Chapter 11- Spending the Rest Day
Iruka stood at the podium and by his side were Mari, Kurenai, Mizuki, and few other teachers.
Iruka with a serious gaze scanned the students sitting at their seats and couldn"t help but feel pain, internally sighed and said, "I have been teaching you for the past few months and was wishing to see improvement, not just academically but also practically, I was hoping that you all will show maturity and start taking your training seriously as it will be the last semester and also the last chance for graduation. I and the other teachers are here to train you and make sure you ready for ninja life but the truth is when someone doesn"t want to improve then we teachers are helpless and I have felt this helplessness for quite a time now, so today I had to make you see the true horrors of being a ninja. In this cla.s.s, girls have more problems than boys, instead of polishing their skills they were fawning over boys making fan clubs, love clubs and all those stupid things and till yesterday I had to stop two young soon to be ninja student from arguing over the place they sit. I am not only telling girls but also the boys in the cla.s.s. Every single day I record the throwing accuracy, crossing obstacle and many other things, and I have to say that except some students" majority are just worse. Those who want to make progress are making progress and are the ones to survive longer. Students, today you have seen a small part of the life of a ninja and I hope that you all got to know something."
Then Iruka tilted his head to see the teachers and sighed internally and faced the students again and said, "Cla.s.ses will start from Monday, think if you really want to be a ninja and when I stand again in front of you I hope I find something hopeful. Cla.s.s dismissed."
After dismissing the cla.s.s, Iruka could see the students faces full of worry, concern, confusion, shame and various other emotions. Half of the students who were mainly from the clans and some others had no change in emotion.
Seeing the sad and downcast faces of his students Iruka felt pain in his chest and had a pained faced.
Mari patted Iruka"s shoulder and said, "You did a great job, Iruka. What you and Kurenai did will save a lot of life and help them make strong. Don"t you forget what you are doing is all for them. Tomorrow go to the tower, you have a mission."
Iruka replied with a nod.
Then Mari looked at Mizuki, "Mizuki-sensei please go to the tower now, Hokage-sama has a mission for you and take Koro-sensei with you. It wouldn"t take more than a week."
"Togsensei, Nozomu-sensei since I will be leaving the academy, it would be best that we start choosing another headteacher for my replacement." Said Mari after which she left the room along with Toga and Nozomu.
Outside the academy
"Hinatsan, are you really fine? You look kind of pale." Asked Raito.
Hinata weakly nodded but said nothing to Raito"s question.
Raito sighed and faced Ino, "Ino what about you? Are you fine?"
With anger on her face, Ino roared, "How can you even ask that? That…..That cruel thing t-they do to….Kunoichi...how can they? (Sob...sob)"
"Ino," Choji looked sad then patted her shoulder trying to comfort her.
"Troublesome teachers." Mumbled Shikamaru who also patted Ino on her shoulders.
"Everything will be fine Ino, Hinata. We will be there to protect you all. As the future Hokage, I promise to keep you all safe no matter what. Believe it!!" Proclaimed Naruto.
Hinata and Ino smiled a little when they heard Naruto words.
Raito on the side also smiled a little then asked, "Why don"t we go and eat something? I heard there is a new barbeque shop which opened this Sunday, giving huge discount till this week."
"Yosh, let"s go. Raito"s paying." Said Chōji.
"Sure, why not?" said Raito as he glared at Chōji.
As the man uses alcohol as his comfort, the soon to be ninja used food as their comfort, forgetting their worries. In ninja world raping kunoichi has been a really common thing and the only way to be safe is to be strong, strong enough to protect themselves and others.
Sounds of loud laughter and talking came from a room which was heard by the many ninja in the other rooms but no one stopped them.
After an hour or so the six left the shop. Ino, Chōji, Hinata, and Shikamaru went together to the clan district. Naruto went home alone as Raito said that he wanted some alone time...
During the night when winds are blowing hard, the lights of the shops are long closed and the windows are shut tight, a lone figure jumped from roof to roof his silver hair making it more eye-catching under the moon.
