Chapter 5

"Kyuubi" talking/ inner Sakura

"Normal talking"

'Thought'

"Flashback"

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto. I wish I did. But sorry I don't.

Dreamscape

"It's time to die." Naruto said. Naruto jumped to the side dodging lightning that came from the hole. Lightning hit Naruto in his right side from his back. 'Fuck' Naruto thought gritting his teeth as the lightning passed through him. Naruto hit the ground hard a few meters from where Shiro was. 'W-what the fuck!?' Naruto thought panting. After a few seconds Naruto heard Shiro get up and walk toward him. Naruto pushed himself up on his hands and knees before forcing himself to stand. He moved his hand to his side feeling blood on his hand. He looked at Shiro while scanning the area. He noticed three slash marks on Shiro chest with blood flowing heavily from it. 'Chakra down to 65%, mobility down to around 45%, vision 100%, blood loss increasing by the moment, strength 63%.....him killing me at this point 28%.' He thought taking a deep breath.

"You're going to die now" Shiro said. He ran toward Naruto with his sword pointing toward his back by his right side. Naruto ran toward him to. As they reached each other Shiro swung his blade. Naruto ducked under the blade and slid around to his back. He was just about to thrust his sword into his back when he was hit by a foot. He flew into a tree cracking it, coughing out blood. A kunai imbedded itself into his leg a second later causing him to grit his teeth in pain.

Naruto looked at the kunai before looking up at the person who kicked him. The man wore a blue shirt with pockets for scrolls and red pants. He had a hitai-ate with the symbol for cloud on it with a slash through the middle. He had short brown hair and a kunai pouch on his right leg.

"Shiro you okay?" The guy asked getting closer.

"I'm fine Shuji." Shiro said. Naruto slowly rose to his feet still holding Oblivion. Naruto started charging charka into his blade ready to attack.

'hm….chances of killing me at this point has risen above 45%....escaping 69%' Naruto thought.

"We should leave." Shuji said.

"No I'm going to kill him" Shiro said.

"Naruto!" They heard.

'Damn.. they cannot leave.' Naruto thought. He dashed forward quickly jumping to his left then to his right before reaching him. He got to them drawing Dawning lightly and swung his blade a Shiro. Shiro jumped to his left and Shuji moved back drawing a kunai. He slashed at Naruto just as he leaped toward Shiro. Shiro moved his blade up blocking Naruto's vertical slash. Naruto pushed his blade down as Shuji came behind him. Naruto moved Dawning directly behind him blocking the kunai. Naruto shifted to his left before spinning positioning his blades horizontally. Both of the missing nin jumped back barely dodging the blades.

Five kunai shot off toward Shiro and Shuji from the forest as. They both jumped back dodging them as they headed for the forest.

Shiro glared at Naruto as Naruto dropped to his knees. 'Damn it…' Naruto thought. Shiro took out a kunai quickly before throwing it at Naruto's neck. Before it could reach him Anko came down in a blur deflecting it. She returned two of her own toward them as Kakashi came down right next to her.

Shuji quickly deflected two kunai heading for Shiro before grabbing his arm. "We need to go." He said taking out to tan ball. Shiro glared at Anko and Kakashi mentally cursing.

"You? I thought I left you unconscious" Anko said.

"No. Hikari here was my true target. I never thought I would meet the so called dragon ninja again." Shiro said. Shuji looked at him with his eyes widen. He shook his head quickly filing it away. He threw down the smoke bombs and they exploded covering them with smoke. Naruto tilted his head to the smoke as it dissipated.

"They escaped." Kakashi said. Naruto took a few deep breaths moving his swords slowly into his sheaths. His vision started to get hazy as he placed both of his hands on the ground. He shook his head before forcing himself to stand. Anko turned to him looking him over.

"Naru-chan.." She let out. He looked at her before closing his eyes. Kakashi turned to him and looked him over.

"Damn it…This is bad." He said.

"Don't…worry about it…" Naruto whispered breathing heavily. "We…should get go…ing" He let out before he fell forward. Anko reached out catching him before he can hit the ground. Naruto turned his head looking at Anko. His head dropped the last thing he saw was the worried face of Anko before darkness claimed him.

.

Dream end

Kairi woke up covered with sweat. 'Naruto-sama's hurt.' She thought sitting up. She gripped the bed sheets tightly remembering what he said. 'He said to stay here. So I will.' She thought with a worried expression. 'But what if he needs my help?...no don't think like that. He'll be alright. He's a strong ninja.' She thought trying to assure herself only half working. 'What should I do?' She thought.

Naruto sat up quickly and looked around panting. He looked at the dark walls and turned to see a cage with a seal on it. 'Must be in my mind' Naruto thought. He saw two red eyes appear from inside the cage and stood up.

"Would you explain how did you let that happen?" Kyuubi asked.

"It seems like I was caught off guard" Naruto said. Naruto braced himself for the roar he was about to hear.

"It seems like you were caught off guard? It seems like you were caught off guard? YOU WERE FUCKING CAUGHT OFF GUARD! HOW IN THE HELL DID YOU GET CAUGHT OFF GUARD BY A WEAKER NINJA HUH TELL ME?" Kyuubi roared.

"I wasn't paying attention to my surrounding." Naruto said in a monotone. Before he could react red chakra came from the gate and smacked Naruto into a wall. The Chakra came back and rushed at him again before he could fall two the ground. Naruto quickly pushed off the wall dodging the chakra. He jumped from wall to wall dodging the chakra. He landing on the floor and the Kyuubi's charka rushed toward him. Naruto narrowed his eyes as two dragons like seals with a yin and yang sign appeared on the back of his left and right hands. The one on his left hand was the white yang half of the sign with a dark circle in the middle of the circular end and a white dragon with blue eyes following the sign upward pointing toward his arm. The sign on the back of his right hand was the black yin half of the sign with a white circle in the middle of the circular end and a black dark dragon with red eyes following the sign downward. The seal on his right hand glowed red before turning blue.

Naruto chakra spike and flared wildly around him as he held out his right hand toward the incoming charka. His untamed chakra gathered into his arm still flaring about. Just as the Kyuubi's chakra reached him, he pulled his arm back a little before thrusting it forward. His chakra rushed forward toward the Kyuubi's charka. Their chakras collided near Naruto position. Naruto pumped more chakra into his attack forcing the Kyuubi's chakra towards its cage. Kyuubi pumped more chakra pushing Naruto's charka back toward him. They kept adding more chakra pushing it toward each other. Naruto eyes turned into a crimson color as he drew more chakra. After a few more seconds the area where to two chakra's collided exploded sending Naruto back into the wall. Kyuubi's chakra receded back into its gate as Naruto fell to the ground. Kyuubi growled and watched as Naruto stood up. Kyuubi smirked as it noticed something different about Naruto.

"Now that's the Hikaru I remember." Kyuubi said.

Naruto stood straight up glaring at Kyuubi with his hair now with white highlights. His chakra started to flare around him again in a wider diameter. Naruto growled at the Kyuubi and looked toward his hands he closed his eyes while concentrating on the seals. The seals glowed a silver color before turning back to their original color. A second later his hair turned back to its blonde color as his chakra receded. Naruto turned around ready to leave his mindscape.

"I expect what happened out there won't happen again." Kyuubi growled out.

"Yea….there will be no repeat." Naruto said calmly before disappearing from his mindscape. Naruto felt someone above him and quickly opened his eyes.

"Kyaaa!" Sakura screamed jumping off the futon. Naruto groaned and sat up causing a blanket to fall from his chest. He noticed he had bandages around his stomach and was on a futon. The door opened and Kakashi, Anko and a female he didn't recognize walked in.

"Ah! Naruto you're awake." Kakashi said.

'Damn so close. Next time I'll see under his mask.' Sakura thought. Naruto nodded and looked around the room. Sasuke is sitting next to the wall, Sakura was at the end of the futon, Tazuna is to the right of Sakura and his swords are leaning against the wall to his side. Anko moved over to his side and smiled.

