Technological Ninja Naruto Uzumaki (Naruto/ Star Ocean) Chapter 14 part 2

<< TNNU Chapter 14 Part 1

updated 7th March 2015

updated 9th Feb 2015 <inclusion of Kakashi pov snippet>

updated 19th Mar

OoooO

Konoha’s Hokage Tower

He had only been out of commission for two days and within that short span of time too much had happened. While he had been recuperating after the battle, Root had been discovered and dismantled, with Danzo branded a traitor for treason.  And as he was grieving for the death of his teammates, the Hokage had apparently made plans for him.

Kakashi looked at the termination order the Third Hokage had just handed to him.

“You are terminating my services to the Anbu.” Kakashi said neutrally, not revealing his shock.

“Yes Kakashi.” The Third said, motioning him to sit down on the couch. “I have need of your services elsewhere.”

Kakashi nodded, he had guessed as much. “I heard about Root when I passed by the town criers just now. Are you assigning me to the team hunting down the remaining rogues?”

“Ah Root.” The Third said with a weary sigh. “No, the hunting of rogue nins will not be of your concern. I have the hunter nins and Ibiki handling that. No I need you for something closer to home.”

“Naruto.” Kakashi said, quickly discerning the topic of The Third’s discussion. Although Konoha had gone through a series of shattering upheavals in the past three days, there were only a few matters of high enough concern to affect him. Madara’s reappearance, Naruto’s real abilities and bloodline, and the discovery of Root were the major factors that Kakashi had been aware of so far.

“Yes.” The Third answered with a nod. “As you are aware, the council and I have given Naruto a field promotion for his services in defending the Uchiha clan. The promotion bypass the rank of Genin and propelled him straight to the position of Chunin. I have decree that Naruto will hold the title of special Chunin to the Hokage. I intend to guide his training at times, because even with his bloodline and current capabilities, he is but a child. However with my duties, I can’t be around to focus on him, Naruto is going to need a teacher.”

The Hokage took out a sealed letter from his robe, handing it to Kakashi who accepted it without showing a hint of emotion of his face.

“As of this moment, I am authorizing the formation of a special two men Chunin team. You will be leading team Kakashi with Naruto Uzumaki under your command. Your team will answer directly to me and me alone. I want weekly updates on Naruto’s progress, but most importantly I need you to be Naruto’s teacher because… he knows…” The Third said in a tired voice. “He knows who his birth parents are, and as of now, you are one of the few remaining links to Minato and Kushina.”

“I see.” Kakashi said, feeling old pain stirring at the thought of his teacher and old team. He had been there when Naruto had revealed his knowledge and training with The Eye to the Hokage. “So you want me to keep an eye on the boy, and reach out to him using my history with his parents.”

“No.” The Third said firmly, looking sternly at Kakashi to make sure he got the message. “No emotional manipulation. This isn’t one of your missions. I want you to be there for him as a family friend. Not just watching over him from the shadows like what you have doing all these years, but to be someone he can depend on and trust, just as Minato had been for you.”

“I can never be like Minato sensei… but I will do my best.” Kakashi said gravely. It was the best he could offer, especially since there was no way he could turn down this request. His debt to his late teacher could never be repaid in this lifetime. The best he could do was to be there for Minato’s kid, even though he felt a lingering reluctance at facing a legacy of his past.

“Good. Team Kakashi will officially be activated at midday today.” The Third said looking sharply at Kakashi. “Pick up Naruto from his apartment and get him officially registered into the Shinobi corp. Take this afternoon to get to know him. Assess your new student tomorrow, and official training will begin the day after. I want a full report on Naruto’s capabilities and your team’s proposed training schedule submitted by end of the week.”

As Kakashi gave his affirmation to the Hokage, a cloaked figure remained undetected outside the Hokage tower. N5 was listening in to the meeting through his mind link with S5.

“So Kakashi Hatake is going to be our Jonin sensei…” N5 mused. “Best get that information to Boss Sica. I am sure he will want to know about it.”

OoooO

Konoha’s Eastern Forest

Hidden under advanced cloak, N31 and numerous other fellow clones were seated in a large clearing in Konoha’s eastern forest, situated near Training Ground 23, but far enough from any known landmarks that few Konoha ninjas and residents ventured into this area.

