Do, do, do. Another Chapter bits the Dust! Enjoy!
Disclaimer: Naruto is owned by Masashi Kishimoto. Anything written is purely my own thoughts.
"So you're saying he could create 3000 clones at one time..."
"Yeah... and unlike me the little bastard doesn't even feel tired afterwards." Ashina groaned in annoyance before a Cheshire grin appeared on his face. "But I suppose it'll make his torture more fun."
"You mean training right?" Kakashi asked. In honesty he was a little creeped out by Ashina's grin.
"No he doesn't." Kurenai answered Kakashi's question. "Was passing by the Uzumaki temple yesterday and seen his 'training' Naruto..."
"Hehe." Ashina darkly chuckled still keeping the Cheshire grin on his face as the purple haze reappeared behind him. Meanwhile Kakashi and Kurenai could only sweat drop in response.
"Anyway I think we should provide you with your ranking Uzumaki-san. It's quite clear you are at a Jonin level So we have decided to grant you that rank. If you come to my office tomorrow we'll complete the paperwork."
"I'll see you there then. Now I got to go get the kid some Ramen if he's managed to complete his test for today." Ashina grinned before he disappeared from sight.
The Frozen Will of Fire. Chapter 4: A Slippery Seal
Sitting with his new customized Black Konoha Flak Jacket over his Blue Hoodie Ashina also sported an elastic black forehead protector. He was sitting in the Hokage's court behind Naruto who's Ninja registration form was being signed off by the Hokage.
"I know I might seem like a stupid question but was this your idea?" The Hokage asked Ashina who looked at a grinning Naruto before looking at the paper in front of him.
"Nope. But honestly Otouto I'm a little disappointed... If this was the epic prank you've been telling me about then i'm gonna have to up your training."
"No don't do that!" Naruto shouted out in a panic before he noticed the look he was getting. "This is only the first step in my plan though..." Naruto meekly finished off.
"Retake the photo." The Hokage ordered. "And why is your headband missing?
"He's waiting for the ceremony tomorrow." Ashina informed the Hokage who smirked at a huffing Naruto.
"Why should I be retaking the photo anyway? It's not that important now is it?" Naruto moaned.
"It is. If you become famous enough then this photo gets put into the Bingo book of other villages... You currently look like a twat." Ashina snapped back in annoyance.
"Yeah but that could be a good thing! They would underestimate me since at that stage i'll be good enough to have my name in the bingo book in the first place!" Naruto stood up and grinding his forehead against Ashina's forehand.
"Smart answer but if I find you in the Bingo book you'll be dealing with me first so it's getting retaken!" Ashina responded back with a purple haze starting to emerge behind him.
'This couldn't get any worse could it...' Hiruzen thought to himself.
"FIGHT ME OLD MAN!" A squeaky voice cried out as a little kid landed in the room seconds latter he tripped face first into the hard wooden floor.
"Damn it! Who set that trap!?" The little kid asked in anger. "I know it was you two wasn't it!?" He pointed at both Ashina and Naruto.
"You feel because of your own scarf ttebaku..." Ashina dryly responded but this wasn't heard due to Naruto's response.
"YOU TRIPPED ON YOUR OWN, YOU IDIOT!" Naruto shouted as he grabbed a hold of the kid's collar.
"Hey Naruto. Let go of him. That's the Hokage's grandson." A new Jonin who Ashina had not yet meet spoke nervously towards Naruto.
"I don't care if he's his grandmother! TTEBAYO!" Naruto responded by smacking the top of the kid's head.
But Ashina joined in as well smacking the top of both Naruto and the kid's head. "You're both idiots ttebaku..."
Ashina then knelled down to the kid and started to fix the scarf he was wearing. "What your name kid?"
"Konohamaru." The kid responded as he continued rubbing his head.
"It's a good name... Now the reason you fell over was because you tripped over your own feet. Your scarf is far too long so I've double wrapped it so you won't trip over again."
"Thanks." Konohamura meekly thanked Ashina who rubbed the top of his head before turning around to face Naruto.
