Disclaimer: I don't own naruto or any of its characters as they are the property of Masashi Kishimoto.
The author of the cover image is indy-riquez from DeviantArt. You can check the link for the original image in my profile.
Chapter 3: Trouble On The Horizon
-Iwagakure's Streets-
Kurotsuchi yawned as she made her way to the Tsuchikage's tower. She and her father had been summoned for a mission briefing at first hour in the morning and she was definitely feeling the lack of sleep. She would really like to know what could be so important that her grandfather needed them so early. They were two of his finest ninja, so she doubted it was for some trivial task, at least she hoped so. Having to get up at such an hour was bad enough, but having to endure walking with her Father so soon after their argument the day before was too damn awkward for her.
As they were arriving, she noted more Shinobi besides them entering the tower too. She wondered if they had been called for the same thing. Kurotsuchi and her father also entered and went up the stairs, and her suspicions were confirmed when she saw a considerable amount of ninjas gathering outside her grandpa's office. What really caught her attention was that most of them were Jounin. There were a few experienced Chunin and a bunch of Tokubetsu Jounin, but generally, all of them were highly competent Shinobi. ''What is going on here?'' thought the girl, puzzled.
While gazing through the large hall she caught sight of a familiar figure ''Akatsuchi? Hey Akatsuchi, over here!'' the tomboy called out to her chubby friend with enthusiasm. Said boy turned around and looked at her with surprise.
''Kurotsuchi, I didn't know you were here too'' Responded the young man with his ever-present cheerful face.
''I just got here'' said the girl with a small smile. ''And speaking about it, do you have any idea of what's this all about?''
Akatsuchi just shook his head while giving a shrug. ''No idea really. I got called here so early I didn't even have time to get breakfast''
The young prodigy gave a sigh and turned her head to look in contemplation at the rest of the ninja gathered. ''Same on my end. I wonder what's gotten into the old man, there are too many high ranked Shinobi in here''
Akatsuchi frowned in worry. ''I just hope nothing bad has happened''
Kurotsuchi could only agree with him.
After a considerable amount of ninja arrived, they were called into the room. When they entered they could barely fit into the Tsuchikage's office even though it was relatively big.
After Kurotsuchi managed to find a spot for herself between Akatsuchi and her Father, She saw her grandpa floating over his desk with his gravity Jutsu. He was wearing his brown Tsuchikage hat with the Kanji for 'Earth' and had a stern and serious face, which only reinforced her suspicion that whatever was happening was something big.
Ohnoki scanned the room, looking briefly at every one of the ninjas present. After confirming everyone's attendance he gave a curt nod to his secretary, who then proceeded to close the door behind her as she left. The small man cleared his throat and went straight to the point. ''I know you are wondering why I summoned you here. And that is because it has recently come to my attention that Jiraiya of the Sannin has been training the Kyuubi Jinchuuriki, and has currently entered the Land of Lightning for reasons still unknown''
Most of the Shinobi in the room had looks of confusion at the news, not understanding why that information was relevant. But Kitsuchi and a few of the more experienced Jounin started to catch up with their leader's intentions.
''Oh no dad, you wouldn't'' Thought Kitsuchi, fearing where this was going.
The Tsuchikage continued, not caring for their reaction. ''This leaves Konoha's Biju the most vulnerable it has ever been. Your mission is to track down Jiraiya and his apprentice and retrieve the Jinchuuriki. Do what you will with Jiraiya but the boy has to be brought back alive to extract the Kyuubi. Due to the delicate political nature of this mission, along with Jiraiya's strength and the threat of a Jinchuuriki, this mission is classed as S-rank''
A collective gasp was heard at the details of the task at hand. Having to face a Sannin and a Jinchuuriki, while at the same time risking starting an open war with another nation was something to be nervous about, even if it was at Konoha's expense.
Kurotsuchi on her part couldn't have a wider grin. Her first S-rank mission! And a chance so to take Konoha down a peg or two? She was as ready as she could be.
Ohnoki was just about to wrap up the briefing. ''You will meet at the village gates in an hour. Aside from all of you I have recalled some of the ANBU with low priority missions to help you, their skill is more required at the moment. Kitsuchi will be the commander of this force. If there are no questions you are all dismissed'' Finished the Kage and waited for them to either go or voice a concern.
Everyone started leaving, except for Kitsuchi, who stayed behind staring at his dad in silence until it was only father and son in the room.
Ohnoki turned to look at his Son with a raised eyebrow. ''It's something the matter, Kitsuchi?''
Kitsuchi's face turned into a look of incredulity at his father's words. ''You ask what's the matter? This mission a mistake, that's the matter! You are risking starting a war when after all these years recovering from the third war we are finally at our former strength. And you are risking throwing away all that progress just for a single Biju!''
The small man narrowed his eyes at Kitsuchi's tone. ''This is a good opportunity for Iwagakure. If we succeed we could become the strongest village in the Elemental Nations by the mere fact of possessing three Biju''
His son couldn't accept his reasons. ''I can see that, but the risk is too great, is not worth it. I know you, dad; I know that there has to be more to it than that. What are you not telling us?'' demanded Kitsuchi.
The Tsuchikage frowned , deep in thought. ''Should I tell Kitsuchi? He's smart, I may be able to trust that he won't do anything stupid'' Concluded the small man. ''Close the door'' He said plainly.
His son got curious about his sudden change in attitude, but he complied nonetheless.
When they sensed that no one was around anymore and the door was closed, the Tsuchikage started speaking again. ''What I'm about to tell you doesn't leave this room. You can tell no one, not even Kurotsuchi; no, especially Kurotsuchi. Do you understand?'' The old man looked intently to emphasize his point.
Kitsuchi was getting on edge at the odd secrecy, but he nodded in understanding.
