.....
Author here to apologize for the extremely slow update speed. Recently I've been busy with studying and testing so I haven't had time to write.
Luckily I've managed to find some time and squeezed this one out. Maybe I'll be able to update faster in the future. It all depends on whatever happens I guess.
See ya, Author out.
.....
(Hiruzen)
I'm thinking of banning Lee from the training grounds....
Looking through my crystal ball, I have to take a huff of smoke every now and then to calm my nerves. Many cracks and footsteps can be seen in the ground of the training field.
Trees and even stones have been shattered and so has my bank account. It seems I'll have to post missions for repair again. I'll also ask Yamato to grow some trees in secret.
Anyways, these constant repairs and damages to the training grounds has gone on for months now. But I've also noticed that the damage has lessened considerably overtime. Just remembering the destruction Lee caused on the first day of his antics makes me shudder. Yamato had to stay away from trees for a few days after that....
Turning my chair towards the window of my office to stare out into Konoha, I took another huff of smoke before looking at some documents currently in my hand.
'Seems Naruto failed yet again....' I thought nonchalantly before frowning. 'And the backstabber has made contact with him. I'll be sure to 'treat him nicely' once I get my hands on the fool.'
Throwing the pages back on the desk, I picked up another document inside my desk and arrived at Lee's profile. I decided to pass him last year because of his self developed technique and Guy's constant requests.
And ever since he developed that technique, I've kept a close eye on him so it doesn't spread to other villages. So I've managed to learn of his rivalry with Neji and his familiarity with TenTen. 'Mostly through Guy's talkative nature though....'
Through said knowledge, I decided to put the 3 together under Guy's tutelage. And to my prediction, they donned the name of Team Guy....
'Honestly, how creative can you be Guy?'
Chuckling, I looked at the amount of missions the team had completed. 15 D- Rank and 6 C-Ranks. Pretty impressive for their first year.... considering they are always training.....
Turning towards my crystal ball, I focus on Lee's location and raised an eyebrow. Lee had went flying yet again. But this time was a bit different.
'No cracks or footsteps.... no broken trees either....' Looking at the crystal ball with a smile, tears unconsciously began to pour out. 'No more debt.'
....
(Rock Lee, the protagonist)
Quickly stomping on the ground 10 times for the ten thousandth time this past month. I finally managed to launch myself forward without breaking the ground or trees. Strangely enough, I felt some foreign feelings of relief and joy mix in with my own. I even had to look around for a second to make sure no one was watching me.
I'd been working on this technique for a few months ever since my body was able to handle it. When I tried it the first time, my whole entire leg felt as if it was ripped off. So I just focused on my legs more until I was able to complete the technique without breaking down.
'To think Soru would make an appearance in the Naruto world.' Chuckling, I quickly used Soru and found myself 1000 meters right of my original position in a split second. 'I've also learned how to control myself in the middle of Soru. The ground doesn't crack anymore either.'
All in all, I'm ecstatic about my success. 'I even managed to keep my practice a secret!'
*crack*
Hearing a tree fall down behind me, I just kept my smile while looking towards the sky. 'Nobody knows about this at all!'
*Crash*
Paying no mind to broken tree number 1000, I used Soru to quickly get out of the training grounds. 'I might as well celebrate this success with some Ramen. I'll skip out on cheat day this week to balance it out.'
Casually walking down the streets in my clothes, I noticed a look every now and then. I was currently wearing a green short sleeved shirt with some matching shorts, my weights where still on my wrists and ankles. My main attire got torn up during my training so I'm waiting for it to get stitched up.
Ignoring the looks of curiosity from civilians, I kept on my way until noticing Hinata hiding behind an electrical pole. In front of her was an excited Naruto eating Ramen. Beside him was what looked to be his Sensei Iruka.
Making my footsteps and breathing light, I calmly made my way beside the entranced Hyuga and stood there for a few seconds. Noticing that she was still fidgeting while watching Naruto, I let out a long sigh.
Turning towards the source of the sigh, she noticed me and froze. "L-L-Lee? H-How l-long have you b-been there?"
Looking at her facial features for a few seconds. I decided not to make her faint out of embarrassment. Immediately, I rubbed the back on my head and let out a smile.
"Not that long ago, I noticed you standing here and wanted to see what you where so interested in." Making a frown, I faked a tear of youthfulness. "But alas.... I didn't manage to find the source of your Youth."
Blinking slowly, Hinata stared at me and subconsciously relaxed under the unfamiliar use of youth. "I see....."
"Anyways." I said gaining her attention. I then pointed towards the old mans ramen shop. "I'm going to go eat some Ramen. Want to come along? Who knows, we might 'see someone familiar' there."
