Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto.
The Empire beyond the Ocean
01. The End of Elemental Nations.
After the Fourth Shinobi World War, they believed themselves to be the center of the world. Their power spread and gathered around five nations, and with their alliance, they thought themselves invincible. Their countries:
Land of Wind.
The Land of Lightning.
Land of Earth.
The Land of Water
And the last, the Land of Fire, one of the largest Nations in the lands, with their vast population and home to one of the most considerable Ninja force, Konohagakure, the village hidden in the leaf.
That was until they came, massive fleets invaded from the East, and only a few months later, every nation lost communication with The Land of Water. Chaos was inevitable, as no envoys returned.
Even if they were in the same alliance, there were still some secrecy after all. It might have been one of the many reasons no other nations discerned the silence or absence of trade from The Land of Lightning.
No one could tell what was going on, that lasted until a battled hardened royal army protecting the Lightning Daimyō, or what was left of their military, arrived at the border of the Land of Fire with a beaten Raikage. Only then, did it make the alliance start to work out a counter attack? Their Daimyō's military and their ninja counterpart mobilized and hastened to The East and anticipating their mysterious enemies arrival.
Believing their capability to beat them back, they had high moral, only if weren't for one messenger, who arrived and delivered them with a piece of devasting news; The Land of Earth and the Land of Wind was fighting a losing battle against invaders from the West, their armies were caught off guard.
With multiple fronts, and no joined forces to help to defend. It was only a matter of time before there was no one left.
The last Hokage was standing near the windows in his office and looking outside, his eyes unyielding. It was impossible to see what he was thinking. his name, Naruto Uzumaki.
"Lord Hokage, East front has collapsed, their war machines and soldiers in the millions are about three days away." Yūgao Uzuki reported, even underneath her Anbu mask, Naruto could still hear her voice broke.
"What about the capital?" Naruto asked, his official wife, Hinata, was there with their children, protecting the Fire Daimyō. It should be the second safest place after Konohagakure.
"I am sorry, Naruto," Yūgao said, her voice no longer formal as she hugged him and placed her head into his chest.
"Damn!" A suffocating ferocity raged, and if wasn't for the embrace of the woman he would have rushed out to slaughter the one to blame.
If Hinata was his wife in the public eye, then Yūgao Uzuki was his wife in the shadow. He couldn't even cry, because if any report where to be trusted, no one was left alive. Those who surrendered would be killed, kids, elders even animals. He was not the only who had lost people important to him.
"Naruto!" A woman stormed into the Hokage office. Her name, Koyuki Kazahana, one of his secret lover before becoming The Seventh Hokage. "I am sorry, Your friend, Sasuke... he left you these..." She said and gave him a wooden box.
"He died protecting me... as we were escaping." Which mean that the Land of Snow also had fallen. Its location was south of the Land of fire.
Sasuke Uchiha was his best friend and probably one of the strongest in Elemental Nations. For him to lose, the enemies were not ordinary. While Naruto felt sorry for his best friend. He was relieved to see Koyuki, while their relationship turned into friendship after his marriage with Hinata, it was hard to not cherish the woman who made him a man.
Naruto nodded and pulled Koyuki into a hug with his right arm, having women in each of his arms calmed him a little. "Did he say something?"
Koyuki was little surprised first but accepted his affection and repeated the last word of her savior. " A common enemy unites everything, so take care of the stupid last Uchiha brat.
As Naruto, Koyuki missed their more intimating interaction, if it weren't for their political responsibility, it would have ended with a more romantic setting.
A sudden chuckle escaped Naruto's lips as he gently removed himself from their embrace and opened the box. The hidden meaning, the enemy, they could be beaten but not alone. Looking into the box, he could see three pair of eyes. "his eyes, he really did it, that bastard."
Yūgao Uzuki was the first to ask, "Did he find a way?"
Naruto closed his eyes, "Will your ladies walk with me into the depth of hell? Fully knowing that this will be an act of cowardice even treachery."
There was some silence but nothing which last more than a second. Koyuki and Yūgao were looking at each other, they knew what the other desires. After all, the one who made them women, the one they both fallen in love with was asking them to follow him.
"I am not naive enough to not see the big picture, there is no hope, but staying near you, I can see the light in the end. Besides, I ran away before, but did come back stronger." Koyuki Kazahana was someone who lost her country by the act of betrayal, yet she managed to harden her heart and took revenge. The only thing she couldn't stop was loving Naruto.
"There no point in asking me, Naruto..." Yūgao Uzuki said in a whisper, her lips touched his. Staying with him for all these years, always taking a step back and into the shadow. She didn't care anymore!
Looking into the eyes of these women, they replied without hesitation. He nodded and looking down on the three pairs of eyes inside the box.
"What do you girls think about going back in time and change history?" He said mysteriously...
Instead of answering right away, Yūgao and Koyuki stared at each other for the second time. Many of their regrets were not to take action when the opportunity was in front of them. A silent agreement had been acquired, a secret was made between them.
Everything was blurred afterward, what they surmised was that everything had been in order and somehow with the help of the healing factor of Naruto's blood. They were able to travel back in time with the aid of the massive chakra from Kurama the nine-tail. Their soul merged into their younger bodies.
