In order to have the two put in the same room, Hinata had now gotten involved during the Mizuki Incident. Also, Naruto had unleashed a fragment of Kyubi chi for just long enough to panic a few people.
Which was the excuse that would be remembered for putting the two in a room in "isolation" and observing them. Never mind that hadn't originally been the case at all.
Fortunately, there wasn't anyone with an immunity to retconning other than a few that were already dead. It wasn't a particularly spectacular ninja ability, nor useful in combat that often - therefore not something most ninja would pursue.
It struck Toltiir as odd that these ninja apparently didn't do 'subtle' all that often.
Hinata blinked and came around slowly, then stood up. "We're back?"
"Yeah, now comes the hard part," said Naruto. "How do we explain any of this?"
Hinata considered that, going over their mutual adventures in her head briefly. "Uhm."
"Yeah, I just hope the TSAB tracked us like they said they were and arrive to back up our stories," said Naruto. "Otherwise, nobody's going to buy that we were gone for a couple of years - meeting up with a group of dimension-travelling cops, training under superheroes, and having world-crossing adventures. I mean I went through it - and I still have trouble believing the stuff we went through."
"Oh dear, well, I-" Hinata paused. "We're being observed."
"Eh?" asked Naruto.
The Hokage sat back and considered the two genin before him.
Both of them were taller. Naruto by nearly four inches. Hinata by two. Naruto was broader, more muscular, more solid-looking. Hinata's hair was at least three inches longer, and she seemed more confident and at ease with herself than she had that morning.
Then there was the clothing. Naruto had been wearing his usual clothing this morning. Armored mesh and bracers and leggings of some blue material that tucked into thick boots? New. Hinata's usual clothing had been replaced with something similar to Naruto's, though there was a hood that she had down and the jacket she wore had a dozen more pockets.
"Oh, first, I got something for you, Jiji. I think I had it on me when we got yanked back," said Naruto, checking pockets.
One of the ANBU saw an opportunity and placed a small folding table next to Naruto, who nodded and shot a grin at the guy before he started going through his pockets.
Crystal skull. Blue gemstone that hovered six inches above the table's surface. What looked like an obsidian chesspiece of a knight. A small red/brown furred critter which sat back on its haunches and squeaked inquisitively. Glass orb which seemed to have brightly colored images playing out inside it. A black box decorated with silver piping. A small harp made of some blue-green wood. A silvery single-edged blade of unfamiliar make. A set of keys on a metal ring, a small blue square with colored buttons on one surface linked to it. A somewhat larger rectangle which started playing music until Naruto fumbled around with it until he was able to shut it off again.
"Here we go," said Naruto, having finally located a medium-sized box. "Communication device that allows you to contact the Time/Space Administration Bureau. There's the possibility of additional missions, trade, stuff like that. When you're ready to turn it on, that's the blue button there."
"It was mentioned to us that there may be delays before communication can be established," added Hinata, bowing in apology.
"I see," said the Hokage.
"-and that's what my specialty is," finished Naruto. "Wind techniques mainly, with Mjolnir - lightning and water. So I can use wind to create barriers, slice through stuff, and so on. Switch to lightning and get better penetration. Switch to water and irrigate farms or flood an area and stuff like that."
"Uhm, well, my abilities are more defensive and sensory," stated Hinata, fidgeting a bit as attention shifted to her.
"Mention your healing stuff," said Naruto, reaching around her shoulders to pull her close in what he viewed as a friendly manner. "Yeah, she can do stuff with medic jutsu. I blast through the enemies, and Hinata finds the hostages and fixes 'em up. We make a great team!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi noted the pale-skinned girl turning red and wondered how often Naruto had done something like that.
Iruka was fully prepared to obey the Hokage. He was just very uncertain of the reasoning behind it. The Hokage took one look at the puzzled expression and decided to address it.
"Technically, the Hokage is the head of the village and military commander," said Hiruzen Sarutobi. "This is, however, rule by law. When the village was founded, there were considerations given to various clans and to the civilians in order to get those groups to join. I'm quite aware of the objections that certain parties will raise to having two unknown factors simply hand-waved into the ranks."
