KG:….erm…..sup.

(Guns cock)

KG: Okay okay you're all mad. Understood, understood. Ahem, no worries, the cream soda has taken over as the blood of my body and I know have the creative cream juices flowing in my brain again. As for TUD:US I will update that shortly along with CotS. Just been….fine I'll admit it, lazy. Who knew LoL could be so addicting? YOLO!

KG: Erm…anyway. Enjoy this. I poured my heart out and my passion for it and…ah what the hell do you jerks care about that shit? Just read the damn thing and tell me what you think. That what all fanfiction is. Sheesh.

Music of the Week: Only Time by Enya.

Quote: "Loneliness is my least favorite thing about life. The thing that I'm most worried about is just being alone without anybody to care for or someone who will care for me," by Anne Hathaway.

He knew it. He should have known better. He just…he just wanted to believe. Yet, he should have known. Of course it was going to turn out that way. No one truly cared about him. Not the villagers, not the academy teachers, not the children, hell he doubted even the Hokage truly cared about him, but…his childish innocence just…begged him to believe. Of course in all hindsight it should have been strange. No one acknowledged his birthday for the past six years he could remember. He couldn't remember anyone celebrating his birthday since he was four. But…he just wanted to be happy that day. Granted people were always cautious around him, they seemed to be a lot meaner on his birthdays. That's why he had been fooled. That's why against all his instincts he allowed himself to believe. He allowed himself to believe that earlier today people cared as some started smiling and waving at him. Some said 'good morning' to him, and other congratulated him on reaching ten. For him, it felt like a dream that he didn't wish to wake up from. It was truly the first time he could have been happy. He supposed it was strange enough. He was allowed in all the stores and shops where they vehemently protested against his coming and going a few years ago. The shop keepers let him buy anything he wanted, vendors allowed him to look at their wares, and some kids actually played with him. It was…like paradise. When it was night time some of the villagers actually made a cake for him filled with ten candles. One could not imagine Naruto's eyes being any brighter than they were at that moment. The word 'Happy Birthday Naruto' were in sweet frosting. Overall, people just crowded around him and congratulated him. It was…all heaven.

Yet he now understood. There was no heaven. Dreams were for fools. The only thing that waited for anyone hoping to achieve anything…was anguish. Just when people had given him some presents, a merchant came up to him and placed an odd fruit in front of him. Naruto looked at it weirdly, but he was so regaled by the merchant's tales of the fruit coming from exotic lands that he bought into it. What a joke. He would have laughed humorlessly if his body could have allowed him to do so. The merchant then told him that it had the power to make anyone's wish come true and just for today…he would give it to him so the blond could truly have anything he wanted. He, Naruto, only wanted one thing. For days like today, this specific birthday to continue forever. Just a little acknowledgement was all he wanted. As he ate the fruit people cheered. It tasted awful, but to Naruto the wish was more than worth it. As he finished devouring the fruit, not a second later he landed into unconsciousness. He found his lungs suffocating with water. He tried to swim, but his body felt heavy. He couldn't breathe and he couldn't think. He could only see people with lit torches looking down into the pond that they no doubt threw him in. He was drowning. He didn't know why. He was a very good swimmer, he at least figured. Why couldn't he swim anymore?! As his body slowly began to collapse he took in some water. He only had one thought. "No more," he thought before he blanked out.

Now here he was, in Konoha's Medical Hospital, with tubes up his nose and in his arms. He knew it. All the signs said that something was abnormal, but…he just wanted to believe. Well, he believed and look where that got him. Still, as Naruto's senses came back to him he could hear talk outside his door. "Yes Hokage-sama, the perpetrators have been caught and contained. Yes we are lucky that Teuchi-san and Ayame-san were able to see the crowd with Naruto and rescue him in time. We are working on finding out why his guards weren't with him. However, the most concerning part is…the boy's chakra network. No it's not ruptured or fractured. He will definitely be able to mold chakra as well as anyone, but we fear to say that…he will never be able to use handsign ninjutsu or genjutsu for as long as he will live," the doctor said. Naruto trembled as he stared at the door. He could mold chakra, but he wouldn't be able to use ninjutsu or genjutsu? How was he supposed to be a shinobi then?! How could he pass the academy?! All of this, all of this because he chose to believe. All because he got a day of bliss for an eternity of regret!

He heard the door open and turned his eyes away. He didn't have to see the look of surprise on the Sandaime Hokage's face at his awoken state. "Naruto-kun…," the old man began as Naruto closed his eyes.

"Just leave Jiji. Just…get out," Naruto said as he turned over and covered his face with the sheets. No, don't cry. Crying solved nothing! Crying wouldn't make it any better! Crying for your own pity was pathetic and Naruto refused to cry for himself anymore. He also refused for the village to see him cry. They didn't deserve it. Naruto heard the door close behind him and sighed. Tomorrow he would have to thank Teuchi and Ayame. Though believing that anyone had his wellbeing at heart was…not a factor anymore. Because he knew now…no one did.

-x-

The next morning, Naruto was ejected from the hospital courtesy of the Sandaime Hokage. "Naruto-kun, about last night. You have my sincerest apologies," Hiruzen said as Naruto looked down at the ground. It was the day after his tenth birthday and as he had seen. The blissful facade of yesterday was entirely gone. People pulled their children away from him, some murmured rumors about him, others just saw fit to stare at him. The only thing this served to remind him was that he had blissfully believed in a dream.

"It's okay Jiji. You couldn't have known," Naruto said and Sarutobi could only be concerned about the cold tone that Naruto had addressed him in. So lacking in warmth and mirth like the old times. Still Hiruzen expected Naruto to be somewhat angry over these events. Especially since now he had heard the news from the head doctor last night. Hiruzen would have liked to sit down with Naruto and explain things, but when Naruto asked him to leave he could feel the boy's despair. Truly he had failed Minato and Kushina.

As the two came up to the house, Hiruzen watched Naruto sit on the bed in his bedroom. Hiruzen expected Naruto to go to get ready for school, but he just watched Naruto look out the window. Hiruzen frowned before taking a seat at the bed. "Naruto-kun, you still have to go to the academy. I know you're sad and frustrated, but you still need to go to school," Hiruzen said as Naruto looked out the window. Naruto chuckled dryly. Hiruzen narrowed his eyes as Naruto turned back to him.

"Go back to the academy? Go back to the academy?! And do what Jiji? You heard them, I can't perform any ninjutsu or genjutsu anymore. I'll never pass the academy now! I'll never be a shinobi either! I've got nothing left! You know why I have nothing now? Because I had everything I could have wanted for one day! Yesterday! My birthday! Everyone payed attention to me, accepted me, appreciated me and it was all a lie! It's all been a lie!" Naruto proclaimed angrily. Sarutobi didn't respond just yet as Naruto glared out the window.

"That is true. Things are much harder for you Naruto-kun and on my name as Hokage of Konoha, I will see to it that the people who did this to you are punished accordingly, but the Naruto I know wouldn't give up from a small setback like this stop him," Sarutobi said making Naruto snarl. The Naruto he knew? There was nothing for that Naruto anymore. "Besides the doctor didn't say that you couldn't mold or channel chakra, but…you couldn't do so with handsigns. So forming chakra with handsigns is impossible for you," Sarutobi said making Naruto go silent. That was true, but it was a rather moot point.