They arrived just in time to prevent the massacre of the Uchiha clan. It was barely just in time.
After that, Yūgao Uzuki was gathering information on the different factions in the fire nations and outside. They were waiting for Naruto to 'grow up' again.
Koyuki underhand was far from her partners but endured while providing suggestions to her father.
And instead of Kakashi Hatake protecting Koyuki Kazahana, it was Yūgao Uzuki who took the mission, and with her ability, she prevented the assassination of Sōsetsu Kazahana. It presented a solid alibi for Koyuki to come to Konohagakure and train.
Years later, it was finally the date for Naruto to again attain the rank of Genin.
Which we now arrived in the current timeline. Many changes had been made. They needed to shape a future with their own survival on the line. But how much of the differences would bite them later on?
In a particular apartment, a young blond-haired boy wearing orange clothes was sitting and watching, a purple hair young woman sleeping. His name Naruto, a boy with memories of a sad future, and mentality to back it up.
Yūgao slowly opened her eyes. The world blurred just for a fraction of a second, only to have her noticed something orange and yellow movement in the corner of her sights. She lazily turned her body toward it and met with blue eyes staring back at her.
"Morning, when did you get op?" She asked the blond, nothing was shocking about it. Naruto had time and time again entered her room to watch her sleeping face. Anyone else, and it would alert her to the person, and their deaths would be swift.
"I just want to watch my new sensei sleeping face, can't I, Yūgao-chan?" Naruto smiled. He was searching her face, his eyes worried, maybe afraid if the person lying on the bed wasn't the one he knew.
Yūgao's heart skipped a beat. It appeared to her, he was still worried over if they really came back in time. The way he was looking with wisdom in his eyes while his face was childish, something unique yet... He was too adorable, so she reached out and grabbed his face, planted a kiss on his lips, an odd salty taste of miso reached her tastebud. "Really Naruto, ramen in the morning?" Her face grimaced, it wasn't like she disliked ramen, but eating something like that just after waking up. It was still too much!
"So, who will be our last member?" Naruto suddenly asked. He didn't want to ruin her morning by trying to persuade his lover into 'Ramen Religion.' He knew when to stop after all. It was not because he didn't want to be ignored! No, definitely not because of that!
"You, Koyuki and someone name Ajisai. She is someone I picked up in Amegakure four years ago, while I was snooping around. She reminded me of Pein's Animal Part, so I had to take her back with me." Yūgao explained and arose from her bed. She walked toward the closets, no discomfort from his eyes following her.
"I also vaguely remember her from all the data my Anbu team had to get through. It was around the time we had Chūnin Exam while you travel with Lord Jiraiya."
Yes, Yūgao was talking about a future development, which had not transpired yet.
"Around that time, huh? How old is she." Naruto asked out of curiosity.
"A year older than you and one year younger than Koyuki. I was the one who intervened with her genin team, so she ended in the Reserve. I felt sorry, but I really want her in our team right from the start." Yūgao said and clarified many of his unspoken questions.
Naruto had moved over and sat on her bed, while she started to undress, providing him a very satisfying view, "Why? Is there something special about her?"
Yūgao didn't answer right away. Instead, she walked gracefully into the bathroom and start cleaning her teeth and face. A while later she walked into the room again looking fresher, all sleepiness gone. She was now wearing only a sports bra and gray pants, on her right hand, she was holding a black bandage.
Naruto left the bed and helped her place the bandages on top of the sports bra around her chest. Yūgao was a close combat specialist, while her breasts weren't super large, she didn't want the risk of them getting in her way.
"Not sure, but I don't believe that any ordinary person could become one of Pein's Part. Maybe it was my six sense in action?" She soon answered while rotating her body in front of him.
"I trust your judgment in this, but what about her loyalty?" Naruto asked with a little hesitation, his hands were adjusting the bandage, making sure the binding wasn't too tight. There was no point in this if it caused breathing-problem in combat.
"I hope you can help her see the light in that path," Yūgao said with a suggestive wink. Her hands moved behind him, making her chest closing in on Naruto's face before picking a dark gray armless jacket behind him. The clothes had been prepared the day before, for easy access if the need arises.
Having her standing in front of Naruto. Yūgao had been reminded of the difference in their height. The boy was still a brat, not that her love for him wasn't any less than before they came back in time.
Naruto decided to rub the back of his head, "I wouldn't do something like that since I have two lovely beauties waiting..." his voice trailed off, as he remembered loved ones left behind. It was true that they were all alive now, but it was not the same.
Yūgao raised one of her eyebrows toward that statement, before rolling her eyes and shaking her head. She picked up her long sleeves arm protectors and gauntlets, but before putting it on, she moved and kissed Naruto just on the corner of his lips. "Say the one who fucked his soon-to-be wife's little sister on a drunken night, just before their wedding day. Being your guard, I watched you guys all night!"
It shocked the boy to the core, his mind stopped working. Yūgao managed to put her shoes and gauntlets on, even finish an apple before his mind was able to reboot.
"You could have stopped us?" Naruto complained but soon realized he had been teased. Yūgao knew him too well and forced him out of his self-pity.
After all, the world left behind was lost, the invaders didn't come to rule the land, they invaded to cleanse it! Thinking about their life left behind was saddening.
