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Neji's POV (Hyuga Head Residence - Hidden Leaf Village)
Neji and Hinata marched through the halls of the Hyuga's to Hanabi's area. Hinata and Hanabi as potential heiresses of the Hyuga had their section of the Hyuga compound which had personal baths, kitchens, and courtyards for them. With the Hyuga being the largest clan after the disgraceful fall of the Uchiha clan. They had become immensely wealthy. With them being ones who valued social hierarchy it was welcomed and displayed often. As such they had to sign in to the area. (A protocol was put in place after the failed kidnapping of Hinata. Which led to the death of his father. Being sent off to the Cloud to face execution.) Being let in by some of the strongest the Hyuga had to offer. As they did so they entered Hanabi's kitchen being told that was where she was residing.
As they walked in they witnessed a stressed-looking branch member carefully cooking a meal for Hanabi. The woman in question was sipping on a cup of tea daintily reading poetry. Such endeavors were encouraged for the young woman. Being determined to have traits that a worthy clan head would hold. As such both often engaged in the activity despite not liking it much themselves.
"Ah, Neji and my dearest sister. To what do I owe the pleasure?" Hanabi said, smiling at them as if they were dear old friends. "Please have a seat. Hamumu, you may leave. It seems I have business to attend to. Return around dinner time and be prepared to make me a feast." At Hanabi's order, the older man immediately left the room with a polite affirmation.
The older Hyuga knew what game she was playing. But needed her cooperation so both played along sitting silently as Hanabi sipped at her tea slowly. Seeming to enjoy the tension, or more likely being intelligent enough to know this situation was one she held some level of power.
"While of course, it's lovely to meet with my beloved family I must once again ask why?" Hanabi said sweetly.
"We wish to discuss a deal with you sister." Hinata started. "We'd like your support with a request from Hiashi."
"It must be quite the task if you need my help. Even more, if you intend to pressure Father into it by having both of the candidates for the future of the clan support it. What cause would I be supporting if I were to say yes?" Hanabi asked with a small smirk. Pleased they needed something from her. Likely already forming ideas on her to spin this in a way that would benefit her.
"Allow me Hinata." Neji interrupted, already recognizing that a more confident approach would be necessary. Besides Hinata was mostly doing this for him. It only seemed fair he should pitch it. "I'm sure you've heard the recent reveal?"
"That the Nine Tails survived the attack all those years ago? Of course, it's the talk of the village. But why would such interest you…" Hanabi paused as her smile became downright menacing. "Your degenerate teammate Naruto Uzumaki is the vessel for the beast!"
"Surely you don't share the views of some?" Neji asked plainly.
"Of course, no us Hyuga are expected to know better than the riff-raff of normal people." Hanabi said snidely. "That being said, do you realize what you intend to ask?"
"H-hai. Neji-onisan and I recognize it's unlikely, in fact, it likely wouldn't be worth the trouble. But we're hoping with both of us standing against it Hiashi will pursue it merely due to our sway." Hinata explained.
Hanabi laughed at this, not the practiced laugh she and Hinata had been taught but an honest laugh. "Quite the commitment you're asking of me." Hanabi said. "Why should I play into it?"
"Hinata has recently eclipsed you, no?" Neji asked bluntly.
"What of it?" Hanabi said suddenly, serious and angry.
"If you wish to close that gap I will personally take over your training as I did with Hinata." Neji explained calmly. "This should allow you to catch up and have a higher likelihood of being chosen as the heiress once the time comes."
Hanabi seemed to consider this offer. She tapped upon the table and was silent for several tense minutes. "The offer is appealing but I must refuse it in its current state."
"How may we remedy this sister?" Hinata offered patiently. Neji nodded to show he was willing to hear her out as well.
"I will aid you in this but only if once our goals are met Hinata surrenders her heiress status." Hanabi said, her smug smile returning.
"I-" Hinata was stopped by Neji's hand, having appeared in front of her face.
