Chapter 19

Two years had past by me and I had achieved a few things; despite the the increasing difficulty in learning Fuinjutsu, I have managed to achieve the rank of level 5 seal master. Even the scroll buisness was good, I had even upgraded our pit and speaking of the pit,me and Kuromaru had worked tirelessly to beautify it .

During those two years, our home had faced a few technical problems. Mainly was that water would drop from our ceiling, that wasn't a suprise for us as we live underground. But with Arata's generous donations of resources, which he dubbed as, "Raising a golden Hen", the pit was pimped. I had strengthen the rooms with pillars, and constructed the walls and ceilings with concrete, I even painted the walls and ceilings.

I planned to show this all to Hinata but her overprotective father said that, it was too dangerous to even go there. Well plan failed.

Regarding my appearance, my bald head had alredy grown a thick forest of blonde hair. Despite being just eight years old, I was as tall as any teen in the village, and speaking of the village, the number of people who used to come to, well... attack me and Kuromaru, had dropped to almost zero. Well that's all thanks to my scary face, and an equall scary Kuromaru. Never did I thought, that my scary face would proven to be useful in chasing away asshole who would attack me daily.

Kuromaru had undergone a huge, huge change. He was no longer the one-horned calf, as he hit his growth spurt last year. He was now a huge, black, one-horned, muscled, scary looking monstrosity. The horn of his forehead had grown a foot long and he was only a few inches shorter than me.

I would go around the town, sitting on his back feeling awesome, that brought about nostalgia. I remember two years ago, I had to carry his sorry ass to save him from that bear, now he is the one carrying me... Good times.

Training was going on very well, and my six-pack body was enough proof. Regarding my growth as swordsman, I wouldn't say I am a veteran, but I can atleast I can carry Despair with my two hands effortlessly.

Today, the Hyuga household were hosting a celebration, for Neji that is. Tomorrow, he is going to start attending the Ninja Academy. At the party though, people were showering Neji with gifts, which includes mostly of Ninja tools, shirukens and kunais to be exact. Hinata being the angel that she is gave him a healing ointment, which she made by herself.

I'm not jealous of Neji receiving such a sweet gift from Hinata's hand...Well maybe a little. But I got one too, even Kuromaru has it.

Well speaking of Kuromaru, he and Hanabi were playing at the garden, with Hanabi riding on his back. And despite his huge, intimidating look, he had a soft spot for kids. Heck, Hanabi and all the Hyuga kids call him Kuromaru-niisan. Now that everybody in the Hyuga compound can communicate with Kuromaru, they all know that underneath that intimidating appearance, Kuromaru was a gentle soul.

When everyone had given their gifts to Neji, my turn had arrived. "Aniki! what kind of gift you brought for me?" A very excited Neji asked me.

"Sadly I didn't bring anything for you." I said in a sad voice.

"Oh" Neji looked a bit sad that I didn't bring him anything.

"But..."

Neji suddenly looked at me with anticipation. He is so gonna love this.

"I'm going to the Ninja Store... we could find something for you."

Neji was so happy at that he was jumping out of joy. That was till he was stopped by a cough, that cough came from Hiashi.

" Neji that was not a very Hyuga way of behaving." He then turn to me, " Seriously Naruto, you are spoiling more that his father would."

I just chuckled at that, " Come on, Hiashi-sama, let him be. Let him enjoy his youth, when he becomes a ninja I doubt he will have the time to relax."

That was fact, most ninjas have a very high chances of dying not more than three years after passing from the academy, some even before that. That shows how cruel the ninja world can be.

After the party, me and Neji, who was currently riding on Kuromaru's back( Joys of being the birthday boy.) Were strolling through the busy streets of Konoha. My public image was not that very good, as I would do certain things to my aggressors who have the balls to ruin my day and today, was not a day I want to ruin.

As we enter the Konoha's ninja store, we were greeted by no one. Today was Sunday, so no ninja would come to this store. But there was a young girl around Neji's age, who was cleaning the weapons who were hung on the walls, her back was facing us.

" Excuse me, but do you know where the owner is?" I asked her.

"He is busy with the-" she turned to our direction, but froze when she looked at mine and Kuromaru's scary appearance.

"AHHHH!!!!! DAD THERE ARE TWO DEMONS AT THE DOOR!!!!"

" Hold on you're his daughter? " I asked in disbelief. Taking a step closer to her.

"GET AWAY YOU SPAWN OF THE DEVIL!!! TAKE THAT!!!AND THAT!!! AND THAT!!!" the girl screamed taking the weapons from the wall and threw at us.

I dodge most of the weapons, but I grew irritated. This was a day I don't want to cause any unnecessary trouble, but this brat just ruined the day.

I took out Despair from my scroll, holding it with two hands, I stood in position.

"THAT'S IT!!! I'M GONNA MAKE YOU SEQUEL LIKE A PIG!!!"

But the girl showed no fear, she was holding a Katana and was pointing at me dangerously.

"BRING IT ON!!!"

" Oi! What's with the noise!!!?" Arata arrived at the scene. Seeing the source of the noise, which was me and this girl pointing our swords at each other.

Arata just sighed, walking towards the girl, he delivered a soft karate chop on her head. " Stop harassing our cash cow."