The twenty men team were what was termed by the Boss as the Eastern Research Clone Brigade. Like their fellow clone brigades in the South, West, and North part of Konoha’s forest, they serve a dual role as researchers and learners.

The Naruto clones were tasked with learning the various theoretical Federation subjects that Boss had handpicked, while their Sica clones were tasked with various research projects Boss had designated.

The Eastern Clone Brigade also had the dubious honor of analyzing data from Boss’ altercation with Madara. They were to uncover Madara’s true capabilities, any weakness the infamous ninja might have, as well as planning strategies to combat Sharingan and their advanced forms. The Western Clones were to focus research on any possible Chakra shielding and Chakra sensing techniques that might help the Boss. Meanwhile the Northern and Southern Clones were focusing their attention on the various research projects regarding seals and Ninjutsu techniques that Boss had previously ordered.

A mental prompt from S31 caused N31 to blink as his holographic screen which was previously showing data on University level Mechanical Engineering froze up. Looking around, he saw his fellow clones eyeing their respective holographic screens showing different subjects, without any hints of disturbance.

All of them were under a large layered dome shaped cloak, formed by all of their Sicas working together. Using manipulation of light, those outside the cloak would see no one in the clearing, while those within the light cloak would be able to see the going-ons of outside.

In practical and theoretical application, a rudimentary cloaking device which utilize bending of light would cause the one under the cloak to be surrounded by darkness, blinded to the outside world. After all, a reflective shield bending light away from itself, would have allowed no light to enter its interior. This flaw however could be rendered moot if the device that created the shield was able to generate and render its own light source, within the reflective shield.

Thankfully Sica was a state of the art creation by the Pangalactic Federation, imbued with the best of their micro-holographic technology. Sica’s light based cloaking technique would bend the light around its user, to grant a version of invisibility, while at the same time layering a screen of light within the layered cloak, displaying the scanned images of what’s outside the cloak.

Yes Sica, what is it? N31 asked mentally, not wanting to disturb the rest of the clones by asking his question out loud.

I was analyzing Sharingan genetic data for weaknesses, and have discovered abnormalities in the genetic scans of Madara’s Sharingan, several of the Uchiha clan members and Kakashi Hatake. S31 revealed causing N31 to frown.

Kakashi Hatake… he’s the ninja that saved us from Madara and is now Boss’ new Jonin instructor. N31 noted. S5 had sent out an update to all Sicas about Team Kakashi only minutes ago, and the memories of Boss’ near death at Madara’s hands were still firmly entrenched in N31’s mind. He… Boss… still have nightmares from Madara’s assault. The one with that implanted Sharingan?

Yes. Kakashi Hatake gained his Sharingan on a mission during the Third Shinobi World War. His left eye was destroyed by an attack, and according to previously scanned mission reports, it seemed his teammate, one Obito Uchiha, perished in that particular mission. Sica stated. Before his eventual death, Obito Uchiha granted Kakashi Hatake his left Sharingan eye. The operation was done with assistance from Rin Nohara, the third member of their team, now deceased as well, who also happened to have medi-nin training.

Okay… so what is the abnormality? N31 asked, wondering what Sica was getting at.

The previously scanned Sharingan from Kakashi is in its advance stage, and possesses 34% genetic makeup of Kakashi’s own body. As Kakashi lacks the genetic traits of an Uchiha, it appears that he is incapable of deactivating his Mangekyō Sharingan. Sica revealed, causing N31 to blink at the information. Records stated that Obito Uchiha never gained the Mangekyō Sharingan when he gifted it to Kakashi, thus it is possible that the evolution of Kakashi’s eyes happened after the eye was implanted into him. And that due to this, part of Kakashi’s own genetic materials were used to further the evolution process.

But the key issue is that Kakashi’s Mangekyō Sharingan bears a 92% structural match to Madara’s Mangekyō Sharingan. Kakashi and Madara’s Mangekyō Sharingan are most certainly the same “type” of Mangekyō Sharingan, even though the gene makeup in Kakashi’s Mangekyō Sharingan differs from Madara’s. This difference in genetic makeup is probably caused by the Mangekyō Sharingan evolving in Kakashi’s body. Several other Uchiha clan members also possessed a 68%-81% genetic match to Madara. Sica continued.

