Eternal Yujin
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TCoH—Chapter 3.22 [45]
🕑 Added 2024-11-04 22:40:50 +0000 UTC- - -
Chapter 3.22 [45]
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The waterfall behind Hokage Mountain roared and sprayed at me, giving the spacious cavern a permanent coat of water. Sunlight spilled in from the edge, catching on droplets and transforming the air into a shimmering veil. Humid wouldn’t quite cut it; the air here was heavier. I could feel the moisture as if it were seconds away from condensing, constantly pressing against my skin. The floor was one, massive puddle flowing towards the edge and the plunge dropped away beyond that, hidden by hissing clouds of spray, and suspended the cavern between earth and sky.
Thankfully, I was well away from the edge. The drop was a long way down, and I didn’t want to chance things.
“Despite the location, I will not be teaching you as Lord Second taught me,” my teacher of a week and a half said with a wrinkled but roguish smile. “If you’ll allow my hubris, I have a better method in mind.”
I snorted. “Go ahead, sensei.”
The word rolled off the tongue now—hell, I was beginning to feel real honour at being able to call him that. It was easy to see why he was hailed as the pinnacle of the shinobi world, even well out of his prime. He wasn’t exactly as available as Asuma, but the things he taught were well worth the wait since I could always do physical training in between our sessions.
“Lord Second once brought me here to teach me water ninjutsu at my behest, much like yourself. If you look around, you may understand why,” he said, gesturing at the walls and floor.
“An abundance of water?”
Lord Third smiled. “Perhaps firsthand experience will do you some good. Memorise these hand seal combinations. I will teach you the first one, you will try it, and then we’ll proceed to the next. The first is Dog, the second is Bird.” I nodded, idly forming the hand seals as he spoke. “Good. Do that once more while infusing some chakra.”
The shallow puddle across the cavern floor trembled after the first seal, and the portion at my feet writhed up as a strange flowing tentacle. I made the second seal and it compressed, forming a more uniform blob—not quite a sphere, but roughly circular.
Stepping back I cut off the chakra flow and the hovering orb splashed to the ground. The next combination of seals pulled the watery sheen off the walls and the light mist in the air towards me, once more forming a blob. The one after that drew water out from a crack in the ground before doing much of the same thing.
“You’re showing me the various ways to manipulate water, right?” I said before the next set of seals came at me.
“Go on.”
“This puddle counts as a flowing source,” I pointed to the puddle at our feet. “The walls and air are heavy with condensation, so that counts as transforming already-existing moisture into water.”
“Which is exactly why I’ve brought you here,” Lord Third said. “Much like my teacher before me, I intend to teach you the various ways to manipulate water via Water-Release ninjutsu in an area built for that purpose. Manipulating pre-existing water sources is a crutch, one used by novices in the art, or so I thought—in my old age, it’s quite the efficient thing.”
I frowned. “Is it particularly difficult to transform regular chakra into water chakra?”
“Difficult? No, I wouldn’t say that. See?” Lord Third turned away from me after forming a handful of seals. A small jet fountained against the wall from his mouth and he turned back. “Give it a go. Would you like me to repeat the seals?”
“I’ve got it, I think,” Forming the same seals, I made sure to mould chakra simultaneously, feeling the effects each seal had on the offered chakra, guiding it through my body and out of my mouth in the form of a pressurised spray.
Lord Third nodded. “Was that at all difficult?”
“No,” I replied. “Then why do people hail Lord Second as a master for using Water-Release ninjutsu without any nearby sources?”
“It’s one of the ills of the shinobi rumour mill, I’m afraid. Impressive feats are passed by word of mouth, each telling more spectacular than the last. Though in the case of Lord Second, he was famed for using incredibly difficult jutsu without the aid of an active water source.”
“What’s the difference?” I asked.
“Before I answer that, would you say that the water we created through our last ninjutsu is true water?” Lord Third replied.
I blinked. “...I dunno, is it drinkable?”
“Drinkable? Yes. Nourishing, however, is another question entirely.” Lord Third smiled. “Ingesting water created through one’s ninjutsu, much like drinking salt water, will give you the sensation, and even quench your thirst, but it will not nourish you as natural water does. The same does not apply to the ninjutsu of others, Naruto.”
“What do you mean?”