As shameless as I remember him to be. This is Arata, the greedy bastard. I have seen how sly this guy can be, once a genin came here to buy three kunais, but with Arata's flattery, and disgustingly good communication skills, he made the poor genin buy, ten kunais, ten shirukens and a storage scroll. And what was more surprising is that the genin left the store with a smile, not knowing that he had been played the fool by Arata.

That aside, me and him are good buisness buddies, I provide him with seals, he provides me cash and necessary item. Our bond is as strong as welded steel, only when it comes yo buisness.

His daughter put back the Katana hesitantly, glaring at me, with eyes tat screamed of vengeance. Yeah, Vengeance my ass, as if this brat can scare me.

"So what can I do you my favourite customers." Arata said with a smile, he then noticed Neji riding on Kuromaru's back, I can allready see his face change to a smirk. "Well what do you have here, a legendary ninja in the making." He lifted Neji by the armpits, then inspecting him from head to toe. Putting him on the ground, he gave a pat on his shoulders.

He looked at Neji in the eyes, his face was all plastered with a look that radiated wisdom. " My boy you have the potential to become a legend. This hands...I can feel great dormant power residing in it."

Neji was awestruck at the wise words comming from Arata's mouth. But for me, they are just rubbish. ' He is already trying to make Neji squeeze as much money as he can, although I'm paying for it.

Two years ago, I would willingly buy whatever Neji would ask for. But two years making money from seals, I learn to value money. The same piece of paper I used as tinder, now is greatly and safely placed at the pit, with five levels of security seals. Nobody is going to steal my money, it's for my future.

" Sorry Arata-san, but we are here to get Neji some ninja equipments. Nothing more than that."

"Oh that... what a shame." Arata was disappointed at that and no matter how much he say, I won't budge an inch at my decision. If there was something that Arata knew about me is that, I'm very stubborn. If I say I won't do it, I won't listen any fool to tell me what to do, as simple as that.

" I want sword as big and as cool as what Aniki is holding." Neji said in excitement.

I wasn't surprised at this, he did mentioned that I was his role model or something. Well who am I to judge, if he sees me as an inspiration to him, then let it be. Although I don't know what good does he saw in me, all I can see is that I am a very selfish and hot tempered person.

" Hmm..." Arata was lost in thought, " If you want a sword like that then it will take you years to develop the kind of strength to even carry it. I even doubt if I ever heard of a Hyuga ever used a sword."

Neji was not pleased at thet, it was true that Hyuga ninjas don't usually use swords, they depend too much on their Byakugan and the Gentle fist, they will use the kunai or a shiruken only and only if situations were dire.

" But who am I to stop someone if he wants to use a sword." Arata said, bringing a big smile to Neji's face. " Wait here a bit ok."

Arata went behind the curtains that blocked the view to his storage room. A few minutes later, Arata came out with three storage scrolls. Inside them were a sword each, they weren't as big or as heavy as my Despair, but we're still too huge for Neji.

In the end, Neji had chosen a single edged great sword, only a feet shorter than my sword. Neji tried to lift the sword only for him to fall to the ground along with the sword. To prevent any further problems, I put the sword inside a storage scroll and paid for it, which caused a huge dent on my wallet.

" So young lad, you are joining the academy?" Arata asked Neji.

" Yes, I'm going to be a great ninja like my father and a great person like Aniki !"

" Well I have good news then, you see this young lady over here is joining the academy as well." Arata said pointing his thumb at the girl, who we know now was his daughter. She was just a few inches shorter than Neji, tied her brown hair in a bun and was wearing a Chinese shirt, with black pants.

" Come here and tell them your name."

The brown haired girl came forward, puffing her chest with pride, she introduced herself. " My name is Tenten, and I'm going to the greatest kunoichi like just like Tsunade-sama."

Yeah right, as if a brat like her is gonna be as well-known as that legendary sucker.

"Pffft. Yeah right" I chuckled at her.

"Hey!!! Don't look down on my dream!!!"

"I believe you can achieve it. If you work hard and don't give up you will definitely be a great Ninja... Just like Tsunade-sama." Neji inspired her with his speech.

The said girl was blushing, " He he... Don't flatter me that much " She said in embarrassment.

Me and Arata just stared at the scene of two kids unknowingly flirting with each other. This was a wierd day and before it gets any worse, we decided to leave the store.

Arriving at the Hyuga compound, Neji was showing off his sword to his family. His mom and dad were very proud at him especially that he already found a friend before the academy even started. The lives of the kids at the Hyuga compound was a dull one, they were not allowed to mingle with the village citizens due to various reasons. So their friends were only their own clan members.

Hinata and Hanabi were awed at the size of the sword, even trying to lift it, but found that it was too heavy. Hinami just gave a warm smile. And Hiashi... Well he was being Hiashi, he told Neji that even though he planned to learn the way of the sword, he should not neglect his training with the Gentle fist.

Today was an interesting day, me and Kuromaru were at the pit. Tonight we are going to discuss the biggest problem, we were facing for the last two years regarding our Aura.

We have found when ever we use the Aura to heal our wounds, it would cover our entire body. It was healing us but we found that we waste touch much Aura, even for a small cut.

So we plan on how to focus on how to concentrate our Aura on a particular wound and not the entire body. But that would take the whole night, but they were no quitters.