Patriot-112: Hello folks! I'm back and giving you another chapter of Dragon Fox Ninja! I'm sorry I haven't been to update in a while, but I had other projects to do. I hope you can all forgive me for my tardiness. So without further delay...here is the next chapter of Dragon Fox Ninja!
Chapter 2
Prelude of Reckoning
Mission Predicament
Last time on Dragon Fox Ninja:
The man nodded in thanks, but then his eyes squinted when he saw the group's head bands.
"You're all Konoha shinobi?," he said with an edge to his tone, and the group was surprised when the two became tense. Jiraiya had one thought at this moment, as a gnawing feeling erupted in the pit of his stomach.
'Why do I feel like we're about to get our collected asses kicked?,'
Now:
The atmosphere was tense as the Konoha Team and the two Hakure ninja stared at each other. It was a few minutes before the silence was broken.
"Come on Imouto, we better catch up to Ayane," Hayate said, and Kasumi nodded as they were about to take off only for Kurenai to stop them.
"Wait! Maybe you can help us," she said and the two siblings looked at the Genjutsu Mistress.
"What is it?" Kasumi asked, though with a voice that had a cautious and suspicious tone.
"We're looking for someone, a former ninja from our village," said Asuma as he lit a cigarette in his mouth, "He's about the same height as Kiba here," he motioned to said Dog-user, "has blonde spiky hair, blue eyes, and 6 whisker shaped birthmarks on his face,"
The two ninja of the Tenshin Mugen immediately tensed at that, knowing the description.
"I'm afraid we haven't seen him," Hayate lied, although too hurriedly, as he motioned for Kasumi to prepare for a fight.
Jiraiya's eyes squinted at how quickly the young man gave his answer.
"Are you sure about that?" the Toad Sage said, "Your body language says otherwise,"
Hayate mentally cursed himself at that, though his face remained calm. Kasumi however was glaring at the Sannin.
"Even if we did know where Naruto-nii is," she said with an edge to her tone, "We wouldn't tell you,"
The others perked at that when Kasumi said the blonde's name. But then were surprised by how the kunoichi mentioned him.
"So you do know him," Shikamaru said, and the two Mugen Tenshin ninja nodded.
"Yes," Hayate said, "But I would think before I go too far, if I were you,"
"What the hell is that suppose to mean!?" Kiba shouted, before receiving a glare from Kurenai to stand down. For Hinata, her heart skipped a beat, realizing they were close to finding Naruto. But she knew it had been 3 years since she last saw the person she loved so much.
"What he meant to say, is that the Naruto you know isn't the Naruto you all remember from the time when he was still a ninja from your village," Kasumi said. "Naruto-nii is stronger, smarter, and more mature than the 'loudmouthed, knuckleheaded, Kyuubi-brat' you abandoned."
The others winced at that accusation knowing it was true. "Look, we know what we did to him was wrong and stupid now!" Kiba said, "That's why we're trying to find him, to apologize to him, and bring him back!"
Hayate's eyes narrowed at that, "Or maybe you need him because of the Kyuubi," he said, making a few of the Konoha 11 scowl at that.
"That's not true!" said Ino. "We need him to come back so he can take the position of Hokage!"
Jiraiya slapped his forehead at Ino's slip, while Kasumi and Hayate blinked.
"Hokage?" Hayate said with a skeptical tone, "I thought a banished ninja from either of the Elemental Nations could never become a Kage,"
It was at this moment Kakashi spoke up, "Yes, but Lady Tsunade had cleared all charges against Naruto, and the village wants him back, we only banished him because we were beginning to believe that the seal the Kyuubi was inside of was beginning to fail and the Demon was taking over Naruto's body. It wasn't until after Jiraiya-sama took a further look into the seal that he discovered Naruto's Parents had actually placed failsafes in the seal to prevent that from happening."
"You'll have to come another time," Kasumi said. "He's on a mission right now, and the less distractions the better,"
The two prepared to leave before a soft voice stopped the siblings.
"Wait! Please!" they turned as Hinata stepped out from the group, "Can you at least please tell us how he is?"