"You had a real bad wound there brat…for a while now we thought you weren't going to make it." Anko said smiled.

"Such a scratch would not claim my life Anko." Naruto replied lowly in a monotone. Anko's right eye twitched at the tone but didn't say anything. "How long have I've been out?" Naruto asked lowly.

"About a day in a half." Kakashi said.

'Hm…odd' Naruto thought. "Kakashi-sensei, what exactly happened when I was fighting?" Naruto asked.

"You know that's exactly what I was going to ask." Kakashi replied. Naruto merely stared at him as Kakashi leaned on the wall. Kakashi started to relay everything that happened with his fight with Zabuza and then finding him. Naruto stared at Kakashi with it blank look as Kakashi finished.

"So a hunter-nin threw needles into Zabuza's neck killing him. Then he thanked you, grabbed Zabuza's body and left. Am I right?" Naruto asked. Kakashi nodded looking at him. "You must realize the chance of Zabuza being alive is rather high." Naruto said. Sakura and Tazuna looked shocked while Kakashi and Anko nodded.

"But Kakashi-sensei you checked and said he was dead." Sakura yelled out.

"Yes I did but it was most likely a momentary death." Kakashi started. They didn't look like they understood so Naruto decided to fill them in.

"The weapon the Hunter-nin used unless it hits a vital organ has a low rate of killing an opponent. Doctors use needles like them in acupuncture therapy. Hunter-nins know the body structure thoroughly so it would be easy for them." Naruto explained. Kakashi nodded and took over.

"First, he carried away the body of the much heavier Zabuza. Second, he used a weapon that has a low probability of killing. These 2 points indicate that his motive was… not to kill Zabuza but to save him. We can't ignore that possibility." Kakashi explained.

"Aren't you thinking too much? Hunter-nins are supposed to kill missing-nins." Tazuna said.

"No, with all the suspicion we will prepare before it's too late. That's a shinobi rule. Plus if he isn't alive we must prepare for the other two jounin and any other ninja that Gatou has hired." Kakashi said.

"Sensei what do you mean preparing before it's too late? Besides, Naruto is still injured." Sakura protested. Naruto merely removed the blanket from the rest of his body before standing.

"Such wounds will not hinder me. I could use the training if I could get caught off guard so easily." Naruto whispered while Kakashi and Anko raised an eyebrow. Naruto stretched his arms outward wincing slightly but he hid it well. Both Kakashi and Anko noticed this and was about to comment before Naruto spoke up. "Besides even with this training I doubt we could beat him without Anko or Kakashi-sensei." Naruto said.

"And this coming from the genin who decided to take on two jounin by himself." Sasuke said looking at him with a slight glare. Naruto gave him a calculating look before looking ahead.

"There are times Sasuke, when the situation calls for one to fight even when there is no chance of winning." Naruto said.

"There is always a chance to retreat Naruto." Kakashi said.

"What is the chance of a genin escaping from an experienced jounin?" Naruto asked. Kakashi stared at him before looking up.

"Hm…not sure.." Kakashi said.

"There is about a 15 percent under normal circumstances." Naruto said.

"Normal circumstances? What would be normal circumstances?" Sakura asked.

"Normal circumstances in that situation would be the jounin underestimating the genin giving a certain leeway. And that would leave to a few choice mistakes from the jounin that a genin can capitalize on to escape." Anko explained. "Is that what you mean?" Anko asked.

"Yes." Naruto said. "When a jounin isn't underestimating the genin…the chance of escape decreases from 15% to 3% depending on the genin." Naruto said

"Are you trying to say they took you seriously?" Sasuke asked. Naruto stared at him before giving him a shrug.

"Whether they did or not doesn't matter…they fail in their attempted…and that will cost them dearly." He said. They stared at him as Naruto turned towards the door as a little kid walked in.

"That's not fun…" He started as he saw Tazuna.

"Ohh! Inari where were you?" Tazuna said looking happy with his arms spread out.

"Welcome back Granpa." He said as he took off his shoes and walked towards him. He gave Tazuna a hug and Tazuna patted his head.

"Inari say hello to these people. They are the ninja who protected your granpa." The lady said. Inari looked at them before looking at his mom.

"Mom they are going to die." He said pointing at the group.

"What did you say, you little brat!!!" Anko asked with a heated glared.

"There's no way you can win against Gatou…" Inari said. Naruto appeared next to Anko and grabbed her arms holding her back.

"Why you brat I'll…" Anko started trying to go over to him.

"Anko he's a child." Naruto said pulling her back. Sasuke looked at him seething.

'I didn't see him move.' He thought.

"Listen brat no dickless son of a bic…" Anko was interrupted by a hand over her mouth. She struggled to get out of Naruto's grasped but failed.

"If you don't want to die you should leave." He said. Naruto narrowed his eyes as Inari walked to the door.

"Where are you going Inari?" Tazuna asked.

"To look at the ocean from my room." He said before leaving.

"Sorry about that." Tazuna said.

"It's alright." Naruto said letting Anko go. She quickly turned around and hit Naruto on the head. Naruto blinked and looked at her.

"Ow" He said.

"You brat." Anko sneered.

"Kit, get ready for training." Kyuubi said.

Naruto turned towards the lady and smiled. Naruto as he made his way toward the young woman. She stared at him as he came and grabbed her hand. He lifted his left hand to his mask. "Hello. Sorry we weren't properly introduced. My name is Naruto Uzumaki." He said. He pulled down his mask and quickly kissed her hand. A blush appeared on her face as he quickly pulled up his mask so nobody else can see and looked up at her. "Can I have the honor of knowing your name?" He asked.

"Ts-ts-Tsunami" She stuttered staring into his eyes.

"You have a beautiful name." Naruto said. Her blush deepened and she tried to looked everywhere but his eyes.

"Ahem" Anko coughed with a scowl on her face. Naruto looked back at her with a raised eyebrow before turning back to Tsunami. He let go of her hand and backed up.

"Excuse me but where is your bathroom." Naruto asked politely.

"Um… upstairs, fourth door on the right." She said smiling.

"Thank you." Naruto said walking pass her. "I'll be down in a little while." Naruto said. He walked up the stairs and walked pass a door. He heard crying from inside and stopped. He opened the door a little bit and saw Inari sitting near the window with a picture frame in hand. He shook his head before closing the door quietly and continuing to the bathroom. After taking a quick shower he dried off and he unsealed his bag and took out an extra pair of clothing. He now wore a black shirt, face mask, red pants, his necklace with the red crystal, red wristband, and leg warmers. He put away his dirty clothes and took out a tooth brush. After he brushed his teeth he pulled up his face mask and put away his toothbrush. He picked up his bag and the scroll and brought it back down stairs.

"Finally." Sakura said.

"I didn't take that long." Naruto said walking pass her. He put his bag down by his swords before he picked them up and strapped them to his back. "Okay I'm ready let's get going." Naruto said. Sasuke and Sakura walked towards the door as Kakashi turned to Anko.

"Hey Anko can you watch Tazuna and his family while I train them?" Kakashi asked.

"Sure, sure." Anko said. Naruto walked out the house closely followed by Kakashi. They walked in silence until they reached a small clearing in the forest.

"Okay now I'm going to teach you a way to control the most important thing a ninja has... their chakra" Kakashi said

"Okay but how?" Sakura asked.

"Chakra is the most important weapon to a Shinobi, if you can control it you won't use more chakra then you need to for jutsus and such. If you can learn this you'll be all the better at using jutsu and techniques, that require chakra" Kakashi said as he walked up to a tree and he stopped at the tree and closed his visible eye, and dirt swirled around his feet and he put one foot on the tree and then the other and began to effortlessly walk up the tree. The copy-nin found his way to the bottom of a branch and looked down at them as he hung upside down "Focusing chakra at the bottom of your feet is the hardest place to focus it, if you can get this down, I'll teach you an even better way to control your chakra and jutsu" he said "now... you try...but take a running start"

Kakashi threw three kunai down into the ground in front of them "use those to cut the trunk at your highest point and try to beat it the next time, and then so on and so forth" he instructed

Sasuke, Sakura grabbed a kunai and made a hand seal. They channeled chakra into their feet and sprinted towards the tree. Sasuke ran up about ten steps and on the last one his foot created a foot shaped dent in the bark and the tree, and he slashed a mark before flipping down and landing.

