Chapter 9: Meetings
Dodge.
Duck.
Parry.
Dodge.
Counter.
Jump.
Block.
Crouch.
Kawarimi with one of them.
Throw.
Duck.
Jump again, do hand seals.
"Suiton: Water Bullet!" Watch how two of his opponents fell unconscious. Dodge the annoying ink tiger and find a way to stop that slippery little bastard. "Come on guys, is that all you got?" Watch how your favorite tactic, taunting, failed with these emotionless puppets. "Finish them already! They're too creepy for my liking."
"That is what I have been trying all this time."
"Lies and Slander!"
Naruto dodged a new ink creature. This one a menacing muscled man with an ugly face. Hitting the being with a kunai he watched it burst into ink. The ground dying black with its death. He ducked again as the black tiger lunged at him, this time though he used his kunai to split open the beast's stomach. Just like the previous ink creation, this one bursted into ink. All over Naruto.
"You are going to have to pay the dry cleaners!"
The blonde jumped away as two hands rose from the ground intent on trapping him. Spinning while mid air he launched a kunai. The ROOT agent that had been target easily dispatched it, only to realize his mistake when the telltale sound of an explosive tag sounded behind him.
BOOM!
The remaining three agents were launched at the force of the modified tag. One of them falling on top of a wooden branch that pierced her shoulder. The two remaining agents placed themselves in between her and the blond. Letting her take off the branch and start healing herself. The glowing green hands telling the jinchuriki she was the team's medic.
Naruto scanned the two standing nin. The smallest black haired one, and presumably the youngest, was the ink user. The use of his ink beast indicating a ninjutsu specialist or a scout. The other one, a well built man, had not displayed any type of skill except weapon usage. The slight smell coming from the tanto indicating it was poisoned. The two men he had knocked out had probably been the taijutsu specialist and the genjutsu or ninjutsu specialist.
Naruto unsealed his mask.
He was honestly surprised with the guy's sent after him. The only other he had met and engaged, the one who had been spying inside the old man's office was mid-chunin level at most. This guy's had been a pretty good spar, but Kurama was right, he should probably end this now. The sun had almost set.
Feeling the pressure of the resistance seals fade, he hopped from one foot to the other. Happy with the results he found, he channeled chakra to his feet and rushed forward. A shockwave following his departure. His fist crashed with Tanto guy's face, obliterating the mask and launching forward the brown haired man.
This would have been an excellent result had Naruto himself not continued his path, only to stop when he crashed with a tree and then several more. Pretty much breaking Tanto guy, the trees and himself.
Naruto stood up, or what could be said as standing up in his condition. The parts of his face that were not covered by the mask had deep scratches if not missing pieces. Blood poured out of his ears as a pounding ringing echoed through his head. His hand, the one he had punched the guy with was definitely broken and the other one didnt look better. His clothes were ripped and showed deep purple and black bruises all across his body. His left leg was angled in a way that shouldn't have been possible and the right one he didn't even feel.
Thanking the Gods for having survived whatever he had done and for having added all those high level protective seals in his clothes and mask, he decided to look around. Once again the ground had been turned over. All of the root anbu agents were unconscious and strewn around the place. Tanto guy….It was better not to think about him, the look was horrible enough. He pushed his chakra to create six shadow clones. Unlike him this guys were in perfect state and soon went to do their jobs. Each one taking one of the Root Anbu as the sixth went towards Naruto himself.
Naruto felt himself go unconscious as his clone secured his grip on him.
He woke up in his mindscape. The forest were Kurama resided looked, in a word, trashed. The trees had cracked, the ground had deep gorges and there was not one sound in the place. He shivered at the state his mind was left in. Following the familiar path, he met with the hulking, glaring figure of the nine tailed fox.
"You do realize how stupid you were don't you?" Naruto would have honestly prefered shouting over this. He had never liked that deep voice of disappointment. "You completely released the resistance seal even though you had never released your current level and practiced with it. Accustomed to the speed. You even channeled Chakra into your feet, Chakra that is laced with mine making the results of any use twice the more potent. Worse is that you used enough to go at speeds normal bodies do not resist. Had it not been for the seals in your clothes and mask, not even I would have been able to completely heal you."
"I had thought that since I practiced with level 5 there would not be much difference with level 5.2. I thought the effect was low enough to not cause any difference. The quantity of chakra I used was half that I normally use to go at max speed."
"Even level 5.0001 is different from level 5! You should have not even used chakra! " The Kitsune roared. "Listen Naruto, by now you should know that every inch of a seal must be done with the utmost care and precision. The usage of the seal should also be done with the same care."
"This time you were lucky, but next time you could not be." Said the fox as he tumbled down to sleep. "Now go. Your body should be healed enough."
"...I am sorry Kurama. Thank you."
Naruto woke up to the sight of his apartment's ceiling. The blonde sat up from what he correctly assumed to be his bed. He examined his body. His hands were not longer broken and neither were his legs. The bruising had not really diminished and the cuts he received had scabbed. Finally the ringing of his ears had lessened considerably. He felt pain once his legs received the pressure of his body. Ignoring it, he stood up and walked towards the bathroom.
His reflection showed a face free of scars except for the three whisker marks on each side. His neck and ears were another story. His right earlobe was slightly lighter than the rest of the ear. The left ear had three pink lines, one vertical that spanned from top to bottom and two smaller horizontal ones. His neck was mostly bruised but it too had pink lines scattered through it. He gulped when he saw a scabbed spot. He thanked the gods that whatever had dug into his skin had not caused any serious damage Kurama couldn't heal.
Giving a few steps back, Naruto raised his shirt. A painting of black, blue and green greeted him. Touching one of the blights Naruto winced. It had been a long time he had suffered such extensive damage. Carefully letting his shirt down, so as to not graze any of the wounds, Naruto went to look for his guest and his clones.
Finding no one on the apartment he went to the first floor. Just like in the previous floor not one soul was there. "...Really, the basement? How cliche." He murmured as he descended the last set of stairs. Opening the door, he wished he hadn't. There in the ground sat in seiza the four tied up members of root. Beneath each one of them was a wooden piece that had triangular gaps, while on top of their legs sat a stone. On each of their heads sat an item, a cup, a stone, and a potted plant. One of his clones stood there about to place a lit up candle on top of the youngest agent.
"What the hell are you guys doing?" Asked the original.
"Ehhh they didn't talk or moved so we thought we could have a little fun."
"And by fun you mean this?... Know what I am not even going to ask...But where the hell did you get those wooden things?"
"Oh these? One of us went to buy some Ichiraku ramen and in the way he met a purple haired lady throwing these out. We asked her what they were and she went on explaining all of it's uses. He decided to take them with him because why not?" Replied another clone as he arranged the items the original would use later, on the table.
