't even know what happened.' Said Naruto disbelievingly.
'Is anyone else a little lost?' Asked Kiba, noting Hinata looked as though she might pass out at any moment.
'Yeah, you ain't kidding. Is this still about the spar, or did the two of you sneak away and get some hands-on experience with each other?' Asked Anko.
'Experience? I have years of experience with Ino, as if I need any more.' Said Naruto.
'Oh, so are you looking to others for new experiences?' Asked Anko, sparing a glance to Tayuya.
'Obviously, I am always on the lookout for something new.' Said Naruto.
'So you are saying new is always better?' Asked Anko.
'Well if we are comparing a new bowl of ramen to an old one, then yeah.' Said Naruto, causing Anko to deflate at her conversation attempt being brought back to ramen.
'Man, you really have a one-track mind.' Said Anko, before noting they had reached the training grounds.
'Okay then. Why don't we start off with a team battle then? Anko, you didn't mind being the other team leader, do you?' Asked Kurenai.
'My pleasure.' Said Anko.
'Why don't we make this a flag race? Somewhere in this training ground there is a flag. I had a Chunin place it for some training a few weeks back and never got around to using it. Now is a good as time as any. First team to find the flag, bring it back here and hold on to it for thirty seconds wins.' Said Kurenai.
'That's it, easy.' Said Naruto.
'No jutsu allowed though.' Said Kurenai, causing Naruto to groan.
'That's so unfair though, you guys have Akamaru.' Protested Naruto.
'He doesn't have the right scent anyway.' Said Kiba, causing Akamaru to bark.
'Fine, it's just a good thing the teams are kind of even.' Said Naruto, clearly not satisfied.
'Well, let's set out then.' Said Kurenai, causing the two teams to split up and search the training ground.
After a moment of searching, Naruto paused.
'Wait, how are we supposed to know what we are looking for? It could be anything or anywhere and we don't even have a clue where it might be.' Said Naruto.
'It's a flag. I doubt there are a bunch of flags lying around.' Said Ino.
'All right brats, listen up! We'll fan out in each direction. Head to the edge of the training ground and work your way to the right and inwards. That should cover the most area in the least amount of time. If you find the flag, come straight back here and hide. Now spread out!' Said Anko.
'This is so boring.' Grumbled Naruto as the group split up, before vanishing from sight.
Naruto took this time to go and covertly survey the others, starting with Kurenai's team. The team worked well together, but Naruto couldn't get a clear sense of leadership from them. While they tended to default to Kurenai when confused, Kiba and Shino equally held the role of leader. Hinata also had the capacity but lacked the confidence. She was a follower, not a leader, plain and simple. It was for this reason Hinata would be a terrible candidate for illusions. The whole point was to guide someone to something. If you couldn't even lead people in something as simple as a flag race, there was no way to lead them to visualising their deepest fear. Working his way back to his team, which in contrast to Team Eight, had split up, Naruto noted that as individuals, their team was better. Ino was actually quite capable and thorough in her search, being careful not to miss any areas. Anko quickly combed through the surroundings with the skill of an accomplished tracker. Tayuya simply surveyed the area and then decide which spots had the highest probability of being used for hiding spots. Naruto himself was a fan of the ever-expanding circle, working his way continually outwards and around, or at least that is what he would have done in this situation. Deducing quickly that there were really only a few places a flag could be truly hidden; Naruto worked his way towards a small lake. It was the obvious choice as the water would erase any scent and it isn't like people just went diving into the lakes at the training grounds either. Quickly sinking down, Naruto grabbed the flag and used chakra to stick himself to the bottom of the lake, counting down to thirty. It was as Naruto reached the count of thirty that he opened his eyes and noted a small scroll hovering in front of him, appearing to have been dropped into the lake and not yet reaching the bottom. Opening it up, Naruto saw a small map with a big X marked on it. A few seconds after opening the scroll, it started to spontaneously combust underwater, turning into a black sludge shortly after. Deciding he had been underwater for long enough, Naruto made his way to the surface.
'Naruto, what were you doing down there?' Asked Kiba.
'What does it look like, finding the flag.' Said Naruto, showing the green flag to the group.
'Quickly Akamaru, we have to take him down.' Said Kiba, taking a fighting stance.
