This last week was probably the hardest of my life.
Everything I had, I was being removed from. All of it. All for what? Some random thing I was born with, that everyone wants me to learn to use? Why can't I do that here? Why do I need to be sent away?
I didn't have pleasant thoughts on the situation, and I guess Naruto was quick to notice, as he asked me about it the first night. When I told him what was up, he looked angry. He started shouting about going to see the old man, and to try convincing him to change his mind, but I eventually calmed him down enough to get him thinking straight. This was already a done deal. I was being sent off, no matter what.
So, we hatched a plan. A way for us to make the most of the next week, and to make sure we didn't forget each other.
Our first stop, of course, was Ichiraku's Ramen. We basically gorged ourselves, and when we explained the situation to Teuchi, he let us eat free for the night. Unlike usual, I actually managed to keep up with Naruto's absurd appetite, as the both of us cleared through almost twenty bowls. It was good eating, and we managed to stagger back to his house at around ten at night.
We woke back up around three in the morning. It was still plenty dark out, so we needed little stealth to do the next part of our plan. We went through town, separately, to recruit our friends to the cause.
I managed to get Ino, Shino, Choji, and even Shikamaru to tag along. The only difficulty was with getting Ino, because, well... Let's just say her dad wasn't exactly happy when he caught me sneaking into her room. But after a small chase, and an explanation, he finally came around, and let Ino tag along.
Of course, I didn't tell the whole truth, but I assume he knew that. Why else would we have half a dozen tails following us?
Once we met back up with Naruto, the group was complete. On Naruto's run, he managed to get Hinata, Kiba, Sakura, and Sasuke. Honestly, the last one surprised me, but I guess it was sort of expected. At least, that's assuming that Naruto can't keep his mouth shut, and that he's too nice for his own good.
I made sure that everyone had arrived, and I held a finger to my mouth. Carefully, I drew a Chakra string from my mouth to each of their ears. It was a trick I thought up a few years back. Silent speech. Basically makes it impossible for an opponent (or teacher) to know that you're even talking.
I then began to tell the group my plan.
"We are going to break into the restricted section of the library, in four days. I'm going to make sure each of us learns a technique. That way, when I'm gone, you'll all remember me whenever you use that jutsu, in case I don't come back."
There were several different reactions to what I said. Some, like Hinata and Sakura, were against it. Others, like Sasuke and Shino, were coldly considering the possible gains. And then there was Naruto and Kiba, silently cheering and jumping around.
"Settle down. We can discuss this at another time. Ino's dad is currently watching us, so I don't wanna spoil the fun. Remember, we go in four days. Meet at the training grounds in the woods then."
...
A few days passed, and I met with each of the group members in secret, discussing information on the plan, and what sort of techniques they would like to aim for.
Thus far, the breakdown is pretty simple.
Naruto, Choji, and Kiba want something badass or cool.
Ino and Hinata want a good skill for defense.
Sakura wants something flashy.
Shikamaru, Shino, and Sasuke had no real opinion, as long as it was strong.
Honestly... I really shouldn't be surprised by these guys. Almost none of what they said actually helps me figure out how we're gonna divide to learn the jutsus. Haaaa... Fine, I guess we're doing it the hard way.
...
The day finally arrived, and the ten of us met up at the training grounds. It was mid-day, so as to not arouse any suspicion from parents wondering why the kids were out late. As a small bonus, security would be slightly more lax. After all, you only really expect break-ins after dark.
We went about our objectives casually. I entered the library alone, with Ichi hidden in my hair. As I passed the front desk, I used Ichi's chime, and lulled the librarian into my Sweet Dream. I had spent the last three days painstakingly adapting the illusion, to perfectly mirror his day to day. Hopefully, he wouldn't even notice he was asleep. After that, San gave the waiting group a signal, and they came inside to join me.
Shino was up next, as he quickly picked the lock to the restricted section. Surprisingly, he was really talented at breaking and entering. His bugs are small,, and they get right inside and do all the work. You never would've guessed.
Finally, we entered, and I had the entire crew of Little Wisps out, in various angles and spots, watching for guards. It was a headache and a half, trying to work six different visions at once, but I was doing well.
...
Holy crap... Some of this junk is just... Why do they keep these in such an easy-to-reach place? Seriously... Like this one? It literally states that using this technique requires you to sacrifice your own life. What the hell.
