Chapter 7-Blood and Information
Naruto flew to Rice Country at all speed high above the clouds. His eyes hardened to be like steel. His mind just as sharp while planning out on what to do when arriving at his intended destination. Naruto of course knew the whole point of this mission to retrieve his long lost Uzumaki Clan family member was suppose to be a simple smash and grab.
With a hint of shock and awe attached to any survivors who saw him be a total badass...if he let anyone survive to see him be a total badass.
What troubled Naruto though was Kabuto was possibly very much alive after the whole failed invasion by Suna and Sound. Until Naruto left for this mission, the young Saiyan wondered just how that was possible, and only gazing into the various Jutsus Konoha had regarding disguises did he find his answer.
The Corpse Clone Jutsu.
An intriguing Jutsu meant to be Konoha's version of dabbing into puppetry in a crude, yet subtle way based on deception. The trick of this particular Jutsu was to disguise yourself as one of the enemy or someone else. Meanwhile, you used a corpse of someone, who was basically the same height, weight, and even blood type as you be put in a temporary reanimated state. They were secretly tied to you via chakra strings, which played the dead body like a puppet to walk, talk, and even act like you as if it was you.
And of course one of the major requirements for this rarity of a Jutsu to even work was medical knowledge of the human body at an almost unprecedented level. Sasori of the Red Sands formerly of Suna had done significant study on the human body in order to make his puppets and get them fight just as well as if they were actually alive. Tayuya had mentioned to him before he left that Kabuto had been a former spy of Sasori sent to keep an eye on Orochimaru when the Sannin left the Akatsuki to ensure the man would not become a threat to the organization.
Only for Orochimaru to catch on and turn Kabuto to his side. Both Missing Nin had put quite a bit of knowledge into the silvery haired boy during his time with each of them and Kabuto proved to be a quick learner. It was no real surprise to Naruto that Kabuto could use and did use the Corpse Clone Jutsu given his upbringing in Konoha when he was not under the "guidance" of either Missing Nin.
Clearly the student had surpassed his teachers in terms of treachery and escaping from the enemy when needed.
'Though I wonder if Orochimaru is alive? If Kabuto is alive, could the Sannin be too, and just lost his one arm to throw people off his trail?' thought Naruto to himself since it was a possibility.
There was only one real way to find out.
Hovering over the base that Tayuya told him was in fact underground to avoid detection from prying eyes and ears from the likes of Jiraiya's spy network, Naruto descended with the speed of a freight train, and smashed straight into the heart of the base. Naturally, the base went on full alert, alarms blaring, and all its forces being deployed to defend it from the invader standing in the middle of his rather violent entrance. In fact, Naruto had been there for barely a two whole minutes, and already he was being swarmed by base's enemy Sound Nin.
Only to be obliterated by a blast of energy generated from his body.
'Now if I were an Uzumaki in a snake pit, where would I be?' thought Naruto while he began sensing the different energy signatures around the base until two noticeable ones came to his mind.
One was obviously Karin due to those with Uzumaki blood having a unique signature from what he could tell when using Tsunade as a partial template given her own family connection. The other one made Naruto scowl since he knew the signature from his time in Konoha and in the Chuunin Exams leading up to the invasion.
Kabuto.
Walking toward Kabuto's location, the Saiyan warrior knew the man also knew he was here, and yet made no move to flee. Finding himself curious regarding Kabuto's stupidity, the young ninja blasted the steel door down where his target was located, and saw the man smirking at him. Surrounding the former right hand of Orochimaru was the countless experiments the two had worked on in the past. Each of these creations clearly had their own minds, their very freewill, and overall identity taken from them to be molded into something not their own. Warped to be puppets and slaves to the will of their creators and tormentors who worked on them day and night without mercy.
Naruto almost felt pity for them. Almost.
"Hello Naruto-kun. Fancy meeting you here of all places. I'm curious as to how exactly you were able to find me," commented Kabuto with Naruto never taking his eyes off of the presumed dead man.
"Don't flatter yourself. I wasn't hunting for you Kabuto. Though I'm not surprised to find you alive. Your Corpse Clone was most impressive to fool the Mizukage," replied Naruto with Kabuto looking a tad surprised.
"So you know about that Jutsu. I didn't think you did. Curious as to how you know about it when such a Jutsu was never covered at the Academy," remarked Kabuto while Naruto shrugged.
"Curious indeed. But enough small talk. I'm here to kill you and take what doesn't belong in your clutches," said Naruto while making his hands into tightly clenched fists to make popping sounds in the process.
"Do you really think your power can best mine? Or my minions. You have no idea how strong I am Naruto-kun. I am on par with Hatake Kakashi himself," taunted Kabuto with Naruto raising an eyebrow at him.
"And? Is that suppose to frighten me? I took on the One-Tailed Biju and won. I took on a three headed snake summons and won. I walked through the Forest of Death and threw a bag of headbands down at the feet of the Sandaime Hokage to show I could crush all who stood in my path. Everything and everyone who is essentially stronger then you, I have faced...and won against. Do you really think your small army deformed test subjects and the albino in the shadows slowly rising from that lab table to my right over there have a chance at killing me?" questioned Naruto with the man in front of him frowning.
"Kill him. Kill the man who helped kill Orochimaru-sama!" commanded Kabuto with the various deformed experiments charging Naruto with bloodlust in their eyes.
Naruto smirked before he met the large number of enemies head on to the surprise of the man who commanded them to attack in the first place. Moving with superior speed and skill, Naruto smashed his way though them all. His fighting skills decimated each poor, deformed, and ultimately mindless souls standing in his way. Behind him, the albino figure moved to engage Naruto from behind, but the Saiyan easily countered white haired man with an arm block.