'I didn't know maintaining a constant amount of chakra would be this hard. If I use too much chakra I get repelled… and most likely if I use too little, I fall off' Sasuke thought.

"This is easier than I thought." Sakura said. Sasuke, Naruto and Kakashi looked toward her as she sat on a high branch.

'Sasuke has mild chakra control while Sakura has good chakra control.' Naruto thought.

"That's only because of her low reserves. She won't be able to learn any strong ninjutsu with her level." Kyuubi said.

'Even so it makes her useful for medical ninjutsu.' Naruto thought.

"Hey Naruto give it a try" Kakashi said. Naruto nodded and picked up his kunai. He made a tiger seal and channeled chakra to his feet. After gathering enough chakra he began to walk towards the tree. He placed one foot on the tree and began to walk effortlessly up the tree. He walked up to Sakura's level and smirked. He continued onward before he stopped a few steps above Sakura.

"Um how far do you want me to go?" Naruto asked looking at the shocked faces of Sasuke and Sakura.

'Somehow I'm not surprised.' Kakashi thought. "That's fine. Come back down." Kakashi said. Naruto increased his chakra flow blasting himself off the tree. He flipped in mid air before landing on the ground next to Sasuke. He smirked seeing Sasuke seething.

"It seems like you have the worst control out of us. To think the last Uchiha would suck this badly." Naruto said. Sasuke glared harder at Naruto clutching his fist tightly.

"And you did that because?" Kyuubi asked.

'For motivation' Naruto thought.

"Shut-up Naruto, Sasuke-kun is better and stronger than you'll ever be." Sakura yelled.

"Please don't tell me she just said that." Kyuubi said.

'I think she did' Naruto replied tilting his head. Naruto looked at her stupidly for a few seconds before turning towards Kakashi. "So what should I do now sensei?" Naruto asked.

"Well since I wasn't expecting you to know this I guess I could teach you another technique." Kakashi said.

"But Kakashi-sensei what about Sasuke?" Sakura asked.

"He hasn't mastered the excise." Kakashi replied. "If he does I'll teach him one too. And you are to keep working on this until you have mastered it." Kakashi said. 'It will also increase your chakra storage. Then maybe I could teach you a jutsu as well.' He thought. He jumped of the branch and landed on the ground on his feet and motioned for Naruto to follow him. They walked in silence until they came back to the house.

"What are we..?" Naruto started. Kakashi continued to walk, smirking under his mask.

'Lets see if he knows water walking. Hopefully he doesn't and I get a laugh out of this.' Kakashi thought. "We're going to a source of water that happens to be by the house." Kakashi said. Naruto shrugged and walked after him. They came to a pond behind the house and Kakashi stopped and turned around. Naruto stopped and looked at the water then at Kakashi.

"What are we doing?" Naruto asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Water walking" Kakashi said with his famous eye smile. Kakashi opened his eye a moment later to see Naruto blank face. "You know it don't you?" Kakashi asked. Naruto simply nodded and watched Kakashi. 'Shit. Well what to teach him?' Kakashi thought. Naruto watched as Kakashi think over the situation. Naruto shook his head and pulled out a kunai. He sat on the ground with the kunai resting on his open palm. He channeled chakra into his hand making the kunai levitate. It stopped five inches above his hand and started to spin clockwise. He stared at Kakashi seeing him lost in thought. After a few minutes he got annoyed and stood up letting the kunai drop to his hand.

"Why don't you teach me a fire jutsu?" Naruto said. Kakashi looked at Naruto and smiled.

"Good idea." Kakashi said. Kakashi turned around and did a few hand seals. He inhaled with his index finger and thumb near his mouth." Katon: Goukakyuu no jutsu" He said exhaled blowing a giant fire ball out his mouth towards the water. After the fire ball disappeared he turned around to Naruto. "That is the jutsu I want you to learn." Kakashi said.

"Okay. How does it work?" Naruto asked.

"You bring chakra from you mouth to your chest than how it. Right after that, you blow it out. The seals are Tora, Saru, Ousu-buta, Uma, than tora." Kakashi said. Naruto nodded a walked to his side. He did the seals slowly focusing the a little chakra.

"Katon: Goukakyuu no jutsu." Naruto said quickly pulling down his mask. He blew out a small puff of fire. Kakashi rubbed his head with his eye smiling

"Naruto keep working on this jutsu while I go check on Sasuke and Sakura." Kakashi said.

"Kakashi sensei. Exactly how many day until they come?" Naruto asked.

"Maybe five-to six days." He said before disappearing in a puff of smoke. Naruto waited until he felt Kakashi was far enough before doing the seals again. He inhaled deeply drawing chakra from his mouth to his chest.

"Katon: Goukakyuu no jutsu" Naruto said blowing out the same sized fireball as Kakashi. After he finished he smirked and pulled up his mask.

"Now that you finished it's time for physical training." Kyuubi said. "But first about your weights." Kyuubi added. After Naruto's nod he continued. "Originally I was just going to double your weights but that can wait until you get back to the vile village." Kyuubi said. "So for now I will put the seals back on"

Naruto saw black seals move up his arms before they stopped and disappeared. He felt the weight of the seals pushing in downward but was able to stay standing. After a few seconds Naruto felt more weight on his arms and legs and slouched a little. 'Why are my arms heavier?' Naruto thought.

"I doubled your weights" Kyuubi replied.

'You said you were going to wait until I was back in Konoha.' Naruto thought.

"I meant for your gravity seals." Kyuubi said. "Now I want you to do a hundred vertical pushups, squats, sit ups and normal pushups." Kyuubi said.

'Fine' Naruto thought. He leaned down placing his hands on the floor and used his legs to push his lower body into the air. He used chakra to keep his arms straight as he felt the added weight push him down. After he made she he was balanced correctly he bent his arms allowing himself to move downward. Once he deem himself low enough he began to push himself back up. 'One' Naruto thought. Naruto continued on at a slow pace.

In a wooden fortress

In a cone shaped house in the middle of the forest, Zabuza was laying and resting in his bed with a blanket over him. A boy with black hair tied in a bun is sitting in a chair next to the bed. He is wearing a striped turtle neck and pants. He has on a blue robe over his turtle neck. His has brown eyes and looked to be fourteen. He looked over Zabuza who was looking at the ceiling. He heard the door open and hearing three people walk inside the room. Gatou is in the middle of his two body guards. On his left was a man with an eye patch over his right eye. He has no shirt on and has tattoos on both arms. He has a kimono on and the top is rolled downward to his waist. He is gripping his Katana with his right hand. The man on his left is wearing a coat and black shorts. He has long whitish hair and has a black hat on. He has a katana strapped to his left side. "So even you have come back defeated. It looks like mist country ninjas are pretty pathetic." Gatou said. "You can't even avenge your men? And you call yourself the devil? Don't make me laugh" He added walking closer.

Both of his bodyguards moved in front of him ready to draw their swords. 'An attack?' The boy thought. One started to unsheathe his blade but was stopped by Gatou.

"Hold on a second…" He said moving towards Zabuza. "Hey… There no need to stay silent." He said reaching for Zabuza's neck. Zabuza looked at him with a glare as his hand came closer. "How about.." He started as a hand gripped his wrist. Gatou turned towards the boy and looked into his cold eyes.

"Don't touch Zabuza-san with your dirty hands." He said angrily.

"Gu…You" He said trying to move back. His two body guards started to draw their blades drawing the boy's attention towards them. He appeared in the middle of them with their katana towards both of their necks.

'No way… moved in an instant.' The one with the black cap said.

"You shouldn't do that… I pissed off right now." He said with colder eyes.

"One more time! If you fail one more time you won't be welcome here anymore. Remember that." Gatou said before rushing out with his body guards.

"Haku you didn't have to do that." Zabuza said lifting you the blanket so he could see the kunai.