"I can't tell you it will be easy, but please go Naruto-kun. Whether you or Konoha believes it, we all need you," Hiruzen said making Naruto turn a look at him only to see the Sandaime Hokage walk out the door. Naruto looked down at the bed and noticed a scroll wrapped in a beautiful red ribbon. "Happy Birthday, Naruto" were the words inscribed on it. Naruto looked back at the door before looking down at the scroll. He gently took off the red ribbon and unfurled the scroll.

"Taijutsu for beginners and Fūinjutsu for dummies?" Naruto would have laughed at the good-naturedness of the scroll if he weren't so angry with everything right now. The scroll showed many stances that the academy hadn't bothered to teach. There were also a few points in the scroll about chakra control exercises and whatnot. With a heavy sigh, Naruto dropped off the bed, changed his clothes and made his way for the academy. He was still in a bad mood, but he would rather not spend the entire day moping about it. As Naruto bent down to pick up a kunai, he clenched it…tightly. His frustration of the today and yesterday taking their toll. However he stopped as he took note of the small white bubble surrounding his kunai. Naruto jerked his hand away from the kunai and watching the bubble slowly disappear into nothingness. Clenching his hand again, Naruto gasped as his entire right hand was covered in the same white bubble that he had just seen surround his kunai. With a sharper gasp, Naruto flung his arm left and right frantically to get the bubble off his hand. As he swung his right hand, Naruto widened his eyes as he bashed against something solid. Looking to his right he widened his eyes. "What the…," Naruto said as he saw cracks, not in the wall, not in the window, but in the solid air that he had hit.

Fear overtaking him, Naruto withdrew his hand. "Oh shit, oh shit, oh shit! The landlord's gonna kill me!" Naruto said, his anxiety overtaking his anger at the moment. However it only took a few seconds for Naruto to see the cracks slowly vanish into nothingness. Blinking, Naruto looked around the room. Okay, nothing out of place, nothing out of order, nothing broken, good. With a grunt, Naruto picked up his supplies and walked out of his room. Upon entering the streets he remembered why he had been angry as the looks came upon him again. Come to think of it, why should he care about the landlord's feelings? No one cared about his own. Apparently except for Teuchi-san, and Ayame-chan and now he couldn't even tell if that was entirely genuine. He felt like a missing-nin in another village. Always on edge, always on alert and from now on, it would have to stay that way.

-x-

Iruka Umino loved teaching. If he didn't then he wouldn't have become a teacher at the academy. Iruka knew that he couldn't show favoritism with students, but human reaction was pretty fickle. He knew that more than any of the others, he wished to see Naruto Uzumaki succeed. The boy reminded him so much of himself that it was rather haunting for Iruka sometimes. Yet, Iruka couldn't help feeling unease in the classroom. The look of sheer betrayal, hurt, and pain on Naruto's face was enough to almost make him forget that he was supposed to be teaching sometimes. Iruka had been told what happened to Naruto yesterday, on the blonde's birthday. Yeah, he was ten now. It was a collaborated effort. One thing about badly damaging people is to give them the one thing that they truly want and then swiftly take it away. Iruka should have known better too. It was obvious that the villagers reactions were forced, yet the most devastating had to be Naruto. Imagine a orphan, ignored and ostracized by his village for a number of years to suddenly being smiled at, enjoyed, and recognized only for it to be a ploy of treachery and deceit. Iruka couldn't imagine how much hurt Naruto had been through. The village just seemed so…genuine in wanting to give him just one birthday. He couldn't even get that. Iruka couldn't imagine that pain. It was for these reasons that Iruka didn't bother having Naruto pay attention. Naruto only seemed content to stare out the window in a seat in the corner. Iruka would grant him that. He deserved so much more than that though.

Iruka wasn't the only one who's thoughts centered over the blond as Shikamaru, heir to the Nara clan, sent passing glances to Naruto who sat in the corner. He had never known the blonde to be so quiet. He was so hyperactive that this silence actually didn't sit well with Shikamaru. Shikamaru couldn't even remember the number of times he prayed to Kami for people to be quiet so he could sleep, but right now. He really wished Naruto would crack a small smile or proclaim his dream offing Hokage at least once. Still, for Shikamaru it was too troublesome to ask the reasons of why. Maybe Naruto had a bad birthday. Shikamaru had said happy birthday to Naruto as did a few other kids, but maybe it went sour somewhere. He didn't know.

Some other kids, Shikamaru noticed took an interest in Naruto as well. Choji sent glances to Naruto every know and then and so did Kiba and Hinata, though the latter was a little more obvious. Hell Shikamaru almost faulted when even Ino and Sasuke glanced at the usually energetic blond. Maybe they were all hoping for the same thing…just for something back in the realm of normal to happen, but it never did. Naruto only looked on the window, a very solemn look on his face.

The entire school day had been that way. A couple of teachers tried correcting Naruto's behavior, but he either ignored them or, much to everyone's surprise, sent a small glare their way before they just decided to leave him alone. This was how the entire class period went until all the students came to the academy's dojo for taijutsu practice. "Alright everyone, enter your katas for the next twenty minutes. We will hold spars after that," came the voice of Mizuki, another teacher, speaking. Naruto just stood up and performed his katas, not exactly conscious of whether he was doing them right or not. Well he had a good grade in taijutsu anyway. Not like it mattered. Well perhaps it did matter, a little bit. Naruto supposed he should have been used to such things. Or at least he should have known better. Still, he didn't know why people were mean to him. He had asked the Hokage on multiple occasion of why this was a problem, but he only ever answered vaguely with 'Forgive them' or 'they don't know any better.' Like that was going to help him out in any way. Now because they 'didn't know any better' his chakra was messed up in some way that he could even focus his chakra through handsigns. So more than likely he would have to…do it sealless. The amount of concentration and work put into that would just be a pain. Naruto remembered one of Iruka-sensei's lectures on performing techniques sealless and it sounded like it was much more trouble than it was worth. Which was why at the time, Naruto was so happy he could use handsigns, as frustrating as they were to learn.

Before Naruto could think anymore on the subject, his feet shifted. Actually all the students' feet shifted, hell even Mizuki's feet shifted. Naruto, Shikamaru, Mizuki and the others gasped as the lights in the dojo flashed on and off. The ceilings lamps swayed heavily to the left and right. Sounds ruptured Naruto's ears as the glass windows broke showering the floor and the students with glass. "Get down on the floor!" Mizuki shouted. Naruto swiftly dropped to the ground and covered his head as some students did so as well. He widened his eyes as he could feel the ground rumble violently beneath his feet. It felt like it was almost angry somewhat. The wooden structure that was the dojo slowly began to crack and tear as lights from the ceiling fell to the ground. Students screamed and shouted while Naruto looked around in surprise. Even now more crashing could be heard outside. Debris fell over Naruto as he shielded his body as best he could. He looked to his left and noticed other students cowering as well before he found himself in intense shock. The dojo was…flipping itself at an angle. Naruto found himself sliding across the floor along with the other students. Girls screamed and boys shouted. Mizuki cursed as he tried to keep his balance on the unsteady dojo as best he could. Naruto's breath exited his body as he slammed against a wall. Other students slammed against him as he cursed.