"Despite that they are likely more functional together?" asked Iruka, who'd been fairly observant of how the two had interacted.
"Especially so," said the Hokage. "When objections and suggestions are bandied about - I will simply point out that by putting them on entirely different squads - I am putting two different jonin on watching them for any indication that something is amiss. As will no doubt be pointed out to me, it is entirely possible for ninja to be turned or brainwashed in far less time than the two were apparently gone."
"I see," said Iruka.
"No, I don't believe they've been compromised in any such manner," admitted the Hokage. "And after a suitable period, having them reunited - say after testing for chunin - would be far less likely to cause me any additional headaches."
"WHAT?!" asked Sakura. "How can Naruto be on my team? He didn't pass the test! He isn't even here!"
"Both Naruto Uzumaki and Hinata Hyuga were involved in a incident that has become rated a B Rank Secret," said Iruka, not even looking up from his papers. "Some details will become available later after full evaluation. Hinata will be along following some meetings with her clan. Naruto is giving details regarding a potential diplomatic situation."
"Naruto? Diplomacy?" asked Sakura. "That can't be going well."
"Naruto will be joining you two later," said Iruka. "Team Eight. Jonin-sensei will be Kurenai Yuhi. Kiba Inuzuka, Hinata Hyuga, and Shino Aburame."
Kakashi Hatake looked back and forth. Two of them were here. Sasuke Uchiha and Sakura Haruno. The third was apparently missing. "Any idea why he's late?"
"Iruka-sensei said there was something diplomatic involved?" asked Sakura.
"I-" said Kakashi before flickering past the two genin and looking out across the village.
Sasuke looked startled and fumbled at his kunai pouch. So fast!
"Eh?" asked a momentarily frightened Sakura before getting control of herself. "What?"
"That's what I'm asking," said Kakashi as a yellow sphere shot into an orbit around their rooftop meeting spot and then vanished.
Crackle THWAM!
Lightning struck the roof, but as soon as the flash faded there was someone rising from a crouch there. "Sorry I'm late. I miss anything?"
"So you're Naruto?" asked Kakashi, sounding bored.
"Yeah. Had some additional paperwork from the Hokage," said Naruto, idly spinning a large hammer in one hand - which vanished a moment later.
"Na-Naruto?" asked Sakura, who'd thought it was someone else for a moment.
"Yeah, hey Sakura. Long time no see," said Naruto.
"We were just introducing ourselves," said Kakashi, hoping that entry didn't indicate Naruto had been trained by Gai.
"Oh?" asked Naruto, shrugging. "Naruto Uzumaki! B-Rank Mage, Flier, aka the Orange Storm. Wielder of the artifact-class Intelligent Device Mjolnir. Wind, lightning, weather manipulation, and crushing my enemies in completely over-the-top displays are my specialty. I like ramen, friends, and seeing new places. I dislike how long it takes instant ramen to be ready, things from other worlds trying to eat my face, or any part of me for that matter, and people who judge me without knowing me. Also dislike bullies. I like missions that involve rescuing people and making new friends. My dream for the future is to become Hokage, have an annual Ramen Festival, get Hinata's family to remove that stick up their butts, and to have people acknowledge my general awesomeness. How's that?"
"Hnnf," indicated Sasuke.
"Too long, huh?" asked Naruto, sitting down.
"Yeah, and too much nonsense," said Sakura, figuring that Naruto was using a henge. "How about you, Kakashi-sensei. Why not show us how it's done."
"Kakashi Hatake. My interests are personal and too adult for you children. My dislikes are many."
"That's way too little," complained Sakura.
Sasuke studied the boy before him as Sakura introduced herself without any apparent clue that the situation had changed.
Naruto had always been loud and a clown. Naruto had always been short, undisciplined, loud, and a braggart without anything actually worth bragging about.
Naruto had grown a few inches to at least average height. He was more muscular - enough so that even with all the clothing it was obvious. He'd displayed talents not previously displayed and had held an unfamiliar weapon.
Clearly the situation had changed, but how much of a change was still to be seen.