"We refuse without a doubt." Neji said simply, his eyes downcasted. While he did have Naruto as his closest friend, it seemed this endeavor was doomed to fail. He could not allow Hinata to lose her status as heiress. Without her, the side branch may never be free. Even if Naruto did one day become Hokage he would struggle to enforce anything without someone on the inside. Could he risk his dream for this? Could he risk Hinata's? He led Hinata out of the room angrily. Both ignored the call from Hanabi telling them the deal would be open if they needed it.
As Hinata apologized to Neji and denied them with practiced ease, only one thing was going through his mind.
'I'm sorry Naruto.'
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Naruto's POV (Rooftops of Mainroad - Hidden Leaf Village)
Naruto felt tired and conflicted as he traversed through the village using the rooftops to avoid any unsavory situations. He honestly felt shattered but counted on his love of training to give him a much-needed kick. Kakashi had left each of them with a location to meet him to set up their month. He was concerned with how to train the three of them evenly without giving them trouble with knowing each other's kit. Naruto figured he would just leave them with clones or something but it was hard to predict their eccentric sensei.
Though even for Kakashi, having him meet near the natural hot springs was an odd choice… if his pervert of a sensei was peeking instead of training him he'd kill him.
He dashed past the springs carefully avoiding gazing at the springs as he flew by. He leaped into the tree nearby. Skillfully he flew through the forest arriving at a lesser-known spring closeby to the others but more difficult to get to. As he landed he arrived to see Kakashi and the older man who helped him in the forest both luxuriating in a small crater filled with water that bubbled with heat. Kakashi oddly still had his mask on, and the older man seemed to be pouting.
"Kakashi-sensei? Old Man?" Naruto asked, confused. "Why are we training at a hot spring? What's with the Old Man being here?"
"OLD MAN? HA! Kid, you have no idea who you're talking to! No old man could be as beloved by the ladies as I!" Jiraiya roared indignantly.
"No woman wants a giant old man like you." Naruto countered with a scowl. Not truly in the mood to deal with the man.
"Little do you know Brat, little do you know." Jiraiya mumbled as he rose from the springs, Naruto mocked screamed in disgust at Jiraiya's exposed form. To which the older man merely raised a finger in response before making a hand sign and becoming clothed.
"Now boys get along." Kakashi chided while wagging his finger, somehow also clothing absurdly quickly.
"How the hell are you two doing that?" Naruto asked, confused.
"Ninja stuff."
"Ninja stuff."
Both men rang out at the same time causing Naruto to sigh.
"As to answer your other question. Jiraiya here is set to be my replacement for the month." Kakashi explained casually. "I'm here to set you guys up. Gotta be on my way after for Ino and Neji."
"This old dude is gonna teach me? Sure he seems to know a thing or two but I gotta become way stronger in a short amount of time." Naruto asked doubtfully.
"Go ahead and do the thing Master Jiraiya. If you don't get it out of your system you'll just do it later." Kakashi said morosely as Jiraiya broke out into a toothy grin.
"To answer your question, Brat!" Jiraiya called out with glee while suddenly being covered in smoke. "You ask who I am? Why am I worthy? How did I get so handsome?!"
"No one asked you that old bastard!"
"I am a wise and experienced man, beloved by the ladies, feared by men, and sought after by those who seek enlightenment. I am a humble hermit traveling the land seeking knowledge! One of the famous three! The Toad Sage himself! A proud member of the Sannin and decorated super pervert!" Suddenly the smoke was dispersed revealing Jiraiya standing on top of a toad who danced with two fans marked with "Sannin". "Jiraiya!" As he said this, he suddenly posed grandly, music seemingly playing from nowhere.
"What the f-" Naruto started.
"Anyway, as he said he's one of the great Sannin, I'm sure you've heard of them." Kakashi explained ignoring the still posing Sannin. "Despite his… unique personality… he is arguably just as or even more strong than Lord Third." He explained walking up and tapping Naruto's shoulder. "I have handpicked each of you as a teacher for this month. Jiraiya is yours, if I were you I'd use this opportunity well." Kakashi then leaned over to Naruto's ear. "Let me know if you need help with the villagers or anything at all." He whispered before offering his trademark two-finger salute to the two before poofing away.
"So that's why you helped me?" Naruto asked the man after a momentary pause.
