47 Talk with Gramps

"Hanzo the Salamander is alive." In response, Gramps choked on his pipe as a weird hacking sound came out of his throat. "Yeesh. No need to croak over it."

He took a deep heavy inhale as he stood up, arms shaking slightly. "Did you just say Hanzo the Salamander is alive?!?"

Naruko nodded. "Yup, that's who was in the village. Says he's retired." She shrugged and plopped into a chair in the office. "Was real friendly until he decided to poison me trying to delay me long enough for Nagato to get there."

Hiruzens eyes narrowed. "Why would he be...?" A heavy groan escaped from his lips. "Damn Hanzo, damn Nagato." 

Naruko nodded as if understanding his frustration. "Yup, Nagato can cast permanent or at least semi-permanent Genjutsu I can't sense, and Hanzo can completely hide his chakra signature."

A frown splayed across his face, "The Genjutsu is news, but the chakra signature-less so. It was a common ability for those on the level of a Clan Head in the Warring Era. Let your clansmen fight without being affected by the Chakra of the two combatting clan heads."

Naruko raised an eyebrow at that but would say, "What's worse is that his Genjutsu is far stronger than anything you could have thought of. Outside of myself probably only Jiraiya, Tsunade, and yourself depending on how your control still is Gramp could even begin to resist it. Maybe Kakashi if he has the Super-Duper Sharingan Eyes. Oh right, Itachi wouldn't be affected either."

Hiruzen would slowly pace back and forth behind his desk at the news. "Hanzo poisoned you, but didn't do any other attack?" Naruko nodded. "Then in that case they probably aren't allies. More than likely they have a deal. But if they have a deal that means Nagato still has some use for him, or Hanzo still has more strength than expected..."

He stopped his pacing thinking moment before he sighed. "I'll think about this later. Your reports for the Academy are finalized?"

Taking the conversation swap for what it was, Naruko grinned. "Yup! Sent in my recommended teams, although Might Guy's team I'm a bit worried about. I have the fear he'll hyper-focus on Rock Lee and leave Neji Hyuga and Tenten behind. Nejis potential is obvious, but Tenten could be a strong Jonin as long as she is carefully handled and molded."

Hiruzen nodded but then frowned. "You think he'd focus on Rock Lee?" 

Naruko would raise an eyebrow, "You don't? Lee is practically bouncing in glee at his graduation. I've already spotted his new haircut and green jumpsuit." There was a grimace shared on both of their faces.

"I see. I'll keep an eye out and warn him if I see something. What about the rest of that semester? Anyone you think will be special?"

A sigh escaped Narukos lips. "Maybe an average Jonin or two across the two classes, but in reality it's just going to be Neji, Tenten, and Rock Lee. If they work hard enough there might be a surprise, but it's unlikely. Danzos granddaughter is graduating next semester though, and she'll deserve an apprenticeship. No one in her semester will be able to keep up with her."

"Oh? How is she doing?" He leaned in slightly eyes glinting with interest. 'Old men and their games. Wants to know how she compares to Konohomaru.' 

"Good. Really good. If it wasn't for Sasuke and Neji I'd say she was the most talented at the academy, or at least the one showing the most talent. I'd have her apprentice under Kakashi as she'll be able to excellently inherit his skillset outside of his famed Chidori and whatever related Jutsu he's cooked up for it."

A content smile briefly passed his face before it was masked. "That's good. What about the rest of your special class?"

A snort escaped Naruko as she leered at him, "You mean how is Konohomaru doing Gramps?" He looked a bit sheepish but didn't comment. "He's doing great. In all honesty, he's talented. If I was Jiraiya I'd scoop him up and have him sign the Toad Contract. He mastered the meditation exercises I had him doing with complete ease, and he's almost already done with the 2nd Stage of the Rasengan. On top of what Ebisu is saying..." She'd grin, "Congrats Gramps, your grandkid will probably surpass his uncle before he's 15."

He'd close his eyes in pain at that. "Let's not open up that can of worms. Thank you for the report." There was a softer smile at that. "You think I should have him meet Jiraiya?"

She clicked her teeth slightly, "To be fair, I don't think anyone should be forced to suffer a Jiraiya when he's not being serious, but yes. He's exhibited immense talent in the Arts, y'know? I dare say if I hadn't stopped him he would've started to accidentally absorb Nature Energy."

A proud, yet cautious look emerged in his eyes. "Then in that case it's imperative I ask Jiraiya to meet him. You aren't going to ask to meet him yourself for the Toad Contract?"

Naruko snorted. "If he wanted to meet me, he would. Besides, I've seen the look Enma gives me whenever we spar. It's obvious he wants me to sign the Monkey contract, and to be honest, if I really want to learn Sage Mode, I don't need the help of the Toads to do so." It was the truth, by the time she wanted to actually learn Sage Mode she could just ask Kura-chan to take in the extra. After all, turning into a statue... Who knows if he would stay with her in that statue for eternity? 'Evil witch.' 'No Kura-chan! Evil big sister! Say it with me, big-sister! Onee-sama.' All she got was a snort.

Hiruzen looked interested at the mentions of not needing the Toads to learn sage mode before not commenting on that, "Indeed. I figured you realized it, but Enma wishes for you to sign the Monkey contract when you become a Jonin. They have a... unique form of Sage Mode if you wish to learn it. But I'll leave the speech for him."

She shrugged. "Sure. Don't really need a summoning contract, but I suppose there are uses."

Hiruzen shook his head with a wry smile. "Only a Jinchuriki could say that."

Naruko hummed, contemplating how to word her thoughts before finally saying, "It's true. I need more bodies, I can make clones. I need larger bodies, I can use the Akimichi Jutsu, or I can just Henge myself. I need transportation, I can make a clone and then henge the clone. To be honest only the bosses of the clans would be a little useful in combat..."

Hiruzen raised an eyebrow, "I think you're underestimating the summoning clans, but you are right in some ways. I will say, however, that obtaining a Personal Summoning from the Monkey Clan will almost always be useful."

Naruko leaned in looking slightly interested, but all she got was a mysterious smile. "Bah! Fine Gramps. Don't tell me." Crossing her arms under her chest, she'd pout and her blue eyes would tear up, beginning to sparkle in the light of the office.

"That's not gonna work Naruko. I've dealt with children too often." She'd lean forward, body shifting slightly.

"Oh? Should I use Henge then?" The sheer look of panic before he reached forward and punched her in the face to pop her was hilarious. Painful, but hilarious.

-Naruko Main Body-

"Damn old man. Punching me in the face? It's at least the fiftieth best thing about me! But why did my clone act so uninterested in a summoning contract? Oh. Reverse psychology, duh!" With a cackle, she'd continue training. 'I should probably start working on a few things soon. But I want to wait till I master all the Elements 2nd Stages...'