Naruto: Stormbreaker

Chapter 7: Chapter 7: I cast ROCK! It’s super effective!

”Like I would ever give up.” I pulled a rock from my pocket and pushed as much chakra as I could into my arm before throwing it. The rock exploded forward with speed, flying straight toward the bear’s face. My aim was solid. The rock slammed directly into its right eye. The bear flinched hard from the impact to a sensitive organ and stumbled, losing balance and crashing to the ground. It skidded past me, but as it slid, it slammed its massive, chakra-infused arm into the ground opposite me. The strike sent out a shockwave and a burst of broken debris in every direction.

I threw my arms up and poured chakra into them to cover my face and to brace myself. Some sharp fragments still managed to tear into my cheeks, lower chest and legs. My arms were hit the worst, stinging and bleeding.

The bear slowly rose, blood pouring in a thick line from its ruined right eye. I was surprised I’d actually managed to land a hit like that, but the look in its remaining eye chilled me to the bone. That thing wanted to kill me, even if it meant dying in the process. It stood on all fours, locked eyes with me, and started growling low.

I grabbed another rock, readying for round two. But before I could throw it, I sensed something. Someone was approaching, fast. A powerful surge of chakra hit my senses like a flood. Even with my rough chakra sensing, I felt it clearly.

Fire Release: Running Fire

A voice called the jutsu from above. A masked figure dropped into view wearing an ANBU uniform, his mask shaped like an owl. Flames spread across the ground between me and the bear, but the ANBU used precise control to shape the fire. He curved it away, leaving only a narrow path at the back to direct the bear’s escape.

I inhaled deeply, trying to calm down. The cavalry had arrived. I couldn’t believe it. I survived my first real fight and at five years old, no less. I started chuckling, but before I could even process the relief, something horrifying happened.

The damn bear roared and charged. Full speed. Straight through the fire.

I froze.

Flames clung to its body as it burst from the other side, half-covered in burns, blood pouring from its wounds. And it was coming right at me.

It was a scene ripped from a nightmare.

The ANBU appeared in front of me, likely using Body Flicker. His hands blurred through seals faster than I could follow.

Fire Release: Fire Binding Technique

He slammed his palm against the ground. In an instant, thin tendrils of flame shot up from beneath the earth, wrapping around the lunging bear. I couldn’t see what happened after that, only hear it. The bear let out a terrifying howl that cut straight through me. The sound of burning flesh filled the air, and an awful smell followed.

Moments later, I heard the bear’s final breaths before its heavy body hit the ground with a dull, final thud.

The ANBU scanned the area carefully, making sure no more threats were nearby. Then he crouched down beside me and placed a hand on my shoulder. I felt a strange sensation. He was pushing chakra into my body, probably checking something.

After a moment, he spoke with a gruff voice.

”Kid, what are you doing outside the village walls? How did you get out?”

I looked at him, still panting, and replied without hesitation.

”I was hunting for some meat. I saw a fox. I never tried fox meat before, so I followed it through a small drainage pipe under the wall.”

Before I could finish my breath, the ANBU suddenly stepped in front of me and shoved me gently behind him, his stance shifting. He expected a fight.

Then, from the trees, a man in his thirties appeared. Tall, silver-haired, wearing a clean flak jacket with a calm but worried look. His most notable feature was his eyes.

Byakugan.

In the manga, it looked cool. In real life, it was terrifying. I couldn’t even make eye contact. They were just blank, glowing voids. Haunting. Man, I really hope I never end up working with a Hyuga. Knowing my luck though I probably will.

The man noticed me peeking from behind the ANBU and bowed slightly.

”My name is Hyuga Seiji. Kid, I’m sorry. Please accept my sincere apology. My students were assigned a mission to hunt that bear. It had been causing trouble near the walls, but it was stronger than we expected. It injured my students before I intervened and managed to wound it and it ran. While I was treating them I didn’t notice where it ran.”

The ANBU relaxed a little, recognizing the name.

”Any of your students seriously hurt?” he asked.

Seiji shook his head. ”Nothing critical. I intervened in time. I’ll still take them to the hospital to heal properly.”

He looked back at me, visibly remorseful.

”When I activated my Byakugan, I saw the bear charging you. I came as fast as I could. Kid, please forgive my mistake. I put your life in danger.”

He stepped closer, making eye contact again. I didn’t say much. I couldn’t. His eyes were even worse up close. Just blank, unreadable. Creepy as hell.

”I’ll take him to the hospital and make sure he’s returned home safely,” Seiji added.

The ANBU stretched his arm slightly, blocking him with a firm tone.

”I’ll handle it. I have some questions for him.”

Seiji looked between the ANBU and me.

”Kid, what is your name?”

”My name is Noa” I said while trying to look away from his gaze.

”Noa, if you ever need anything, come find me. I owe you one for putting you in harm’s way.”

I nodded silently, and with a flicker, he was gone.

The ANBU turned to me with a mocking chuckle.

”Lucky brat. Must be nice to have someone from a noble clan owe you.”

I scratched the back of my head and tried to whistle, badly.

”Thank you, kind sir. I’ll just be going home now. It was a pleasure meeeee”

I was yanked up by the collar, lifted until I was eye-level with him. His mask didn’t show expression, but I could feel the stare.

”Where do you think you’re going? I’ve got a lot of questions for you.”

I gulped, giving a shaky laugh.

”...Great.”