Naruto : Saga of Tanya the Kunoichi

Tsuyu looked at the time. It's been 3 hours.

"Everyone can rest now! You have 1 hour to eat the rations and crap!" Tsuyu gives her signals.

The medic nin moves, the Wardens pass rations in the form of water and food pills. All of them let go of the log and collapsed. Lying like a dead dog on the ground, their breathing shallow.

Tsuyu walks around, thinking whether 1 hour of rest is too long and if she should shorten it abruptly. She doesn't have the internet to check real life references and shinobi are different compared to normal people.

She looked at Naruto who drank all the water in one go and swallowed the food pill without chewing much. His eyelids closed as he lay on the patch of grasses and leaves.

Hm. Not enough…

Tsuyu went to the nearest Warden and whispered something. He disappeared from his place. In 10 minutes, dark clouds suddenly appear above. Rain induced by jutsu fell around a hundred meter area of the camps, summoned with the efforts of multiple water release operatives.

The rain prevents people from falling asleep. But those who are truly fatigued still do. The temperature dropped quickly, reaching below 10 degree celsius. The Wardens hand over each squad a sealing scroll containing tents that haven't been assembled yet. If they wanted cover from the rain, they had to set them up.

Under the cold artificial rain, Naruto, Sakura and Sasuke had to work together to set the tent up quickly. The three are exhausted.

Pitter patter.

Naruto was just about to finally take a much needed rest, when the warden suddenly called out to him.

"Yes…?"

"Orders are absolute." The warden warned with a cold voice.

Along with Naruto, there's few others brought to a square. Kiba is somehow included. Lee too is there due his intense training with Might Guy already making him accustomed to intense physical exertion.

"All of you had extraordinary stamina. Now, get down and do push ups until I tell you to stop!"

The few people brought there were bewildered. Even Naruto wanted to complain inside. 

"Yes… director…" An extra replied with a weary voice. Even with shaky legs he still gets down and starts doing pushups. The others followed suit.

Suddenly, one of them screamed in pain from an insect bite.

"Do it properly or it will bite you!" Tsuyu threatened. Everyone gritted their teeth and became honest.

Tsuyu used Naruto as a reference whether it's too much or too little. This brat recovers faster than most… this can't go on.

"Nii-san, you will do push ups here." 

Collapse Release: Abyssal Ground!

Tsuyu made hand seals, and slapped her hands on the ground. A few meters square of ground in front of her trembles and as if shrinking slightly, turning into pitch black with an almost crystalline look.

Naruto stood and went there with weariness. He really couldn't form any thoughts nor think from how tired he was. He couldn't even question whatever that was. But just as he stepped onto the black ground, he fell to his knees from enormous gravity pulling him down.

"Ah…" His entire arms were shaky trying to hold on.

"Now move!" Tsuyu raised her voice, looking down on him.

Naruto moved his shaky arms to push down, and struggled to get up again. After a few rounds, Naruto can't hold on as his face slammed onto the steel hard ground.

But all of a sudden, an insect came biting his neck, spreading pain inducing venom throughout his entire body.

"Ahhh…! Aa… Aah… cough…" Naruto screamed in pain, saliva dripped from his mouth, his eyes almost turned upside down.

"If any of you dare rest, you know the consequences!" Tsuyu shouted for everyone.

Naruto struggled to get up again. Tears are already dropping down his cheeks, snots and saliva too without his control from the amount of stress he's enduring.

"Is it tiring? Does it hurt? Because you are weak. If someone like you can become Hokage, even Tonton that fucking stupid pig can become Hokage." Tsuyu said motivating words to Naruto's ears.

"Nnh… I… I am not… weak…" Naruto muttered with struggle. His eyes were still blurry… he wanted to rest badly… it hurts so much…

Tsuyu crouched down, leaning her face to whisper to Naruto's ears like the very devil.

"You know you are weak… without using 9 tails power… you are worthless, don't you know that yourself?"

The words almost struck too deep of a chord within Naruto's soul. The cold rain as if seeping its coldness deep into him.

"I… I am not…" His voice turned shaky.

"Keep your lies to yourself… What can you do without borrowed power? You would stay at the very bottom… Sasuke would treat you like a worthless insect… Sakura won't care about you either. Not just them… everyone else wouldn't give a damn without you. Without 9 tails you are nothing. You are just…"

"A failure." 