'I was already there for thirty seconds, but I don't mind a rematch of the Chunin exams.' Said Naruto, tucking the flag up his sleeve.
'Ha, you won't win with dumb luck this time.' Said Kiba confidently.
'Luck? Oh yeah, just wait.' Said Naruto confidently, crossing his arms over his chest.
'Let's go Akamaru!' Said Kiba, as the two raced across the water.
Naruto smirked and placed his hands on the water. Naruto pushed his chakra into the water at an angle, slicing a chunk of stone out of the lake, causing the water level to drop just where Akamaru and Kiba were about to walk. The two leapt above the gap, preparing to spin into a fang-over-fang, only for Naruto to be there ready for them.
'Na-ru-to, Uzumaki barrage!' Said Naruto with a small group of seven clones, sending both Kiba and Akamaru into the lake.
Following this, Naruto placed his hands back on the water and starting to spin the water around. Naruto saw as Akamaru and Kiba were easily picked up and spun around. After a moment, Kiba seemed to come to a decision and started spinning in the opposite direction, hoping to both stop their involuntary movement and prepare an attack. Naruto laughed openly as he lifted one hand up and placed it back down, now swirling the water in the opposite direction of his other hand. The end result was Kiba and Akamaru trying to drill their way through two whirlpool currents which took all their strength, meaning they only popped out of the water with minimal velocity. Naruto then clapped his hands, and a medium-sized blast of wind sent the two flying back onto the ground, looking thoroughly winded.
'What was all of that?' Huffed Kiba in exhaustion.
'Told you there wasn't going to be any luck needed. I've got tons of super cools moves now and you didn't even see my knockout move.' Said Naruto.
'Well Naruto, it looks like your team won the challenge.' Said Kurenai, causing the two boys to realise they were no longer alone.
'Yeah, I already had it for like a minute before Kiba showed up, but I didn't mind getting to practise my new moves.' Said Naruto casually, putting his hands behind his head nonchalantly.
'How'd you figure it out anyway?' Asked Ino.
'Easy, where else would you hide something except for in the one place no one would look, underwater.' Said Naruto matter-of-factly.
'Takes looking beneath the surface to a whole new level I guess.' Commented Tayuya.
'Oh yeah, Kakashi-Sensei always says that, look underneath the underneath… but that means the flag should have been buried under the rocks at the bottom of the lake… wouldn't have mattered since I've chopped up the bottom of the lake a good chunk now.' Said Naruto.
'Man, at the rate you're going, all the lakes in this village are going to have weird cuts all over them and be all messed up.' Commented Tayuya.
'Hmm, maybe I should make that my signature.' Said Naruto, walking over to a tree and slashing a small spiral into it.
'Neat huh?' Said Naruto.
'Anyway, I think that's been enough fun for me today, I need to go buy some non-ramen related foods.' Said Naruto.
'Seriously?' Asked Anko.
'Yeah, you can't mix milk into ramen, that'd be weird.' Said Naruto.
'Hey, I need some non-ramen related food too.' Said Tayuya.
'Fine, let's go already. If we hurry, I can get one more bowl tonight.' Said Naruto, as he started to leave the training ground.
'Thanks for all the fun today, keep training so I can beat you again, Ino, Kiba.' Said Naruto, with Tayuya following him.
'Just you wait.' Said Ino.
'Well that was weird.' Said Kiba.
'What makes you say that, Kiba?' Asked Kurenai.
'Well, it only just dawned on me, but the reason those two would be buying supplies together, would be because they lived with each other.' Said Kiba.
'Don't worry, I'll keep my eye on them.' Said Anko creepily, causing Kiba to back away from the woman.
-line break-
'So where are we really going?' Asked Tayuya.
'We will go grocery shopping afterwards; I just received a scroll underwater which burned up after reading.' Explained Naruto.
'Danzo you reckon?' Asked Tayuya.
'It could be no one else.' Nodded Naruto.
'Are you sure I should be coming with you; doesn't it make this whole exchange kind of suspicious?' Asked Tayuya.
'Of course not, I wouldn't have been able to find this place myself. Besides, Danzo will surely separate us later. Also, in about ten more steps, I'll need you to pull me to your side.' Said Naruto, causing Tayuya to absentmindedly nod.
'So are you going to blindly trust him or be suspicious?' Asked Tayuya.