Immediately following my finger, her eyes landed on Naruto causing her to flush and put her head down. "U-um.... I-I don't know.... I-I'm not so hungry...."
Faking a sigh, I purposely moved my eyes towards Naruto. "I wanted some help in cheering up Naruto. I heard he excelled in shurikenjutsu and taijutsu, but he failed horribly in his clone jutsu. It sucks that I'll be the 'only one' cheering him up."
I then started to walk towards the ramen shop slowly in hopes of a certain someone taking the bait. And when I managed to make it halfway, Hinata's voice called out behind me.
"W-Wait!" She yelled before a series of quick footsteps sounded out behind me. Grabbing my arm, she stopped me causing me to raise an eyebrow of surprise towards her. "I thought you where full?"
That earned yet another blush of red to appear from the Hyuga.
.....
"Hey old man! Hey Naruto!"
Taking a seat next to Naruto, I made my presence known earning a nod from the owner. Beside him was his daughter Ayame who let out a cheeky smile.
"You cheating yourself today?" She asked before pouring a bowl of my favorite ramen. "Day must be turning into night. Right dad?"
Chucking, the man room the bowl before sliding it over the counter towards me. "The real surprise is that he's not training right now. Your aunt get onto you or something?"
Noticing me shiver from the mention of my Aunt, he began to laugh before looking towards Hinata with a raised eyebrow. "Hoh? It's a bit surprise to see you here Hinata."
He then made a secret motion toward Naruto causing her to flush. Ayame who was behind him noticed and let out a proud smile towards the princess. "Glad to see you're coming out of your shell a bit princess. Same thing as last time?"
Seeing a nod from Hinata, she quickly prepared a bowl of Ramen and slid it towards the princess. Looking at both Naruto and Hinata's bowls, I noticed the similarities and smiled. Naruto and Iruka where still in a conversation so I decided to do what Hinata would do.
'Listen in to the conversation.'
It was some things from the original, the only thing that differed was Irukas praise towards Naruto's Taijutsu. Which I mean... I was the one who drilled that into him.
'And the lack of chakra control isn't something I can fix. Naruto struggles with the most simple leaf exercise so what could I do? I can't even show him how to do it since I'm unable to myself.'
I've tested if I could use the leaf exercise over the last few years. No matter what method or how many times I tried, it simply didn't work.
After Iruka and Naruto were done with their conversation. Iruka looked over towards me before getting up. "Well Naruto, I'll take my leave first. It seems Lee wants to talk with you about something."
"Thank you for the ramen Sensei!" Naruto said with a bright smile before turning towards me with a defensive expression. Iruka paid the tab between himself and Naruto before leaving.
"So what do you want from me Bushy brows? Are you going to torture me with Taiutsu training today?" He said earning a scary smile from me. Naruto noticing what he said quickly leaned back in fear. "I take it back! Forgive me Lee!"
Visibly calming down, I swirled the remaining noodles on my pair of chopsticks. It took a few months, but I managed to learn how to use these things.
"I just came to speak with you about the exams." I said earning a flinch from him. "You should know that I went into the Academy a bit earlier than you right? So I know how it feels to fail the exams..."
'Not really to be honest. I was confident that Guy would back me up to pass.' I thought to myself silently.
"It's alright." He said causing me to raise an eyebrow. "I've already found a way to become a ninja."
Me and Hinata both suddenly laid our eyes on him with suspicion. "What do you mean?" I asked cautiously.
"Well it's a secret." He said in an air headed manner causing an blank look to form on my face. 'What a fool.'
Hinata didn't seem to mind It though. She was probably more focused on how he would succeed. She probably didn't even think of the possibility that what he was doing would bring him trouble.
"A secret?" I asked him while finishing my bowl of Ramen. "Mind telling me about it?"
"I'm afraid I can't." He said with a nervous chuckle. "I'll fail if I give you the details."
"Hmmmmmmm." Reaching into my pocket, I hummed in thought while paying my tab. 'I guess I'll watch over what happens later tonight.'
Suddenly getting up, both Naruto and Hinata looked at me in confusion. "Well that's about all the time I can spare. I've got more training to do before Guy Sensei gets back from his mission."
Noticing Naruto making movement to get up, I quickly clamped my hand on his shoulder. "Oh yeah Naruto, I want to introduce you to Hinata. She wanted to be your friend."
Hearing the word friend, Naruto's face lit up like a Christmas tree as he immediately tried to get closer to Hinata. But before he could, I grabbed him by the back of the neck. "Remember not to get to close. She's a bit shy and values personal space."
Letting go, he rubbed his neck in pain before turning towards Hinata with a smile. Noticing the princesses gaze, I gave her a thumbs up. Ayame and the old man also noticed this and began to chuckle.
'Good luck Princess.'
...