Naruto: Amongst the Whirling Tides Chapter 2

Hi all,

Here’s the next chapter. Naruto continues his harsh training, and Danzo is conspiring with a certain Sannin.

Naruto jolted awake when his face was splashed with water. Looking around groggily, he realised he was on the training room floor. It was a struggle to move. There wasn't a spot on his body that didn't ache from the punishment it received.

"Get up," Fu said harshly, standing over him

Naruto groaned and slowly rose to his feet. He had been sparring with Fu for hours, and no matter how many times he fell, the man demanded he get back up. Naruto took his stance, ready to defend himself from Fu's attacks again, although he knew that he would end up on the floor again. Their spars tend to be short and brutal.

The last week was the hardest and most painful of his life. Fu didn't hold back, and Naruto incurred plenty of injuries. If it wasn't for Kyuubi healing them, he was sure he would be a cripple at this point, with scars all over his body. He knew why Fu was doing it. Part of Root's training was to first break down the Shinobi until they were more malleable. Then, mould them into whatever Danzo needed them to be. Naruto was able to glean this information from Fu after one particularly nasty beatdown.

It seems like in specific situations, Fu felt more intense emotions. In his case, he was a sadistic bitch who got pleasure from hurting others, which is why his mind was more open when Naruto used his technique on him. He even discovered that Fu was a sensor, and Naruto was surprised that he couldn't detect anything.

Naruto was using the basic Konoha Academy Taijutsu style. It was taught to every student at the academy as a good foundation for learning more advanced Taijutsu styles. For the past week, Fu had been teaching him the basics of the style after observing his sloppy form. His stance, footwork and balance were all over the place. After a week of countless hours of training, Naruto had made great progress.

Naruto couldn't say he had mastered the style, nor would he ever be able to. This is primarily due to his dislike of structured fighting styles. He was more of a mixed-taijutsu fighter who was very unpredictable and liked to surprise his opponents. The reason he was so sloppy beforehand was that his body instinctively fought against the structured style. Still, starting with the correct stance is essential to any style, regardless of how spontaneous or controlled it may be. The proper movements, strikes, footwork patterns, and defences depend on how you stand. The fighting stance must strike a delicate balance between offence, defence, and movement.

Fu stepped forward with his left foot and aimed a straight punch with his right hand at Naruto's head. Due to their height difference, it was easier than going for his chest. Naruto stepped slightly to the left and blocked the punch with the inside of his left arm. That allowed him to follow up with a heavy punch to Fu's abdomen. Fu grabbed Naruto's left arm with his right hand, pulling him forward and off balance while twisting slightly to avoid the punch. Since Naruto was now in a low position, Fu aimed a knee strike at Naruto's head.

Naruto twisted his head, and Fu's knee grazed his ear. It hurt, but it didn't do any real damage. He grabbed Fu’s leg with his free arm and rose to his feet. Fu aimed an elbow strike at the side of Naruto’s head while balancing on one leg. Naruto ducked beneath it and lashed out with his foot, aiming to sweep Fu’s other leg from underneath him. Fu released Naruto’s left arm and unleashed a spinning kick with his standing leg, avoiding the attempted sweep. Naruto tried to protect his head by blocking the kick with his arm. However, the power behind it was too strong, and he was pushed back by the impact. He felt his arm throb with pain but it did not appear broken.

Fu didn’t relent, unleashing a barrage of punches at his head and chest. Naruto began to duck and weave the blows, but he was already feeling overwhelmed. He tried to keep calm and look for an opening. Despite this, he lacked experience against a much older and more experienced opponent. He began to retreat slowly under the onslaught, knowing he didn’t do anything, he would lose. Knowing Fu, the loss was going to be very painful as well.

Naruto abandoned his disciplined fighting and gambled on one final attack to catch Fu off guard. When the man aimed another quick jab at his solar plexus, Naruto leaned forward into the punch, blocking it with his head. Some of the force had been expended in the punch, and Naruto was able to shake it off. He wrapped his arms around Fu’s waist and tackled the man to the ground.