After about ten minutes, the shaking finally stopped. Naruto opened one of his eyes and groaned. Multiple children were groaning and even some of the female population screamed stupid words of 'hentai' and 'pervert' for no doubt having landed awkwardly with a boy. Naruto didn't actually care about that right now, but he was surprised to see Mizuki standing on the floor. This would not have been such a big shock if the dojo wasn't flipped and the floor wasn't pointing at the sky. He was standing with like normal walking! "Is everyone alright?" Mizuki asked. Many students nodded though Naruto could see that they were shaken up.

In response, Mizuki flew out one of the windows before letting down a grappled kunai. Taking the kunai into their hands, each student proceeded up the…floor of the dojo. Finally as Naruto scaled the walls he wondered what that monstrous rumble was. As he got outside, with the help of Mizuki, he paused in surprise. The academy was…a pile of nothing. Houses in almost every direction laid in ruin, the Hokage Mansion had a large crack to its side. The Hokage Stone Faces were cracked on each of their faces. It was actually almost a miracle that they didn't fall from where they stood. As he looked out, Naruto couldn't help remembering what happened in his apartment. Had…had he done this?! No, there was no way he could have done all this. Were…were the people right? Was he really a monster? "Okay kids prepare to make your way to the…NARUTO! Get back here!" Mizuki shouted as Naruto hopped off the dojo and ran off back to his apartment. The other students watched him leave like a bat out of hell.

Naruto didn't go home. After years of pranking the Konoha population, he knew that this was the first place the teachers would look, if they truly gave a damn about him which, after yesterday he truly didn't believe anymore. "Luckily I know just the place to go," Naruto said to himself as he dashed forward some more.

With time he found his place in a lone plain surrounded by outer trees. Naruto imagined he was a bit of a distance away from the village so he hoped that he was alone. Looking left and then right, Naruto swallowed the lump in his throat. He covered his left hand before he tightened it into a fist. He tried hard to remember that feeling from earlier. His frustration and his anger from yesterday, all the things the villagers did to him that night. He remembered it all. Naruto shivered when he noticed his left hand covered in the same white bubble that his right hand was covered in yesterday. It was strange, Naruto didn't feel any particular cold or warmth from the bubble. It just sat there covering his hand as if it was telling him to do something with it. Taking a deep breath, Naruto looked out from the plains and to the trees. He took a deep breath before he drew his fist back and sent it forward. Naruto watched the air in front of him crack before a massive shockwave erupted from his vicinity and into the pile of trees making them explode in earthly force. At least five trees piled over each other as the ground tore from the sheer force that Naruto threw out. Naruto looked down at his hands in surprise. "W-Where did this come from?" Naruto asked himself.

"Was it that fruit that those bastards had me eaten yesterday for my birthday?" Naruto thought aloud. Oh this was awesome! Naruto had to tell Iruka-sensei, he had to tell Hokage-Jiji, he had to tell every….

Naruto stopped his jubilation. While he was excited, he still didn't forget. He was still responsible for the destruction that happened just then, whether he was aware at the time or not. Still, he didn't need to go telling anyone. He didn't know who would care and who wouldn't care. Right now, Naruto could only be happy that he had something even more awesome that Sasuke-teme's precious family sharingan! But…how could he use it? As happy as he was to have this, he didn't want to keep remembering yesterday as a source for this power. Still that perhaps had to help him with another theory of his.

He looked over at a small pond. Quickly taking off his clothes he grabbed the edge of the surface and submerged the rest of his body. Naruto winced. He felt weak and tired. He actually felt like he was about to pass out from the tiredness he was feeling. He also felt his body growing heavier. In fact it was so heavy he could barely keep himself holding onto the dirt ledge anymore than he was. Naruto widened his eyes as his nails slipped. He garbled a noise before a arm reached into the water and pulled him out in one swift motion. Naruto coughed as he landed on the ground spewing out water from his lungs. He turned his head and noticed Iruka glaring down hard on him. "Naruto, what were you doing?! You could have drowned!" Iruka said making Naruto frown.

"What do you care Iruka-sensei? Maybe it's better that way," Naruto said looking at the ground. Iruka lost his hard look and sighed. "Naruto I don't expect you to forgive the village for what they did to you. No one should have that done to them, but…suicide isn't the answer," Iruka said making Naruto snort. Is that what he thought it was? Not likely. Naruto hardly thought about killing himself over the village. They weren't worth that much of a damn to him. At least they weren't right now.

"You don't have to pretend being nice to me Iruka-sensei. I know you hate me just like everyone else. You were a lot less subtle, but I knew. I always knew," Naruto proclaimed making Iruka sigh as he held out his hand. "Come on, let's head back to the group," Iruka said with a small smile. Naruto looked at the offering gesture before snarling. He didn't need anyone's comfort anymore! It could all have been a lie at this point!

Naruto surprised Iruka when he swatted the hand away and grabbed his clothes. Swiftly putting them on, despite how wet he was, Naruto walked back to the village. Iruka shook his head before looking at the downed trees, no doubt more casualties from the earthquake disaster. If it wasn't one thing then it was another.

-x-

The council of Konoha quickly assembled itself together. While the council only ever truly needed to come together once a month to discuss matters of utmost importance, there were always exceptions to every rule. One of those exceptions happened to be natural disasters in these cases. "Are we positive that this was not an attack by foreign shinobi?" asked Homura Mitokado. Since the Hokage Mansion had been attacked by the earthquake it was standard procedure to move all influential figures from the premises and to a special, secret, underground facility to conduct meetings of importance.

"The sensors have not picked up anything to indicate that chakra was used in the attack. As we all know whenever a jutsu is used then residue chakra is left over. There was no chakra in this attack. It is not so uncommon for natural disasters to happen every now and then," came the next voice of Koharu Utatane. She glanced towards the Sandaime and Danzo, both whose expressions gave nothing away.

"Is it a coincidence that this happened…after the jinchuuriki's birthday?" Danzo asked forcing the three other council members to narrow their eyes. Hiruzen sent an unpleasant look at Danzo, but the bandaged man only matched his glare professionally. They had to look at all the angles, even unfavorable ones. "You believe the seal to be deteriorating already? The boy is only ten now. The Yondaime Hokage was one of Konoha's greatest seal masters far surpassing even Jiraiya of the Sannin," Homura said. If it was the case and the seal was deteriorating then they would need to prepare for the worst of worst circumstances. They would need to contact Jiraiya of the Sannin to take a look at the boy's seal if that were indeed the case.

"Granted his birthday was…unfortunate, best word I can use, he must still become aware of his responsibility to this village. Hiruzen your compassion for the boy is clouding your better judgement for the village," Danzo said making Hiruzen frown as he looked at his three former teammates. "We are not here to discuss Naruto Uzumaki, Danzo. We are all here to discuss the natural disaster that has just taken place within Konoha's walls," Sarutobi said attempting not only to change the subject, but to also bring everyone back on point as well. The others seemed to know what he was doing, but they went along with it. Not much that they could do about it. With a small nod of her head, Koharu took out a piece of paper and held it up.