But what slightly surprised Naruto was the fact this person could make bones come out of his body and use them as weapons. Not only that, but Naruto actually found this warrior to be quite skilled in Taijutsu. It the situation wasn't so serious, Naruto would have found more time to enjoy this fight. Sadly, all good things come to an end, and this fight was no different for the blonde Saiyan.
"Sorry pal, but you are in my way. Nothing personal," remarked Naruto before blasting the albino back with a ball of energy that would severely injure the man or possibly kill him.
"Not bad Naruto-kun. Kimimaro is one of the best warriors in Sound, but let's see you defeat someone of MY skill in Taijutsu," commented Kabuto with his chakra scalpel in both his hands with the intent to cut through Naruto's various internal organs.
"Your skills aren't bad Kabuto, but I have, and fought seen better fighters. Much better fighters," said Naruto, as he easily blocked each of Kabuto's strikes with ease, and just as easily knocked the Sound Nin back.
Frowning, Kabuto realized that as good as his fighting was, and his healing ability when injured was almost on par with a Jinchuriki, the man knew he was no match for Naruto. Maybe in a few years of extensive research, experimentations, and few underhanded tactics when facing Naruto. But not now. He needed an exit and fast.
"You may have fought stronger appoints on a physical level, but I am by far the superior warrior in terms of brains," remarked Kabuto before activating the base's time delayed self-destruction seal on the wall behind him with a smirk on his face.
"Coward. Just like your former Master. Always running when something becomes too hard to handle. That's the problem with Prodigies. No endurance in the face of adversity," commented Naruto while seeing Kabuto move to flee to a supposedly secret exit.
Before moving with his superior speed to get in his way.
"Are you going to stop me from escaping Naruto-kun? What about the person you are looking for? This base is collapsing. Within a few minutes, the person you are hoping to find will be dead. Can you live with yourself if that happens?" asked Kabuto with Naruto just looking at him for a moment before smirking.
"Only a few minutes? That long? Piece of cake," answered Naruto before raising his hand and shot a blast of energy at a shocked Kabuto that caused the man to explode violently into multiple gory pieces.
Seeing stirring and a sound of groaning echoing in the corner where he blasted Kimimaro not that long ago, the blonde Saiyan saw the albino was barely alive, and refused to die despite his injuries. The man was losing a lot of blood and his injuries were very severe from what Naruto could see of the struggling albino.
It was actually quite impressive.
"You might as well take him Naruto-kun. You may get a good sparring partner out of it if I can heal him," commented Kyu calmly while Naruto shrugged before picking the man up.
"Ah what the Hell. I might as well grab as many people as possible," commented Naruto before he moved toward his intended target that was Uzumaki Karin.
And bumped into her when he saw the girl running for her life to get out of the base.
"Hey! Watch it...you...stupid...jerk," said Karin before she saw who it was she bumped into and who he was carrying.
"Oh good. You are right here. This just made things a whole lot easier for me," remarked Naruto before picking the surprised girl up over his shoulder while Karin herself let out a squawk at being kidnapped in an undignified manner.
"Hey! What the Hell do you think you're doing? Put me down you baka!" demanded Karin while smashing her fists against his back.
"Calm down Karin. Don't get your panties in a knot. This place is about to go boom in the next few minutes. Is there anyone else here I should possibly grab?" replied Naruto with Karin stopping her struggles to think for a second.
"There is one guy, but he's a real asshole. His name is Suigetsu. There is another guy in a cell, but...I don't think he will want to be rescued by you," replied Karin with Naruto now frowning and brought her nearly face to face with him.
"Where? Show me now!" commanded Naruto before held her out in front of him like a compass and ignored the cheek puffing woman while she point in the right direction.
Moving quickly, Naruto found his way into the surprisingly clean lab that Karin was just in since it was her assigned post by Orochimaru before he left for the Chuunin Exams. In said lab, there were test tubes, computers, stacks upon stacks of papers, and of course the many dangerous chemicals in it capable of creating a weapon of mass destruction.
"Over there. The container filled with what looks like water," said Karin while Naruto looked at container of water with a raised eyebrow.
"So...what is this exactly?" asked Naruto with Karin looking insulted.
"There is a guy you baka! His name is Suigetsu. Another baka. Orochimaru experimented on him and his bloodline awhile back so he can turn into water. He was from Kiri before being brought here. Suigetsu is a jerk, but I don't hate him enough to let the baka be left here to die when this place goes," explained Karin before picking up the container and smashing it.
To reveal Suigetsu form from his liquid state...and also him being naked.
"You didn't say he would be naked Karin," commented Naruto with a glare to Karin who blushed and looked away from the nude boy.
"I forgot. He's been in there for months!" protested Karin while Suigetsu looked bored.
"I'm right here you know," commented Suigetsu lazily.
"This whole place is going to blow soon. We need to move," said Naruto with Suigetsu simply shrugging.
"And I should care why? I'll just turn to water and reform," replied Suigetsu with Naruto giving him a deadpanned look.
"Hard to do when you are buried under rubble to the point where even if you reform, you are still buried underground, and have no way to escape long after it happens," remarked Naruto with Suigetsu blinking for a second in thought on the issue.
"Well...shit," replied Suigetsu before Naruto saw a nearby lab coat hanging on the wall and threw it to the naked man.
"Wear this until we get out of here. Last thing I want to do is carry a naked man out of here and feel his junk on me," remarked Naruto with Suigetsu put on the lab coat.
"Better then nothing I suppose," commented Suigetsu mildly.