"..."
"So we ended up like this...stacking things in top their heads...This is just the first round by the way, we have a lot more to–" The clones disappeared in a burst of smoke as Naruto canceled out the technique, slightly worried for the weirdness his clones showed.
Weirdness he possessed.
"So...Anyone willing to talk?" The four remained silent. "Well...Then I'll have to do things the hard way." Crossing his hands Naruto created a new clone. Looking at his copy he asked. "You are not weird...are you?"
"I am as weird as you are."
"...That's not comforting." Regarding each of his prisoners the blonde wondered which one of them would be the least valuable. He quickly discarded the black haired boy and the woman, the two of them having skills that would probably help him in the future. Not being able to decide between the bulky taijutsu specialist and the ninjutsu specialist he turned to his clone. Raising his fists towards him he motioned. "So, one or two?"
"Uhh...One! No wait Two!"
"Bulky guy then." He stood in front of the mentioned man before removing his mask. A plain face with a few scars, definitely a grunt. "So, I have never tried this before so it may hurt a bit...But I will try to not fail this! Clone, paralysis tags."
Placing four of the purple tags on the man the clone waited for more orders. Sad that he would not be the one to carry out the procedure but happy he would at least experience it first hand. "Now," Naruto said as he picked up the dagger he had acquired from his uncle's possessions. The Key of Samsara glinted with the light of the room. "You guy's supposedly have a seal on your tongues. From the light examination my clones gave you while looking for those little death pills of yours, it is supposed to stop you from talking about anything related to Mummy man." He raised the dagger. "This little thing is going to help me in modifying your seal, and for that I will need you to open wide."
Naruto gestured the man's face to his clone. With a grimace the clone stepped behind the man and opened his mouth. Naruto activated the dagger, the blue blade glowing with power, and crouched in front of the man, looking at the seal placed on his tongue. With steady hand he pricked the man's tongue with the glowing metal and watched as the crystal vial in the handle filled with a black liquid.
The identical teen's left the man alone in order to go to the table. Unfurling the scroll his clone had prepared, Naruto raised his dagger and slightly stabbed the paper. The marks engraved in the blade glowed before rushing down to meet the scroll. The two watched in fascination as the lines of symbols they couldn't recognize danced through the paper before converging into the center, where the dagger had been stabbed. Forming three long horizontal lines and beneath them four smaller lines in two columns, the same seal the root agents had on their mouths.
"Nice little show. Wonder what it was."
"I think the dancing lines were analysing and recreating the seal before converging to form the actual seal." The clone replied. "There is more to this dagger than we thought. No matter how great Ryozo could have been, there is no way he managed to do all of this in his lifetime."
"An Uzumaki heirloom perhaps? One that has been passed down the centuries? It certainly would explain the metal the dagger is made from. Never have I seen such. The thing even glowed."
"Yeah, but we have seen many glowing things."
"But not one where the glow came from inside the blade."
"Touché."
With a sigh the original Naruto took the blade and set it on the table. "I'll sleep on this. We should focus on modifying this thing first. Let's see it's a basic hexagram, so it's definitely based on concealment or influence. The other characteristics are," He said as he started going through hand seals. Placing his fingers around the seal and turning his hand left, caused the hexagram to shift before lines of black ink spread through the paper. The clone looked through the left side of the paper while Naruto took the right.
"So we have a paralysis inducing array connected to a lightning based detection array that is connected to your side and a chakra containment seal, no doubt holding Danzo's chakra. What do you got?" Asked the clone.
"The lightning detection array in your side is connected to a vocal detection seal and an array that processes any use of previously stipulated words, that would activate with anything Danzo related. There is also a lightning natured output, I believe the old bastard uses to punish them and a submission array. Not a full and absolute servitude seal, he seems to have tried but failed at it, but one that makes the wearer to be more complying. Finally there is a hidden trap for those who try to unseal them by the normal means."
"Interesting, the dagger inhabilitated that part. Anyway what do you want to do? Modify into full servitude?"
"No, even if it'll take some time I want to create an array that will make them completely loyal to me but would still make them think before acting on orders."
"Well you know what they say. Twenty of our handsome heads are better than two."
"Ain't that right."
"Ah if it isn't Kinokuni-sama. What can I do for you tonight?"
"Cut the chase; we both know what I am here for."
"Yes, please do come in. The auction will start any minute now."
"Good. Any new addition that is to my tastes?"
"Actually yes. We have acquired a certain one that will surely be hard to break."
"Oh?"
The man laughed as he continued to lead the way. "You see, we have gotten our hands on a ninja from the Hidden Stone."
"A ninja...that would certainly be hard."
"She has a few scars here and there so the price will not be so high as others. Besides, the one who sold her to us had a few conditions to be met."
"Which are?"
"Why your favorite action. To completely break her."
"I sense there is something else."
"Yes. They ask for the owner to break her by using a certain item they have developed and to report her progress."
"...Drugs huh? Do not add her to the auction Kagane, I'll take her."
"As you wish my lord."
Knock Knock Knock.
The Third Hokage looked up from his paperwork at the sound. Recognizing the chakra signature behind the door he said, "Come on in Kakashi-kun." He smiled at the silverhead, waiting for him to voice the reason behind his visit.
"Mission report Sandaime-sama."
"Go on."
"As per your request I have revised all the laws from the past fifteen years and recorded those with no use in the scroll." He sighed. "There were so many I had to use two scrolls. Next time please let me make reports on interesting themes like the Icha Icha collection." He said while placing two scrolls on top of the desk
"I wouldn't really need reports on that Kakashi-kun."
"Still I'd be happy to make them."
"You look a bit excited Kakashi-kun, may I ask why?"
He scratched the back of his head while closing his eye. "Is it that noticeable?"
"Only people that see you daily or know you really well could tell. Now what has you like this?"
"You see Sandaime-sama, a certain student of mine is making life quite interesting." Seeing his leader raise his eyebrow he continued. "Some days ago Naruto came looking for a way to go into someone's mindscape."
"But I thought that he?"
"He has. So I can guess his question was for another person. Another certain student of mine...Or a certain group of mutual friends I saw a few days ago. Anyway things are going to get interesting one way or the other."
"Why didn't we just go into their minds again?" asked one of the blond mops of hair.
"Because we want loyal guys." Said another.
"Still this is too troublesome." Said one as he stretched.
"Cease the yapping we are almost done."
"Why is the original not doing anything?" asked one laying down on the floor.
"Because he is a bastard." answered the other nineteen simultaneously.
"Okay I'll admit it. That's freaking creepy," Stated the original Naruto as he entered the room. "By the the way fuck you guys."