Yūgao chuckled and placed her Anbu mask on, "See you later Naruto!" and with that, she disappeared from his line of vision.
Naruto smiled faded a little, they only had about 25-30 years to unites the continent, but how to, that was the question, which there were no answers to yet.
Later inside the Hokage office, Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Hokage and the leader of Konohagakure could feel his old age catching up to him.
What he was about to do would be seen as something irresponsible by everyone. His goal was to sell a reckless, idiotic plan and make it into a legitimate and visionary one.
"Welcome, I have called you all to talk about the past and the future of Konohagakure. I expected everyone has read the reports presented before this meeting?" Hiruzen Sarutobi said, his eyes moved to the few people in the office.
They were sitting in a half circle around Hiruzen Sarutobi, and from his left were the Konoha Council, Homura Mitokado, Danzō Shimura and Koharu Utatane. They were the Hokage advisors regarding the local, public, trade, and administration concern.
From his right were the Shinobi Council, The Jōnin Commander, Shikaku Nara, and The joint heads of the Military police, Hiashi Hyūga and Mikoto Uchiha.
Seeing that everyone nodded, Hiruzen Sarutobi turned his attention toward the Shinobi Council.
"First let's begin, Lord Hiashi and Lady Uchiha, are there any matters which needed our emergency consideration?"
Hiashi Hyūga had long black hair and featureless white eyes like all members of his clan. He wore a very traditional, loose-fitting robes with a long-sleeved.
"The matter of maintaining order in Konohagakure and with the help of the more experienced Uchiha clan, we managed to find and apprehend multi offenders, falsified or imposter Naruto Uzumaki to..."
The man trailed off, and in his otherwise stoic face, everyone could clearly see his disgust in the matter. Hiashi turned and face Mikoto Uchiha, asking in silent if she wanted to take over.
Mikoto Uchiha was a widow after the failed massacre attempt which nearly one-third of her clan had been killed by her own eldest child.
"Asking the help from the Hyūga clan, and them joining the Police force was a very wise choice to make, Lord Third. Our work hadn't been more 'easy,' and with the matter of the Uchiha clan massacre attempt, it came to a big relief, both in manpower and ability. " Mikoto Uchiha gave a grateful smile toward Hiruzen Sarutobi and Hiashi Hyūga which they returned with sincere.
"Nevertheless, the matter with people imposter Naruto Uzumaki; all the culprits could be said to be the victims themselves, they all had a common fragile mentality. By searching their minds and chakra, we did find a current foreign irregularity. Our conclusion, the mastermind of Uchiha massacre attempt and the offender, and those who provide seeds of doubts and hostility are all coming from an unknown enemy, possibly the same group." Mikoto Uchiha eyes lingered on each person in the room before gave a small head bow to Hiruzen Sarutobi.
"Which confirm my suspicion, and also back to the report my Anbu provided before this meeting. " Hiruzen Sarutobi said, his voice was dangerously low, but everyone could hear him.
"70% of the civil population ignores, don't care, or don't even know who Naruto Uzumaki is, rest of them are either pitying him or friendly, they see him as a 'brat,' a child! Yet he is being attacked! We need to change this. If it weren't for our Military Police and how they openly apprehending those impostors. The residents of this village would outright hate the boy!" Hiruzen Sarutobi slammed his fist on the table, not without noticing Danzō Shimura's eye flicked a little.
"Because someone is trying to convince Naruto Uzumaki that Konoha is a place of distrust, maybe attempt to recruit him for their own power later on!" No one noticed the little sarcasm in Hiruzen's voice.
"I trust all of you since they are no point to openly make Naruto hate this village. He is a simple-minded child who first hates something, he will forever despise it, using him as a political pawn by making the citizen hate him is suicidal in many ways. Unless you will destroy Konoha." Hiruzen Sarutobi said, his eyes hardened once more.
"My plan for the future is to support Naruto as the successor. His potential is too high not to ignore. What do you say?"
It wasn't really a question since Hiruzen Sarutobi already knew who was against it, everyone had gained the same report, except Danzō Shimura.
Danzō Shimura was actually the main suspect in hostile actions against Konoha. In the matter of hostile action in his 'forged' report, the culprits were about an unknown masked man and Itachi.
On other counselors reports except for Danzō Shimura's, it had a detailed explanation of the manipulation toward the population by The Masked Man and Danzō Shimura himself. The document even revealed Itachi Uchiha task in the matter. You could say that many things did go back to the actions of that person.
All of his accomplishments were something Danzō Shimura made possible, like dropping a big fish later to catch it himself.
Hiruzen Sarutobi sighed in relief, Mikoto Uchiha was setting with a stoic face. Due to her past friendship with Kushina Uzumaki, it was understandable that her 'killing intent' was leaking out, off cause only Danzō Shimura would believe that.
The rest of them knew well that she was controlling herself not to immediately attack the man.
Fighting him now was not impossible, but would lead to disaster, The Masked Man, Hanzō of the Salamander and Orochimaru were all allied with him or at least had a common goal.
Not to mention The Hidden Village in the Sand was getting more opposing.
Homura Mitokado eyes closed for a moment, "This report about Naruto Uzumaki was written by Anbu-Neko, a talent not seen since, The Fourth?"