"Of sorts earnestly I could just relate to your feeling of being alone and overburdened I suppose." Jiraiya answered flippantly. "We'll have plenty of time to chit-chat later. I've heard of your wager with your mother. It seems you need to try to win this thing… unlikely… but you trying is rather gutsy… I like it!" He exclaimed. "So what are you up against?"
Naruto considered the man in front of him warily. He was an oddball for sure but he had helped him the day before. Besides, Kakashi had left the man in charge of his growth for now. He supposed it only made sense for him to give it a try. "Well, my first opponent is a weapon expert. But there's this guy… who is gunning for me. He's similar to me…"
"A jinchuriki." Jiraiya finished with a hum. "Certainly quite the task. I don't quite see it, kid. Regardless of which one it is, they are all powerhouses. Unlike yourself, many of them are trained to use their tenants to a much higher and stricter degree. It's said their power can rival a Kage. I can't quite see you beating them, not within a month certainly."
"I've had enough of people looking down on me as of late." Naruto growled as he marched forward. "Besides that's why I'm perfecting this new jutsu. Something that can even put him down."
"Hmph never say die eh? Not only will I turn you into a powerful shinobi worthy of my time but I'll help you perfect your jutsu so you can win this thing." Jiraiya announced with a guttural laugh. "In exchange, I get to name your little move once it's ready."
Naruto pondered this having had several good ideas in his head personally but he supposed he could use the help. "Deal, oh, and why did we meet here?"
"So your sensei and I could engage in research." Jiraiya replied with a smile as he reversed and summoned the toad away.
"What kinda research could a Sage do at a hot spring…" Naruto suddenly frowned and suddenly glared at the man as recognition passed through his eyes. "Pervy Sage!"
"You better not start calling me that Brat! Besides, you'll learn my greatness in time! But for now I have to check something. See I need to know your level so… Let's spar!" Jiraiya cackled before suddenly socking Naruto in the face. The blonde flew away before he managed to land on his feet. His eyes narrowed as he prepared.
He needed to work out some stress anyway.
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Ino awkwardly walked into a bar she had never been to before. It was dubbed "Mikumo's Dango". It was an older place and was full of various patrons, most of whom seemed to be of a rougher crowd, some even fighting each other painfully. She watched as a woman suddenly threw a man through one of the many widows. Shattering the glass and cracking the wood.
"You're gonna pay for that ya damn bastards!" A rough raspy voice called out. Ino assumed it must've been someone who worked at the establishment based on their complaint and walked towards it. She was procosted on her way by various women and men. Some she merely ignored or politely declined though one man did attempt to grope her even after her refusal. Ino being quite stressed had enjoyed kicking him in the throat to silence her. The bar seemed to give her a bit of a berth after this. Respecting her after her self-defense. It allowed her to reach a smaller bar in the back. A large man stood behind the bar. He was easily seven feet tall and was wider than some boulders she had seen. He was bald and his face seemed to be locked into an intense scowl. His eyes seemingly permanently squinted and beady. Ino assumed he must be the owner.
"I assume you're Mikumo?" Ino asked politely using her sweetest voice.
"Who the fuck is asking?" Mikumo replied gruffly.
"Ino Yamanaka, I was told by my sensei to order dango?" Ino asked, somewhat annoyed by his behavior.
"Ah, so it's you then girly. Head to the booth at the southwest corner of the building. All I know, now scram brat." Mikumo was informed, having memorized the info. Ino normally would thank and show respect to someone who helped her like he just had. But she felt the man was barely worth her patented sassy glare. As such she merely marched off towards the booth offered to her. "Damn brats have no manners nowadays."
Ino arrived at the booth seeing it empty. She sighed but supposed she should've guessed her sensei would be late as usual. She ordered tea and some dango when a server came. Right when she debated leaving she suddenly felt a weight resting across her shoulders. Her eyes whipped over seeing a purple-haired lady suddenly seated next to her and had her arm wrapped around her. The lady was giving her a smirk that gave her the chills. She looked around to see if anyone noticed her predicament only to see Kakashi across from her somehow having already drained the sake in front of him.