"Uh...not to press the obvious but uh...WE NEED TO MOVE BEFORE THIS PLACE EXPLODES!" yelled Karin angrily.
"There is still one person left to find. The one you mentioned stays in his cell willingly," commented Naruto with Suigetsu looking at him with more interest.
"You mean Jugo? I don't think you want to let him out. That guy is messed up. Will go completely psycho over the smallest thing. The only one who can keep him calm when out is Kimimaro and judging from his bleeding body here...that won't be possible in the future," remarked Suigetsu with Naruto narrowing his eyes at him.
"I'll be the judge on whether to spare Jugo mercy. As for his outbursts and Kimimaro here being healed...you leave that to me when we're safely away from this base," commented Naruto before he grabbed Suigetsu and listened to Karin on where Jugo's cell was located before finding the man inside waiting to die.
"Leave me here. I want to die. I only hurt people when I'm outside," whispered Jugo in a depressing tone while Naruto ripped the cell open, grabbed him, and after putting Karin over his shoulder (much to her displeasure) he blasted a hole straight through the ceiling straight to the outside.
Following that, the young Saiyan flew up with those he rescued, ignored Karin's screams of fear, and Suigetsu's cursing as he did so. Just when he landed a safe distance away from the Sound base, the area where it once stood exploded violently, killing everything, and everyone left inside of the base. Leaving only a crater in wake of the explosion that was worthy of praise from the Mad Bomber of Iwa, if the man had seen it for his own eyes.
"Aren't you glad I rescued you all now?" asked Naruto with Karin nodding dumbly along with Suigetsu while Jugo looked blankly at the remains of the place that had been his crude home of sorts since coming into Orochimaru's service.
"So...uh...what now?" asked Suigetsu curiously while Kimimaro groaned in pain.
"Now? Now I heal your albino friend here," replied Naruto before turning Kimimaro on his back and put his hand on the bloody man's body.
"What did you do to him?" demanded Jugo in a suddenly serious tone at seeing his only friend in this state and his power started to come off of him.
"He fought me and lost," replied Naruto while channeling Kyu's chakra into Kimimaro and began to slowly heal the albino's injuries.
"You attacked my friend?!" demanded Jugo with his body and personality going through a change while Karin and Suigetsu backed away.
"He attacked me first. Also, I suggest you calm down before you do something stupid. If you interfere in what I'm doing now, the backlash of energy I'm generating will kill him," said Naruto with Jugo breathing heavily, his body, and mind seemed to be struggling with itself in terms of what to do next.
"Calm down man. Look! The injuries Kimimaro has are healing. You don't want to risk his health, right?" said Suigetsu nervously while Jugo narrowed his eyes at the sight of Kimimaro's wounds being healed.
"Yeah! At least hear what this guy has to say before you go all psycho on him for what he did earlier," added Karin while Jugo slowly clamed down and still had a serious look on his face.
Naruto ignored them by this point, as he finished up healing Kimimaro, who at this point was coming back to the land of the living, and saw he was surrounded by familiar faces.
And one he did not.
"You. I remember you. I fought you briefly. Kabuto said you were the one who killed Orochimaru-sama," remarked Kimimaro with a hint of anger in his voice.
"More like assisted in stopping his plans for invading Konoha from actually working. The kill goes to the Mizukage. She melted him down with her bloodline limit. The only thing left to identify him was his arm with the snake tattoo used for summoning, which was destroyed later by me to prevent anything of him from surviving. Kabuto only said I helped in killing him so you would go into a rage to fight me in the belief you would win," countered Naruto with Kimimaro scowling before he focused on the others around him.
"You saved them. Why?" asked Kimimaro curiously.
"Because Karin is an Uzumaki and a member of my family. Suigetsu might find some kind of purpose in Konoha when we head there. Jugo I saved because he was in that cell and looked days away from killing himself. Dying without a purpose is a horrible way to go," answered Naruto with Kimimaro looking at the other before focusing back on the Saiyan.
"Are you saying you can give me purpose? Give them purpose?" asked Kimimaro while seeing Naruto nod.
"If I did offer said purpose to you? All of you? Would you take what I offered?" asked Naruto with Kimimaro thinking it over in his head before nodding.
"Yes. I would," answered Kimimaro since he had nothing now and it wasn't like killing the blonde Saiyan in front of him something to consider.
Even if Kimimaro tried, he knew Naruto was the superior fighter, and warrior between them. Even if Kimimaro had yet to use his full strength at the time and his bloodline to its fullest, the Kaguya knew simply from instinct alone that this boy was his better in just about everything regarding how to fight. Orochimaru had once given him purpose and the albino man would always be grateful for it, but the disease he had obtained during his service had made him value to the Sannin go down drastically. Only now, after Naruto had healed him did Kimimaro have a chance to be of use to his fullest, and had this boy to thank for it.
"And the three of you. Karin is family so I do want her to consider Konoha, but the two of you...that's another story," said Naruto with Karin fidgeting.
"I don't really have another place to go and if we are family like you claim, I'm going to stay with family," said Karin with Naruto smirking.
"We are family. Cousins actually. I will tell you more back in Konoha. What about you two?" replied Naruto with Suigetsu and Jugo looking at each other.
"Hell I'm game. You helped me out with being freed and escaped being destroyed by that base. Anywhere else beats being in a glass tube naked," remarked Suigetsu casually and wanted to see how Konoha did things when compared to the rest of the world.
"I am a danger to the world around me. My power is unstable. Orochimaru used it for his Curse Seals. I should have stayed in the cell and died," commented Jugo with Naruto now sighing at his defeated tone and smacked him in the head.