"And you!" Ashina pointed at Naruto. "You're getting that photo retaken."
"The cameraman just left for the day." A voice spoke into the room informing them.
Ashina closed his eyes and groaned in annoyance "FUCK!"
"He's gone isn't he?" Ashina asked with his eyes still closed.
"Yes and it appears Konohamaru has gone after him."
"That's... Not gonna end well is it?.." Ebisu asked nervously
"Nope..." Ashina answered. "Anyway I have something I need to tell you old man. Something important."
'Must be since it's the first time he has not called me by my title.' Hiruzen thought to himself. "ANBU, Ebisu... Leave us."
(An hour later)
"Even though I told him that he's still given me a role as a Jonin Sensei." Ashina softly spoke to himself as he was walking down the streets of Konoha. A folder underneath his arm pits as he like to walk with his hands in his pockets.
"Hello there Uzumaki-San!" A female voice spoke out to Ashina that he recognized.
"Oh hey the Yuki-san. It's nice to meet you again." Ashina turned around and responded with a wave but he could see there was another female beside Kurenai.
"Come on Nai-chan, do we really have to deal with the old man here." The other voice asked. It was clear by the tone of her voice she was annoyed.
"D-did you just call me old man!?" Ashina in utter shock and horror. "Wow... I-I'm gonna need some time to process this..."
"Don't worry about it." Kurenai smirked as she watched Ashina's depression fall over him. "Anko here is just annoyed we stopped on our way to get Dango. Would you like to join us? I can see the Hokage's made you a Jonin sensei this year."
"Dango huh?.. I haven't had Dango since I was a kid. You two wouldn't mind if I joined you for some?"
"How long ago was that a hundred years ago?" An annoyed Anko asked.
A dangerous purple haze then started to appear behind Ashina as he stood up to the woman. "Watch who you're talking to ttebaku. I don't use Musashi on comrade but if you keep this up i'll make an exception."
"Oh Yeah! Well then bring it on Twinkle-toes!" Anko replied as she attempted to man up to Ashina who easily stood half a foot above her.
But there was a mark on the base of her neck that caught Ashina's eyes which caused the purple haze to disappear. "Where did you get that seal mark?" Ashina asked with a serious tone to his voice.
The tone of how the question was asked made both Anko and Kurenai very nervous. "Why the hell do you care? Does it bother you?" Anko spat out in anger.
"Of course it's annoying me! That seal is incomplete and it's slowly fucking killing you!" Ashina answered back. The looks on both Anko and Kurenai's face showed that his response was not what they were expecting.
"What can you do anyway we already had our seal masters look at it." Anko snapped back. Ashina could clearly see that the current conversation was upsetting her as it continued.
"Don't compare me to any seal master that's been in Konoha before. Nothing compares to an Uzumaki seal master..." Ashina stated towards Anko. "Listen I can help you. I can't grantee I can remove that thing but I will at least be able to stop if effecting you."
"If your thinking of trying a Evil Sealing method then don't that's already been tried and the seal kicked it off."
"Yeah cause it was an even seal over and odd seal. They were always going to clash and the stronger, more unstable of the two would win out... I already told you i'm a seal master and i'll prove it to you. Hell, I'll even make a bet with you. If I can't stop that thing... I'll pay for a lifetimes worth of Ramen for you."
"Dango." Anko replied.
"Fine, whatever... I'll pay for a lifetimes worth of Dango for you then instead." Ashina asked with his hand extended out.
"You do know that bet is nothing but a win-win for me right?" Anko asked but the when she seen the serious look on Ashina's face she took a deep breath before accepting the offer. "Deal."
"Come to the Uzumaki temple in half an hour. I should be ready by then. You can come as well Yuki-san if you'd like. I'll even make us all some tea for afterwards." Ashina smiled at both of them before vanishing away. Most likely to his home.
"Are you sure this is a good idea Anko?" Kurenai asked.
"Didn't you hear what he said. A lifetime of Dango paid by that sucker. Either way if he pulls it off it's win-win for me. Besides... Do you trust him?"