Rising up, he sat on the man’s stomach and started to pummel the man’s head into submission. However, Fu raised his legs, showing incredible flexibility, and caught his arms. Naruto shouted out in surprise as he was flipped backwards, and landed painfully on his shoulders and neck. Before he could recover, Fu aimed a kick at his head. There was a brief explosion of pain before everything turned dark.

=-=-=-=-=-=

Later that evening, Naruto lay on his bed in his cell. He was still recovering from the knock to the head he received. He was sure he had a concussion. Fortunately, he could already feel Kyuubi’s chakra healing him, albeit slowly. Most of the healing would happen when he was asleep.

Naruto sighed and rubbed his head, feeling the prickliness. After a week, his hair had grown back to a slight stubble. He didn’t know how long Fu would wait before he shaved his head again. There were bigger concerns on his mind, though. He didn’t know how much more he could take of this torture. Although he had learnt more in a week than he had in one year at the academy, it was starting to wear on his sanity. Each day he had to remind himself not to fall for their obvious attempts to brainwash him. He could hold out for now, but what if he was here for weeks? Or months?

Fu had him follow a set schedule for the past week. After breakfast, Naruto would do a series of strength-building exercises as well as aerobic exercises to build his power and stamina. After that, he sparred until lunchtime. In the afternoon, he worked on his chakra control.

Naruto worked on the variant of the tree-climbing exercise, involving sticking his feet to the walls and ceilings and dodging kunai. He complained that he had mastered the exercise, but Fu wasn't impressed. Until he could stick to the wall while doing it effortlessly as if he was running on the ground, he would not move on to the next exercise. After a week, Naruto had made significant progress. It was amazing how motivated one could be if one didn't want to be stabbed with thrown kunai.

The last session of the day was Naruto's least favourite. Not only did it involve sitting down and listening to an instructor drone on, but the lectures were pure propaganda. Their history of events was slightly skewed, aiming to brainwash him to become a mindless slave to Danzo. They must have thought him stupid if they thought they could fool him so easily. Then again, given his academy results, it wasn't a surprise that they underestimated him. He was certain that they would resort to more drastic measures once they realised that it wasn't having an effect.

Naruto entered his mindscape and walked forward to meet the fox. After striking a deal a week ago, they have been meeting here every night. It had not been an easy negotiation but he managed to convince Kyuubi in the end.

“You’re late,” Kyuubi growled.

“Well, I was recovering from my injuries. I am sure I have a concussion,” Naruto scowled, sitting down in front of Kyuubi’s cage.

“I have been feeding you enough of my chakra to heal your wounds,” Kyuubi roared. “Yet, it still has yet to influence your mind. Do you have a single brain cell in your head, human?”

“Did you just admit to trying to influence my mind?” Naruto squinted at the towering form of the Kyuubi. “Why is everybody interested in using me?”

“You know my reason.”

“We have an agreement,” Naruto reminded the Kyuubi.

“I have no idea if you will even keep your end of the bargain,” Kyuubi replied, lying down and placing his head on his paws. “Or even if you are capable of doing so.”

“Jiraiya told me that the Akatsuki are after me because I have you sealed inside of me. I don’t want to tangle with them, so I have good reason to free you from your prison. Just as long as you don’t attack another village.”

“You cannot free me without dying yourself,” Kyuubi said.

“There’s always a way. It may take some time, but I will find it.” Naruto raised a clenched fist. “Believe it.”

“Whatever,” Kyuubi growled. “Let’s get back to your training. You won’t be able to escape your own prison if you can’t even handle one tail.”

“Well, why don’t you try it,” Naruto protested. “I am trying to gain control of your chakra within my mindscape, and not expose it to the outside world. Do you know how much control that takes?”

“Spare me the excuses,” Kyuubi replied. “Now get to work.”

Naruto grumbled and closed his mind. He felt the Kyuubi flood his body with its corrosive chakra, and he gritted his teeth. A tail began to form on his body, and already he felt his mind sinking into a mindless rage. His canines lengthened, and animalistic growls escaped his mouth.

Things were not going well.

=-=-=-=-=-=

Danto entered the Root compound late in the evening. He had a meeting with someone, and he couldn't risk the person being seen in the Hokage’s office. He also wanted an update on the Jinchuriki.

