Chapter 9- Night of Melee
~Perception… this skill is essential to those who call themselves Shinobi. The ability to understand everything around you, to clearly see what's underneath the underneath… it isn't just a tool, it's a necessity. In the world of ninjutsu it's common knowledge that not everything is as they would appear. People helping you could have hidden agendas of their own, trusted friends may be enemies simply waiting for the right moment to strike… and right here in the Water Country, the people are surrounded by a shroud of deceit of an unimaginable scale. The worst part about it is, even though we know the truth, who's going to believe us? In openly defying Kirishaku, a member of the royal family I've practically established myself as an enemy of the country… to make matters worse, the true deceivers have their trust. The roots of deception run deep, the powers that run this country are all but mere puppets… Perhaps war really is unavoidable. The normal people and the advanced bloodlines… if these forces are turned upon one another, it will spell the end of this country. My strength amounts to less than nothing in the face of combined might of these two groups and the force manipulating them… but I simply cannot back down. I will continue to fight, for a future of peace for everyone in this land… regardless of their birth.
-Uzumaki Naruto
(Water Country, Encampment Region)
It was morning in the Mist Province, and people all over the land were just beginning their tasks brought on by a new day. Rays of sunlight shone down, penetrating the thick forest mist where the six camps stood. Far from the sounds of the city… in this place, one can truly appreciate the clear tranquility of the forest…
"NAAAAANNNNIIIIIIII!?" a scream could be heard clear across the horizon. Flocks of birds took flight, and all eyes in the area were turned to the scream's point of origin… Encampment 6. Suddenly, what went bolting through the gates of the settlement at near blinding speed was described by passing witnesses as a frenzied animal red in the eyes and foaming at the mouth… but to the trained eye, it was just Kiba. "NARUTOOOOO!" he screamed, running into the forest…
Despite the cold, Naruto was sweating quite a lot from intense training this morning… "Hmm?" he turned his head, seeing his comrade suddenly appear. "Huh? Oh hey Ki-BAAA!" he screamed when his comrade grabbed him by the shirt, shaking him violently… "WAAH! STOP IT! LET GO!"
"BASTARD! DON'T EVEN BEG FOR MERCY!" Kiba screamed, "YOU'VE REALLY DONE IT THIS TIME! I'LL KILL YOU!"
"NO!" Naruto screamed, "I MEANT THAT YOU'RE…!"
-WHAM-
"GAK!" Kiba screamed Mizurei punched him in the back the head.
"…in the way." said Naruto… taking a step back, letting Kiba slide down and hit the ground. His body twitched a bit, and then stopped moving altogether. "Uh… Kiba?"
"Oh crap!" Mizurei exclaimed, looking at Naruto, "I think just I killed your dog!"
(Some Time Later)
Kiba was sitting cross-legged on the ground with a large scowl on his face and an even larger bump on the back of his head.
"Eh… sorry about that…" Mizurei apologized. Since Naruto was aiming to get strong, there's no substitute for actual combat experience and Mizurei happened to be the closest one to his level. "Me an' Naruto were having a match and all when you suddenly just jumped in… and well… yeah…"
Their matches were closer to life-risking duels than they were practice fights. Their common enemy was not one who would show mercy, and that in mind, they couldn't afford to hold back for reasons of safety… risking injury or worse to push themselves to the limit and gain real battle experience and instinct. It was by some miracle neither had been gravely wounded in the process as it wasn't unusual to see them going at each other armed with bladed weapons… which thankfully for Kiba, wasn't the case today.
"Well now that that's out of the way, what did you want?" asked Naruto
"Grrr… NARUTO…!" Kiba snarled with his shoulders hunched… "Do you have any idea what time of the year it is…?"
"Um… Happy Birthday?"
"THE CHUUNIN EXAMS GOD DAMMIT!" Kiba suddenly screamed, "I just learned they'll be starting REAL soon… and you know what else? WE'RE GONNA MISS IT!"
"Whoa, they're starting already?" Naruto blinked. Since they were staying here for an indefinite length of time, it was unlikely they'd get back to the village in time to take part… "It doesn't matter… I'm in the middle of something way more important. It's not like becoming a Chunin would magically make me stronger. It means nothing when even Jounins are getting killed. As for you Kiba… it wouldn't kill you to wait, would it?"