Simplify it for me please. N31 said with a wince. I know Boss took Biology classes, but we were never that well verse in it. We barely scrap a passing score from the previous test.

As you wish. Sica stated. Based on my limited analysis, with no verified sources of genetic materials from Madara Uchiha to refer to, and the high structural similarities of Kakashi and “Madara’s” Mangekyō Sharingan. I theorize that Kakashi and “Madara’s” Mangekyō Sharingan are of the same “type”.

I further theorized that there is a 95% chance that the Madara Uchiha who attacked Uchiha clan is actually not the real Madara Uchiha, but is actually one Obito Uchiha who has survived. Obito Uchiha was listed as an orphan, but based on the genetic scans, I might have uncovered several close relatives of his in the clan.

“What?” N31 shouted in shock, forgetting to speak mentally within his head. Several of his fellow clones looked his way curiously. “But how? How do you come to this conclusion?”

Scans of “Madara’s” facial layout bears a 96% match to the portrays of Madara Uchiha, however deeper tissue scans revealed that the “Madara” who attacked the Uchiha clan bears tissue scarring in his left eye socket. Sica revealed. “Madara” also possessed a Mangekyō Sharingan in his right eye, and a normal Sharingan in his left eye. Both eyeballs bears a 76% genetic mismatch, which meant that they came from two different people with distant bloodline relations.

“So you are saying with the close similarity ‘Madara’ and Kakashi’s Mangekyō Sharingan has with each other, and the tissue scarring you detected in his left eye socket… it’s more than likely Obito Uchiha is the ‘Madara’ who attack the Uchiha clan.” N31 said in shock. “If so that would explain why the ‘Madara’ that attacked the clan is not the juggernaut of power the legends stated him to be. Even though he is more than powerful enough to make a good showing of it. But why did you take so long to come with this conclusion?”

The abnormality detected in Kakashi’s Mangekyō Sharingan delayed crucial data comparison. Thousands of simulations were ran to pinpoint why Kakashi’s implanted Mangekyō Sharingan would contain some of his genetic data, yet bear a high structural comparison to “Madara’s” Mangekyō Sharingan. I only reached a 97% positive conclusion that evolution of Sharingan to Mangekyō Sharingan would utilize the host’s genetic materials a few hours ago. This allows me to eliminate misleading data and connect the dots. Sica revealed. With the other Sicas focused on various assigned key objectives, my overall conclusion on Obito’s Mangekyō Sharingan was only finalized a few minutes ago.

“What’s going on?” N35 who was seated next to N31 asked. It was then N31 realised he had gotten the attention of his entire clone brigade.

“My Sica just discovered something very important.” N31 said with a grimace. “Sica, disseminate the information to Boss and the other clones. We need to know exactly who we are fighting. At least this Obito Uchiha should be much weaker than the real Madara Uchiha… right?”

OoooO

Konoha Training Ground 37

The fresh scent of earth and morning dew permeate the thick forest that made up Konoha’s Training Ground 37. Crickets chirping, rodents going to ground, fledglings taking flight as a new dawn broke over the forest top, sending gentle streams of the morning sun to pierce through the dark canopy.

There was a gust of wind, followed by multiple similar gusts around a small clearing, as the forest fell silent. Sica dropped the light cloak that had hid Naruto from sight and began monitoring the energy signatures in the area in case the Hokage was using his signature spying technique on them. Naruto took a deep breathe of the cool crisp air, the warmth of a delicious ramen broth settling in his stomach.

Having Ayame and Teuchi deciding to drop by, to congratulate him on becoming a Chunin, with a delicious ramen breakfast had been a surprise. With his clones scattered all over Konoha, Naruto had caught wind of their intention half an hour before their arrival which slightly spoilt the surprise, but even then, Naruto had been touched that the ramen owner and his daughter had remembered him.

His original intent had been to do some personal training before starting another regiment of the Wild Hunt, but the visit by his favorite ramen owner had derailed that plan. It was no big deal though, he could always have his clones pick up on other aspects of his training when he meets his Chunin team instructor in the afternoon.

There were still three hours before midday. Turning to the shadow clones he had just created, who were still hidden from sight, Naruto called out. “You know what to do. Perimeter Team, secure the area and warn us if anyone make their way here. Red team, listen to your Sicas, get yourself into position before I start the Hunt.”