Kasumi looked at the girl, taking in her features before recognizing her "You're Hinata Hyuuga, right?" she asked, surprising the others "Naruto-kun talked about you alot..."
"He actually talked to us about all of you," Hayate said, "He said nice things about you... at least up until he talks about his banishment." several of the others flinched at that.
Kasumi sighed a bit "I can't tell you too much... " she said. "However, I will tell you he is a lot stronger and smarter than he was when you last saw him." she then looked around and sighed again. "Look, it's completely up to him if he wants to come back to your village or not, or if he wants to even see any of you. If you stay here, we'll tell you if he wants to see any of you once his mission is over."
She then shift her focus more on Hinata, "He has also found two others who love him for him, Hinata-san," she said, and noticed the Hyuuga's face become crestfallen at that, "But, he said, that if he sees you again, Hinata, he'll properly return the feelings you have for him,"
Hinata's eyes widened at this, before some traces of tears started to form in her eyes before she wiped them away, a small smile on her face.
"Thank you..." she said, and Kasumi nodded with a smile of her own.
However, Sasuke was becoming more and more jealous of Naruto by the moment. He wasn't jealous of the dobe having three women that love him unconditionally, he was pissed about what the girl said about him getting stronger and smarter.
'The dobe? Getting stronger, and smarter!? If anyone deserves to have power, it's me! Not him!' were his dark thoughts as he cursed the blonde with all his might.
"If you excuse us, we really need to get going," Hayate said, and he and his sister prepared to leave. Only for the Uchiha to do something stupid.
"You're not going anywhere!" said Sasuke as he activated his Sharingan and prepared to charge using his Chidori. The other Konoha ninja were shocked and horrified.
"Sasuke! Don't!" Kakashi yelled out, just as the spoiled Uchiha attempted to ram the assassination jutsu into Kasumi. Only for a flash of blue light to appear and Sasuke being kicked back by Hayate, the latter who had an angry scowl on his face.
"Don't...ever...touch my sister," he growled at the downed form of the Uchiha.
Kakashi and Jiraiya were shocked at Hayate's speed. It reminded them of their teacher/student's Hiraishin.
'So fast!' they thought at the same time, as Sasuke got back and prepared to charge again, only to feel stiff.
"Not so fast, Uchiha," Shikamaru said as he used his Shadow Possession Jutsu to restrain Sasuke, who was giving the Nara a glare.
"Damn you Nara, let me go!" the Emo-king yelled as he struggled to get free, only for a shadow to start wrapping around him and closing in on his neck.
"If you don't cut it out, I will break your neck with my shadow. Troublesome consequences and elders be damned!" Shikamaru growled out, his face showing he meant it.
"Shikamaru! Let him go," Jiraiya ordered while giving Sasuke a heated glare as said shadow-user released his jutsu, albeit reluctantly, "As for you Uchiha, if you EVER pull a stunt like that again, I'll break every bone in your body, seal your chakra and send you back to Konoha tied up in a sack, you got me!?"
Sasuke could only give a disgruntled 'Tft!' before getting back in line. He turned back to apologize to Hayate, but to his and the other members of the team's shock, they saw he and Kasumi were nowhere to be seen.
"Well shit, thanks a lot Emo-king! They're gone!" Kiba yelled, clearly pissed at Sasuke, "Now how in the hell are we gonna find Naruto!?"
Jiraiya sighed in irritation, as their lead to finding Naruto quicker was gone in a flash.
"We stick to the original plan," the Sannin said, "We head to Kuni Shinai, find a place to set up shop and search for Naruto. If you see him, don't approach him, just report back to via comm"
Everyone, except Sasuke, nodded as they continued their trek to the city. All the while Jiraiya was looking at the spoiled Uchiha and gave a nod to Kakashi who returned it, knowing what the Sannin was thinking about.
However, what the Konoha Shinobi didn't know, was that in the shadow of a tree, a figure was watching them leave in the direction of the largest port city in the West, with piercing Royal blue eyes.
"My, my, so Konoha has come to reclaim their weapon," the figure said, with disgust on the words 'reclaim' and 'weapon', "But they'll be in quite the shock when they meet up with him,"
The figure then chuckled as they disappeared into the shadow.
