"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!" screamed Rock Lee as he ran three miles towards the nearest river.
"AAAAAAAAaaaaaa eh?" indicated Rock Lee as he realized that the fires:
a) didn't hurt.
b) were green.
c) didn't actually seem to burn him or his clothing.
"Oh," said Rock Lee, turning his flame off. Then on. Then back off. After some experimentation he discovered he could just cover his fists with fire. "Oh! I shall call this my Flaming Fist Of Youthful Energy!"
When he explained this to his team, the reactions were a little different.
Neji just sat there twitching for some reason Lee couldn't quite grasp.
"No. How about 'Burn Knuckle' instead?" tried Tenten. "It's shorter, you can say it a LOT faster, and it won't result with me throwing kunai at you to suggest you stop."
"That's a good reason," admitted Lee, knowing that sometimes Tenten just got into moods about things like that. Usually a few days every month. Maybe it was when her rent was due or she had some other financial difficulty?
"Yes, Lee," declared Gai. "Now you can literally explode with the fires of youth! You should continue to develop your taijutsu, but then you can use these fire abilities as an 'ace in the hole' to surprise opponents."
"YOSH! GAI-SENSEI!"
"Hold it!" said Tenten, interrupting the male-bonding scene she was sure would be coming. "What exactly ARE these fire abilities? You demonstrated that you can cover your body with fire and can just cover your fists. What else?"
"We shall have to experiment or... yes?" asked Gai as an ANBU in a Serow mask.
A large envelope was handed to Gai, then the ANBU turned to consider Lee for a moment before vanishing.
"Eh? From the Hokage?" asked Gai, breaking it open, then looking over the stapled sheets he had withdrawn from it. "Ah. The Hokage truly does have some impressive information gathering abilities."
"It's about my fire?" asked Lee. "That is most impressive. Indeed."
"Yes, we shall have to test these abilities out Lee!" declared Gai.
Kakashi sounded a bit uncertain when summoned to the Hokage's office. Perhaps it was that he had four ANBU who were "just making sure that no black cats or little old ladies caused him to be late" - he was pretty sure he hadn't done that too much lately with the Hokage at least.
He was even more curious when the Hokage took out a small photograph and used a finger-flick to send it across the table to him. "Hokage-sama?"
"Do you know the person on that photo?" asked the Hokage.
Kakashi picked it up and seemed to study it for a moment, though he had recognized the individual immediately. "Yugito Ni of Cloud."
The Hokage steepled his hands in front of himself. "How did you meet her?"
"C-Rank mission I was on, about six years ago I think," said Kakashi, trying to dredge up the details. "Escort. Businessman working for a small trade company. 'Kuroneko Pharmaceuticals' I believe, herbs and similar medicinals. Paired with two chunin, both of whom were fairly new at that. Foreign nin intervention was to delay the client so that he'd miss a meeting."
"She spared the chunin?" asked the Hokage.
"Yes, she could very easily have killed one. Most likely both. Fairly skilled, powerful. Strong chakra. Very serious, no nonsense, dislikes unnecessary mess and killing." Kakashi tried to remember details. "Met her three times so far. Once we were even on the same side, both having missions to protect delegates. Different delegates of course."
"Do you remember anything odd about your interactions with her?" asked the Hokage.
"Uhm," said Kakashi.
"Anything at all, Kakashi," said the Hokage after a few moments.
"Can I ask why?" asked Kakashi. "I haven't seen Yugito in almost two years."
"Her name and likeness came up recently, and I'm trying to determine how much accuracy is involved," said the Hokage.
Kakashi winced with his visible eye. "Well. We engaged in some battle banter and such. I think she might have flirted a bit."
The Hokage sat back and sighed, nodding after a few moments had passed.
"She died and left me something in her Will?" guessed Kakashi.
"Not quite," said the Hokage.
