Naruto Effect
Chapter 4
Unlike the trip to the ambush site Shepard made no bones about getting back to the village as soon as possible. They needed to go over the data that Naruto had collected as well as make sure Lee would get some rest after nearly being blown up. Despite his protests against the idea Kakashi and his group found themselves being ferried in a couple of shuttles which turned a 6 hour trip into a mere thirty minute ride. To their credit, Naruto and Sakura seemed the least bothered of all the Shinobi with both just claiming, 'It's like riding a toad' when asked, leaving odd looks among the Normandy crew and Kakashi just shaking his head. Upon arrival at Konoha, they were surprised to receive a hero's welcome for most as Tsunade immediately moved past everyone and hugged the life out of Naruto, much to the poor boy's embarrassment.
"Good work everyone. You have all done well considering the circumstances. Kakashi, come with me to report, please follow as well Shepard-san as I would like to hear your thoughts." She said before turning towards Naruto and grabbing the back of his collar "You're coming too brat, I want to know what you saw in Iwa."
"Awww, but I wanted to get ramen!"
"Jonin's don't whine about ramen Naruto." came from Sakura
"What should we do Shepard?" asked Jack.
"Send the shuttle back with Garrus and Grunt, Tali and Jack should stay behind with me," she answered before turning back to Tsunade. "Is that acceptable?"
"Most acceptable, please follow me," Tsunade answered before heading back to the Hokage tower dragging a protesting Naruto behind her.
After a quick walk, the group reached the tower as well as the Hokage's office. Shepard wasn't surprised at seeing the pair of old Advisers that were around before the attack but she didn't recognize the man who was also there. He was very tall, with long hair and white eyes and looked like an older version of that Neji kid who was just on the mission with them.
Kakashi gave his report in a very dull manner going over every point of the battle. Shepard herself was asked a few questions but mostly it seemed that Kakashi covered the majority of the details.
"And what of Naruto's involvement? Was he not on a separate mission and yet he entered this fight?" asked the older woman in a tone that clearly was meant to get under Naruto's skin. Too bad her trap didn't work.
"I had completed my mission and was making my way back to try and support whatever force would be sent to defend the border towns," he replied, much to her chagrin.
"I find it had to believe that you went into Iwa and still made it back to support our forces much less turn the tide of battle."
"Hyuuga-sama," Naruto started to explain, "I could not enter Iwa directly but I got as close as possible without being detected. Security was extremely tight and I chose to observe and use this thing and get what I could, rather than chance it and get caught." At which point he raised his arm that had the Omni-tool still on it.
"Oh, and what sort of information did you get? I still have yet to see our new friends present it to us," the Hyuuga leader said in a very condescending tone.
"Since you asked nicely" Shepard started and tapped her Omni-tool to project what Naruto had sent. "It looks like the Geth have occupied the village and are using it as an outpost. Mostly likely they will bring in more troops once they finish changing that village into the outpost. The best plan is to hit them now and wipe them out before they can get any sort of hold on the land much less the planet."
"So, this is Iwa's problem and not ours," said the older man to Shepard's surprise. Don't tell me these people are going to be idiots about this.
"I agree with the councilor, we should not get involved in another village's problems. Especially given they haven't asked for help and we have proven that we can defeat their forces in combat"
"You can't be seriously thinking like that!" Tali exclaimed,"the Geth will take over everything and not just stick to one village!"
"We will see but for now I think that you're outlived your stay," the female councilor continued.
"But, we need to help Shepard-san. We should take their help. They know how to deal with the One Eyes better than anyone." Naruto pleaded, not understanding why they didn't want to help the people in Iwa.
"Be silent, you are only here as a courtesy and have no say in village matters. Your promotion is questionable enough as is especially given who your moth..."
"ENOUGH!" came from Tsunade. "This news is something we need to discuss among ourselves. Naruto, please be kind and show our guests out as you are also dismissed."
Shepard didn't need to say anything herself to know that there's more going on here than just a village wanting to protect their own interests. I hate politics she thought to herself as this seemed very similar to when the Citadel council started playing games when Saren was on the move. Walking out of the tower, she couldn't help but notice how down Naruto seemed.
"Don't take it personally," she said hoping it would help Naruto. "Politics always mess everything up"
"Yea, but I don't think I helped matters too much."
"You spoke up, that's more than most would do."