Meanwhile in Kuni Shinai
Hotel Room
Cerulean eyes opened as Naruto awoke from his sleep after the activities he and Momiji did last night. Turning his head, he smiled as he saw the young woman snuggled up on his chest asleep, with a content smile on her face, as her long black hair was out of it's signature ponytail and spread out over them like a blanket. Reaching his hand up, he cupped the Dragon Shrine Maiden's face affectionately, causing her to move into the touch.
"Mmmm...Naru-kun," she cooed out, causing the former Konoha shinobi to chuckle.
"Wakey, wakey, sleepy head," Naruto, prompting the young woman's yellow eyes to flutter open, and a warm smile to etch itself on her face.
"Morning, koi," Momiji said, before she gave Naruto a soft but passionate kiss. "What time is it?"
"Just past nine A.M." the former Konoha-nin said. "We should get ready and meet up with Ryu."
Momiji nodded and the two got out of their bed and got dressed and headed out in the hallway where Ryu was waiting for them, leaning against the wall with his arms crossed. Though they could see the look in his eyes that he looked mildly irritated, no doubt he heard their 'activities' last night.
"I trust you two are well rested?" he asked and the two chuckled a bit bashfully at that.
"We are Ryu-sensei." Momiji said, as she and Naruto regained their composure.
Ryu gave a slight nod and and straightened himself.
"Let's go then." he said and motioned the two to follow him and they did as they headed off on their assignment. However, the two suddenly felt a shiver of DOOM go down their spine.
"Uh-oh, you felt that right?" Naruto said, and Momiji nodded knowing what the shiver meant.
"Ayane's here in the city, and judging by the aura, she is very furious." the shrine maiden said as they continued to follow Ryu.
"I just hope she's merciful when we see her, I rather not go through one of her punishments, again." Naruto said, while shaking slightly at the thought. Sometimes Ayane could be a complete sadist, and more vicious than Anko ever could.
The three ninja had exited the hotel and began their trek to the rendezvous where one of Todoh's contacts was to meet them at. They ninja hopped from the roof tops, heading in the direction of the city docks, more specifically the abandoned warehouse district near them.
It took them an hour to get there, and they perched on top of a building overlooking the district. The three looked at the warehouse that was to host the Kumite Tournament, and Naruto had to admit, this Goto guy knew a good, out of the way place to hold an illegal death tournament.
"So, where is our contact?" he asked and Ryu used his binocular vision to look for the man they were suppose to meet, and quickly found him by a set of shipping crates.
"I see him, shipping crates on the right side of the warehouse." said Ryu, and the two looked where he was looking and spotted the man.
Naruto looked in said direction and saw said contact, but then he felt something was off.
'You're not the only one, Kit.' Kurama said, 'I can smell something...off about all this. My advise, stay alert, and if it's a set-up...' the Bijuu left the rest hanging but Naruto nodded, and turned to Ryu.
"Let's keep our guard up. Me and Kurama got a bad vibe from all this." he said and Ryu and Momiji nodded, knowing that Naruto's gut instincts hadn't failed him yet.
"Alright, let's go. But stick to the shadows." Ryu said and the three Hakure-nin then leaped off the roof and headed into the warehouse district, sticking to the shadows while keeping an eye out for trouble. So far, there was no ambush, but that didn't make the three lower their guard as they arrived at the crates, a few meters from the contact.
Ryu then signaled Naruto and Momiji that he'll go first and began heading toward the man who was, strangely, casually leaning against one large crate.
The Ultimate Ninja was within 8 feet before he spoke in a quiet manner. "Kirito Segawa?" he said but received no answer, which caused to narrow his eyes as he looked at the person more closely. He then noticed something, as the man's chest was rising and falling as a normally breathing person would do. His eyes widened slightly in alarm.
'Shit!' he thought before he jumped away as a series of kunai and shuriken flew out and hit the area where he was at. A majority of them hitting the obviously dead spy.
Ryu landed safely away from the spot where he was almost turned into a human pincushion as Naruto, and Momiji came to his side and formed up back to back, respective weapons drawn.
