The truth behind it all(Itachi x Naruto)18+

Chapter 11: Ambition:

Naruto walked up to his foster parents´ home and barely reached the doorknob before Iruka flung the door open.

“Naruto-kun! Where have you been? The sun is setting and you should have been home an hour ago,” the teacher scolded the blonde teen who just stared at his surrogate father.

“I´m sorry tousan… but I just wanted to practice a few Taijutsu and Ninjutsu moves before the test tomorrow… I guess I lost track of the time,” the blonde stared at his feet to signal that he was sorry for making Iruka worry about him.

His little meeting with Itachi had been the cause of this but he didn´t care. Finally he was able to remember what had happened; how Itachi had cared for him, protected him, led him towards the right direction and given him hope.

“I know how important this is to you Naruto-kun but you have to be careful. You are vulnerable when you are on your own. ´Kashi and I love you and want the best for you… but we can´t protect you if we don´t know where you are… you are only twelve years old-”

“And he´ll be a shinobi by this time tomorrow dolphin. Give him some credit… he´s just anxious about the test and he probably needed to let of some steam.” Kakashi told the brunette as he pushed Iruka aside to allow his foster son to get inside. “Are you hungry Naru-chan?”

“A bit,” the blonde said before he pulled it together and put on one of his fake smiles as this was his usual reaction when it came to food… though he didn´t really felt like eating and especially not…

“I´ll make you ramen if you like,” the silver-haired nin offered.

… Especially not ramen… Not right now anyway. Ramen was tasty but it wasn´t doing anything to make him stronger… and right now he just wanted to grow taller and stronger as fast as possible to make Itachi proud of him.

“Nah, you don´t have to make something special for me.” the blonde said as he walked into the kitchen.

“We had Sukiyaki tonight… you want some?” Kakashi asked.

“Sure, sounds good to me.” Naruto said with a huge grin.

“So how did your training go?” Iruka asked as he had calmed down. He sat down next to the blonde and sipped at his tea.

“Rather good. I trained the ´Henge no jutsu` and the ´Shunshin no Jutsu` just to be sure.” Naruto told his parents. ´As well as the Kage Bunshin and a some other useful jutsu.`

“What about the Bunshin?” the brunette asked as he knew that it used to be his son’s greatest weakness.

“… O-k I guess.” Naruto mumbled as he took another bite of the food from his bowl. ´Kyuu-san taught me the ´Kage Bunshin no jutsu` two months ago so a simple ´Bunshin` shouldn´t be a problem. I can´t wait to pass the test as Kyuu-san has promised to teach me a cool wind jutsu if I get the hitai-ate… I want to make Itachi-niisan proud of me. Perhaps I should set my goals higher and learn more than four wind and two water jutsu till next time we meet.`

“Do you need any help with anything before the test?” Kakashi asked his son.

“No thanks dad. I just need a good nights rest. Thank you for the dinner… may I go to sleep now?” Naruto asked with a cheerful smile.

“Um… sure… sleep well, and good luck tomorrow.” Iruka said as his son rushed into his room.

“Don´t worry so much about him. He´s gonna be fine,” Kakashi said.

“Yeah I know. He´s a strong one.” The brunette sighed. He wasn´t all too happy about the fact that his little boy was growing up too fast.

“Oh he´s stronger than he leads on. He will surely end up doing great things and perhaps he´ll succeed in fulfilling his dreams.” Kakashi said as he wrapped his arms around Iruka who leaned into the touch.

“Yeah.” The brunette sighed as he followed his lover into their shared bedroom.

~ # ~

“Damn Kisame! Get out of my way or I´ll toast you along with the Rokubi!” Itachi growled as he had finally found a solution to defeat the six tailed weasel-like demon with the golden fur which reminded him of his little angel.

“Just one second Itachi-sama. I´ll try to absorb more of the bijuu´s chakra into ´Samehada` so it´ll slow down a bit.” The blue-skinned man panted.