"Shepard's right Blondie. Don't worry about those idiots. So, where can we get something to eat around here?" Jack asked him to which all three saw his eyes light up, not realizing they had awoken a sleeping dragon.
The Ramen bar that he had dragged the trio to was quite the place. The food was decent and Jack seemed to enjoy it while Shepard and Tali enjoyed the warm greeting and conversation with the cook and his daughter who both made them feel very welcomed. Shepard soon learned how close the small family was to their young friend when she was pulled aside by the daughter named Ayame and she started asking all sorts of questions, including asking what Tali's intentions were towards Naruto. Shepard spent most of her time reassuring the woman that there was nothing like that going on and if anything, they would just be friends. I've faced down Krogan, Geth, Rachni, Reapers, and been blown into space and yet I'd rather deal with them all at once than go through this she thought to herself as the girl kept grilling her.
Finally accepting Shepard's answer that Tali wouldn't 'interfere' with Naruto and Sakura's courtship, which finally answered Shepard's own question on that issue. Though if Shepard were honest, she had a feeling that Tali had less than honorable intentions towards Naruto, given the girl's body language around him.
Ayame was also able to answer a few questions of Shepard's as well. Most of them revolved about Naruto and his background and heritage, to which the girl claimed she didn't know much, though Shepard could tell the girl knew more then she let on, other than he was an orphan and that he grew up alone until he became a shinobi. Shepard also asked about Kushina but Ayame honestly didn't know who she was even after being told of Shepard's resemblance of the person.
Things seemed to be dying down as Naruto had finished his tenth bowl of ramen when one of the ANBU appeared, alerting them that the Hokage would like to see them all right away.
Shepard already had a bad feeling about this.
Entering the office again, only a few hours after leaving there and Jane Shepard didn't have to be an Asari to know that something was up and that it wasn't good.
"After some serious discussion, I regret to inform you that Konoha cannot and will not be involve in any further actions you and your group may be taking in Iwa," she started. "We thank you for your assistance in defending our boarder village and hope that in the future we can work together again."
"So, we're on our own then?" Shepard affirmed sourly. "Fine but I should also inform you to be wary of a race called the Collectors."
"And why do you say that Shepard-san?"
Shepard then went on to recount what she knew of the Reapers, the Protheans and the Collectors. How the Collectors are attacking human colonies and taking the people and how the Reapers are a race of immortal machines that come every 50,000 years to wipe out all organic life. She knew it would be a lot for them to take in, but at least it got their attention and they were talking among themselves for a second after Shepard finished telling.
"Was it right to tell them?" asked Tali in a near whisper.
"No, but maybe it will at least get them to help us or allow us to borrow a few of their troops."
"What's up with Blondie?" Jack asked as Tali and Shepard turned to look to see he appeared to be in a bit of a trance before his eyes snapped and he mouthed 'Holy shit' almost in disbelief.
"Baa-Chan! We have to help them. Not only here but against these Reaper things as well."
"Be silent Naruto, you know nothing!" hissed the older adviser.
"I do know, you have to trust me on this," his eyes trying to imply the reason why he knows.
"I'd like to Naruto," replied Tsunade. "But this is too much and even I think it's an act of desperation, no offense." She said looking over at Shepard.
"None taken. I just felt you should know as the Collector's may come and you should at least be ready. Since we won't be working together any longer, I think my team and I should depart to figure out how to deal with the Geth." Shepard replied before giving a small bow. "It's been a pleasure and we will be gone within the hour." Before turning and walking towards the door.
"Very well, Naruto you are also dismissed. Please see them out before you return to your home and relax. You're earned it."
Leaving the building the three women and one shinobi looked at each other.
"So I guess this is goodbye…" Naruto said with a sad tone.
"Don't feel bad, you tried to help us. More than you probably should. I just hope you don't get in trouble over it." Shepard told him before catching him off guard by pulling him into a hug. "Take care of yourself kid, I won't be around to save you again," and then releasing it and turning to walk towards the gate. Naruto then watching as Jack nodded to him and Tali walked up and gave him a hug as well and then followed her leader away.
Reaching for her communicator Shepard called up to the Normandy, "Joker, we're done here. Get a shuttle to pick us up and tell Miranda to get everyone ready for a briefing."
Watching the three walk away, Naruto had a very bad feeling as he turned towards his home.