Ignoring the words of the original a clone said. "We connect this aaaaaand it's done!" The rest cheered as he condensed the seal back to its hexagram form. Clones congratulated each other and started making small talk. The laughter and life soon came to the end as Naruto dispelled all but one clone.
"I mean the original is pretty sucky, anyone of us would make a better job at it." came the voice of the last clone as he stretched with his eyes closed.
"Is that so?"
"Yeah," the clone said while turning eyes still closed. "It's pretty obvious." Finally opening the two blue orbs, the clone paled. Only the prisoners, the original and him remained. "Heh heh. I was joking."
"Of course. Open his mouth."
"Yes sir!" the clone said running away as fast as he could.
Naruto approached the table with the open scroll, the modified seal in the center. Grabbing the dagger he channeled chakra into his fingertip. Placing the chakra fueled limb on top of the golden Uzumaki seal he swiped down the blade. The symbols carved in it glowing slightly before the liquid in the vial disappeared. Just like he did before, he channeled chakra into the blade and stabbed the scroll. Once again a black ink like substance filled the glass container.
Taking the dagger out he approached the open mouthed taijutsu specialist.
"Pray that it works," Naruto told the man just before pricking the original seal. The young ninja watched as the symbols on the blade descended and got absorbed by the original seal. Taking the dagger out of the man's mouth he waited. Soon the original symbol turned red and the man started groaning in pain, the first reaction he had gotten from one of them.
The clone stopped the man from falling down as his unconscious body slackened. Placing two fingers in the brown haired man's neck he searched for a pulse. Finding it he looked at the original. "He's just unconscious. Apparently rewriting a seal on a person hurts."
"Not surprising." The original mused. He turned to look at the three remaining prisoners. "Come on, place him down and help me with the others."
"Hey can I do one?"
"I don't think so...After all I am so sucky."
"It's bad to hold grudges."
Naruto waited for the last one to rouse. The youngest one once regaining his bearings followed the example of his team and knelt down in front of Naruto. Looking at the pale black haired boy he said, "What's your name?"
"Its Sai Naruto-sama."
"Sai...your team has told me you are the vice captain of the group. Is that right?"
"Yes. The captain was the one who you killed Naruto-sama."
"What were your orders and your position in ROOT?"
"We were to observe you and then engage in order to bring you to Danzo and make you loyal to him. My position was that of a soldier...a favored one but still a soldier."
"What are the names of the two bodyguards of Danzo?"
"Torune and Fu."
"Well it seems that the modification was a success." Naruto murmured. "When were you supposed to go back?"
"When we catched you Sir." answered the woman. A hazel haired medic that went by the name Hiromi.
"And if you didn't?"
"All except for Sai and the Captain should fight until death."
"...Sai," said Naruto. "Make yourself look like you managed to escape the fight and tell Danzo the mission was a failure. Act like you normally do, and when you are alone gather any information you think would be useful for me until our next meeting."
"As you wish!" The teen said before he vanished. "You three will write up anything of importance you may know and then go rest. In the second floor are two guestrooms. One will be for Hiromi and the other one will be shared by Sho and Daiki."
"As you wish!"
Naruto waited a second before addressing the one hidden in the shadows. "Did you finish on time?"
"Yes, but just barely. They woke up a little faster than expected."
He sighed as he glanced at his clone. "I would like to trust in my sealing skills, but that mummy was a teammate of the old man. I wouldn't be surprised if he found out about the changes of the seal."
"Heck he could have planned it." The clone agreed.
"We can only hope everything goes well...Man I really hate all of this political and hidden scheme things."
It was six in the morning when he arrived. A certifiable record for him.
He had arrived this early for one reason only. To see if his cute little genin had become as adorable as his elite genin was. He had settled in his position and hidden his presence just in time for a jogging Izumi to arrive. He stayed still as she gathered her breath.
As the experienced Jounin he was, he made no move when she scanned the area and her eyes settled on his location. Izumi smiled as she pointed to her eyes, her gaze not leaving Kakashi's location. Understanding the message, the silverhead jounin raised his headband. The crimson eye of his friend posing itself on his student, and revealing her cunning.
"A genjutsu that hides the activation of her sharingan." He smiled at the girl and gave her a wave before she turned and went onto the training field. "Naruto can't do genjutsu so it must be all her. Wonder if the other two will show such satisfying results."
Kakashi watched the girl train while waiting for the other two. The influence of Naruto on her was visible, if any for the strange exercises she was doing. Many he had not seen before while others were combinations of those he knew. Only thing in common was that they were bizarre and hard to perform. He was proud on both of his students, Naruto for apparently being a great teacher and Izumi for actively searching for help in order to become stronger.
Now if only Sasuke and Sakura were the same.
The Hatake settled into the tree, gathering any pointers he could give the girl through today's activities. Hours passed and soon both Sasuke and Sakura arrived to their meeting point, by this point Izumi was resting from her training and reading a scroll. He watched the interactions between his team and frowned. While Izumi had greeted Sakura as she always did, she had only glanced at Sasuke. The Uchiha male though was glaring at the girl the same way he did with Naruto. Sakura looked torn on what to do before trying to act like she normally did. Izumi stood up and sealed the scroll into the top of one of the new arm bands she had added to her normal wear. He assumed it had been a gift from Naruto.
He saw Sasuke say something to his sister, she looked at him boredly before turning around. The girl then walked away towards the wooden posts and started throwing Shuriken and Kunai, while the male twin seethed. Sasuke activated his sharingan as his hand reached his back pocket. Kakashi readied himself to intervene as the teen took out a kunai while Sakura stepped back, fear written on her face. Sasuke gritted his teeth before throwing the weapon.
It soared through the air at a fast pace. Just as it was about to reach her did she move. In a quick spin she grabbed the the kunai and threw it at her brother at an even faster speed. The kunai grazed his cheek and brought forth blood. The shock of the pink and black haired teens ended when the Kunai made a muffled sound once it hit a tree. With her face shadowed by her hair, Izumi stood up from the position she had ended up while throwing the kunai. Kakashi's lone eye widened as slight killing intent filled the clearing and three black dotted crimson eyes stared into obsidian orbs she normally possessed.
He made act of presence when Sasuke gave a step back in fear.
"Why hello there kids! Ready for another exciting day of being ninja?!"
His students watched him. Two wide eyed while one unemotionally, he contained his shiver at the last one. With shaking confidence Sakura stepped forward and exclaimed her usual, "You're late Kakashi-sensei!"
The place's mood returned to normal as he gave them one of his flimsy excuses.
"Report." said a figure who sat in the dark room.