"Impressive...you effortlessly dodged the little trap I set-up for you, Hakure shinobi." said a voice that immediately reminded Naruto of Danzo, having heard the warhawk's voice before, except this one had a slight tinge of arrogance to it. Ryu spoke for the rest, as he gripped the Ryuken.
"Kazoda Gouda, I presume." he said, his calm visage never faltering.
They then heard a deep chuckling. "Yes, you are correct..." the voice, now identified as Gouda said. "I was expecting that persistent pest Todoh to call for aid from the Hakure village. But my spy never told me that it would be you of all people, Ryu Hayabusa."
Ryu's eyes along with his two compatriots' squinted at that piece of info. They now why every man Todoh sent to investigated Gouda either turned up dead or missing.
"So you decided to hire ninja yourself. Probably from one of Hakure's rivals." Naruto said as he gripped his own katana, ready to fight anyone willing to come out.
"Very astute of you...," Gouda said, "Of course, I didn't just hire some random village to deal with you."
The sound of snapping fingers was heard and soon from the rooftops and shadows came several figures in dark green Shinobi Shozoku in a design that the three knew all too well.
"Black Spider Clan...," Momiji said with an edge to her tone, as the group of Black Spider Ninja surrounded them, most of them were carrying the standard two katana, while others were armed with hand talons.
"Yes, I paid their village in helping me deal with those troublesome spies Todoh sent to infiltrate my organization. But now seeing as you are here, I can offer them your heads, since I read in their bingo book how you and your two friends have been causing quite the headache." Gouda said. "In proper terms, it's a win-win situation for us both."
Naruto growled as the Black Spider Ninja prepared to attack. "It's not like we haven't faced these guys before Gouda." he said, after becoming stronger, he could take on any grunt that the Black Spider Clan had sent.
"Oh quite the contrary..." Gouda assured. "I have prepared..."
It was the three heard the sound of something being dragged on the ground, like metal on concrete. It was then that their unasked questions were answered as a section of the Black Spider ninja moved aside as a tall, possibly 9 foot, menacing-looking figure approached them. The figure appeared to be wearing a butcher's apron, which was bloodied wore black pants with large steel heeled boots, the head covered by a hood, and dragged behind it was a Massive deadly looking axe. (1)
"What the hell?" Naruto said in slight shock, as the monstrous thing in front of them effortlessly hefted it large weapon.
"Allow me to introduce, Sainiku." Gouda said. "He is a reigning champion from many gladiator fights. Many men have died at his weapon's blade, and just who managed to land a blow on him were only rewarded with a great and painful death at his own hands."
The behemoth then gave a roar as he shook his weapon furiously in challenge.
"Well, this is one of those days." Naruto as the three prepared for a fight.
20 Minutes Earlier
Somewhere else in the city
The streets were busy as market vendors opened their stands for the customers they would be receiving, and it wasn't long as citizens began to move in to purchase what they wanted for the day. Among this crowd of people, one person was also searching, but not for food, or the worthless trinkets sold by peddlers. This person was wearing a light grey cloak as they moved about with grace around the people. the hood of the cloak shadowed the upper part of their face, but the lower part was revealed, showing a feminine mouth.
The cloaked then appeared next to an old man who sitting on the ground counting the money he made at his vendor.
"Excuse me, sir." the soft, angelic voice said, catching the man's attention as he turned toward the figure and by seeing the person cloaked, began to tense.
"What do you want?" he said, apprehensively, just as the person brought out what looked like a small brown leather bag, and tossed it at the man who caught.
"They told me, you would have information on anyone and anything here in the west. Is that true?" she said, as the opened the bag and his eyes widened at the contents before he closed it.
"What information is it that you're looking for?" he asked and he saw the figure's gloved hand come out from under the cloak, and in the hand was the picture of what looked like a teenager, wearing a black and orange jumpsuit, with blonde spiky hair, blue eyes, three whisker like marks on each side of his face, and sporting a big grin.
"I'm looking for this person. It's been five years since this picture was taken, but I'm sure his features have changed little since then." she said, as the stand vendor looked at the photo giving it a thoughtful look.