"Stop… Why… are you… saying…" His words were almost whispery. His heart felt like it's breaking apart. His entire body trembled. Coming from his little sister, it felt like the words coming for his very soul.

"Look at you now. Trash. 9 tails cannot heal you. You can't recover your energy either… how was it, knowing this is your true self?"

"Please… Tsu-chan…" Naruto closed his eyes.

"You thought the fox brought you pain. But your whole life you had been shamelessly benefiting from him. What do you have now that isn't for him? Or isn't from anyone else? Whether it's your vast amount of chakra… your power… the training you had… none of it has anything to do with you… What a pathetic brother I have…"

Hm? Tsuyu noticed Naruto was shedding tears at the moment. Did I say too much? No. He's just sensitive as usual.

"If you are strong, then keep going. Prove it to me you are not worthless." Tsuyu ended her 'motivating' words. Asking Naruto to prove himself is the best motivating factor in her experience. That had always been his life motto.

Naruto keeps moving his body to and fro under the heavy gravity. Each time he stopped for a few seconds of rest, he would be bitten by an insect causing him so much pain. Tsuyu definitely gave him a special treatment.

Tsuyu nods in satisfaction seeing he's still going.

Every 5 minutes, Tsuyu asks them to change into different calisthenics. Sit ups, jogs, star jumps, and other variations for them to use other muscles.

Sakura and Sasuke were already unconscious in their tents, shivering slightly due to the cold from their wet clothes and artificial rain still coming down.

Tsuyu looks at the time, there's 10 minutes left before the next activity.

"All of you can rest now." She ordered the ten people in front of her. They collapse on the dirt, breathing like a stranded fish. Since they cannot move their body to the tents, she kindly uses earth release to create a cover from the rain.

Am I too kind? She wondered. Maybe keeping them under the rain is better. But then she already constructed the shelter, nevermind.

She went to walk around the camp with her arms behind her back, asking about the overall conditions of participants from the Wardens. 4 people already quit it seems.

She took a deep breath, looking up at the cloudy sky with rain still falling, wetting her cheeks.

…

It's tiring for her too really. 

…

She just wanted to rest and have a peaceful life… she already had enough battle…

No one noticed the weary looks that appeared in her eyes. She shook her thoughts away, looking forward to continuing this camp.

After the time is up, she unleashes her terrifying presence once more. The rain stopped falling while the Wardens blew up explosives above them to wake all of them up.

Many groans were heard, panic and fear spread for a while before they got out of their tents respectively.

"Our next activity is an obstacle course! You will traverse many terrains on the battlefield. As usual, do not use any chakra to cheat!"

"Gather based on your groups like before! 1st Group will go to 1st Obstacle course, the 2nd Group to 2nd. Wardens! Lead them to respective checkpoints!"

There's a total of 5 obstacle courses artificially created through earth releases and natural terrain.

Walking upstream against the river current, climbing on tall walls, crawling under barbed wires in muddy ground, traversing dark tunnel space with only a single candle of light for each squad, and swimming across a kilometer distance of a lake while carrying heavy weight.

And none of them can use chakra mind you.

Sakura and Sasuke had their eyes bloodshot at the moment from not enough rest, but seeing Naruto worse than them, they felt worried for him. His expression was almost empty, like he had lost his soul. He became mute the entire time.

"Naruto… are you okay?" Sakura asked wearily. She held Naruto's hand warmly, as if trying to give him the strength just like how he gave it for her.

But surprisingly Naruto didn't reply, his eyes only looking forward silently. She let go of her hand and looked at Sasuke. 

Sasuke too was quiet. He himself was tired and didn't want to speak. "Let's go…"

The trio eventually reached the first checkpoint. Each of them had a rope tied to their waist, connecting together as a squad.

"If you fall into the river, you will be punished! And I cannot promise you an accident won't happen!" Tsuyu shouted. 

"1st squad, go!"

The 1st group stepped into the strong river current. Each of them struggled to walk across the current without losing their ground and footing. Surprisingly they walked across the 100 meter distance successfully and reached the end point marked. The warden pulled them to the shore as they got to rest while waiting for others.

Naruto's squad turn comes. Naruto being physically strongest led the squad followed by Sasuke and Sakura.

