Konoha’s
Guardians : Book I : Awaken
Chapter 09 – Fox vs Dog
“Zurui-chan!” Naruto called out in surprise.
“Akamaru!” Kiba shouted and dashed forward. The small fox kit leapt away just as Kiba reached where the puppy lay and quickly returned to Naruto’s side. Kiba scooped the nin-pup up and then turned a glare on Zurui. “What’s the idea—bringing a wild fox into this like that!”
“*Cough—Cough* Animals are allowed, that includes the fox.” Hayate, the third examiner stated from where he watched off to the side.
Naruto crouched down ignoring Kiba for a moment as he met Zurui’s gaze with his own. Unspoken words passed between them, things that in truth didn’t need to be said. They were a team now and they would fight like one. Naruto smirked and stood straight. He knew what Zurui meant to do and now Kiba would have to deal with double the fox.
“I hope that puppy of yours isn’t too injured yet—cause we’ve just barely begun!” Naruto shouted out, the last part coming out in more of a snarl.
Kiba set Akamaru down and fed the quickly recovering nin-dog a small pill. Naruto watched, slightly puzzled, and then snorted as Kiba smirked when the dog suddenly turned a dark red with a poof of chakara. So he could power the stupid mutt up, big deal. Naruto and Zurui were a team, a team that was much too sly to be caught unguarded by a pair of dogs.
“You’ll regret acting so tough.” Kabuto stated as he and Akamaru tensed and fell into a position.”
“Keh. You’re the one who’s acting tough.” Naruto bantered back.
Kiba glared and then was in motion. “Ninpou Beast-mimic!!!” There was a larger poof of jutsu smoke and then two Kibas came rushing forward.
Kuso! Naruto cursed as he dodged the initial charge, Zurui moving in the opposite direction but mirroring his movements perfectly. Naruto stopped a few feet away to turn and face the two Kibas, noticing now the more animalistic qualities that had been taken on as well.
“Running away all ready!” One of the Kibas shouted, the other only grinning and revealing very sharp fangs.
Naruto smirked. “Hah! We’re just getting worked up!” And then without another spoken word he charged forward, Zurui pacing him so that they met up just as they reached the Kibas.
There was a sudden haze over the four figures as dust was kicked up and more smoke bombs released. Growls and curses were heard from within, then suddenly a blur of orange-red shot out quickly followed by one of the Kibas and the haze began to clear.
Naruto smirked as he faced the real Kiba, for now ignoring the commotion that was Akamaru chasing Zurui. “Looks like now it’s just you and me Kiba.”
Kiba growled, obviously furious that his plan of attack with Akamaru had been broken so easily. He bit his hand, calming himself. No matter, he could still easily deal with Naruto and then it would be a simple matter of taking care of the fox kit. “He sneered at Naruto as he tensed. “You’re stupid fox may have distracted Akamaru, but you still won’t defeat me. Just give up your stupid dream, you’ll never win!”
Naruto glared furiously back at Kiba, as he was reminded once more of all the laughter and ridicule he’d received growing up…and then something Kyuubi once said came to memory.
“Your strength of will and refusal to give up are your true strengths. It is those over anything else that will help you reach your dream. Continue to fight Naruto, continue to win you’re recognition.”
Naruto smirked. “You’re the one who’s going to be defeated!” And then concentrated on his chakara, ready to use a new attack.
Kiba just smirked back at him and then charged.
Naruto’s
eyes opened wide. Kuso! He’s coming to fast! I won’t have time to finish—
Before Naruto’s thoughts could be finished, something dashed between him and Kiba, quickly followed by another form. There was a loud crash as Kiba’s attack met the other body.
Kiba stared in shock as he realized what he had hit instead of Naruto. “Akamaru—!”
“Kage Bunshin no Jutsu!”
Kiba looked up only to see five Naruto’s rushing towards him. He tensed moving to counter, a sharp bite at his ankle stopped him. He glanced down to spot the fox, teeth sunk into his ankle.
“Naruto Rendan!” Naruto shouted as he reached striking distance, the combo already set in motion as one of his clones sprung into the air, the others all surrounding and kicking him skyward. In moments, the combo was completed, Kiba unconscious on the ground with Akamaru lying close by.
Hayate walked forward, bending down to examine Kiba for a moment and then stood. “*Cough-Cough* Winner of the seventh match, Uzumaki Naruto.”
