The wind blew, The leaves rustled. Beasts growled. Everything was as fine as ever. Everything…but his life.
A short boy stood in the middle of a clearing in the forest. A huge scroll, almost the same height as him, hung behind his back. The boy stared at a man, sitting a few meters of distance from him on a tall tree. The blue-haired man held a scowl on his face, trying to intimidate the boy.
Naruto's blonde hair danced with the wind and his entire body was being washed by the cool air. However, he still felt hot. As if someone was burning him from inside. The reason? Mizuki.
Behind Naruto, Iruka sprawled on the ground, holding onto his dear life, as the blood kept spilling from his torn back. He could not feel his body anymore and was starting to feel weaker. But with all his will, he was keeping awake, trying to warn Naruto to run away. Assuring the kid that he will stop Mizuki and get him some time to escape and get the Hokage. But he didn't know how that was ever going to happen,…in such a pathetic state.
However,…the boy did not budge. Nor did he respond. All the blonde did was stand there,…and stare at the traitor.
"Naruto,….give me that scroll and I will at least let you live" Mizuki spoke, his eyes almost dripping hate.
"Well, maybe I will break a leg or two of yours,…but that shouldn't be a trouble to a monster like you, eh?" He hissed, snarling at the kid.
Naruto, not bothered anymore by this rogue nin's remark, simply stood still, but his grip clenched on the scroll.
"Then, why don't you try and take it from me huh!" Naruto bellowed, pointing at the man. Mizuki's lips twitched at the corners. He knew that this little devil was an annoyance, but he had never felt it firsthand.
And now that he did,…his face seemed even more punch-able. The way this stature of bones showed aggression, reminded him of his teammate during his Genin days. Unlike that aggression, his neck didn't last long under his hands. And he wished to do the same to this little pest. However, the scroll was holding him back.
Iruka listened, feeling a sense of pride in his student. A few hours ago, when the Hokage had told them all about Naruto's new shenanigan, he was a little worried. Usually, his pranks only ever troubled others. But this one could have hurt many and even him.
So he was scared, worried, and anxious. But when he saw the battered Naruto, grinning at him, telling him about his achievement of learning the shadow clone. The surprise of Naruto learning the Jutsu was nothing in comparison with the feeling of relief and happiness that he was safe and still sane.
It all went downhill though, when Mizuki attacked. Their battle was long. And he had to fight while protecting Naruto. So even if he could have parried with Mizuki, he lost badly from the constant distraction of protecting the boy.
He would be lying if he said he didn't feel relieved when Naruto declared to stay and protect him. Though he believed it was impossible, Naruto's words made him feel like a family. And that feeling of a family about Naruto he got was being confirmed by Naruto's care.
Naruto clenched his free hand in a punch. His anger was reaching new limits. He always felt like the most hateful were the villagers who ignored and behaved rudely towards him. But Mizuki proved everything wrong. This guy was much more hateful. And…he also wanted to kill him,…so that was also a reason for the hate.
Naruto had been more eager to prove to Iruka that he could also be a great student, than passing as a Genin. Proving his worth to the only people that cared for him was what kept him moving every day. Until today, he relied on pranks. But now that he could learn something and prove it to Iruka, he was all for it.
The thought that Mizuki would be a traitor, not only to him but to the entire village never occurred to him. So when Iruka was suddenly pierced with shurikens by Mizuki, he was shaken to the core. It was the first time he had seen someone's else blood. And it was terrific.
Even though he wanted to help,…he didn't feel the courage. But that lack of motivation to help led Iruka to get impaled with a Fūma Shuriken. But the words Iruka said to defend Naruto, the way he accepted Naruto, not only as a person but a citizen of Konoha made him forget the fear. His heart was flared with rage for Mizuki and his courage to save Iruka.
Even if it killed him, he would take down Mizuki and save Iruka.
So,…when his remark provoked Mizuki and he launched a Fūma Shuriken at Naruto, he was about to duck or jump back. But,…his feet felt really heavy. As if, a weight of almost a hundred kilos was holding him down.
Naruto tried to break free from the force, but the more he tried, the stronger it got. In that split second, he felt as if his life was going to end the very moment, he saw the shuriken flash at intense speed toward him.