After entering his office, Danzo sat back in his chair and paid attention to the man kneeling there. "Stand up. Give me a report on the Jinchuriki's progress over the past week."

"Yes, Lord Hokage," Fu replied, getting up and standing straight. "His fundamentals are worse than I initially feared. I have to start from the beginning to set a proper foundation. I don't know what was happening at the academy, but the standards there are disgraceful."

Danzo didn't mention that the boy's status as the container for the Kyuubi was the likely reason he was so far behind. The academy teachers most likely didn't pay attention to him or sabotaged his education in some way. The adults in the village knew what he really was because he had let the information out the day after the Kyuubi attacked the village. Naruto was despised by the majority of the village, which was his intention as he wanted the boy to feel isolated.

"I have not been lenient with him," Fu continued. "Even with the most severe injuries, the Fox heals them quickly and returns Uzumaki to normal the next day. I have had a teacher start instructing him on slightly skewed history as a way of indoctrinating him. The fact that he didn't pay much attention to history at the academy should make this easier. However, it has only been a week, so at this point, I don't have enough information to base my opinion on, but my gut feeling...."

"What is it?"

"It appears that our methods of mental conditioning are not working. I feel that he is more intelligent than he lets on. Additionally, despite numerous beatings, it seems to be losing its effectiveness rapidly. Maybe the fact that Kyuubi can heal his injuries is actually working against us in this regard. I suggest we take our efforts to the next level and add some drugs into the mix to aid our efforts."

"Hmm," Danzo thought of Fu's proposal for a moment. "For now, stay the course. In a month's time, we will reevaluate. Time is still on our side, so there is no need to rush. Besides, I am not sure how effective the drugs will be since the Kyuubi may be able to neutralise them."

"I understand, Lord Hokage."

There was a knock on the door and Danzo bid them to enter. Another man walked in and kneeled down. "Sorry to interrupt, Lord Hokage, but your guests have arrived."

"Very well," Danzo replied. "Fu, you are dismissed. Show the guests in, Menma."

"Hai," they replied, saluting before leaving the room.

"I don't fully trust our guests," Danzo said to someone out of sight. "Therefore, you must be ready to act."

"I am prepared, Lord Hokage."

The door opened and the two guests entered. Danzo did not get up from his seat but watched them approach his desk. It was a small power-play that showed them who was in control of the meeting.

The first person looked at him with barely concealed hatred. His name was Kabuto, a former member of his Root organisation that specialised in espionage and medicine. It was unfortunate that he lost such a special talent. However, he was afraid that Kabuto was too skilled as a spy and feared the man would betray him. So he devised a plan to eliminate him, which ultimately failed.

The other person was another former Root member and one of the Legendary Sannin.

"Spare me your silly games, Danzo," Orochimaru mocked. "I am not one of your puppets to be manipulated anymore. Not that your brainwashing took hold in the first place."

Danzo resisted the urge to grimace in distaste. Orochimaru's appearance was off-putting as always. His whole appearance was snake-like, including his eyes, fang-like teeth, and long tongue. This was also true of his personality, as he was snake-like in his actions, willing to stab anyone in the back if he thought it would benefit him. If he wasn't so useful to his plans, he would not have considered working with him in the first place.

"Sit down," Danzo gestured to the empty seats in front of him.

Orochimaru and Kabuto sat down, looking relaxed, despite the fact that they were in the midst of a compound surrounded by Shinobi who were potentially hostile.

Danzo noted that Orochimaru's arms were heavily bandaged. Sarutobi Hiruzen had sealed away the portion of Orochimaru's soul which resided in his arms by using the Dead Demon Consuming Seal. It was impossible for him to use most of the techniques he knew because his arms were paralyzed and necrosis had set in. Leaving Orochimaru with only the skills he possessed due to the changes he had made to his body. These skills included the Power of the White Snake and the techniques he could use without hand seals. He was sure Orochimaru would be surprised that he knew so much about his abilities.

"Why the clandestine meeting place?" Orochimaru asked, flicking out his long tongue. "It's almost like you don't wish to be seen with me."

"Let's get straight down to business," Danzo said, ignoring his comment. "I would like to extend our cooperation further. I believe that both of us have things that will benefit each other."

