(While Heading Back to Konoha)
Naruto and the rest of the gang were making their way back to Konohagakure. It was now clear sailing with the mission completed and the crime organization responsible for Nami no Kuni's problems dealt with.
"Too bad Haku and Zabuza couldn't come back with us. It was pretty neat that he wanted me to succeed him as one of the Seven Swordsmen! I can picture it now: the legendary Uzumaki Naruto, the famed clan leader of the Uzumaki, renowned seal master, and successor of one of the Seven Swordsmen turned Hokage! Behold how my greatness surpasses the previous four Hokage!"
"Knock it off, Naruto. We don't need you shouting your fantasies to all of us," Sasuke said with an annoyed tone.
"My dreams will become a reality, and the events that occurred into Nami no Kuni testify to that!" Naruto replied.
"Pft. Whatever," Sasuke said. The group soon stopped when Kakashi saw a figure approaching them from the shadows.
"Who's that?" Sakura asked. The figure soon became visible to the Konoha group. To their surprise, it was Zabuza.
"Zabuza! What are you doing here? Did you change your mind about not joining us?" Naruto asked hopefully.
"No kid. Haku simply asked me to do deliver this message to you. She wanted you to know that we're making our way to Kusagakure,. We're considering taking up the work as bounty hunters there. She said that next to me, you're one of her most precious people, and if you ever need help of any sort, you know where to find us," Zabuza explained.
"Sweet! That cute hottie regards me as someone most precious to her! Can you feel the love?" Naruto blushed and squealed with a toothy grin. Kakashi, Sasuke, and Sakura sweat dropped as they looked at Naruto. Honoka chuckled and shook her head.
"Whatever. Anyway, I have something to I want to give you, kid," Zabuza said.
"Really? And what would that be?" Naruto asked curiously.
"My blessing to be a swordsman, which I will now bestow upon you," Zabuza replied as Naruto waited for Zabuza to give him something. Zabuza suddenly burst into water on Naruto, effectively soaking him. Sakura burst out laughing at the now soaked Naruto, while Sasuke himself allowed a small chuckle to escape his mouth. Kakashi also laughed at Naruto, and soon even Honoka joined in laughing at what happened. Naruto spat out some of the water that went into his mouth.
"I guess hidden deep underneath that dark and hardened exterior, even Zabuza has a sense of humor," Naruto smiled before laughing at himself.
(Six Days Later)
Naruto and Honoka were walking ahead of the group, conversing together. Honoka had her left arm wrapped around Naruto's shoulders as they talked and walked along. During their voyage back to the village, Naruto also worked on his new story, The Moon's Eye Above the Fireworks: A Lone Ninja's Tale. Sasuke didn't give consideration to Naruto's ambitions as a writer. Instead, he took into consideration what took place in Nami no Kuni. Many questions about Naruto surfaced and the Uchiha had been wondering how Naruto could have done all of those things when he failed miserably at the academy as the dead last.
Things aren't adding up about him, Sasuke thought as he scrutinized the blond with his gaze, He graduated as the dead last, yet he managed to learn a number of jutsu that I haven't learned, one of them being based on one of my brother's jutsu. Zabuza looked at Naruto as someone worthy of being his successor, his replacement as one of the Seven Swordsmen of Kirigakure. We were never trained in kenjutsu at the academy, so how could Naruto have learned and trained in kenjutsu? And how did he acquire expertise in wind manipulation? My only conclusion is that somebody was secretly training Naruto instead of me over the years.
If I could find out who was secretly training Naruto, I could definitely use that to my advantage to become stronger and surpass the dobe. I know it wasn't Kakashi, as he admitted that Naruto's skills went far beyond anything he ever thought them to be. I have to work and train harder if I'm to become stronger than Naruto! I must, in order to kill my brother!
"Sasuke-kun?"
Sasuke turned to the pinked-haired Genin who called out his name.
"What is it?" Sasuke asked flatly.
"You haven't said a word for a long while, and I saw that you were thinking hard about something," Sakura said.
"I'm fine, you don't need to worry about me," Sasuke replied plainly. Sakura felt good that she was given a response from Sasuke, though nothing romantic was implied.
Soon, the group reached the main entrance of Konoha with two Chuunin, Izumo and Kotetsu, standing guard inside the security booth by the towering doors. Both Chuunin were talking to each other when they caught sight of Kakashi's team. They took notice of the beautiful red haired woman walking alongside Naruto.
"Who's that hot dame?" Izumo asked with a blush on his cheeks.
"I don't know! But I wonder how the hell the Kyuubi-gaki managed to get with her!" Kotetsu replied as the group approached them.
"Good day. We're returning from our completed mission in Nami no Kuni. We're also on our way to see the Hokage with a very special friend Naruto found there," Kakashi explained. The two Chuunin did their best to stay professional while admiring the red-haired beauty. They did find it odd that she was walking barefooted instead of wearing sandals like everyone else. Whatever the reason, they decided not to pry into it.
"Greetings! This is my first time in Konohagakure no Sato. Naruto-otōto told me much about this village and his life here. I didn't like most of what I learned, but I hope things will improve now that I'm here," Honoka said with a smile, though her tone carried a weight of seriousness.
Izumo and Kotetsu looked at Honoka questionably. Izumo said, "The gaki has quite an unfavorable reputation here I'm sorry to say. But he's also known for his pranks and getting into a whole world of trouble. Did he mention that to you?"
"Why of course. He had no reason to hide such things from his neechan. By the way, I'm Uzumaki Honoka," Honoka revealed. The two Chuunin looked at the young adult female as if time just stopped. They were trying to process what they just heard.
"Excuse us?" Kotetsu rebutted.
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