"Well then we will place the Kyuubi jinchuuriki aside for the moment. The damage casualties are actually lower than we thought. None were killed, but 34 were injured. At least 200 people have small injuries, but nothing that a night's rest won't fix. However the districts are looking much worse for wear. The Red Light District has no power and some buildings have been destroyed. The commercial district has suffered minor casualties as well. As we all know the Academy has been damaged as well. Luckily no students were killed in the disaster. However the dojo was flipped on its side. We might have to repair the entire thing. Lastly the Hokage Mansion and Hokage Stone Faces suffered damage as well. However we can repair those at any time. By the calculations of those in the Science department, the earthquake was registered to be just under a 6.0 on the scales," Koharu finally finished as Sarutobi placed a finger to his chin.

"No doubt some of this will put Konoha in a deficit. Perhaps we should…speed up the graduation process for the students," Homura recommended. "The kids at the academy are hardly prepared to become genin. I do not say this to coddle them, but rather to scold not only them, but also the Academy. They should have been in the force by the time they were seven or eight, not twelve or thirteen. Its obvious that the standards for the Academy has dropped," Danzo said harshly.

"And what would you have us do, to remedy that situation? It's not like we can just chance the curriculum," Hiruzen said making Danzo place a finger to his chin. He looked at his surrounding council members before he closed his eyes. "In order to get out of this deficit we are going to have to do many things that we don't like. We are shinobi, honor is not in our code of conduct," Danzo said making the three other members remain silent as Danzo spoke with them about the obvious routes or plans that they could take.

-x-

Naruto panted as he tried to look over the taijutsu scrolls that the Sandaime had given him. Hidden motive or not, they were still beneficial to him in some way so he would use them to the best of his ability. However forgive him if he was too scared to throw out a full punch with some exuberance. If he accidentally cracked the…air again he didn't want to know what would happen. Luckily the apartment had been left standing as well as all the buildings behind said apartment. Unluckily, the apartment was crapped with people needing housing and shelter as some homes were wrecked. Oh well, at least Naruto was alone. Not like anyone would room with him anyway and he wouldn't let anyone. No telling what they would do anymore.

With a small grunt, Naruto released a tired breath and pulled out a bottle of water. He refreshed himself before sitting on his bed. When Naruto and Iruka had returned to the group, Naruto had been chastised for running off by a few teachers. He didn't really care to remember. However once that was done, Naruto participated in the relief effort around the village such as cleaning up debris and the like. Once that was done, Naruto was allowed to go home. Naruto knew he had been cold to Iruka instead of thankful that the man had saved his life, but Naruto didn't know what to believe or who to trust anymore. He hadn't had the chance to thank Teuchi and Ayame for saving him. He had hoped that they were alright. If no one else, Naruto at least hoped that they were who they said they were.

With a sigh, Naruto held up his hands and tightened his fists. The white bubbles appeared once again. If Naruto could control this then he would show the damn village that he was worth a damn! He would show that he wasn't a useless dead last like everyone proclaimed! Yet, more than anything, Naruto wanted to master this power for himself. Perhaps merely to prove to himself that he could be who he wanted and not what others deemed him to be. With a small nod, Naruto allowed the white bubbles to vanish without usage. With a small sigh, Naruto turned out the lights to his room and hopped into the shoulder. It was going to be a cold one, but it was a shower nonetheless. After he had done so he would go to bed and get ready for the next day.

With a groan, Naruto woke up to a knock on his door. He cursed before pulling himself from his bed. As he tiredly opened the door, he barely registered the voice that spoke. "Uzumaki Naruto?" the person asked as Naruto rubbed his tired eyes. "Who wants to know?" Naruto asked letting his vision come back in time for him to see who he was addressing only to freeze when he stared face to…mask as two Anbu looked down at him. Naruto shivered at his doorstep. W-Was he found out? Did they know he caused the destruction yesterday? Was…he going to be executed as a monster? Naruto swallowed the lump in his throat as the other Anbu spoke.

"All academy students are to report to Training Ground 1. Wait there for further instruction," Was all the Anbu said before he and his partner vanished out of sight leaving Naruto in his shirt and boxers. With a close of his door, Naruto released the breath he didn't know he was holding before he followed back into his routine. They sure handled that school situation fast. Naruto figured that there would at least be a couple of free days for him to train with this new power of his. Well, it didn't look like he was going to get that today. Still he would rather not be late. He didn't need anyone on his back this early anyway. Getting his supplies together, washing up, eating some instant ramen, and putting on his shoes, he headed for Training Ground 1.

Once, finally, finding Training Ground 1, Naruto saw it was littered to the brim with kids his age and some a bit older than that. Far off and removed from the crowd, Naruto saw Sasuke, the bastard, leaning against a tree with his eyes closed. Naruto resisted the urge to snort. Look at him, look all cool. He was much cooler than Sasuke-teme! "Well, forget him. I'm not in the mood to bother with him," Naruto thought to himself before he moved himself through the crowds. He saw Hinata talking with some group of girls along with Ino. Kiba, Shikamaru and Chouji were all to one side talking as well. Naruto saw Shino just…observing everyone around. Not matter how moody Naruto felt, he still couldn't help being unnerved by Shino's gaze, especially when he couldn't really…see said gaze.

Finding a nice spot to sit, Naruto rested beneath the trees feeling the sun and wind in his hair. "Glad to see that even idiots have nine lives," Naruto opened one of his eyes and noticed Kiba grinning at him along with Shikamaru and Chouji. However instead of a crack back, the three noticed Naruto just looking at them. "What do you want?" Naruto asked in a tone that told them he didn't want to be bothered.

"Whoa, looks like someone's trying to take after Uchiha Sasuke in the attitude department. Come on man, you just had a birthday, didn't you just have an awesome time?" Kiba asked making Naruto narrow his eyes dangerously. Shikamaru quickly took the hint before patting Kiba's shoulder.

"Troublesome, Kiba leave him alone. Even Naruto can have a bad day. Look Naruto, we just came over to ask why you ran off from the dojo yesterday. You seemed to be in a hurry," Shikamaru said. Naruto blinked before he looked over the horizon. He didn't know the real reason they wanted to talk to him, but he guessed it had something to do with his behavior or whatever he was doing. He supposed an answer would suffice.

"I wanted to make sure my apartment was alright. Unlike you guys I don't have other places that would welcome me if my apartment was destroyed. That's all," Naruto said making the three boys glance to each other. Shikamaru just decided to let it go before looking back at the other group of kids. "I wonder why they brought us all out here though. I imagine that they are renovating the academy and the dojo, but who knows how long that's going to take. Some kids are here that are two years ahead of us. Though I don't see any six or five year olds," Shikamaru said. It was true, as Naruto looked around he couldn't see any kids less than his age there either. With a small grunt, Naruto scanned the kids. Not many caught his eye although there was a taller Hyuuga kid glaring at Hinata every now and then. Naruto shrugged his shoulders. Not like he really cared…much.

Finally after waiting for about twenty minutes, the confused students were all surprised when a number of jonin and chunin entered the field. Some of the chunin the students instantly recognized as their teachers in the academy. Naruto noticed Iruka and Mizuki entering the field. After a few moments of silence Iruka spoke up to the mass of students. "As you all know, the academy has been damaged so much that it can't serve as the place of education anymore. Due to the natural disaster that hit our village the other day. Now before anyone starts jumping up and down about no class, the fact that we have gathered here still means that lessons will be provided however because of the damage Konoha will have to take more jobs and thus we need all available hands," Iruka said making some of the children widen their eyes. Naruto was easily one of them.