"You baka! That is the coward's way out. The way of the weak! Look at me Jugo! When I faced adversity, did I crawl up into a ball waiting for death to claim me? NO! I rammed my fist through it! You have a problem and I know the perfect person in Konoha to help you deal with it," stated Naruto with Jugo looking at him curiously.
"Who?" asked Jugo while Naruto smirked.
"My Godmother. She also happens to be the best damn Medic Nin in the world and is the Hokage too. Her name is Senju Tsunade," answered Naruto knowing if anyone could help Jugo with his problems, it was Tsunade.
"Are you sure? Orochimaru tried and failed to help me," questioned Jugo with Naruto frowning at the mention of the dead Sannin's name.
"That's because he most likely didn't help you at all. He probably only claimed he would help you so Kabuto could harvest your power to make those Curse Seals of his in order to jump from one body to the next," replied Naruto with Jugo looking unconvinced.
"He does have a point Jugo. Orochimaru-teme was suppose to be like some kind of super genius or something. Not to mention Kabuto had skills second only to Tsunade herself. If Orochimaru's sick mind could make those Curse Seals from your bloodline, then he there should be no problem curing you no problem. I mean, couldn't the stupid teme make you some kind of pill, or serum to keep your temper tantrums in check?" questioned Suigetsu with Jugo not liking the idea he had been used falsely by Orochimaru.
"Its true Jugo. I was Kabuto's assistant many times on many projects. All of them were designed to extend Orochimaru's life. Not once were they connected to help you," added Karin while Jugo just sighed in defeat.
"How do I know I won't trade one false savior for another?" asked Jugo to Naruto, who simply smirked.
"Because unlike Orochimaru-teme, my Godmother swore an Oath to help those in need of treatment. She takes that Oath quite seriously," said Naruto while Jugo nodded.
"Very well. I will return with you to Konoha as well," said Jugo before bowing to the Saiyan.
"Get off the ground. I hate that formal crap. Come on. We have a bit of walk ahead of us to Konoha. I would fly us there, but something tells me most of you would hate the ride," remarked Naruto with Karin glaring at him.
"Considering you put me over your shoulders and carried me like a sack of potatoes," commented Karin with a heated glare at her cousin.
"Not for nothing, but before we get to Konoha, can I get some clothing? I have nothing to be ashamed of, but I'm not a nudist or anything," said Suigetsu with Naruto nodding since they did need that for him and some new clothes for Kimimaro.
"Sure. No problem," replied Naruto before the group headed for the nearest town.
(Konoha-Root HQ)
Danzo frowned. Well he always frowned, but this was more the usual. Why? Because his intended weapon in the form of Konoha's Kyuubi Jinchuriki was out of the village. His spies in the Hokage Tower informed him of the brat heading to Rice Country to attack one of Orochimaru's bases for a possibly long lost Uzumaki Clan member. While having another Uzumaki was a great boon for the village, Danzo was angry over the fact this girl couldn't be put into his Root program without raising red flags with Tsunade, and the boy himself. While Danzo was confident he could handle the blonde Saiyan easily enough with his own hidden assets, the officially retired Konoha Nin wasn't about to force his hand when the time to do so was not upon him.
The invasion itself, had it been entirely successful in defeating Konoha's primary force, would have allowed Danzo to flank Orochimaru's forces with his Root Shinobi, and make himself out to be a hero to the survivors. Such a victory for him would have launched him to the status of Hokage and made Konoha the major military power he always envisioned it should have been for years. Sadly, things did not work out the way he hoped, and the elderly man once more had to wait until Konoha's overall Shinobi force was to weak to repel his Root from taking over.
Again, the Kyuubi Jinchuriki had prevented this by using his power to prevent Konoha, and its Shinobi from falling in a way that would have proved Danzo's method of running the village was better then his predecessors. A setback he had hoped to counter in the years to come with the right resources and events following this, but Danzo was not what one would call an optimistic man. He didn't believe in optimism. He believed in realism. As in knowing the reality of the situation one was in. And sadly for him, the reality of his situation was with his main outside backer now gone, Danzo would have to seek others who could aid him in his plans to take over Konoha.
But who?
Iwa? Not a chance. They would sooner see all of Konoha destroyed in its entirety. Danzo and his Root included. Hell, the man would sooner have the Kyuubi Jinchuriki become Hokage before him. Kumo? They would just pillage Konoha of everything valuable from Jutsus to bloodlines and leave nothing left for Danzo to build on. Kiri? After the Rebels won against the previous Mizukage? With the aid of the Kyuubi Jinchuriki no less? Not possible. Suna was out of the question given their current situation of needing to recover from the invasion too. Danzo wasn't about to make the same mistake in terms of trusting a minor Shinobi village to help him in his plans to become Hokage.
His failure with Hanzo was proof of how unreliable they truly are when called to support him in terms of cashing in a favor.
'Perhaps the ally I seek in my plans is not in the form of a Kage of a Shinobi village, but rather in a Daimyo of a country. There are reports of a man in Snow named Doto, who is ruling with an iron fist, and is looking for away to access the advanced technology buried deep in the snow there. He's also having trouble with the Rebels there popping up and is putting a strain on him financially to pay his forces to put them down. Perhaps an alliance with him is in order. Such technology could be a good asset to have in taking Konoha for myself when the time comes to act on my plans,' thought Danzo with a smirk now having formed on his bandaged face before he snapped his fingers and a Root Nin appeared.
"Yes Danzo-sama?" asked the blank ANBU mask wearing Root Nin.
"Get in contact with Kazehana Doto. Inform him that I wish to enter an alliance with him. One that would be mutually beneficial to us," commanded Danzo with the Root Shinobi nodding before he vanished into the shadows.