Kurenai thought about it for a moment. "He's been taking care of Naruto since he's arrived. Since he's arrived he's been watched by ANBU 24/7. From there reports they have given to the Hokage who has given to us... He's trustworthy. Besides. You seen that folder under his arm right?" Kurenai asked Anko who nodded in agreement.
"Yeah I seen it."
"Well that's the folder over the new genin assignments. If he has been given one it means the Hokages trust him enough with the Village's future."
(Uzumaki Temple)
As Anko and Kunreai arrived outside the Uzumaki Temple they were both surprised to see how much the outside had changed.
"How long did you say he was in the village again?"
"Five days..." The tone in Kurenai 's voice showed only amazement.
"The miracle of Shadow Clones you can say." Ashina spoke to the two of them as he walked out the front porch. They could see that he was now only wearing his white shirt having taken off his hoodie and flack jacket.
"I'm ready to start when you are." Ashina stated as he showed Anko and Kurenai into the temple.
Walking directly into the back of the temple they entered Ashina's kitchen and Anko and Kurenai could see the room was only lit by candles.
"Aren't you the romantic one." Anko teased Ashina in an attempt to hide her nervousness.
"Yeah, Not like I haven't heard that one before... Here." Ashina threw Anko a towel and small glass vial.
"What are these for. You into freaky shit and want me to piss in this thing or something." Anko asked with a blush over her face.
"First off, no." Ashina replied as he bopped Anko's head.
"Ouch! That fucking hurt." Anko moaned as she rubbed her head.
"Good, cause it was supposed to." Ashina stated as he rubbed his own knuckles. "Continuing on. Secondly You're far too young for me. What are you like 17? 18?"
"I'll take that answer but more 25." Anko replied with a blush on her face.
"Seriously?" Ashina asked with a raised eyebrow as he looked at Kurenai for confirmation.
"By any chance is that why you asked for me to be here because you thought she was a minor?" Kurenai asked with a smirk written on her face before it became serious. "By any chance what made you think I was roughly the same age as you then? Do I not look young?"
"I'm not answering that question." Ashina blankly replied. "And I did ask you to be here because with the way Anko looks."
Anko then decided to pout in annoyance as Kurenai lightly chuckled at her friends expense. "Pouting isn't really gonna help your case but thirdly. That vial is for your blood. I'm going to add it into the ink for the counter seal. That way it'll stand a better change of blocking out that curse mark you have." Ashina explained
"Finally the towel is so you can remain at least modest since you'll have to be topless in order for me to apply the seal. Otherwise you'll have blood ink all over your clothes and this ink doesn't wash off first time either." Ashina could tell by the looks on Anko's face that she was about to just start stripping in front of them so he quickly continued.
"Don't even think about. You can get ready in my room over there. And at least knock the door when you're ready. And while you're getting ready Yuhi-san could you help me with the last few step while Anko gets ready."
"Sure what can I help with?" Kurenai asked as Ashina handed her several seal tags.
"I need you to place these on each corner of the room. I'm going to be using a lot of chakra for these seals and i'll need those seals placed while I make final preparations."
"Alright..." Kureani nodded in agreement before she started placing the tags. But soon Naruto arrived and knocked at the back door window.
"Hey Aniki what's going on in here? Why's the door locked?"
"Go in through the front Naruto. I'll need your help with something." Ashina answered back and after a few seconds Naruto came into the room.
"What's up?" Naruto asked.
"I need you to place Musashi in your room. And I need you to stay in that room and don't come out until I say so got it?" Ashina stated to Naruto with a serious look on his face.
"Sure but what's up?"
"Don't worry about just get moving. And don't draw out the sword. I'll know if you even tried." Ashina answered as he threw Musashi towards Naruto. "I'll answer any question you have over dinner okay. Plus i'd like to know how you got on with Konohamaru as well."
Naruto only briefly looked down and the swords before nodding and going into his room and shutting the door. A few minutes past and Anko was still yet to knock the door to say she was ready.