"Uhm," said Kakashi, still trying to figure this out. Her name had come up? Her connection, such as it was since they'd hardly spoken to each other all that much, to himself was being questioned. So what could it be... oh dear. It couldn't be that, could it? If she turned out to be behind Door #3 in a wedding dress, he was going to be out the window and heading for the horizon so fast he'd be leaving after-images.
"Very well, Kakashi. I need to tell you about Naruto having a kekkei genkai going active that might cause some problems," said the Hokage. It sounds as if that cat-creature DID have these sorts of abilities. Well, at least I was able to get a few things thrown into the deal as well.
"Okay, Naruto," said Kakashi. "I just checked and you're now at a factor of five until you get used to it, according to the Hokage."
"Jiji?" asked Naruto.
"So, he's already arranged taijutsu for you to get used to your kekkei genkai cutting in," began Kakashi.
"WHAT?!" demanded Sakura, pointing. "HE has a kekkei genkai?!"
"Well, yes, not only is he an Uzumaki, but he has something else now," admitted Kakashi.
"What is it, some bloodline ability that gives him a resistance to learning?" asked Sakura.
"No, though that would explain a few things," admitted Kakashi.
"Hey," protested Naruto.
"Is it the bloodline talent to be completely lame?" asked Sakura, encouraged by seeing the start of a smirk on Sasuke's face. Well almost. In the right light he could possibly be amused though.
"Uhm, no. Not at all," said Kakashi.
"Maybe it's the dreaded bloodline ability of 'annoyance'?" asked Sakura.
"Okay, first opponent for taijutsu practice will be with Sakura," decided Kakashi.
"Eh?" asked Naruto, familiar with how Sakura hit - which was really really hard.
"Well, at least it will get through this nonsense of Naruto having some valuable talent," mused Sakura aloud as she got into a stance.
"Oh, I just know this is not going to end well," said Naruto.
"Remember Naruto, go all out," suggested Kakashi. "After all, Sakura - what would you think of Naruto going easy on you because you're a girl?"
Sakura glowered and cracked her knuckles.
"But-" protested Naruto.
"I'll admit I've got some doubts of my own," admitted Kakashi.
"Hnn," put in Sasuke.
"But-" repeated Naruto.
"Begin!" said Kakashi.
"That's right, Lee, let your fires of youth RAGE!"
"In some OTHER direction, please," noted Tenten, who'd managed to unseal a matsuri-sized wok and use it to protect herself from the occasional blast of flame.
"Yes!" declared Lee. "If I cannot... Gai-sensei? What is that odd noise?"
"aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa-"
"Ah, it is a bird call, I recognize it Lee," stated Gai. "It is the distress cry of the Crested Swallowtail."
"aaaaaaaAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA-"
"Or," said Neji, popping out from behind Tenten. "It could be a pink-haired midget dropping out of the sky."
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA-"
"Don't be silly, Neji. There are no pink-haired flying midgets," began Gai.
SPLASH! BOUNCE! THUD!
"She's not a midget," said Tenten. "Wow. Lee. You've got a fangirl. Who launched herself at you, skipped off the lake, bounced off the shore, then landed on top of you in a liplock. Gotta admire her for her initiative if nothing else."
"A fangirl. Lee has a fangirl." Neji began to twitch. He who was Rookie Of The Year, not to mention a Hyuga with FABULOUS hair - was not fated to have a fangirl. Yet Rock Lee had apparently awoken a kekkei genkai of formidable strength AND gotten a fangirl all in the same morning. Truly it could be said that if he ever ran into Fate, she was getting a fat lip and all her tenketsu sealed.
"Oh," said Rock Lee, looking down at the swirly-eyed girl who'd stolen his first kiss. "She is cute. But no - I must throw myself deeper into training now that I must train my new abilities AND my taijutsu. I must - TENTEN!"
"What?" asked Tenten.
"How do I gently turn down a girl's attentions?" asked Lee. "At least temporarily."
"WHY are you asking ME?" asked Tenten.
"Have you not done this sort of thing before?" asked Lee.
"NO!" declared Tenten. "I've NEVER had to turn down a girl."