"NO, BUT IT JUST MIGHT KILL YOU, THE 'IT' BEING ME!" Kiba screamed in his face, shaking him harder, "I DON'T SEE WHY I HAVE TO MISS MY CHANCE TO BECOME A CHUNIN JUST SO WE CAN STAY HERE BABYSITTING YOU!"
"-AHEM- The hands Kiba. Remove them before I neuter you with a dull kunai." The burning glare Kiba received from Naruto gave him the feeling he wasn't kidding…
"Grrr… dammit!" Kiba let go of Naruto and stormed back to the camp with his fists clenched. "I SWEAR! IF I GET BACK TO THE VILLAGE AND SEE THAT EVERYONE ELSE BECAME CHUNINS, I'M GONNA KICK THE CRAP OUTTA YOU!
"Well that was entertaining…" Mizurei whistled "Come on, it's about time we head back" picking up their things and started heading on back to the sixth encampment.
Ever since Naruto's revelation about Yashiro's plot, the Konoha nins have been working hard to sharpen their skills in preparation for battle. Normally Kiba and Akamaru would be practicing their combination techniques deep in the forest and Shino was carefully cultivating his insects with extra chakra to increase their strength and numbers. Ebi was working in upgrading their current weaponry, turning their standard-issue equipment into master crafted weapons. Hinata was undergoing rigorous training comparable to that of Naruto, under Kurenai's direct supervision; the purpose was to increase her overall level to compensate for the fact that she could not use her powers.
"Hey Naruto" While they were walking, Mizurei suddenly spoke up, "The Chunin exam… isn't that the test you ninjas take to move up a rank?"
"Yeah… took it once myself. It really sucked that I had to go through all that crap up to the very end just to fail due to sudden outbreak of war and a lack of witnesses right when I was just starting to kick ass…" Naruto sighed, "All in all, I guess the whole experience was kind of fun… I did get to beat up Kiba and his drugged up dog, and that's always a good time. I still think that whole victory against Hinata's cousin Neji should've counted for more!"
"Hinata's cousin? Is he strong?" Asked Mizurei
"Hell yes!" Naruto exclaimed, "That guy does NOT know the meaning of letting up! His entire fighting style is about crippling you bit by bit and then finishing you off once you're nice and helpless! Of course I now realize that he's really an okay guy, but he went totally overboard in his match with Hinata! Saying awful things to make her feel inferior, crushing her hopes of changing herself, and I think he actually tried to kill her that time!"
"Uh-huh… sounds like a real saint to me" Mizurei sweatdropped, "I take it you fought to avenge her?"
"Yes, and as luck would have it I was selected to be his opponent for the finals. Believe me, it was not pleasant." Naruto nodded, "But now that I think about it, even though it was a losing battle for Hinata, that had to be the first time I really noticed her…" he said thoughtfully. Back then he barely even knew her. To him, she was just some strange quiet girl who disliked fighting. "Even faced with an opponent clearly stronger than herself, she didn't give up... no matter how many times she fell, she would just get back up… even when she lost the ability to fight back, I could see this incredible spirit within her…"
"You two really care about each other." said Mizurei, thinking back on a number of instances between the two. "I always believed ninjas were cold and heartless, but the two of you were completely different from anything I've ever heard, being such a close couple…"
"HUH!?" Naruto jumped at that word, "N-NO! We're not like that!" He exclaimed, waving his arms frantically and his face going to a deep red.
"Really? That's… actually quite a shock." Mizurei looked genuinely surprised. "Man… I was convinced the two of you were an item. From the way you defended her from Kirishaku, her reaction when she saw you wounded… not to mention whenever you're not training, the two of you are pretty much always together…"
"We're just friends, okay!?" Naruto said through clenched teeth.
"You're not just pulling my leg? I mean it's plainly obvious that the two of you are…"
"No! Um… what I mean is… it's complicated… and… uh… I'm just trying to say… ARGH! JUST SHUT UP ALREADY!" Naruto screamed, stamping his feet to the ground
"Whatever you say Naruto, but let me just tell you denial ain't just a river in Egypt." said Ebi
"First of all Ebi, screw you. Second, when the hell did you get here?!" Naruto shouted, not even bothering to turn around and look at him.