"Yes my lord." replied Sai. Bowing down to the man he had called master. "As ordered we watched and later engaged the target...He was too strong Sir. It seemed he had known of our presence for a while and led us to a place he had previously prepared to ambush us. He easily killed the team's medic and taijutsu specialist. We fought but we were only tiring ourselves out. That's when the captain ordered me to come back and report to you Danzo-sama. By now I presume they have perished."
The bandaged man who sat on a throne did not spoke. His black eye silently gazing at the boy in front of him. As always his two strongest soldiers stood behind him waiting for orders. After a while he finally addressed the young man. "Sai go rest."
"As you wish!"
He moved his hand and both of the men standing behind him stepped forward. "Torune." Danzo said. "Keep a watch on Sai. I doubt the Kyuubi would let him go so easily. Fu take a team of five with you and have them engage the brat. See if his skills are really up to par."
"As you wish my lord." The two replied before leaving the room and leaving his master alone with the darkness. Standing up he glanced at his left. He mentally sighed wanting to go home and rest. "What do you want?"
"Come on Danzo-kun that's not a way to treat your friends."
"We have implanted a new mole." Whispered a clone to Naruto, as the boy was eating his breakfast. "Good," He said before placing a piece of eggs on his mouth. "Any other news?"
"Yes. As we imagined Danzo was suspicious of Sai's return. He has placed the guy named Torune to keep watch on Sai and sent the one named Fu with a group of anbu to test us. The clone confirmed that these two are an Aburame and Yamanaka respectively."
Naruto stood up from his seat. "When are they arriving?"
"They just left so if we consider them to go at chunin speed they will arrive in eight minutes approximately."
"Have the clones patrolling on alert. If they see them dispel and inform. I'll go get ready while you make sure our guests hide their presence in the basement and tell you the information they posses."
"Yes boss." The clone replied as he went to do as told. Naruto moved to the first floor, picking any weapon and tags he thought he may use for this new group. Picking up a tag with a black Uzumaki swirl on it he asked the fox, "Should I finally test this?"
"The black one huh...Since this time you can't take prisoners sure why not."
"Wonder how will this work against others."
"If it somewhat works. Badly."
A set of memories rushed through the front of his mind. A group of six plain masked individuals approaching from the east and towards his home. Placing the tag in his pouch Naruto left. Closing the door of his apartment he felt five of the six Root members surrounding him. Acting as normally as he could he left towards a training ground close by, via rooftop. He smirked as the five chakra signatures followed him. Letting his body move by it's own, he concentrated on sensing the chakra of the sixth member.
Closing his eyes he fet the world around him go dark. Soon blue flames appeared all around him, the small embers indicating the civilians beneath him and the larger ones belonging to his fellow shinobi. Not finding the one he looked for he expanded his range. An unmoving signature in one of the rooftops of the red light called for his attention. Focusing on it he felt a slight string of chakra leaving towards the sky. Following the chakra line he felt it connect to one of the hawks native to Konoha and flying near him.
He landed on the training ground, his environment coming into view as he disconnected from what he had called long ago, sensor view. Not long after did the five masked men arrived to the training field, once again surrounding the blond. Smiling he felt the possessed hawk land in a tree near.
"You know not so long ago I was in this exact position. The ones surrounding me that time offered quite the good spar. Wonder if you will give me the same excitement." Seeing their taut forms he finished. "Let's dance!"
"Today my cute little genin we will do a test!" Kakashi said with something akin to excitement. Pulling out a bell of his pocket and jingling it in front of the trio he said. "Remember this? Well today you will have to try and get this."
"A test of teamwork?" Asked Sakura.
"No actually. This time you will go one by one, and fight against me for ten minutes. Get the bell and I'll think about teaching you something nice. Fail to get it and I will know how much you slacked in your vacation and I'll force you to get back in shape."
Sakura, as expected, visibly paled at that.
"Now if the three of you will play rock paper scissors to decide who goes first. Losers first actually." Said Kakashi.
The three genin looked each other in the eye before proceeding to chant. "Rock Paper Scissors!" At the end of the word scissors they showed their hand. Both Sakura and Sasuke had chosen the later while Izumi chose rock.
"Hmm, seeing that Izumi won, she will go last. Sasuke, Sakura do it again." Doing as told the black haired and pink haired genin played the child's game. Sakura chose paper this time while Sasuke went again with scissors. "Okay Sakura first, then Sasuke, and last but not least Izumi."
The twins went towards the tree while Kakashi explained the rules. "Okay Sakura, everything is permitted in order to get the bell. We will start at the count of three. Ready?" He asked. Receiving a nod from the girl he set the timer. "One, two and three. GO!"
Sakura ran forward. She tried to punch her teacher but he easily dodged out of the way. She continued that way, every punch and kick aimed at Kakashi easily blocked or dodged. She sent a kick to his midsection but he caught her leg and pulled. Feeling herself being lifted off the ground she protected her head and waited for the harsh landing. Crashing hard against the ground the girl rolled through the field. Coming to a stop she stood and launched a continuous barrage of shuriken.
She watched as the man evaded the weapons, grabbing some of them mid air and using them to deflect others coming his way. Palming a kunai in her hand she launched it. Like the others Kakashi smoothly deflected it. His lone eye widened as a paper unfurled from the handle and exploded.
The Haruno waited for the explosion to clear. A shattered log stood in the place of her sensei and she entered a battle stance. Her gaze scurried through the training grounds for Kakashi, missing the shadow looming behind her. The jounin grabbed the girl from her shirt's neck, picked her up and spun. One more time was the girl sent flying through the air to crash into the ground. Shakily standing up Sakura faced Kakashi. Taking out two kunai in a reverse grip she went through hand signs. Two clones of the pink hair appeared on her sides before the three ran forwards. Looking at the ground Kakashi quickly identified Sakura as the one on the right. Letting the first clone ran through him he waited until the real one came close. Grabbing one of her hands he pulled her forward and kneed her in the stomach. The girl fell to the ground and balled up in pain, her two kunai lying uselessly besides her.
The timer went off. The ringing sound telling them that the ten minutes had passed.
Kakashi helped Sakura stand. "Okay Sakura failed. Next time Sakura, remember that while a ninja may be off duty they may be recalled at any given time and that their skills should always be polished, if not better than before." He looked at the male of his group as the girl went towards them head down. "Sasuke you're up."
The emo teen walked forward and stood before the jounin. "On the count of three. Ten minutes, come with the intention to kill." He said making waving motions with his hand. Resetting the timer the man counted to three with his hands. Before he could say go, Sasuke rushed forwards. Like Sakura he engaged Kakashi in a taijutsu bout. His thou was faster paced and more complex.