Koharu Utatane eyed Homura Mitokado suspicious, "Anbu-Neko has performed her duty beyond what required. She is well known for her ability to finish any given mission perfectly, due to that, no countries are able to place her into their Bingo Book just by their lack of intel. They did place many rewards for more information." Koharu stated, her eyes wandered, and then all of her attention turned to Danzō Shimura.
"I know what you two are thinking. When we are taking Neko out of Anbu, it will make it possible for other countries to gather enough intel, and placing two and two together, they will find her actual name and her achievements and possible a counter to her. It will remove a trump card. However, I believe in her own assessment. Letting her train our newest Hokage candidate, and at the same time safeguarding him..." Koharu Utatane stopped and didn't continue, she was waiting for a reasonable rejection from the man.
Danzō Shimura smiled, in his mind, he was laughing. They likely assumed he would reject their proposal. Homura Mitokado was someone like him, he was worried about losing a war-potential. Koharu Utatane was a person who prefers the power of the group than individual strength.
"Uzumaki, "Danzō muttered trying to get used to the name, "I agree with Lord Hokage," He nearly rolled his eyes when his two other counselors narrowed their eyes on him.
"First, I don't consider taking out Neko from Anbu and into the eye of the public will remove our war-potential. She will be of higher risk for sure. Instead of weakness, which will soon be neglected after her team becomes stronger anyway. Secondly, Koyuki Kazahana is a princess from the Land of Snow, it seemed she is rather smitten with our Hokage Candidate..." Danzō Shimura smile didn't reach his eyes. He still wanted to be a Hokage, but for now, he needed to wait. Playing politics was easy, just required to compromise.
"You want to play matchup?" Mikoto Uchiha asked, her eyes strangely dangerous.
It was expected, so Danzō turned his attention toward the Joint commander of The Military Police, "It will provide us with an opportunity in the future to strengthen Konoha, don't you agree?"
Before Mikoto could protest any future.
"That's true, their research in chakra armor could provide a great boon to our standing forces. Not to mention their reasonable technological advancement could do to both the military and the public section." Homura's voice was clear, but to Danzō, he already won a vote.
"But it's our tradition to have a genin team with two males and one female," Koharu Utatane pointed out. "Since we can't really meddle, it also a possibility that Princess Kazahana's attention will change to her other team member."
Danzō laughed in his mind, everything was heading his way, "But it's not really a true traditional team. Neko will still be directly under Lord Third as a genin team. Only that the team will be a deception. The real goal is for them to be trained as an Anbu team. Also, they will be handling the more questionable request, which is also known as Genin Trap. Lord Kazahana would worry enough for his daughter to place more fund into the chakra armor research."
Genin Trap, as the name suggested, was when the intel was lacking. It was also mostly because of other countries placing a Job with a third party to lure a new genin team into a deadly ambush. It was a way to remove a future potential threat. Killing young genin was more straightforward than to kill those with experience after all.
"The Daimyō of the Land of Snow has already provided us with a few Chakra Armors to test with our Anbu forces, but the matter with their third member, yes she needed to be a girl..." Hiruzen said while looking at Danzō, completely agreeing with him. Hiruzen was also expecting him to have a candidate. The man did manage to sneak his own people into the team which Sasuke Uchiha was in.
"Then I believe Ajisa will do, while she failed her two genin team test. It's confirmed not be her own lack of ability or teamwork. It was her former teammates' insufficiency of either skills or cooperation." Shikaku Nara reported suddenly.
"I have been looking into the Genins in our reserve. She is the only female with the needed skills set. If it a male I do have a few more candidates. It also removes the traditional aspect of the team, since Ajisa is a for the lack of word, a veteran genin." Shikaku Nara finished explained.
Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded in relief, "Everyone in agreement?" And seeing no objection, Hiruzen decided to move to another agenda, "Now to the upcoming Chūnin Exams, and the threat from Otogakure and Sunagakure, do The Military Police have enough forces available. Your troops will be taking the main strength of their attacks while helping the citizens to safety?"
As the meeting continues... Hours later, in the Hokage's office, Hiruzen Sarutobi retiring into his chair. He was finally alone, as alone as he could be in the Hokage's office.
"Do you think Danzō has suspected anything?" He asked with a low voice, barely a whisper.
A young woman with Purple hair and a Cat mask materialized into view in the middle of the room. "I don't think so, but having him agree right away makes me worried." She answered.
Hiruzen nodded, he wondered how long the young woman had been standing there. It was horrifying if she had been there all the time. "That's because if I suddenly die, Danzō will have a high chance of taking the hat. In his mind, Naruto would presumably be the Hokage after him."
"Are you saying Lord Shimura will help with Naruto nominee as Hokage by convincing the public since he believed it will take years?" Yūgao wondered out loud.
Hiruzen didn't want to point out that Danzō was in league with Orochimaru, and the only one that knew about Otogakure was created by Orochimaru was only Jiraiya and him. If he did tell the young Anbu, he had a faint impression that the young woman will go out and assassinate his old friend and student.
It was painful, yet Hiruzen truly believed that Danzō and Orochimaru could be redeemed, it was his last chance to them. Last chance.