Hatake Kakashi reached the memorial stone and stood in front of it watching and reading the names of his most precious peoples. Then he started sharing his day:
"Rin, Obito, I am going to take a team again, they are somewhat different. A Hyuga girl, she is shy and has low confidence; she is quite different from the rest of Hyuga. Next, we have Uzumaki Naruto, sensei"s son, a good kid and has a good nose, he was able to find me. He is so much like sensei, those blue eyes and blond hair, change some clothes and remove those whiskers and you will get a mini version of sensei. Last is the kid I am worried about, his name is Yoshizawa Raito, poor nice kid, he"s smart and has already mastered his family technique which will rival Hyuga in the future. With Sharingan, gone Byakugan is the face of Konoha now. Sensei am I really." Kakashi was thinking inwardly when suddenly he heard a voice.
"Heh, people do come here at night. I thought I was the only one." Said the voice coming from the shadows.
Shadow finally shaped into a figure marking a boy with black hair looked about ten to 13 year old. Kakashi recognized the boy from the picture earlier; the boy was one of the students he was going to teach, Yoshizawa Raito.
Raito looked at the unknown man or ninja in front of him. Wearing standard Konoha flak jacket, face covered 2/3rd, only one eye visible and most eye-catching silver hair.
Hatake Kakashi Lv??
Raito walked slowly towards the memorial tablet where he stood there mumbling his words and hands-on his pocket stared lazily at the tablet.
Kakashi stood there watching the boy the figure reminding of him, alone watching the tablet.
"My name is -" said Kakashi but before he could finish Raito replied cutting him off.
"Hatake Kakashi or people often say Kakashi of the Sharingan. I have heard about you from a lot of people, a lot, at least for me." Interrupted Raito.
"Oh it seems I am really famous, eh?" said Kakashi sounding pleased
"Infamous, they told me that you are really good at ticking people off, always late at least two to three hours, read p.o.r.n in public and s.e.xually hara.s.s every Kunoichi you see, destroyer of the innocence of all the small boys and the girls." Said Raito in a single breath which looked like it was thoroughly memorized.
"Ah haha….. I am really not like that. In fact, I am really a nice person who" Kakashi tried to explain himself.
"Reads p.o.r.n in the public. It is true cuz I have seen it myself. Is it not?" asked Raito.
"IchIcha is not p.o.r.n it is literature and a very nice at that." Explained Kakashi.
"Whatever. I am here for my prayer." Then Raito turned towards the tablet.
Three hours went by only the whistling of the winds was heard. On a lonely night, two people, a boy, and a man reminisced the past.
Raito stepped back then turned around and walked back. Kakashi also did the same.
"Don"t you want to tell me your name?" asked Kakashi.
"No."
"I did give you my name so you should also give me your name. It is common courtesy." Said Kakashi with an eye smile.
Raito looked at the silver-haired Jōnin, "You didn"t give me your name because I already knew it. Also, I know that you know my name. You should be more direct when you ask something. No need to go in circles."
Then Raito started walking.
"Do you know what really happened to your parents?" asked Kakashi in a more serious way.
"Something, but not everything. Do you guys know the full story?" asked Raito in an irritated voice.
"No. then -"
"Then nothing now, if in the future I have a chance I will know everything."
"What will you do after you know everything?"
"I will ask Hokage-Jiji or the new Hokage to do something first." Said Raito, not wanting to talk more he walked faster towards the exit.
"(Sigh) I wanted to talk a little bit more." Said Kakashi as he also left the memorial hall
Raito.
"So he is going to be out sensei, huh?" Raito whispered to himself making a small smile. "I should give Anko-nee something for the information."
Friday morning
"OW! OW!!" Naruto cried in pain as he fell to the ground. Chest rising and falling Naruto stayed on the ground looking at the sky.
"Why don"t we go to that place? Going there is so much better than doing this." Said Naruto.
"I am not a chakra freak like you, I used all the chakra this morning to try something so quit whining and continue doing the stretching." Ordered Raito.
Taking a deep breath Naruto shouted, "Yosh, once more." Then again continued his stretching.
After some time an exhausted Naruto and Raito came inside and sat on the sofa.