"You mean we get to graduate early?!" A girl asked/almost squealed while some of the kids spoke amongst themselves. Iruka pinched the bridge of his nose before sighing. He actually wanted to chuckle and their naiveté, but withheld himself. "Don't get ahead of yourself. No one is graduating just yet," Iruka said and as expected a number of groans were heard through the students. Naruto just rolled his eyes and if he looked out of the corner of his eye then he would have seen Uchiha Sasuke snarling as he tapped his finger on his arm impatiently.

Hearing their groans, Iruka chuckled to himself before clearing his throat. "Alright calm down, calm down. As of yesterday we are implementing a new Academy learning style with the students. We have allowed you to have them, but now is the time to rid yourselves of your delusions of grandeur about the applications of being a shinobi. Now until your graduation you will be paired off with two other teammates and one jonin instructor. We call this the simulation course. You will do all the missions as required of a genin. You will also be trained by your temporary jonin instructor. Again this is a simulation course and you will be graded so do your best. For your final, you will take one C-rank mission and if you pass then you pass the exam without needed to be tested at the academy. However if you fail then you must pass by the academy ways. I will now read off the list," Iruka said making Naruto gawk. He…he could pass the academy. He just…had to complete a C-rank mission as his final in two years. Naruto swallowed the lump in his throat. C-ranks were supposed to be four times as hard as any D-rank missions. As Iruka read, Naruto felt his heart beating even faster. No matter how he felt, he could contain this excitement. Well hopefully in two years he would be a helluva lot better with this new ability of his rather than just using it like an amateur.

"Uzumaki Naruto, Yamanaka Ino, Inuzuka Kiba, you're temporary jonin-sensei until graduation will be Shiranui Genma," Iruka read off. Naruto frowned at the thought of Kiba and Ino. Perhaps he should have been happy that he was paired up with people his own age group, but Naruto and Kiba weren't the closest friends, but perhaps rivals was a good word. Naruto and Ino? You might as well have stabbed your eyes out, drowned yourself in oil, and then lit a match, because Naruto was sure that this was the same as being paired with Ino. "WHAT?!" and there it was ladies and gentlemen, the screech the broke a thousand windows. Naruto could see Kiba sending a glare at him along with a feral smirk. Naruto couldn't resist giving him own grin though his thoughts should have suggested otherwise. Both could see the Yamanaka heiress's friends consoling her.

As Iruka finished off the list he looked up at the students. "Remember that this isn't official, but it can be if you wish it. Work hard with your new teammates and your sensei. Remember, you're being graded for this," Iruka said before taking a bow and moving back. As some jonin moved to collect the academy students, Naruto leaned himself off the tree he was sitting at.

"Good luck to the both of you. You got Ino of all people. Glad I'm not you guys. She's far too troublesome," Shikamaru said before he and Chouji walked away leaving Naruto and Kiba alone. It didn't take long before both noticed Ino walk over to them.

"Alright mutt-boy and dead last, we're getting this out of the way right now. I'm the leader of this group! Everything I say goes!" Ino said making Naruto roll his eyes. Kiba growled along with Akamaru. "Ha! You wish blondie! I'm the alpha here! I'm the leader!" Kiba called out as he and Ino glared at each other. Normally Naruto would have been more than happy to shout with them about him being the leader and whatnot, but he wasn't in the mood for it. He wished he could say that his birthday wasn't affecting him lately, but it obviously was and he knew it. He just felt content to watch his two new teammates shout at each other.

"If I recall, I'm the leader here aren't I?" Naruto looked up and took notice of Shiranui Genma looking down on the three of them. The senbon that flicked through his teeth as he looked at them captivated Naruto only slightly. He managed to break his gaze as the two of his teammates swallowed the lumps in their throat. Genma looked over the three before sighing as he rubbed the back of his head. "Okay I guess we should get introductions over with…well, we have two years to learn about each other, we'll handle that later. For right now, we won't take any missions. I would normally let you all do your own thing for today, but I doubt any of your three know how to train properly. So today will be physical conditioning. Also, Uzumaki Naruto, I was told about your…condition from Hokage-sama. I have things planned for you as well," Genma said making Naruto frown.

Ino and Kiba glanced to Naruto. Both weren't aware that he had a condition of some kind. While they hoped it wasn't serious they didn't actually have any prompts to ask either. "Alright you three, ten laps around the pond. Chop chop, we're burning sunlight," Genma said clapping his hands. Ino and Kiba groaned while Naruto followed after them a little concerned. For whatever reason he couldn't swim anymore and he sank like a stone in the water. He'd much rather avoid all water sources if he could help it. Well he would just have to be careful and not accidentally fall in. The three began their laps as Genma smiled. As he watched them run he grinned as he picked up some stones. One he had a handful he grinned as he looked at his little team of academy students. Oh this was going to be fun.

Naruto panted along with Ino and Kiba, obviously out of breath as well as severe scratch marks over their faces and clothes. All three of them glared up at Genma as said man grinned WHILE simultaneously flicking his senbon through his teeth and clutching a couple of rocks in his hands. "You know if you don't want to get hit then it's human nature to dodge! I didn't think you would all willingly get beaned in the head so many times, but you completed your run and that's all that matters," Genma said making them look at each other. He was lucky he had confiscated their weapons of they would use them right now. Naruto actually contemplated his new abilities just for their new sensei, but he decided not to if only because he didn't want to accidentally kill the man. Genma just continued to laugh at his new students.

"Alright that's enough laying around, now onto your push-ups and sit-ups thirty each. Come on you three, I wanna see some sweat!" Genma said as Naruto groaned. He, Ino and Kiba began their exercises while Genma counted. "Oh yeah and did I forget to mention that you should all do them synchronized? So if anyone falls out of line then we start over from one," Genma said. Naruto widened his eyes while Ino and Kiba gawked at their sensei. The three looked at each other before they groaned.

Thirty minutes. It took half an hour of pain for the three to finally synchronize through thirty push-ups and thirty sit-ups. Naruto's arms and legs burned as the sweat of his brow fell from his chin and his face. He could see the same for Kiba and almost double them both for Ino. The girl was practically wheezing. Naruto watched Genma slowly take a toothpick out of his mouth. "Nice work, you three. You didn't give up. You know if you were genin…I would have dropped you from the program already," Genma said making the three turn to him with wide eyes.

"When you are done with an activity you say 'anything else Bla-Blah-Blah-sensei?" Genma replied. The three tried to move to lean up, but found it very hard to do so which made Genma sigh. Honestly, what was the academy teaching these kids? Well whatever. He had two years to make these kids into something worth a damn.

"Well you're academy students. I guess I should expect this. Anyway we'll start with the basics. Do any of you know what chakra is?" Genma asked. The three glanced to each other before Kiba replied. "It's the stuff that allowed shinobi to do amazing things," Kiba said/panted out tiredly. Genma looked at his three charges before sighing. Well, he wasn't exactly wrong in that regard.