"I agree. I would love to see that fat pigs head roll." A voice said. Shiro appeared from the shadows with Shuji at his side.

"I know but it's too early too kill Gatou. If we caused a commotion they will be after us again. We must be patient." Haku said.

"Yeah" Zabuza said.

"I guess." Shiro said. He eyes turned cold as he looked at them. "How long until we attack again?" He asked.

"About a week." Haku replied.

"Good. Hikaru you're living on limited time." Shiro said smirked evilly.

Naruto

After finishing his push-ups he fell to the ground. He panted lightly and turned to look up at the darkening sky.

"That took you too long." Kyuubi said.

'I know.' Naruto thought.

"You get a five minute break then you train in taijutsu." Kyuubi said.

Naruto nodded and stood up. He walked over to the house while slowing lifting two scrolls from his pouches. He raised them up as he reached the house. He turned so that his back was facing the house and sat down. After a minute of rest Naruto felt the soreness in his arms go away. He stood up and walked toward the water applying chakra to his feet as he walked. He stepped on the water a walked forward. He started to sink slowly but added more chakra to his feet. He feet rose to the surface and he remained a float. He took a deep breath before making a T-like seal. "Kage Bunshin no jutsu" Naruto said. Hundreds of clones appeared around in a large puff of smoke. They surrounded him as he drew his two katana. He got into the stance he did when he fought Shiro.

Naruto looked forward seeing the clones draw one katana. After a few seconds Naruto burst into motion running toward the closest of his clones. He brought oblivion up horizontally in a blocking motion blocking the clones swing. He brought Dawning light up for an over head swing and swung it down going through the clone. It disappeared in a puff of smoke Naruto moved on to the next one. He swung Oblivion toward his right side destroying another one but not before receiving a small slash on his shoulder. He moved around in a small circle slashing and blocking as his eyes glazed over.

"What is it Hikaru?"

Naruto did an upward slash picking up water before quickly spinning around.

"Remember how you told me to name my swords."

He did a horizontally slash with oblivion before twisting Dawning light in a backward grip and stabbing backward into a clone.

"Yeah. Did you come up with names yet?"

Naruto crouched low, dodging two swipes before spinning with his right foot out. He made a complete rotation tripping his clones. He made a slash diagonally upward bringing water up with it while destroying two more clones.

"…I can't come up with any good names. All the ones I think of just don't seem to fit them."

Naruto swung Oblivion downward toward his left side while swinging Dawning light in a upward arc toward his right side taking down two clones.

"I see. How about this I'll name them now and when you come up with suitable names you can change them."

Naruto blocked another attack with Dawning light before making a stabbing Oblivion forward destroying a clone.

"Let's see for your black katana, how about Oblivion?"

Oblivion started to glow a black hue as swung his sword horizontally taking out two clones.

"For your white katana, how about Dawning light"

Dawning light started to glow a white hue as Naruto started to spin with both arms out stretched.

"Oblivion…"

The swords started to glow brighter as Naruto started to spin faster causing white and black chakra to travel off the swords and follow the swords movements making it look like a ring appeared around Naruto.

"Dawning light…"

Naruto rotated one last time before stopping.

"I like them"

The ring of white and black chakra spread out around him destroying the rest of the clones and causing ripples across the creek. Naruto came from his dazed state and looked on at the fading chakra before looking at his swords. 'Kyuu…'

"I saw it. I want you to try it again." Kyuubi said interrupting Naruto.

'And how do you purpose I do that?' Naruto thought.

"Add chakra to the swords." Kyuubi said.

Naruto channeled chakra into his katana but only Oblivion responded giving off a black glow.

'Odd' "Now spin around while unleashing the chakra." Kyuubi said.

Naruto did as he was told and spun around. He unleashed the chakra from Oblivion causing the energy to go around him like a ring before spreading further away from his sword. After Naruto's third spin he stopped and looked at the black chakra ring. The chakra wave dissipated after going a few inches from his swords position. 'I see. interesting. But what to call it?' Naruto thought as he sheathed Dawning light.

"How about Tenrai kuro jiten" Kyuubi suggested.

'Tenrai kuro jiten? Hn, too long how about Kuro jiten' Naruto said.

"Mine was better, But anyway your five minutes are up" Kyuubi said.

Naruto nodded his head as he looked at Oblivion. He tilted his head before giving out a frustrated growl.

"What's the matter?" Kyuubi asked.

'Exactly what weights did you take off?' Naruto thought.

"Just the gravity seals. Why?" Kyuubi asked.

'I just remember that I still have weights on both of my katana, wristbands and Leg warmers.' Naruto thought. 'If I would have remembered I would have killed him with no problem.' He added. Kyuubi let off a laugh as Naruto sheathed Oblivion. Naruto shook his head clearing it over the kyuubi's laughter.

He concentrated on his arms and legs before his gauntlets and shinguards appeared in a bright light. Naruto made a t-seal. "Kage Bunshin no jutsu." Naruto said. Two clones appeared in a puff of smoke in front of him. One of the clones jumped back to the house and watched them carefully. Naruto and the remaining clone bowed to each other before getting into a stance. Naruto spread his legs shoulder length before turning slightly toward his right. He brought his arms up about chest height with his left elbow closed downward and his left forearm pointing upward. His right arm was reeled back twisted so that the back of his hand was toward the ground. His clone mirrored his stance as Naruto breathed deeply feeling a gentle breeze blow pass him. When the breeze stopped Naruto went in to action. He threw a punch forward having his gauntlets glow. His clone blocked the punch and brought his leg around in a wide arc aiming for his head. Naruto ducked under the kick and threw an uppercut. The clone leaned back dodging the attack and added chakra to his shinguards. The clone rushed at Naruto and jumped up. His right leg was fully outstretched and his left was bent so his foot only reached about knee length. Naruto side stepped the kick while charging chakra into his right gauntlet and shinguard.

Just as the clone landed Naruto rushed forward doing a raising uppercut hitting his clone. A white outline of a dragon appeared attached to his fist and its body curling around his arm as Naruto rose into the air doing a spin into his clone. Naruto quickly brought his arm down and brought out his right leg. He spun fast like a top catching his clone in a tornado kick. Naruto kept spinning making him look like tornado with a white ring circling him. Naruto spun once more raising his leg up above his clone and doing an axe kick. In a puff of smoke the clone disappeared to reveal a broken log. 'A replacement.' Naruto thought as he landed back on the water. He turned quickly to see his white dragon charging towards him. 'Ryuusattou' Naruto thought as he charged chakra into his gauntlets. He throws a right punch as the dragon reaches him. His fist and the dragon collide causing the water and wind to blow around them viciously. Naruto adds more chakra and pushes the dragon off course to his right. The dragon dissipated revealing his clone as Naruto charges at him. The clone quickly recovered doing a back flip and landed in a crouch. Naruto felt a presence to his right and quickly took a glance in that direction before looking back. 'It seems like Inari has come to watch. Well let me out on a show for him.' Naruto thought.

Naruto slapped his hands together charging chakra into his hands before touching the water. "Suiton: Suiryuu no jutsu." Naruto said as the water rose from behind him. It formed into a dragon as his clone started hand seals.

"Fuuton: Aisu kisoku no jutsu." His clone said pulling down his mask and blowing a gust of wind towards the dragon. The dragon instantly turned to ice as the wind hit the dragon. The ice dragon started to fall towards Naruto as he gathered chakra into his gauntlets. He jumped upward doing an uppercut as the dragon fell closer. His fist collided with the dragon causing it to shatter into thousands of small ice fragments. The fragments glitter in the light that both Naruto's gauntlets and the moon gave off as the fell.

Inari look at scene with an awe look on his face. He watched as Naruto hit the water as the ice shards twinkled in the air. Naruto smirked and looked in the air as the shards slowly descended. Naruto turned towards where Inari was only to see him missing. Naruto frowned while both of his clones dispelled it's self.

"I wonder what's up with the brat." Kyuubi said.