"Eh, I thought I'd go sell some of my wares around the city and make a little money…" Ebi replied, whistling as he flipped through a large wad of cash.
"Oh COME ON!" Naruto threw his arms up in disbelief, "In case you hadn't noticed, the people in that city don't particularly like us! What are you thinking, selling them weapons that they most likely intend to use on us?"
"Well you're in luck then, I was only selling dru… eh… um… DRUMS! Yeah that's it! Nice, wholesome and completely legal drums from which they can take a hit."
"…" the two of them stared at Ebi for a long period of time. "Uh… Ebi? I don't want to pry into your business, but…"
"Then don't!" Ebi snapped at them. They remained quiet for a few minutes…
"So Ebi" Mizurei spoke up, "You've really been around haven't you?"
"Yeah, pretty much been everywhere, and if it's someplace I haven't I at least know about it, why?" Ebi asked, he and Naruto noticed the eager look on Mizurei's face…
"Well, it's just that until now, I've never actually left the city. Heck, I rarely left the slums even… and all those times I did, let me tell you, the people know how to make you feel unwelcome…" he answered, leaning back and looking up. "After seeing all those other cities places, how would you rate the Mist?"
"Well truthfully… I don't hold it in very high regards. That city is the most divided I've ever seen." Ebi answered regretfully, "The open discrimination terrible enough as it is, and the gap between the rich and poor is tremendous. The nobility spoil themselves while the poverty-stricken working class live and toil in squalor, and many of them go uneducated. It is for that reason that people are still clinging to old superstitions and fear of those with advanced bloodlines." Naruto and Mizurei listened as Ebi continued speaking, "Their society is declining. The nobles do nothing to fix the problems, and it is for that reason the slums remain as dangerous as it is today. The only visibly active politician out there is Kirishaku, but he's using his power to spread hate. As for the highest authority, the Shogun, I don't know if he has the same views as his brother, but it doesn't even matter. There is so much separation between the nobility and the people that whatever goes on in the streets are unlikely to ever make it all the way up to him."
A look of anger and disgust could be seen on Ebi's face as he continued speaking, "As for the Hidden Mist village, they have gone to extremes in raising shinobi, pairing up the young students and allowing them to grow up together, making sure they become close, just so they can make them fight to the death, to kill or be killed their by their best friend, just to test their loyalty and make sure they are as cold and emotionless as they believe ninja should be. Even though they've stopped that tradition in the last decade, I know for a fact that their council is trying to reinstate it. They would happily sacrifice the lives of half their village's children just to prevent the mere possibility that someone among them might get emotional during a mission, which is already unlikely enough to begin with! This country already has the highest number of missing-nins, those elders just won't accept the fact that it's their rules and traditions that are causing people to turn on them!" Ebi exclaimed, "I'm sorry, it just slipped out. I apologize if I offended you"
"No, it's all right. I've always known there were problems with this country… I just never realized there was this many…" said Mizurei
"Hmm… I remember Zabuza's goal to overthrow the Mizukage and take the lead of the country's hidden village. I'm really starting to wonder what would happen if he had succeeded." Naruto thought out loud. "Sure he was cold-hearted and willing to kill to achieve his goal… but then, plenty of ninja are like that, and more importantly he had no trouble going against tradition and accepting those with bloodlines. Maybe if he had taken over… things may have been better, people like Mizurei and Hinata would be accepted, and this country would change. Did we really do the right thing by stopping him…?"
"Though this country has many problems, what you are fighting for is very important. It may not solve everything, but it's a start, and that's what this land needs more than anything. The rest are matters that only they can resolve… and hopefully your actions may influence their future" said Ebi, and then faced Naruto "By the way… I've noticed the two of you were always sparring, and I've been wondering, why are you training in this method? Didn't you know that by using Kage bunshins, you could literally divide the work among all your clones and speed up the progress a thousand times over?"
"NANI!?" Naruto screamed at that statement… "GOD DAMMIT! WHY DON'T YOU TELL ME THESE THINGS SOONER!?" He screamed. Had he known he could use the jutsu like that, he'd have started years ago!