Sasuke tried to sweep the jounins feet only for him to jump. Seeing his chance Sasuke rushed through hand seals. "Katon: Hōsenka no Jutsu!" Small fireballs flew out of Sasuke's mouth and straight to Kakashi. The jounin had to dodge back as the unpredictable fire pellets hit his surroundings. Finally dodging the last one he looked up only to meet a wall of fire.
"Katon: Goukakyuu no Jutsu!" The ball of fire engulfed the silverhead. Stepping backwards Sasuke watched as burned pieces of wood fell to the ground. Activating his doujutsu he scanned the area before backflipping as a set of hands bursted through the ground. A kunai with an explosive tag forced Kakashi out of his hiding and into the way of a second fireball. Running through his own set of hand seals he exclaimed. "Suiton: Suijinheki!" Kakashi's wall of water stopped the fireball, and turned it into steam. The wall, however, was ineffective against the exploding kunai and the shuriken that followed it.
Taking out his own set of kunai Kakashi deflected the incoming shuriken. A bad feeling set upon him as a great number of them passed by in a wide margin. He was proven correct when the shuriken that missed turned back and trapped him against a tree. Sasuke smirked as he went through hand seals. With a cry of "Katon: Ryūka no jutsu!" The wire Sasuke had in his hands and mouth went on fire, travelling towards Kakashi.
The teen trio watched as the fire consumed their teacher and burned. Willing it to snuff out, Sasuke looked at the burnt figure of the silverhead. Letting the wires fall down he watched as the body followed suit, exploding into smoke when it touched the ground. The cold metal of a kunai touched Sasuke's back.
"Makes me wonder if you knew that was a clone or you just simply dislike me." Drawled Kakashi as he looked at the burned tree over Sasuke's shoulder. "Hn. What I wanted was for you to get close enough." Replied the teen as the bell jingled. Eye widening Kakashi jumped backwards and looked at his hip. Finding no bells he looked at the smug looking Sasuke as he bounced the bells. They heard Sakura cheer for the Uchiha from the sidelines.
The alarm went off signaling the end of the battle. Kakashi looked at the black haired teen unimpressed. "Congratulations Sasuke. You pass….Or that is what I would like to say."
"What are you talking about? I got the bell."
"Yeaaaah no. No you didn't." He said pointing to the item in Sasuke's hand. Looking down the Uchiha found that instead of the bell he had a small rock bounded by a string. "A simple genjutsu hid the bell. I had expected you would have noticed that when you bounced them and it didn't make a sound. Although you did great on the nin and tai departments you should not forget about the use of genjutsu."
Sasuke glared at the man as he left towards the sideline. His glare intensified as he met Izumi midway and she didn't spare him a glance. Crossing his arms and resting his back on a nearby tree the teen completely ignored the green eyed girl who tried to cheer him up.
"Well then Izumi, you know how it goes. Everything permitted blah blah ten minutes at the count of three." For the final time he resets the timer and counted. Like her brother Izumi rushed forward before he finished and engaged the man in a taijutsu bout.
Kakashi blocked a fist with his left hand and raised his leg as the girl tried to kick his right midsection. Her leg still connected to Kakashi's she tried to reach for the bells only for him to grab the girl's right arm. Finding that she was locked in Izumi stamped her right leg into the ground and pulled her sensei managing to headbutt his chin in the process. He let go of her when he stumbled backwards and barely managed to dodge the kunais sent after him. Looking up he found Izumi already in front of him and ready to continue their bout. She managed to get three hits in before Kakashi once again grabbed her arm and sent her flying in the other direction.
Mid-air she reached for her arm band and touched the seal engraved in the bottom. In a puff of smoke two hand fans appeared. Opening them she spun on her axis to land on her feet. Even though she had landed the girl continued with her momentum and spun.
The teens in the sideline watched as their instructors eye widened and started dodgin. Wondering what the hell Kakashi was doing Sasuke turned on his sharingan. The crimson orbs let him see that the spinning girl had been channeling chakra into the fan and shooting out gusts of wind. Eyes focusing on the girls fan, he noticed she had been channeling the chakra into a small circle from were small glowing lines extended into the fan.
Stopping her spinning Izumi looked at the man in front of her while they catched their breath. The continuous use of her fans costing her a good part of her chakra. Glancing at the clock on the sidelines told her she still had three minutes left. Black eyes stared at the silverhead as a plan concocted in her mind. Her eyes met Sasuke's crimson for a moment and scowled. She had planned on letting this a secret from her brother what with it being her original jutsu an all, but with his sharingan active...but...she could do that. The sharingan wasn't unbeatable after all.
Naruto made sure she knew that.
Running through hand seals she exclaimed. "Katon: Goukakyuu no Jutsu!" Two of the distinctive Uchiha fireballs rushed towards Kakashi. The man easily dodged the two, when he realized they were a distraction. Glancing at Izumi he saw her finish a new set of seals. "Sorry about this Sensei. "Sharingan: Tengoku no nagame! (Sharingan: Heavenly View)"
The alarm went off and nothing happened.
"Hokage-sama." Kneeled the female anbu. "Mission accomplished."
"Good job Neko. Was it too hard to find him?"
"No sir. The difficulty of the mission lied on bringing him back willingly."
"And how did you convince him?"
"I may have mentioned something about the newly opened bathhouse to where women from all the continent come to see." She said. The two looked out the window as a screaming blur came closer to the Hokage's office. The blur crashed into one of the windows, shattering the glass while the now confirmed man rolled inside the room. His moans of pain and the multiple wounds did nothing to impede the Sandaime from recognizing his perverted student. "I may have forgotten to tell him it's a Kunoichi bath." Said Neko.
The older man chuckled. Motioning for the anbu across the room to leave him and Jiraiya alone. Activating the privacy seals in the room the Hokage turned to the toad sage with a serious face. "Stop playing Jiraiya we have much to discuss."
"Yeah the letter said enough." replied the white haired man as he sat on the couch."There is nothing new about Orochimaru, the snake has hidden well. About that other group, the only thing I know is that all the members are S-class missing ninja and that they are currently freelancing." He said placing a scroll in his teacher's desk. "Now what's this about my godson having a bridge named after him?"
"A bridge?" asked the Sandaime.
"The Great Naruto Bridge. It's in Wave and it has a big ass plate telling the story of how one Naruto Uzumaki, practically single handedly, freed the country from Gato and his army of evil thugs. Apart from that little story many other rumors have started spreading about him."
"Well, according to Kakashi-kun's report, he technically did kill most of the thugs in Wave and helped kill Gato."
"Like parents like son?"
"Definitely. But what worries me and the reason I sent Neko to bring you home are the items he brought back from wave, what Danzo may try now that he knows Naruto is stronger than imagined, the things I may have forgone while trying to save Konoha from falling on itself and Naruto."