'Don't know. But it seems I still need to improve on the flaws in my style' Naruto said as he panted lightly. Naruto felt a presence behind him but didn't move. He felt a kunai at the right side of his neck as an arm rested on his left shoulder.

"Tell me something Naru-chan. Why is it that you flirted with Tsunami when you met her but didn't with me?" Anko whispered dangerously sweet in his ear. Naruto narrowed his eyes before he replied.

"I didn't flirt with Tsunami I was just being polite. Also the first time when we met you tossed kunai at me because I accidentally saw you swimming naked in a stream." Naruto said.

"You were being polite? Naruto you was flirting with her." She said angrily.

'Why is she so angry?' Naruto thought. "No I wasn't. It was a kind greeting." Naruto said. Anko narrowed her eyes in suspicion.

'He sounds like he telling the truth.' Anko thought. Anko sighed and put away her kunai. "Come on it's time for dinner." She said removing her arm off his shoulder and walked towards the house.

'She is acting strangely.' Naruto thought staring at her.

'I think he should figure this out on his own.' Kyuubi thought.

Anko looked back and smirked. "Are you coming in or are you just going to ogle me all night?" She asked grinning. Naruto chuckled before running to catch up with her.

After dinner

Naruto sat near the wall staring at Kakashi. He couldn't get a thought out of his mind. "Hey Naru-chan! Why are you staring at the pervert?" Anko asked.

"Have you noticed that when he eats he does it in a few seconds and nobody ever sees his face?" Naruto said. Kakashi scratched the back of his head sheepishly with his eye smile. Sakura stared at Naruto for a few seconds before she remember something.

"Hey Naruto, why did that Jounin call you Hikaru and the Dragon ninja?" Sakura asked. Everyone in the room stared at Naruto waiting for his reply. Naruto looked around at his team and Anko before looking at Sakura.

"Do you want to know the truth?" Naruto asked. His team nodded while Anko just raised an eyebrow.

"Are you sure?" Naruto said. They nodded again. "He called me that because…." Naruto started looking around suspiciously. They all looked at him expectantly, leaning in. "He was on drugs." Naruto said with usually tone. Everyone face faulted while Naruto looked at the wall.

"What the fuck do you mean he was on drugs? How the hell could you tell?" Sakura exclaimed.

"First, I want to ask you to please refrain from yelling. It is not necessary to do since am I right here in hearing rang from you. Secondly, don't cuss. It is improper for a young lady such as yourself to do so. Three I know because my name is Naruto not Hikaru meaning that he had to be on something." Naruto explained. Naruto stood up taking out a stick of pocky. "I'm going to bed." Naruto said going up towards the stairs. He stopped at the middle step and listened.

"Hey Kakashi sensei do you know why he called him the dragon ninja?" Sakura asked,

"Not a clue but I have heard of the name somewhere before." Kakashi said taking a thinking pose.

"Where?" Sakura asked expectantly. He stared at them for a second drawing out the moment.

"I don't remember." Kakashi said finally. Sakura and Tazuna face faulted while the others just looked at Kakashi.

"Do you know Anko-sensei?" Sakura asked. Anko raised an eyebrow and stared at her.

"Why would I know?" Anko said.

"You do act like you've know him for a while." Sasuke said.

"I do that with anyone I find interesting." Anko said shrugging.

"Then why don't you do it with Sasuke-kun?" Sakura asked.

"Because I don't find him interesting." Anko said smiling.

"What does Naruto-baka have that Sasuke-kun doesn't?" Sakura asked angrily.

"You know pinky you're asking a lot of questions about Naru-chan. Is it possible that you have a crush on him?" She asked smirking. Sakura blushed in anger as she stared at Anko. Naruto tuned out the rest as he walked up the stairs.

The next day

Naruto was upside down on top of the railing to the bridge. He has his left hand behind his back while his right was outstretched towards the railing with only his index finger touching the railing. A thin layer a chakra was connection him to the railing. "What are you doing?" Tazuna asked as he carried some wood.

"Training." Naruto said.

"Hn, so what happened to the girl and the other boy?" He asked

"They are still training." Naruto said.

"Then why are you training here and they are not?" he asked.

"Because this is voluntary for me. Sasuke and Sakura needs a lot more training to be a little helpful during a battle. You are very lucky to have me, Anko, and Kakashi here." Naruto said.

"Why's that?" Tazuna asked. Before Naruto could replied a man came over.

"Hey Tazuna" A man called.

"What is it Giichi?" Tazuna asked looking back at him.

"I've been thinking a lot recently and…can I stop working on the bridge?" Giichi asked.

"Why is that?!!" Tazuna yelled out. "This is so sudden!! Not you too!! " He said.

"Tazuna we've been close for a long time now. I want to help you, but if we continue Gatou will notice us. And if we get killed what will be the point?" He asked. "Why don't we quit building the bridge?" He said.

"I can't do that." Tazuna started. "This bridge is our bridge. This bridge we started building together believing it would bring resources to our super poor country." He continued.

"But if we lose our lives…" He started. Naruto frowned at him as he pushed off the rail and landed on his feet.

"It's already noon. Let's stop for today." He said. "Giichi you don't have to come back tomorrow." Tazuna said fixing his hat. He walked off with Naruto following close behind.

After they left the bridge they went to the village. Naruto looked at the people around impassively. "Wait thief." He heard a feminine voice yell out. He shook his head before disappearing. He quickly appeared in front of the guy and tripped him.

"Oww" He let out as Naruto stepped on his back. He took the bag away from him and walked over to a woman who was running after him.

"Here." Naruto said holding the bag out for her. She took it from him and started bowing.

"Thank you, thank you. Thank you." She repeated over and over again.

"Don't worry about it." Naruto said. Naruto walked towards Tazuna who was smiling.

"So what are we doing here?" Naruto asked.

"I'm supposed to bring home food." Tazuna replied. They walked until the came to a store. Naruto looked down and saw a child holding his knees near the door. He sighed and started digging in his kunai pouch. "Here we are." He said. They walked pass the kid with Naruto dropping something on him. The kid looked up to find a pocky stick on his arm. He quickly grabbed it smiling before he opened it and started to eat.

"Don't tell me you're getting soft." Kyuubi growled out.

'You call it me getting soft while I call it helping out.' Naruto thought.

"Welcome" Naruto heard as he followed Tazuna. A guy walked next to Naruto and started to reach for his pocket.

"If you want to keep that hand I suggest use move it away from my pocket." Naruto said in a dangerous tone as he glared at the man. The man backed up before running out the store. After Tazuna paid for what he wanted they left the store. After walking a few minutes Naruto felt a tug on his pants. He turned around and looked down. He saw a kid with dirty clothes and brown hair holding his hands out to him while smiling. Naruto gave the kid an eye smile as he bent down. "How about I show you a magic trick?" Naruto asked. The boy nodded as he watched Naruto. "Nothing in my right, nothing in my left." Naruto said showing his hands. "I have no sleeves so nothing can be there." He continued. "But wait what's this?" Naruto asked reaching behind the boy's ear. The boy looked at Naruto's hand as it moved from his ear. Five pocky sticks was in Naruto's hand as he showed the boy. He kid smiled brightly as Naruto handed him the chocolate sticks. "Now run along" Naruto said patting him on his head. The kid smiled brighter as he gripped the pocky and ran off. Naruto stood up straight and turned back to Tazuna.

"It's been like this since Gatou came. All the adults have lost hope. That's why we need the bridge. A symbol of courage… We need for the people to lose their fear and regain the desire to stand up for themselves. If the bridge… If that bridge can be completed, the city will return to that time…The people will return to how they were before." Tazuna explained with a look of determination on his face. Naruto nodded as they walked on.

At dinner

Naruto leaned against the wall as he watched everyone eat except Kakashi who had already finished. "Wow this is super fun!! It's been a long time since we ate with so many people." Tazuna said. Naruto watched as Sasuke ate like there was no tomorrow.

"More" Sasuke said holding his bowl out. A second later Sasuke leaned over and threw up.

"If you're going to throw up than stop eating!" Anko shouted.