"Anyways!" Ebi continued, completely ignoring Naruto's very legitimate grievance, "If you're trying to master a new technique, Kage Bunshin no jutsu is the ideal solution because memory and experience is shared among you, dividing the time by the number of copies you make, perfect for one who has chakra in excess. But if you're simply trying build up combat experience to become a better fighter, clones die in one hit so you'd only be wasting your chakra and are better off proceeding as you are now."
"No, I think you're right. I've had enough practice with Mizurei." said Naruto. Ever since he had started fighting Mizurei on a regular basis, he had improved noticeably. Not only was he stronger from physical practice, he had been learning to quickly read the movements of an otherwise versatile opponent with a very different fighting style. The chakra-fortification techniques were comeing to him naturally, increasing both his strength and speed and allowing his body to keep up with instinct. "By constantly fighting him, I've grown in skill. I know I'm still nowhere near Yashiro's level, and it'll take years just to get anywhere close… but if I can at least stand up to him… even if just for a little longer…" said Naruto. No matter how strong Yashiro was, no one was truly invincible. "I can find a way to win."
"Then you'd better come up with something good, that man has killed people far better than us." said Ebi. "In all honesty, I just can't imagine how we could possibly win. You might be able to resist him a little longer, but that'll be it. Borrowed time. He can still kill you just like he could've last time."
"I know, but I can't back down. We're the only ones who can do anything." Naruto said in a serious tone. There was no one they could look to for help. They were alone on this one. "I know I don't have anything that can stop him, but I have something in mind." he closed his eyes and put his hands together, "TAJYUU KAGE BUNSHIN NO JUTSU!"
"GAH!" Mizurei jumped back in surprise, this being the first time he saw Naruto perform this technique in bulk. In front of him stood at least a hundred perfect copies!
"Yashiro needs to be brought down, period. Now if you'll excuse me, I'm off to create a new technique, one that'll really give that bastard something to cry about!" The real Naruto spoke. He then motioned with his hand to the deep forest, "Come on everybody, let's go!" the rest of them cheered in affirmation and stampeded into the woods and out of sight.
"Hey, wait a second! What are you planning?" Mizurei shouted over to them
"Heh-heh!" the last Naruto turned around and grinned, "Sorewa HI-MI-TSU! (It's-a-secret!)" He then went leaping across the branches and was gone.
"Ugh… the way he's been acting so serious lately, I've almost forgotten how much of a kid he can be." Sighed Ebi, "But where many others have failed, he just may succeed. More than anything else, he can be quite 'unpredictable'." They had reached the encampment.
"I'll take your word on that… whatever Naruto's got planned, I'll believe in him!" said Mizurei as they walked into the village.
As soon as they passed through the entrance, Mizurei was met with warm welcomes all around. As he walked through the settlement, people were pausing on whatever they were doing to look at him, waving and giving him friendly smiles the moment they saw him while children were trailing behind him cheering him on… Mizurei looked at the ground. Whichever encampment he went to, he was always greeted in this very same fashion. Before they were all sent to live here, such behaviour was unheard of. This was a place where people did not fear him. Mizurei frowned, for some reason, he began to think of his past… the years he had spent in the slums as a child.
The underside of the Mist Capital… the slums was like a whole other world, ruled by violence and fear. To find a dead body in the streets was an everyday event. Almost as if there was a curse on that place, people who remain there become savage and cruel. This was a merciless environment, and even for hardened criminals the average life expectancy was less than a year. For a child to survive in that place, it should have been impossible… but he had exceeded all odds.
Memories of the past were hazy, like trying to remember a dream. Wandering through the dark streets without any knowledge of the world, nor even a name. Before he even learned to speak he had already learned to fight. He lived like an animal, barely human… guided by instinct… he quickly grew strong. Fighting every day for food, destroying entire gangs and eliminating some of the most vicious criminals, he quickly became feared. It wasn't until he was older that he discovered his unique powers, and with it he gave himself a name… Mizurei. He was the strongest, and he now ruled the underworld.
"Ugh…" Mizurei sighed, rubbing the back of his head. He wondered why he was suddenly reminiscing on those times. Here in the encampments, he lived among people like him. The distinction of being a 'freak' did not exist here. Without the stigmas of bloodlines to divide them, they could live together in harmony. However, for Mizurei… even though life in these Encampments was in every aspect an improvement compared to how he once lived… he always felt anger towards the people who sent them here… anger for the sake of the people he now protected. These kind people who had lost everything. "(Just because I have suffered… that doesn't mean they should too…)" he thought, looking around him. The only ones who had ever shown him kindness… he would defend them at any cost.