"You think she's okay?" Ashina asked Kurenai.
"I'm not sure. Want me to check?"
"Please." Ashina answered softly before Kurenai knocked on the door and entered the room. After a few minutes of silence Kurenai and an extremely nervous Anko walked into the kitchen.
"Okay we'll get started here now but before we do I'll ask again. Do you want me to do this?"
Ashina could tell that she was crying with the bloodshot look in her eyes. She silently nodded in agreement. "Okay then. You have the vial Yuhi-san?"
Kurenai nodded as she gave the vial to Ashina. "Perfect. Now Anko I'll need you to lie down face first on the table. Tell me if you want any cushions to make it more comfortable for you."
"It'll be fine." Anko emotionlessly replied as she followed Ashina's orders.
With the blood and ink mixed together Ashina placed the pot down beside Anko. "This'll be cold at first but i'll need you to be still for the time being." A silently nod followed as Ashina stated to place blood ink over Anko's skin around and through the curse seal mark.
After 10 minutes Ashina finally stopped painting. "Right now I need you to trust me on this but I want you to activate the curse mark."
"What!? Are you fucking crazy or something!?"
"The counter is already in place and if it acts up I have another counter measure ready. I just need to confirm that the counter is working before I continue that's all. " Ashina calmly replied.
Having taken a brief look at the counter seal Kurenai honestly didn't know much about it but to her eyes it seems to be a very simple counter. "Anko as you said before you have nothing to lose. Please you never know until you try."
Upon hearing her friend agree with Ashina, Anko tried to calm down and activated the seal.
The moment the seal was active it began to spin but was caught up within the counter which stopped it spinning. "Dammit it hurts more now."
"That's good it means it's working. Now I need you to keep the seal moving while I activate the second stage." Ashina responded and quickly drew the second seal.
"Hurry, it's burning." Anko grunted out in pain. Kurenai quickly took her friends hand to offer some support and held on tightly.
"Okay it's gonna get cold in here really quickly. Release!" Unlocking his restriction seal Ashina could feel the large chakra begin to flow through his body. in doing so the room temperature began to rapidly fall as showing on the mist rising from Anko's curse mark and the mist from her and Kurenai's breath.
With incredible speed he signaled ten hand sign in the blink of an eye. "Now! 11th - 6th Soul divider! Seal!" Ashina stated as he began to pour his chakra into the seal which began to shrink with each passing moment.
"AAAAHHHHH!" Anko screamed out in pain as the curse seal began to fight back. 'I won't let this win!' She thought to herself as she endured the pain but suddenly it just stopped.
"What?.. I can't hear him... I can't hear him..." Anko was speechless as Ashina fell forwards but managed to keep his footing by grabbing a hold of the table.
"That should be it... Isolated. That curse mark seal... Is no longer gonna effect you." With a pained breath Ashina. 'Fuck me, that took more chakra than I was expecting.'
"Are you alright?" Kurenai asked as she couldn't stop smiling.
"Yeah i'll be fine. Just need a second to catch my breath again." Ashina waved in response. His head was down by his knees as he spoke. But he didn't get much rest as Anko soon jumped over the top of him hugging him to near death.
"ThankYouThankYouThankYou!" Anko quickly spoke as she buried Ashina's head into her chest. In that brief moment Anko had forgotten that she was in fact topless as Ashina's head was buried deep into her exposed breast. "I'll fucking rock your world!"
"Ah... Ahmm... Ah..." Ashina blankly responded back. With a deep red blush on his face looked it closely resembled a fish out of water as his lips just flapped without making any sound. It didn't help the fact that due to the sudden drop in the room temperature he could feel Anko's nipples as they roughly rubbed on his face.
"Anko..." Kurenai spoke to her friend in embarrassment.
"Huh?" Anko asked as she looked around at Kurenai who had her towel extended out in her hand towards her. "Huh?" Anko blankly stated as she let go of her hug over Ashina only to noticed he had passed out from blood loss while in her chest.
