Gatou's words continued to plague Naruto his entire trip back to the Hashshashin's headquarters. It had already been a week since he successfully assassinated his target and although Murai said to not dwell on the crooks words, Naruto couldn't help but ponder.
As he neared a fork in the road he stopped. He was now in the Hashshashin's territory and there would be numerous traps and forms of misdirection ahead. The fork in the road was merely the start. The Hashshashin village of Masyaf was still ten miles away and the two paths were meant to lead travelers even further away to ensure secrecy.
Taking a glance down each road as well as behind him to make sure that no one was around, Naruto continued going straight; off the road and into the woods. After walking fifty feet into the forest he stopped to double-check that no one was around. Feeling certain that nobody was tailing him he faced the nearest tree before making his way up. The next two miles were filled with traps on the ground level and the only safe passage was in the trees. Leaping from branch to branch he kept his focus on the task at hand, getting to Masyaf safely. Letting one's mind wander now could prove fatal.
Hitting the two mile mark Naruto leapt off the branch he was on and landed on the floor. The next four miles were trap free to lull intruders into a false sense of security. However that was always subject to change based on whatever situation the Hashshashin found themselves in. Fortunately for him things had yet to change.
Finishing his four mile trek through the woods Naruto paused again. This was the next checkpoint.
"Peace and Safety, my brothers," Naruto called out.
Five figures dropped from the trees, swords drawn. The man standing in front of Naruto stepped forward.
"Lower your hood and confirm your identity." He ordered.
"Uzumaki Naruto," Naruto replied, however he didn't remove his hood.
"Your hood, Uzumaki-san!" The man pressed as he raised his blade. The four others raised their blades and stepped forward.
"We are not to remove our hoods unless we are in Masyaf or in a Hashshashin controlled building, brother." Naruto replied.
The five men sheathed their blades in response. The whole situation was a trick.
"Welcome back brother, we will escort you to the clearing now." The leader replied.
Naruto nodded his consent before following the men the next mile in his ten mile journey. The forest started to thin out before it was gone entirely, before him stood an open field. In the distance he could see a large plateau surrounded by a large wall. At the top of the plateau rested a castle. The large open field made it impossible to hide and anyone caught in the field was killed on site, the Hashshashin had a different method of getting to Masyaf, one that others couldn't replicate.
"Naruto if you could hurry, we need to return to our post." The leader of his escort spoke up.
"Sorry," Naruto apologized before biting his finger and making a few seals.
"Kuchiyose no Jutsu," He cried before a puff of smoke enveloped the area. As the smoke cleared it revealed a white eagle large enough to ride on.
"Naruto, glad to see you again," it said.
"Shirotsume, the pleasure is all mine," Naruto replied as he hopped on the eagles back. Turning to face his escort, he said, "Thanks I'll be fine from here."
The leader of the group nodded before he led his team back into the woods.
"They're always such a quiet bunch," Shirotsume said before taking flight.
"You don't like them?"
"I didn't say that, but it would be nice if they were as talkative as you."
Naruto chuckled before replying, "I can't stand three miles of silence when I have someone to talk to. So how's your mother doing?"
"She's getting restless. Ever since she became the boss of the eagles she hasn't been called on for anything."
"Well in a society that relies on stealth and discretion, there isn't much use for a twenty story tall bird of prey."
"It is quite sad though, she was practically a legend amongst your clan when she was younger, now she just sits at home and watches over the little birdies."
"Well let her know that I'll summon her, the first chance I get."
"Sure you can keep that promise?" Shirotsume questioned.
Naruto was silent before replying, "…yeah, I have a feeling that things will be taking a turn for the worse soon."
Shirotsume looked back at the boy he carried, "What makes you say that?"
"…Just a feeling."
