Training with Jiraya was rough, surprisingly (considering he had a tendency to disappear to brothels after awhile), but it had been such a comfort to have Naruto around to cheer me on and pick me up when I was down. With each thrashing that I got, the stronger that I physically became and the bigger my chakra reserves got. Naruto and his friends supported me and treated me like I was a sister to them as I took on the trials and tribulations of training to become someone that I hadn't been. It was a nice feeling to be loved and wanted. I never thought that I would be granted my heart's desire, which was family and friends. Perhaps being transported to the Narutoverse was for the best, despite the consequences. Well, with each action, as we all know, there is a consequence and the consequence, in my case, came at the cost of altering the Naruto timeline. I realized that Sai was nowhere to be seen, which possibly meant that my presence had possibly delayed his arrival into the Leaf Village and onto Team Seven. That also included Yamoto, the assistant team leader, who hasn't made his presence known as of yet, that had gotten delayed. Then, of course, the Akatsuki's recurring role in the Shippuden timeline probably got pushed back further into the future. I sighed.
Just how much did I change? I wondered.
That was a mystery that would unfold as time went on. Speaking of time, I also wondered just how long I had been here in the Leaf Village. I asked Naruto about this, since he found me, and he said that only a week and a half had gone by. A week and a half. That time seemed like ages ago since I arrived and that made me wonder about how much time had passed in my world. The passage of time in this world and my world would have to be different. A week and a half here could easily mean that a year or two could have passed in my world. The continuity of time would definitely differ between each dimension. I doubted that my 'loving' parents missed me. I didn't want to go back and certainly hoped that nothing would send me back to that miserable hellhole.
Alright, Mina. Think happy thoughts.
After being healed by Sakura, I decided that I would take it upon myself and work on throwing my weapons. Ten Ten volunteered to work with me since, after all, she was a weapons mistress and very knowledgeable in that area. I admired the tall kunoichi and how gracefully she moved. Jiraya said I was coming along well, but I felt like I could do with a bit more work where accuracy was concerned. That was why I decided to take up Ten Ten's offer of training. She and I spent the next couple of hours working on throwing senbon needles and kunai knives. Then she decided to take it up a notch and had me combine the two weapons. This was something I had wanted to work on because I was so clumsy. By the end of the afternoon, I was proficient in weaponry. As I walked back to my apartment, I realized that, despite the mistakes I had made, no one had yelled at me for being a failure. It was something I had been accustomed to so this epiphany took me by surprise. I smiled.
"I shall do a hundred laps around the village, if I cannot complete fifty push-ups!" Rock Lee declared.
Jiraya decided to give me the day off, pleased with my progress. I was pleased as well and very pleased with the fact that he hadn't tried to grope me anymore. Just getting punched once by me was enough for him to back off and take me seriously. That was another thing that I appreciated. Everyone took me seriously and even more so when they realized my potential of becoming a major powerhouse, like Naruto. I was sitting with said blonde, watching Bushy Brow (thanks a lot, Naruto) work himself. I knew that he was a zealous ninja by nature but to see it up close and in person made me sweatdrop. Naruto shared the same sentiment before flagging him down and preventing him from completing his ridiculous training regimen. Bushy Brow jogged up to the both of us, greeting us very politely with a bow and with a smile on his face.
Honestly, I was a little creeped out by Lee at first, but as I got to know him, I knew that he was someone to be admired. I briefly remembered the one flashback episode that took place during the Chunnin exams where Guy had taught him forbidden jutsus. Lee had been pushing himself hard as he skipped roped and other various exercises when he broke down and started sobbing so hard. He had gotten so frustrated with himself and suffered from enormous amounts of self-doubt. That was when Guy finally stepped in and took Lee under his wing and teaching him forbidden techniques.
"Someday we shall spar!" He declared.
Lee said he had observed my first battle with Naruto and said that he had never seen anyone with so much passion and determination in my eyes. I supposed that he was right. I was determined to become someone better than the old Mina. I wanted to be stronger and tough to beat. Hell, I wanted to be like Naruto. He was my idol. I simply smiled and nodded as Lee continued to ramble. Naruto, on the other hand, got bored and, eventually, tuned him out. The two of us were about to leave the training ground when Lee's adult clone-none other than Guy-tried to take me by surprise. I reacted quickly and blocked his whirlwind of attacks.
"That went better than I expected."
Kakashi appeared out of the blue and talked to Guy about attacking his students. Guy simply gave a hearty laugh and started on a tangent on how he intended to beat his rival. He admitted, though, that I had been taught well and that he must be proud to have an excellent student on his team. Sensei simply nodded but added that the legendary Sannin, Jiraya, had put me through some intensive training, which he had. Naruto gave me a slap on the shoulder and gave me a goofy grin. Yes...life was good.