Instead of giving her any ideas, "Yūgao Uzuki!" He called her to attention.
"Hai!"
"Your next mission is to train your new team to the best of your capabilities, In the public eye, you will be relieved of Anbu-rank to join the Rank of Jōnin. Your teammates will be Anbu in training while staying as a regular genin team until future notice. If you accept, remove your mask!" Hiruzen voice was clear and loud. It was of cause an act to the person who arrived on the other side of the door.
"I accept!" Yūgao said and took off her mask, revealed her beautiful face.
"Here is your first assignment," Hiruzen said while handing the mission-objects to her.
After she took the papers, three knocks were heard, and Danzō walked in. "Sorry to disrupt you, it's about the new Intel I gathered off..."
Hiruzen was rolling his eyes, at least in his mind. Danzō just wanted to see the face of the famous Neko, a very promising war potential.
"Don't worry. I just finished giving out our new Jōnin assignments, Yūgao Uzuki?" The woman nodded, and her body disappeared from their vision.
No one noticed the smug look on the young purple haired woman. There were only three people who knew what was going on, and none the wiser about it, even The Hokage and the counselors had been manipulated by a very person they were talking about.
Leaving the Hokage office, Yūgao arrived at the academy just in time to take notice of a certain girl, Ajisai.
Ajisai was a young girl with purple-brown hair in an onion-like bun style. Her forehead was covered by her bangs. She had light green eyes with black pupils. She was wearing a gray neck-collared kimono jacket with an orange sash around her waist and black pants, which bestowed a petite feminine build. Comparing to the other young girl, she didn't like to wear clothes that revealed too much skin.
Iruka Umino was someone who been teaching for a long time in the academy. He preferred to teach new genin than trying to get a higher rank. As he proudly wore Konoha-standard uniform and flak jacket, he could be seemed like 'by the book guy,' which in many cases was true.
Seeing the young girl walking toward him, Iruka felt a little sad. Ajisai skills and abilities were above average, yet she failed two times to get into a genin team. Her stoic expression combined with her petite build and cute face made him actually want to help her, a part of it was because of his own backstory. Iruka was also a survivor. What made his heard bleed a little was the girl never did smile or laughe while in the academy.
"Hello, Ajisai-san, let me see, you need to go to room 401," Iruka said after looking her up in the list of graduated two years before. Noticed that Ajisai was the only girl left since others had earned a genin team or dropped out from the reserve list.
"Thanks, Umino-sensei." She said and bowed before heading off.
Iruka wanted to wish her luck but decided against it.
Ajisai, on the other hand, was rooted in thoughts and didn't notice Iruka's worried expression. Her dream was to be as powerful as the purple haired woman who rescued her from hell. Ajisai still blamed the big countries, but the feeling of hatred was prevented by the act of mercy from the kunoichi with a cat mask. Small countries between the big one were those unlucky, but it's wasn't like they didn't give humanitarian aid afterward. So she relented accepted, It was the people on top who was to blame.
Ajisai still remembered The Humanitarian Camp the purple-haired lady took her to that day. It was a place that helped war-children, and even she could see that there were too many parentless children. The Encampment itself had to stay far away from the front. Even so, while the war was long over, they couldn't move it into the small country without the fear of it being destroyed. The enemies were more afraid that the place could be used to getting a 'foothold.' So they instead destroy those camps, then looking into the poverty of the war-touched population.
However, failing to get into two genin teams had taken a toll on her. She felt hopeless, Ajisai was trying to work together with her former genin teams but only to fail, it was hard when the others didn't want to. Wondering if she could convince her new team to work together from the start this time around, she continued on toward the conference room.
Entering the room Ajisai expected to see students from her graduation year, sadly she couldn't recognize any faces. By scanning everyone, she picked the first row. A stunning girl was sitting near the window, and to her right was a boy wearing an orange jacket and had golden hair. Saying they were seated was wrong. Both of them had their upper-body bent lethargic over the table, and their heads turned and facing each other.
Deciding that the place was as good as any, Ajisai sat down next to the blond boy.
It seemed they didn't notice or didn't want to acknowledge her presence.
"You should talk to your classmates more Naruto," The Stunning beauty said.
"I can't, they all brats, it feels weird!" The blond returned.
"Looks, shouldn't you stop the Pinky from clinging to the Emo-kid?"
"You know what, that's is really rude to them?"
"I didn't know their persona would develop like this, I blame them for behaving outside of the norm! Furthermore, I thought you were good friends with them!"
"Think how awkward it is, this is weird; you nearly admit it yourself, it is weird, besides it wouldn't work out, I am not going to be in the same team with them."
"Do you know who will be our third member then?"
Ajisai decided to look around, and true to be told, there was someone with pink-hair clinging to a black-haired boy, but to call him emo? She couldn't see it, he was appealing in the eyes, but that was all. She would rather judge a person after getting to know them better.
Ajisai's interest was soon lost, and her attention turned toward the dull students next to her.
While she was wondering how to greet her fellow student and interrupting their weird conversation, the blond next sentence shocked her.
"Ya, I think her name is Ajisai, mind if you keep a lookout, I rather stare at you while waiting for sensei to come."
"Naruto, that lovely and all but a name is not going to help, you need to describe how she looks, and don't openly flirt!"