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
As Naruto and Shirotsume reached the castle, Shirotsume flew to the back where a large balcony was located. As the large eagle made its decent, Naruto took the time to admire the bird's eye view of Masyaf. At the southern-most base of the plateau were the homes of all the civilians as well as shops for miscellaneous goods, on the east and western sides were a series of small farms growing various crops, and to the north were the livestock farms. All these features made Masyaf a self-sustaining village. However, on occasion the master of Masyaf, Al Mualim would order members of the Hashshashin to go out into the world and purchase various metals in bulk, but those orders were few and far in-between; about once every five years.
As Shirotsume settled down on the balcony, Naruto hopped off and thanked the summon.
"Anytime, Naruto. Be sure to call me again if you need me." Shirotsume replied before disappearing in a plum of smoke.
"Seems Shirotsume has grown quite fond of you, Naruto," A voice spoke up.
"Master!" Naruto exclaimed as he jogged towards the man and gave a bow.
The man was stood at six feet and looked around his mid-twenties. He had a light tan and was dressed in the same clothes as Naruto. If someone were to look closely at his face they would see he had brown eyes and short brown hair. Looking down at Naruto he smiled before replying.
"Naruto, you have achieved the rank of master as well. That alone makes us equals."
"Sorry, Altair," Naruto apologized with a wide smile. "But you'll always be master to me!"
Altair sighed, "If you don't want to call me by my name that's fine, but I would prefer brother over master."
Naruto nodded his consent, "Is Master, Al Mualim busy?"
Altair shook his head before answering. "When we received word of your success he sent me to wait for you. I am to lead you directly to him."
As the two walked through the halls of Masyaf's castle they spoke of Naruto's assassination.
"I'm surprised you waited almost a week to strike," Altair commented
"Well, he was my first official target. I'm sure as I gain more experience I'll be able to strike faster."
"True, I trust you kept to the creed."
Naruto scoffed as if he were insulted, "Of course, I'm surprised you would even ask such a thing."
"Usually on the first mission, people tend to forget discretion. In the worst cases they forget to stay their blade of an innocent." Altair explained.
"That may be true for most. But don't forget, it was you who trained me. Asking such a question is as much an insult to you as it is to me."
Altair smiled as he glanced at his brother, "You've grown, Naruto and I'm proud to be the one that trained you."
The two stopped before an elegant wooden door. Altair turned to Naruto and rested his hands on his shoulders, "This is as far as I go. Deliver your report to Al Mualim and don't be nervous. You did well according to Murai and have nothing to worry about."
Naruto nodded before knocking on the door.
"Come in," an older voice spoke.
Opening the door and stepping into the room, Naruto quietly closed the door before walking up to the desk of Al Mualim. Master Al Mualim was an old man in his mid to late sixties and was dressed in an elegant black robe. Like all members of the Hashshashin, his hood was raised however it didn't hide his features like the robes Naruto and his brothers wore. A long salt and pepper colored beard flowed down to his chest and his sharp eyes took in everything around him. Despite his age, Al Mualim was considered one of, if not the most dangerous member of the Hashshashin.
"Naruto it is good to see you. I hear your mission was a success and you kept to the creed without any trouble," Al Mualim spoke with a strong voice laced with confidence.
Bowing to the Master of Masyaf, Naruto replied, "Yes, though I feel troubled with the events following the assassination."
"Yes, Murai wrote of Gatou's words in his missive," He replied. "I agree that this news is worth looking into. If such a group exists then there is no doubt that they must be dealt with. Was there anything else?"
Naruto hesitated before answering, "Why was Gatou allowed to take over most of wave before he was dealt with. The horrors the people had to deal with shouldn't have come to pass."
Al Mualim looked down almost ashamed, "You are right, we knew of his actions long ago and did nothing."
"Why?"
"Because Gatou was to be your final lesson. You have a massive amount of potential, Naruto but you showed signs of hesitation during your training when it came to a killing blow. We needed you to see why we kill the men we do. If such men are allowed to live then Wave would be the role-model of all future nations."