He closed his eyes, a reaction that naturally occurred under the presence of fear and in front of death.
But, even after a considerable while, he did not feel pain. When he opened his eyes cautiously, he was surprised!
Mizuki was moving at an incredibly slow speed. As if he was floating mid-air. But he did not seem to notice that since he was making an angry face which looked really weird.
However, what surprised Naruto so much was not only this. Even more astonishing was the whitish floating plate in front of him, which looked weirdly transparent. And, it even had text on it!
Naruto tried to read the text, but the language seemed odd and still similar. But in just a second, the language became Japanese and he was able to read the text, which read:
[Alert - New Player!
You have cleared the qualification checkpoints! Player-specific quest is generated.
Quest: Strength of The Outcast.
Prove your strength to your opponent who considers you an oddball.
Reward: System Activation, Random item.
Yes No
Note: Select within 5 seconds or lose the opportunity for life.]
'Strength of The Outcast?' naruto blinked a few times before he understood the meaning of the sentence.
"Who are you calling an oddball huh!?" as soon as he shouted, another screen popped up.
[Time remaining: 3 seconds]
"Huh!? Huuuh!?" Naruto was surprised. He didn't really understand what all this meant. But the word reward always meant 'free stuff' right? Then he was all in for it!
"Fine! I accept it!" how he didn't know, but he understood that as soon as he had said that, time would flow in normal motion. So he was all ready.
As soon as he accepted the quest, the screen disappeared, shrinking from both sides until it became a thin line and disappeared completely. And immediately, the Fūma Shurikenflew at him at an insane speed.
However, all Mizuki saw was an orange blur that bounced in the air and landed back. After the resultant dust had cleared out, Mizuki saw Naruto squatting there, holding the shuriken in his hand.
"That would have killed me…" Naruto muttered as he stood up, gripping the shuriken tightly. And the next moment, he had thrown it at Mizuki. As a sudden reflex, Mizuki slid to the side, but the shuriken fell to the ground flat before even reaching him.
"Ha…hahaha" Mizuki started laughing and looked back. But soon, his vision became hazy and he felt his body flying. Mizuki landed hard on his back. He sat up, shaking his head as the world started to revolve around him. When his vision was clear,…the green forest had seemed to turn orange.
Countless Naruto stood in front of him, each one with a new annoying grin and face. Three Naruto stood in his previous place, their legs still in the air.
One of them tilted his head and looked at Mizuki from behind his leg and smirked.
"How'd ya like that, Sensei~" Naruto spoke in a rhythm,…which was followed collectively by the other Narutos.
Mizuki's blood boiled and he sprang to his feet. But before he could even move, a barrage of attacks followed on his body.
In just a few seconds,…you could see a beaten-up Mizuki crawling on the ground as Naruto, to be precise, a Naruto staring into empty space sat on his back.
[Alert!
Quest: Strength of The Outcast
Status: Completed
Rewards: System Activated, Random Item in Inventory]
Naruto read the system message and was yet again surprised. Mid-fight, when he took a short break from bashing Mizuki while his clones handled the task, he had wondered.
'Was I simply hallucinating?'
Because from the beginning till the end of the fight, he had not seen the screen even once. So he was doubtful, whether he had only seen that weird thing due to fear and panic. And the speed reduction of time? 'Well, maybe I am just so prodigal that I can even slow time', was his conclusion.
And right when he had thought so, as if to hit him with reality, the screen stretched from the middle of his sight to both sides.
However, before he could question the system, Iruka whispered, calling him close.
The reality of the situation dawned on him as he saw the grave expression and blood pull of Iruka. He dashed towards his Sensei and helped him sit straight. Maybe he had lost control of his body and slid down.
"Sensei, wait a few moments! I am taking you to the hospital!" Naruto was about to pick Iruka up. His heart had started to beat like crazy. The situation Iruka was in, seemed really scary. Heck, this was the first time he had ever been in such a plight.
But before he could even hold Iruka, he was stopped by the same. Iruka held Naruto's hand, a small smile planted on his now pale face.
"Before that, I have something to talk about Naruto" he said, his voice weak but filled with pride, so much that even Naruto could understand it. And he felt really great about it, experiencing it for the first time.