"Oi Naruto what would you be doing on your free day when you were not with us?" asked Raito
"Eh, nothing. I would just roam around the village and practice something," answered Naruto
Taking a breath Raito shouted and jumped, "Yosh, we are going shopping Naruto. I couldn"t buy much last time and when tomorrow Choji comes he alone will be able to finish what we have right now."
"Y-you won"t be able to buy anything with me around. So" said Naruto in a dejected voice.
But before he could speak anymore he was cut off by Raito, "You haven"t even tried."
"It has always been like that." Naruto spat.
"Well not anymore, be brave and try, I promise everything will be alright because Naruto ... I am G.o.d symbolizing a change in your puny mortal life." Raito laughed dramatically his chin high and pointing at Naruto.
Few chuckles of laughter came from Naruto.
"Mm let"s go then." Said Naruto.
Market plaza
Naruto was walking uncomfortably the fact being the people glaring him with the cold, scary eyes. Under the gaze of the people his body was shrinking, his mood sinking, he was gritting his teeth, fish clenched.
SMACK!!
Raito slapped Naruto on the back, pointed at the shop and gave him some money, "There"s the shop. Get some onion, beans, tomato, garlic, spinach, egg, meat, and meat."
"Woah, Woah. Raito wait, slow down. I can"t remember everything." Said Naruto as he made a stopping gesture to Raito.
"Naruto you really are dumb but anyway here." Raito brought out a paper and pen and wrote the names and gave it to Naruto.
Hearing the boy"s sound the surrounding shopkeepers froze, many of them had awkward faces and especially one had blackface. He hurriedly tried to close his shop.
"Boss why are you in a hurry, do you not want to sell ....to us?" asked a voice.
"N-Nonsense I...I was just going to replace the basket, some fresh vegetable just arrived so I-I was just to change them." Said the shop owner.
"Oh! No need boss. We will be fine." Said Raito as he glared at the shop keeper.
"Now Naruto try to pick the way I told you last time and before giving the money show me." Said Raito.
Naruto nodded and started picking carefully, slowly picking, rotating and pinching, checking the vegetables.
A few meters away few men and women were whispering to each other.
"Are we really selling food to the demon?"
"The leader said to make his life difficult but…."
"There is that kid with the demon."
"Why is he helping the demon?"
Raito turned around and looked at the people who were whispering, he saved their data in the library.
Soon minutes went by; Raito tapped his foot in annoyance seeing Naruto select the ingredients, which was way too slow. So he pulled a kunai out and started practicing with it. He started adding normal chakra to the kunai then added earth elemental chakra to it. Seeing the increase in the stat of the kunai, Raito was very happy.
[Standard Konoha Kunai - Common Quality (Enhanced)]
A common weapon used by the ninja of the "Village Hidden by the Leaf" designed for thrusting and stabbing.
Accuracy: +6%
Durability: 100 (200)
Weight: 500gm (1kg)
# Chakra flow property: Increased defense, increased hardness, increased destructive force
"In game, you get a status effect like burn or paralyze, but I didn"t get anything like that (sigh). So length remains the same but the weight increases that means now this kunai is stronger than just before but, the accuracy dropped by 4%. Ah!! I have to learn either fire or lightning type to get status effects. And, and I even have to buy a new sword, I can just steal it from someone. No, no nono even ninja should have some boundaries, why can"t someone just give me a super ultimate weapon or something. d.a.m.n it! Just a few more months and I can buy some real weapons."
Raito frowned in frustration which had nothing to do with Naruto and shopkeeper but the shopkeeper connected Raito frowning with Naruto picking vegetable. So the shopkeeper hurriedly helped Naruto although a bit reluctantly.
"Done!" shouted Naruto.
"Huh? Didn"t I tell you to let me see before buying? Now give me the bags." Raito put away the kunai and shouted at Naruto and he s.n.a.t.c.hed the bags after seeing the contents and put it in the inventory.
Even though Raito was scolding Naruto, he still had a smile on his face. "So, are we going home?" Asked Naruto.
"No," replied Raito calmly.
"Huh? What do you mean by no?" Asked Naruto.
