20 Battle in the Moonlight
The sun blazed overhead as I stood in the training grounds, beads of sweat dripping down my pale skin. The heat was relentless, but I couldn't afford to stop. My golden-brown irises scanned the scroll, absorbing the knowledge it held. there was a part that had shown me a technique that could amplify my already growing chakra, which both excited and terrified me. I know Naruto had more than me but that was okay for now as I had learned a way to steal chakra and thanks to that I had sharp fangs now.
I took a deep breath and steadied my shaking hands before forming a series of hand seals. With each movement, I could feel the power within me surge and pulsate, as if eager to be unleashed. My heart raced, pounding against my ribcage with every passing second.
"Wind Style: Gale Palm!" I shouted, thrusting my palm forward. A blast of concentrated air surged from my hand, slicing through the wooden targets I'd set up earlier. Satisfaction welled up inside me, Learning how to release my wind style was hard. I had yet to even figure out how to use wood style. But for now, this was a great help to me.
My mind kept replaying the memory of Danzo's cold, calculating gaze. It sent shivers down my spine, despite the oppressive heat.
"Damn it!" I screamed, frustration boiling over as I kicked at the dirt beneath my feet. My anger was a wildfire, consuming everything in its path, fueling the unease that had taken root deep within me. I hated feeling vulnerable, and the beast within me was amplifying my emotions.
"Focus!" I scolded myself once more, shaking off the unwelcome thoughts. This training was essential, I needed to become stronger so I could protect Naruto, Hinata, and everyone else who'd come to mean so much to me. Now two paths lay before me. I could somehow learn to talk to my tailed beast, or in this case Horned beast. And use that to somehow prevent Danzo from targeting my family and friends by becoming a target which I already was. Or kill him, which I know for a fact none of them were even possible as options.
I wiped the sweat from my brow and returned to my training. My breathing steadied as I formed another series of hand seals, the chakra within me surging like a storm on the horizon. I focused on the task at hand, pushing away the emotional turmoil that threatened to consume me.
"Water Style: Water Bullets!" I yelled, releasing multiple shots of large water bullets from my mouth. It shot through the air, splitting the remaining targets in half with a deafening crash. "Good compared to what I was like before my Jutsu has become stronger as I am now complete as a person."
As I stood there, surrounded by the wreckage of my own creation, My grandfather had already taken me to kill someone. I still remember the look in their eyes as I killed them. Grandpa had shown me how to deal with what guilt I felt and helped me remove it.
My lungs burned as I pushed myself to the limit, sweat dripping from my brow and my heart pounding in my chest. The scroll lying open before me, There were so many skills I had yet to learn from it.
"Fire Style: Fireball!" I shouted, channeling chakra into my mouth and unleashing a large fireball toward the wooden target. As my fireball burned it to a crisp.
It was exhausting, both mentally and physically, but I couldn't afford to falter. I had to sit down and rest, Thanks to my Horned beast inside I would regain my stamina faster than most. Still, naruto's Nine Tail made him far stronger than me in terms of speed of recovery and chakra. I wasn't planning to see where else he had me beat.
"Wow, Ayumi! That was amazing!" a voice called out, snapping me from my thoughts. I turned to see Kiba and his faithful canine companion, Akamaru, approaching the training grounds, grinning widely. "You've really been working hard, haven't you?"
"Thanks, Kiba," I replied, brushing a strand of damp hair from my face. "I can't let anything hold me back, not when there's so much I still need to learn."
"Hey, we all have our goals," Kiba said, nodding in understanding. "But don't forget that even the best shinobi needs a break now and then. Why don't you take a breather and join us for a bit? We were just about to train."
"Kiba's right," I thought to myself, allowing a small smile to form on my lips. I needed to train hard and party Harder, or something like that. Maybe I should meet Hinata, it seemed I and Naruto were the target of her affection. not that I mind. I've learned my lesson in the past and I won't make those mistakes again like I did on earth.
"Alright," I agreed, closing the scroll and rolling it up carefully as I placed it in my bag. "I could use a break, and it'll be nice to spend some time with you."
"Great!" Kiba exclaimed, his grin growing wider and a hint of a blush was on his face. As we moved to an open area of the training grounds, Akamaru barked happily, seemingly eager for the chance to play.