Gai and Neji both stared at her.
"WHAT?" asked Tenten.
"That was a suspiciously specific denial," mused Neji. "Does that mean that you-"
Tenten found herself holding a large spiked mace.
"Never mind," said Neji.
"I AM THIRTEEN," said Tenten. "Next month - fourteen. This is a conversation we shouldn't be having at TWICE that."
"Really?" asked Lee. "So I can put this off without hurting anyone's feelings?"
"Sure, let's go with that, lunchtime anyway," said Tenten, using the famous change-the-subject-no-jutsu.
"WHAT?! WHO?!" exclaimed the girl, realizing she was lying on top of someone. After a moment of hope, she realized it was NOT Sasuke. "AGH!"
"She ran off," said Lee, a little disappointed.
"Maybe she's shy?" suggested Gai.
"After physically launching herself at him like that? Pshaw. Yeah, right," said Tenten over her shoulder as she went off to find lunch.
"Sakura really should have known better," said Kakashi with a sigh as he landed back on the ground.
"Is she okay, Kakashi-sensei?!" asked a worried Naruto.
Sasuke glanced at Naruto, then off in the direction Sakura had been launched. "Okay. Dobe. That airplane spin IS a valid taijutsu technique after all."
"You weren't doing it right, but you DID deflect Sakura's attack, put your own strength into spinning her around, and then let her go," agreed Kakashi. "And yes - Sakura's fine. She just kissed one of Gai's genin and then ran off into the bushes."
"Huh," said Sasuke, thinking it was nice that one of his fangirls had gone off and found someone else to bug.
"THAT DIDN'T COUNT!" yelled Sakura as she stomped out of the brush.
"Oh?" asked Kakashi. "Bets?"
Sasuke leaned up against a tree and smirked. He knew better to get involved in this sort of thing after all.
Kakashi watched, and briefly uncovered his Sharingan eye to better gauge things.
According to the Hokage, Naruto had to learn to control things in stages. Those bracers on his arms were power-limiters currently on the first setting - the most limited.
Kakashi had his doubts about the whole thing. Admittedly, Naruto was showing signs of being a lot faster and stronger. IF those bracers WERE power-limiters AND they were limiting him as much as possible? Kakashi discovered he really didn't want to contemplate the possibilities.
Sakura came in, as normally using Academy taijutsu with textbook precision. Strength and speed normal for her.
Naruto treated her as if she were moving in slow motion. Effortlessly slapping inside her forearm to redirect her punch, then counter-attacking.
POOM!
-and there went Sakura, the palmstrike to her chest causing her to become airborne for a moment before she hit the ground four feet away from her previous position.
"You really shouldn't pull your punches so much, Naruto," chided Kakashi. "Not taking her seriously as an opponent is a VERY bad habit for a ninja."
Sakura picked herself up, then turned her attention towards Kakashi. "What do you mean - he's pulling punches?"
"He is," said Sasuke, deciding to go ahead and show that he was paying attention after all. "Palmstrike. Hit in the most reinforced area of your chest. So - he's about five times faster and stronger?"
"That's what I was told," admitted Kakashi.
"Hmph," indicated Sasuke, looking around and then picking up rocks. "Speed training. Dodge."
The ANBU known as Serow observed. It was his main skill after all. Despite the ANBU being "Ansatsu Senjutsu Tokushu Butai" or "Assassination and Special Ops Department" being under the direct command of the Hokage - not everyone had the same skills or was particularly competent at all aspects of the job.
Serow was, in some opinions, best at observation and reconnaissance - which included being able to analyze those observations and then report on them. He was a Hyuga, of a Branch family, but sworn to uphold the Hokage's authority even beyond that of his clan. At least when the two came into conflict which didn't happen very often at all.
So when Serow appeared before the Hokage, the latter knew that his ANBU had some particular observation to relay.
"Report," ordered the Hokage, putting aside a sixteen page report dealing with power line maintenance needed in the Uchiha district.