Reaching his home, Naruto knew that what happened back at Tsunade's office wasn't right. What happened to the alliance that had formed to fight Madara? What happened to the peace that finally was reached between Konoha and Iwa? This isn't what he wanted or what he promised Nagato and Konan. But the biggest thing was what the fox had told him when it started screaming at him the moment Shepard mentioned what these 'Reapers' were. Naruto knew not to trust it but there were times he knew it didn't lie and this was one of them. Was it because they were outsiders that the old fossils refused to listen?
All along the one lesson that Kakashi taught him that he held on to was repeating in his head.
Those who do not obey the rules are trash but those who betray their comrades are worst than trash!
Naruto couldn't help that he felt like he was betraying his comrades by sitting here while they go off to fight those One-Eye Geth-things in Iwa.
Something needed to be done.
Boarding the shuttle, Shepard turned to take one final look at the gate where some people had gathered. Not seeing who she was hoping to see she sat down and closed the door to signal to the pilot to take off.
"Shepard, I just realized. You forgot to take the Omni-tool back from Naruto"
"Yes, I guess we need to turn back..." but that was stopped when the felt and heard a large THUMP on the roof followed by some knocking.
"What the hell is that?" asked Jack
Opening the door, they were surprised when something orange jumped in turning out to be Naruto.
"I thought about it and I'm going to help you even if Konoha won't," he said firmly.
"Umm…ok." Jack said before continuing, "won't you get in deep shit over this?"
"Ya, I may even get marked as a missing-nin and hunted for desertion. At best I'll just get yelled at." He started to explain.
"This is serious Naruto. You could get in big trouble over this. You don't have to go this far," Tali started. "It's ok we won't think any less of you."
"She's right, go home and be happy."
"NO! I can't. Not now, not ever. I won't ever leave a friend in trouble and you are my friends."
"Shepard, we need to take him back before he's missed," Tali started to tell her commander.
Shepard just watched him and could see he had his gear and a backpack, indicating he was going even if they said no. This isn't how she wanted it, but for once it was nice that someone wanted to help them instead of being left on their own to figure things out and someone else taking the credit.
"Can you get us into the village undetected?"
"Yep."
"Fine, you can come along on two conditions..." Shepard started ignoring the protests from Tali, "The first being you do as you're told from now on."
"I can live with that. What's the second" Naruto asked
"No more holding back. I know you were probably told or ordered or whatever but no more."
Stretching the back of his head and smiling Naruto knew the cat was out of the bag, "I guess you figured that out." A serious look soon spreads across his face. "I won't let you down."
"Good." Then fingers her Comm. Unit to call up to the Normandy, "Joker, change of plans – The four of us are heading straight to the village to take out the Geth base."
"Umm…did you say four?"
"Yes, Four." She replied and then grabbing something she turned back to Naruto.
"Here, you'll need this Comm-Unit. Just stick it in your ear, you'll also be able to hear updates from the Normandy as well," Shepard explained.
"Welcome to the team," was the last thing she said to the newest member of her squad.
Despite the questions by the advisers, it turned out that Naruto's scans of the village were as accurate as possible and much better than Shepard could have expected from any of her people. The Geth had indeed made it quite difficult to get into the Village proper without being spotted much less undetected. Once again, Shepard questioned the fact that politics seem to rule the day within Konoha instead of the merits of their people. Their loss our gain she thought as they made their way towards the village wall.
Waiting for nightfall they slipped in through the hole in the wall that Naruto had found when he did his initial scan, the four made their way past the various Geth patrols as they moved to what Tali pointed out as the main hub. The plan was fairly simple – blow the hub and then just pick off any remaining Geth. This would work very well, especially given the Geth numbers were lower than expected, most likely due to the fact that they lost most of their larger units not to mention their Prime in the last engagement. It would also minimize Iwa causalities, although it seemed that most had evacuated prior to the Geth occupation.
The plan called for the four to split up to each take their assigned positions as Naruto went to use his explosives to blow the hub. Jack would stay close to the young man and cover him using her Biotics while Shepard and Tali would take up positions to cover any of the outer guards who would come in. On paper it worked, but Shepard always knew that all plans had a tendency to change.
Telling Naruto 'not to hold back' was possibly the best move Shepard ever made. The Geth didn't stand a chance once the hub was blown up. The three women knew Naruto was fast but they didn't know he could do half the tricks he did. Using water to create a stream to blow Geth away, creating a wall of earth from the ground to help give Jack and Tali cover, and creating a whirlwind to send that one Geth flying that would have gotten Shepard in the back, along with his ability to create copies of himself made the fight very different than anyone expected. From start to finish, the fight barely lasted twenty minutes and made Naruto question why they waited the hours till nightfall to go in like they did.