Ohnoki closed his eyes and gave a loud sigh. ''The Kyuubi Jinchuuriki is the Yellow Flash's son''
Kitsuchi adopted a bewildered look, showing his reluctance to believe it. ''That can't be! The Yellow Flash's son?! Are you totally sure about this?''
His father nodded and raised his hand, he was holding a picture of a blond boy. ''I have received good Intel on him, along with this picture''
Kitsuchi looked over the photograph and widened his eyes in surprise. ''He looks exactly like that man! How are we just learning about this?''
''And that's not all. It seems that Jiraiya has been training him in his Father's techniques. If we don't act now, in a few more years Konoha might have the next Yellow Flash that also happens to be the Jinchuuriki of the Kyuubi. The Yellow Flash was bad enough, imagine how the war would have been if that man had had the strongest of Biju boosting his already lethal skills''Explained the small Kage, displeased at remembering their bitter defeat at the hands of that man.
Kitsuchi was silent in shock, and suddenly he realized why his father couldn't reveal this in the meeting. ''We need the boy alive if we are to extract the Kyuubi, and the hate for his father is too great in the hearts of Iwa Shinobi. Had they know who the boy was they wouldn't even concern themselves with keeping the Jinchuuriki alive'' He knew that if Kurotsuchi found out she would go at the Jinchuuriki with the only intent to gut the boy and watch him die a slow death. Heck, he didn't know if he himself could resist the temptation to get retribution for his dead wife. That boy was the Yellow Flash's flesh and blood, after all. Making him pay for his pain would be the closest thing he could get to justice. But he would never put his men in danger for something as petty as revenge, it wasn't worth it. ''I understand what you are saying dad. And even though going for the boy would bring some justice for our fallen soldiers, for my wife, I still can't accept risking another war. However, you are the Tsuchikage, if this is really your final say I can't do anything but comply'' Said Kitsuchi with finality.
Ohnoki stayed firm nonetheless, not swayed at all by his son's attempt to change his mind. ''Glad to hear that you at least know your place. Now go, you have a mission to accomplish''
Kitsuchi made his way out of his father's office, a look of resignation and disappointment marring his features. There was nothing left to do but to execute his orders to the best of his abilities, for he knew that if he failed, the consequences would be severe.
-Merchant Island in the Land of Lightning-
It had been a few days of traveling from small island to small island looking for information to find yet another island. Naruto was getting tired of going around asking people in all these villages only to find dead ends; and on top of all that, they had to constantly keep a low profile while at it to avoid catching the eye of Kumo ninja. All in all, it was a pretty tedious experience for the orange-clad blond.
He was sitting on a bed in an inn's room that he and Jiraiya rented for the day when he heard the door open and saw his master walk in. ''You are finally back, Ero-Sennin. Did you learn anything of use this time?'' asked Naruto hopeful for any kind of advance. He was so tired of going around in circles.
Jiraiya scratched the back of his head nervously, knowing that Naruto wouldn't like what he learned. ''Well... Apparently the island we are looking for is a dangerous place used as a training ground by Kumo. It is crawling with dangerous wildlife, giant hostile animals and the like. It's practically Kumo's version of our Forest of Death.''
As expected, Naruto blew up. ''Say what!? How did your precious contacts forget to get that tiny little detail?'' Their own Forest of Death was bad enough, and this one was on an isolated island in the middle of a rival ninja nation. That was where they were so eager to get to?
His master raised his hands in a placating manner at the outburst. ''Easy there, brat. I know it may be a bit dangerous, but if it gives us a real shot at controlling more of the Kyuubi's Chakra then is a risk worth taking''
Naruto wasn't having any of that, tough. ''Not if we are dead. The stupid Fox is not worth risking our heads over it. And I don't know about you, but I'm sick of searching blindly for a place that we aren't even sure is gonna help us. I'm done, I'm going back to the Land of Fire and you can't stop me'' Finished the young man and started to pack his belongings.
Jiraiya finally lost his temper; the pressure from both the imminent danger his student was and for running low on time looking for their last hope was already thinning his patience. Now his student's behavior was the straw that broke the camel's back. ''The Akatsuki are coming for you, dumbass!'' Shouted the Sage with a fierceness rarely seen in the old pervert, making Naruto stop his rant as he was too stunned by his master's rarely seen temperament. ''They are coming and you aren't ready. I'm sorry Naruto, I really tried to put you at a level that would be acceptable to defend yourself against them, but the truth is I failed. You stand no chance against them as you are now. This is our best shot to ensure that you are strong enough when the time comes, and so far I have no better ideas!'' by the end of his argument, Jiraiya's mood had changed from anger to depressed at finally admitting his failure in preparing Naruto to defend himself.
Naruto was speechless at his master's revelation, while he already suspected that he wasn't strong enough to take on an Akatsuki member head on, he had hoped that at least he could hold his own. But judging by what Jiraiya said, he would be no match at all for any of them. Now he was just as depressed as his old teacher. He felt as if his training had been for nothing.
They sulked in silence for a bit until naruto asked with a sullen voice and his head down. ''Heard anything else that could help us find it ?''
Jiraiya also waited for a bit before answering.''The island is on top of the shell of a giant turtle, that is why is so hard to find''
''...let's just go'' Mumbled Naruto with resignation.
And so with their spirits down, they were off to continue their search for the elusive island. Now both of them hoped more than ever that whatever was in there would be able to help them, as it was their last hope for their training trip.
Author's note:
there you go, those are the 3 first chapters. The good stuff is coming and I can't wait to write it. I will upload more chapters as soon as I finish them. With college and a job, I don't have much time to write. Now I wish I had started writing this on summer break and I would be at least 10 chapters in if I had. Anyway, I hope you are enjoying reading it. see you soon.