Chapter 126: Chapter 121: Those who have grown up.
The people in that place were still the same as always. The food stalls were still in the same place he remembered and everything was quite lively after more than two years.
...
Jiraiya watched him climb one of the tallest buildings in all of Konoha.
"It's been a long time, everything's still the same as always!" Naruto opened his arms and let the wind touch his face.
"Oh, you grew up a little, Naruto. Hello"
Naruto looked behind his back and, on some rooftop nearby was Kakashi. He waved at him and Naruto waved back, to a second later come down and give him one of the unedited books from the Icha Icha series, authored by Jiraiya himself.
After they met, the three of them walked through the streets of Konoha for a few minutes.
"I entrust Naruto to you, Kakashi. I know you're going to take care of him properly" Jiraiya watched Naruto walk in front of them, so he took advantage of this to whisper some things to Kakashi.
"That's what you don't have to worry about. For the time being..."
"Yes... Akatsuki. I have to continue gathering information. I'll be leaving Konoha again, it looks like they're finally starting to move."
"I see... in any case, I'll try my best. I promise."
"Hm... I wish Minato could see you right now."
"Sensei, uh..."
As these two were engaged in their conversation, Naruto noticed two young girls and an older woman in front, who didn't look as old as her age. He quickly remembered the old days and a goofy grin formed on his face. Inevitably he ran to where they were to say hello.
"Sakura-chan, Ino, hi!"
Sakura and Ino turned at the sound of their names. They saw Naruto and were a little surprised. They didn't expect this boy to show up so quickly in the village.
"Naruto. You got taller, how am I doing?"
"Hahaha, you're still the same, Sakura-chan. And... Ino, you really changed. Your clothes..."
Ino smiled sadly and then showed herself proud of her outfit.
"It's cute, isn't it? Try to match the colors so it looks like Toru's clothes."
Ino had a similar outfit to two years ago, only this time she had a short black shirt with split sleeves. In addition to this, she had bandages on one of her legs, a black skirt split in half and another gray one-piece skirt underneath the first one. Her sandals were now gray and she had a cover around her neck in red much like a short scarf.
"So that was it..."
The memory of that day came to Naruto's mind. Not only had Sasuke become a traitor, but also Toru himself, the one who had supposedly been sharing information to Orochimaru. It was Toru who killed over 150 ninja of the ANBU organization effortlessly while on the run. Not even Yamato could stop him.
"Well. Sakura and I have been studying a lot. I guess you have too, haven't you?" Ino smiled a bit wickedly before saying this.
On the other hand, Naruto felt nervous about that question, for in these two years he never studied anything besides training. So he changed the subject as fast as he could.
"Ah, now that I remember. Hinata always used to be with you, Ino, where is she now? I guess she's been training too."
Because of this question, Ino and Sakura looked at each other. Hinata had taken a path that no one would expect, but they didn't want to talk about it. Hinata is too focused on finding clues to Orochimaru and Toru's whereabouts, which is why she hasn't been able to be together with Ino these past few months.
At the same time, while Naruto was trying to get information about Hinata out of these girls, Tsunade approached Kakashi and Jiraiya.
"Kids grow up fast, Jiraiya."
"When they have children it will be worse."
"You seem to have trained Naruto well, though you may have already instilled your strange values in him. If you do that, Naruto will end up becoming like you."
A vein swelled in Jiraiya's forehead. 'Says the woman whose student just sent Naruto flying with one punch' However, he smiled comfortably and saved his hurtful comments for later. "Naruto has become strong, yes. But like everyone else, he still has a long way to go."
"Well, I've done a good job with my students too. Especially with Ino, she has a talent like no other."
Kakashi interrupted.
"As I remember, Yamato said that Ino wasn't very strong compared to Hinata and Toru. But look at her now, out of nowhere she started to become strong. She was very average at first, it's strange..."
"Yes, I know. Yamanaka Ino went from being an ordinary kunoichi to someone prodigious. That's already proven, but I'm glad she's on our side. She wants something that Sakura and Naruto want too."
"Well. Let's save the depression for later. Kakashi, I charge you. I have to talk to Tsunade in private."
"Yes, I'll take care of it."
Kakashi took two bells and shook them. He looked at Sakura and Naruto arguing and sighed before speaking.
"Well, it's been two years and a few months. From now on you two and I will be a team. We are no longer teacher and student, now we are simply shinobi of Konoha" He held up the bells showing them to Naruto and Sakura. "Show me how much you two have grown."
"The bells?!"
Naruto smiled excitedly, but this was something Ino didn't understand. However, Sakura easily explained to him.