"Hime! Then stop blushing!"
"You!"
"Oi, excuse me, I think you are talking about me!" Ajisai decided to disrupt with a finger poke on the blond boys' shoulder.
"Ouch, you, what did you say... wait, have we met?" He turned around and faced her. His blue eyes were curious.
"No, I-"
"-Uzumaki, Kazahana, and Ajisai!" A bright yet female voice intruded, and everyone in the classroom had their attention toward this newcomer.
"I will be your Jōnin instructor, follow!" The woman said and walked out of the classroom without even looking if they were following her.
Ajisai's heart was beating faster, the more she looked at her sensei.
"Purple Hair!" Her voice wasn't loud, it was barely a whisper.
"Oi, Ajisai-chan! You better follow!" Naruto's finger poked on her left shoulder.
"Don't call me chan!" Ajisai returned but followed after the boy.
"Can't, you got a cute smile after all!" He replied with a grin.
"I don't smile!" Ajisai frowned, she didn't remember smiling.
"Just give up, you are already under his pace Ajisai, by the way, my name is Koyuki, and this blondie sunshine is Naruto," Koyuki said, her smile was teasing yet with dignity. It was like the person was from a noble born.
Before the conversation could go on, it was instantly stopped by the purple-haired woman.
"My name is Yūgao Uzuki, I will be your captain and instructor, welcome to team thirteen. Now since that is out of the way, we got a mission. We are going to hunt down a spy, a traitor. You all know the buddy system?" Yūgao asked. The question was actually more toward Ajisai.
"Yes, " Ajisai answered. The buddy system was typically used when a squad of four had to split up to search a large area. Two Shinobis had to move in a search path while guarding their partner's flank.
"Good, Ajisai and Koyuki, you two will be buddies, here are one signal pistol. Remember; Red: Danger. If you already enter combat. Blue: Clear, if there is no track of the enemy. Yellow: If you found a trail." Yūgao explained and gave the pistol to Ajisai.
Their speed changed, and Ajisai could feel the adrenaline pumped through her blood. Thinking about it, she decided to load the gun with a red flare for fast access. She could always change the color if needed, but when in combat it would be harder since every second was counting. After seeing the approval look from her sensei, Ajisai believed that it was the right arrangement.
Team thirteen arrived at a forest nearest the academy.
"Koyuki, you take the point, zek zak angle 15 degrees 1km, East, Naruto and I will take the west, we will rendezvous directly North in 30 min. Apprehend anyone in the area, Clear?"
"Clear!"
Ajisai moved to the left side of Koyuki and stayed around 3-4 meter away as they were jumping from tree branches to another. Her eyes were looking at teammates.
Koyuki had long black hair placed into low-ponytail and with bangs that swept on each side of her face, Her eyes violet-blue and skin smooth with no impurity.
The older teen was indeed stunning, and her clothes match. Koyuki was wearing an armless sleek navy-blue blazer with a v-shape opening just over her modest chest while showing a red crystal in front of the white shirt. She also wore the same black long-sleeved arm protectors and gauntlets as Yūgao Uzuki. Her side-split dark grey skirt flashed to the wind and a pair of black skintight shorts underneath prevented anyone from really seeing anything. Her shoes and legs protector reached to her knees, and with the help of the skirt, it was giving the illusion that Koyuki was wearing long pants.
Ajisai felt a little envious toward the clothes and pieces of equipment, Luckily her brain soon realized that she was trying to look under the skirt of her teammates. It made her slap herself mentally. After 15 minutes of no action, Ajisai had to ask. "This is a test right?"
Koyuki's attention had been forward. It was her first real ninja mission, and the rush of adrenaline was clouding her perception. She was glad the question calmed her nerves and wondering how she was going to respond.
Their mission was real, there was indeed a traitor in the forest. Nevertheless, it was also a test meant for Ajisai and her. Ajisai had been given very little detail for their mission. Koyuki at least had been given the name and description of their target.
"No, this is not a test, we can die, or target had already sold intel on many students. If we don't catch him, mine would likely be sold for 50k credit!" Koyuki replied stoically.
"What kind of info?" Ajisai frowned, she had no idea how this girl had gained the knowledge of their mission.
"That I am a real Princess, so likely any mission I am getting will have a chance of kidnapping attempt?" Koyuki decided to answer with some truth in the matter, she had nothing to fear.
"Now that you mentioned it this way, it's actually a piece of pretty dangerous information." Ajisai was shocked, just thinking about any form of request toward the team would have to be double checked or more alert.
"That is not the reason for this mission..." Koyuki trailed off as her eyes looked at the Blue glow from the burning flare to the west, even if it was still day time they could clearly see it. "This is not good!"
"Blue, doesn't it mean it's all clear?" Ajisai asked, only to forceful stop her track.
"No, because it's also a warning to us that our area is..." Koyuki also stopped, they could both feel a presence ahead of them.
In a small clearing in the forest, a man was standing with a large scroll under his left arm. "What are you girls doing out here?" He asked with a friendly smile. This man was one of the academy instructor, Mizuki.
"We are just preparing for our genin test, Mizuki-sensei. Considering, tomorrow we need to pass the test our new sensei put together!" Koyuki explained with a lie.