It was at his request that Naruto and the Konoha nins did not share information of Yashiro with the other denizens of the encampments. Though there were hundreds of individuals all possessing special powers, they were not fighters; he did not want to see them putting themselves in danger. As a matter of fact, when he first encountered the Konoha nins to stop them from finalizing the alliance, his original intent was to go alone…
"M… Mizurei-san? Ebi-san?" the bloodline leader and Konoha's scholar stopped walking when they heard the call of their names. Based on the stutter, they immediately knew who it was.
"Yes Hinata?" Mizurei replied, turning around and seeing her running in their direction. By the looks of it, she had only just returned from her lessons with Kurenai.
Hinata's training sessions were very strict, consisting of intense physical work coupled with periods of quiet battle meditation. All of this would have been impossible for the otherwise fragile girl in the past, but she had changed. She had become determined to push herself further than ever before. From the delicate flower she once was, she had become far more energetic, although she still retained a certain degree of shyness… a trait that had won her much popularity among the local villagers, not that she realized it. The children and elderly loved her, while the local boys were in love with her…
"Ano… I see you've just returned," she said nervously. "Um… is… Naruto-kun not with you?"
"Sorry, no. He stayed behind to train. Who knows, he may be gone all night." Ebi replied,
"I see…" She looked down. Mizurei noted the look of disappointment. She had really wanted to see him…
"But you know… the guy's been WAY too caught up in training and getting stronger, I really think he's starting to lose touch with the world. It wouldn't kill him to have some company!" Mizurei added, giving her a friendly smile and motioned towards the village gates.
"Oh…!" she gave a light gasp at the suggestion… "Well… maybe… maybe I should go check up on him… just in case…!" she took a step towards the gate…
"You sure you want to go like that, Hinata?" said Ebi, pulling a mirror out of his pack.
"OH!" She exclaimed, stopping and seeing herself in the mirror, "I… I can't go out like this…! I'm a mess!" her hair was messy and she could see dirt stains on her face and clothes, souvenir from her earlier lessons. "I-I'll go clean myself up first…!" her hands on her cheeks, she ran over to the cabin built for her and Kurenai.
The two of them smirked, watching her disappear into the cabin with an apprehensive look on her face, "I think I can safely say…" Ebi spoke up, "Naruto owes us BIG."
"Hmm?" Mizurei turned his head, hearing nearby sobbing. He could the members of his gang all gathered, most of them were crying "What's wrong with you guys?"
"ANIKI…!" one among them spoke through tears, "It's our Hinata-hime…!"
"Hinata-hime…?" Mizurei blinked at that statement.
"Oh boy…" Ebi sighed. "It would appear Hinata has reached idol-status, and now she even has her own otaku-following…"
"Long has she captivated us with her beauty and gentle kindness… it was only a matter of time till she had stolen all our hearts!" he cried "But now we realize she will always remain out of reach, for her heart belongs to Naruto and no other!"
"…" Mizurei stared at them speechless, until… "BAKAYAROOOOUUUUUUU!"
Everyone cringed at the sight of the savage beating Mizurei dealt his gang, while parents covered the eyes of the young ones. In a few moments, Mizurei's followers could all be seen with massive bumps and bruises, missing teeth, black eyes and bloody noses dealt by their leader "YOU SICKOS! SHE'S LIKE HALF YOUR AGE!" He shouted before sending the lot of them flying with one last kick. "Ugh! That was WAY more than I'd ever wanted to hear. I'm just glad for their sakes Kurenai isn't around to hear that…"
"Actually, she is." said Ebi, pointing at the group.
"YOU PIGS! DON'T EVEN THINK ABOUT TOUCHING HINATA! I'LL CASTRATE EVERY ONE OF YOU!" yelled Kurenai as she chased the already-injured gang, wielding a kunai in each hand, her eyes burning white and her teeth resembling fangs like some demon while they fled for their dear lives.