His eyes were bloodshot as he struggled against the current. 

A failure.

Nobody.

Pathetic.

The words echoed in his head. He can't think of anything while his body moves on his own like a robot. Without realising it they passed the 1st Obstacle course.

"We…did it…" Sakura let out a little smile. It's not too bad this time. Sasuke mm-ed, catching his breath. But somehow Naruto remained silent. His expression never changed.

2 groups fall into the river. One lost consciousness from drowning but was brought back to life. Those two groups are punished to perform calisthenics.

After half an hour they are brought to other checkpoints.

On the wall climbing course, their waists were tied to a rope connected to the squad like before. One fall, all would be dragged.

For shinobi, not being able to use chakra while climbing increases the difficulty by folds.

Naruto takes the lead as physically strongest, using whatever holds him on the steep wall to climb up. Multiple times the trio almost lose their footings but ultimately they survive till the end.

Then the 3rd, the 4th, and finally the final course - to swim across a kilometer distance.

The trio as usual were tied together with a rope on their waist wearing heavy weight vests. If one of them stops swimming, it would drag them all to sink and potential drowning.

The trio jump into the water at the same time and move their hands and feet to swim. All of them felt so tired they wanted to stop. But stopping means dragging the other. The use of those ropes to tie them together forces them to keep moving to not drag others behind.

Tsuyu's little method to create little motivation is terrifying. Sakura, despite being physically weakest, was somehow able to keep up just because she's desperate to not want to harm the other two.

Tenten being the weakest between Neji and Lee also had similar experience with Sakura. She almost wants to quit. But, her dream is at stake. She wouldn't quit, ever.

Reaching the shore, Sakura shed a tear of relief. The sun is already setting as their final course is finished.

The medic nin make their moves to make sure the participants lives weren't in danger. Karin's Mind's Eye of Kagura is the most accurate to determine their condition based on chakra fluctuation.

Despite her cold nature she still pointed to those that are truly in need, prolonging their sufferings.

Tsuyu rechecked how many quit this time. There's none. Well, there's rest in between checkpoints and gaps in time waiting for the others to finish their checkpoint. 

Perhaps I should add calisthenics in between?

She is constantly trying to improve her camp to achieve the best result.

Everyone had to jog back to their camp where their tents were. Campfires were lit up to fight the cold wind. Only water and food pills were given for their dinner. This is what they will eat on the battlefield after all.

They are given an hour rest before the next activity. Though, few people with extra stamina are called out to do calisthenics.

Naruto was forced to endure under the higher gravity of the ground created by her.

"What's with that look, nii-san? Are you dissatisfied?" Tsuyu crouched down to mock him again.

Naruto only grunted as he continued his pushups.

"You can quit you know? Few people already do. No one will blame you… it's tiring after all… I understand… it must feel painful…" Tsuyu's words were soft and very kind, as if empathising with his pain and fatigue. It's almost eerie in Naruto's ears.

Naruto felt so tired he couldn't get up anymore. Tsuyu gives the signal and the insect bites him, causing his body to almost convulse in pain. His expression is almost ugly, saliva, snots and tears dripping out of his face again, forcing him to move.

Tsuyu nods and lets the Warden watch Naruto while walking around the camp. She didn't know Jiraiya actually went to visit the camp to see what the camp is all about.

While Tsuyu wanders to check the others, Jiraiya scalps almost tingled with horror seeing the states of the people around. All of them are haggard, their eyes bloodshot, circles under their eyes, their muscles twitching and spasming. Some of them were shaking from coldness from wet clothes from swimming earlier.

His eyes teared seeing how much they suffered. 

Oh what is this… what is this…

He went to check on all of them through his eyes and felt their chakra. Then he realised a group of people were still doing exercises in a square.

As he went to check, he heard someone scream in pain in the direction and quickly rushed forward in panic.

"Naruto…!" He saw Naruto convulsing on a pitch black ground. Only the campfire nearby gives bare lightning to them.

Before Jiraiya could approach closer, a Warden came in between them, though kneeling respectfully.

"Jiraiya-sama, you shouldn't interfere with their training."

"Get out of the way!" His voice accompanied the aura of the strong. Jiraiya pushed the masked man aside and went to check on Naruto.

But his heart felt heartbroken seeing he's struggling, his arms shaking as he continued to push himself up. Naruto's eyes were almost dropped, his mouth hanging open like a zombie.