"Okay, can someone tell me specifically what chakra is?" Genma asked as Ino groaned. "Chakra is the combination of physical and spiritual energies. We mold it in our chakra pathways system. It can be unleashed into the five elemental properties of fire, earth, wind, water, and lightning techniques, but there are other non-elemental techniques that require chakra. It's a shinobi's lifeline," Ino replied. Genma smirked as he leaned against the tree.

"Hmmm, and to think the profile called you vain and inept. Looks like you have some brains up there despite your current grades. Good answer Ino," Genma said and Ino was too tired to be angry at the moment. It was only when Genma clapped that all three groaned. "And how long are you three going to rest? We gotta keep your body warm for taijutsu practice," Genma said making the three groan once again. Genma smiled.

"Course if you don't like that we can do thirty laps around the lake this time," Genma said and once he blinked he noticed Naruto, Ino, and Kiba on their feet. Worked every time. With a nod, Genma moved through his academy team. "Alright show me the taijutsu that the academy has taught you," Genma said. The three nodded before they began to throw out the katas for the academy stance. On the third kata, Genma closed his eyes.

"Alright stop, Naruto come here," Genma said. Naruto twitched, but moved in front of Genma. Ino and Kiba snickered as they watched him appear before the jonin. "Why are you punching like you have no motivation?" Genma asked. Naruto shivered as he looked away. He couldn't very well tell Genma that the reason he wouldn't punch with more fire in his fists was because he was scared he would crack the air itself again and make another earthquake that would no doubt devastate Konoha anymore than it already was. So, he settled for a more indirect path.

"I have been in a bad mood recently," Naruto said which made Genma frown. Ahh his birthday. Hell almost every jonin and chunin who wasn't out on a mission had heard about what happened two days ago. Genma doubted his words were going to make much difference, but he could see why Naruto wouldn't be into it. Hell he doubted he would be as well. "Alright then Naruto, just for today what would you like to do?" Genma asked. Naruto looked up in relative surprise and though Genma didn't think much of it, was suspicion in there too?

Naruto sighed and just pulled out the fūinjutsu scroll that the Sandaime had given him. Genma took a look at the scroll before raising an eyebrow. It was strange, not most genin would have been into fūinjutsu and the like, though now given Naruto's…unfortunate circumstances perhaps things that didn't require handsigns would more beneficial to him. "Fine, you work on fūinjutsu and I'll instruct you in your taijutsu later," Genma said. Naruto still seemed surprise, but gave a word of thanks before reaching into his pouch pulling out a bottle of ink and a couple pieces of papers.

"Why doesn't the dobe have to do this?!" Kiba asked angrily making Genma look at the two students for a moment. "I have my reasons. Now both of you keep performing," Genma said making the two sigh, but they continued anyway.

Meanwhile, Naruto looked at the scroll as he tried to perfect his handwriting. The scroll spoke that any master fūinjutsu user had exceptional handwriting. Naruto knew his handwriting was bad, but it wasn't terrible. Good thing the scroll talk about brush stroke techniques. At this moment, Naruto just figured to work on his technique. The scroll also should what a master a specific part of a seal should look like or how it should be drawn so Naruto could compare his notes. "Still to use fūinjutsu in a battle, how fast would I have to write?" Naruto asked himself as he scratched his head. Normally, for him, it wasn't hard to seal things into sealing scrolls such as paint or brushes for one of his pranks, but to actually create one on his own took a lot more time than he would have given it credit for.

For the next fifteen minutes, Naruto continued practicing his brush strokes before he saw a shadow loom over him. "Rejoin the team Naruto. I'm going to focus on this group's chakra control," Genma said. Naruto nodded and returned to see Ino and Kiba drinking water much to their relief.

"Now then, who can name three standard chakra control exercises?" Genma asked. It was at this question that Kiba grinned. "Why not ask Naruto? He's all about chakra control, isn't that right Mr. I Can't Perform A Simple Bunshin To Save My Life?" Kiba said with a small grin while Naruto growled and clenched his hands.

"Not like anyone ever told me what I was doing wrong," Naruto said or rather muttered, but Genma heard him all the same before turning to Kiba. "Alright then Kiba, why don't you tell us three chakra control techniques so that Naruto can know better ways of improving his chakra," Genma said making Kiba's chuckle nervously as he rubbed the back of his head.

"W..well there is the leaf exercise that Iruka-sensei had a do in the academy. We stick a leaf to our heads and trie to keep it there for as long as possible with our chakra. Another one is…the…erm…uhh…the kunai-balancing one! You place the kunai on your fingertips and try to keep it there with chakra for as long as possible. The difficulty can be increased if you try using your chakra to slowly spin the kunai. I…I…I don't know a third one," Kiba said. Genma sighed before turning to Ino.

"So does blondie know?" Genma asked and by the look Ino gave him he could see that she didn't appreciate the name he had given her. "Why would I know anything like that?! All I know is that I hate this team!" Ino said with a small sob. Naruto and Kiba glared at her while Genma rose an eyebrow.

"Oh? And why do you hate this team?" Genma asked making Ino pout. "Do you have to ask? I get dog-boy and the dead last while forehead gets Sasuke-kun? How fair is that?! I want a replacement!" Ino cried. Genma scratched his scalp and sighed. Ah the last Uchiha. True Genma did sympathize with the boy for going through that experience, but misfortune followed everyone. Naruto was a good example of that.

"As you go through your shinobi career, you aren't going to always be partnered up with Uchiha Sasuke. You'll have to be partnered up with people you like, hate, and overall loathe, but guess what? You'll still have to complete the mission anyway. You think the Hokage's merely going to accept the excuse 'I didn't like him/her and they pissed me off' for an important mission. You learn to either accept your situation and make the most of it. Or hold in your resentment until you are no longer a team. This is your team and it will be for the next two years. I suggest that if you don't want to be miserable then you get over it," Genma said making Ino wince. Naruto looked at him Genma in some surprise. The man at first did seem like a jokester, but he quickly asserted himself as knowledgeable, definitely not trustworthy for Naruto, but at least knowledgeable.

"Alright well, Kiba offered some of the academy's more basic chakra control exercises. Now then, since you can't think of anymore I have to have a talk with Iruka-san about the academy's methods," Genma said before Naruto spoke. "Why do we even need to learn chakra control? Isn't the whole point of this thing to learn the jutsu?!" Naruto asked. Genma rolled his eyes.

"Every jutsu, no matter how low or high it is, requires control to utilize to its full potential. Not that this would happen, but Naruto imagine if you had a technique that would literally be able to reshape the landscape and everything that you saw around it. If you had no control not only would you be doing damage to yourself, but also to your enemies, your allies and any innocents caught in the crossfire. The academy emphasizes control because without control of one's chakra then one uses more than what is needed or even less than what is required leaving the user to either injure themselves and others or become useless. Control is about safety!" Genma stated firmly making Naruto flinch as he remembered the events that transpired yesterday. If he had control and didn't flail his right arm around the dojo, the academy and a good measure of Konoha wouldn't be debris. Naruto couldn't imagine how many people he had hurt in that accident.