"No I must eat. That way I can get stronger." Sasuke said wiping his mouth.

"Then eat slowly so you won't throw up." Naruto said. Sasuke glared at him but kept silent. After dinner they sat at the table as Sakura looked at the picture on the wall. The picture had Tazuna, Inari and Tsunami with a good portion of it ripped out.

"Hey why do you have a torn picture on the wall?" Sakura asked. "Inari-kun was staring at it during dinner. It seems like someone purposely remove the person that was in the picture." Sakura said. This got Tazuna, Inari, and Tsunami attention.

"It's my husband." Tsunami said.

"And the man called the hero of the city." Tazuna added. Inari slammed his hand on the table before getting up and walking away.

"Inari where are you going?" She called out to him. He opened the door ignoring her and walked through. "Inari!" She called one more time as he slammed the door. "Father I've told you not to talk about that man in front of Inari." She said before following him out the door.

"Damn brat needs to get spanked." Anko said leaning back.

"There seems to be some kind of explanation." Kakashi said ignoring Anko.

"Inari had a father not related by blood. They were close like a real father and son…Inari would laugh a lot back then." He said. Tazuna paused as he started to shake in rage. "But… but Inari changed since the incident with his father." He said. "The word "courage" has been stolen from the people of this island and…Inari. Ever since that day because of that incident." Tazuna explained.

"What happened" Naruto asked Tazuna took off his glasses and rubbed his eyes.

"Before I tell you first I have you about the man who was called the hero of this city." Tazuna said. "It all started 3 years ago when Inari met that man." Tazuna started.

(Okay I would go into the story but you should already know what happened. So I'm skipping it)

"From that day on Inari changed… As did Tsunami…and the whole city." Tazuna said. The whole room was quiet until Naruto leaned away from the wall and started walking towards the door.

"Naruto where are you going?" Sakura asked.

"I don't really believe in heroes. Never have, probably never will." Naruto started. "But I will prove to Inari and this whole city that nothing good ever comes from losing hope. Sensei I'm going to train if you don't see me in a few days don't worry about it." Naruto said. He didn't give anyone time to reply as he walked out.

Naruto ran deep into the forest until he came on to a big enough clear. His gauntlets and shinguards appeared in a flash of white light. He made a t-seal while concentrating chakra. "Kage Bunshin no jutsu." Naruto said. In a large puff of smoke no less than a thousand clones appeared. "Okay here's the deal, we have about four days until the shinobi returns. That's how long I have to get ready. So come at me with the intent to kill but no jutsus are allowed just Taijutsu and Kenjutsu." Naruto said. His clones nodded some getting into Taijutsu stances while other drawing their katana. "Let's go." Naruto said.

The sixth day

Naruto lay under a tree resting with cut and slashes throughout his shirt and pants and his hands loosely around his each katana. A bird rested on his hitai-ate. A teenager who was picking herbs looked over and saw Naruto sleeping. She saw the hitai-ate and the sign on it and narrowed her eyes. She walked over to him and moved her right hand towards him. The bird on his head flapped away from them quickly.

At the house

Anko yawned loudly as she sat at the table. "Naruto didn't come back again?" Tazuna asked.

"Nope the brat always goes overboard on training." Anko said.

"How exactly do you know that?" Kakashi asked.

"I know his type." Anko simple replied getting up and stretching.

"He might have died from using too much chakra by now." Sakura said.

"I hope he is alright. A child all alone in the woods at night." Tsunami said.

"You have nothing to worry about. That kids a true ninja." Kakashi said.

"I don't know it wouldn't surprise me if the moron was dead." Sasuke said. Anko ignored him and walked out the house.

Naruto

The girl's hand came closer to his neck. "Hey wake up you'll catch a cold if you sleep out here." She said shaking him away. Naruto's eyes quickly opened as he looked at her. She backed up as Naruto sat up. He shook his head and blinked a couple of times. He looked at the seemingly girl and narrowed his eyes while backing up a little. She wore a pink kimono with cherry blossoms on it. On her neck was a collar and her hair was out.

"You know that's a boy right?" Kyuubi asked.

'Yeah' Naruto thought.

"Hello my name is Haku." He said.

"Um names Naruto." Naruto said. He let go of his sword and raised it up to shake his hand. He took his hand hesitantly and shook. "So what are you doing out here?" Naruto asked.

"I'm picking herbs." He said.

"Need help?" Naruto asked sheathing his katana. He nodded and they both with into the herb patch.

"Is this the one you need?" Naruto asked holding a plant up. He nodded and Naruto placed it in her basket.

"Thanks for the help." Haku said.

"No problem." Naruto said.

"What are you doing at this time of the morning?" He asked.

"Training." Naruto said.

"You… that hitai-ate…could you be a ninja?" He asked.

"Yeah." Naruto replied calmly.

"Wow, you're incredible." Haku said.

"I guess so." Naruto replied putting another herb in the basket.

"Why are you training?" He asked.

"So I could get stronger." Naruto replied simply.

"But you already look pretty strong." He said.

"I want to become stronger than I am now." Naruto said.

"Why is that?" He said.

"I need to accomplish something. And to do that I need to be stronger." Naruto said.

"Is that for yourself or someone else?" He asked.

"hn" Naruto replied. He started to giggle girlishly catching Naruto's attention.

"Do you have someone important to you?" He asked. Naruto looked at him softly as images if Anko and Kairi went through his mind.

"Yeah." Naruto said.

"When a person has something they want to protect that's when they came be truly strong." Haku said. Naruto nodded as he stood up picking the basket up. "You will become strong. Let's meet somewhere." He said.

"Sure but before you go I will like to tell you I have no interest in boys what so ever." Naruto said.

Haku turned back with his eyes twitching. "I'm not…" He started.

"Hey I have no problem if you're gay. I'm just don't swing that way" Naruto said with a shrug.

"I'm not gay." Haku growled out.

"No need to get angry. I thought you were by the girlish kimono. But like I said I have no problem with it" Naruto replied. Haku growled out in annoyance and walked off. "Bye Haku, hope you find a man to be happy with." Naruto yelled out. Naruto saw his aura darken before laughing to himself.

"Okay that was so out of character for you." Kyuubi said.

'Really?' Naruto thought turning around.

"Must be you're hanging out with the snake chick too much. She's affecting your personality." Kyuubi said.

'I don't think so. Besides that did you sense his chakra? He could be that hunter-nin that saved Zubuza' Naruto thought.

"Maybe." Kyuubi said.

Naruto turned around sensing Anko and leaned to the side dodging a kunai. Anko appeared behind him and wrapped her right arm around his neck and held a kunai to his neck with her left hand. "Hello Naru-chan. What have you been up too?" She asked sweetly.

"Training…" Naruto started before he disappeared from her arms. She gave a look of surprise before she was pushed and pinned against a tree by the young ninja's body. "Hard" He finished.

"I can see that." She said seductively. She smirked as she raised her hand to his face. He raised an eyebrow as she started to caress his mask covered face. Naruto looked at her hand that was caressing his face before catching a quickly movement from his side. He couldn't move as he was grabbed and thrown away. Naruto flipped in the air and landed on his feet. He saw her smirk and as she pulled out a box of pocky. Naruto's eye's widened before he went through his kunai pouch. His eyes narrowed as he found his pocky missing.

"You should give that back." Naruto said in a threatening matter.

"And you're going to make me?" She asked sweetly. Naruto got into his stance as Anko put it inside he netted shirt right between her breast. Naruto right eye twitched as he tightened his fist. Anko stick her tongue out at him before dashing in the forest. Naruto's eye widened again and he dashed after her. Even with the head start Naruto seemed to be catching up to her fairly quickly. She looked at him as he approached her and smirked. "Not fast enough." Anko said. With a burst of speed Anko took off. Naruto smirked while adding chakra to his legs. He got ten feet away from her following as she weaved around the trees. He saw her turn around with a smirked on her face as she pulled ten shuriken out from her trench cloak. Naruto stared as she tossed them at him.