“Foreign chakra is poison to the body. You are likely going to bring up medical ninjutsu, yes?” He raised a hand, stopping me from doing just that. “A large part of medical ninjutsu is working to offset the adverse effects injecting foreign chakra into someone else’s chakra network causes.”
“Okay, but the water created by someone else’s Water-Release would do what exactly?”
“Much in the same manner as drinking from a river without boiling the water first, you are essentially ingesting unfiltered chakra. The elements created through ninjutsu are not the same as their natural counterparts. Lightning-Release is not as fast as true lightning—if it were the Hidden Cloud would have long since dominated the world. And as such, it is far easier—and much less exhaustive—to manipulate already existing resources, Naruto.”
“So, for Water-Release that would be manipulating various water sources,” I said. “Okay. That explains the weird exercises, but why teach me this first?”
“Teach you what first?” Lord Third asked.
I shrugged. “Low-rank ninjutsu generally automate most of this stuff for you. Isn’t conscious manipulation of nature and shape aspects meant to be a pretty advanced thing?”
“Only when you’re a genin learning your first nature-release element. And though Lord Second taught me Water-Release in the manner you described, it was due to the impending war,” Lord Third replied. “I won’t be teaching you that way because I would like to nurture your innovative side. Asuma informed me of your forays into jutsu modification—Wind-Release: Shotgun, was it?”
“Modified Gale Palm. I added another seal to help me compress the chakra before the wind formed…” My words trailed off, sinking back down my throat and realisation lightened the weight in my chest.
Lord Third stared at me, his upper lip twitching into a smile. “Ninjutsu is a wondrous thing, Naruto, and hand seals have a greater role to play than necessary inputs to reach a single result.”
Grinning, I immediately began moulding chakra.
I could still remember the hand seals Lord Third had taught me, so from there, it was a matter of choice. I watched with tightly controlled glee as the moisture from the walls shimmered, gathering together and moving to me—solid. I added another hand seal and the flowing puddle at my feet shuddered, rising to meet the condensed moisture from the wall.
Finishing my hand seals, I held my left hand out, guiding the churning water ball and aimed. It surged towards the cavern wall, lengthening, before breaking against its surface and joining the puddle on the ground.
“Modification is but the start: omitting certain hand seals, creating entirely new ninjutsu, and many more paths will open up to you,” said Lord Third with a warm smile. “I would like to teach you this and more if you’d like.”
The possibilities truly were endless. Everything I’d just learned applied to all the other nature-releases too—wind included. Goosebumps raced up my arms and were laid bare to the world by my baggy and generally soaked tank top. I resisted the urge to give a deep and proper bow as thanks for what he was willing to teach me.
After this, he and I were beyond that point.
“I’m willing to learn, Sarutobi-sensei,” I replied, settling for a firm nod and a smile.
He nodded, returning a smile of his own. “That is all I ask of you. I’ve got more time than usual today, so I don’t mind extending our training session by an hour or so.”
“In that case,” I formed a seal, infusing some chakra while I spoke.
The drag on my energy as a whole was immediate. I wasn’t tired, but I could feel an absence—I felt lesser, as a whole. Once the smoke cleared, I saw before me Lord Third with the addition of a clone of myself.
“Such a fascinating jutsu,” Lord Third murmured, a strange but not-out-of-place wonder on his aged face—childlike was the best way to describe it. “It never grows old to me. I often find myself wondering what Lord Second did to create it.”
I cleared my throat. “You know why I summoned you.”
“That I do, so get out of here,” the clone said, turning to face Lord Third with a bright smile and a salute. “Unfortunate that you’re stuck me.”
“And where are you going, Naruto?” he asked.
The clone’s face turned gleeful as he met my eyes. “Who are you talking to? Me or him.”
“Very funny,” Lord Third replied. “But since you’re the same person, I don’t mind which one of you gives me the answer.”
“I’m going to visit Sasuke, probably spar with him, and then get started on making lunch before visiting Karin since she actually asked me to stop by,” I said. “Meanwhile, he’s going to take you up on that offer to extend today’s training. Would that be alright?”
“I see.” Lord Third’s nodded at me warmly. “Well, in any case, I wish you luck. Sasuke is not likely to be in good spirits, but I believe you will do him some good. It will, at the very least, take him out of his head for a time.”
“I hope so,” I said, giving him a final nod before ascending the mountain using chakra adhesion. It wasn’t an absurdly long way to the top, but I took my time regardless, enjoying the cool breeze. Benefits aside, an hour in a humid cave wasn’t pleasant, even if I was having a generally good time inside it.