What was this jonin going on about now? Don't eat breakfast or we'd throw up?
"Well, that was kind of pathetic," said Naruto, rotating one shoulder before going into a full stretch.
"Do... Do you want to go get something to eat, Sasuke-kun?" asked Sakura.
"Pfeh," indicated Sasuke.
"Why, yes, Sakura, I think we should all get together and discuss this. We have a jonin-sensei who doesn't actually want to be a jonin-sensei and is being all mysterious. Why, yes, Sakura - I do believe he MIGHT be up to something."
"Shut UP, Naruto. And drop that stupid henge."
"Well, I'll be at Ichiraku if anyone wants a strategy session," said Naruto. A hammer appeared in his hands, he twirled it once, leapt into the air and flew off as if gravity was a concern for lesser creatures.
"Uhm, Sasuke-kun? Do you think he might have a point?"
"Naruto just flew off."
"You're right. It's just some stupid prank."
Sasuke looked in the direction that Naruto had just vanished in, considering.
"-and so one of you will definitely be going back to the Academy," said Kakashi.
"Uhm, question?" asked Naruto. "Did the Hokage okay all this?"
"My team, my test, my rules," said Kakashi.
"He hasn't talked to you in the past couple of days?" asked Naruto.
"Yes, he did," said Kakashi, not mentioning that he hadn't really been paying attention at the time. It was just the same old thing every year after all.
"And he didn't mention ANYTHING about how maybe coming after you with an attempt to kill you just MIGHT not be a good idea?" asked Naruto.
"Oh, the smallest dog barks the loudest you know," said Kakashi, sounding almost amused.
Naruto considered his sensei for a moment, putting a hand out that was suddenly holding the hilt of a hammer. "Okay. When do we start?"
Sasuke and Sakura half-crouched as they considered what to do next.
"Meh," said Kakashi. "All right. Start."
The hammer whirled in a circle and thunder crashed.
Sakura leapt into a brush, to hide and evaluate their jonin and figure out how best to get those bells. Then she could give one bell to Sasuke, true love would run its course and...
When was NARUTO able to throw lightning bolts?!
"GRAND THUNDER DRAGON!"
When was Naruto able to throw a bolt of lightning that CHASED its target?!
"RAZOR WIND!"
What kind of jutsu was THAT?! It cut through trees and sent branches flying and was barely visible!
"You left your back open!" declared Kakashi, appearing behind Naruto and making a tiger hand-seal.
Fingers thrust forward. There was a brilliant flash of light.
Sakura was aware of the roaring noise in her ears, and that she was staring up at the leaves of the trees.
She became slowly aware of a tingly sensation all over.
Slowly managing to come upright, Sakura looked around and tried to ignore the way various muscle groups were twitching in a particularly unpleasant manner.
Maybe she should just rest here for now.
"Electrically charged shadow clones?" asked Kakashi. "That's mildly impressive."
"Well, I thought you might appreciate that," said Naruto's voice from somewhere nearby.
Kakashi checked around him. He remembered the little Dynamic Entry from the previous day, and so looked up.
The only thing he saw that was at all odd were the little yellow spheres shooting everywhere. The size of his thumbnail with little electrical discharges coming off of them.
Slowly, not believing he was having to do this with genin involved, Kakashi reached up and uncovered his Sharingan eye.
Lightning-charged spheres of chakra. Thousands of them. Darting here and there and around obstacles.
One of the spheres abruptly became a full-sized Naruto lashing out with a kick at Kakashi's head. Kakashi naturally dodged. That Naruto flickered back to a sphere which continued on at a high speed. Then another sphere shifted to Naruto and back.
Kakashi twitched as the substitution (if that was what it was) was without any seals and instant. If it was a transformation of shadow clones, ALL of the spheres that had an average speed of 500kph could become the slower shadow clones in order to attack. They were NOT a genjutsu.
Kakashi closed his little orange book. Looked like he might have to put Naruto down before he could start reading in earnest.
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(Posted Thu, 01 May 2014 19:03)
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らんま1/2 © Rumiko Takahashi
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