"What should we do about the Uchiha? He's becoming increasingly belligerent with his Jounin sensei. With the Kyuubi Jinchuriki promoted to Chuunin recently, team 7 is now lacking a third team member," said Sai, as he kneeled in front of Danzo, and awaiting an order.
"Which is why you will be put on the team as the Kyuubi Jinchuriki's replacement. Your mission is to gain a close personal connection to the Uchiha. Get him to befriend you. To trust you. Show you are stronger then him, but not too much that Kakashi will suspect something. Lure Sasuke to me with the notion that getting stronger lies not in one of the many branches of Konoha's trees, but in the roots deep beneath the surface," commanded Danzo with Sai nodding.
"Yes Danzo-sama," replied Sai with a nod.
"Also, I want you to spy on the Kyuubi Jinchuriki as much as possible when around him. Observe his training regiment. Who he is training with. His interaction with these people when training. Everything!" added Danzo with Sai nodding again.
"What if he suspects something?" asked Sai with Danzo narrowing his eye at the boy.
"Ensure he doesn't," replied Danzo coldly.
"Yes Danzo-sama," said Sai before he left to carry out his mission.
'Soon. Soon I will claim Konoha for myself. I will become Hokage. And when I do take what is rightfully mine, I will make the Kyuubi Jinchuriki into my personal weapon. I will make the brat crush all of Konoha's enemies until there is nothing left to kill but him when his usefulness is over,' thought Danzo while gripping his cane tightly while the idea of taming the most powerful entity among the nine Biju played out in his mind.
(Konoha Hospital-Days Later)
"Here we are. Time for you guys to get checked out," remarked Naruto while pointing to the hospital with his group nodding.
"Do we have to? I just got out of a lab after being in a glass jar," whined Suigetsu while Naruto's eyebrow twitched.
"Karin," said Naruto before the sound of Karin punching Suigetsu in the head and turning into water.
"Hey! Stop doing that!" demanded Suigetsu while getting in Karin's face.
"Then stop being such a whiny little bitch!" countered Karin angrily before they began to bicker with each other.
"That may have done more harm then good Naruto-sama," commented Kimimaro with Naruto sighing.
"So it seems. Excuse me," replied Naruto before he moved between them and smashed their heads together.
"Hey! What the Hell?" demanded Suigetsu and Karin at the same time.
"One more argument from either of you and I will do something that will make your time in Orochimaru's lab seem quite pleasant. Got it?!" commanded Naruto with both of them nodding quickly since the blonde Saiyan already proved he wasn't one to piss off.
"We'll be good!" said Karin and Suigetsu at the same time.
"Excellent! Good to hear you two are seeing things my way. Now march!" commanded Naruto with Karin and Suigetsu slumping in defeat as they obeyed.
"I might require a much deeper examination then usual Naruto-sama. My lungs prior to my fight with you were not exactly healthy," said Kimimaro while they walked into the hospital.
"I know Kimimaro. You mentioned it before when we were heading here. I'll be sure my Godmother gives you and Jugo here a detailed examination when the time comes," said Naruto before processing the two at the hospital and to have Tsunade see his group as soon as possible.
"What are you doing here loser?" demanded Sasuke since he had been brought in to treat a sprain in his arm and got half the hospital staff to cater to his every whim in getting it worked on.
"Seeing some of my friends who just got admitted here for a physical. What about you? Getting surgery for a sex change you so desperately wanted?" asked Naruto with a smirk.
"No! Besides, if anyone needs a physical alteration it should be you with that damn tail of yours," commented Sasuke with Naruto smirking further.
"You're just jealous I have one and the perks that come with it," commented Naruto with Sasuke scowling since that was true.
Sasuke knew if he had the tail, it could act as a secret appendage in a pinch when fighting an enemy, and there was also the transformation done during the presence of the moon. If Sasuke could do that, Itachi wouldn't stand a chance, and everyone would bow before his very greatness whether they wanted to or not.
"Shut up! Your new found power is nothing compared to the might of an Uchiha Elite like myself," Sasuke shot back.
"Considering there are only a handful of Uchiha alive outside of yourself, who are much stronger then you, the standards for the title of 'Uchiha Elite' has gone down considerably here in Konoha," taunted Naruto while Sasuke scowled angrily at him.
It was only because of Sasuke's quick glance behind the blonde and the fact Naruto could sense the person behind him did the Saiyan use his tail to smack the person behind him into a wall. Turning slightly, Naruto scowled even further when he saw Sakura there with a kunai falling out of her hands, and the boy put the pieces together.
Sakura was going to either
A.) Cut off his tail to gain her crush's affection.
OR
B.) Stab him in the back at the base of the spine in an attempt to cripple him just before going for the killing stroke that would most likely have been a slicing at the neck.
"I saw that Naruto. You are going to be reported for assaulting a fellow Konoha Nin with you tale," said Kakashi, as he appeared seemingly out of nowhere, and planned to take the boy in to have him demoted back to Genin.
"I assume you also saw how Sakura had a kunai in hand and planned to use it on me," countered Naruto while Kakashi frowned and saw the kunai barely being touched by his downed student.
"Are you sure? For all you know, she was handing it back to Sasuke from training with it earlier," offered Kakashi.
"Please! Sasuke wouldn't except the kiss of life from Sakura if he was on his last breath and you know it," Naruto shot back while making sure his tail wrapped itself around his waist.
"That's a matter of opinion," commented Kakashi with Naruto scowling at him.
"Then report me to the Hokage. Go ahead. We'll see what Tsunade decides once she has Inoichi dive into her head for the truth and you explaining the convenient timing of your arrival after I stopped Sakura's attack," said Naruto with Kakashi's eye narrowing at him and then at Sakura for a second.
