Naruto: A Lazy Life

-November, End of the year-

Pov: Takumi Uchiha.

"I give- I give!" Saburo Mori taps out and I untwist my legs from his arm.

He is released from the constricting hold and springs back up.

"Damn- how am I meant to dodge that?" Saburo asks.

"Dodge it like everything else, your basics cover it" I tell him.

"But you attack from below and shake me off balance with that internal attack..." He grumbles.

"Slide away- did you want an improvement on your lower body evasions?" I ask and pull out the scroll on his technique.

I could add some extra movements for him to learn, attach that to his form and see if it helps him- I need to remember not everyone is capable of filling the gaps like I am with extensive knowledge on taijutsu.

"Sounds right for me- I also needed help with my javelin technique, I get the theory but I just can't land the attacks right" He tells me.

Right- the ranged addition he added, I renewed it and he got confused on how it all works. Or rather he is unable to replicate how it works in real life from reading the paper.

"You had custom made throwing rods- shorter than an actual javelin and you can only carry a short supply. Perfect for pinning an enemy down before sliding over and jousting his heart loose" I recall.

"Yeah- you said to ignore aiming for vital areas and focus on halting the movement of the enemy, I was concerned about using the chakra method you applied" He pulls the scroll down and points.

Ah- I see.

"Think of it like a fireball impacting the river- its not meant to stop the flow of water but impede it for a moment. Disruption of the enemies chakra is vital to stopping any movement based jutsu in that moment" I tell him.

"I just struggle with causing the disruption- I can't perform the fireball jutsu to impede the river in this case" He responds.

Hn- I must keep this technique simple, Saburo told me he struggles with stuff like this. I can focus it on his scalpel that he learned instead.

"I got it- let's scrap this method then, use your precision scalpel to enhance the piercing power of the rod- since this will lessen chances of disrupting enemy movement I suggest adding a hook of sorts to the back end of your piercing rods- focus less on targeting the waist and more on their ankles, need thinner targets that move quick" I grab a pencil and start writing in edits, I'll use ink later to make it more professional.

"That's fine, better actually- more simple. Captain has been helping me train and he probably won't mind helping me out with the thinner targets and movement" Saburo nods.

"I'll write all the details down, simplify the technique- come by Ritsu's shop on Thursday and I can get you a discount on the rod changes" I tell him.

"Got it" He nods again.

"One last thing- you have time to think on your hook, I would recommend incorporating the weapon more into your style if you are carrying them around. A different hook could lead to different style changes, I would prefer a single bladed end like a scythe but I can help you workshop a grappling end- whatever you want let me know Thursday and I can add another few move sets to all the forms" I let him know and he grabs the scroll.

"Got it- I will ink this myself, I have taken up too much of your time already" Saburo bows a little.

"It's fine- Maito is keeping himself busy, I think he just wants someone to keep him company while he trains" I glance back.

"I see him often bothering you about training- is he a regular?" Saburo asks.

"Nah, can't keep training the same shinobi over and over again- he makes sure to take up as many of my training month's as possible however, keeps me well exercised" I look back at him.

"He trusts you then, good to see more people using your talents properly. I lost it when I heard that shinobi bad mouthing you the other day, sounds like he barely got through an hour of your training" Saburo scoffs.

"Badmouthing?" I tilt my head.

"You didn't know? I guess you don't keep up in the rumours about yourself do you? Haha- You 'trained' a Shinobi last month and he has been telling everyone at the Bar he frequently visits about how lazy you really are- apparently you didn't even give him more than an hour of attention" Saburo laughs.

"Of course I didn't. He called me a worthless good for nothing bastard within ten minutes of training with me- all because I asked him to do a few minutes of stance practice" I shake my head.

"Fool doesn't know gold when he sees it" Saburo sighs.

"Hn. He wanted immediate improvements but doesn't understand how lacking his foundations in taijutsu is- a shame, such a warrior will not give his enemy an honourable battle" I sigh.

"Seems so- I won't take up much more of your time, see you Thursday" Saburo starts to walk away.

"Of course" I wave lazily and turn around.

Walking over to Maito who jogs on the spot I stretch a little.

"The interruption wasn't too much of a bother?" I ask.

"Of course not! Let's keep pushing ourselves today!" Maito yells and sprints runs forward.

I take a breath before following him, hands in pockets to ensure I look as lazy as possible while traversing through the park and around town.

