Naruto: The Uchiha Prodigy by Rifat

Chapter 15: An Interlude - The First Date

Naruto's Backyard, Uchiha Clan Compound, Konohagakure no Sato.

Naruto is sitting in the clearing of his backyard. He has several cuts and bruises on his body. He is breathing a bit heavily as he has Hitokiri in his right hand. Before him stands a beautiful woman with purple hair. She is wearing the standard ANBU Uniform, her mask is that of a cat which she is wearing right now even though he knew exactly what she looked like. In her hand is a katana and underneath that mask she is smiling a bit.

A month ago, after the five man squad had arrived they were given a proper payment of an A Rank Mission. Now that Nami no Kuni had properly 'acquired' the necessary funds they had paid the amount for such a task. The Sandaime Hokage had of course first scolded them a bit for taking such a dangerous mission even after knowing that a shinobi like Zabuza Momochi was involved.

Later, on Hiruzen Sarutobi had learned that a member of the Yuki Clan was also there along with Mangetsu Hozuki, another member of the Seven Ninja Swordsman of the Mist. What surprised him the most was that this group was able to win against the odds. True, there was always a chance that Kakashi would win against Zabuza, but he did not expect inexperienced genin like Kasumi and Sasuke to defeat someone like Haku.

However, Naruto defeating Mangetsu Hozuki is what took the cake for Hiruzen. A genin who had outsmarted Zabuza twice in one battle is fictional enough, but for one to defeat the Second Coming of the Demon in single combat?

Outrageous. The mere possibility of that event happening would be considered a lie that would trump Kakashi's excuses for his tardiness.

Naruto went on to explain that he had gotten lucky in the battle against Mangetsu. He went on to state that if it wasn't for his aptitude in Genjutsu he would've died right there and then. Hiruzen noted that the young Uchiha before him was very much like the predecessors in his family. No genin in recent times had faced odds like him and then downplay it like that.

It seemed that Naruto did not possess the natural arrogance that a large majority of the Uchiha Clan had, even the ones who were from the Branch Side. Hiruzen smiled at the way Naruto was humble about his skills.

However, Hiruzen Sarutobi wasn't just a kind old man. He had lived through three wars and was taught by Tobirama Senju himself, one of the most intelligent shinobi to ever exist. He knew that the raven haired teen in front of him was far above chunnin level. He had noticed how Naruto had left out some facts in the fight against Mangetsu. Hiruzen however did not cross the lines, he did not suspect Naruto but he sure as hell didn't believe every single word about the young genin's skills. There was also the probability that Danzo might do something about it.

He had been keeping tabs on the cripple lately. Danzo was quite annoyed by how the Third Fire Shadow was keeping an annoying close watch on him ever since the Uchiha Massacre.

Naruto then made a request to the Hokage. He requested if there were any good kenjutsu instructors around. The request had surprised Hiruzen quite a bit. Naruto had never requested anything before. By instructor, Sarutobi knew that Naruto meant 'someone very good with a sword'. Fortunately, he did find someone. More like two people.

One of his ANBU Operatives Yugao Uzuki had gotten a month of break due to a long outstanding service and she had gotten recently engaged to Hayate Gekko. Yugao was bored at home after a mere two days. ANBU had always kept her bust and as much time she was spending with Hayate, she was bored. She went to the Hokage Tower to ask their leader if she could do any non-ANBU missions. The moment she heard that a couple of genin needed to brush up on their kenjutsu she became skeptical. It wasn't arrogance, but she was an ANBU Black Op one of the damned elites of the village.

But then a topic of interest came up as the sly Lord Third, added a bit of spice to the genin. The spice was the truth. Yugao learned that this group of Genin led be her senpai Kakashi Hatake had encountered not only Zabuza Momochi, but Mangetsu Hozuki and a member of the now nearly extinct Yuki Clan.