"Ready, Akamaru?" Kiba asked, and the loyal dog barked in response. Together, they executed a series of coordinated attacks, their teamwork a testament to the bond between them.
"You ready, Ayumi," Kiba said, gesturing for me to join them. I smiled as I stepped forward, ready as I tried my best to dodge and have fun.
A few minutes later.
"Hey Ayumi, what do you say we take a break from training and go for a run through the village?" Kiba suggested, panting slightly from our earlier practice session. Akamaru barked in agreement, wagging his tail enthusiastically.
I couldn't help but smile as I petted Akamaru's little head.
"Alright, let's do it," I agreed. Kiba's eyes lit up, and he exchanged a quick glance with Akamaru before leading the way out of the training grounds.
As we ran through the village, I felt the wind whipping through my snow-white hair, cooling the sweat on my brow. The sound of our footsteps echoed off the walls of the surrounding buildings, creating a rhythmic beat that seemed to energize me further. We jumped from building to building while doing parkour.
"Keep up, slowpoke!" Kiba teased, grinning as he glanced over his shoulder at me. His competitive nature was contagious, and I couldn't help but laugh as I sped up to match his pace.
"Who are you calling slowpoke?" I retorted playfully, pushing myself harder as my legs pumped beneath me. For once, I allowed myself to forget my worries and have fun.
"Ha! There's some fire in you after all!" Kiba exclaimed, nodding approvingly. Akamaru barked in agreement, darting between us as we continued our run through the village.
As we passed the bustling marketplace, the rich aromas of freshly baked bread and sizzling skewers of meat filled my nostrils, making my stomach growl in response. Kiba laughed at my obvious hunger, and I felt a warmth in my chest that had nothing to do with the physical exertion of our run while I blushed in embarrassment.
"Maybe after this, we can grab something to eat," Kiba suggested, his eyes twinkling mischievously. "Race you to Ichiraku Ramen?"
"Deal," I replied, my competitive spirit flaring up again. At that moment, I ran side by side with Kiba and Akamaru under the brilliant Konoha sun. For now, I was content with the simple joy of friendship and laughter, grateful for the bonds I had forged and the moments of respite they provided.
The next day.
The sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows across the training grounds as I stood before a row of wooden targets. My hands moved with practiced precision, weaving through a series of complex seals as I felt my chakra within me respond to my bidding.
My eyes narrowed in concentration as kept practicing jutsus. While I throw some ninja stars, that soared through the air, embedding themselves into the target with unerring accuracy.
"Nice shot!" Tenten praised, clapping for me as I hadn't known she was there. Over the months, I had done my best to make more friends. Most of the girls were in their Sasuke love moments which I found annoying as hell, cause that's all they talked about. Thankfully Tenten was different.
"Thanks," I replied, a smile tugging at my lips. "But I still need to work on my speed."
"Hey, that's what Im here for," Tenten said with a grin, playfully nudging me as she stepped up and started to throw a bunch of throwing stars and other ninja tools of which I didn't know the name of.
As the weeks turned into months, I would spend time with each of my friends and train together tirelessly. I refined my techniques, honing my skills and growing increasingly adept at manipulating the chakra that coursed through my veins and even using some of the Horned beasts.
In between training sessions, Kiba, Akamaru, Naruto, Hinata, Tenten and I would explore the winding streets of Konoha, sharing laughter and stories. I even Paid back Choji for sharing his delicious food. It was during these moments of respite that I allowed myself to just have fun like the kid I was.
6 years later
Months and years had flown by like leaves swept away by a gust of wind. The days melded together in a blur of sweat, determination, and camaraderie. Before I knew it, the time had come for us to take our final steps as academy students and begin our lives as official ninjas.
The sun cast golden rays across the village as we stood before the Hokage Monument on graduation day. My heart pounded in my chest, a mix of excitement and anxiety gnawing at me. Around me, my classmates chattered nervously, their vibrant voices blending together into an indistinguishable hum.
"Hey, Ayumi," Hinata said, leaning in to whisper in my ear. "You ready for this?"
I glanced over at her, taking in her shy expression and noting how much she had grown since we first met.
"Ready as I'll ever be," I replied, offering a smile.