"You mean all those useless laws? And what is of this Items? You said that they may start a war if come to light."
"I myself have not seen the Items, but from what Kakashi-kun told me they are Uzumaki heirlooms."
"Uzumaki? But I thought no one had managed to find any of those objects?"
"Apparently they were held by a friend of an Uzumaki who forgot them in his house." The old man said as he sat on his chair. "I want you to find Naruto and bring him here with the items. While you are doing that please try and bond with him. I want him to have as many bonds as possible."
"Okay okay. I'll play with the brat."
"Jiraiya take him seriously. If you don't do so you may end up regretting it."
The white haired man was about to respond when a horrible feeling went down the spines of the two men. Their heads turned in the direction where Naruto was fighting as a horribly familiar chakra manifested itself.
The two wasted no time, jumping out of the window and dashing towards the training fields.
Naruto dodged one of the remaining ROOT anbu, reaching for the black tag in his pocket and placing it in the man's back he pushed him away to engage another one. Moving in such a way the man wouldn't notice the new addition to his clothing. Disarming his current enemy he took the root's tanto and pierced the man's head from his neck. While using the dying body to block a barrage of shuriken, he heard the sound of an explosive tag activating. He created a clone and replaced with him just before the tag exploded, the body and clone with it.
Two kunai puffed into his waiting hands, launching the weapons to two enemies on opposite sides of the field before he dashed forward to re-engage the one he had tagged. The two agents he had launched the kunai blocked the weapons, yet were taken by surprise as they exploded in smoke to reveal two of the black masked blondes with swords ready. One of the clones managed to slit his agents neck before going to help his brother. Tackling the man who had pinned down the other clone they simultaneously said, "BOOM!" before doing just that.
The last remaining agent tried to make distance with the original fox masked blond, not that Naruto cared. Making a hand seal he watched as the black tag activated, and proceeded to pump the man full of Kurama's chakra.
Naruto stumbled as waves of the maleficent chakra bursted from the man. The man himself screamed in agony as he felt his insides burn up to unbearable heights before his own body started bloating. Blood poured from everywhere as the skin of the man popped like bubbles. His scream finally ended when the, now balloon looking man, exploded in a bomb of gore.
Naruto felt faint as he stared at the splattered remains. The fox sealed inside him speechless at the horrific results the tag indeed showed. The two felt other presences coming to field but neither dared speak or move. The hawk fled in terror of the actions of the jinchuriki.
Naruto didn't really recognize the figures that arrived and started talking to him, before he barely muttered a, "I'm going to throw up." and proceeded to empty his stomach until unconsciousness.
Kakashi stared at Izumi with a raised eyebrow. The girl blushed in embarrassment at the failed jutsu. He was about to tell her that she too had failed when a voice shouted from the distance, "OIIII KAKASHI!" Turning he met with the sight of his best friend Obito Uchiha and his girlfriend Rin Nohara. The two wore the the jounin standard outfit with the only difference that Obito had an eyepatch on his left eye similar to Kakashi's use of his headband and that Rin wore a medical lab coat that the hospital asked her to wear. "What is it?" He asked the approaching duo.
"Did you forget you are supposed to be on Minato-sensei's office reporting about your team." said Rin as Obito broke off the group to talk to his niece and nephew. "After that we have to get dressed for the birthday party you dad organized for your mother."
Kakashi gave her a sheepish eye smile as he scratched his head. "I had completely forgot." Turning to the talking figures of his genin and best friend he said, "Okay team that is it for today. Izumi make sure to practice that jutsu so next time it actually works. Sasuke, Sakura you two already know what to work on. See you guys tomorrow, come on Obito."
"Bye Sensei!" The trio of genin said as he left with his ex-teammates.
"Say, how about we go drinking after the party?" Asked the black haired man, while walking backwards in front of them. "Sure." Answered Rin before looking at the silverhead. "How about you Kakashi-kun?"
"I don't see why not. Maybe today Obito will finally get the courage to ask out that cute barmaid."
"O-oi! Don't go saying those things out loud!" A blushing Obito shouted while pointing with his finger at Kakashi. Because he had continued walking backwards Obito didn't notice the stone in his path and fell buttfirst on top of it.
The two adults chuckled at the Uchiha before helping him up. A glint of excitement entered Rin's eyes as she remembered something. "Hey you two what do you think Kushina-sama is going to bring to the party this time?"
The two man shuddered at the question. Kushina Uzumaki was the definition of unpredictability and it always showed when she attended up a party. The red haired woman would normally bring an item to make things livelier at the party. Some of them were normal, but the majority had been horrible things Kakashi and Obito were forced to participate in by the Uzumaki demon.
"I don't know what it may be but–" Kakashi stopped mid sentence as a ringing sound echoed across the field.
"But?" asked Obito. Rin frowned as the silverhead began looking around them. "What's wrong Kakashi-kun?"
"Uhhh, don't you guys hear a ringing sound?" Responded Kakashi. The two adults looked at each other in confusion before asking, "What sound?"
"I am hearing a ringing sound. Like an alarm."
"That's weird. I don't hear anything, do you Kushina?" Kakashi's head swiveled at the name and change of voice. "No, are you sure you are okay Kakashi-kun? You were spacing out and then began looking all over." said the red haired woman approaching the jounin.
"Minato-sensei? Kushina-sama?... But how you two are supposed to be dead. Actually Rin and Obito are too." He said as he grabbed his head in pain. The memories of the death of his teammates and the two people in front of him trying to go the front of his mind yet being sent back and locked up. Kakashi grunted and closed his eyes. When he opened them again he was no longer at his teacher's office.
He was in an island.
Sitting on a beach chair to be precise. Hearing footsteps behind him he looked backwards. Single eye met beautiful tan skin. A smooth and sultry voice beckoned him to look upwards. "You're awake." said a black haired woman with a mole on top of her right eyebrow. "My sisters and I were worried Kakashi-san. You fell asleep and started muttering something about your teammates and your teacher."
"Um. Excuse me but where I am and who are you?"
"Stop playing games Kakashi-san. It's me–" He watched her mouth move but couldn't understand her name. "My twin sisters, you and me became shipwrecked some weeks ago. Don't tell me you have forgotten all the fun we have had." She said as she caressed his chest. He felt two new hands start touching other parts of his body and two new yet somewhat similar voices join the first one.
"Come on Kakashi-san don't tell me you forgot."
"Yeah that's right I shipwrecked with triplets."
"We have played quite a few games."
"Oh and where those games oh so fun."
"You just have to relax and trust in our capable release."
"Relax and trust in their capable...Release?"