Genma could see Naruto's contemplative look, but didn't go into it anymore. He could also see Ino and Kiba looking at each other like they didn't want to hurt anyone either. "Good. Looks like you are beginning to understand the ramifications of not having enough control. So today I will teach you the third way," Genma said before he walked towards a tree. He quickly used a handsign before placing his foot on said tree. Ino, Kiba, and Naruto gawked as they watched him climb up the vertical tree with ease before standing upside down amused by their stunned faces. Kids these days. When he was a genin, if you didn't know this then you didn't graduate. Well whatever, they say ignorance is bliss, but for shinobi ignorance is death.

"Learning to do this is the first step in mastering the variety of techniques that the world has as well as creating your own." Genma said before the three noticed three kunai at their feet. "We take no missions and we learning nothing else until you get this down first. Use those kunai to mark your progress if you must. This shouldn't be too difficult for you, but for inspiration, whoever doesn't get it this training session…doesn't eat," Genma said with a grin. Naruto dropped his jaw while Ino and KIba snarled.

"That's not fair!" Ino shouted making Genma shrug his shoulders. "I should care…why? Get started or none of you will be getting lunch. Now remember too little chakra and you fall off. Too much chakra and you'll damage the tree. Get to it," Genma said and quickly the three picked up the kunai. Naruto gave a small sigh before he turned to see his teammates perform the handsign. With a firm resolve, Naruto nodded and did the same. Kiba quickly ran at the tree and managed to get a good six steps before having to jump back. Ino made it about eight steps before she jumped off as well.

"Kuso!" Genma looked over and noticed Naruto had rubbed his head cursing. It looked like hadn't even made it two steps. Though it looked like those medical reports were right. He watched Naruto perform the same handsign before making an attempt for the tree again. Still only two steps with no improvement. Now even for the worst shinobi they managed to at least get four footsteps on the tree before having to jump back. Two steps was basically a civilian trying to climb a tree. "HA! You loser, ya can't even climb a tree?" Kiba asked as he made his seventh step before starting over. Naruto's eyebrow twitched from the insult.

"Cut him some slack dog-breath, you're not doing any better!" Ino shouted as she grinned while kicking her legs up on the tree. Genma raised an eyebrow before sighing. Looks like he had more work that he had anticipated. "Well looks like Ino-chan has the best chakra control of all of the three. Good work," Genma said making Ino grin as she watched her two new teammates glare hard at her. She stuck out her tongue.

"Well?" Genma asked as Ino turned to him. "You think you've mastered it? Do it again. Do it over until you can read a book or scroll while doing it," Genma said making Ino deflate. If it wasn't one thing it was another.

Naruto growled as he looked at Ino. He couldn't do it. He did the handsigns, he tried to pull the chakra into his feet, he tried to make it the right amount, but he wouldn't stick even a little! He would just go falling on his head each time. The comments from Kiba weren't helping him either. "Naruto, come here for a moment," Genma said as he hoped off the tree. Naruto broke from his inner tirade long enough to get up and go over to Genma.

"So it's true. You can't use handsigns which means you'll have to do it without them. That will take a lot of concentration and focus. Hold on for a moment," Genma said as he pointed to Ino and Kiba. "I'm going to be back in exactly fifteen minutes. You both keep practicing," Genma said before he dashed away. Naruto watched him go before sighing.

"Can my day get any worse?! No one has this much bad luck dattebayo!" Naruto cried out mentally as he watched Ino hop from the tree along while Kiba rubbed his head. "Seriously man what's up with you? You've been acting weird all day and yesterday," Kiba said making Naruto frown. He had enough people to worry about him to last awhile. Not like they all didn't have some kind of hidden agenda anyway.

"Yeah Naruto, even when you sucked in the academy you still had some measure of chakra control. What's up with you?" Ino asked much to Naruto's surprise. Naruto looked away from them both for a moment before slumping his shoulders. "Shut it dog-breath, I…I…I can't do it like you guys can anymore," Naruto said as he looked at the ground. Ino blinked and so did Kiba.

"What are you talking about man? Of course you can. We've been molding chakra this way ever since we entered the academy. Don't you remember?" Kiba asked making Naruto shake his head. "That's not what I mean! Yesterday I…had to go to the hospital. They told me that I…I…have a disease. It's distorting my chakra and because of it I can't use handsigns to mold chakra anymore," Naruto replied. Kiba and Ino turned to each other before Ino chuckled nervously.

"T-That's nonsense Naruto. Every shinobi uses handsigns to use chakra. If you can't do those then you can't…," Ino didn't finish as Naruto looked at the ground angrily. Akamaru whimpered at the sight while Kiba frowned. "You really can't use handsigns? So what…are you going to rely on taijutsu from now on since you can't do jutsu?" Kiba asked. Naruto shrugged his shoulders.

"I have some taijutsu and fūinjutsu scrolls. Apparently I can still channel chakra, but not in the various ways that handsigns can make it. I think I can still make jutsu, but the molding would have to be done…without handsigns," Naruto said making Kiba gawk. "Is that even possible?!" Kiba asked turning to Ino.

"H-How should I know Baka? Does Genma-sensei know?" Ino asked as Naruto sighed. "I'm sure he does. He was given my medical report," Naruto said making Kiba place a finger to his chin before he looked at Naruto in surprise.

"Is…that why you weren't yourself yesterday? You were mad about your disease?" Kiba asked and Naruto looked away. Judging by the pained expression on his face, Ino smacked Kiba over the head while muttering something about tact, but Naruto didn't pay them any mind. He merely sighed and stuffed his hands in his pockets.

"Well that's…part of it," Naruto answered honestly. It did feel good to talk, but Naruto doubted that they would have truly known if he had done otherwise. "Man I can't imagine using ninjutsu without handsigns," Kiba said making Ino smack her face.

"Shush you idiot! Stop bringing it up already! Well Naruto, maybe Genma-sensei will help you out when he gets back. We'll force him to if we have to. No one can say no to me!" Ino replied making Naruto frown. He looked at the two almost accusingly. "Why? Why are you guys helping me? You were never this nice to me before," Naruto replied suspiciously. Ino and Kiba paused before Ino snorted, folded her arms and looked away.

"D-D-Don't get ahead of yourself dead last. I still think you're a nuisance and nowhere near as cool as Sasuke-kun, but I think everyone deserves a chance to excel in something, even if the circumstances say otherwise," Ino said as she marched back to the tree while Kiba just shrugged and moved to continue his tree-climbing exercises. Naruto watched them go before looking at the ground. He moved to pick up where he left off with the scroll's fūinjutsu lessons.

Exactly fifteen minutes, later Naruto, Ino and Kiba noticed Genma return to the field. However he wasn't alone as there was a Hyuuga behind him. The Hyuuga seemed to be the same age as Genma give or take a few years. Ino and Kiba quickly stopped their tree exercises. "Genma-sensei, about Naruto not being able to climb trees, as unbelievable as it sounds, he can't use…," Ino began only for Genma to stop.

"I already knew Ino. That's why I have Juin Hyuuga with me here for a few minutes. Alright Naruto perform the tree exercise," Genma said as Naruto nodded. As Naruto moved to the tree, Ino and Kiba grimaces as Juin Hyuuga unleashed his dojutsu, the famed Byakugan of the Hyuuga clan. Juin looked at Naruto as he placed his handsign for channeling his chakra. Naruto then moved to the tree, but the result was the same as Naruto fell to the ground with a hard thud. Juan frowned.