"I still have not received any sort of compensation for these," Orochimaru hissed, referring to his arms. "Becoming a cripple was not part of the plan."

"It's not my problem that you had so much trouble taking care of the Third Hokage," Danzo said. He raised his hand when Orochimaru looked ready to argue against what he had said. "I will do what I can to help as a show of good faith. What do you need?"

"Tsunade has unparalleled medical ninjutsu skill," Orochimaru replied. "I'll consider further cooperation if she treats my arms."

"I will send a team to retrieve her," Danzo assured him. It had been part of his plans anyway. Leaving such a capable Kunoichu to throw her life away was a waste of a precious resource.

"I already have men searching the villages looking for her," Kabuto said, looking at Danzo disparagingly. "We don't need your help."

"Orochimaru's arms are on the verge of falling off, despite your best efforts to save them," Danzo pointed out. "You don't have time to waste. I know exactly where she is. I can have her back here within a few days."

"We should have never stopped to stabilise my arms," Orochimaru said angrily. "I could have persuaded Tsunade to heal my arms by now."

"It was necessary," Kabuto replied, readjusting his glasses. "You would have lost them long before we found Tsunade."

"Curse that old man," Orochimaru hissed.

"Why don't you stay here while I find her?" Danzo offered. "We can talk more about how we can work together."

"We have nothing further to discuss until you bring me Tsunade," Orochimaru said, standing up. "But I will take up the offer of shelter. Keep your subordinate's out of my room, or they will become snake food."

Danzo summoned Menma to show his guests to their rooms. He watched them leave with an uneasy expression. Even though he couldn't trust them, the benefits of having their skills at his disposal outweighed the risks. He was aware that Orochimaru was still determined to destroy Konoha, so he would only keep him around until he was no longer useful.

"So what do you think?" Danzo asked.

A murder of black crows appeared before transforming into Itachi Uchiha, his most loyal subordinate. Hiruzen believed Itachi was still loyal to him and Konoha. He was only half right. Danzo had gotten his hooks into him at an early age. The investment paid off numerous times over the years and continues to do so.

"They cannot be trusted," Itachi said flatly. "He will only cooperate until he gets what he wants out of you and then he'll be totally unpredictable."

"I already know this," Danzo sighed, leaning back in his chair. His joints were hurting, and he was tired. He was no longer a young man. If his cooperation with Orochimaru pans out, he may regain his youth before death takes him. "I plan to use Sasuke as a bargaining chip. Orochimaru is obsessed with the Sharingan. Since he couldn't obtain yours, he will continue to pursue Sasuke."

"I expected it." Itachi shrugged. He didn't seem to be bothered by the fact.

"He wants Sasuke's body for his Living Corpse Reincarnation. Fortunately, he can only use it every three years, and that time is fast approaching. The boy is neither mature nor strong enough for Orochimaru to use, which gives him three more years at least."

"What do you have planned for my little brother?"

"I need to have him procreate," Danzo said bluntly. "If he doesn't, the Uchiha Clan will die out. I am sure I can find some willing Kunoichi to become pregnant with his offspring. I will then have a new generation of Uchiha at my disposal."

In hindsight, he was foolish to wipe out the entire clan. He could have saved some of the children and brought them into the compound to join his organisation. It was too late to regret what had already happened.

"How did you get away from Kisame?" Danzo asked.

"I convinced him that it would be too dangerous for both of us to enter the village together," Itachi said. "In light of the recent invasion, the village would be on high alert. However, I am supposed to search for the Jinchuriki of the Nine-Tailed Demon Fox. I must cause a commotion or otherwise Kisame may suspect something is up."

"Attack some of the Jonin and make a spectacle of escaping the village," Danzo said dismissively. "Just don't damage them permanently."

"Very well."

"You may leave. I need some rest."

Itachi disappeared and Danzo got up from his seat. There was still so much to do. It was becoming clear to him why Hiruzen had allowed so much of his responsibilities to slide over the years. Being the Hokage was more suitable for a younger Shinobi with the necessary energy. With his ambitions, he would be lucky to get an hour of sleep a night for the foreseeable future

He would continue his negotiations with Suna tomorrow, which looked like they would last for weeks. They refused to give up their Jinchuriki. Their mistake was believing he would give up such a powerful weapon.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=

Hinata Hyugi was on an important mission.