Ajisai could see that something was wrong and suddenly remember the order to apprehend anyone in the forest.
"Are you girls alone?"
"No-" Ajisai was going to answer but stopped herself. She cursed her lack of tact.
"Oh, that's good, are they the one who sent up the signal?" Mizuki asked, he still had the friendly smile on his face.
"Ya, it's Naruto, it's the signal to us that he is ready and we can start tracking him down..." Ajisai's breaths had relaxed and nodded. Koyuki had come through with a plausible explanation.
Ajisai didn't need to be intelligent to not grasp their situation. It was too dangerous, the man was an instructor and an enemy. Their chance of winning was low. Not only that, their mission was to seize the man, so they need reinforcement.
"Since Naruto is ready, we just need to send a signal that we will start to track him down." Koyuki moved her hand to her tool bag.
Ajisai did the same but in a more subtle way. Koyuki didn't have a signal pistol, so it was easy to understand her true aim.
"That is not necessary girls!... "
"Earth Release: Four Wall Prison!"
Ajisai jumped upward and grabbed a tree branch to avoid earth walls coming in the 90degree angles from the front, back and her left and right. The wall connected and formed a weird pyramid shape. Looking at the height of the trap, she presumed only her head would be free. Glad that she escaped but not so much as she realized the dropped signal pistol.
The sound of three metal touching metal force her instinct to take over, and she pulled herself above the tree branch. Noticed she had been saved by her partner if six shattered shurikens on the ground were of any clue.
Looking toward her partner, Ajisai jumped down and rush over.
Koyuki was hard pressed as she parried a kunai coming straight at with her own, regretting that she didn't have a sword. Her attention had been on Ajisai, so she wasn't prepared for close combat.
Even with her arms and legs protectors, Koyuki could still feel the soreness from attacking a well-guarded foe. She tried to kick with her right leg, but the man easily blocked with his left, their shin impacted each, and she thanked her blond lover for recommending legs protector to her.
Mizuki stepped back and rolled to the right, and soon shurikens impacted the area he left. Ajisai had joined in.
"That's very good, I am impressed, training here with the demon had improved you well princess!" Mizuki said, and his smile was part insanity, part lust. "I wonder how that little brat would think when he comes and sees you worshipping my cock! Getting to do a real princess what a nice day."
Instead of getting angry Koyuki tilted her head to the side, "A spy, a traitor and also a rapist. Do you remember the girl you failed while the new rookies graduated last week? Didn't you tell she had to serve you if she wanted to become a kunoichi? Luckily we found her alive, barely, but from her story, she instead ran than lose her dignity to someone with no balls. She told everything by the way. Didn't you ever wonder the blame you placed on Naruto never reached the eyes of the higher up?"
Mizuki laughed, "The girl never gave a name, I made sure of it. I was there after all!"
Koyuki and Ajisai tightened their grip on their kunais. Ajisai could easy guess that the brat was referring to Naruto.
"Don't you see, I knew you and the demon brat always trained in this area, and I predicted you will be in the same team. What I didn't anticipate was Ajisai being here! When the brat come, you two will either moan and beg for more or beg for death!" Mizuki voice echoed in the forest, and barely with enough time to reach, he moved with unbelievable speed and kicked Koyuki. Even with a block put up, she was still sent crashing into the tree behind her.
"Koyuki!" Ajisai shouted, but that was enough to lose focus, and she too was sent flying. The force was too powerful, and in the back of her mind, she could already guess the severe impact her partner received from hitting the tree.
"Because what will weak little girls fresh out of the academy be able to do against an elite Chūnin. And before you put all you hope on the demon brat, I will let you know a secret. I am much stronger than ordinary Chūnin. Don't you girls agree?"
There was no respond from Koyuki; It seemed the young teen had been knocked out. Mizuki with a smug look on his face walked toward the girl who was stilling moving.
Ajisai coughed, and the taste of iron and blood confirmed her status, there was some damage to her ribs. She was having a hard time breathing. A hand grabbed the back of her neck, and she was lifted up and sent flying. She could feel her back impacted a tree, sending any remaining air out from her lungs.
"Argh!" Her face grimaced in pain, her body lost all strength.
"Listen here Ajisai, you might as well enjoy it. If you do care for your new teammates you should offer yourself now, I could even let that demon brat live, it will be our little secrets..."
"He will kill you!" Koyuki yelled and sent a kunai straight toward Mizuki's head, only for the man to tilt his head to the right and easily avoided it.
"It seemed the princess wanted to be the first, don't worry Ajisai. I will come right back, but let me remove those dangerous weapons first." Mizuki voice was gentle like a father talking to their daughter. Only if he didn't rip the front of her clothes. His hands moved and searched her body, tears were forming as Ajisai hated herself for being weak, having a man touch her body without her consent made her feel sick.
"You really have a modest chest, adorable, I really like your expression, what is this? A card, a storage sealing symbol? oh, that is right, you were dreaming of becoming a sealing master, you can hold to that, I will get you some real scrolls if you accept..." Mizuki threw her weapon pouch and all her hidden ones away and only left a single card with her.
Mizuki sighed and smiled before he started to walk toward Koyuki, "Princess, you like Naruto, right? Just do what I say, and nothing will happen to him, and I won't kill any of you, I can even guarantee you will enjoy it."