"I can't say that I've seen this person before, he said, and the woman, he was sure this figure was, give a sigh before he spoke. "But I've heard stories of a person who might match the description. He's a ninja who is commonly known as the Dragon Fox Ninja of Hakure no Sato."
The woman seemed to perk up at this. "Do you know where this Hakure no Sato is?" she said, and if the old could man could guess, it sounded hopeful.
"Hakure is rumored to be in the Mori no Kage, but I recommend not going in there if I were you. Many people go into that place, and very few come out alive. That place is filled with dangerous animals like wolves, and tigers, and if they don't get you, the Black Spider Clan will." he said warily at said clan's name, which caused the cloaked woman to blink at that.
"The what clan?" she said and the man blinked, before he sighed.
"You're one of those ninja from the east aren't you." he said, and he felt a glare frm the cloaked woman.
"So what if I am?" she said, sounding offended.
"Don't get your panties in a bunch, little lady. Now just listen to me closely, if you ever come across men wearing dark green shozoku with grey spider web designs on them, don't even think about fighting them. They're very ruthless, and they have no mercy toward anyone outside their clan. Hell, I bet they don't have any toward their own members either." he whispered to her, and the woman's face turned into a frown.
"Don't worry about me." she said and turned to leave. "Unlike the rest of the so-called shinobi in the east, my village's kunoichi have trained hard from a very young age. And if my gut tells me the situation is unfavorable, it's best to retreat than die like a dumb samurai."
With that the woman left, disappearing into the crowd, leaving the old man stumped.
'What a strange girl.' he thought, before he blinked. 'She said kunoichi, and not shinobi...are her villages ninja all female?'
With said Person
Random roof
The woman sighed as she removed the hood of her cloak, revealing hime-cut waist length black hair tied in a high ponytail, with chin length framing her fair-skinned face. Her eyes were a bright emerald green, and on her forehead was a hitai-ate, the metal plate decorated with a five leaf flower (2). The woman looked back at the photo she had, and had a look of longing in her eyes.
'Naruto-kun...' she thought as she placed the photo over her heart. 'I will find you soon, and I will admit my feelings.'
She had come to the Western Lands, against her fellow Kunoichi's advice in order to find the former Konoha-nin. The reason, because he saved her from herself after the death of her lover. Somewhere down the line, she had developed feelings for the blonde.
Before she could think anymore a sudden explosion got her attention. Turning to the harbor in the southwest, she could see plumes of smoke rising in the air where the warehouses are. She then felt a chakra signature she hadn't felt, in a long time. It was stronger, but there was no doubt in her mind.
'Could it be?' she thought, before discarding her cloak, revealing a skintight grey Kunoichi uniform with a shoulder guard on her right shoulder. She was also wearing two gloves, with one going up her left arm to her bicep, and a glove which had a leather cord wrapped around it. An opening in her shirt showed some of her sizeable cleavage.
The Kunoichi then proceeded to jump from the building to another rooftop, heading toward toward the harbor.
"I'm coming, Naruto."
15 minutes earlier
Meanwhile, at the Hotel
Ayane was grumbling angrily as she stomped through the halls of the hotel that Ryu, Naruto, and Momiji were staying. Many of the other guest quickly got out of the furious Kunoichi's way, less they faced her wrath as well.
'When I get my hands on those two, I'm gonna kill 'em!' she screamed in her mind as she finally approached the room that the receptionist told they were at, after a good threat of a slow castration by Ayane with a dull kunai, and then proceeded to kick the door off it's hinges.
When she stormed in, her eyes narrowed, as she saw they were not here, but knew they were as she could still smell the after effects of sex.
"Dammit..." she growled out as her fists tightened, cracking while turning pale. "...Where the hell are they!?"
"Uh, imouto..." a voice said and she turned around and saw her half siblings by the door. "I know you are furious at Naruto and Momiji not taking you along, but as your brother, I strongly suggest..."
Hayate didn't get to finish as the killing intent from Ayane was soaring through the roof. Said sister, had an light purple aura of doom around, as he swore he could see the girl's eyes glowing.
