Naruto : Beginning

Chapter 2 : The Dragon's Lesson

The moon cast its silvery glow over the sleeping village of Konoha as Naruto lay peacefully in his bed, the soft sounds of night enveloping him in tranquility. However, his rest was abruptly shattered by the sound of shattering glass. Naruto bolted upright, heart pounding in his chest as adrenaline surged through his veins.

Before he could react, a shadowy figure slipped through the broken window, moving with swift and silent grace. Naruto's eyes widened in shock as he recognized the imposing silhouette of The Dragon, the leader of the Anbu Black Ops, wearing her iconic dragon mask that concealed her features in an aura of mystery and intimidation.

"Naruto Uzumaki," her voice was low and commanding, cutting through the silence of the night like a blade. "Get up. We have training to do."

Naruto's mind raced as he scrambled out of bed, his confusion mingling with a hint of excitement. He followed The Dragon out of his room and into the cool night air, the urgency of her presence driving him forward.

The training field loomed before them, bathed in the ethereal glow of the moonlight. The Dragon wasted no time as she began to pace back and forth, her movements fluid and purposeful.

"Naruto, I will teach you a specific fighting style," she announced, her voice carrying the weight of authority. "But know this, I do not tolerate weakness or excuses. You will push yourself beyond your limits if you wish to master it."

Naruto nodded, determination burning bright in his eyes as he braced himself for the challenge ahead.

For hours they trained, the night slipping away as they moved in a dance of combat. The Dragon's teachings were rigorous and unforgiving, each strike calculated and precise. She pushed Naruto to his breaking point and beyond, demanding nothing less than perfection.

Despite the exhaustion that threatened to consume him, Naruto pressed on, his resolve unwavering. With each passing moment, he felt himself growing stronger, his movements becoming more fluid and controlled.

As dawn began to break on the horizon, The Dragon finally called a halt to their training, her gaze unwavering behind the impassive mask.

"You have done well, Naruto Uzumaki," she acknowledged, her voice tinged with a hint of approval. "But remember, this is only the beginning. The path of a shinobi is fraught with challenges, and you must be prepared to face them head-on."

With those words, The Dragon vanished into the darkness, leaving Naruto standing alone on the training field, his muscles aching but his spirit soaring. He knew that he had taken the first steps on a journey that would test him in ways he could never have imagined. But with The Dragon's guidance, he was ready to face whatever lay ahead.

As Naruto trudged wearily back home from his intense training session with The Dragon, his muscles still throbbing with the exertion, he found himself lost in thought. The lessons had been grueling, but he felt a sense of accomplishment swelling within him. Lost in his thoughts, he almost didn't notice the figure approaching him until a cheerful voice called out his name.

"Naruto! Hey there!" The voice belonged to a vibrant woman with fiery red hair tied back in a ponytail, her bright blue eyes sparkling with warmth and kindness. Naruto blinked in surprise as she approached, recognizing her as Kushina Uzumaki, the woman Minato had mentioned earlier.

Minato showed him a photograph of Kushina, much to Hiruzen's dismay. 

"Hi, um... Kushina, right?" Naruto replied, still taken aback by her sudden appearance.

"That's right! You're a sharp one," Kushina chuckled, her laughter infectious as she fell into step beside Naruto. "Hey, how about we grab some ramen? My treat!"

Naruto's eyes lit up at the mention of ramen, his stomach growling in anticipation. "Sure, I'd love to!"

As they entered the ramen shop and settled into a booth, Kushina bombarded Naruto with questions, her curiosity seemingly boundless. She asked about his likes and dislikes, his favorite foods, and even his eating habits, all the while listening intently to his answers with genuine interest.

"So, how's your training with The Dragon going?" Kushina asked, her tone laced with concern.

Naruto hesitated for a moment before launching into an animated recount of his training session, describing The Dragon's rigorous methods and the challenges he faced. Despite the difficulty, he couldn't help but feel a sense of pride at his progress.

Kushina nodded thoughtfully, her expression grave. "I see... Well, just remember, Naruto, it's important to stay true to yourself, no matter what. And if you ever need someone to talk to or help you through tough times, I'm here for you."

As they finished their meal and bid each other goodbye, Naruto couldn't shake the feeling of warmth and reassurance that Kushina's words had brought him. Little did he know, back at home, Kushina's worry for him had turned to anger as she voiced her concerns to Minato about The Dragon's teaching methods, adamant that they were too violent for Naruto's well-being.

Unbeknownst to them, their conversation was overheard by a curious bystander. Naruko, Naruto's twin sister, listened intently from the shadows, her heart heavy with the weight of the secrets she now carried.

As Naruto left the ramen shop, feeling buoyed by Kushina's kindness, he couldn't shake the sense of comfort her words had instilled in him. He walked through the quiet streets of Konoha, the cool evening air stirring the leaves overhead. Meanwhile, back at their home, tensions simmered as Kushina confronted Minato about The Dragon's training methods.

"Minato, I'm telling you, The Dragon's approach is too harsh for Naruto," Kushina argued, her voice laced with frustration and concern.

Minato listened carefully, his brow furrowed with worry. He trusted The Dragon implicitly, but he couldn't ignore his wife's distress. "I understand your concerns, Kushina. I'll speak to The Dragon and ensure Naruto's safety is prioritized."

In the dimly lit confines of their home, emotions ran high as Kushina's frustration boiled over into anger. "Minato, I can't stand by and watch while our son is subjected to such brutality! Naruto deserves better than this!"

Minato's expression remained composed, though his eyes betrayed a hint of sadness. "Kushina, I understand your concerns, but you must trust me. I know exactly who Naruto is and what he's going through. Things aren't easy for him, but we have to believe in his strength."

"But he's our son, Minato! Our flesh and blood!" Kushina exclaimed, her voice cracking with emotion. "We should be protecting him, not throwing him into the lion's den!"

Minato's gaze softened as he reached out to gently grasp Kushina's hand. "I know, Kushina. Believe me, I know," he murmured, his voice filled with a mixture of regret and determination. "But sometimes, the path to greatness is paved with hardship. Naruto has the potential to become one of the greatest shinobi this village has ever seen, and I'll do whatever it takes to help him realize that."

As the weight of Minato's words settled over them, Naruko stood frozen in the doorway, her heart pounding in her chest. She had always known Naruto was different, an outcast in their village, but she had never imagined the truth that now lay bare before her

"Naruto... he's... he's our brother?" Naruko whispered, her voice barely audible as the realization washed over her like a tidal wave. 

But instead of confronting her parents with questions, she made a silent decision. 

She needed to find Naruto and talk to him, to understand him better without revealing anything about her newfound knowledge.