"Want to do anything outside of running today?" I ask.

"Hmm... last few hours of our training together this month- better get some duels in too!" He smiles wide.

"Hn. Sensible, I could do with some improvements to my timing and speed" I nod.

His physical self is beyond me- moving faster than I can keep up with, it took all my might to fight on equal ground when he first approached me to do joint training.

I can barely keep up now, but even so I do.

I get to keep in shape, refine my reactions and defence all while using up a months worth of training I needed to do- it was not a bad decision to agree to Maito's request.

I am glad he was impressed with my taijutsu enough to track me down after the chunin exams.

I must say- his taijutsu is hard to help improve, he trains like myself or akin old self and beats out weakness with pure effort. I can help him with his technique but other than that, this 'training' is helping me more.

"First one to the training ground wins! If I lose I will use one arm only for the rest of the day!" He yells and sprints forward.

I watch him burst forward.

Hn. I will not partake in overworking myself however.

I take my time running after him.

-Thursday-

*Tang!* *Ting!* *Tang!*

"-And that shouldn't be too long, Ritsu doesn't have many orders so come back next week and check back up on them" I tell Saburo.

"Thanks Takumi, another time" He waves as he leaves the store.

"Do you happen to have anymore Kunai kits available? My friend won't buy from another store and I promised him I would get some" Another customer approaches the counter.

"Kunai kits? No. We can have some made for you, did you want the extra wire or just the standard tags" I ask.

"Nah, I have to head out for a long mission soon- I will have to find something else... maybe pay him back next time" The customer shakes his head and leaves.

"Hn" I sigh and turn back to the forge door, donning my apron once more I walk through and over to the grindstone.

"Just sharpening again today? We can switch, get some practice in for your Kunai making" Ritsu asks.

"It will be fine. I will prioritize the restocking of kunai- we need more kits, full sets and more. I will focus on finishing off your latest batch" I wave my hand at him before looking at the neatly packed and recently forged kunai.

Not too sharp, but this stone will fix that.

Sharpening things is always a good way to relax.

*Tang!* *Bang!* *Tong!*

Ritsu strikes the anvil.

*Screeeee*

I start turning the grindstone and apply the kunai's edge.

I take my time fine tuning the kunai- ensuring each one is as good as it can be.

I did find it odd that these gardening tools could turn into such a popularized weapon in this world- but from what I hear there is a use for a kunai in every land and a shinobi can easily use them to blend in.

I suppose I will never see those missions- I am not a master at hiding or disguising after all.

*Screeee*

Hours go by as I finish up sharpening all the kunai and delicately placing them on the bench for the next step of finishing touches- something I can do tomorrow.

I get up and take off my apron as I begin to close the shop up once more- Ritsu will probably stay the night hammering away.

Not many customers today either. Odd considering that the end of the week is when most ninja return to resupply.

I turn off the lights in the front of house and lock the door as final touches before leaving.

*Yawn!*

A very boring day today.

*Flicker!*

"Takumi Uchiha... I have a mission for you" A voice emits from behind me.

"Oh? Surely you bring the Hokage's approval to use up this years mission?" I ask.

*Catch!*

As I turn to catch the scroll I get a good look of the Shinobi.

Pale skin, purple markings around the eyes and long black hair.

"All is within the scroll. Be ready within five minutes... I am a busy Shinobi..." The ninja tells me.

*Flicker*

Hn. A bother.

I walk back into the shop and leave a note inside, I shouldn't bother Ritsu when he is in the middle of focusing so this will have to do.

After stepping out again I open the scroll and read the details.

A-rank?

Hn. Track down and kill the [Nightmare Triplet's], Two B-rank shinobi from the hidden mist alongside one A-rank Shinobi.

Triplets who focused on wielding genjutsu, Kenjutsu and ninjutsu separately- covering each others weaknesses and growing stronger together.

Target A: B-rank, wears a mask coloured in crimson red paint. Primarily uses Visual based Genjutsu.

Target B: B-rank, wears a mask coloured in pitch black paint. Primarily uses Water based Ninjutsu.

Target C: A-rank, wears a mask coloured in a Royal purple paint. Primarily uses a thin blade, needle like- trained to become a swordsmen of the mist but failed to obtain the needle sword.

Needle sword?

Swordsman of the mist?