"Good," Tenten said, clapping me on the back.
As Iruka-sensei began calling out names, handing each student their leaf-embossed headband, I couldn't help but reflect on how far I'd come. Once filled with self-doubt and anger, I now stood tall, surrounded by friends who believed in me and supported me. I even managed to block out the horned beast inflince though im not sure how I did it.
"Ayumi Kure," Iruka-sensei called my name, and I stepped forward, my footsteps echoing on the stone beneath me.
"Congratulations, Ayumi," he said with a warm smile as he handed me my headband. "You've worked hard and shown great promise. Wear this headband with pride."
"Thank you, Iruka-sensei," I replied, my voice trembling with emotion. As I tied the headband around my waist, I could feel the weight of its significance settling on me like a mantle. This was more than just a symbol of my status as a ninja.
"Hinata Hyuga," Iruka-sensei called next, and Hinata Shyly walked forward and accepted her headband with a shy grin.
"Thanks, Iruka-sensei!" She said in a soft voice, securing the headband around her neck. I needed to help her lose that shyness.
As the ceremony continued, I couldn't help but steal glances at my friends. Choji, Hinata, Kiba, and Tenten each wearing their headbands with pride. We had all grown so much over these past months, pushing ourselves to our limits and emerging stronger for it.
"Alright, everyone," Iruka-sensei announced once the last headband had been bestowed. "You are now officially a ninja of the Hidden Leaf Village. Go forth and protect your home with honor."
A chorus of enthusiastic cheers erupted from my classmates, and I joined in, my heart swelling with joy, But then I could see Naruto a ways away talking to one of the teachers. So it was tonight he would steal the scroll. I knew what would happen so I had time to get ready.
As the cheers settled and my classmates dispersed to celebrate, I found myself standing alone before the Hokage Monument, its imposing visages casting their stony gazes upon us. The sun dipped low in the sky, painting the world in shades of orange and gold as it began to set. The warmth on my skin contrasted with the cool touch of my new headband, a tangible reminder of how far I'd come.
"Hey, Ayumi!" Kiba's voice called out to me, pulling me from my thoughts. He approached with Akamaru at his side, bounding through the soft grass with infectious energy. "We did it! We're finally ninja!"
"I know," I said, smiling gently at his enthusiasm. I thought of Naruto's unwavering determination and the event that was to come.
"Are you ready for what's next?" Kiba asked, his eyes sparkling with excitement. Akamaru barked in agreement, wagging his tail furiously.
"Of course," I replied, my voice steady and resolute. "In a few days, we will learn what team we belong to."
Kiba grinned, clapping me on the shoulder. "That's the spirit! my team will be the best!"
As we rejoined our classmates, the sounds of laughter and congratulations filled the air. I couldn't help but feel a warm sense of belonging, I was no longer an outsider. Some people even called me the White Snake. which kind of sucked if anything I was a white dragon.
At that moment, standing beneath the watchful eyes of the Hokage Monument was just starting and the real danger was coming.
"Alright, everyone!" Iruka-sensei's voice rang out, gathering our attention once more. "In a week's time, you all have to come back and learn who your team members are!"
Right now I needed to follow Naruto until he steals the scroll. Touching my bag that had my family scroll. There was still so much I had yet to learn from it. Finding a place I used the hand signs for clone Jutsu. As in a puff of smoke, another me appeared. " Head home and make sure that the others do not notice anything different." She nodded and met up with my friend as I moved to follow Naruto as the sunset.
Elsewhere that night
"Iruka-sensei, wake up!" A male voice said as he knocked on a door.
As the door opened a half-dressed Iruka was there. "what's going on?
"Please come to the Hokage-sama's place." He said desperately
"It seems that Naruto has carried the scroll of sealing out."
"What... the scroll of sealing?" Iruka said shocked.
Back at Ayumi
I was watching Naruto opening the scroll and looking through it. what other secrets did it hold besides shadow clone jutsu? Making sure not to be noticed I was on a tree top observing him.
"let's see the first Jutssu is the multiple shadow replication. What im not good at this" he shouted while rubbing his head. For the Next 12 minutes, I watched him try and do the jutsu. I was writing down the hand signs toward the end of my family scroll. Watching him breathing heavily as he fell on his ass with the large scroll on his back. He didn't seem to notice Iruka-sensei walking up to him, and boy was he mad. Even if I had tried to stop him from being such a prankster it didn't work out as well as I wanted.