As expected, I found Sasuke in the Uchiha District—as abandoned as I’d left it the last time I was here. He wasn’t hard to find seeing that he lived in the only maintained home in the entire compound. I wasn’t sure if he was home, so I did the normal thing and knocked—but only before seriously considering whether I should sneak in.
Judging by Sasuke’s face, that would’ve been a bad idea. To say he wasn’t doing great would undersell how irritated he seemed. I mentally adjusted my greeting for the sight and stepped back a little to allow him to either come outside or let me in.
He did neither and his tone was as flat as his expression. “I hear you’re training with the Third Hokage.”
“Who told you that—wait, don’t answer that. Kakashi-sensei?” He nodded and I suppressed my groan. “...I bet it was Asuma who told him too. But yeah, I am.”
“Of course you are,” he replied, scoffing.
I stood there on his front porch, wondering whether to turn back but I pulled myself together. “So, are you going to let me in?”
Sasuke stared, opened his mouth to answer, stared some more, and stepped back. He gestured me in and I removed my shoes at the door, looking around the entry hallway to a host of new photographs along the hallway as it turned right. Most were of his mother in her teens and into what I presumed to be her twenties.
I turned back with a knowing smile and he looked away, snorting. Sasuke left me behind, retreating into the kitchen, and ordered me towards the garden without any instruction as to where in his house that was. His garden was a lot fuller than expected too. The grass was cropped short and there was even a patch dedicated to tomatoes growing upright against metal cages.
“I didn’t take you for a gardener,” I said when he arrived with two warm cups of… hot chocolate. “Didn’t take you for a hot chocolate man either.”
Sasuke sipped from his mug, glancing at the tomatoes. “My father used to grow them in the garden and my mother used to let me sneak a few when he wasn’t around.”
“That sounds nice,” I said, smiling, and he was smiling too until he caught himself. “And the hot chocolate?”
“Why are you here, Naruto?”
“Come on, don’t tell me you’ve forgotten about our training agreement already.”
“Lord Third’s training you personally. You wouldn’t come here train.”
I shrugged. “Doesn’t matter. Our deal was that we’d spar and workshop ideas. Lord Third training me doesn’t have anything to do with whether I choose to come here.”
“Stop wasting my time,” he said, meeting my eyes with the beginnings of a glare. “We both know you’re not here for training. The tournament is a few weeks away and you choose to come here now. Why?”
“How’s the neck?” I asked. He raised a hand to his high collar—pressing it against where I assumed the Curse Mark was. “I heard all about your team’s meeting with Orochimaru.”
“Who told you?” Sasuke asked.
“The bastard himself after he spent a decent while smacking me around.”
He scoffed. “That’s not how I heard it.”
“Oh?” I blinked slowly.
“The way I heard it, you put up a better fight than me.”
“Really?” I couldn’t help but laugh. “I don’t think competing over who lasted the longest against a madman is the best idea.”
“That madman is an S-rank criminal.” I frowned, but he kept on going, our mugs of hot chocolate growing colder.
“An S-rank criminal,” I echoed. “So that’s why you’re all in a rush, huh.”
Sasuke didn’t answer right away, instead letting his gaze linger on the tomato patch. Finally, he muttered, “Orochimaru said I was weak. Said you were stronger than me and now you’re training with the Third Hokage. Maybe he was saying it to manipulate me, but I don’t have time to be idle around while you keep getting ahead.”
“Isn’t Kakashi-sensei training you?” I asked. His jaw clenched as he looked away. “I think there’s a lot he can teach you with him having the Sharingan and all. It might be better for you than being trained by Lord Third, so don’t make this a competition when it doesn’t need to be.”
“I can’t afford to stay behind,” he said. “Not when there’s someone like him out there who thinks he can mark me like some… test subject.”
“That’s fine and all,” I said carefully, “but, if that’s the case, why consider using his power?”
“If he’s using me, I’ll use him as well. What matters is that he’s strong—and he’s strong because of what he’s willing to do. Don’t act like you don’t get it, Naruto.”
His words reminded me of that frustrating conversation a week ago in the Forest of Death and I frowned. “Actually, no, I don’t.” I lied. “Just because he’s strong doesn’t mean what he offered is worth anything. Power’s great, but that thing on your neck isn’t going to get you what you want, and if does, it’ll take that much more from you. The Curse Mark is just a way for Orochimaru to control you. What use will all that power be then?”