Why have I not researched this? That sounds like something I would be interested in. Academics be damned I wish to read about this worlds sword lore for fun.

Another few books to gather from the libraries of Konoha.

Though a mission like this seems like quite a lot for someone like me- perhaps I am just aiding the shinobi who claimed my mission for the year.

I make my way to the gate as I think about the mission and see the shinobi waiting outside nearby.

I walk over and pass the scroll.

"Is this all the details of my mission?" I ask.

"Yes... I am returning to my endeavours at the front lines and I need you to remove a few thorns in my side" He tells me.

"Hn?" I raise an eyebrow.

"I have a seemingly endless mission near the mist village, fighting constantly for my employers benefit... These enemy shinobi keep plucking my units while I fight off others... And they run every time I approach them" He licks his teeth mid sentence.

Employers benefit? I suppose I shouldn't delve into the secrets of his mission.

"So I am to fight these three alone?" I clarify.

"Known shinobi trigger them to run, I was told you would be capable of killing them if you... bothered to do so" The man smiles eerily.

"And who told you that? The Hokage?" I inquire.

"Danzo Shimura" The man responds.

"Hn. I see- very well, take me to them" I nod and pack the scroll away.

"If you have questions on the enemy.... Ask me on the way" The Shinobi flickers up into the trees and I sigh.

*Flicker!*

I hate flicking around the trees but I will handle it until my questions are done.

"The Genjutsu ninja. What jutsu does he use? How do they affect the victim?" I catch up to him.

"He has a few genjutsu he frequently uses- most are meant to support his brothers, making you see double, dizzy or even see nothing at all... They affect your vision and effect how you perceive the world... he applies these genjutsu through a method similar to a Yamanaka, weaving hand signs at you and throwing his chakra into your system" He explains slowly.

"I see. The next one, Ninjutsu- what should I look out for?" I question.

"Water based... Bullets, waves- every kind of attack made from water, clones and more... He mostly uses... a combination of the hidden in the mist jutsu and water bullets... Covering his allies and pelting you from afar" He tells me.

Bullets? Like the mud shots, but using water instead- clones make it hard to cut him down the first time and being unable to see would be annoying.

I'll handle it.

"Do you know the basics of Genjutsu? How does one dispel genjutsu?" I ask.

...

..

"You are an Uchiha" He tells me flatly.

"Takumi Uchiha. The Lazy one" I reply calmly.

"What an interesting Shinobi you are... genjutsu dismantling is easy... If you are as talented as Danzo tells me... I am sure you will learn in the few days we have before meeting your enemy" He chuckles under his breath.

I nod and look ahead- perhaps I will be flickering the entire trip, or maybe until he finishes his explanation on genjutsu.

"Let's start then. Faster the better" I look back at him.

"Not curious about the strongest enemy you face? He could have been a swordsmen of the mist in another life..." He raises his eyes with curiosity.

I was an Emperor of blades in another life.

"Ha. You humour me, the swordsmen is not a problem" I genuinely let out a laugh.

He tilts his head and licks his lips, severely interested in my comment.

"The basics of genjutsu are simple... let us begin with how they work..." He starts.

---

Pov: Oorochimaru.

Strange, strange Uchiha child.

I have never met a Shinobi so sure of himself- and lacking quite the knowledge on the basics of basics.

Danzo seemed eager to send this child into danger and Sensei deemed it appropriate- so I have been extra curious about this Uchiha.

What was it Sensei said?

'A Genjutsu user..? I wonder if that boy would learn genjutsu if confronted with it?'

How curious.

I am glad I get to monitor him.

Danzo especially wanted me to watch his every move and report it, Sensei seemed at ease when I said that I could watch over him.

I wondered why I wasn't sent alone on this mission. Or at least to accompany him, but now I understand the need for a cover story of where I will be- I am here to evaluate the boy in a ridiculous circumstance, see if he will adapt.

If he knows I am watching he will probably put less effort in.

A ninja who does the bare minimum.

And I thought the opposite was rarer- ninja who put all their effort into a dream, a heart greater than most.

It is almost comical how little this Uchiha cares to do anything.

And I get the pleasure of telling this child exactly what a genjutsu is- how did he not know even the basics while within that clan of his? How much effort did it take to purposefully ignore that information?

Surely much more than it would take to listen to it- gather that knowledge and use it.