I looked over, and made sure the others weren't choosing any costly mistakes. Let's see... Naruto is reading something about clones? And Sasuke has a scroll from the lightning style section. The others, too, have all settled on some technique or another. Seems I'm the only one who hasn't.
At random, I picked a book out from the shelf, and cracked it open. I read the first line, apparently the name of the technique.
"Needle Jizo, and supplementary techniques."
I read a bit of its description, and I immediately recognized the coincidence of finding this book. This was, by all measures, a jutsu based around having long hair. It could harden it, extend it, sharpen it, even fire it like a needle. And that was just talking about the basics.
There were half a dozen jutsu listed in this book, and it was no bigger than my palm. Honestly, I could do some serious work if I learned this stuff.
So I did what any impulsive preteen would do. I pocketed the book, putting it into my satchel without a second thought. And just as I was about to start looking for another technique, I caught sight of movement in the eyes of Yon and Go. Quickly, quietly, I signaled to the others, and a mad scramble started, as we cleaned up the place and snuck out. I collected my dolls, and just as I was locking the door back, I caught a glimpse of something moving on the ceiling.
That... probably wasn't good.
...
The rest of my last two days passed by pretty simply. We discussed what we learned, and it turns out that most of the group was just going to use the knowledge they got, instead of the actual techniques. The only ones who actually found a technique that they liked were Sasuke, Ino, and Naruto. Alas, they wouldn't tell me what they learned. For Naruto, it was just so he could surprise everyone later. As for Sasuke, it was so he could use it to beat me some day. And for Ino, apparently it was a technique that is just plain difficult to use.
Ah well, everything worked out, in the end. No repercussions came up, so I think we're safe.
...
Now, I was stood before Hiruzen, the Third Hokage. He was quietly staring me down, almost like he was measuring me up.
"Interesting... You packed rather lightly. Only a single scroll to carry your belongings? You know, you won't be returning for quite some time."
At that, I simply nodded. I didn't really own much, so it was easy to get everything together. I shrugged, and played my fingers a bit, as Ichi pantomimed and gestured my situation.
"Ah, I guess that is understandable. Well then. I believe it is time for you to go, yes?" With that, Hiruzen gave a small smirk, and bit his thumb. In a rather surprising turn of events, he performed a summoning jutsu. In a puff of smoke, a six foot tall monkey man was standing beside him.
He was a rather intimidating figure, with broad shoulders, arms as thick as logs, and a grimace plastered on his face. He had white fur, and funny enough, his hair was a lot like my own, reaching his butt and as thick as his own body. Clothing wise, it was weird seeing a monkey dressed up like a person. Specifically, he wore a black suit with mesh clothing under it, over which he wore a sleeveless kimono-shirt with white fur trimmings and markings like tiger stripes. He completed the look with a red sash tying his waist, and a Konoha head protector across his forehead.
"This is my oldest friend, Enma the Monkey King. He will be taking you to his home, the Black Canyon, to train you, and so that you may become stronger. However, he won't be training you himself. There is a much more suitable teacher, in that place."
Hiruzen gave another smirk, before Enma spoke up.
"Eh? This pathetic whelp is the one you want to meet him? Sarutobi, you must be going senile." The large ape spoke, antagonizing both Hiruzen and myself. Of course, I didn't really care, and Hiruzen seemed used to it. He just lifted his fist, and cracked the monkey once over the head.
"Just take him to the Black Canyon already! He's got the qualifications. If he doesn't, then nobody ever will. Trust me on that."
I watched Enma gripe and complain to himself for a moment, before he just gripped me by the shirt.
"Kid, this technique is a hell of a ride. Don't go losing your lunch on me. Reverse Summon Technique! Open Door!" He shouted out, and a sprawl of runes formed beneath us. And suddenly, the floor disappeared, and we fell.
Vertigo hit, and I felt as though my body was falling, spinning, falling, and spinning the other direction. It lasted for maybe thirty seconds, before I felt the light wash over my eyes, and I dropped onto a ground of black sand.
I looked around, and saw a sight that will stick with me for the rest of my life. A forest of trees that were pure white, like snow, or bone. And all around them, black sand, and black canyon walls. A forest hidden from the world, and a beautiful sight to behold.
"Congrats, kid. You're the first human being in... who knows how long, to set foot in the Black Canyon's Forest of Yin."