“My eyes evolved even further during my fight with Orochimaru. I finally have a fully-matured Sharingan.” He shook his head, his face tightening. “Besides, I’m not using that mark, not in the tournament, not in training; even if I wanted to Kakashi sealed it away.”
“So what’s the problem?” I asked. “I thought the whole point of this thing here was to help us get stronger through combat. Do you think I’m stronger than you?”
Sasuke's upper body stiffened and I watched with grudging resignation as his eyes turned the colour of blood. It was always a fight with him; I’d come here expecting us to end up fighting, but with the news that he’d attained a fully matured Sharingan, I couldn’t help but regret pushing the conversation in that direction.
Having him completely break down my taijutsu style before the tournament—or at all, really—wasn’t exactly ideal.
Some of that hesitance probably made it onto my face because he was smirking. “Where’d all that confidence go?”
“I wouldn’t say that,” I said, forming the Shadow Clone seal. A wave of smoke rushed through his garden, stretching to the tomato patch. A little over a dozen clones gathered around us.
Sasuke smirked, a taunt half-formed in his gaze as he stepped into the circle of shadows cast by my clones. But I was already ready for him; as he tried to spot me, I spread myself out even further, a dozen copies of myself weaving through his vision. I wasn’t about to let him pin me down with his eyes, and he knew it, his mouth pulling tighter in frustration before I saw a sudden smile.
“...Not all of these clones are Shadow Clones,” he said, the pinwheels in his eyes whirring faster as he turned, striking out at the clones seemingly at random. His limbs passed through four clones, dispelling four of them moments later. “So, eight of these are shadow clones, huh? What a pesky jutsu.”
I smiled, the clones and I speaking in unison. “Your dojutsu can’t see through the Shadow Clone Jutsu? That’s certainly good to know.”
Sasuke’s expression hardened at that, but he didn’t give up, eyes scanning each of my movements as though he could see through them by sheer force of will. I wasn’t about to wait around for him to figure it out.
We moved as one, the clones and I darting forward with chakra-powered strides, keeping our distance close enough to press but never close enough to corner. Sasuke’s gaze darted left and right, struggling to distinguish real from illusion, his Sharingan tracing every feint and flicker. The moment he braced for an attack, I struck, fists backed with enough chakra to punish him whether he dodged or blocked.
I drove my fist towards his shoulder. He barely caught it with a forearm block, but the impact drove him back a step, his stance faltering. Sasuke bit down, absorbing the hit with a grunt before he launched a counter. I leapt back, merging seamlessly with my clones while another took my place.
His jaw clenched, his Sharingan pinning down clone after clone as he tried to isolate me in the chaos. But each time he moved to focus on one, another rushed him from behind, fists landing like heavy hammers. His blocks were fast, his counterattacks sharp—he’d already dispelled two—but each one left him paying for it.
His breaths came quicker with every hit absorbed. A flicker of irritation built up in me along with the momentary vertigo from the clones being dispelled. How many times had we gone through this? Sasuke never listened. Not unless he felt the bruises from it. I feinted to his right as another clone swung from the left, forcing him into a misstep.
He snarled, a hot flash fierce in his eyes, and came back harder. “Stop hiding,” he said, spittle flying. He lunged and would have closed the distance if not for a clone slamming him into the ground with a front kick.
I closed in, the remaining six clones following, surrounding him as he looked up. “You done yet?” I asked, the words coming out sharper than intended. “Because I’m getting tired of you trying to prove something every time I see you.”
He gritted his teeth, glaring up at me, eyes still blazing with that stubborn fire. “Shut up.”
I scoffed. “Dude, you’re fighting yourself as much as you’re fighting me! And for what? Because of something that snake told you?” He didn’t respond, jaw clenched and fists shaking. I exhaled, half-exasperated, half-worn out. “If you’re so desperate to win, then prove it in the tournament, not here. Meet me in the finals, and you can be as violent as you want. But right now, all you’re doing is wasting your energy.”
Sasuke’s fists clenched tighter, but he didn’t lunge. He was listening, if only barely.
With a sigh, I let the clones vanish around us, leaving just the two of us standing alone in his garden. “You know I’m not your enemy, Sasuke. We both want to get stronger—so let’s just focus on that without trying to tear each other apart.”
