"He demonstrated several techniques in front of me and three members of ANBU," said the Hokage with a nod. "He has more techniques than was apparent. He also demonstrated that overnight he's become quite the cook and a master of sealing techniques."
"He couldn't have been replaced by a duplicate of some kind?" asked Kakashi.
"No. We were monitoring him when the change occurred and we've investigated," said the Hokage. "Plus his girlfriend's a Hyuga - she'd know."
"...Naruto Uzumaki, the village pariah, has a girlfriend? A Hyuga?" asked Kakashi, even more shocked than from the idea of Naruto suddenly mastering a hijutsu.
"Surprising isn't it?" asked the Hokage, a very pleased smile easing onto his face. "It's something that gives me hopes for his future more than his cooking skills or competence as a ninja. Someone who accepts him to that extent? I just hope that when she learns of what he carries - it doesn't cause her to reject him."
"I think," said Kakashi, glancing down at the ANBU report, "that I am going to have to make a few changes in the test tomorrow."
"If I fail this, I'll be seperated from Sasuke-kun!" declared Sakura. "This is a test of love!"
"Hey guys, good morning... you were supposed to skip breakfast," said Kakashi.
"Did I mention that when I learned my hijutsu I learned how to cook?" asked Naruto. "You made me kinda nervous yesterday, I find cooking helps settle my nerves. I gave out a few samples to some people, who get me ingredients on the cheap as long as I make them something too. You're too late for breakfast, ya know, but there's enough for a pretty good lunch."
"I take it the dining set and the chairs were sealed in a scroll?" asked Kakashi.
"Yeah," admitted Naruto.
"Seal them back up," said Kakashi, heading towards the three posts.
"Uhm, okay," said Naruto, busying himself and obviously concerned that he was in trouble again.
"Hmpf," said Sasuke, making sure no blueberry evidence was present on his face or clothing.
"I was good, Kakashi-sensei!" said Sakura. "I know how to follow the rules, unlike Naruto!"
"Okay," said Kakashi, putting an alarm clock on the center post. "It's set for noon. You have two hours. Here are two bells. Your task is to take these from me before that time is up."
"So... this is to simulate missions where we have to accomplish a set objective like sneaking into a warlord's castle and stealing their battle plans before the alarm goes off?" asked Naruto.
"If that helps, go for it," said Kakashi. "You don't get a bell, you don't get a lunch. I'll not only tie you to a post, I'll eat right in front of you."
Sakura's stomach growled a protest.
"You only have to get one bell," continued Kakashi. "There are only two, so one of you will definitely be tied to a stump. The person who doesn't get a bell fails, so at least one of you will definitely be going back to the Academy."
"Oh," said Naruto. "Good luck, Sasuke. Sakura."
"Eh?" asked Kakashi.
"I can always go the wandering sorcerer route and master my hijutsu," explained Naruto to Sasuke. "Maybe a wandering chef seeking to master new recipes and techniques can be my cover identity. Then, later on, I can come back to the village and show how awesome I am!"
"You're really missing the point here," said Kakashi. "If you want you can use your shuriken, kunai, senbon, and whatever. You won't succeed unless you come at me intending to kill."
"Oh?" asked Naruto, looking interested suddenly.
"EXCEPT YOU, NARUTO," stressed Kakashi. "No lethal or especially harmful attacks. Do you understand me? Do NOT destroy the training ground."
"Not even a little?" protested Naruto.
"Well, maybe a little," said Kakashi. "That's normal and expected. Absolutely nothing that will kill, maim, cripple, or leave your team members in the hospital for an extended period."
Sasuke and Sakura blinked, looked at each other, then looked at Naruto.
"Damn," said Naruto, fiddling with the braid he'd put in his hair. "That really cuts down on the number of spells I can use."
"I will keep this in mind when I'm grading you," promised Kakashi.
Naruto scratched his head as he considered things. "Hmmm. No Dragon Slave then. I was really hoping to use that one. No permanent injuries then?"
"Definitely not," said Kakashi, getting the feeling it was REALLY good he'd come up with that addendum.
"You read the ANBU report on my hijutsu then?" asked Naruto.
"Yes," said Kakashi. "Can you demonstrate one though? Just so your team-mates here will stop staring at us both with the skeptical looks. How about... that tree over there across the lake?"
"That one?" asked Naruto, looking at where Kakashi was pointing. "Which spell?"
"One of those you demonstrated to the Hokage, I think," said Kakashi.
"Hmmm. I did Rune Flare, Fire Ball, Flare Arrow, Freeze Bullet, Gray Buster, and Digu Volt," mused Naruto, considering. "That's fairly distant, so... what about Van Rail?"
"As long as it doesn't violate those conditions, I suppose," said Kakashi, curious.
Naruto smiled brightly, dusted his hands off, and then began making the requisite passes. "Holy wind, wind which gently passes cross the land. Let all things be filled with your pure breath!" Naruto placed his now glowing hands against the ground. "VAN RAIL!"
Tendrils of ice shot across the ground, along the water, then whipped around the tree and the three closest trees, encasing them in ice.
"Does the target need to be harmed by that?" asked Kakashi.
"No, as long as you chip the ice off around the head very carefully," said Naruto thoughtfully. "Yeah, I can do that."
"Hmmm," hmmmed Kakashi, thinking of certain missions where that might be very handy.
"Uhm, right," said Sasuke, vowing to get his Sharingan working and COPY THAT! "Now for the test."
"Oh right," said Kakashi, noting that they now had just over an hour-and-a-half. "Begin."
Naruto's hands shot out.
(Posted Sun, 09 May 2010 18:19)
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