After an hour or so of rest and checking the area to find a good spot for the shuttle to land the three women were still standing in awe of their new comrade, as it was Tali that broke the silence, "You were amazing!" She said to Naruto.
"I'll say. Damn, you kicked ass." came from Jack
"You guys were good too," he said in reply bashfully. "But I thought you didn't use chakra? What was with all the chakra you were using during the fight?"
"Biotics is different than Chakra but I'm not shocked if it looks the same to you Naruto. For example how you have to do those hand movements and we don't." Shepard explained trying to detail the difference between herself and Jack with him.
Naruto nodded and while he didn't fully understand, he was always told that everyone had chakra after all, he accepted what they said since to them his chakra use and jutsu's must be magic or something. They continued to be quiet and rested as Shepard said the shuttle was still on its way from the Normandy. He then looked and while he couldn't see her face because of her helmet he could tell something was bothering Tali.
"What's wrong Tali-Chan? You're not hurt or anything are you?"
"No, I'm fine. I just...well…what are you going to do after we leave?"
"Hmmm, haven't thought about that. I probably shouldn't go back to Konoha for a while though. Let Tsunade-baachan and Sakura-Chan and everything else calm down a bit. I'll probably just travel around and keep my head down and then eventually head back," he answered as he heard the shuttle fly over and descend to pick up its crew.
Looking at the shuttle and back at the young man, Shepard said something the others didn't really expect
"You can always come with us."
"I don't think that would be possible for him Shepard-san."
For a moment it looked like something was going to go Naruto's way for a change. For once, there were people who didn't see him as the dead last, a burden, a curse or a reminder of their past sins. She may not have known it, but just by making that offer, Jane Shepard had earned a place in Naruto's heart forever. That changed though with the voice of a newcomer that Naruto immediately recognized as that of Kakashi and just by looking in the direction of that voice he could see in the darkness that his sensei was not alone. Along with the older man were Kiba and Akamaru, Sai, Tenten and Neji and while Naruto wasn't the brightest he knew of a squad designed to track and bring him back when he saw it.
"Geeze, you guys sure know how to have a party," came from Kiba looking around the remains of the village.
"Naruto," started his old teacher as he lifted his headband to reveal his Sharingan eye, "Tsunade-sama had a feeling you wouldn't sit back but I don't think she expected that you would actually pull this off with them. That doesn't matter though, you left the village without permission and now we are here to take you back. You can come quietly or we'll drag you back. Either way, your adventure ends now."
Kakashi was hoping he wouldn't have to fight Naruto or at least fight him as a foe, as apposed to as a friend. He was already forced to do that with Sasuke once and he never wanted to do it with either of his remaining students. At this point he was counting on Naruto's loyalty to end this without incident. Of course, Kakashi didn't count on someone else stepping into the fray as Shepard stepped in front of Naruto with her weapon drawn and pointing it at Kakashi.
"He's not going anywhere he doesn't want to go" was all she said as both Tali and Jack drew their weapons and joined Shepard standing in front of Naruto.
"This is not your concern Shepard-san. Please stand back and allow Naruto to return to the village." Kakashi said.
"Oh Hell no," Jack said
"For once I agree with Jack completely," Tali chimed in
"You're going to hide behind these women Naruto? I knew you were weak but I didn't think you were a coward?" Kiba said, clearly trying to rile up Naruto.
"At least I got women that I'm not related to Dog Breath" Naruto shouted back
"That's it! You're going to get it first Doggy boy," Jack said.
The situation was tense and getting out of control and both Kakashi and Shepard knew it was one bad move from ending in bloodshed, something both didn't want to happen. Shepard began to weigh her options and decided to try to see if she could talk to the man.
"There must be a way we can end this peacefully," Shepard said to Kakashi
"Well, I guess there's no way I can convince you to just let him come with us and we all go our own ways?" he asked
"I'm afraid not. Looks like we're at an impasse," she confirmed. "Especially now that he's coming with me." She finished making the decision for Naruto.
"I am?" came from a slightly confused Naruto
Trying to look past the woman Kakashi decided to try and see if he could appeal to Naruto and get him to end this especially given that it seemed his former student didn't plan on leaving with them in the first place.