He glanced away, tension still evident in his shoulders, but he gave the smallest of nods. And, for now, that was enough—but as I turned to walk away to grab some water for us, he said something that stopped me in my tracks.
“...I’m sorry.”
I turned around, smiling. “Don’t sweat it.”
The rest of our training session went surprisingly smoothly. After a quick break, we went back to sparring. Sasuke’s moves were sharp and precise, and if he kept any new tricks hidden, he certainly didn’t let it show in his form. Not that I was any different—I’d kept the few Water Release techniques the Third had shown me tucked away, wanting to surprise him if the need ever came.
It was almost… comfortable, trading blows without the weight of his ego or my dread at it hanging between us.
The memories from the clone I’d left with Lord Third came flooding back when I got home. Unfortunately, I was in the middle of showering, which led me to slip and fall. Chakra adhesion saved me from banging my head on the ground.
“...Okay.” A massive smile stretched my face. I jumped out of the shower, not bothering to wash the remaining suds off my back and drying myself as I raced to my room. I scribbled down everything while it was still fresh, intent on practising later, and my mind was completely occupied with the memories as I portioned out some noodles, broth, and toppings into containers.
The apartment was a bit out of the way, just off a quiet side street. I hadn’t been to this part of the village much seeing that it was pretty close to Hokage Mountain. Her apartment seemed harmless, but I was certain people were watching the place. I took a deep breath, feeling the lingering warmth of the day on my shoulders.
Sure, she’d invited me here, but I hadn’t visited her since my first lesson with Lord Third over a week ago. Maybe I was right to give her some space, but now, I was more nervous than I’d been when I’d come here the very first time. When I reached her door, I hesitated, the containers of ramen still hot in my hands.
The door opened, and Karin’s eyes flitted over me, scanning my face like she was weighing something. She was wary, but she didn’t look exactly annoyed to see me.
“Hey,” I said, holding up the containers. “Brought some ramen—thought you might be sick of whatever’s in the fridge.”
Her mouth twitched like she wanted to smile, but she stopped herself, quickly looking away. She stepped aside, letting me in with a cautious nod. Inside, the apartment was still as plain as I remembered, but now it felt a little less… impersonal, as though she’d been adjusting to it bit by bit.
I set the ramen on the table, and after an awkward pause, we both sat down, quietly starting on our food. It wasn’t exactly comfortable, but the awkwardness felt normal, like how distant family might feel at a first meeting.
“So… what’s new?” I asked, half-wincing at the question. I could tell she was picking apart my words in an attempt to find something that wasn’t there.
She gave a short, nervous laugh, her eyes darting to the door before she responded. “Nothing much. It’s just… quiet here. Quieter than I’m used to.” Her chopsticks paused and she glanced at me. “You?”
“Training’s picked up a bit. The tournament’s just around the corner.”
“Right…” she muttered, her tone sharp. “You mentioned that the Third Hokage was training you last time.”
“Maybe,” I said, feeling the edge in her tone, “or maybe I’m just lucky. …I know things didn’t start off great between us, so I was kind of surprised you invited me. From your point of view, I saved you from Gaara only to hand you over to the ANBU.”
Karin’s chopsticks stilled as she looked down, her face a mask of tension before her expression softened just slightly. “Honestly? I was mad at first. You dragged me here, and for a minute, it felt like I was right back in the Grass.” She shifted uncomfortably, rubbing at her wrist. “But… I guess I can’t blame you for wanting to meet the only family you’ve got.” She looked away, almost embarrassed. “For what it’s worth, the Leaf’s been better than the Grass. At least I’m not locked up in a hospital or strapped to a table somewhere.”
“W-What?” I’d known her childhood was terrible, but the candid manner in which she’d said that floored me.
She shrugged, her gaze hardening. “If you’re useful, they’ll run you dry. If you’re not, they remind you how easily you can be replaced.” Her voice was clipped and when she finally looked back at me, her eyes shifted slightly, as though weighing her words. “The Leaf’s… different. I don’t feel like I have to keep looking over my shoulder—but just that’s been hard to adjust to.”
“I’m glad,” I said, smiling. “I know I probably made that harder with all the visits.”
She glanced down, cheeks faintly pink. “Well… it wasn’t the worst thing,” she mumbled, though her words sounded carefully chosen. She turned back to her ramen, a little too focused on it.
I felt a warmth settle in, something I didn’t often get to feel. “Have you got a chance to see the village yet?”