She marched down the corridor to her father's room, hoping to speak with him about a certain blonde-haired boy. It had been a week since Naruto was taken away by Anbu at the Third Hokage's funeral. She had not seen him since then. After stalking...er, following him for so long, she knew all his usual hangouts. The apartment in which he lived had not been occupied all week, nor had he been seen at Ichiraku's Ramen Restaurant.

Initially, she thought he could be on a mission. However, Sasuke Uchiha was still in the hospital, and she had seen Sakura around the village as well. Unless he was on a solo mission, which was not likely, since he was still a genin, it was highly likely that he was located somewhere in the village.

She was so focused on her mission that she didn't see the person step in front of her.

"Lady Hinata, what are you doing?" Neji asked, stopping her in her tracks.

"N-Neji, I didn't see you there," Hinata stuttered.

"It's late. You should go to bed," he told her.

Hinata stepped around him, avoiding his eyes as she said, "I have to see my father."

Neji didn't go away, but followed her, which made her uncomfortable. Ever since Naruto beat him at the Chunin exams, he has been kinder to her. She didn't know what to make of it. Only a month before, he was determined to kill her when they engaged in combat. Although she liked his more amiable side, she couldn't shake the feeling that he would turn on her at any moment and kill her.

"Your father summoned me to his room," Neji said, stepping up beside her.

"Really? I wonder what that is about?"

"Who knows? I am sure he won't mind you tagging along."

"I seriously doubt that," Hinata muttered, poking her fingers together, indicating her nervousness.

As soon as they arrived at Hiashi Hyuga's bedroom, they knocked on the door. A moment later, the door opened, revealing her father standing there, still impeccably dressed in his yukata, as if he wasn't planning on retiring to bed anytime soon.

"Hinata," her father said sternly. "What are you doing here?"

"I need to speak to you, Father," Hinata said with a look of determination on her face, despite her trembling legs. "It has to do with Naruto Uzumaki."

Hiashi looked surprised. "I wasn't aware you were friends with the boy."

"Neither does he, I'm sure," Neji said. "Their friendship is more of a long-distance relationship. One that is stalker-like in nature."

Hinata turned and glared at Neji, forgetting her nerves. "It's not like that at all."

Hiashi hesitated for a moment before sighing and letting them into the room. "I suppose I can let you know what's going on. You will be affected by it, after all."

"What do you mean, Father?"

"Wait a moment. I am expecting a guest very soon," Hiashi said, gesturing for them to sit down on the tatami mat on the floor.

Hinata fidgeted as they waited in silence. Unlike the two males, she could not sit still for very long, and she was always uncomfortable with silence. It was a skill she needed to learn as both her father and his sister were more introverted.

There was a knock at the door and Hiashi rose to his feet to answer it. When Hinata saw Jiraiya enter the room, she was surprised. She couldn't imagine what he would meet her father for. They had nothing in common. Jiraiya was known for being a huge pervert, and her father was very straight-laced and disciplined.

The tall man greeted them before joining them on the tatami mat on the floor. Hiashi offered the man some alcohol, which he gratefully accepted.

“Did you have any trouble entering the village? ” Hiashi asked.

“Please. You are talking to the Toad Sannin,” Jiraiya boasted.

"What is going on, uncle?" Neji asked.

"So you're the brat Naruto defeated in the third round of the Chunin rounds?" Jiraiya said after finishing his drink. He motioned for Hiashi to serve him another.

"He had an unfair advantage," Neji said, clenching his lips. "I don't know what that red chakra was, but it was sinister."

"Who cares if he had an advantage? We are Shinobi," Jiraiya reminded him. "We use every means at our disposal to defeat our enemies. Are you not allowed to use your Byakugan because it gives you an edge over your opponent?"

Neji didn't reply.

Jiraiya turned to Hinata with a smirk. "You must be the girl Naruto so passionately defended. He was certainly motivated to train hard to defeat Neji."

