The night passed quickly, as I went about building two more puppets, identical to the first Little Wisp. My intent for these were to use them in conjunction, assisting my later, larger puppets. As such, I kept them simple, and made them able to operate with only two chakra thread connections.
Surprisingly, it worked. I was able to use all three at once, and I felt as if it wouldn't be too difficult to get used to.
Naruto had fallen asleep by the time I finished, so I simply waited another hour for the sun to rise. In that time, I fashioned myself a simple carry case for the dolls, using some leather. It came out looking somewhat similar to a satchel, large enough to fit all three, with extra room. I even had time to add a quick-release mechanism, a strap that, when pulled, released the bottom of the satchel and dropped the dolls. I strapped the satchel to my left thigh, before loading my dolls and deciding to head to the training grounds.
...
That Uchiha guy was waiting for me, the moment I arrived. He wasn't there when I got there, but the moment I turned my head, he appeared.
Showoff...
Without saying a word, he simply approached me, and I looked right into his blood-red eyes. Once more, his strange genjutsu struck me, and I felt the world melt away. I was within a black, empty void once more.
"Hello again, Yuuto Amakuri. I'm glad that you listened." He spoke simply, acting rather friendly, despite the fact that we've never really interacted. After a moment of simply standing, he reached behind his back and pulled free a small scroll.
"This is to be considered a test from Lord Third. Do not disappoint."
And with that, he handed me the scroll and disappeared. I suppose I'm supposed to read it alone? Oh well. Let's see here...
I opened the scroll slowly, sitting myself down as I began to read.
"Chakra Transfer Technique." Huh. Looks interesting... I can definitely see how it could be useful, as well as why it could be detrimental. Then, an old memory came to me. I've done this before. It wasn't exactly the same, but Naruto and I did this when I was first teaching him how to control his chakra. Granted, this was leagues more refined. In many ways, it was nearly identical to the chakra threads technique, just less precise, and more beneficial to the recipient. It was interesting, though, that the technique included a method for moulding one's chakra to suit the recipient, allowing for easier transfer. I got right to business, practicing the technique's foundation, and slowly working out the theoretical sides, since I lacked a partner. An hour passed, trapped within that genjutsu, before I finally got the hang of the technique, at a level I was content with.
Just when I felt confident, the genjutsu vanished. That Uchiha fellow was leaned against a nearby tree, looking at me with a blank expression.
"Well?" He uttered that single word, and I nodded. In an instant, I swelled my chakra, and I directed a thread toward the boy. He watched as my chakra touched his body, and a surge of energy entered his body. It rejuvenated him, even washed away some of his fatigue. When he felt this, he gave a small nod.
"You pass. Congratulations." He gave a smile, though it seemed a bit distant. Finally, he removed something from behind his back. A block of... wood? He tossed it to me, and in the time my eyes left him, he vanished.
I looked around for a moment, before looking at the wood in my palm. It was... Well, calling it strange would be an understatement. It was hardly the size of my index finger, yet I felt an immense weight just holding it. At the same time, it felt alive, though my mind knew it shouldn't be. How peculiar...
I returned to Naruto's house, and on a whim I planted the wood block in his yard, behind his house. I dunno why I did that, it just kinda felt right.
For now... I guess I'm just going to train.
...
A year passed, and just like that, it was admission day at the Academy.
Naruto and I were now seven years old, though we only celebrated his birthday. It was pretty fun, having a party inside of my Sweet Dreams genjutsu.
Nowadays, Naruto was looking pretty decent for his age. He grew up pretty average in height and build, and you wouldn't guess from his baggy clothes, but he had some serious muscle under the hood. His clothes were... Yeah, he's not got much style. Baggy, bright orange, with blue highlights and a white collar.
Meanwhile, I grew up pretty average as well. I was kinda thin, honestly speaking, and I wore oversized, dark clothes. My skin was pretty dark, though it was more like a tan, rather than naturally being like that. My hair was a dark, oaky color, and was way too long for a boy. At least, that's according to the boys in the orphanage. It reached down to my back, and was unreasonably thick. Like, I could honestly hide my dolls in my hair at this point.
Today, we went to the Entrance Ceremony, where we would meet our teacher for the next few years. At the entrance, we stood alone, dozens of other children accompanied by their parents or some other figure. Literally speaking, we were the only children that were alone.
Eh, who gives a damn.