**********
Jiraiya yawned as he came into the clearing that held the tower in the center of the Forest of Death. He’d wandered around the village for a while, picking up interesting bits of information here and there. Like who the nine-tails brat’s teammates and sensei were; that the kids sensei was none other than Hatake Kakashi, even if the Jounin had never taken on a team before. It had been more surprising to hear that one of the boy’s team members was none other then Uchiha Sasuke, the only survivor of the Uchiha massacre. He wasn’t sure what Sandaime had been thinking putting those two boys on the same team—with Orochimaru’s interest in the Uchiha—and the Akatsuki’s interest in the nine-tails. Jiraiya frowned. Maybe that was the problem; perhaps other Konoha agents hadn’t discovered the information he’d been gathering over the last two years.
Well it really wouldn’t make a difference—now with the Second exam over and Orochimaru’s interference already well established. Although it definitely said something for the team as a whole that they had made it through the Second Exam even after facing Orochimaru and his lackeys. Jiraiya just hoped that Orochimaru hadn’t pinned the nine-tails brat together with being the offspring of the Fourth. He paused at the foot of the tower and looked upward.
According to Konoha’s trusty gossip chain, twenty-one students had made it through the second Exam—twenty of which were participating in the preliminary matches. Three of those were the students of Kakashi—so now he’d just have to wait and see what happened. If the kid got into the finals—well, he’d do what he could in that situation. However, if he didn’t, well, Team Seven would have to find a fill-in because Jiraiya had no intention of leaving the kid where he could be so easily found.
There was a sudden tenseness in the air and then the main tower doors crept open. Jiraiya’s brow shot up. So they were done already? He quickly moved out of view and watched as a group of shinobi left the tower, several of them medical-nin carrying unconscious Genin, others being supported by teammates. He scanned the crowd looking for some sign as to witch of the Genin was the one he looking for—then he spotted bright orange topped by a mess of spiky blond, trailed by a red-orange fox kit. Jiraiya smirked, so that was him. He followed the group silently as they traveled out of the Forest.
**********
The Third watched silently as the Genin headed into the forest, escorted by various Chuunin, Jounin, and Anbu hidden in the surrounding forest. He didn’t turn as he sensed Kakashi come up from behind him, but spoke as the man came up to his side, stopping him from continuing further, “Kakashi, we need to talk.” Kakashi eye widened for a moment, but he nodded and then followed as the third leapt off, taking a different path then that of the Genin.
**********
“I’m altering your assignment Kakashi-san,” The Third began as he faced the window in his office, Kakashi standing on the other side of his desk.
“Sandaime-sama I have obligations to my team I can’t—”
“I understand your feelings on this matter Kakashi, but none the less this must be done. I want you to leave Konoha with Sasuke until the time of the Final matches. He will need your guidance in dealing with the curse seal and the Sharingan. He needs the specialized training if he even hopes to defend himself against Orochimaru.” The Third explained as he turned to face Kakashi.
Kakashi frowned. “I understand that need Sandaime-sama, but Sasuke is not the only member on my team. I cannot abandon Naruto and Sakura.”
“I’ve already taken steps to provide both Naruto and Sakura with substitute teachers while you are gone.”
“Who?! Naruto won’t just accept anyone and Sakura isn’t a fool...”
“If you must know, I plan to have Anko take on Sakura. They can learn much from each other.”
Kakashi was surprised, Anko had never taken on a team of Genin and that had largely been due to her history with Orochimaru. That the Third was now willing to pair her with one, Sakura in particular, was a surprise, but Kakashi could not argue that Sakura would benefit from the situation.
“I will be assigning Ebisu to Naruto for the mean time.”
“Sandaime—I can’t accept that! Naruto’s rate of growth has been unmatched, I don’t think Ebisu can keep up with him—”
“Kakashi, I am very aware of the situation with Naruto. To be truthful, I had hoped Jiraiya would have returned to Konoha by this point. However, he is not here so Ebisu will have to do. No other Jounin-sensei at this point will respect Naruto for himself.”
“You planned to have Jiraiya take on Naruto?” Kakashi asked, shocked. He had meet the Sage-nin a few times and had heard many stories of the fabled Toad-Hermit’s abilities but he never would have expected him to take on a student again.
“I can not tell you all my reasoning behind this Kakashi, but there is more then just Orochimaru that has me worried about Konoha’s Genin. These other things may involve Sasuke just as much as the incident with Orochimaru—so I’m afraid I leave you no choice Kakashi. You will have to leave Naruto and Sakura in the care of others for the time.”
Kakashi remained silent. “I understand Sandaime-sama. I will leave with Sasuke as soon as possible.
The Third nodded. “Good, and Kakashi, do not worry. Sakura and Naruto will be well looked after.”
Kakashi nodded, bowed to the Hokage, and then left. He had much to get ready in the next few hours.