Ino looked at Sakura and saw the expression in her eyes. She knew the pink haired girl long enough to know when to take her serious and from what she was saying it was clear to the Yamanaka that her friend and rival was serious. After hearing her words, Ino decided to reveal something of her own.
"That's quite an interesting story Forehead. To be honest, I never thought much of Naruto at all at first and I used to believe him to be a untalented "dead last nobody" who'd always be inferior to Sasuke-kun in every way. But to tell you the truth, there were times I questioned Naruto truly being the believed dead last, even while we were attending the academy."
"What do you mean," Sakura asked.
Ino elaborated, "Think back to when we had our Academy Field Day a couple of years ago when Sasuke-kun lost to Naruto in their first match. All of us were in denial and refused to accept what we saw. However Sandaime-sama silenced all of our arguments and confirmed Naruto's increase in skills, making it clear that he could pose as a challenge to Sasuke-kun. And then later that same day he used his Oiroke no Jutsu and knocked out all of the males there, including Sasuke-kun and Sandaime-sama before putting cuts on their necks as though he was slaughtering them. All of us girls were angry at what Naruto did believing him to be making us out as sluts. But the group of kunoichi there silenced us when they praised and explained what Naruto did and how he out of all of us truly understood what being a ninja involved. Despite knowing what they said was the truth, I didn't want to believe it, especially after seeing how Sasuke-kun lost so badly to Naruto, twice in one day in fact.
"Second we have the Genin Exams when Naruto used and combined Kage Bunshin with Henge, something Shikamaru stated was no easy feat, especially without the required amount of chakra which would kill a person as a result of chakra exhaustion.
"Then there was the day Hinata and Naruto finally hooked up a few days after we became Genin. Sasuke-kun was clearly unhappy with that as he clearly wanted to fight Naruto because of it before Naruto switched places with me to save him from kissing Sasuke-kun by accident when some stupid boy bumped into Naruto carelessly. Iruka-sensei broke up the fight between Naruto and Sasuke-kun in the training field only for him and all of us to find out that Naruto was making out with Hinata in the classroom the entire time while Sasuke-kun was actually fighting one of Naruto's clones. For the life of me, I couldn't figure out when Naruto made the clone and pull the substitution between himself and his clone."
"That's my point, Ino. Naruto was always talented and gifted." Sakura said, "What I don't understand is how could Naruto, with everything we've seen of him up till now, still become our class' dead last despite the fact that he's such a strong and dangerous Genin!"
"Well it's clear that we won't get our answers out of Naruto directly." Ino remarked with her arms crossed her breasts, "And the only person I think who knows Naruto better anyone else is his girlfriend, Hinata. Perhaps we can get her to talk and reveal some secrets about Naruto."
Sakura doubted Ino's suggestion and said, "I'm not sure. Hinata is too shy and isn't the type to-"
"Forehead, we were told and taught lies about Naruto and Konoha's history growing up and frankly I don't trust many of the grown-ups about Naruto now as a result. Since Naruto isn't willing to open up to you for obvious reasons," Ino implied earning a glare from Sakura, "I suggest we persuade his girlfriend to spill the beans. It'll be like a girls' hangout. We just have to find Hinata first," Ino suggested as she grabbed Sakura and dragged the girl along as they left the park to find Hinata. Nearby was an older teenage girl who was watching in hiding and listening to their conversation.
"Good luck getting Hinata to talk because you won't get much from her, if anything at all," Termari remarked in a low tone, "So that blonde cutie is a natural genius with unknown seals that only a seal master can make and apply, huh? And he has a natural affinity for wind like me," Temari cracked a grin, "that's a major plus and bonus mark in my book. And he even killed a hundred men in a span of a few seconds in his first mission. He truly reminds of things I heard about his father that made him the ever feared Yellow Flash," Temari contemplated as her smile widened, "Things about that Naruto just keeps getting interesting. If only I knew where he was now."