Silent gusts of wind was all that greeted him as his shadow clones moved out towards their assigned roles. Naruto began to do some light stretching in the small clearing, wincing at a rapidly healing bruise on his left arm.

“Those Senju and Uchiha ninjas are really getting better at realizing I was slipping out of the apartment. The older Uchiha ninja in particular nearly caught up with me before I could slip into the morning crowd… even while you were cloaking me! With them knowing that I have slipped out of my apartment, there’s no longer any point to leave a shadow clone in the apartment as a decoy.” Naruto said with a grimace. “I would have been impressed if that older Uchiha ninja wasn’t becoming so much of a nuisance to shake off. I bumped into that wall with enough force to nearly shatter the cloak because I was too busy trying to avoid him. You were saying it was because he did something with his Sharingan?”

The Sharingan is known to grant its user an incredible clarity of perception. The Uchiha that managed to catch up with you, Shadou Uchiha, was listed in Konoha’s Shinobi records as one of the best Taijutsu expert in the village. Sica revealed to Naruto’s question. His mastery of his Sharingan was such that he could detect the slightest of movement in his opponents’ bodies before they attack. Knowledge that you had some kind of invisibility technique was beginning to spread among the upper tiers of Konoha’s ninja. With this foreknowledge, it was possible he managed to track you by the dust stirred in your path, when you trek down that cluttered and dusty side alley into the town square.

“I wasn’t aware the Sharingan could track movements to that extend.” Naruto said with a frown. “That bloodline itself seemed to be remarkably powerful and broken. Madara was able to do some kind of warp teleport with his advanced Sharingan. It is scary what he was capable of doing with that ability.”

Sharingan, like most bloodlines, are known to have slight potency and variations when they manifest in different Uchiha members. Shadou Uchiha’s Sharingan has an advantage in detecting minute movements. Madara’s Sharingan probably specialize in space-time manipulation. Sica stated clinically. With Madara’s right limbs containing a variation of Wood Release genes close to those that you possesses, it is highly probable that Madara, like Danzo, is trying to recreate the Izanagi technique. A technique written in several old records as the most powerful Genjutsu technique ever known.

“The most powerful Genjutsu technique.” Naruto said with a disbelieving snort. “What does it do exactly? Trap you in an infinite illusion?”

No, the Izanagi does not stimulate an infinite illusion trap. The technique that possess the same effect as your supposition is known as the Tsukuyomi. It was one of the list of known Mangekyō Sharingan techniques recorded in the Uchiha clan’s archives. Sica said, surprising Naruto with the fact that such a technique actually existed. Though that particular illusion technique is not infinite, the user can manipulate one’s mind to change their perception of time, while trapping them in a very powerful mental illusion.

The only known user of the Tsukuyomi was an Uchiha who died several decades ago. Though it is possible future Mangekyō Sharingan users who possess the same “type” of Mangekyō Sharingan as him, might be able to utilize the same ability.

As for the Izanagi, according to legend, it is a genjutsu that is cast on the user instead of others. When activated it removes the boundaries between reality and illusion, allowing the user to control his/her state of existence. No further details are available, though there are theories the technique could allow the user to transcend death temporarily at the cost of the Sharingan eye used to cast it.

“Oh… I wasn’t really expecting there to be such techniques.” Naruto said with a grimace. “I guess we should be glad that Madara’s Mangekyō Sharingan didn’t seem to be able to use that powerful mind illusion technique, or that he didn’t use that Izanagi technique. Otherwise I will probably be dead many times over. I hadn’t learn any Genjutsu defenses so far, I would have been practically defenseless.”

The Mangekyō Sharingan possessed quite a number of varied abilities. According to Uchiha clan’s archives, the clan were aware of eighteen Uchiha who gained the Mangekyō Sharingan, though only ten of those listed ever have their abilities recorded. Of these ten, four different Mangekyō Sharingan types were identified. Sica stated. The Mangekyō Sharingan of Madara and his brother were among those not in records, and based on the abilities he showed during the battle, Madara’s Mangekyō Sharingan did not match any of the four known Mangekyō Sharingan types.

“I wonder…” Naruto mused to himself, even as he checked his gear for the upcoming Wild Hunt exercise. “If Madara was so powerful with his Mangekyō Sharingan… Maybe I can use that same Mangekyō Sharingan against him.”