"No means we are not going home right now, we are going to the Higurashi shop now." Replied Raito.
"But it"s already ten and I haven"t eaten anything and I am hungry and…" Naruto made an annoying sound which seem to affect Raito as Raito was glaring at Naruto.
"Here buy some snacks." Said Raito as he handed Naruto some money. "I will be watching you so don"t buy too many sweets."
"Okay," said Naruto as he ran into one of the shops.
Clang
The door opened and two boys came in.
"Wel-" the shopkeeper frowned at the boys who came in. Although he was happy just a moment ago, his smile vanished and hatred replaced his previous visage.
"We are not open. Come another time." Said the shopkeeper.
"But the sign definitely said open." Said Naruto as he pointed at the sign on the door.
"I am the boss of this shop so if I say not open then it"s not open. So get out of my shop!!" roared the shopkeeper.
Naruto frowned and he clenched his fist but then he loosened his fist and walked back.
Raito glared at the shopkeeper and his eyebrow knitted.
"What are you looking at brat? Keep looking and I will-"
"SHUT UP!" roared Raito his chakra flaring.
The shopkeeper was cut off by Raito and was looking at Raito.
"We are just here to buy some snacks." Then he looked at Naruto and ordered, "Go and get some snacks. After we pay we are never going to come at this s.h.i.tty place again."
Naruto looked at the shopkeeper and then Raito then he hurriedly went to some shelves and picked some snacks and placed at the counter.
"Naruto-baka why are you so stupid? If you buy, then buy a lot." Raito scolded Naruto then went to the shelves then picked all the chips then again went and picked a box of Nutri bar.
"Isn"t that a bit too much?" asked Naruto
"Nope, Choji can definitely finish them in an hour." Replied Raito
Naruto just laughed.
They paid the shopkeeper and left the shop.
"You definitely used chakra there. How did you do it?" asked Naruto
"Oh that, Anko-nee uses it frequently so I learned from her. I just used some chakra when shouting that"s all." Said Raito
"I wanna try it too." Said Naruto
"Not now, let"s go to Higurashi first." Raito ran
Naruto followed Raito and whenever he was about to caught Raito, he just increased his speed. After it happened three or four time Naruto couldn"t take it anymore, he stopped and sat down at the road.
Raito was laughing hard inside, he was enjoying the so-called race. But before he could enjoy anymore he saw Naruto sitting down on the road, pouting.
With a wry smile, Raito approached Naruto and asked, "What happened? Let"s go."
"You are definitely cheating, I Know It," said Naruto
"Yes, I am." Said Raito simply.
"Don"t lie to me you definitely- what!?" confused Naruto looked at Raito for explanation.
"Naruto-baka I am using chakra to enhance my body." Replied Raito
"How?" asked Naruto
Raito sighed and answered, "Tap into your chakra and wash your whole body with it."
"Huh? What? How?" asked confused Naruto
"Chakra Naruto chakra, from here spread it to the whole body." Raito pointed at the navel then moved his hands showing where to take chakra to.
Naruto tried and tried and got blue from trying it but got depressed at the result then tried again.
Not willing to stand on the road, Raito pulled Naruto to the park where he again tried.
"Naruto why don"t you try it later?" asked Raito
"Just a bit more, Chakra is going there but but...….I feel like I can do it anytime soon. Ah again." Replied Naruto
Minutes pa.s.sed by and it was already eleven and Naruto was still practicing. Raito had already finished some chips while watching Naruto.
"Why don"t I try it once more?" Looking at the CP Raito decided, "Naruto come here and do it.
Naruto came in front of Raito and started practicing.
Raito also stood up and made a rat seal.
Invisible sphere of chakra surrounded Raito then again expanded covering Naruto.
"What are you doing Raito?" asked Naruto
"Just shut up and start practicing," said Raito
Naruto started again and Raito could now see a blue flame near the heart region on the abdominal region, the blue color traveling on a path but never coming out of the path.
Deactivating the "Chakra Sense" Raito said, "Naruto, when you were eating ramen you said that it felt like your body was on fire, you could feel the warmth traveling from your belly to all the places, the power, that awesomeness. Just try to feel the same thing replace ramen with chakra in your belly."