"HEY NARUTO," Iruka-sensei said a vein twitching as he looked down at Naruto.
And all Naruto did was laugh sheepishly "Man, I got caught. I only learned one technique." As he rubbed his head.
Iruka-sensei seemed surprised as he looked at Naruto. He had practiced here all that time until he had worn himself out. Well, Naruto wasn't known for his smarts much to my annoyance as I wanted to learn more of the jutsu's in that large scroll.
"Hey, Im going to show you a great Technique, so let me graduate if I can do it!" Naruto said happily. "If I show you a technique from this scroll, I can graduate, right?
With a shocked look on his face, Iruka-sensei asked "Wh.. who said that?"
"Mizuki Sensia," he said with a smile. " He told me about this place and the scroll"
Iruka-sensei turned in time and pushed Naruto out of the way of the kunai's and ninja star's that were thrown at them. The force pushed Iruka-sensei into the wall with many of them having hit him. I couldn't help but breathe in sharply.
"Im surprised you found out about this place," Mizuki said as he was on a tree branch next to them.
Iruka-sensei spoke in a pained voice " I see, so that's how it is."
"Naruto hand over the scroll" he Commanded.
"Hey... What's going on here" Naruto asked confused and scared.
"Fire style Water Bullet," I said as I shot out bullet-sized water balls at Mizuki who dodged reaching towards his back and threw his fuma Shuriken at me. Quickly dodging as my veins were glowing purple as i used Flicker step to appear next to Naruto and Iruka-sensei As the Fuma cut the branch I had been on in half.
7 percent
"Mizuki used you to get a hold of that scroll," I said while keeping my eye on Mizuki. "It's dangerous, Naruto, Ayumi don't let him get his hand on it" Iruka-sensei ordered while breathing heavily.
As Mizuki clicked his tongue in Annoyance. "Great another freak" Before looking at Naruto and smiling. "Let me tell you the truth."
"Don't!" Iruka-sensei shouted.
"A rule was created 12 years ago"
"what rule?" Naruto asked
"It's a rule only, you, Naruto can't find out about it."
"Only me? What's that rule?"
"Stop it Mizuka" Iruka-sensei Shouted.
While I just stood there reading my stance to attack, this was something Naruto needed to learn about.
"It's a rule to not let Naruto learn he is a monster Fox!"
And everything followed the steps of the show like in my memory, at least this part. As Mizuka threw another fuma Shuriken at Naruto who had tried to run away, as I tried to move to help Mizuka kicked me forcing me away.
"Don't go looking away you freak' He shouted he was much faster than me while I tried my best to fight back And Iruka-sensei appeared next to me. " Follow Naruto," he said while holding the fuma Shuriken I noticed how he was bleeding but decided to listen to him and went after Naruto.
I was following Naruto for a few minutes as I could feel someone catching up behind us. It appeared to be Iruka-sensei and I smiled but noticed he was perfectly okay and wasn't bleeding like before. As he passed me and went up to Naruto, I couldn't hear what he was saying but noticed how Naruto had Headbutted him in the chest causing them to fall to the floor.
I slid to a stop next to Naruto as I kept my eyes on Mizuka who was getting up. who was looking at a fake Naurto wise we hid behind a tree. And with a puff of smoke, it turned out to be Iruka-sensei.
"Naruto we have to help Iruka-sensei" I whispered as he looked away while holding tightly to the scroll. "You know Iruka-sensei never treated us badly unlike those teachers from the past. He is different, Naruto. " I said while looking at him. He seemed to be Listening to their conversation while I was gathering my Chakra. As their conversation came to an end Naruto got up and moved forward to them. setting the scroll down as he lifted his fingers and used shadow clone Jutsu.
Hundreds of Naruto appeared and while he was causing a distraction I moved in behind Mizuka and Shouted "Wind Style: Gale Palm!" I felt it drain almost all of my chakra as my jutsu ripped his body apart! As my body fell back from almost using every bit of my chakra I looked up to the sky to see a bright full moon. As I ignored the blood and people bits on me.
