NOVEL NEXT Chapter 05: The Library
Disclaimer:
"Dialogue"
'Thoughts'
-Author notes-
Chapter 05: The Library
Naruto walked through the streets of Konoha until he found the building he was looking for…the library.
As much as he would like to start his training now that he knew he was in possession of one of his old treasures, the truth was that he lacked too much knowledge about this strange world he found himself in.
The energies used by the humans here to train were somewhat different from what he was familiar with. Trying to use his old methods without thinking twice would certainly be very dangerous.
He first needed to learn as much as he could about how things work in this new world before he could move forward. And the best place to do so should be here…
"What are you doing here?! Get out!"
He had only taken a few steps past the entrance door when an old lady approached him with a deep frown on her face.
Naruto lifted his gaze to look at her. "I'm here to read some books…" He gave her what should have been an obvious answer. After all, what else could he be doing in a library?
"Reading?...you?!" She gave him an expression of disgust. "You must be here for one of your nasty pranks. Well, not in my library! Now, get out of here before I call the guards."
"Excuse me? You can't bar me from entering here. This is a public library, and I have not caused any trouble here. Go ahead and call the guards if you want. I will present a formal complaint against you." Naruto walked past the angry old hag.
"Tsk!...if you even talk a bit too loud, I'm kicking you out! You hear me?!" the old lady shouted.
Naruto turned around and gave her a quick glance. He was tempted to tell her something about raising her voice too much in the library but ultimately decided she was not worth the trouble.
"Now, let's see…" There was so much he wanted to know about this world
.
He had always been a curious person and one who pursued knowledge.
He believed that knowledge was power, and the more you knew, the safer you would be.
However, he only had a bit over two weeks of time left before having to join his official team and begin his work as a ninja. And he didn't even know what that work entailed…
Meaning that he was going to have to prioritize some knowledge over others.
For the time being, learning more about ninjas, their fighting styles, and their methods of training was the highest priority.
Naruto began walking past the numerous bookshelves, trying to find something that could be relevant.
Eventually, he picked up a few tomes and sat down to read them.
He noticed another librarian peeking at him now and then, but she seemed to be more curious than angry, unlike the other one, and didn't say anything to him.
Naruto began reading the books he brought but soon found out that they didn't contain the information he wanted. Or at least, they didn't go into enough depth to be useful.
For the most part, these books included some surface information about the technical aspects he wanted to learn.
They mentioned terms like 'Chakra,' 'Ninjutsu,' 'Taijutsu,' and 'Fuuinjutsu'... but only gave some simple descriptions.
'It's better than nothing, but I need more than this…' While he was considering a way to obtain more information, the young librarian approached his table.
"Excuse me…"
Naruto turned his head to glance at her. 'Is she going to try and kick me out?' he wondered. Even though it didn't seem like this girl had any hostile intentions, unlike that other woman from before.
"Is there something specific that you need help finding?"
Her eyes moved over the books on the table. "You won't find much information about ninja-related matters, other than books about history and dissertations about the wars."
"How so?" This village appeared to have been created with the sole purpose of housing these ninjas. It was strange to him that it didn't have more to say about them.
The librarian smiled. "This is a civilian library. Most information related to ninjas is considered classified."
Naruto understood it then. 'So this place must be only for civilians then…I must find a ninja library.'
"Can you tell me w—"
"The ninja library is inside the Hokage building. But…" She glanced at his empty forehead. He had not started wearing his bandana yet. "Only official ninjas can access it. And the amount of information you are given access to will depend on your rank."
"I understand…." He wouldn't be able to use that one until he was officially recognized as a ninja.
"But…aren't you an academy student? There is a large library there that you can use. Of course, it is not as complete, but it should have whatever you are trying to learn now. Is it for a test?"
"The academy library…" He had almost no memories of that place, so it didn't even occur to him that there should have been a library there. After all, that is a place for learning.
'Even if I have already graduated, they should grant me access to it.' "Thank you, Miss." Naruto gave the lady a bow of gratitude and left the library after placing all the books in their appropriate locations.
The young librarian stood there, looking at the door with a thoughtful expression.
"Were you watching him? Did he steal anything?" the old librarian spoke furiously.
The young one shook her head. "He was well-behaved the whole time…are you sure he is a troublemaker like people say?"
"Tsk! Don't let this deceive you! That boy is a demon!"