Naruto caught them effortlessly and put them in his kunai pouch. Anko's eye twitched before she smiled and turned around. Naruto added more chakra to his legs and speed up. When he was close enough he lunged at her. Anko jumped up dodging him while landing on a tree branch. "Come on Naru-chan you can do better than that." Anko said before laughing and jumping off. Naruto chuckled making a hand seal.

He disappeared in a swirl of light and appeared next to Anko. Anko quickly jumped down from the tree branch as he lunged again. Naruto again disappeared in a swirl of light and appeared a second later next to her. Naruto respect for her skill grew as she flipped over him. She started to laugh loudly as Naruto would use his shunshin to try and capture her and she would dodge. Only after about a half an hour of 'playing tag' did they end up behind a tree right by Tazuna's house. Naruto was straddling her stomach with his knees pinning her arms to the ground. Naruto started at her panting lightly while she was panting more heavily. She started to chuckle making Naruto tilt his head questioningly. "You know what you're going to do to get your box of pocky right?" She asked. "You're going to have to reach into my shirt and pull it out." She said seductively knowing he wouldn't do it.

Naruto blinked at her before moving his hand to where the pocky box where in her shirt. He added chakra to his finger and moved up to her neck, the box following slowly. The box slid of her shirt and Naruto quickly picked it up and put it in his pouch. "Naruto 1, Anko 0" Naruto whispered with a smirk before he jumped up and walked towards the house. Anko sat up staring at his back with a smirk on her face.

'Oh you won this round but the game has just begun.' She thought licking her lips.

The next day

It was late in the afternoon in a small clearing. Naruto was upside down with his index finger on a glowing kunai tip. Naruto listened as Sasuke hit the ground. They have been at it for hours with Naruto giving his occasional tip. Sasuke was almost to the top as Naruto took out a kunai and threw it upward toward his feet while add chakra. He bent his right leg so that the soles of his shoes were an inch away from the kunai trajectory. The kunai stopped at his feet being attracted by his chakra. Naruto took out another kunai and threw it upward adding chakra to his other foot. The kunai stopped at his foot as Naruto took another one out and planted the bud of the kunai into the soil. He added chakra to his left index finger and rested it on the kunai tip. He shifted his balance so that his weight was rested on both fingers.

"What are you doing?" Sasuke asked as he panted.

"Kunai balance and a little extra. It helps me focus on more than one thing at a time which could be helpful in battle." Naruto explained.

"Hn" Sasuke said before running back at the tree.

With Kakashi

"196…197…198" Kakashi counted with Tazuna and Sakura sitting on his back.

"I wanted to ask you earlier but…why are you still here after I lied about this mission?" Tazuna asked.

"To abandon your duty is not courageous. Below the courageous, there is nothing." Kakashi said. "Those are the previous Hokage's words. That is the way of the shinobi. Shinobis don't move because of money alone."

Anko

Anko was handing from a branch doing chin-ups. "205…206…207" She counted as she went up and down. "I wonder what Naru-chan is doing right now." She said. "He's probably in the forest, alone, unconscious, defenseless." Anko stopped with a smirk on her face. 'I better check on him, he-he' She let go of the branch and landed on the floor.

In the wooden fortress

Zabuza held a apple while applying a little force to it. The apple was crushed under his grip and he let the pieces drop to the floor. "You're almost all better" Haku said.

"Good. We could final attack." Shiro said.

"What do you got against that brat anyway?" Zabuza asked.

"Let's just say we had a bad history." Shiro said.

"Hn" Zabuza replied.

Later that night

The door opened to reveal Anko dragging a bruised up Sasuke and Naruto, Naruto looking way worst off than Sasuke. "What happened to them?" Kakashi said.

"They burned themselves out and when I told them to stop they didn't want to listen to me." Anko said letting them drop to the ground. She walked forward and took a seat at the table. Sakura got up quickly and ran towards Sasuke.

"Sasuke-kun!" Sakura shouted holding on to him. Anko stared at her and shook her head and looked at Kakashi.

"Anyway the brat finished with his tree climbing thing." Anko said.

"That's good. So now he could start guarding Tazuna." Kakashi said. He looked towards them and found them still not moving. "I think you went overboard."

"Nope." Anko said smirking. At that moment Naruto sat up and looked around. Knowing where is was he stood up and sat at the table.

"Next…time don't hit so hard." Naruto grumbled out as he rested his head on the table.

"Don't be a kid…you can take it." Anko said waving him off.

Inari stared at him as memories of his father came to mind. His eyes started to tear up as he continued to stare. Tears started to run down his face as he looked at the table. Naruto looked at him seeing the tears on his face. He slammed his hands on the table as he glared at Naruto. "WHY DO YOU GUYS BOTHER TO TRY SO HARD? NO MATTER HOW HARD YOU TRAIN YOU'RE STILL NO MATCH FOR GATOUS MEN!! NO MATTER WHAT GLORIOUS CLAIMS YOU MAKE OR HOW HARD YOU WORK WHEN FACING THE STRONG, THE WEAK ONLY END UP GETTING KILLED!!" Inari yelled.

"Shut it." Naruto said in a low but commanding tone. Everyone looked at him as he raised his head off the table. "One such as you has no right to criticize me or my team." Naruto said.

"I'D HATE TO BE LIKE YOU! YOU DON'T ANYTHING ABOUT THIS COUNTRY YET YOU'RE BEING SO NOSY!! WHAT THE HELL DO YOU KNOW ABOUT ME?! I'M DIFFERENT FROM YOU'RE ALWAYS ACTING COOL AS IF YOU HAVE EVERYTHING, YOU DON'T KNOW HOW HARD LIFE CAN BE!" He yelled.

Naruto stared at him his eyes turning to slits. "And you do? You have no idea of how truly a bitch life could be. Just because you lost your father you think you have a right to go around acting like a star of a tragedy. Your mother and grandfather are in the same boat as you and do you see them crying about it. No. You see your grandfather risking his life trying to gain control from Gatou and your mother helping anyway she could. So don't sprout bullshit at me when you do nothing but sit in your room crying over a picture of your father. Come talk to me when you stop crying like a little bi-sissy." Naruto growled out catching himself in the end.

"Naruto that's enough!" Sakura yelled. Naruto looked at her not noticing when she or Sasuke who was sitting next to her got to the table.

Naruto looked back at Inari with a glare before turning around and walking upstairs. "I'm no longer hungry." Naruto said before walking up the stairs.

Later that night

Inari was sitting behind his house looking at the water. He heard footsteps and looked behind him to see Anko. She sat right next to him and took a glance at him. "You should excuse him…even if what he said is true." She said. Inari looked at her in shock and looked back at the water as she continued. "Tazuna told us about your dad and like you he grew up without a dad. Actually he never knew his mother either. He never had any sort of family to help him" She said. Inari looked shocked once more but didn't interrupted. "If you want to know the truth, Naru-chan…well I believe has had a rougher past than you." Anko said with a sad tone.

"Huh?" Inari replied.

"It's been a few years since we met but…during our first meeting, I believe he was about nine at the time. I noticed something about him." Anko said. "It's hard to explain but the best way to put it is…he had this type of knowledge." Anko said.

"Knowledge?" Inari let out curiously.

"Yeah… knowledge of the world." Anko said looking up slightly. "From all the places I been…I've seen many adults and children. I have never have I seen a look like his…at least from someone his age. Truth is kids are suppose to cry when they are sad, suppose to have tantrums when they are angry, supposed to be…well brats. But He has never cried or even looked sad even when things got tough for him. He just trained harder, ignoring what people did or said, only retaliating when it was necessary. No matter what happened his looked forward never dwelling on the past, never getting hung up on unfavorable situations. But I get the feeling that he already realized that crying would do no good for him. He knows what it means to really be strong just like your father. Naruto may understand your feelings better than anyone else." Anko explained.

"What?" Inari asked.

"He doesn't seem to not be able to not be concerned about you." She said with a smiled. She got up and patted his head. "Good night brat." She said walking off. She opened the door to see Kakashi with his eye curved.

"I'm good aren't I?" Anko whispered with a smirk.