"I see… uh, do me a favour and bury any of the ones she kills? I kinda have a job to do" Heading over to his hut, he soon came out carrying his spear over his shoulder.
"Where are you going?" asked Ebi, watching him heading to the exit
"Our food stocks are running low and winter is almost here. I have to hunt so that we can last until spring… hopefully we'll be able to start farming by then." he answered
"Good luck then." Ebi nodded as Mizurei left the village.
As Mizurei wandered into the forest… little did he realize what exactly awaited him. The encampments behind him, the people living there who loved and respected him, the first time he had ever known peace, it was all coming to an end. This was the last time he would see them all. The gears of fate were now in motion…
(Mist Capital, Shogun's Castle Audience Chamber)
"Surely you must understand! They are a menace to our country!" Kirishaku shouted. "If we do not act now, we will be endangering our people!" he clenched his fists "Do you not hear me? BROTHER!"
"I cannot allow it, Kirishaku." Seated upon a raised platform with a great banner bearing the symbol of the royal family hanging behind him, dressed in the finest robes and tall headdress… it was the Shogun, the ruler of this country. "While I understand your… concerns… of those with bloodline powers, I simply cannot condone such drastic action."
Within the walls of the Mist Castle, Kirishaku was presenting his case to the Water Country's highest power. Once again, it was a matter regarding the advanced bloodlines living within the country. Simply having them exiled from the city was not enough for him, he wanted more… "I am telling you, we must enlist the aid of the Mist Shinobi! With their support, we could finally be rid of this curse on our land!" however, things were not going as he had hoped. Though Kirishaku had a strong status, he was neither the ruler nor the Mizukage, he could not simply call the ninjas of the Hidden Mist to do his bidding, it had to be passed through the highest authority, and once again his request was being denied…
"What you are suggesting is wholesale slaughter of our citizens. I understand your concerns but this is going too far" the Shogun spoke calmly but firmly.
"It is only because of our lenience that they have grown so defiant!" he growled, "They've hidden among us and spread their tainted blood for far too long! And now that we finally have the means to root them out, we cannot even touch them!"
"That is enough, Kirishaku" the Shogun raised his hand, silencing his brother. "I cannot condone such an act. The Shinobi of the Hidden Mist exist to defend our country. I will not allow them to be used as a tool for genocide. We shall discuss this matter no further."
"Grr…!" Kirishaku growled, but then back down, "As you wish… honourable brother." he seemed to struggle with those words, bowing his head to his elder brother. He turned and calmly left the audience chamber, restraining himself with every fibre of his being. "That useless old fool…!" he spoke to himself as he stormed through the halls, giving no regards to the servants as they hurried out of the way. "Day by day, he lazes on the throne growing fatter… we all know I am the one truly running this country!" It was thanks to him that their great city was free of the tainted bloodlines! The masses loved him, he was their hero! If only that useless ruler was out of the picture, he would be in command! "Hmm…" he lowered his head, a wicked smile crossed his lips… "Now there's an idea…" he chuckled. The Shogun had a daughter, therefore Kirishaku was next in line for the throne. "That's right… I will become the Shogun… then I will have absolute power!" If he were to become the Shogun, his word will become law. He could command not only the armies of the surrounding provinces, but the shinobi of the Hidden Mist! Everyone would obey him without question! "All for the sake of the Water Country…!" he laughed, but soon calmed down… all in good time. Right now he had a more pressing matter at hand…
Those vermin from the encampments who humiliated him, they would suffer… most especially their leader and that one defiant ninja from the Leaf. "I lost some good men that day" Kirishaku growled. Those four Yojimbo that Mizurei trashed were too physically battered and emotionally scarred to continue serving as bodyguards. Though they weren't the strongest of samurai, what mattered was that they were obedient, willing to do his dirty work… "They'll pay in blood, and seeing how little value it is, we'll be taking a lot!" Though the Shogun offered no support in his goal, that didn't matter. With or without the services of the Mist Ninjas, he will manage. "I shall be this country's saviour. All will bow before me, the new Shogun!"
As his laughter echoed through the long hallways of the Mist Castle… the sun was beginning to set, a sinister air seemed to be looming above. Little did he realize, this would be the last time he would ever set foot within the Mist Capital.