"You say weird things but I believe in you, Raito." Said Naruto then he again made a rat seal then a thin blue light over his skin could be seen which quickly disappeared.
Raito smiled then instructed Naruto again. After quite some time Naruto was able to successfully enhance his body completely.
"Now try to hold it for at least a minute."
10 seconds
30 seconds
1 minute
2 minute
3 minute
"Awesome!! I was able to do it. Yay!" shouted Naruto in joy.
Ding
[Congratulation on teaching "Uzumaki Naruto" "Lesser Chakra enhancement"]
[Gained 2 merit points]
[Skill teaching leveled up by 2]
"Merit points again? What the h.e.l.l is it? There is nothing about this in the help menu."
"Hey, hey Raito did you see that aren"t I too super awesome? Haha." Laughed Naruto.
Take this." Raito threw a packet of chips.
"Thank you."" Said Naruto as he started munching on the chips.
After a bit of resting both went to the Higurashi store.
Cling
"Welcome" a heavy voice welcomed the two boys.
Higurashi Tetsu Lv??
"h.e.l.lo" the boys replied with a bow.
"My names Tetsu. You kids must be academy students eh? Why don"t you give me your student card now?" said Tetsu.
Confused both boys looked at the man but nodded and brought out their cards.
"Uzumaki Naruto." Tetsu looked at the boy and chuckled inwardly, "Mini Minato, how could anyone not know."
"Yoshizawa Raito." Tetsu looked at the boy.
And with a nod, he said, "Now tell me what you want to buy and I"ll give it to ya."
"Four sets of shuriken and two sets of kunai, please." Said Raito.
"Also Ninja tool ink, fuinjutsu paper, and a few scrolls, sir." Said Naruto.
"Wait a moment, if you kids want anything else than tell me and take a look around." Said Tetsu as he left the room and left the boys alone.
Raito looked around the store and quickly found the sword he was looking for.
Dragon"s Cry - Ninjato
He pulled down the sword and placed it on the counter table, and then he got some of the exploding tags.
Naruto also brought various kinds of paper seals.
"You can make your own later why are you buying them now?" asked Raito
"Research." Said Naruto then he pointed at the seal and at the small Uzumaki book and said, "Even though both of them do the same thing, there are made by different technique and look at this, the Uzumaki seal is smaller than Konoha seal."
"Whatever" Raito searched the shop with his eye to find anything buyable with is drastically smaller wallet….err he doesn"t need to carry a wallet anymore.
On the stool behind the counter were three little books with red covers and small notes sticking out of them. Interested Raito used "Observe" on them.
[Tenten guide to handling throwing weapons
A collection of notes written by Tenten on handling throwing weapons
Effect: Read to gain EXP in Shuriken and kunai jutsu]
"Tenten. Tenten?" Raito was lost in thought when Tetsu returned.
"You boys like what you see?" asked Tetsu then looking at the boys and the things at the table he sighed, "I forgot to tell you."
"Old man these seals for me." Said Naruto
"Wait a minute kid. It"s my mistake so let me tell you, Well you kids can"t buy these."
"But why?"
"Don"t shout kid, its law."
Raito tapped Naruto on the shoulder and looked at Tetsu and said, "What law, boss?"
"Well you see, not everyone pa.s.ses the academy and after failing many of them go to civilian school or do some other odd jobs. And in Konoha, you can only hold weapons if you from the military simply said, ninja. Kunai and shuriken are the exception, you are given when you become the student but the numbers of purchases are recorded on your student card. So if you are out from the program the weapons will be confiscated." Said Tetsu as he showed the back of the student card.
"What about the seals, other weapons and gears?" asked Raito.
"Seals and other weapons cannot be sold to anyone other than ninja starting from Genin, common gears can be sold but not many people usually buy them because of ridiculous number of pockets and the price. Anything that can bring harm is not sold to anyone outside the program." Said Tetsu as he brought forward the kunai and shuriken.
"Total is 5500 Ryo but you can pay me 5000 Ryo. Why don"t you kids come after you pa.s.s the Genin test and I"ll give ya 5% discount?" said Tetsu.