"It was something Kakashi sensei used to evaluate us when we first formed our team."
"Oh, I see. Yamato-sensei did something similar, only for that we played hide and seek. It was very scary..."
Hearing what Ino said about Yamato, Kakashi smiled under his mask and looked at this girl.
"You too. You'll come with us. You're still waiting for Hinata to come back, so even in the meantime..." Kakashi tied the bells to his belt. "Show me how strong Yamato's student became."
Nodding softly, Ino smiled. Sakura encouraged her to follow them and she agreed. Tsunade also agreed, so after that she left together with Jiraiya.
-The next day-
The test of the bells was difficult for everyone. They spent a whole night trying to get the two bells off Kakashi, but it seemed impossible.
Although...
Only Ino and Sakura succeeded in the end. Naruto had to choose whether to take the bell or leave it for Sakura, and he obviously chose the second option. As for Ino, she moved at such an extreme speed that even Naruto had a hard time seeing her coming. Besides, her strength was twice Sakura's. Kakashi had a hard time against this girl.
Now, after finishing with this test, the four of them walk through the crowded streets of Konoha.
"You two have become very strong, Sakura and Naruto. But the one that surprises me the most is Ino. Your strength is almost on par with Tsunade-sama's. You've been training a lot, a rest would do you good" Kakashi opened his book and, while walking continued talking and reading.
"I... I can't rest. I have something I must achieve with all my might."
"Your will is strong, but taking it to the extreme can be dangerous for you. The same goes for Naruto and Sakura."
"Of course not, it's never enough!" denied Naruto.
Still, Sakura remained silent.
"Well. I guess it's time to split up. I have to make the list of the new teams. Ino, remember that Hinata won't be here until next month. Your team can be formed after she comes back."
"Yes. I know, Kakashi-sensei."
"Hm... I'm not a sensei anymore. Well, see you."
Naruto felt curious, as it seemed strange to him all this secrecy about Hinata. He wanted to ask, but Kakashi took his leave and disappeared.
Now the three of them had been left alone with nothing to do. But it occurred to them to go eat at Ichiraku Ramen, although Naruto was going to pay the whole bill.
"Oh! Shikamaru! Temari-san! Look who's back in Konoha!"
Sakura saw Shikamaru and Temari walk by. Ino also saw them and greeted them cordially.
"Naruto!"
"Shikamaru!"
"When did you get here?"
"Just yesterday, hahaha."
"So how's it going, have you stopped acting like an idiot yet?"
Sakura interrupted.
"No, he's still the same."
"I guessed as much."
"Sakura-chan..."
Shikamaru watched Naruto depressed for a few seconds and then set his gaze on Ino.
"Are you done with your training, Ino?"
"Yes. Sakura has finished training as well. And even if my father tells me to, I don't plan on joining a team with you and Chouji. I already have my team. Besides Hakuto is still alone."
"Yeah, it would be like a kick in the butt and in short a bummer. Still, there's something I want to know."
"Hey, hey. Shikamaru. what are you doing all alone next to a girl, huh? Are you guys on a date?" Naruto walked up to Shikamaru and smiled at him as if he was wishing him luck. This caused Shikamaru to interrupt what they were saying.
"Stop saying Temari and I are dating. We're only here because we were chosen again as judges in the chūnin exams."
"That's right. Since the exams were held in Suna, we decided that the next ones would be in Konoha again" Temari said.
Hearing mentions of those exams brought back many memories for Naruto. He smiled in nostalgia, but a few simple words from Shikamaru broke those beautiful memories.
"So what do you plan to do with that?"
"Do what?"
"I mean. The chūnin exams, you're the only one who hasn't moved up in rank. The only one who's not a chūnin, the only one..."
"Uh... WHAT?!"
Ino scoffed at this a little and summarized everything that had happened in the exams to him.
"All of us got promoted to chūnin on the same day. In fact, Neji and Hinata are now Jounin."
Naruto's jaw almost dropped when he heard that Hinata is Jounin. In fact, he never expected something like that. Although he did expect it from Neji, Hinata's was a surprise for him.
"Well... Hinata is now in ANBU, so I have to wait until she has time to team up" Ino said.
"Hinata... in ANBU... WHAAAAAAAT?!"
All it took was saying that Hinata was the new Hokage for Naruto to faint from so much sudden and strange news. There were so many things that he never imagined would happen, but still they did.
Sakura and Shikamaru thought about Hinata because of this.
-Far away in some neighboring country-
The shadows of the ANBU team moved at high speeds through the leaves of the trees. Being led by their leader, the whole squad accelerated and concentrated on a single target.