They had been fighting the over-sized weasel for three hours straight by now and the Jinchuuriki; a young woman, had seemed so weak at first… but her appearance had been deceiving.

She had transformed into the huge golden-furred weasel within seconds and had scratched Kisame´s back with her long sharp claws; leaving some rather deep and very painful wounds behind on the Kiri-nin´s skin.

The weasel had a nearly perfect defense as she used a sort of lightning shield to protect her back while she attacked Kisame with a lightning bolt and nearly fried the older man if Itachi hadn´t saved his blue ass by pulling him away from the center of impact.

“Move! She´s about to attack again!” Itachi growled. “I´ll try to repel her next attack and send it back at her. I want you to use a water-based jutsu to attack her as soon as her own attack hits her!”

“Yes, Itachi-sama, brilliant idea.” Kisame panted as he formed the seals for his chosen water jutsu.

“Yeah it will be if it actually works,” the Uchiha muttered as he formed the seals just in time to intercept her ´Kinjutsu: Raikiri`(Lightning edge or better known as Chidori XD) with his ´Tsukihanasu no Jutsu`(Repel technique – my own invention XD).

The lightning edge was successfully repelled and hit the weasel with full strength and made the demon cry out in pain. Her body was still electrified as Kisame used the ´Mizurappa` (Violent Water Wave) to electrocute her. The demonic form was instantly dispelled and the unconscious woman dropped limply to the ground.

“Damn was the Yonbi a bitch like this one?” Itachi asked as he took care of Kisame´s wounds.

“No, not really… but he was rather old… and drunk.” The blue-skinned man explained. “Itachi-sama?”

“Hn?”

“You like the little one back in Konoha don´t you?”

“…”

“Don´t worry I won´t turn you in. You are my partner and you saved my life. I´ll help you to keep him safe if you want, it´s easier to explain a failure if we back each other up.”

“Why?” The Uchiha asked.

“Because I trust you and the blonde kid is kinda cute… it would be a waste to let him die because of that bastard Pain and his hunger for power. I never did like him.”

“Then why did you join the Akatsuki in the first place, Kisame?”

“It´s not like you have a real choice to say no once Pain has his mind set on you… and I get the chance to track down the bastards who killed my wife and kids. The Akatsuki makes it possible for me to collect a shit load of information from all over the world… and the pay is good.”

“So what do you plan to do when you´ve avenged your family?” the raven-haired nin asked.

“I´ve been saving up to buy this little island in the middle of nowhere. I´ll fake my own death and retire.” Kisame told him with a toothy grin.

“Hm… good plan, maybe I should do something similar,” Itachi said as he helped his partner to get on his feet. He grabbed the Jinchuuriki and threw her over his shoulder to collect their reward for the successfully completed mission.

~ # ~

Naruto stood in front of the three shinobi who would test him during the Genin exam. He was the last one to take the test and everyone but his parents had already left the school.

The one to test him were Mizuki, Hayate and the Hokage. Usually there would only be two shinobi who managed the test but Sarutobi wanted to see how strong Naruto had become.

He knew that Itachi had helped the blonde with his training in the past and the old man was convinced that the missing Uchiha had visited the boy recently as the Uchiha had turned in a report about the Akatsuki only yesterday.

Sarutobi and Kakashi had watched the boy train in the forests from a far to make sure that the blonde was left alone from people who wanted to harm him in any way. Both had been impressed by the boy’s determination and energy, as Naruto didn´t call it the day before he had perfected the move or jutsu had had his mind set on… just as if he was an Uchiha.

´Itachi has been rubbing off on the boy… and I wonder if it´s a good or a bad thing,` the old man wondered.

“Alright. Next contestant is: Uzumaki Naruto. Are you ready?” Mizuki asked while Hayate scratched his cheek with a bored look on his face.

“Hai, I´m ready.” Naruto stated loud and clear.