"Nee-chan..." Kasumi said in order to calm her sister down. "Please don't angry at Naruto-nii, or Momiji-chan. They were just in a hurry because, Jo-sama told them that it was urgent. They didn't mean to forget about you."
Ayane seemed to calm somewhat, but gave an angry "Hmph!" before moving out of the room. Her two siblings wisely moving out of the way.
Hayate gave a sigh as he watched his sister walking down the hall.
"May Kami have mercy on Naruto and Momiji's souls, cause Ayane would surely not..." he said, while Kasumi nodded as the two followed her out of the hotel.
After promising the manager they'll pay damages to the hotel room door, the three Mugen Tenshin clan members were now on one of the many roofs of the major city of the west.
"So, where do you think we should start looking for Ryu-dono and the others Onii-sama?" Kasumi asked her older brother who looked over the city.
"Well, from what we got from the General's secretary told us. Their investigating one of Kuni Shinai's councilman for suspected corruption." Hayate said. "Where they're currently are, they don't know."
Ayane was tapping her foot aggressively, wanting nothing more than to beat her baka of a boyfriend, and her fellow girlfriend to kingdom come.
"So how do we find them?" she said, while Hayate placed his hand under his chin.
"I think given that a mission like this could go sour, and the best thing to do is..." he stopped as he heard two distant booms, which his two sisters also heard and they looked toward the harbor, and saw plumes of smoke in that area. "...Follow the explosions..."
Not saying another word the three began to roof hop toward the distant battle.
5 Minutes Earlier
Main Gate of Kuni Shinai
The so-called "Naruto Retrieval Team" have finally arrived at the gate of Kuni Shinai. They were, with the exception of Sasuke, impressed by the massive wall that protects the city from invaders, bandits, and rogue ninja. They could also spot many heavily armed and armored samurai guarding the walls, with archers watching them like a hawk.
"Man these guys are serious." Kiba said, as the group proceeded to walk through the gate. "I can tell they're wary just by the smell."
Shikamaru nodded at that. "Not to mention Samurai and Ninja are suppose to be sworn rivals with each other. These guys are just like the Samurai back in the Land of Iron, but I can tell they're only letting us in as long as we behave ourselves." he said as he gave Sasuke a sideways glance, who just gave a agitated "Hn".
As they entered Jiraiya turned around and spoke to them. "Alright, now that we're here, we are gonna have to split up. That way we'll cover more ground." the Sennin then turned to the two Hyuga with them.
"You can each search the city alone if you want to." he said and before Neji could object, Hinata cut him off.
"That's fine with me Jiraiya-sama." the Hyuga Heiress said as she gave her cousin a glare.
Jiraiya could only sigh at this. After Naruto was banished, and months later his heritage revealed, Hinata refused to be associated with anyone that hurt his godson, that included her own clan, more specifically, her father, younger sister, and cousin.
She told them they were stuck in their old customs, and were arrogant not to see whole picture, and gave Neji a real tongue lashing about him being a blind hypocrite, since he and the rest of the Branch Family also had a seal, and have suffered for it. Now they were the ones who were becoming the oppressors, and said she was a fool for wanting to help a cousin and the others in the branch family who had become like the Main Family.
Needless to say, Hinata had disowned her entire family for their empty prejudice of Naruto.
"Okay, let's go," Jiraiya said. "We'll meet at the hotel with what we gathered. But if you see any sign of Naruto, radio in when you do."
The others nodded, as Hinata had different thoughts about that.
'When I spot him, I will do the exact opposite.' she thought, and soon the group dispersed and began their search for the wayward Uzumaki. Not knowing the predicament he was in.
(1)-Based on the Axeman from Resident Evil: Afterlife and Retribution, but more human, and without the huge nail sticking through his head.
(2)-Guess this right, and you'll get a cyber cookie!
Again, sorry it took so long everybody! Other projects, loss of inspiration, and shit at home, the usual stuff. I can't promise a new chapter very soon, but I do hope I will post one soon.
Now for those of you who are new to this, the reason Neji is alive is because I made this before the chapter he died in came out. Now the reason he's still alive is because he had been revived by the Rinnegan.
Now that I, hopefully, explained that, it's time for me to head out. Until next time! Ciao!