"What do you think?" Genma asked as Juin placed a finger to his chin. "Call him over," Juin said and Genma did so. Once Naruto was back in front of the two shinobi, Juin spoke once again.

"Please perform the handsign for the channeling of chakra that your instructor showed you," Juin said and Naruto didn't nod or speak. He just did as he was asked to do. He made the handsign and channeled his chakra as he was taught to do so growing up. Juin knelt before Naruto and scrunched his face.

"I-Is it that disease?" Kiba asked with a shake in his voice. Juin didn't respond right away before he closed his eyes. "I can see that he truly can't use handsigns. When humans use handsigns it is not only a way of molding chakra, but it also helps in the process of focusing the chakra to a point. I am sure Uzumaki-san was focusing his hardest to get his chakra to go to his feet, but only remained motionless. However when he released the handsign, the chakra was free and could move where it wanted. Its like the chakra refuses to acknowledge handsigns as a way of controlling it. It's not that he can't control his chakra, but its like his chakra needs another means of focusing it now. I believe that with enough training, Uzumaki-san should be able to focus his mind to send his chakra to where it needs to go and to do all the things that shinobi do," Juin said making Genma frown.

"What do you recommend?" Genma asked making Juin sigh. "Until he gets the idea of controlling his chakra mentally and not physically then I would say that he needed to do things over and over until he gets them right. It would take awhile, but I believe it would be for the best," Juin said making Genma nod.

"Thanks Juin," Genma said. Juin merely nodded before he vanished out of sight much to the surprise of Kiba, Naruto and Ino. "Alright Naruto, here's what you're going to do. We'll do a…watered down version of the tree exercise until you grow accustomed to this disability. You will stick to the ground. Walk around this area trying to apply your chakra to your feet as you go. Too light and you won't stick, you will know you're doing it wrong. Too heavy and the ground will crack. Do this until you can't move, like you are glued to the ground then you will know you have it," Genma said. Naruto sighed, but nodded as he placed one foot down on the ground and began walking. He tried with move to place chakra to his feet. He could feel himself acting stupid just shouting at his chakra. "Go down! Go down! Go down to my feet! Stupid chakra!" Naruto grumbled out as he tried to stick to the ground.

It was the middle of the day as Genma stopped everyone. "Alright guys, come together!" Genma cried making his team come together. Ino and Kiba could see the frustration and sweat on Naruto's face. Looking around they could see many footprints in the rows of dirt. Some edges, others cracks. It seemed that Naruto had been hard at work too. Though neither Ino nor Kiba could ever imagine that walking on the solid ground could be tough. "How is it coming Naruto?" Genma asked.

"I'm slowly starting to get it. I just…have to find the right amount to stick, but every time I think I'm close it just puts another dent in the ground," Naruto said making Genma nod. "You knew this wasn't going to be easy and it isn't going to be any easier as you" Genma said. Naruto nodded before Genma clapped his hands.

"Well I would say that we had a productive first day. We'll stop here team. Meet back here at Training Ground One first thing in the morning," Genma said before he vanished out. Ino and KIba sighed as they walked off towards home tiredly.

"Naruto aren't you coming?" Kiba asked making Naruto shake his head. Both saw Naruto continue his exercise on the ground before shaking their heads. "That guy's a stamina-freak I swear. Shouldn't be tired like us?" Ino asked. Kiba snorted as the two walked away leaving the field barren except for Naruto. Once Naruto was sure that the entire coast was clear, he sighed as he stopped walking. He quickly faced the trees.

"Okay, time to make it shake dattebayo!" Naruto said as he rolled his fist back and launched it forward. Naruto's fist collided with the air cracking it. Naruto tightened his fist as an ensuing vibration of quakes ruptured the ground in front of him before flying through the trees ripping them from the ground and making them fall on their sides. "I wonder if how hard I hit determines the power," Naruto thought to himself before he rolled his fist back again. With a mighty shout, Naruto slammed his fist into the air and what followed was a heavier explosion that destroyed that ground in front of him uprooting everything that he could see. The sounds of the air cracking rang upon his ears before he withdrew his hand back. With a sigh, Naruto clenched his hands.

"Maybe…just maybe I can…," Naruto said as he crossed his fists. With a deep breath he flung both arms out, with a look of surprise he bashed against the air with both fists arms-length at his sides. The air cracked before his fists before explosions came from each side of his body destroying more of the grounds and the trees in a wide thunderous explosion of vibrations that rocked Naruto's feet. The blonde could feel his own body vibrate from the power that erupted from his hands. As the vibrations and explosions settled down, Naruto grinned. "Awesome dattebayo!" Naruto cried out.

"Still, how did I delay it last time? I think I activated it that time before the it was in my apartment. Why didn't it activate instantly like these did? Maybe if I master it more I can…delay it? I dunno, but I guess I'll have to keep trying. I have nothing, but space," Man Naruto really wished he could tell someone he trusted about this, but he had no one like that so he would have to figure it out on his own and for right now he would just have to practice and practice some more. Though speaking of more practicing, Naruto sighed as he turned back to his current task of trying to find the appropriate amount of chakra to stick to the ground. He didn't have handsigns to help manipulate his chakra or help him focus so he had to do that by himself.

"Okay let's try this way. I don't feel any chakra leaving when I use this so this should work," Naruto said as he planted his feet on the ground, he took a step forward before letting out a punch. That punch cracked the air before exploding the ground in front of him. Naruto then took another step and proceeded to do the same thing. For hours, Naruto did this until it became night time. With a groan, Naruto fell this knees exhausted. He didn't know how much chakra he had left. He also felt the sting of his arms upon the usage of his new powers. Naruto panted and wheezed as he surveyed the training ground. Well, one thing was for sure. No one in their right mind was going to use this wasteland of destruction. With a small groan, Naruto leaned up. He'd have to go and get a shower. He also had to wake up in the morning to meet his team and their instructor.

His body heavily resisting, Naruto picked up his supplies and walked, each step an resounding measure of pain through his body as he trudged home. However for the first time in two full days, Naruto Uzumaki's smile couldn't be brighter.

KG: My intention to Naruto wasn't to make him broody the entire dic over just a particularly bad birthday, but I need a more cautious Naruto of things around him. One that questions the intentions of everyone now that he's been deceived this badly. I admit I might have gone overboard with him even questioning the intentions of Ayame or Teuchi, but paranoia does that to some people.

KG: As to Naruto's use of this devil fruit, well if you want to say op then you can say that. I won't deny it, but how can I really…de-overpower this fruit? Really? It has the power to destroy the world if used correctly. How do you expect me to de-power that? Even amateurs can cause massive damage with it. So I guess it comes down to experience with it.

KG: I'll be honest I have particular love interest for this fic. I just know if that I have one then it's one that I haven't done yet. Two…maybe three girls at the most. Hell maybe even just one. I dunno. I'm a pervert. I had long since stopped trying to figure out my logic.

KG: Well whatever, Stay Breezy, protect what's important to you, review, and SEND ME CREAM SODA! Also I demand that you all RESPECT THE FUCKIN' CREAM!