Karin froze, visibly uncomfortable, her grip tightening around her chopsticks. She fumbled slightly before she finally shook her head. “I, uh… no. Not really. I’ve kind of been avoiding it…”
I chuckled. “That’s perfect then. I’m actually showing a few people around soon—ones I met before the second stage of the exams. Want to come along?”
She blinked, clearly caught off guard. “You… want me to tag along?”
“Of course!” I said, maybe a bit too eagerly if her flinching was to be believed. “You’d get to see the sights, try some good food, maybe meet some new friends. Of course, you might have to do it under disguise since Lord Third let the people from the second stage watch the tournament, but it’s better than sitting in here all day, right?”
Karin stared at me, her face a mix of disbelief and hesitance. She managed a small, tentative smile. “Alright,” she said quietly, her fingers tapping against the table before she stilled them. “I’ll go. I think… I’d like that.”
———————————
“Rukia!” Fuu’s cry came from down the corridor, immediately followed by Shuji barking at her to quiet down.
Haku, inside her room in their allocated accommodation, stifled a laugh. The interaction summed up the majority of their stay here since the start of the month break. Neither she nor Fuu were truly concerned with the tournament, albeit for different reasons.
Fuu had lost all interest in the exams after the nightmare of a time they’d had in the forest. Finding the scroll they needed took three full days after Shuji’s decision to hide from the initial wave of combat. Haku, however, cared little for the exams themselves, though Fuu’s apathy to it aided Haku’s mission all the more.
The younger girl had dragged her out of the house almost every day to simply enjoy the Lead Village’s atmosphere and bask in the friendliness from people who had no clue who she was. But when she thought Haku wasn’t looking, Fuu’s expression turned sad and regretful.
“You seem much happier lately,” Haku had said on one of their outings a few days back.
Fuu snapped out of her reverie with a plastered smile. “What do you mean?”
“Shuji’s not here,” Haku had said. “I know that the people here treat you a lot better than back home.”
Fuu kicked a pebble down the street. “They wouldn’t if they knew what I was.”
“What if no one has to?” Haku said, lowering her voice. She could see the curiosity behind the edge in Fuu’s amber eyes. “Nobody knows who I am, even in the Hidden Waterfall.”
“What are you trying to say?” she asked, confused.
“How about we leave before the tournament? Just walk out and go and live a life of total freedom. Taking on tasks and travelling the world where no one knows who we are.”
Fuu stared at her, no hint of a joke or quip behind her eyes. “You’re serious.”
Haku nodded.
“I’ll think about it… but I'll give you an answer in a few weeks,” she said, a bright grin flashing across her face. “Until then, how about we enjoy the sights!” She raced off, Haku following after her at a more moderate pace.
True to her word, Fuu hadn’t brought up her proposal since, but had decided to increase the number of their outings. Haku didn’t mind. It was a departure from her usual routine, but a departure she was growing to enjoy.
The teal-haired girl blasted through her door with a letter in hand. “Look!”
“I see a letter,” said Haku, raising a brow. “One that you've obviously opened.”
Fuu stamped her foot. “Stop being annoying and read it.”
Haku scanned its contents and looked back at her friend. “Really?” she asked, partly guarded. “Naruto Uzumaki has invited us on a tour?”
“And?”
“You realise that we may be competing in a tournament with him soon, right?”
Fuu shrugged. “Maybe?”
“Keep your voice down,” Haku said, ignoring the joy in her chest at the reaction. “Shuji’s out there.”
“I’m taking him up on his offer. You coming, or do you want to be stuck with our resident tyrant,” she purposefully raised her voice only to have Shuji yell from across the house.
Haku giggled. “Okay, I’ll come.”
The morning sun filtered through the thick branches above, casting a warm, dappled light over the bustling market. Haku walked quietly, taking in the sights and sounds of the Hidden Leaf’s busy streets.
They met near the gates she and the other examinees entered from a few weeks ago. Haku was expecting Naruto to be alone, but there was a brown-haired girl with rectangular red glasses framing equally red eyes next to him. She hugged her clothes as if they provided reassurance.
Fuu bounded toward Naruto. “Long time no see, blondie!”
“Is that going to be a regular nickname?” he asked.
“Only if it annoys you.” Her gaze moved onto the brown haired girl. “Woah, those are some cool eyes. I’m Fuu, what’s your name?”