“I want you to create three ´Bunshin` and use a ´Henge` to make them look like each of us.” Mizuki told him with a smirk.

“… Um… this is too difficult for a boy on his level. This is only a Genin exam, Mizuki-kun,” Hayate mumbled. The usual test was just to create three exact shadow copies of the caster… not to combine it with another jutsu.

“So what? This is his third try. He should be able to pull it off,” Mizuki growled.

“Mizuki-san… this is not how we do this,” the Hokage stated.

“Excuse me?” the blonde interrupted. “Can I give it a try?” the three older men stared at the boy whose blue eyes radiated with confidence. This content look made Mizuki angry.

´Who does he think he is? Little demon spawn!` Mizuki thought. ´Maybe I should teach him a lesson afterwards so he´ll know his place!`

“Sure, but you know that if you fail you have to wait six months for another try,” Hayate told the blonde who just nodded.

“I know,” he said as he formed the seals and created not three but four ´Bunshin`. All the shadow copies raised their hands to their chest. “Henge!”

The three older men didn´t believe their eyes. Naruto had created a perfect copy of them as well as himself. The four Bunshin grinned and bowed before they disappeared in a white smoke.

“T-That was perfect. Very good Naruto-kun,” Hayate praised the blonde who replied with a soft smile.

“Thank you Hayate-san. Does this mean that I pass?”

Mizuki couldn´t say anything but only stared as Hayate nodded and rose from his chair only to be stopped by the Hokage.

“May I have the honor Hayate-san?” Sarutobi asked as he rose to his feet.

“Of course Hokage-sama,” the man with the sleepy look on his face said as he bowed to his superior.

Sarutobi took the last remaining Hitai-ate and walked to stand in front of the blonde teen.

“Uzumaki Naruto. Congratulations on passing the first part of the genin exam. You may now call yourself a shinobi of the hidden leaf.” The old man tied the forehead protector around Naruto´s head and gave the boy a handshake.

“Thank you Hokage-sama,” Naruto said while showing the widest grin ever as he hugged the old man, bowed to Hayate and Mizuki before he stormed out to tell his waiting foster parents´ about his success.

“Energetic isn´t he?” Hayate chuckled as he watched the blonde jump into Iruka´s embrace and nearly make the brunette fall backwards if Kakashi hadn´t caught him.

“He sure is,” the Hokage said with a smile. “So have the new team leaders been informed?”

“Yes. Everything is ready for tomorrow… just as planned.” Hayate said as he wondered if it was such a good idea to put the spirited blonde on the same team as the stoic Uchiha and the Haruno girl.

~ # ~

“Let´s go celebrate,” Iruka cheered as he hugged his foster son who had managed to fulfill the first part of his dream to become Hokage.

“Yeah, let´s go to Ichiraku´s and you can have whatever you want.” Kakashi chuckled beneath his mask. He knew that it wouldn´t be easy for either Naruto or him tomorrow as the Hokage had long ago asked him to take Naruto´s team when the boy passed the test.

And not only would they have to look past their father-son relationship but they also had to work together with Uchiha Sasuke who seemed to have a grudge against Naruto since the accidental kiss a few days ago.

Naruto had a thoughtful look on his face as he walked between his parents. He was happy to go out with his parents as he had long wished for a real family who did all these kind of family stuff together.

“What is it Naru-chan? Is something wrong?” Kakashi whispered as he didn´t wanted to make his dolphin worry.

“No I´m actually really happy. Dad, can I ask a favor?”

“Sure you can brat,” the silver-haired nin chuckled as Naruto pouted at him for the chosen nickname.

“Can you lend me some wind and water jutsu scrolls?”

“Sure. But I thought that you wanted to learn a fire elemental jutsu first… why the change of mind?”

“Oh I just realized that I´ll never beat Sasuke Teme with fire. I have to use a jutsu to either power fire up or weaken it to impress that ass, depending on if I´m fighting against him or along side him.” Naruto said.

