"It's a Power Ring, jiji," said Naruto proudly.
"Ah," said the Hokage. "And you know what it can do?"
"Right!" agreed Naruto.
"I'm going to have someone investigate your seal," said the Hokage. "Just in case. It's unfortunate that he's late."
"Kakashi-sensei?" asked Naruto, putting late and his sensei together due to experience in that regard.
"No, there's a seal expert named Jiraiya. One of the three Legendary Sannin of the village." The Hokage glanced at the window where someone had still not appeared. "Who usually is at least a little more punctual than this."
"Oh," said Naruto, not understanding this but going along with it for now.
"So what exactly can you do with it?" asked the Hokage.
"Ring?" asked Naruto.
"[Current Abilities are limited by level of genin Naruto Uzumaki and dependence on Will of Fire]"
"Interesting," said the Hokage as the Power Ring spoke in a not-quite-human voice. "Will of Fire?"
Naruto had a freaky ring that gave him power.
Honestly, he didn't like the idea of relying on something other than oneself - but wouldn't he have been a better choice? Wouldn't he have made better use of it?
Sasuke paused in the act of throwing a shuriken. Unless that's the point. Could it be that he got that because he wouldn't be able to exploit its abilities to the fullest?
Sasuke held that pose for a moment before snorting and continuing his practice. No. If power is not meant to be used, then what is the point?
"So," said the Hokage, looking VERY thoughtful. "This Power Ring can manage your chakra, boosting your control enough to perform certain techniques."
"Yup!" Naruto grinned. "I managed my first Clone, not just Shadow Clone."
"That's very good," admitted the Hokage, thinking of the possibilities just that one function added to his genin's future. When combined with the other functions, it was truly something to keep an eye on. "Now, Naruto - remember to keep the abilities of your Ring secret from other villages unless it really becomes necessary."
"Damn, you and Kakashi-sensei really want to take the fun out of it," moped Naruto.
"Just think how much fun it would be to unleash it as a surprise when you do need it," pointed out the Hokage.
"True," admitted Naruto.
"Now, can I hear this oath you apparently use to recharge your ring?" asked the Hokage.
Hinata wasn't sure WHAT was going on.
She flexed out of the way of her sister's palmstrike, one hand darting in and out.
"Stop."
Both Hinata and Hanabi stopped at the barked order from their father.
"Hinata? Why are there sparks of bright blue in your chakra pathways?"
"Err, ah, uhm," fidgeted Hinata. "I don't know?"
Her father's Byakugan was running as he looked and analyzed. What is this? These flecks are located at major chakra switches and paths in her network. The flow... what is it about the flow? They are - regulators? I see. "Who have you recently come into contact with?"
"Uhm, that is," fidgeted Hinata as her father's presence loomed all the stronger.
Ko shifted, hesitating before speaking up. "Your pardon, Lord Hiashi, but recently Lady Hinata was in the presence of... That Boy."
"Oh?" asked Hiashi.
"I was able to determine that since returning from Wave, he has developed some chakra sensing ability as he was able to determine my presence. At that point I ceased observation through the Byakugan to determine what course I should take. Instead I observed an ANBU I'd detected earlier, who was also observing events. About an hour later, That Child was summoned to the Hokage's presence."
"Which ANBU?" asked Hiashi.
"Falcon," answered Ko.
"Ah," said Hiashi, nodding. "I know of Falcon. She is trustworthy, in her own manner." Which meant, among other things, that details would not be forthcoming without order of the Hokage.
"Yes, Yurika's sister," said Ko.
Hiashi noted the Branch member's slightly wistful tone, remembering that Ko had briefly had a relationship with the kunoichi from the Cryptology Department. Not that it had any bearing here - the chance of being able to use that prior relationship to get details was not zero but so small as to be meaningless. "Hinata, Hanabi, continue to practice. I shall visit the Hokage on this."
Hinata had improved due to these things, but performing such things on a clan member without permission from the clan head was not to be tolerated.
"Ah," said the Hokage as Hiashi finished his case. "Just a moment while I activate Level Five Privacy Seals."
Hiashi Hyuga raised an eyebrow. Level Three would block a Byakugan and provide subtle distortions that even a Sharingan trying to lip-read through the window wouldn't be able to get anything useful. Level Five would have to involve Class-S Secrets where even he, clan head of the Hyuga and established jonin, could be killed for revealing them.
"Just a moment," said Hiashi, making a complicated gesture that involved no chakra. At the inquiring glance from the Hokage, he explained. "In case any of my clan are watching, that was an 'all clear and cease observation' signal."
"Ah, good," said the Hokage, who unfurled a scroll and then activated it.
Hiashi could actually feel the amount of chakra rolling out to encompass the room. No need for the Byakugan to determine it when it made the small hairs on the back of your neck stir.
"What do you know for certain of Naruto Uzumaki?" asked the Hokage.
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(Posted Sat, 23 Mar 2013 17:06)
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