"I am sorry Naruto." Iruka said, patting Naruto's head. Naruto felt confusion swirl in his mind, and as if sensing the same, Iruka continued.
"I should have believed in you. It was wrong of me to directly reject you. If I had given you another chance, maybe Mizuki wouldn't have been able to trick you. I lacked as your Sensei and I am sorry for that."
Naruto wanted to reject and halt Iruka from saying this stuff, but….he could only stop himself from shedding that dam of tears. Why? He didn't know, but his heart and head felt heavy. As if countless emotions were juggling in his heart, he felt like screaming.
Iruka, noticing this, ruffled Naruto's hair, watching the kid's hunched figure staring at the ground, which was getting wet from a trickle of tears.
Soon, a clothe wrapped around Naruto's head, a metal shone in the bright moonlight. Naruto was surprised and hiccuped.
Looking up, he touched his forehead and then noticed Iruka's headband missing.
The trickle of tears now started to flow like a leakage. His face scrounged and he sniffled, still trying to hold back. The warm cloth covering his forehead was not just a certificate for him.
It was recognition. It was acceptance. It was a compliment to him. It was his first-ever win!
Naruto felt like he had been awarded the best gift in his entire life.
"Thank you….thank you…." he muttered, holding the sleeves of his Sensei, as they shivered while holding back the hiccups and cries.
Iruka simply rubbed his eyes and wiped his tears.
Naruto wiped his tears and smiled. He proceeded to lift Iruka and hold him on his back. Though it was kind of difficult, he did his best to not let Iruka fall.
"Take me to Hokage-sama first Naruto" Iruka muttered. Naruto halted and asked.
"Why? Shouldn't you be in hospital right now?" Naruto started walking again.
"I do. But it's as important to go to Hokage-sama. Or, do you want me to go to the hospital and leave you in that wild herd of other shinobis?" Iruka chuckled as he finished his sentence.
Naruto hurriedly shook his head and walked faster. They had almost reached the exit of the forest when a shadow suddenly passed them.
Naruto was alerted for a second, scared that Mizuki had woken up and come to attack again, but was relieved when someone else walked out of the dark.
The guy's face and even hair were covered. He could only see a few white strands of hair sticking out.
The man had held Mizuki in one hand like a rag doll and was walking towards them. Naruto noticed his headband and Jounin's clothes. He, for the first time, felt relieved by seeing a Shinobi.
"I am here to escort you both." The guy said and took Iruka on his own back. He looked at Naruto for a few seconds and spoke again.
"Don't let go of the scroll and follow me closely."
Saying so, the guy started walking…almost running. Naruto did his best to keep up with his tired self. It seemed like Iruka and the guy were talking about something, but he was too tired to pry.
Soon, they had reached the grounds of Hokage Tower. Unlike every day, the Hokage tower was lit with lights, still awake. The guards were on full alert, patrolling around the tower continuously. As they approached the tower, one of the guards hurriedly ran inside the tower and another rushed towards them. After a few words with the guard, the shinobi helping them signaled to follow.
Naruto followed behind. The third was standing in the middle of the ground, a few other Jounins.
For the first few minutes, the third only spoke with the Jounin who helped them. After that, he looked at Iruka.
"You should have gone to the would have taken care of the remaining stuff for you." The third spoke calmly as some other Jounins patched up Iruka's wounds and did some first aid.
"I had to be here. There are some things I need to report, personally." He spoke, Iruka's voice radiating a different kind of confidence. Which was new and surprised the third. Iruka had generally been a one-sentence guy. For every question, he would answer shortly in a short form. Just enough to answer the questions.
This was the first time he had spoken about something more than needed.
"And what would that be?" The third asked, looking at Naruto.
Naruto wasn't scared of the third. After all, even before Iruka, The third was the one who had been friends with him. Naruto was just worried that the Third would start to consider him annoying. Because even he knew, that the thing he had done tonight was not a simple prank. It was almost treachery.
Iruka spoke calmly again. "What would be the punishment for stealing the scroll, Hokage-sama?"
The third was startled. He hadn't imagined that Iruka would be asking for Naruto's punishment.