“…” Kakashi stopped in the middle of the street and stared at his son. “Naruto how old are you again?” He was kinda happy that Iruka had spotted someone familiar and had walked over to that person to say hello which meant that Kakashi could talk openly about his son´s training.

“I´m turning thirteen this October… you know that,” the blonde said while he shook his head in disbelief. Maybe it had been a mistake to open up to Kakashi, but Itachi had assured him that he could trust the old pervert.

“It´s was a brilliant conclusion Naruto. I know that you´re smarter and stronger than you want us to believe… but still. Elemental jutsu are not easy and most shinobi don´t even think of the effect that the elements have on each other. You are still a grunt and yet you figured something as complicated like this out this fast.”

“I see,” Naruto said calmly. “This is a good sign right?”

“It sure is… it shows just how much potential you have. Let´s meet at your usual training spot in the forest after dinner and I´ll show you a few jutsu and we´ll talk. Oh and I think we should keep this a secret from your tousan ne.”

“Sure thing dad. Now let´s enjoy some ramen,” the blonde grinned as they ran towards Iruka who was chatting with one of his colleges outside of Ichiraku´s ramen stand.

Two hours later:

“Alright Naru-chan. I´ll show you a few wind jutsu for a start. If you master them I´ll show you some more.” Kakashi said as he faced his foster son in the small clearing in the middle of the forest. “But first I want you to learn how to control your jutsu by climbing trees without using your hands.”

“If I can climb the tree without the use of my hands will you show me some water jutsu too?” Naruto asked.

“Let´s begin with the chakra control and the wind element first and them see from there. I don´t want you to get confused or that you work so hard that you won´t be able to work with your team tomorrow ne.” Kakashi chuckled at the blonde´s enthusiasm. ´He´s just like Minato. He taught me and my team while he worked on his own strength. I guess that the Namikaze-Uzumaki genes improves their flair for multitasking or something like that.`

Naruto already knew how to channel the chakra into his feet and walk up the trunk of the tree which earned him an impressed ´Ma ma` from his dad.

“Guess I´ll have to show you a wind and a water jutsu then,” the copy-nin said with a proud voice.
´He really is his father´s son… a genius in learning new jutsu. I wonder what would have happen to him if my little dolphin and I hadn´t adopted him.`

“Yup,” the blonde grinned. Now he would learn two new jutsu from Kakashi and one from Kyuu-san, and all because he passed the Genin exam… cool.

“Alright brat. I´ll show two jutsu to you and then train as I have an appointment with Sarutobi-sama in an hour. I´ll leave Bull and Pakkun with you, not that I don´t trust your ability to fend for yourself… but ´Ruka made me promise.”

“No problem dad. It´s fine,” Naruto said with a knowing smile. Iruka was a loving person and a good father… he was just to overprotective most of the time.

“Here´s I go. I´ll teach you two jutsu who are similar to each other but still rather effective.” The silver-haired man chuckled as he saw the bored look on Naruto´s face. He knew that the boy wants something harder and something more challenging… but he would have to start at the bottom like everyone else.

“It´s called ´Kaze no Muchi`(wind whip) and the water form is called ´Mizu no Muchi`(Water whip). The seals are similar and it shouldn´t take you too long to master it.” He said before he showed Naruto the correct hand seals and explained how the two jutsu worked.

“Thanks dad, I think that I´ll manage by myself from here and you don´t want to be late for your appointment with the old man.” The whisker-marked blonde grinned.

“Yare yare.” Kakashi muttered as he summoned bull and Pakkun to keep an eye on his son.

“Iruka expects you to be back home at ten. Please be on time tonight or I´ll be forced to sleep on the couch and if that happens I´ll just kick you out of your bed and sleep there.” The older nin chuckled before the transported himself away before Naruto´s kunai could hit him.

TBC