As Jiraiya stepped forward, he felt an intense gravitational force pulling him down, almost making him kneel, even shocking the sannin.

This black ground… what dense Earth chakra…! What technique is this… To think he's enduring under this pressure…

He made hand seals and slapped his hand on the ground, causing the ground to unravel without Tsuyu's watch. The change in gravity causes Naruto to stumble and fall face first to the dirt.

"Naruto…" Jiraiya went forward to catch him. He saw an insect nearby and realised it's the insect Zankichu, a cruel demon bug used only to inflict pain to torture.

He held onto Naruto tightly, as if he couldn't see him enduring so much pain anymore. 

"Naruto… look at me… hey…" Seeing Naruto, his precious disciple he spent so much time with like this hurts his heart.

Naruto's vision was blurry… like a mindless zombie he tried to push Jiraiya away to keep moving. 

Naruto seemed to have already lost his 'consciousness'. Whatever moved him was just his strong will. Jiraiya felt his heart breaking. 

How cruel… how cruel…

Hearing the approaching footsteps from the crunching leaves, his bloodshot eyes locked onto Tsuyu's cold ones.

"You… What's the meaning of all of these…" His voice laced with anger, the pressure emitted from Jiraiya as if seeing a great enemy.

Tsuyu remains calm and indifferent.

"Jiraiya-sama, it's a training camp for them. I hope you won't interfere. I already received approval from Tsunade-sama. Everyone had their lives taken care of, we have medic nin and sensors constantly monitoring to ensure their lives are never at stake." Tsuyu said calmly, understanding Jiraiya's worry.

Sure on the surface it looks bad but the camp is in fact done in a safe controlled environment with help of Root and some ANBU personnel in a very methodical manner to ensure no one loses their lives. Despite how Naruto looks, as long as no one says he is in danger she wouldn't stop him.

"You demon! Is this how you treat your own brother? Is this how you treat the people of Konoha!?" Jiraiya's shout almost vibrated through the whole ground. He ignored every reasonable word Tsuyu muttered as if those were meaningless excuses.

"Excuse me…?" Tsuyu felt incredulous. What did she do to be accused of such a word from the sannin?

She takes a deep breath. Despite her dissatisfaction over this unreasonable accusation, she had to remain calm and explain clearly.

"Jiraiya-sama, the camp is voluntary. In fact, everyone here can withdraw at any time. I never stopped them. None of those masked men will stop them. They are free to leave."

"Naruto included." Tsuyu added.

Jiraiya looks down at Naruto. He seemed to have clearer eyes after resting for a few seconds.

"Naruto, you cannot go on anymore. Let's get out of here."

However, to his surprise Naruto shook his head weakly.

"No…" He even tried to push Jiraiya away.

Jiraiya can only step away in disbelief, seeing Naruto continue his push ups.

"Nii-san, I understand you feel tired… you are free to leave. It's okay." Her words were calm and sound sincere, as if she's a caring little sister of his.

Hearing the reminder again, Naruto felt like faltering. He wants to quit badly. He wants to rest badly.

Seeing Naruto go into silence, Tsuyu felt a little anxious that Naruto would suddenly quit. She can't just let Naruto run away at this point. He needs to be shaped, he can't leave this camp yet.

"No one would care if you fail and become a quitter, nii-san. Just stop if you want." 

She used her motivating words to salvage the situation. But in Jiraiya's view, Tsuyu has already turned into a devil. She used fear of failure and shame to force these people to keep going. She calls it voluntary, but it's almost a psychological manipulation and brainwashing to make them stay.

"... No…" Naruto uttered a single word in a whisper. His eyes seemed unable to focus on anything properly from fatigue.

Jiraiya clenched his fists tight. Tsuyu isn't sure what he was thinking at the moment. She watched Jiraiya stand and leave silently as if he's helpless, often glancing back at Naruto and the others, and giving her an unkind gaze before he left.

What a busybody. She complained in her heart. She looks around the camp, thinking to herself it's really not as bad as he thought. What's the use of these sensors and medic nin here? She wasn't Danzo who did things without actual proper calculations.

She didn't know Jiraiya had already crashed into Tsunade's home disturbing her night's rest to complain about whatever possessed her to allow such monstrosity.