"You can pass...for now," said Kakashi with Naruto smirking.
"I thought so," replied Naruto while ignoring the glare Kakashi threw him.
"Don't get comfortable loser. I'm going to show you my superiority soon," said Sasuke while Naruto smirked once more.
"What superiority? A single sprain in your body and you rush to the ER. Talk to me when you have been beaten within an inch of your life and come back from it within a few days time. Until then...piss off!" replied Naruto before walking down the hall, through a flight of stairs, another couple of corridors, and finally stopped at the room meant for Hyuuga Hinata.
Only to hear voices.
"You are going to be branded when you have properly recovered Hinata. The Hyuuga Clan cannot and will not tolerate Main family members of the clan losing to the Branch family. It is a sign of weakness and all weaknesses must be properly removed from the Main family one way or another," said a man, who Naruto deduced was Hinata's Father, Hiashi if the blonde recalled correctly since the man appeared to be at that proper age.
"It is not weakness to show love for one's family," countered Hinata while Hiashi just scowled at her for a second.
"That is where you are wrong. Love has no place in our clan. The Cage Bird Seal has created a rift too powerful for such a thing to heal it," remarked Hiashi while Hinata just frowned at his words.
"Maybe if the Hyuuga Clan stopped practicing the use of the Cage Bird Seal on the next generation of Hyuuga children, such a rift of which you speak could possibly begin to heal," offered Hinata with Hiashi looking at her in shock and anger.
"Out of the question! Never say that again! Do you understand?! I will not hear such a thing from you on this matter," commanded Hiashi with Naruto snorting at the idea of this issue going silent.
"And why is her idea so bad? I think its great! No seal on the next generation of Hyuuga means they don't have to be your slaves in all but name. No seal. No hatred," remarked Naruto with a smirk on his face at seeing Hinata blushing at the sight of him.
"This doesn't concern you brat!" stated Hiashi with Naruto raising an eyebrow at him.
"Actually it does. You see, a short while back, I had this important talk earlier with a few people regarding the Cage Bird Seal, and the history behind its existence. Mainly because something about such a seal seemed...off to me. Maybe its the Uzumaki in me or maybe its the curious nature of being...well a curious boy! But spending time in my home or at least having a Shadow Clone in my home doing research on seals has revealed some very surprising facts about the Cage Bird Seal. Would you like to hear them?" replied Naruto with Hiashi beginning to sweat a little since he had an idea on what those facts were.
"I suggest you keep such information to yourself from now on. It is safer that way. For you and my daughter," warned Hiashi with Naruto scowling now.
"And if anything happens to Hinata, I'll go public with those secrets just to see your oh so called 'noble clan' be exposed for the pathetic pieces of human trash that they really are in life!" countered Naruto while Hiashi looked livid at his words.
"You wouldn't dare," whispered Hiashi with Naruto smirking.
"Test me and find out," replied Naruto with Hiashi narrowing his eyes.
"This is not over," said Hiashi before walking out of the room.
"I didn't it expect it to be over. Not with assholes like you around," commented Naruto to himself before refocusing on Hinata.
"Sorry about my Father," said Hinata sadly while Naruto waved it off.
"Don't worry about it. The guy is a jerk, but surprisingly you could do worse in terms of who you have for a Father," remarked Naruto while walking over to her and pulled out a chair before sitting in front of the girl.
"Was your mission a success? Tsunade-sama told me you went on a mission to another country to find a member of your clan," said Hinata with Naruto smiling and making her blush.
"Yep! I found a cousin, a Kaguya, a water turning guy formerly from Kiri, and someone who is depressed because of his power from his own clan being unstable. All of whom I sent to Tsunade for a medical checkup," replied Naruto proudly with Hinata smiled at seeing his first mission as a Chuunin being so successful.
"You do realize that you need to give an official report on this soon right?" asked Kyu with Naruto sighing internally knowing the fox was right while ignoring the Biju's words at the same time.
"How was your operation to repair the damage the doctors missed?" asked Naruto since a change in subject was in order.
"Good. Tsunade-sama said I should be able to leave in another day or two, but no intense training until my body fully recovers," replied Hinata with Naruto smiling.
"That's good to hear. Once you have recovered fully, I think the best way for you to get stronger is through an intense training regiment, and looking into a way into using your natural flexibility with Gentle Fist," said Naruto cheerfully.
"What do you mean Naruto-kun?" asked Hinata curiously while hoping he meant they would be doing some training together.
"What is the best way to get stronger? Training, training, and more training. How do we train? Practice, practice, and more practice. How are you going to practice? With me and the others at the Namikaze Estates!" declared Naruto boldly to her.
"T-Train? With you? At your house?" asked Hinata while blushing and was incredibly nervous at the idea of Naruto seeing her training.
And screwing up.
"Yep! It is the only way you can get strong enough to show your idiot of a Father what he refuses to see for himself," answered Naruto knowing this was for the best.
"You mentioned my flexibility in Gentle Fist," commented Hinata with Naruto smirking at her now.
"Being a Saiyan allows for one fighter like myself to see things about another fighter that others cannot see. When I saw your fight with Neji, I saw your stand was rigid. You were fighting Neji on his terms. Using his fighting stance. Every move you made was almost an exact copy of his moves with Gentle Fist. In truth, Neji knew your exact movements when fighting before you even made them. It was only after you began using a rather unorthodox fighting style based a bit on desperation to continue did Neji have trouble in landing a hit. You my dear Hinata-chan have a natural flexibility on a physical level the rest of your clan clearly does not have in them. Or if they do, its rare in terms of being considered a recessive trait, and thus considered to be inferior when it comes out every few generations," explained Naruto with Hinata nodding.