"Mm." Naruto and Raito nodded then paid the bill.
"Boss do you sell those books?" asked Raito as he pointed at the books on the stroll.
"Well kid that"s not for me to decide. You see, these books, are written by my daughter, she"s got a knack for weapons. These notes just have some tips for improving the shuriken and kunai skills. If you wanna buy them ask her." Said Tetsu.
"So when will she be back, Tetsu-san?" asked Raito
"She just graduated a couple of months back, so she would be doing D-rank missions and training with her sensei. Kid, you should just come after six, she is always back at that time." Suggested Tetsu.
"Old man what about these seals?" asked Naruto as he waved the seals.
"Same thing kid only after you pa.s.s your Genin test, I will be able to sell you other thing." Replied Tetsu.
"Oh," Naruto sighed in disappointment and let go the five seal notes.
"Boss how about we make a deal?" asked Raito.
"Anything about selling the thing than my answer would remain the same." Replied Tetsu as he crossed his arms.
Clearing his throat Raito spoke, "You don"t have to say anything but just listen, boss. Naruto here, my buddy, is an Uzumaki and you should know, the best seal master in this whole elemental nation are Uzumakis. I have seen the store and I have to be frank here except from storage scroll and explosion seal notes the other seals there are not much in number. That means there is less supply of those seals. Though the seals cost low than ninja gears and weapons they are one-time usable items, just like in games, use once and it"s gone. When people use the item and know its benefit they will come and buy in frenzy."
"What"s with all the nonsense just come to the point kid." Interjected Tetsu but Raito could see the gleam in his eyes.
With a smile, Raito replied, "Sell the seals two of each kind you have right now and we agree to sell any seals made by Naruto here to Higurashi shop in future."
"Kid you are right about there being less seal master in Konoha aside from storage and explosion seals other variations are not produced, if me giving you these seals will help blondie make even more seals. And if these seals are sold from my shop then I will really be famous." Said Tetsu as he had one of his hand stroking his beard.
"Yes boss, it really will be very helpful, this cooperation will be a really big help for Konoha shin.o.bi and leaf as a whole." Said Raito
"But what if the kid is not able to create these types of seals? And being Uzumaki I think red hair would make it more convincing. And last but not the least how much will I be getting?" countered Tetsu.
Enraged Naruto spoke up, "Old man are you looking down at me? I definitely will be able to make those level two seals. Believe it after I graduate and become a true ninja I will- mmph"
Raito covered Naruto"s mouth then spoke grandly, "Boss more or less this situation is a gamble, and the only thing is you bet or back down."
Tension grew as an old and young stared at each other. For a moment everything was quiet then the old man shopkeeper laughed.
Bang!
Tetsu slammed at the counter and said, "Kid I am willing, take them they are yours. So be it this gamble I am willing to take it."
Smiling Raito took the seals and kept them in the pouch.
"Old man what about the sword, that you-" said Raito but was interrupted by a big "NO".
"Shesh no need to shout. Let"s go Naruto." Said Raito
"Old man bye and thank you for everything." Said Naruto as he exited the shop.
As the boys left the shop a huge warm smile appeared on the old man"s face.
"Raito you didn"t have to do that for me." Said Naruto in a low voice.
"Did you hit your head when you were a little? Never mind that but what I just did was for us....and the village." Replied Raito
"Naruto do something for me, ok?" asked Raito
Raito gave a set of the five seal note and scroll to Naruto and kept others for himself. Then they went home.
[Storage Scroll]
A small pocket s.p.a.ce created to store non-living things.
Size- 1x1m
[Anti-bleeding tag]
An emergency sealing tag used to stop bleeding by creating a barrier on the skin.
One time use
[Lower Barrier Seal]
A quick easy to use barrier seal which protects against attack from one direction.
Block one combination of attack.
[Paralysis Tag]
A quick easy to use seal which when attached to the opponent disables the function of mobility.
One time use
[Dizzy tag]
A quick easy to use seal which when attached to the enemy causes loss of balance]
One time use
Duration - 1 min