Wonderfully and purposefully ignorant.

A genius without care.

The Uchiha have outdone themselves again.

---

-Three days later-

Pov: Takumi Uchiha.

"It is time for me to depart... my mission diverts us here... travel east from here and board the boat marked by one of my spies, the symbol of a snake... That should be the boat those triplets board" The man tells me.

"Very well" I nod and drop to the floor.

Wet grass instantly makes my slippers uncomfortable but I sigh and look up.

Gone without a trace the Shinobi disappears.

*Woosh!*

I rush throughout the wetlands and towards my destination- a trading town merely an hour away, the docks should hold that boat for another three hours.

I think over the genjutsu lessons I just listened to and evaluate any methods I can use to dispel genjutsu- it should be enough, I will find out.

Soon enough I find the town and ignore it, I search the docks and make no fuss as I sit nearby and wait by some crates.

I lock my gaze onto the boat marked with a small snake carving.

A small boat, sizes for twenty or so men at best- I will struggle to find a way onto it without drawing suspicion.

It has two inner rooms, one for transporting cargo I bet.

Perhaps my best bet is to jump on the ship as it is leaving and duck into that storage room until we are all suitably far away.

Kill them while alone and then return like nothing happened.

Easy enough.

I wait and bide my time, watching workers load boxes and barrels into the ship.

The triplets arrive and speak to the captain, before boarding that boat themselves.

They start packing up the ship and I walk over to it- as they untie the ropes I walk up the plank confidently and then flicker inside one of the open entrances.

I duck inside and weave around the ship trying to stay inside the shadows.

Everyone was too busy to witness me boarding, my flicker allows me to get inside quickly and unnoticed.

I just need to remain unseen for- *Tap*

I turn around.

"Who are you?" The red masked shinobi touches my shoulder.

"Brother, leave the crew alone" The black masked shinobi call's out.

"He is not crew. Just a kid sneaking around" The red masked shinobi confronts

"Kick him off already then. I'm trying to nap over here" The purple masked shinobi commands.

"You heard him kid, we don't have room on this boat" Red Mask picks me up and starts dragging me off the ship.

Hn- this is fine, I can separate him from his brothers getting caught like this.

He drags me above and pulls me near the plank, I reach my hand for a Kunai.

Shinobi are strong- these ones contend for the high ranks of their village, growing and training every day to be the best that they can be.

They aren't immune to death however- a mere kunai can still pull them down, one slash across the throat can rend them useless- dead.

I am quick enough- he thinks me just a child.

*Slash!*

I will only be surprised if I manage to fail killing this masked shinobi.

*Wooosh-*

And just as I think those words my eyes widen- the kunai I slash at the mans throat slides right through and his image fades from view.

"Haaa- and my brothers call me too paranoid" The man reveals himself to be right behind me, pushing me forward instead of dragging me from the side.

My vision was affected- a genjutsu?

"So you are a ninja? But from where?" His hands grip the back of my head and shoulder, pushing me down.

*Bam!*

I punch the floor with all my might and transfer the impact behind me- as he releases me from his grip I twist my body and send a kick to his side.

*Wham!*

I take half the impact- *Wham-baabababa!*

And start a hastened flurry before- *BAM!*

Kicking him as he raises his guard, my swiftly made [Final Impact] forces him to slide backwards across the deck and towards the front of this ship.

*WHOOSH!*

I land and spin my gaze to meet the black masked shinobi- a water bullet fires and I use [Impact return] to redirect the bullet.

*Smack!*

A wet smacking resounds as I slap the bullet towards Red Mask.

"Watch it!" Red mask dodges backwards and trips over the boat into the water.

*Swish- Swish!*

Black mask performs some hand signs as I rush him and suddenly- *WRAP!* *BAM!*

A water like whip emerges from his hand and wraps around my torso- it pulls me behind him into the wall of the ship, just above the entrance to the lower decks.

[Ragdoll Rush]

I take the impact and ball myself up as the water whip breaks across the ship- my body flies forward and slams into Black mask.

*Bam!*

He is pushed back and stumbles as I land and rush him.

*Whamamaamamamamamamamamam!*

*Wha-BAM!*

I perform a [Impact Flurry] and [Final Impact]- causing him to follow his brother overboard.

*Step* *Step* *Step*

I stand at the edge of the ship and raise myself over the ledge, I lean over to land on the water.