'I plan to react based on how he propositions me. If he tries to deceive, I'll play dumb, if he is honest, I'll be a little more open. Either way, it'll be fun to see him try to figure things out. Also, that was ten steps.' Said Naruto, before Tayuya grabbed on to him and leapt to the side, only for a beast of ink to drop down from the sky before exploding on impact.
'So it seems there is something I can teach you.' Said Danzo, emerging from the shadows and walking out into the open.
'Who the hell are you and why did you attack us?' Asked Naruto suspiciously.
'I am Danzo Shimura.' Said Danzo.
'Never heard of ya before.' Said Naruto carelessly.
'Somehow I doubt that.' Said Danzo, watching Naruto through closed eyes.
'How many fingers am I holding up?' Asked Naruto, sticking up four fingers, causing Danzo to open his eye.
'So you can see.' Said Naruto.
'Naruto Uzumaki. I can see great potential in you. Potential which is even greater than those of your mentors. You have the power to be truly great, but you are not being taught the important aspects of being a shinobi.' Said Danzo.
'I know plenty. I will never give up and keep fighting until I succeed.' Said Naruto.
'To what end? There will always be someone else for you to fight and what goal could you hope to achieve in such a scenario?' Asked Danzo.
'To keep my friends safe.' Said Naruto, causing Danzo to hum.
'And who do you consider your friend?' Asked Danzo, before continuing.
'Are the shinobi your friends? The villagers? Those in the land of fire?' Asked Danzo.
'My friends are my friends.' Said Naruto simply.
'I see and if your friends and those who are not your friend are together and under attack, who do you save?' Asked Danzo.
'Of course I'll save my friends, but I'm not the kind of guy who can let people get hurt, so I'll save the other people too.' Said Naruto.
'I see… I find that mindset tolerable for now. Would you liked to know the reason I wanted you to come here?' Asked Danzo.
'What do you mean, Tayuya told me to come here? She told me she had something to show me.' Said Naruto, only for a masked individual to drop down beside Danzo.
'This is one of my agents. I am sure you are familiar with them since you have been avoiding them quite successfully despite my insistence that you be watched.' Said Danzo.
'That's kind of creepy, stalking me like that.' Said Naruto.
'If you were as unskilled as you act, you never would have noticed them. In any case, my agent saw you read my scroll and also saw it disintegrate, meaning there is no way for your companion to have been able to lead you here. Of course, there is the possibility that you could have memorised the scroll's contents and reproduced it, but even the act of doing so would suggest higher mental capabilities than you are supposed to possess.' Said Danzo, which caused Naruto to laugh a little.
'Fine you caught me. Now what are you going to do with me?' Asked Naruto calmly.
'I only wish to instruct. I can see that indoctrination would be most detrimental for you. To have deceived all to such an extent you would be perhaps the greatest spy in the world and compromising that would be foolish. I only wish to expand your skillset where able. I don't pretend to understand your true capabilities, but I know for a fact your prowess in wind manipulation is unrefined and while you are creative in your use of it, you have much to learn still.' Said Danzo.
'So you want to train me, why? I don't think you are the kind of guy who just does favours for people out of the goodness of his heart.' Asked Naruto.
'You are correct. There is no goodness in my heart, only a duty. That duty is to keep this village safe. To help you become strong and directed is to help the village become strong and directed. That is my ulterior motive.' Admitted Danzo.
'Hmm, I didn't expect you to be so honest… I accept then.' Said Naruto.
'Excellent, we can start after you return from your next mission.' Said Danzo, before he and his agent vanished in a swirl of leaves.
'What mission?' Asked Tayuya.
'For once I'm not sure, but Danzo does have more eyes in the Land of Fire than I.' Said Naruto, before gesturing for Tayuya to head back to the market district.
'So how much are you going to reveal?' Asked Tayuya.
'Come now, haven't you heard the expression, always leave them wanting more? Danzo will only get glimpses at the truth, but our little secret, no one will ever know that. They may have ideas, but never come to know the truth. They will only have the illusion of truth to comfort them.' Said Naruto.
'Was that meant to be a lesson or something?' Asked Tayuya.
'Nah, I was just having fun. Your next lesson will be on our upcoming mission, aren't you excited?' Asked Naruto.
'Thrilled.' Drawled Tayuya, causing Naruto to grin.