Now that they knew where the people who kidnapped children from Konoha to train them as mercenary ninja were, they would take it upon themselves to destroy this injustice against their people by direct orders from the Hokage.
"Spread out. Let's try to get through every place. The enemy must not escape."
The female voice of the leader echoed under the dragon mask and down towards the ground jumping on the branch of a tree. Her subordinates obeyed and the 5 of them separated to arrive from different places.
The leader increased her speed and disappeared like a white shadow in the darkness of the forest. Her cloak was white with two red markings, showing that she is the leader of the team. Her dragon mask was slightly cracked in the middle.
"One kilometer. There are eight shinobi. Two of them are women and there are two bound children. This should be quick."
The leader frowned and appeared in front of the enemy in the blink of an eye. They all saw her coming, at the same time the other 5 masked shinobi attacked without mercy.
In less than four seconds, all eight shinobi were unconscious and bound.
The leader took advantage of this to go after the two children who should be from Konoha. There was a tent set up, the children were there. When she entered the children saw her with fear, but the leader nodded and took off her mask.
A boy and a girl, both opened their eyes at the sight of the beautiful girl who had saved them. Her eyes were as white as the moon, her skin as pale as porcelain and her long, dark blue hair made her look even more beautiful.
"Do not be afraid. We are here to take you back home."
The boy saw the shinobi bandana of Konoha tied around this girl's neck. His eyes lit up and he said the first thing that came to his mind, "You are beautiful, Onee-san."
The girl next to him looked at the boy a little angrily. And then ignored him.
"I think you should save those words for when you find a girl you like. Now, you can tell me your names" She untied the boys.
"Jun..."
"Kaori..."
"I see. Jun, Kaori, my name is Hinata. You're safe now, I'll take you back to Konoha."
This was Hinata now. She joined ANBU with the help of Kakashi and Yamato. She is right now under Tsunade's orders and, she seeks information from Toru and Orochimaru while fulfilling missions outside the country.
Walking out with the children hand in hand, Hinata looked at her subordinates.
5 elite ninja who at first looked at Hinata as a novice, but then paid full respect to this extremely powerful and honorable kunoichi.
"The mission is complete. Let's return to Konoha and take these children to their mothers."
"As you command, Hime-sama" The 5 replied in unison.
'Looks like I'll be back sooner than I thought, huh...' Hinata smiled and hoisted Kaori onto her shoulders and then put on the mask.
One more mission is complete and it's time to go home. Hinata misses Ino, plus soon her time as an ANBU shinobi will be over.
-In Konoha-
"It's surprising, isn't it? That shy and quiet girl is now in ANBU. I'm proud of her" Ino looked at the sky waiting for her best friend.
Naruto was silent. 'Everyone... she's grown up in her own way, huh...' For some reason he felt like he was falling behind. Though that was only from his point of view, as he too had grown quite a bit since the last time he was in Konoha.
"Well, we'll be going now. We'll be busy these days, so see you" Shikamaru said.
"Bye" And Temari followed him.
They all said goodbye and continued walking to Ichiraku Ramen. Naruto pays, huh.
-Out of Konoha-
Mysterious beings, with electricity flowing showily around their Asian-looking costumes. Resembling modern samurai, both girls watched all of Konoha in silence.
One of them wore a white Kitsune mask with red markings, where electricity flowed as strange energy.
"It is not here. We must keep searching. The anomaly should still be in this world" Beside him, a girl with a hood resembling a fox's head looked at the horizon.
Both had clothing very similar in color, but different in design. The girl in the mask had a long open trench coat in black with gold and electric pink accents on the fabric. She wore black shinobi pants, a pink hoodie with a hood inside the trench coat and black sneakers that did not belong in a place like Konoha at all. While the girl with the fox hood had a one-piece outfit whose black skirt reached halfway up her thighs, a white scarf that represented the tails of a Kitsune and the full sweatshirt that covered even her hands. This sweatshirt glowed with pink electricity and seemed to flicker on and off dimly.
"Even if it's not here, it doesn't mean it wasn't here before. The Chaos anomaly showed up a few months ago and over 15 years ago. Don't you think we're wasting our time with this, Vi?"
"Shut up. I know what I'm doing. We'll keep looking. We'll repair the anomaly on this world and go find Drift. And don't even think about talking to the people of this world, Catalyst. I know what you're like."
"Ha~ what a spoilsport you are."
After that, these mysterious girls disappeared leaving a trail of electricity.
________
I will post this chapter since I haven't posted anything in quite some time. And to my P atreon patrons, don't worry, today there are 4 chapters almost ready to be published. I have to edit them and I will publish them.
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