"Naruto, I know you don't want us to fight. But you know what you did was wrong so you have to come back and face what you did. You expected no less from Sasuke…" but right then Kakashi realized his mistake as he knew that compared Naruto to Sasuke was a very bad thing to do now.
"Naruto-kun, please, think about everyone who will be hurt by this. Think about Tsunade-sama. Think about Sakura-san!" Tenten pleaded. Thankfully Tenten's plea got Naruto to calm down a bit, enough so that things didn't get too far out of hand.
"She is correct. Sakura-san and you have gone through much, your leaving would destroy her," Sai added.
"She's strong Sai and she deserves better than me…" Naruto answered in a slightly sad voice
Neji took a step forward and Tali pushed her gun forward to aim at him.
"You must come back. Hinata-sama has assured that you will not face any true repercussions over this and will help you any way she can."
"Yea yea, I've heard this story before. Don't believe him Naruto," Jack said, so used to deceit.
Kakashi knew he messed up his chance and now it was clear that he couldn't do much to change Naruto's mind. But maybe, "Where would you go Naruto? You're too high profile to be given protection by any other village and I know you will not join any other village."
He hoped by making Naruto think, he could get him to see reason. He didn't realize that Shepard would step in at this point.
"He's still coming with us," she said. "But I'll back you in whatever you want to do in the end Naruto"
She didn't need to look at him to see that he was wrestling with all sorts of thoughts. But she hoped that he would make the right choice for him and not out of duty or honor or anything else the people in front of her were trying to convince him by.
"I want to go with Shepard-neechan," he said. "Her and her people helped us against the One Eyes and now her people need our help." There was a pause before he finished, "What kind of Hokage would I be if I didn't stand up to help against an enemy to all."
"Are you positive about this?"
"She is right Kakashi-Sensei" he said and his put his hand on his stomach.
With a sigh Kakashi finally realized that Naruto got advisement from another source on this and I guess that is that, looks like the Fox must have told him something to get him to believe their story.
"Uzumaki Naruto, there is no turning back. You will be marked as an S-Class missing-nin. You can never have your dream. You can never return to Konoha." He stated in a harsh tone like the one he used with Sasuke all those years ago.
"I understand. I am the sacrifice after-all. I will just be happy knowing that I'm helping protect everyone even if it's an enemy none of you will ever see."
Shepard knew that Naruto had made his decision and that it seemed that he managed to end this as peacefully as possible. Best to leave before they can change their mind, "Jack, Tali, Naruto. Board the shuttle; we're heading back to the Normandy".
Kakashi watched as the two females backed up, with Tali taking Naruto by the arm as she directed him to join them. He looked at Shepard and saw she had only just started to move back but still had her weapon pointed at them.
"I'll trust that you'll look after him. He can be quite the handful," he said.
"You can tell your Hokage that her grandson will be in good hands." She replied with a smile as she reached the shuttle door, revealing that she knew what 'baachan' implied.
"Oh, by the way. His mother. That's the woman you resemble," Kakashi said. "Now I believe I have lived up to my end of our deal."
"Interesting. Thank you for finally telling me," she replied. "Take care of yourself, Kakashi," she finished as she jumped in the shuttle and it began to take off.
As it headed into the sky the collected Shinobi looked sad, disappointed and ultimately confused.
"Are we fine with this? We basically let him get away," Kiba questioned knowing he missed his chance to finally get back at Naruto for Hinata's sake.
"As it stood they wouldn't have let him go and if we fought Naruto would have lost it," Kakashi said. "The last thing we needed was Naruto completely out of control. Don't worry though, I'll explain what happened to Tsunade-sama and hope she doesn't kill me."
"What about Sakura-san?"
"I'll leave her a note then take a nice long mission out of the village."
Kakashi looked up into the sky once more and saw the transport was nothing more than a small light in the sky.
I wonder if Naruto is ready for this he thought for a second before smiling with the thought for that matter if everything up there is ready for Naruto.
Author's notes: All done and posted after major re-writes and back and forth discussions with my beta as we had different views on a number of things. Nothing to really point out specifically just that I'm not the best at writing dialogue whereas GT (I'll call my beta GT for the initials of her pen name on the site) excels at it so major thanks to her for the assist. Anyway, you can call this the end of the first arc of the story as we now are getting into gear as Naruto's real adventure begins!
Just for those who are worried - this is not a "Kunshia lost of her memory and has returned" story. Shepard and Kushina are very different people and that will eventually come up. Can't give away more than that. ;)
Thanks for reading and see you next time.