"Light weight." Anko smirked with an unmatched complained tone to her voice as she dropped Ashina who feel down to the floor hard on his head.
"Ow, ow, ow..." Ashina groaned as he rubbed his head. "Next time you're gonna do something like that at least give me some fucking warning... Activate Restriction seal."
With the on his body back in place Ashina could feel the room's temperature slowly rise back. "Anyway now that's that over with I'll get some tea started."
"You don't have to. Please..." Kruenai replied as she looked back at an excited Anko who kept touching the seal mark and Ashina's counter seal over her collar. "You've done more than enough."
"No.. I took away from your time together since you were both on your way to get Dango. I honestly only fixed that seal due to my pride as a seal master. So how about I treat you all to some Dango anyway?"
"Really!?" Anko asked with excitement get right into Ashina's face.
"Yeah.. Sure... I won the bet so it'll only be for the day though."
"Aww shit you did win the bet." Anko groaned in annoyance. "Right so I better make this one count then"
"Don't even think about breaking the bank on this." Ashina snapped back as he pushed Anko back into his room. "Now get ready cause the kid's coming with us."
"You can hiding now Naruto." Ashina blankly stated as he shut the door.
"So... How long did you know I was in the room?" Naruto asked. Kurenai couldn't believe what the kid was saying. She couldn't sense him at all.
"I noticed when I released the restriction seal. You were hanging into the roof at the time. Looks like you have finished you tree climbing exercises then." Ashina smirked back towards Naruto who Kureani noticed was starting to look a little nervous.
"Looks like i'm gonna have to you your... Training then huh..."
"No." Naruto paled as he looked at Ashina.
"Just kidding. Just leave Musashi in my room and we'll head out for Dango."
"Ramen after though."
"We'll see if Anko tries to break the bank if i'll be able to afford it."
"Awesome ttebayo!" Naruto shouted with excitement as he rushed towards Ashina's room.
"Wait Ank." Kurenai stated towards Naruto but Ashina stopped her from continuing.
"Let it be." Ashina stated as Naruto opened Ashina's door only to find several kunai and shuriken flying towards him.
"FUCKING PERVERT! DIE!" Anko shouted out with all her feminine fury as Naruto barely was able to dodge each attack before quickly shutting the door. There was soon several loud thuds heard which meant there were a few kunai and shuriken now stuck on Ashina's door.
"Why is Hebi-chan in there?" A pale Naruto asked.
"You were in the room when she went in there Naruto. You tell me." Ashina response reminding Naruto who blushed in embarrassment as he forgot. "And why did you call Anko, Hebi-chan?"
"Well, Hebi-chan used to look after me when I was a kid... One night when I was being attacked she showed me her face to help calm me down cause I was scared of the mask." Naruto answering causing Ashina and Kurenai to smile back at him.
"Is that so huh?" Ashina responded. 'Maybe sealing that curse mark won't be enough to repay her for looking after Naruto then...' He thought to himself.
"Maybe i'll let her go nuts with her Dango order then..."
And Cut!
So another chapter over with. Now the plan for this story is gonna be easy enough to explain. Part 1 of Naruto will mainly be focusing on Ashina's story while Part 2 will be about both Ashina and Naruto and Part 3 (The War) will be mainly Naruto but Ashina will still play a part in it but I won't be going into anymore details due to spoilers lol
But I did get two questions for you all for the first proper Q&A!
1) Have you decided on a pairing for Ashina? Yes. I can't confirm who at the moment but I will confirm it's not Kurenai.
2) Are you going to be doing HaruHina or NaruSaku? Honestly I am a NaruHina fan. Alway have been since I first read the manga. But I do enjoy several NaruSaku stories on this site but to answer your question Naruto won't be paired off in this story until the last few chapters. But I will be hinting at both... Cause i'm evil like that.
So that's all for this chapter folks. If you have a question do feel free to post a review or PM myself. If I don't answer your question on next chapter's Q&A I will try to reply via PM. No spoiler question though. they won't be given full answers. But anyway thank you for reading this chapter. I hope you've all enjoyed it. Till next time!