In the past, some members of the clan have been known to strain in their attempts to fight like traditional Hyuuga. But they were mocked openly for their failures, called weaklings when they couldn't fight properly, and instantly banished to the Branch family to work as one of the servants to the Elders. It had not been pretty for those who got that "distinct honor" among the clan, as the Elders had been cruel to them on many levels. Using the Cage Bird Seal at random times, making those branded with the seal fall over in pain, and scream in agony while whatever they were holding fell to the floor. Anyone seeing such acts would ignore it or assist in the mocking of these poor souls rolling around in pain.
Hinata knew that her future in the clan could possibly be among those Branch family members if the Elders and her Father pushed for such a move.
"So I should focus on my flexibility," said Hinata since she always felt the need to be more evasive with her moves rather then face things head on.
To flow everywhere around everything like water.
"Yes. Gentle Fist is not limited to one style contrary to the belief of your clan. Though the belief is most likely upheld by them due to the Hyuuga Clan's traditions related to the breeding process done in terms of reproducing from within. Meaning cousins breeding with not too directly related to each other cousins to keep the strongest traits around. But every so often, you get those who break the rules a smidge, and you get inbreeding on an almost unnoticeable level," replied Naruto since Kyu had been kind enough to explain things to him about this prior to coming here.
"I thought as much," said Hinata to herself since she knew certain clans wanting to keep the bloodline "pure" to keep it strong and practiced such things with some diehard clans going to very high extremes of incest to make it happen.
With lots of trial and error in the process with a lot of errors popping up during the trials to make and keep the bloodlines "pure".
"In any case, we need you to embrace this natural flexibility your body has developed, and use it with Gentle Fist. At the same time, you will need suitable sparring partners to help refine it. Several which I know and can easily be recruited to help once you get out of here," added Naruto with Hinata nodding since she would like that.
"Thank you for doing this. I'll make it up to you...somehow," said Hinata since she owed a lot to Naruto for doing so much for her.
"I'm sure you will think of something. Until then, rest up for when you get out of here. You'll need all of your strength for the intense training I have planned," said Naruto before he let out a boisterous laugh worthy of a Saiyan and flew out the window while Hinata just sweat dropped at the end.
Why was the boy in her life she had a crush on so weird at times?
(Hokage Tower-Sometime Later)
"So Kabuto was alive after all. At least he's dead this time, right?" said Tsunade with the Saiyan in front of her nodding.
"Blew him up into tiny pieces. There was no way he could have fooled my senses and pulled the same crap twice. It doesn't work that way on a Saiyan," replied Naruto with Tsunade nodding since she had been told about the Saiyans by Jiraiya from what he was told by brat in front of her about them.
Saiyans were in a way just like a walking Sharingan. They could mimic or copy almost any kind of technique or Jutsu out there when seeing them with the exception of certain bloodline limits. Still, it was impressive to say the least, AND in some cases the Saiyans were able to figure out how certain moves worked so they could at least counter them in battle a second time around should they (rarely) fail the first time.
Truly remarkable.
"I'll take your word for it. Sadly, I can't give you credit officially because it would make our new friends in Kiri look bad, and then they wouldn't want to be the level of friendship prior to this. In any case, you did well in bringing that little group of yours here with one of them being an Uzumaki. Knowing there are still a few out there in the world brings a warm feeling to my heart and I'm glad my Grandmother's clan wasn't snuffed out," said Tsunade with a smile on her face.
"That's good. But what can you tell me about the other three? Kimimaro, Suigetsu, and Jugo?" asked Naruto curiously since he did bring them to Konoha in the first place.
"All healthy. Which is a bit surprising considering Kimimaro had a lethal lung disease that should have killed him sooner then when you face the guy. My guess is the use of Kyuubi's chakra when healing his injuries cured what he had left and repaired them to the point where the disease is gone! Suigetsu turns to water whenever struck and seems to be in good health despite his desire to cut into things with a sword. But Jugo...he concerns me with his depression," replied Tsunade with a hint of concern at the end.
"Do you think Jugo is suicidal?" asked Naruto with Tsunade shaking her head no.
"Not really. Or rather not yet I should say. A few more years alone in that cell? Maybe a thought of it here or there. From what Jugo told me, the only reason he didn't go insane around you, or me was due to Kimimaro being nearby. Their friendship and friends in general seem to keep that other part of him at bay. I've run some tests, but the results are unclear for now. I need to analyze his blood. Maybe even see his bloodline in action for myself," said Tsunade with Naruto nodding.
"Jugo told me it was Orochimaru's key to making the Curse Seal. Maybe that will help," offered Naruto with Tsunade nodding in agreement.
"That's what I thought too. I'm going to share my findings with Jiraiya on Jugo's power and how it could be used to make a Curse Seal. With any luck, we can find out what is causing his bouts of insanity, and find a way to treat it properly," replied Tsunade while Naruto nodded.
"Until then, I want all of them staying with me. Kin and Tayuya know them so it will be good to have a few familiar faces around the house they know and trust," added Naruto with Tsunade nodding.
"The Councils will protest this. They might find support with some of the Clan Heads in the belief you are gathering several strong warriors to take over Konoha," said Tsunade with Naruto scoffing.
"Let them bitch. It won't change the simple fact its necessary. Karin has legal standing to live with me since she's my cousin. Kimimaro was one of Orochimaru's chief bodyguards for many years. He knows who the snake Sannin had contact with during that time. Not to mention he is the only one outside of myself who can keep Jugo from going crazy," said Naruto with Tsunade nodding at that due to them being valid points.