"How did you-" Ino asked.
"Ninja stuff." Kakashi replied simply.
"So this little beauty is gonna be my new plaything aye Kakashi?" The lady called.
"Indeed my cute little Genin will be in your capable hands." Kakashi replied casually.
"Wait what?"
"She gets points for looks, after all, Kunoichi gotta look good." Anko lectured as she sipped at her sake. "But she gets extra points for dropping the pervert. Double for getting me sake and dango.
"Stop eating my dango!"
"She's shown herself to be quite the kunoichi." Kakashi acknowledged. "She needs the most help though, figured you might be able to get her into shape."
"Don't I get a say in this?"
"Firstly Blondie- No; sure thing Cyclops but you know the deal." Anko said while gesturing at the man. Kakashi calmly handed her a pouch of Ryo to her. "Ah and here I was thinking of over ways…" Anko teased but Kakashi merely gave her a blank stare. Anko merely gut-laughed at that. "You never change Cyclops! Anyway, Blondie I'd run."
"What is even happening here!" Ino roared now that she was finally acknowledged.
"Not important Blondie. What is important is that I will hunt you down and thrash you in… let's say a minute. Well, a minute and ten seconds, you're probably too slow for any longer."
"You… bitch." Ino growled.
"Play nice ladies." Kakashi chided as he teleported away right as the two fiery women began a violent exchange.
The clash was one-sided and destructive, Anko's cackles and Ino's screams of terror could be heard throughout the village.
Several villagers and shinobi seemed to be paying particular attention. As if waiting for a queue.
Neji - Training Ground 30
Neji didn't often curse. Such an outburst was unbefitting of an upper member of the Hyuga clan and he simply did not see the value of such vulgar displays.
Though now as he spits out the few curses he knew (regurgitated from angry Side Branch members away from the Main of course). As he dodged the seemingly endless waves of kunai.
He had arrived at the training ground Kakashi had told him to go to. Seeing his sensei still seemed to be as eccentric as ever and was late he had decided to meditate as he waited. Yet as soon as he had relaxed his senses screamed. Allowing to narrowly dive out of the way of a man who flew by attempting to land a sudden drop kick. The man had been relentless since. He was garbed in all black clothes including a black mask. Neji had quickly decided to hold him off till Kakashi arrived, seeing the man had chakra reserves of a similar level to his sensei. Yet his teacher seemed determined to take his time. Now the man had settled for attempting to skewer him with a storm of kunai. Neji, now tired of the game, activated his Kaiten, deflecting the massive amount of weapons. Neji stopped spinning merely to stumble back as the man raced towards him merely a few feet away. He smirked though as he suddenly lowered his stance.
"You're in my range!" Neji called as he suddenly surged forward with a smirk. "Two Palms!" He jabbed twice with absurd speed but was shocked as the man casually deflected both. "Four Palms!" Once again the man smacked away their hands.
"My turn." The man replied. "Sixteen Palms!" He then raced forward and attacked similarly to Neji though notably he used his feet as well. "Thirty-Two, Sixty Four Palms!" His attacks were much quicker and despite Neji's experience with countering Gentle Fist he closed his tenketsu to a level similar to Hiashi. He was on a whole different level. Neji cried out in pain as he flew back. This man must at least be Jounin-level!
"I see you two began without me." Kakashi suddenly called, now standing over the downed Neji who bitterly attempted to reopen his tenketsu. "This will be your sensei for a month. His name is… well for now it's not too important. He's a former teammate of mine from my Anbu days. His codename is eagle."
Neji nodded, accepting events easily enough. It seemed Kakashi had found him a high-level Hyuga trainer. He could find no fault with the decision.
"A logical one. It seems Neji-san and I may get along, Kakashi-senpai." Eagle answered simply. "You're quite skilled Neji-san." The masked man complimented.
"Y-yourself as well." Neji panted as he said to the man. The brief exchange had been quick yet painful, "I will do better in our next bout."
"Alright then, you're the easiest one as always my little black sheep." Kakashi said happily.
"Was he like this in the old days?" Neji asked Eagle.
"If he had been I would've killed him myself." Eagle replied simply.