"Surely you are stronger?" I ask.

*Woosh*

*Plop!*

Hn?

My body sinks into the water as my chakra struggles to let me stand on top of it- my face twitches in annoyance.

Walking on water is different to walking on walls. I have made a mistake, something I can fix.

Uzumaki was right- talking so confidently without the ability to back it up is quite embarrassing.

*Splash!*

I swim up and try to pull myself up using the water as leverage.

Not like that- like this?

*Splat!*

My palm manages to hit the waters surface as if it were stable ground on the second attempt- I pull myself up.

*Woosh!* *Rush!*

But black mask plunges his hands into the water and suddenly a bubble forms around me as I am halfway up again.

*Drip*

A single drop of water drips into the sea as a perfect ball of water surrounds me- I can't seem to escape it.

*Struggle!*

I move and move- but my body does not listen, the water keeps me contained and constantly pressures against me.

Embarrassing.

Deeply embarrassing.

First getting caught, secondly failing to kill Red Mask, thirdly plunging into the sea and now I am trapped in a ball of water.

All of it is embarrassing. I am glad that Uzumaki wasn't here to see this, her laughs would be agonizing to hear.

Obito would be the same- he would never let this go.

Rin would try to console me and only hurt my pride in the process.

Not like I have much pride anymore anyway.

"So, ready to answer some questions? Which village do you serve? Who sent you?" Red mask seems to be capable of drying himself off with a jutsu as he walks over the water calmly.

Steam rushes off his no longer wet shoulders as Black mask adjusts his arm that attaches to the water around me.

"Not answering? I suppose my genjutsu will help pry your mouth open" Red mask begins performing some signs.

*COUGH!* *Cough!*

Black mask starts coughing up badly and I watch Red Mask stop weaving signs to support him as he shakes.

Good. The internal injuries are finally kicking in- I didn't manage to sneak any under Red masks flesh due to a lack of power, I couldn't make an internal impact out of the attacks I was making and push him away enough to make room at the same time.

Black mask however decided to whip me into the wall- allowing me some momentum to knock him back and build up my flurry of blows properly.

The bubble around me starts to weaken as blood drips from the chin of Black mask- his lungs were beaten up and now his jutsu will fail.

It's only a minor setback however, due to the nature of medical jutsu in this world those small impacts within his lungs would be healed swiftly- I doubt that the impact did as much damage as I needed to outright kill him.

*Wobble- Swoosh!*

The bubble shakes and suddenly the water shifts as the ninja kneels down and holds his chest- I land on the waters surface before immediately jumping up to kick Red mask in the face.

*WHAM!*

He catches my kick and flickers back- trying to shake the pain away by swinging his hand around, he supports his brother as he is carried back away and I land again.

*Woosh!*

I rush forward- *Splash!*

But slide to a stop when the water splashes abruptly in front of me- the water falls and reveals the last brother who has jumped down to intervene.

*Swing!*

A thin rapier like blade slices through the air and points towards me- threatening to pierce me.

"Don't make another move brat. Red, you and cry-baby support me" Purple mask orders.

"I'm- *Cough!* not Cry-baby!" Black mask yells.

"Doesn't sound like it, you choking up back there? How did a kid even get the best of you?" Purple mask mocks.

I can see the only reason he has remained apart of this brotherhood is due to power, or perhaps this power is what led to treating his brothers like abused children.

Power I would love to test, thought I doubt he can last.

"Swordsmen. I would advise you drop your blade before confronting me. Your chances of beating me while wielding a blade are very slim" I smirk.

He won't- my request is ridiculous.

And it is also true. I know his every move better when he wields a blade than when he doesn't- I can already tell by the way he stands, what his first few attacks will be.

I will disarm him in three steps before cutting off that head of his- stronger than his brothers or not he is in my domain and while I can make mistakes in chakra or areas outside my expertise, I will not make those mistakes with a blade- not in a million years.

No matter how long I rest- or how much he trains. It is simply impossible to fight me using something SHARP.

"Haaa, idiot. I'm killing that thing and you two will report to our sensei why it is we are late" Purple mask casually gestures and steps forward.

Dopamine rushes as he steps exactly where I thought he would- as he raises his blade exactly how I imagined. And as he enters one stance out of thousands I calculated him to be capable of using.

My fire burns brightly for exactly three steps.