You wish to genetically alter your ocular genetic structure to possess the Mangekyō Sharingan? Sica asked.

“That thought did cross my mind. But I suspect having those eyes would also come with their own baggage of problems.” Naruto admitted. “But let’s discuss this later. First let’s get the Wild Hunt for the day over with.”

Very well. Sica affirmed. Today’s Wild Hunt is a tracking and hostage rescue operation. Red Team will be posing as a group of rogue Mist Nins. One clone will be transforming himself into a civilian woman held hostage by the Mist ninjas. The objective is to find the hideout of the Mist ninjas, take down or contain them, while ensuring the civilian hostage is rescued and survived the operation.

Battlefield intel revealed that Mist ninjas’ base is located somewhere North of your current position. This band of Mist ninjas is known for their powerful water techniques and Taijutsu skills. The operation ends within the time frame of two hours. Good luck Naruto.

Naruto rolled his eyes at Sica’s narration. “Why can’t you just tell me that the Red Team is limited to water techniques and Taijutsu attacks instead of spinning all this story about Mist ninjas?”

Centuries of Federation Psychological research on Humanity reveals that humans are more likely to remember and relish the experience when they are role playing it. Sica stated primly. It is common for Federation Training Operations to have varying story lines for different training scenarios. I believe the concept of role playing does not just apply to training exercises but also in many types of human entertainment, particular among human adults. As such, to carter for your learning needs, I have used 28 mil-cycles to craft the optimum training scenario for you today.

“Seriously?” Naruto said shaking his head in disbelief. “Federation humans are weird.”

His fingers flicked into a series of handseals as he pulled and mold the Wood chakra within him. Power flexed within his body and flowed out… in the forms of eleven wood clones exiting out of his body. It took a few seconds for the Wood clones to lose their green brown wood outer appearances, before their skin and clothes managed to stabilize into the appropriate texture and coloring. Due to his Wood Release bloodline, using the Wood clones technique came remarkably easy to him. Naruto just never saw the need to use this particular clone technique until now.

With Sica’s rule that it would not help Naruto during the Wild Hunt exercise, it became redundant to use Shadow Clones to help him during the exercise. The Shadow Clones’ Sicas would have refused to assist him in the duration of the exercise. As such, it was much better to call on Wood clones who were tougher then Shadow Clones, able to communicate with him from afar without the aid of Sicas, and merge into plants.

Among the few records Sica had managed to scan of the Wood clone technique, it also possesses various other utility features that Naruto was still trying to master. The fact that the Wood clones’ Sica replicas did not work at all do not actually matter during the Wild Hunt exercise. What was important was their durability in combat and various other utility skills.

“Alright, the five of you are the forward team. As for you, you are to stay behind and watch over me while I direct the forward team.” Naruto said, taking command of his wood clones. “The remaining five, I need you to transform yourself into kunai. Each of member of the forward team will take one of you. The five transformed clones will be our… insurance, once we located Red Team.”

The Wood clones nodded, dividing themselves up. One of the clone moved to stand by him, while five of the clones transformed into Kunai which the rest of the clones quickly picked up, one a piece. Unlike the Shadow clone technique, the power of the wood clones are proportional to the power the user focuses on the clones.

Due to this, for maximum effect, Naruto needs to stay behind to make sure he can fully utilize the power of his wood clones. As of current time, he had not mastered the art of fighting and effectively managing his wood clones at the same time, and eleven wood clones was the most he could manage at a time.

Making sure his team was ready, Naruto turned to look down at Sica on his wrist.

“Alright Sica we are good to go.” Naruto announced.

Acknowledge. Sica said. Wild Hunt exercise will commerce in 5 seconds. 5, 4, 3…

Naruto frowned when Sica’s mental voice came to a sudden halt.

Wild Hunt exercise has been halted. I am receiving a priority information package from S31. Sica stated. You need to know of this. It appears after further data analysis by S31, that the Madara Uchiha who attacked the Uchiha clan, might not be the original Madara Uchiha of legend… S31 has reached a probability of 95% that the attacker might actually be one Obito Uchiha, allegedly deceased during the Third Shinobi World War…

OoooO

>> TNNU Chapter 14 Part 3