"If it was an adult shinobi, maybe a few years of jail. If other villages citizen, a few months or a year's jail. And for a citizen of Konoha, at that a child, it will be at least two months of House-Arrest." As the third finished his sentence, a ball of anxiety churned in Naruto's stomach.
"And what would be the price for stopping a traitor of the village and putting a stop to further damage to the Village?" Iruka asked, yet again.
The third thought for a while...and then smiled a little. "It would be a reward befitting their participation in that case."
"Then I suppose Naruto will be getting the price and a release from house arrest too, right?" Iruka said with a smirk and the shinobiaround him started to mutter in disbelief of what this man had said.
However, the only one calm was the Third. Of course, because he had seen everything that had happened in the forest. He could have easily interfered and stopped everything, but this situation was necessary for Naruto to learn the weight of his actions. And so, he let everything happen. Well, he did have fox on standby to take immediate actions if needed.
But what he saw really didn't need any of his interference. He was shocked when Naruto dodged the shuriken at the last moment, so precisely. And the number of shadow clones he formed. Sarutobi never imagined he would ever see a Genin-level shinobi child could ever do this.
'And that's his own chakra alone…' Sarutobi looked at Naruto, who was standing there, smiling at Iruka.
'I hope you learn from today's situation Naruto. Only then will you ever give your best for that dream of yours.'
"Well, that's true. I have got the report from Fox, that Naruto defeated Mizuki, saved Iruka, and also secured the scroll. This not only excuses him from a punishment, but also a reward." The old man said and the disapproving voices quietened.
Sarutobi never really wasted chances to praise Naruto, but such occurrences were rare. Naruto never behaved. Well, he didn't dislike that side of him either. So he never tried to stop him personally.
Sarutobi continued, "So, Naruto. What do you wish for?". It had been many years since that disastrous night, but for the first time, Sarutobi could see both Kushina and Minato in Naruto.
Well, actually, only Minato. Naruto always acted like Kushina. But Naruto seemed somewhat calm, as if, ACTUALLY 'thinking'.
Naruto took a deep breath, closed his eyes, and thought for a while.
'I can't think of anything!' His expressions, however, couldn't lie. Sarutobi chuckled but still waited. He was already ready to give Naruto extra allowance, or a month's amount for Ramen. He knew what the boy liked
"Can I ask for this reward later?"
HUH!?
Sarutobi was startled. He never, and never in his life, ever thought that Naruto was actually being patient and logical. He looked at the boy, who stared into his eyes as if demanding his right and not pleading.
Sarutobi recovered quicker than the others and nodded. Naruto smiled.
'I did as this thing said,…but is it worth doing so? What if the old man forgets about the reward later?' Naruto thought as the white screen floated in front of him.
[Alert!
Do not ask for any reward right now, as it would be disadvantageous for you.]
Naruto gave up on thinking too much about it and the screen disappeared. He felt tired. Suddenly his body was getting heavier and his head hurt. The recoil of using a newly learned jutsu and fighting was hitting him now.
"Can I leave now? I am really tired." Naruto asked Sarutobi. He didn't really have anything to here anymore. Since Iruka had been taken to the hospital.
Sarutobi looked at him hunching forward and tired expression. Sarutobi looked at Fox with a side glance and the Anbu had already picked Naruto.
"Whoa! Hey!" Naruto tried to fight back. But Sarutobi spoke.
"Let him take you back to your apartment Naruto. You are tired." Naruto pouted, but let the Anbu take him. He always hated when someone picked him up or treated him like a child, except Iruka.
But this guy somehow made him feel like Iruka was the one with him. It was a friendly aura he felt from the man.
Before soon, they were already at his apartment. The Anbu put him down at the door. He waited there and a few seconds, and both of them stared at each other. Naruto, tired, sighed and went inside.
"Thanks..." Naruto said as he clashed on the couch itself, too tired to go into the bedroom.
The man outside rubbed his shoulder, where he had put Naruto. For a flash second, guilt, hope, happiness, and many other emotions flickered through the guy's eyes. But the next moment, he pulled out an orange book and walked off.
[Alert!
Scanning Player's environment…
Scan Complete!
Poor environment. Poor Player!]
"Phuck byou…" Naruto muffled on his pillow and dozed off.