Hinata blushed and mumbled something incoherent in reply. Then she remembered that Jiraiya was acquainted with Naruto and looked at him pleadingly. "Do you know where Naruto is?"

"I do," Jiraiya said. "I should have asked this before I came in, but are you sure they can be trusted?"

"I don't think you have to worry about that," Hiashi said, glancing at Hinata briefly.

"I owe Naruto a debt of gratitude after he opened my eyes to the truth," Neji said grudgingly.

"Alright," Jiraiya said, slapping his thighs. "First of all, I need to give you the backstory of your newly appointed Hokage, to understand what kind of man he really is."

Hinata listened in horror to the number of atrocities the man had committed in defence of Konoha. She could not believe that an organisation like Root was even allowed to exist in the first place. Brainwashing people sounded abhorrent to her. It contradicted the Third Hokage's guiding principle about the Will of Fire. But at one point, he allowed the organisation to exist and use Shinobi in such a callous manner.

"Narutu has been taken to the supposedly defunct Root compound and is being moulded into one of these mindless puppets for Danzo," Jiraiya stated.

"No," Hinata whirled to face her father. "We must do something to save him."

"I see my daughter is growing a backbone," Hiashi said mildly, before turning back to Jiraiya. "So, you want us to help him escape? Even if we manage to rescue him, we would be considered traitors to Konoha. What are we supposed to do then?"

"Leave," Jiraiya said firmly. "I don't need to tell you what is in store for your family if Danzo is allowed to have his way. There are many on the Hyuga council that agree with his methods."

"Abandon Konoha?" Neji asked incredulously.

"I am planning to gather some like-minded individuals who feel the same as I do," Jiraiya said. "They know what Danzo is like, and feel they can't continue living here under his tyranny."

"I don't necessarily disagree with sentiments, but you have to think rationally. We will be branded as missing-nin and added to the bingo book," Hiashi said harshly. "We will never know peace."

"I know a place that will give us time to build our own community," Jiraiya said. "But I am not leaving Naruto behind. I have a responsibility as his godfather that I have been ignoring for too long."

"You still haven't told me of this place you have in mind," Hiashi said.

"I am talking about Uzushiogakure," Jiraiya replied.

"It is nothing but a ruin," Hiashi protested.

Hinata glanced at Neji, to see if he knew what her father was talking about, but he shrugged.

"It is a ruin, yes," Jiraiya tapped his nose slyly. "But it is also much more than that."

Hiashi rubbed his temples, hardly believing he was having this conversation. It was traitorous thoughts and was against everything the Hyuga believed in. They were a traditional, and proud clan who held honour as a guiding principle.

He couldn't deny, however, that while it may seem honourable from the outside, it was nothing but an illusion. The existence of cursed seals showed that they were just as flawed as any clan. The main problem was the council elders who had too much authority over the clan. Already, they were looking to place a cursed seal on Hinata, which angered him greatly. Although he found it difficult to show it, he loved her just as he loved his youngest. The reason he had been so harsh on her was that he wanted to spare her the fate of being branded with the curse seal.

"It's a moot point for me anyway," Neji said, interrupting his thoughts. "I am branded with the curse seal. Doesn't the main family have a way to track me down with it?"

Hiashi looked at Jiraiya, waiting for him to explain.

"Hiashi hired me a few years ago to research the seal and see if there is a way to remove it," Jiraiya explained. "I have made a breakthrough and believe I have discovered the method. Although, I have not tested it on anyone."

"Really?" Hinata exclaimed. "So, if we leave the village, we could take the branch members with us."

"I will volunteer as a guinea pig to see if it works," Neji said, looking both elated and determined. He had lost his stoicism after hearing he may be rid of his curse seal.

"If only it was that easy," Hiashi said. "It is impossible to know if there are spies within the branch family members. There may even be spies from Root among them."

"The next person I am going to recruit may be able to help with that," Jiraiya said.

"I can't believe I am following along with this," Hiashi sighed. "We need to plan. This will not happen in a short amount of time."

So, what do you think? Things are in motion, but Naruto won’t be escaping anytime soon. Can he learn to harness enough of Kyuubi’s power to escape his prison?

Thanks for reading.