Naruto nodded solemnly, "I understand. I assure you I won't hesitate again."
"I know you won't, Naruto. You are dismissed I will let you know if we find anything about this organization or if Gatou was blowing smoke." Al Mualim said before returning to one of the many scrolls that rested on his desk. Naruto bowed before he turned and left Al Mualim to his studies.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Two weeks passed since Naruto's meeting with Al Mualim and he was currently in the training ground giving a lesson to the Initiates.
"Our style of kenjutsu is purely defensive," Naruto started. "We wait for our opponent to attack and then react. We strike fast and hard aiming to kill with the first blow. For the Hashshashin, our first strike should also be our last."
"What if our opponent waits for us to make the first move?" One of the Initiates asked.
"Then we flee. A second wasted in combat is a second we lose in our escape. Killing all the guards associated with our target is not our job."
"What if we are disarmed?" Another asked.
"You flee," Naruto repeated. "You are all Initiates and have not done the training that we, the higher ranks have and you aren't skilled enough to use your hidden blade in combat yet."
"Is it common for members of our rank to encounter battles?" A third asked.
"It shouldn't be common for any member to encounter a battle. The weapons we wield are to be a last resort. The reason we higher ranking members carry more weapons than you is because the risk of us being discovered is greater. As Initiates your tasks are strictly reconnaissance or to deliver messages where our carrying birds are unable to. These tasks have low chance of detection considering the training you undergo and the only way you could be detected is if you're truly incompetent."
Off to the side the audible sounding of a throat be cleared was heard. Looking over, Naruto saw Altair standing outside the training circle.
"Everyone pair up and practice your kenjutsu. Take turns between aggressor and defender." Naruto ordered before walking towards Altair.
Altair looked at his brother gravely before speaking, "Something important has come up and your presence is needed."
"Where and why?" Naruto asked as he followed his brother into the castle of Masyaf.
"I am not at liberty to say why, but where is in Al Mualim's office."
"Has this something to do with the organization that Gatou served?" Naruto questioned.
Altair hesitated before answering, "…Yes, but I can't say anymore."
Naruto didn't press any further knowing he would get his answers soon enough. Making their way through the halls, Naruto noticed the quick glances of sympathy and pity that was being sent his way and a sense of foreboding washed over him.
As they reached Al Mualim's office Altair opened the door for Naruto. As he entered, Altair followed behind him and shut the door. The two walked up to the Master's desk, Naruto stood five paces away while Altair walked around the desk and stood beside Al Mualim.
"Naruto I'm sorry to have to tell you this. With all the potential and skill you've shown it causes me a large amount of grief to make this order." Al Mualim stated sadly.
Naruto looked at Al Mualim then to his brother before returning his gaze back to Al Mualim, "What order? What's going on?"
"…Naruto…"Altair started, but Al Mualim held up his hand, signaling Altair to stop.
"I shall tell him, Altair." He said before turning back to Naruto. "Naruto, you are to be banished from Masyaf, never to return."
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
(AN)
I know you all want longer chapters but it won't happen sadly. My writing style is to write until I feel a chapter is finished, no more, no less. Anyway the plot is starting to come to fruition. My plan is to mix Naruto's plot with Assassin's Creed. And I found a rather believable way to do that. By now I'm sure everyone figured out who the "organization" is and yes there is a logical reason for why Naruto is being banished.
Now one reviewer asked if I was going to reveal Naruto's past through flashbacks. Answer, yes next chapter. Next chapter will be Naruto's origins and why he seemed to have no reaction to the mention of Konoha. Also not sure why I was asked, but I'll answer this question as well. Yes, I own a copy of Assassin's Creed and I love every repetitive moment of it. Nothing funner that taking out your aggression with the repetitiveness out on your target.
If anyone else has any questions leave a review and I'll reply to it if I can. If I can't answer your question I'll still reply and explain why. For anonymous reviewers I'll post the answers on my profile.