The girl met her gaze, though only for a split-second. “..S-Suzumi.”
“It’s nice to meet you, Suzumi,” said Haku, stepping in before Fuu’s enthusiasm overwhelmed the visibly nervous girl.
Naruto gave her a probing but grateful nod. “Let’s get this thing on the road, yeah?”
He led the small group with a calm and steady presence. It made him surprisingly difficult to read, and Haku found herself glancing at him, curious, while Fuu badgered him. They stopped near the heart of the market, where an enormous tree loomed over the square, its branches stretching protectively over the stalls and people below.
As they spoke, Fuu darted around the nearby stalls, her excitement spilling over the countertops. She rushed back, holding up a bright red scarf, her eyes sparkling. “Look at this, Rukia! Isn’t it amazing?” she said, grinning as she ran her fingers over the fabric.
Haku smiled at her. “It’s beautiful, Fuu. You really seem to like the market, don’t you?”
“Oh, I love it! There’s so much to see! And everyone’s so friendly!” Fuu’s laughter rang out as she spun around, her green hair flashing as she moved from one stall to the next. “I swear, I want to try everything!” She beamed at a passing vendor, who returned her smile with an amused chuckle.
Haku watched her for a moment, a hint of admiration in her eyes. “You have a way of brightening up a place, Fuu. People seem to feel it too.”
“Well, what’s the point of holding back?” Fuu grinned and winked. “If you’re happy, everyone else feels it too.”
Suzumi, who’d been trailing quietly behind, finally spoke up, her voice softer. “Some places aren’t as welcoming,” she murmured, her eyes darting around the crowd, her expression cautious. Her hands were tucked into her sleeves, and her gaze stayed sharp, as though she were prepared for something to go wrong at any moment.
Naruto noticed her posture and gave a small nod. “You’re right, Suzumi. But here… it’s different. You can relax a little.”
Suzumi’s lips pressed into a thin line. “Old habits,” she said simply, her eyes scanning the square before glancing back at Naruto. There was a brief pause, then she added, almost reluctantly, “But… this place does feel… safe. Safer than most.”
Haku observed her, feeling a quiet sense of understanding. “It takes time to trust new places. Especially ones like this.”
Suzumi’s gaze softened, just a fraction, as she met Haku’s eyes. “Yes. Exactly that.”
Fuu returned, her arms now filled with a small bundle of brightly coloured items. “Come on, Suzumi, smile a little!” she urged, laughing. “You can’t tell me you aren’t excited by all this!”
A faint smile tugged at Suzumi’s lips. “Maybe… just a little,” she admitted, a hint of warmth slipping into her guarded tone.
Naruto chuckled, watching the three of them with a satisfied expression. “Stick around long enough, and this place grows on you. I think you’re all starting to feel it already.”
Haku let herself relax, glancing up at the tree once more, feeling, perhaps for the first time in a long while, that she could let her guard down. They stood under a massive tree circled by various stalls and mobile carts.
Naruto’s voice broke through her thoughts, his tone light. “This tree here—see how its branches spread wide? It was grown by the First Hokage using ninjutsu, back when the Leaf was first founded. It’s meant to be a symbol of strength and unity.”
Fuu tilted her head, her wide-eyed gaze on the tree. “It’s amazing! Do you guys climb it for fun?” She bounced on her heels, looking like she might do just that.
Naruto chuckled, nodding. “Kids do it all the time and see who can reach the top. Most of the time, passing shinobi going by rooftop catch you if you fall. Everyone’s grown up around this tree. It’s meant to be a place of protection—some say it even keeps away bad spirits.” He shot a glance at Suzumi as if trying to draw her into the conversation. “Right, Suzumi?”
Suzumi offered a faint, somewhat distracted smile and nodded but didn’t say much else. Haku noted the fleeting look of hesitation in her expression as she gazed up at the branches, her face half-shadowed by the tree.
Naruto’s warm voice continued as he handed out small pouches of coins, smiling at each of them. “Alright, grab what you like! Snacks, sweets—whatever catches your eye. Just be careful, Fuu; you don’t have enough to buy everything.”
Fuu threw him an exaggerated salute. “No promises, boss!” And she was gone, disappearing in a flash of green hair and energy as she bolted for a nearby stall.
Naruto’s smile softened as he turned to Suzumi. “Feel free to look around. If you want, I can come with you.”