"Yeah you are…though I could have done better." Kakashi said.

"I doubt it." She said walking pass him. She went up stairs and saw Naruto leaning against the wall with his eyes closed.

"When did you become so kind?" Naruto asked with hidden amusement in his voice.

"Hmph, I just didn't want the brat to be crying about something else tomorrow." Anko said with a huff.

"Hmm…If you say so. But I think you may have said a little too much." Naruto said opening his eyes.

"Eh! It doesn't matter. Nobody will go to deep into it." Anko said waving him off.

"You never know. Kakashi-sensei might ask move information from you…after all the hokage had you look after me since our second meeting." Naruto said. Anko's eyes widen briefly before she narrowed her eyes in realization.

"You knew since the beginning, didn't you?" She asked.

"Yeah I did…wasn't too hard to figure out…Though I would always wonder why the teasing." He said. Anko gave him a huge grin as he looked at her. "Then I would remember it's you." Naruto said. Anko let out a chuckle as he turned. "But you did save me the trouble in speaking with the kid. I guess I'll have to do something to repay you." Naruto said walking towards the room.

"I know exactly what you could do." Anko said lust shinning in her eyes.

"Nothing like that." Naruto scolded her as he stopped. She appeared behind him and wrapped her arms around his neck.

"I was just going to ask for a massage." Anko said nibbling on his ear.

"Hn, I could do that." Naruto said glancing at her.

"Really?" She asked enthusiastically.

"Sure as long as you don't try to start anything." Naruto said slipping out of her hold and walking forward. "Good night"

'I can do that.' She thought with a smirk.

The next day

Naruto woke up with a start hearing noises down stairs he looked to his sides and saw Kakashi and Sasuke gone. 'Fuck they left me.' Naruto thought. He got up and quickly changed his clothing. He strapped on his katana as he looked out the window. He saw to two men walking with a tied up Tsunami. 'Hn, I guess it was a good thing I overslept.' Naruto thought slipping out of the opened window.

Down stairs

"Wait!!" Inari yelled.

"Huh?" Gatou's bodyguard with the eye patch on said as he looked back.

"Inari!" Tsunami yelled.

"It's that kid." He said.

"Get…Away from my mom!" He yelled sweating bullets. He let out a war cry and started to running at them as the smirked.

"Geez stupid kid." The eye patch one said.

"Cut him" The one wearing the hat said.

"Sure." The eye patch one replied. They both grabbed the hilt of their katana.

"Inari!" Tsunami yelled looking scared. But drew their swords and did a dual strike on Inari. They both realized that they didn't cut the kid but a log and looked back to see a cloaked figure laying Tsunami who had fainted down.

"Sorry for being late." Naruto said looking at Inari. He opened his eyes to see Naruto with his eyes curved.

"Naruto…" Inari said.

"You did great but let me take over from here. Okay." Naruto said patting his head.

"Well, well, well if it isn't one of the loser ninja Tazuna hired." The eye patch samurai said.

"Now close your eyes and cover your ears Inari. I don't want you to watch this." Naruto said. Inari did as he was told and waited. Naruto looked at the samurai and smirked behind his mask. They both charged at him as his hands blurred through seals.

"Suiton: Suiryuu no jutsu." Naruto whispered. The water rose in the form of a dragon and charged at the samurai. They saw it and tried to run but never got the chance. The dragon opened its huge maw and chomped down on them. Naruto saw the two samurai move to the center of the dragon and directed it towards the lake. The dragon dove into the lake and brought the two samurai down to the very bottom and held them there. Naruto turned back to Inari and patted his head. He opened his eyes and saw Naruto. He smiled brightly as he removed his hands from his ears. "Hn, Inari I guess I can't call you a sissy anymore, can I?" Naruto asked.

"Nope." Inari said happily.

"Okay, hold the fort here. If they attacked here they might have attacked my team as well." Naruto said.

"Hai" Inari said. Naruto disappeared in a swirl of light missing Inari awe look.

Same time at the bridge

Tazuna and his guards arrived at the bridge to find everything in an uproar. The men who had already arrived were lying upon the ground, most dead but a few had managed to only be knocked unconscious. Tools had been thrown everywhere, littering the ground. A stifled gasp escaped the mouth of Tazuna as he spotted one of his men coughing. "Momochi... Zabuza." the man managed to stutter before falling into unconsciousness. Anko scowled as she scanned the area looking for any sign of him.

As they began to help the wounded a thick mist came rolling in, seeping into their clothes. The clouds had covered the sky, leaving not one patch of blue. Anko and Kakashi stood up and turned their attention to the end of the bridge where two forms were heading towards them. The rest of the group came up behind them, the Genins forming a semi-circle around Tazuna. Kakashi narrowed his eye as stepped in front of the others.

"Well well, looks like we meet again, Hatake." Zabuza's mirthless voice carried across the expansion of bridge until it met the ears of Team 7. The shinobi took a defensive stance as the two mist missing-nin came to a stop about twenty feet away. Sakura and Sasuke pulled out their kunai as they watched the two. Anko's eyes narrowed as she smirked, waiting for some action.

"Shall we, Haku?" Zabuza asked the boy beside him as he pulled out his senbon needles and took a step forward. Zabuza grinned as he watched Sasuke shake. "Looks like one of your brats it still a scared little sissy, Hatake. Heh, Mizu Bunshin no Jutsu." Ten water clones appeared surrounding the team.

Kakashi grinned as he took a step back, allowing Sasuke to effectively take out all of the bunshin before appearing at Sakura's side, smirking at the two missing-nin.

Zabuza narrow his eyes and whisper something to Haku. The boy in turn nodded his head once more and took another step forward as he nodded his head towards Sasuke. The Uchiha, loving the attention took a step forward, giving the boy his answer.

"I do hope you realize that I will not be letting you leave here alive today."

"Hn, you think you'll be able to defeat me?" Haku smiled underneath his mask as he watched Sasuke puff out his chest ever so slightly. Anko watched the interaction with an amused face before realizing that the other two jounin that were with Zabuza before were there.

'Shit they went after Naru-chan.' Anko thought. Zabuza saw her and began to draw his blade.

"Don't think your leaving to help that brat." He said.

Anko glared at him with a scowl on her face. 'Damn they must have gone after Naruto.' Kakashi thought also noticing the lack of two jounin. "Anko I'll take care of him, you go get Naruto" Kakashi said.

Back to Naruto

Naruto stopped suddenly as a kunai came pass his head and hit the tree truck. He turned to the side and saw Shiro and Shuji waiting in a clearing eyes narrowed.

"Kit, no holding back." Kyuubi said.

'Fine' Naruto thought disappearing in a swirl of light and appearing a few seconds later in front of the missing-nin.

"What took you so long?" Shiro asked with venom dripping from his voice.

"I had important things to do." Naruto replied. "But enough with the talking, you two die now." Naruto said removing both katana from his scabbard.

"No! Now I'm going to kill you like I killed that bitch. Shuji stay back and don't interfere." Shiro said pulling out his katana. Naruto's eyes became slits but he controlled his anger.

"No I.." He started.

"I said stay back." He said in a threaten matter. Shuji growled but nodded.

"Lets us begin Hikaru the Dragon ninja." Shiro said darkly. Naruto removed the weights from his wristbands and legwarmers as his gauntlets and shinguards appeared.

"Lets" Naruto said anger barely heard on his voice. They both disappeared in a blur and reappeared with their katana locked together in the middle of the clearing.

A.n.

Sorry for the long wait for the update. I have been busy with other things and stories. I hope you like this chapter. In the next one you find out more of how he got that name.

Kage Bunshin no jutsu: Shadow clone jutsu

Katon: Goukakyuu no jutsu- Fire release: Grand fireball jutsu

Kuro jiten: Black spin

Ryuusattou: Dragon Rush

Fuuton: Aisu kisoku no jutsu: Fuuton: ice breath jutsu

Suiton: Suiryuu no jutsu: Water release: water dragon jutsu.

Mizu Bunshin no Jutsu: Water clone jutsu