Kakashi's eye opened with a burst. The faces of his three students hovering before him greeted the man. With a groan he sat up. "What happened."
"I am sorry Sensei." Said Izumi. "I placed you under a genjutsu but it seems it was actually harder to get you out of it than my normal target."
"A genjutsu you say...I see. That's quite an impressive genjutsu Izumi. Please don't place me in it again." He watched the girl nod before reaching behind her with a smile. "I win Sensei." Kakashi gave her a good natured chuckle as he placed a hand on top of her and rubbed. "Yes you did. I am proud."
"Now you two," he said looking at Sasuke and Sakura. "I will leave a clone to train you up to snuff, while I take Izumi and–-" A chill went down the groups spine. The jounin could easily identify that dark chakra filled with malice anywhere. "I mean, my clone will take Izumi and teach her something while I go see what's happening. Don't move from here you three. That's an order." Creating three clones the man left in a shunshin, leaving behind his three students. Two who recognized the feeling of that chakra.
"Naruto…"
The first one to arrive was the purple haired anbu. Since her mission was over Yugao had been planning on eating in her favorite restaurant before looking up for Hayate or Anko. She had just finished the first when the Kyuubi chakra washed over the street sending the older citizens into a frenzy. Quickly jumping to a rooftop the woman left towards the source of chakra. She had imagined it involved Naruto in some way, but never would she have thought it would be this scene that greeted her.
Ignoring the splattered guts all over the training grounds and the dead bodies strewn across, she ran to a ghostly white Naruto. Placing a hand over his shoulder she said, "Naruto, what happened? Naruto do you hear me?"
A group of people landed around her as she held the boy in her arms. She met gazes with the Hokage and the toad sage just as Kakashi arrived. Like her the silverhead ignored all of the bloodshed and rushed to Naruto. "Naruto it's me Kakashi." He said placing a hand on his other shoulder. "Yugao?"
"I found him like this surrounded by all of this. Hokage-sama what should we–"
"I'm going to throw up."
The purple and silver haired ninja's held the blonde teen while he puked out. Seeing him fall unconscious Kakashi motioned Yugao to place him on his back. Rising up with the unconscious teen, he looked at the village's leader before nodding and heading to the red light district. Jiraiya soon following him.
"Yugao."
"Yes Sandaime-sama."
"Take the bodies and make a yamanaka look into this."
"Yes sir." she answered placing on her mask and giving out orders to the anbu's in place. "And there goes my time off. Well at least it is to help Sensei's son."
"Well wasn't that nice?" a cold voice said behind him. Naruto sat up from the stone brick floor he was resting in. "It wasn't." He said with finality.
"Come on. Don't be like that you know you liked it. The gore, the feeling of being better then men double your age, the smoothness of the blade slitting the enemy's throat. The scent of blood bathing us."
"Silence I don't want to hear you."
"If that was true you would have already left. But you are here, because deep deep down you know you felt it. That is something we both know actually." Crimson eyes opened in the shadows as a maniacal white grin reflected what little light was in the place. Naruto turned to look at the shadows. The rustling of chains reverberated across the castle looking room and soon a figure emerged from the shadows, stopping right before a crimson line that divided the room in two.
Black hair and red eyes with black sclera,dressed in white looked with a grin at blonde hair and normal blue eyes dressed in black.
"You can shut me up whenever you wish to. So why don't you?" He asked. Only receiving a glare as an answer, he turned back. With one last look over his shoulder he said, "Everything would be much easier if you just admitted it... Admit that you are a Demon."
He woke up with a gasp. Blue wide eyes met a single eye that they recognized. Taking in deep breaths Naruto tried to calm his frantic beating heart. A glass of water appeared before him and he graciously accepted it. Letting the cool water travel down his dry throat Naruto sensed the apartment. Apart from him and Kakashi there was only one chakra signature, a strong one at that.
Placing his now empty glass in his bedside night table, he waited for his jounin instructor to speak. Minutes passed and neither spoke. The silence was finally interrupted when a long white haired man with red markings in his face entered Naruto's bedroom. "You really did a number on that guy huh?"
Naruto glared, making him chuckle. "Quite a bit sensitive arent you? But I guess it is normal considering that was your first brutal kill."
"Jiraiya of the sannin. To what do I owe the pleasure of finally meeting you dear godfather." Naruto said causing the older man to flinch.
"I have some business in Konoha and while I am at them I will take some time to train you." replied the toad sage. With a sigh he continued. "Look Naruto, I won't give you any excuses. I did left you here to the wolves and I didn't even come visit you. And I did those things because I was weak. The death of Minato and Kushina affected me greatly, and since I had to manage my spy network, I used it as an excuse to run away from my failure."
"...You have a lot to make up for."
"I know and that's why I will be training you. To make you stronger than even your father and don't commit the same mistakes I did."
Kakashi watched as the two reconciled. Clearing his throat he called for the attention of the two. "I am sorry but I think we should get into business."
"You are right...Naruto just what exactly did you do that man."
The blonde sighed, not really wanting to remember the scene of the man's death. "I used my Corrosion seal."
Kakashi raised an eyebrow. "A new one?"
Naruto nodded. "Remember what I did in wave?"
"You utilized the Kyuubi's chakra in order to corrode the metal door."
"Apparently though it is a very different thing injecting pure Bijuu chakra into a living being."
Jiraiya and Kakashi looked at each other. Both coming to the same conclusion of what had happened to the man. Forcing down any bile that may have rose Jiraiya continued the questioning. "Do you know why they attacked you or who they are?"
"Danzo's puppets as for why the reason they attacked me I have no idea. But I have felt some presences observing me while I train."
"I see," said the Sannin. Scratching his chin he looked at the blond. "Gather any important thing you may have, you will be coming with me to investigate some rumors." He looked at the jounin. "Kakashi go back to your students it's been three hours, Naruto and I will go inform Sensei about what we are going to do."
"Understood. Naruto any message you want me to give?" The blond who had started picking up scrolls glanced at the man. "Tell her not to worry." With a nod Kakashi stood up and started for the door. "By the way good job on her training, she managed to capture me in quite a genjutsu."
"She placed you into that huh? Horrible isn't it, the only reason why I managed to escape easily was because Kurama dispelled it for me."
"Ohh we are talking about the brat's girlfriend? The Uchiha girl right? Man am I proud of you, if she is anything like Mikoto you landed yourself quite a bird." Stated a blushing, giggling Jiraiya.
"And another pervert enters my life."
"Oi Izumi, are you coming with me?" Asked a sweaty Sasuke. The teen was currently in a good mood, he had been worked to the bone by the clone of Kakashi until the clone had reached its time limit and given him the day off. Not before giving him some things to work out this afternoon.