Serow's mask slowly went to the side, making it obvious that he was staring at the cat on the shelf.
"Yes, I know that's not a cat," said the Hokage. "Go ahead anyway."
"Rock Lee progresses with his fire abilities, able to sheathe his hands or his body with fire at will. He also has some control over fire he's near. His control over the green fire he emits is remarkable - sufficient that it doesn't seem to burn his allies even when they are engulfed in it."
The Hokage nodded to acknowledge that.
"Lee's team seems to indicate that he should practice it but keep it all secret, particularly with the Chunin Exams a few months away." Serow paused again, his mask clearly indicating the cat still on the shelf.
"Go ahead," prompted the Hokage.
"Sir, the chakra network on that - is not right at all."
"Understood," said the Hokage.
"Uzumaki's chakra network has more than doubled in size, it is not That either." Serow paused.
"I know about Kurama, whom you call the Kyubi," said the cat. "Rather more than you do in fact."
Serow wasn't sure what to make of that, so simply continued. "Strength, speed, durability - jonin level at least. Control is the major issue at present. He also appears to be rather more intelligent than I was given to believe."
"Yes, well, that does feed into the whole backstory of those of Krypton being a more advanced race - not just their technology," admitted the cat. "I never quite understood how the yellow solar radiation upgraded purely mental functions. Increased psychic energy? Though this also is limited at present."
"If it is genetic, these traits would also be passed on?" asked the Hokage.
"Of course, diluted a bit perhaps - but likely to develop into several different bloodlines over intervening generations," stated the cat. A paw waved.
Serow blinked as he looked over the two-dimensional images showing Uzumaki's head linked by a bar to a similarly depicted girl's head with a bar coming down from that bar to a picture of a baby and some text. Each set was contained by a box and had some text with it, that was a little difficult to read as it was all backwards from where he was looking.
"You do realize that they're all twelve don't you?" asked the Hokage.
"Some are older, some are younger, but these things are subject to change anyway," said the cat.
"Why are you trying to fix up my underage ninja?" protested the Hokage.
"Because this is all part of the human experience, and due to my own lifespan being a bit longer than a human's - I tend to take the long view as well," stated the cat.
Serow put that comment together with the odd chakra that seemed to extend out in ways that made his eyes hurt, and came up with the conclusion that this was some form of kami wearing a disguise. Therefore it was likely either Susanoo or perhaps Fuujin. Perhaps Izanagi?
"Well, kindly stop," said Hiruzen Sarutobi. "This is not Cloud where we would try to breed our ninja like horses for racing. Furthermore - many of these kunoichi aren't even of Konoha."
"Things happen, these are all just possibilities," stated the cat, but he erased the images anyway.
"Hmph," hmphed the Hokage. "Just possibilities, eh? Not something you'd actively work at?"
"No. Not going there. This time at least," said the cat. "Last time I did something along those lines - it ended up a mess. And not a funny mess either."
"Good," said the Hokage.
"Not nearly so bad as the bow that shot Love Arrows, now THAT was a major mess. Had to reset the timeline," said the cat.
"'Love Arrows'?" asked the Hokage.
"Yeah, gave Naruto one - sized to fit him at age nine," said the cat, shaking his head. "He must have tagged half the village before anyone stopped him. Kid was really attention-starved and then - wasn't."
The Hokage felt a definite chill.
"Yeah, had to reset things after that," said the cat to himself. "Even S-Rank criminals joined the 'I love Naruto' crowd after that. Ramen festivals. Everybody wanting to be his friend. Not much of the whole ninja atmosphere left after that."
"No, I would suppose not," said the Hokage.
"Anyway, that's all I'm doing here," said the cat, beginning to fade away. "What happens hereafter is all up to you mortals."
Serow waited until the cat had faded completely away. "Should I continue to watch after Uzumaki and Lee?"
"No, return to your regular duties," said the Hokage, himself returning to pondering the situation. He had the nagging feeling he'd forgotten something.
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(Posted Thu, 20 Mar 2014 16:05)
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