I looked to Naruto, who seemed to have noticed the same thing. He looked a bit forlorn by the realization, so I decided to cheer him up. I released Little Wisp Ichi, and he quietly floated along, before landing on Naruto's head. Rather comically, he gave an exaggerated hug to the boy's cheek. That got Naruto's attention, and he gave me a shy smile as a thanks.
A little bit more time was spent waiting, and I passed the time by playing with Ichi, Ni, and San. My puppets danced around between me and Naruto, and we played a game of catch, with him trying to stop the ball from passing between the dolls. It was a strange game, admittedly. But it was one I came up with, so I could train my control, and Naruto wouldn't be bored watching me. While we played, a small audience seemed to start forming, and disappearing just as quickly. Kids coming over to watch my puppets, and parents pulling them away from "the demon boy and his creepy friend." Honestly, those types can just stay gone.
I didn't think that I cared too much, before Ichi threw the ball at one of the parents. It hit them, a bit too hard. I guess I didn't recognize my own emotions. But in the end, all I got was a glare, as the Entrance Ceremony was finally beginning.
...
Ugh... The Third Hokage really can talk. He spent an entire hour in a ramble on about responsibility and duty. Like, come on. I get that it's important, but understand your audience a bit. Almost every kid in the room passed out at some point, myself included. Naruto too, though that was to be expected.
Now, though, we were being ushered away from the adults, and led to the classrooms we would be in for the next five years. We went inside the room that matched the number we were assigned earlier, and everyone started to slowly idle about. When Naruto took a seat, I saw a sight that slightly angered me. Several people got up and pulled away, leaving a gap of a full desk between him and everyone else. He seemed to notice too, since he moved to the back corner.
Irritating.
I was about to go up to Naruto and sit beside him, when I saw a sight I was surprised by. A small girl, with short blue hair, approached Naruto's desk and bowed slightly. I heard her give a soft introduction, and when I saw her eyes, it clicked. It was Hinata, the girl Naruto and I helped out some years back. I hope Naruto realizes this...
I waited a short bit, and came up to the desk when Hinata left. I poked Naruto on the shoulder, and he turned around with a question.
"Hey Yuuto? Did that girl look familiar to you?" Haaa... I sighed deeply, before flicking Naruto on the forehead.
"We helped her out when we were five. The bullies on the snow day, remember?" Naruto rubbed his forehead, thinking for a few moments. Then, I added, "You called her eyes beautiful back then."
Naruto had a look of revelation for a few moments, before I sat down. I decided to look around the room, and try to guess the personalities around the room. Of course, there was Hinata, but I was curious about the others.
There was a group of girls all gathered around one boy, near the front of the room. In the group, the rowdiest girl was a girl best described as pink. Everything about her, pink. Her hair, her ribbon, her clothes, and the blush she had. All were different shades of pink. Honestly, it hurt to look at. Beside her, there was a girl with short, pale blonde hair. She looked very pretty, her green eyes looked beautiful, and offset her gentle facial features. Honestly, I sorta froze when I saw her...
I dunno what happened. I didn't even realize I was staring until Naruto nudged my shoulder.
"Why are you blushing so much, Yuuto?"
"I... I'm not blushing, Naruto. Shut up." I pulled up my arms, and hid my face by laying on the desk. Even then, I unconsciously stole glances in that direction, not even noticing that Naruto was doing the same to the pink girl.
...
"Hey, you shouldn't be sleeping in class."
I woke up, hearing someone talking to me. It was a voice I didn't recognize, though I only lifted my head to be sure it was directed to me. When I looked up, it was the pretty girl from before. I froze up, though my body acted in reflex, and Ichi came climbing onto the desk. I looked away, and had Ichi float gently upward, facing her. Why? Why am I getting so shy?
"Honestly, you and Shikamaru are both unbelievable. The first day hasn't even started, and you can't stay awake." She started to rant, complaining more about that Shikamaru guy than actually complaining about me. I guess she's known him for a while. She didn't even seem to register that I wasn't responding. Though I did sense Ichi being held... I stole a glance, and realized that she was holding him as she sat in the desk next to me. She was... playing with him, like a kid's toy.
"So? Are you going to say anything to excuse yourself?" She finally paused, looking at me.
"Uhm... I-... I'm Yuuto." I stuttered a bit, but I simply introduced myself. Seriously, what is going on with me? I struggle to talk on a good day, but really... I've never stuttered before.
Today... was going to be a long day.