The girl shook her head. Like her brother, she and the clone of their teacher had worked hard all morning in perfecting the skills Izumi had gained while training with the blond Uzumaki. "I need to ask Kakashi-sensei some things before leaving." With the normal Uchiha response Sasuke turned and left. Glad that Sakura had gone home even earlier than the two and so did not manage to annoy him for a date.
Making sure the male twin had left, Izumi went through the Katas of her mother's style. Although she was more comfortable with this one, it still felt wrong in a way. Her movements did not flow the same way the memories of her mother did. It exasperated her and made her lose focus.
She breathed and started again.
Losing herself on the feeling of the fans opening and closing, of slicing air and creating gusts. She found herself fighting a shadow, an enemy that danced with her. Matching every lunge, every swipe. With each second passing her movements became faster and forceful. Swinging her fan upwards she spun and made a low sweep. A new spin and her fan almost met green flack jacket.
"Hello my adorably aggressive genin."
"Kakashi-sensei." The girl nodded to the reading man. "What happened to Naruto-kun?"
"Don't worry it was just a little fuinjutsu test with his…"
"Tenant?" she supplied.
"So he told you?"
"More like coerced him into telling me." Izumi responded. "Sensei why did you ask me to stay?"
"Well I just wanted to speak about your training with Naruto. During the test I saw your improvement in all of the basic areas. Even your little use of the Illusionary Eye to make Sasuke and Sakura lose the rock paper scissors."
"But?" the girl replied with a smirk.
"But I know you held back and then there is also the sudden tension with your brother. Mind telling me about it?"
Izumi sighed as her gaze fell to the floor. Just thinking about her brother left a bad taste in her mouth. Looking up at her teacher she decided to evade the subject for as long as she could. "As you said my training was focused on the basics. Naruto-kun helped me increase my Ninjutsu and Genjutsu repertoire besides showing me my affinities. A primary lightning with a secondary fire affinity. He also helped me with my taijutsu and my overall strength and stamina."
"A lot for just a month."
"Shadow clones, but not many. I have to use some chakra storing seals he made in order to make the training work. Oh he also added a Resistance seal on my back, apart from that...He taught me what it means to be shinobi."
"Impressive. What rank would you place yourself in?"
"I believe low to mid-chunin level."
"That's a good level to be in at your age, so why does your face tells me you are not happy with that." Kakashi said flipping a page of his ever present book.
"I want to be stronger. No...I need to be stronger."
"Why?"
"To find out the truth, and…"
"The truth?" The silver head pondered. "And?"
"And to walk besides him." Izumi murmured with a blush. The Jonin smiled at the girl, happy that she was experiencing such feelings after everything she had went through. "Well," He said at the still flushed girl. "What are you going to do then? Naruto left to a mission this evening, so he won't be able to help you train."
Izumi looked up in surprise. She hadn't known he was going to leave and now her idea of training with the blond was useless. "I could train alone...but I need someone to correct any mistakes I do. Who can I ask? Iruka-sensei maybe? Or should I just go to the Hokage and ask for–" The flipping of a page stopped her thoughts. Looking at the source of the noise she remembered, "That's right. Kakashi-sensei is my Sensei."
"Kakashi-sensei!" The man looked up from his book to find a bowed down Izumi. "Please, help me train!"
His book slammed shut. "Finally one of you asks."
"Yo!" exclaimed Jiraiya as he entered the office of the third Hokage, Naruto following behind him. The Sarutobi clan head looked up from his paperwork. "Did you know Jiraiya-kun, that the doors were made for people to enter a room?"
"Yeah, but the windows were made for ninja to enter the room."
The elder man sighed at his student's response. "How can I help you Jiraiya-kun, Naruto-kun?"
"First of all I am taking the brat here out of Konoha. He is going to help me investigate some rumors. Besides," Jiraiya said with a grimace. "If the council finds out either of us is still here after what happened in the training ground we will be forced to attend to one of your meetings."
"Ah yes the meeting. The one that has been going for more than thirty minutes now and I haven't gone to." He replied with a smile, causing the blond to snort. "Okay I approve of your mission. Anything else?"
"That depends. Brat," The toad sage spoke. "Do you have with you your wave souvenirs?" With a nod the blond glanced across the room. Understanding the message the Professor waved his hand.
A small breeze fluttered the papers on the desk before they settled down.
The two men watched as Naruto unsealed the dagger from a hidden seal on his jacket. The blue blade reflecting the light light of the morning sun, asking for the attention of anyone who saw it. Twirling the blade and playing with it Naruto addressed the hidden question. "It's name is the Key of Samsara and, in short words, is a blade that can copy and paste any seal it stabs."
Naruto passed the dagger to Jiraiya who carefully examined it. Squinting at the carvings of the blade he sighed. "As we thought, this thing is an Uzumaki heirloom. I would recognize this unreadable squiggles anywhere."
"You make it sound like there are more impressive things like this."
"You would be right, there should be more." The Hokage said. "Sadly we don't know where they are or if they even exist. Records of said Items only tell us about two."
"Which are?"
"The blade of the Uzukage is one and the other is a rumor, but one I believe to be true." looking at the curious blond Jiraiya continued. "I heard you met Zabuza Momochi brat."
"Wait you mean?"
"That the seven swords are fragments of what used to be an Uzumaki heirloom. Rumors say that it was once a powerful blade and that your clan divided the thing into seven pieces. Pieces that were forged into seven new swords of immeasurable strength."
"But why does Kiri have them?" asked a confused Naruto.
"Because they were peace offerings." supplied the oldest. "For an alliance, but I guess you know how well that ended."
Naruto nodded. The letter his mother had wrote for him coming into mind. He opened his mouth to speak but was interrupted by someone knocking on the door. "Yes?" asked the Sandaime.
"Hokage-sama, the council is getting restless by your absence and the elder council has decided to come look for you."
"Thank you rabbit. You may return to your position." replied the man.
"And that's our cue to leave. See ya soon Sensei! Hurry up brat before they catch us!" Exclaimed the Toad sage jumping out the window. Naruto followed him with a, "Bye Jiji!"
The Hokage's chuckles abruptly ended when an irate Koharu slammed the door to his office open. "Sarutobi! Get your ass out here!"
"Yes Mam!"
Hello Guys! It's been a long while. This chapter... in my opinion is not really interesting but not everything can be what we want it to be. Took me some time because I deleted and rewrote a lot, and I had exams and now I am taking a vacation class. But oh well here it is.
Like I said (Or I think I said) the chapters will be updated randomly depending on how long it takes me to actually write them. BUT! They will be updated.
As always please review and tell me what you think and how I can do better! Thanks for all of the support you beautiful things.
-Alext