She hesitated, then nodded, mumbling something before wandering off to a quieter side of the market. Naruto watched her go with a look Haku couldn’t quite place before he turned back, his expression thoughtful while he followed.
Alone now, Haku let herself wander for a few minutes, her steps aimless as she browsed through the colourful array of items for sale. The scent of food, the chatter of villagers, the easy flow of people moving about—it was all so… normal. She was used to moving through places like a ghost, slipping unnoticed among crowds.
Here, she found herself noticed, greeted with polite nods from shopkeepers and curious glances from other shoppers. Her gaze flicked back to Suzumi, who was now browsing a stall of dried herbs and spices with Naruto, her posture tense, shoulders hunched slightly as though the simple act of shopping unsettled her.
A quiet smile tugged at the corner of Haku’s mouth. She could relate. Haku eventually found herself in a narrow alleyway behind the market. She barely registered the shift from the bustling crowd to the quiet of the alley until a voice called out behind her.
“Rukia,” came Naruto’s voice, calm but focused. She turned, her instincts on edge, but forced herself to relax, offering a faint smile.
“Is something the matter?” she asked, keeping her tone even.
Naruto’s gaze held steady, though a hint of something sharper lay beneath his calm expression. “Why are you lying about who you are?”
Her blood went cold. Haku froze, her thoughts spinning as she searched his expression. His words hit her like a hammer. Did he know? Had he somehow discovered her mission? That she was the Hunter with Zabuza? She kept her face neutral, carefully masking her alarm.
“I don’t know what you mean,” she replied, her voice as steady as she could make it.
But Naruto wasn’t backing down. His stance shifted, his eyes intent on hers, as though he could see past the surface and right into her thoughts. “You’re hiding something,” he continued, his voice low. “Who are you really, and why are you in the Leaf?”
Her heartbeat thudded in her ears, a sharp, insistent pulse of panic. How much did he know? Rather, how much had Totsugi told her and why was he asking this now? Had he orchestrated the entire tour just for this?
“I’m Rukia of the Waterfall, here to take the Chunin Exams, like the multitude of other genin here,” she said, but the tremble in her voice betrayed her unease.
“Oh, really? But you see, my father met a Rukia a couple years ago—looked exactly like you. And when I introduced myself the same way he introduced me to her, you flinched,” the even response made all the dread pool in her stomach. “So, I don’t buy your story. Not one bit.”
Should she try and deny it again… and only look more suspicious? It didn’t change the fact that her cover identity was compromised, and Zabuza had explained in blood-curling detail the fate that awaited any missing nin captured sneaking into a hidden village—let alone of the Great Five.
But this was Naruto… her friend’s son. The very same that almost had Zabuza discard her because of her sentimentality… and the very same who had chosen to spare her instead of killing her.
It didn’t look like he was willing to spare her life today.
Haku’s fingers twitched, moving almost unconsciously towards the senbon pouch she’d left in her shared apartment with Fuu and Shuji. If he knew her true identity—if he knew anything about Zabuza or her mission—she had to act.
Naruto’s hand shifted towards his side, almost like he was reaching for a weapon. The tension spiked, instinct taking over. Without thinking, Haku channelled her chakra, ice forming in her palm as she shaped a sharp, crystalline blade.
She held it up defensively, heart pounding as she watched him, but Naruto didn’t move. He stared at her, his expression shifting from surprise to realisation.
Then, in a puff of smoke, he vanished—and Haku’s stomach sank.
- - -
Comments
Eternal Yujin
Ch. 23 is when they first meet and then they bump into each other just before Team 10 leaves for their C-rank. The specific chapter eludes me.
Bubela Jakub
Hey! Fun story. I kinda binged all of it and propably skipped Rukia and Totsugi interaction. Anybody with summary or lead to the chapter where they met first time? Thanks
Xardas2995
Naruto has to take responsibility and marry Haku now so she does not get imprisoned by Konoha. While he is at it, also get the others to join. Zabuza will surely accompany Haku at the wedding and have a word with the SI. Wondering how this situation will be resolved. If Naruto figures out Fuu might go rogue with Zabuza, I hope he at least warns them first. I would assume saying people like Kisame will come after Fuu might spook even Haku and Zabuza. Don‘t know if Zabuza could be convinced to join Konoha instead. Nice to see Naruto’s talent and how grasping certain concepts can be applied to multiple aspects of jutsu. It also makes sense that learning when learning additional elements, it is not the same as learning the first element.