Temari left the scene to continue her search for Naruto. As she did so, she was thinking about everything she learned through listening to Ino and Sakura's conversation about Naruto and the many mysterious and unexplainable factors surrounding the blond Jinchuuriki. But that only served to fuel Temari's growing interest in Naruto regardless of the age difference.
(Two And A Half Hours Later)
Naruto found himself at the one spot he'd always retreat to whenever he needed time to think and meditate about important issues: the Hokage Monument.
After making a quick journey there, Naruto found himself sitting on top of the head representing the Yondaime. As he sat there, he thought deeply about Honoka's plight, and how he could develop some form of therapy for her to overcome her phobia. He knew what would happen if enemy ninja were to accidentally or even intentionally discover her weakness, and he couldn't afford to risk that possibility. But with Honoka's inability to talk about what caused her phobia to happen, Naruto was left with limited information that he could use to begin developing the needed treatment to cure it.
"First I had to help Hinata-chan overcome her personal demons, now I have to help Honoka-nee overcome hers. Maybe I should find a second career in ninja therapy," Naruto said to no one in particular before closing his eyes and dropping to the ground on his back. A minute later, he opened his eyes and found an unexpected newcomer standing over him and looking down at him.
"What are you doing here?" Naruto asked.
"I was looking for you, Naruto-kun," the newcomer answered.
"How did you know I'd be here?" Naruto asked.
"I spied on you enough to know some of the places you like to be at when you want time to think or be by yourself. Besides, I didn't find you at your apartment or at that ramen stand you love to go to after I was done listening to Iruka-sensei's boring lectures. So I figured you'd be up here away from everyone," Hanabi explained.
"So you found me, what for?" Naruto asked while still lying on his back looking up at Hanabi.
"I wanted to find you before Konohamaru did. He was hell bent on getting you to play ninja with him and his two friends while also wanting to talk to about something or other. But I was at a loss wondering how an expert ninja like yourself plays ninja," Hanabi replied with an unimpressed tone.
"Would you like a demonstration, my Little Nighttime Firecracker?" Naruto remarked mockingly. Hanabi moved to give him a Juuken strike to the chest. The attack hit Naruto dead on, but Naruto popped into a cloud of smoke.
"You think I'd allow myself to be left vulnerable that easily? I thought you were taught better than that," Naruto said as he appeared behind her. Hanabi didn't have time to react when Naruto quickly knocked her off her feet and pinned her to the ground on her back.
"Tell me seriously, what are you here for?" Naruto asked.
"I'm holding you to your word, and I won't stop seeking you out until you keep your promise to me. You promised to train me and help me create a whole new hybrid Juuken, the Drunken Juuken, something our clan has never seen," Hanabi answered.
"Our clan?" Naruto asked teasingly, catching that Hanabi didn't realize what she said.
"My clan; you knew what I meant!" Hanabi corrected herself despite her blush, "I want to be strong and smart like Neesan and I know you can help me get there."
"It's interesting that a year ago you wouldn't have been talking like this. Then again, I was the one who kept you in the dark about Hinata-chan for all these years, and it's only fair that I fulfill my promise to you. But you caught me at a time when I was in very deep thought about a matter of utmost importance," Naruto said as he allowed Hanabi to stand back up. She dusted herself off and looked back at Naruto.
"And what might that be?" Hanabi inquired.
"It's a private matter regarding a particular plight a dear friend is going through. Out of respect for this friend, I can't discuss it," Naruto explained. Hanabi respected that and decided not to press the matter further.
"Alright. But I'm still not leaving here emptied-handed. I want some form of introductory training one way or another," Hanabi replied as she pointed her right index finger at him, "I won't let anyone else have time with you until I'm through with you for the day! Not even Neesan!"
.
.
.
🎉The novel is available in PDF, visit us in our Ko-Fi store🎉
🎉ko-fi.com/madarasama125🎉