"Not to mention a good sparring partner," added Tsunade in terms of Kimimaro's fighting abilities.
"That too. As for Suigetsu, he's a little rough around the edges, but the man can easily be our liaison between Kiri and Konoha in terms of staying on good terms. We still have the Kusanagi, right?" said Naruto with Tsunade nodding since they were able to get that off of Orochimaru's melted body.
In fact, it was only thing NOT melted by the Mizukage bloodline limit.
"You want Suigetsu to have it," surmised Tsunade with Naruto shrugging.
"The man loves swords. Why not give him that one as a sign of good faith? He's already had the training. We could make him a sword instructor. And its not like we can't have a few more of them in Konoha. If anything, we seem to be a little understaffed in that area unless you consider the ANBU," remarked Naruto with Tsunade grimacing.
"Sadly, you're painfully right regarding that last part. After Kyuubi attacked, the number of skilled ninja swordsmen in Konoha outside of the ANBU was reduced drastically in number. From what Jiraiya told me, we didn't have enough instructors to teach. Not only that, but the few we did have were the ones I would consider questionable due some of them being from Danzo's Root program. Even now, if I were to put them in charge of teaching such a program, it would risk making them loyal to Danzo in the future," said Tsunade with Naruto frowning.
"We should talk to Kimimaro about Danzo. I wouldn't put it past the old bastard to get in contact with Orochimaru following the latter's fleeing from the village," replied Naruto with Tsunade frowning.
"Danzo aiding Orochimaru? You actually think Danzo would do that?" asked Tsunade with Naruto raising an eyebrow at her.
"Given Danzo's way of thinking about Konoha and how he clearly wants to be Hokage to rule over it, I would be more surprised if he didn't try to get in contact with the Sannin," countered Naruto while Tsunade couldn't help but agree with him on that matter.
"I'll speak to Kimimaro about that later. For now, go home to the others, and make sure they don't do anything stupid," replied Tsunade with Naruto nodding before leaving.
(Namikaze Estates)
"PERVERT!" yelled Tayuya before punching Suigetsu in the face and turning him into water.
"Pay up," commented Karin while Kin paying her and mumbling on about the red haired Uzumakis and how they shouldn't be allowed to make bets.
"Hey! I just said the maid outfit looked good on you. Take a compliment!" exclaimed Suigetsu once he reformed.
"It wasn't a compliment you shit! I know boys like you are all the same. You were being perverted. You were picturing me naked!" exclaimed Tayuya while pointing an excusing finger at him.
"First off, I wasn't picturing you naked. Second, get out of my head Tayuya! Third, if I ever wanted to picture any woman naked, it would be the Hokage with those awesome rocking tits she got. Not like yours, which are basically small apples when compared to the Hokage's luscious melons," answered Suigetsu with a perverted look on his face.
Before Tayuya hit him over the head with a nearby table.
"Tayuya, you know Naruto-sama can't replace the furniture you destroy in this house," said Kin in a reprimanding tone.
"Indeed," commented Naruto once he walked into the room and saw Suigetsu struggling to form together.
"Naruto-sama! Please don't punish me!" squeaked Tayuya fearfully since she had been on the receiving end of his punishments just prior to him leaving for Sound.
Her butt still had a faint red mark from his hand impacting there.
"Ha! The mighty Tayuya of the former Sound Four reduced to a mousy squeaking maid," taunted Suigetsu with a small laugh.
"SHUT UP DICK FACE!" yelled Tayuya angrily.
"Enough! Tayuya, I won't punish you this time since Suigetsu is being a dick. But I won't be merciful a second time. Suigetsu, for being a dick, Karin can use you as a punching bag for the rest of the day, and you are forbidden to fight back," said Naruto knowing it was the only fair thing to do.
"I was not being a dick," remarked Suigetsu before he was punched by a now very happy Karin.
"Yes you were Suigetsu. Now take your punishment like a man and deal with it. Karin, take him outside, and continue what you were doing. Only use this," commanded Naruto before he gave her a huge hammer.
"What the fuck man?! Be reasonable!" protested Suigetsu while surprised Karin could lift it and drag him out back at the same time.
"I am being reasonable. Either Karin smacks you around with the hammer or I use you for target practice with my energy attack. Take your pick," said Naruto with Suigetsu slumping his head in defeat.
"Some choice," commented Suigetsu while Naruto just smirked at him.
"Now see that is you being a dick again," replied Naruto with a laugh as he saw the man get dragged outside to be smashed into water until Karin tired out.
"Thank you for taking us in Naruto-sama. And thank you for sending me to Tsunade for treatment," said Jugo in a strange show of courage in speaking up.
All the while ignoring the smashing sound coming outside of Karin happily pounding Suigetsu into the ground with her hammer.
"You're welcome Jugo. Just remember, you have friends here in this house. That thought alone should keep your other side from coming out until Tsunade can provide the proper treatment," replied Naruto with a smile knowing the young man needed all the friends he could get.
And by Kami he was going to make sure everyone in this house had at least one friend in each other!
(A/N: YAY! An update long in the making. Sorry no Omake this time around. Hope you all enjoyed this lengthy chapter. I remember how someone mentioned Kabuto had been mentioned as being alive in the previous chapter when he should have been declared dead in the chapter before that one Fortunately, the same person (thanks by the way) figured out how to get around that tiny error on my part with the Corpse Clone Jutsu. Thanks for that again buddy! Don't know when I will update again. I write when I do, but it is getting increasingly difficult to write stuff with all the crap in my personal life getting more time consuming. So please be patient with me on things in terms of writing chapters for my fics. Until next time...PEACE!)
