Inheritance

The Result of Training

"Kawarimi no Jutsu." Naruto intoned the words for the jutsu not in the adrenaline charged shout that many ninja use during a life and death battle, but in a calm voice, that seemed to settle his own mind. And as he felt the pull of the technique end, indicating he had successfully swapped with the girl, he opened his eyes to face his fate head on.

"Doton: Doruku Gaeshi!"

Naruto's eyes widened in shock as a large stone wall erupted in front of him, stopping the fireball in it's tracks.

"As usual, the Gallant Jiraiya comes to the rescue in the nick of time, and saves his new student from the clutches of death."

The blonde turned his head to where the small girl had been moments before, and turned his head back to see the stone wall crumbling to reveal a very different man to the one had been fighting earlier. This one was taller for a start, and wore a Jonin flak jacket, as well as a Konoha Hitai-ate. Immediately, something clicked in Naruto's brain.

"What he hell is going on here!" He shouted, as he watched both men grin at him; even as the tall Jonin began to light a cigarette.

"What is going on, is that you just passed the Genin test, gaki." Jiraiya stated, his face not losing the smug grin it was wearing.

"...Test?" At this Jiraiya sighed impatiently, and rolled his eyes.

"Well didn't you wonder where all the ANBU were? Or that if the kidnapped girl was so important, why no-one was looking for her? This was a test designed by myself and Sarutobi Asuma over here, in order to see if you were ready to become a Genin, or more specifically a Konoha Genin." This appeared to confuse the blonde even more.

"But I thought i had already graduated after the Mizuki incident? And what about the girl and the Iwa ninja? I still don't get what's going on!" Jiraiya pinched the bridge of his nose. Sure, he knew that the kid was still trying to the shake off the adrenaline of a battle and all that, but it was really frustrating to have to explain it all.

"Yes you graduated, but before you officially become a Genin, each individual Sensei puts there squad under a test of their own design in order to judge whether the potential Genin have the qualities that they want from shinobi under command. Hatake Kakashi, one of Konoha's more proficient Jonin, puts his students through a test designed to test their teamwork. As I am taking you as an apprentice; teamwork, whilst still important, is not a priority, so I tested you for different qualities." Seeing that the blonde was still giving him his full attention, Jiraiya continued. "First of all, I tested you to make sure everything that you've learnt in these past weeks has actually stuck around in that thick skull of yours. We intentionally forced you into situations where you would have to use the skills you have learnt, such as the tree's laced with traps. But more importantly, I tested you to make sure that you had the thing that gives all of Konoha's greatest ninja their strength. The 'Will of Fire'." Naruto once again looked confused.

"What's 'The Will of Fire'? I haven't heard of it before? What do you mean it gives Konoha ninja their strength?" This time it was Asuma who stepped forward to speak.

"'The Will of Fire' is the phrase we use to describe the spirit that drives Konoha ninja to fight. It's the desire to protect what is precious to you, and the extra strength that desire grants you when that precious something is put at risk. For us Konoha shinobi, it is the village and it's people that we strive to protect above all else. For some, like me in fact, it takes a while to realise and understand what it is that you as a ninja fight for. And for others, it is instinctual. People like your Father and the rest of the previous Hokages, are those kind of people. They understand on a base level that they would put their life on the line for what they consider precious. Whether that means loved ones, friends, the village, or the people that live within it's walls." Asuma paused as he stepped on the finished cigarette, that he had let fall onto the ground.

"And I have to say that today, you proved that you understand 'The Will of Fire' perfectly, even if you didn't realise it at first. When you performed the Kawarimi with the child, you did not hesitate. You simply knew that you had to save her no matter the cost. that is 'The Will of Fire.'" Jiraiya grinned as the understanding dawned on Naruto's face.

"Anyway, gaki; if you still haven't figured it out yet, the little girl was me henged. And Asuma was the Iwa nin you fought, also in a henge."

"But how did you maintain the jutsu as we fought? Surely the hits you took should have dispelled it?" He had aimed the question at Asuma, but it was Jiraiya who answered.

"That would be because of these." The Sannin stated, pulling on a slip of paper from his jacket. "They are seals of that I that store chakra, and pump it into an already active henge technique to 'smooth over' and disruptions in the Henge." Naruto still looked lost, despite the fact he was nodding his head, causing Jiraiya to have to fight back another sigh. "Listen, you understand that a Henge is a basic genjutsu right? And that when a land a hit on someone, it disrupts the chakra being pushed into the Henge to keep it active, cutting it off from power and as a result, dispelling it?" This time Naruto nodded far more surely, showing his understanding. "Well these seals essentially act as a back-up generator for the jutsu, giving it chakra to replace the user as the source, meaning it cannot be dispelled by taking a few hits."

"Could they be used for other jutsu, like a Bunshin?" The question had caught Jiraiya unawares. he had genuinely never thought of that.

"Possibly, but I'd have to revamp the seal. Why?"

"Just curious, it sounds like it could be really useful when used in combination with the Kage Bunshin, is all. Will you teach me how to use seals?" Jiraiya's grin grew at this.

"Of course, gaki. But only when you're ready. But first, we need to get some food down you. We have a busy day ahead of you still, so you'll need the strength." Naruto cocked his head to the side in confusion.

"Busy day?"

"Of course! We still have to train a little bit, and we will start taking missions today as well. But first, we are going shopping. I will not have an apprentice of mine running around in bright orange."

Naruto just looked oblivious.

"But... what's wrong with orange?"

***

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