"I will rather die!" Koyuki yelled and prepared to engage, only to be sent crashing into the same tree again.
"Argh," Koyuki screamed. Her chakra armor took most of the blow but could still feel the air living her lungs from impacting the tree. What annoyed her was she could follow his movement and even blocked his attack perfectly, yet again she was sent flying. Her mind couldn't comprehend how it was possible.
"You brats are after all the same, dreaming of giving their first time to prince charming, but after a feeling true ecstasy you will forget about any of that bullshit." Mizuki had his back toward Ajisai, but by looking at Koyuki's face, who face was in distaste. Their chance of escaping was low.
"I already know that feeling you bastard, and your dimp-limbed dick isn't going to make it!" Koyuki voice was mocking. She was worried about Ajisai since her teammates didn't have chakra armor.
"You piece of demon whore!"
Ajisai was astounded that a princess could use those vulgar words, but shake herself out of it, it wasn't time for her amusement. She picked up the card Mizuki had left behind.
The truth was, she had been working to see if it was possible to use the same sealing art for storage for combat usage. With many failed attempts she found something and proved her theory correct.
Her theory was: By forcing an object into the sealing storage scroll, and when you released it. The item will come out with the same force. First, come in, and it will come out the same way.
This card was a real storage sealing scrolls, and it was the only working card Ajisai ever made. The item inside wasn't something fancy, it was a fist size iron ball. Only that she had sunk them into the darkest part of the nearest lake. If she calculated correctly, the iron ball would be sent with 5-6 tons of force.
Ajisai aimed with the symbol on the card at Mizuki's back, "Sealing Art: Water Cannon!"
A loud bang was heard, and the ball of iron pieced Mizuki's upper left chest, a water beam soon followed up. From the angle of her aim, Ajisai wasn't worried about hitting her teammates.
Ajisai smiled at her stunned teammates, "Thanks for saving me, I guess we are even."
Koyuki nodded and let herself fall to her knee. They somehow managed!
But it wasn't to be as a puff of smoke later, the body of Mizuki's was replaced by a log, the man had used a The Body Replacement Technique.
"You!" The man landed a few meters suddenly in front of her, his eyes no longer the gentle one he used trying to coerce her. He took out his kunai as was ready to throw the weapon only to stop mid-act. A one-edge blade has pieced Mizuki's heart from behind.
"Yes, you!" It was a voice full of hatred and yet full of hope for Ajisai.
"How..." Mizuki never finished as he died.
"You did well Ajisai and Koyuki..." Naruto's voice trailed off when his eyes locked on Ajisai and her damaged clothes.
Ajisai could easily see what Naruto was worried about and spoke, "Don't worry, nothing happened, just take me somewhere and give me a bath, I really want to sleep. You came just in time..."
Naruto looked at Koyuki only to have her nod at him, from the look she was fine. He wondered if it was because of her chakra armor, but now was not the time for the battle report. Ajisai needed medical attention.
Naruto removed his jacket and cover Ajisai's upper body before he sat down next to her. He gently pulled her into an embrace. By hugging her from behind, he didn't need to worry about where to touch.
An orange glow of chakra soon coved them.
Ajisai could feel her strength coming back, "this feels nice, it's like my body is healing." She whispered and soon understood his intention. This way the odd water-ish healing glow was able to cover her whole body.
Naruto's mind wandered to his own battle with Mizuki. The reality of his share dumb luck and how much the man had underestimated him back then. A lesson too close to his heart and nothing he wanted to make ever again. He believed these girls were ready to face the man he had beaten in his genin year, though it would be easy for them.
Naruto for the first time had to reevaluate his opponents, there was too much dumb luck because of his enemies underestimated him. He couldn't make his friends and lovers face those enemies by using himself as standard, or the measure used from his previous life.
"I heard you wanted to be a sealing master, Ajisai. I will help you, so believe it!"
There was no reply from the girl, but when Yūgao and Koyuki arrived in front of them, they could see a small blush on Ajisai's cheeks, her lips tilted upward.
Ajisai never smiles, but this time, she didn't mind as she let herself fall asleep.
Author's notes: Before writing this chapter, my mind always goes back to a famous phrase, "All good intentions lead to hell," or your readers might know a more famous vision, "The road to hell is paved with good intentions."
As I made scenarios inside my mind and many plots came up, yet another thing reached my attention, forced me to question the possible plot hole. Time Travel, I Don't believe in time travel, so why did I want to write something like this?
Well, I actually don't believe in the ability to Time Travel back in time where you are able to changes a future outcome, but I do believe in the multiverse.
Does it make sense?
Another thing to point out, pairing; Why did I make it sound like Naruto was cheating on Hinata? I don't think I actually did, What I understand from cannon was that Naruto and Hinata didn't marry right away.
And I will like to use Naruto's own words against himself- He will never break a promise, or never gives up.
So, as a person who read between the lines, I considered within the time skip in Canon: Naruto did make a baby with Shion (the priestess from the Land of Demons), even managed to get a few dates with Sakura before realized it didn't work out and so on.
It gives me a lot of breathing rooms to explore possible relationships.
So with all those stuff in mind, I decided to write.