Kirishaku, next in line for the throne and the man responsible for the anti-bloodline movement… Kirishaku was a man who could sway the will of the masses… his role had been played, and his fate has now been sealed.
(Meanwhile in the deep forest)
"Man, that took a lot longer than it should have. It's already nightfall!" Mizurei said to himself as he was walking through the forest, returning from the hunt. With his incredible physical abilities and sharp senses, he never failed to catch his prey. This time was no exception; he was heading back home hauling his prize… a gigantic wild boar several times larger than himself! Even among the giant boars commonly found deep in the forest, this one was monstrous. This enormous beast had put up a great fight, tearing through numerous trees in its attempts to gore him, but finally succumbed to a skull-crushing blow. Mizurei smiled triumphantly; the meat from this animal, combined with the rest of the food stocks… if they rationed it properly, they wouldn't have to hunt for the rest of the season!
"…!" suddenly Mizurei stopped in his tracks, and his smile faded completely as he let go of his prize, the trees shook as the giant carcass hit the ground. "Who's there?!" he shouted, drawing his spear and looking around him. Tightening his grip on his weapon, he could sense something was approaching. It wasn't any animal. Even the most aggressive beast did not exude what he was sensing… evil. "SHOW YOURSELF!"
"Hmm… so you sensed my presence?" A cold wind blew as he stepped into the open. There he stood, dressed completely in black, with two curved swords hanging by his side, his pure white hair rustled gently beneath the breeze. Though he had a smile on his face, his stare was colder than ice. He was the source of this malevolent aura… "You must be Mizurei."
"Yeah, and what of it?" Mizurei growled, just looking at this man made him feel sick to his stomach. Dark and twisted… he immediately knew he was faced with a killer. Remembering Naruto's description. Black clothes, white hair, two swords… and most of all that the evil aura that seemed to radiate from that man… "You are… Yashiro?"
The killer raised a brow. He hadn't expected him to know his name. He was an outsider, a man whose existence shouldn't be known by anyone on this continent… unless… "I see fox-boy has been tattling, hasn't he?"
"That's right!" Mizurei shot back, assuming that by 'fox-boy' he was referring to Naruto, though he didn't quite understand the odd choice of a nickname… "I know you're the one who brought that damn technology over, and manipulating this country through Kirishaku!" He shouted, "It's because of you, my people are suffering…! And for what purpose!? Just so you could see us go to war?"
"That is correct. But do tell me this… with such a grand scheme, why do you think I am out here in the middle of nowhere talking to you?" asked Yashiro, "It is truly amazing what you have accomplished. Over two thousand bloodlined people reside within the encampments, enduring hardship and grief to no end. With their numbers and destructive powers, they have sufficient strength to destroy the very people who oppress them… yet they have not taken action. Why? Because of you." his eyes narrowed on Mizurei, "You may not realize it, Mizurei… but you hold tremendous influence over thousands of living-weapons. You are the only thing holding back the outbreak of violence." he continued, "They have endured so much already… but what if something 'tragic' were to happen to their hero? They will not stand for it, and the ensuing bloodshed will spell doom for this pitiful country."
At that statement, Mizurei grew even more furious "GRRR…! And just what makes you think I'll just stand by and let you go through with your plans!?"
"It will certainly make my job a lot easier, but also quite boring…" Yashiro smiled, "In order for our plans to proceed, you need to die."
"Or maybe… I'LL JUST KILL YOU HERE AND NOW! he roared, immediately charging forwards towards Yashiro, "HAAAA!" he thrust with all his strength. Calmly, Yashiro swerved his body to the side, completely avoiding the thrust and stepping to Mizurei's right side, his left hand grabbing Mizurei's arm while drawing his saber in the other and swinging it to his neck, "AH!" Mizurei quickly arched his back and tilted his head as far back as he could, the blade passed right above his chin. "RHAAA!" Clenching his free hand, he turned his body and tried to punch Yashiro. The killer had already let go and smoothly moved back, out of Mizurei's reach. "DAMN YOU!" he screamed, taking his heavy spear with both hands and wildly swung it over and over, but he couldn't even touch him! It was like trying to fight air!
"That's some pretty impressive strength," said Yashiro, feeling the wind from Mizurei's swings. He had seen men twice this boy's size who could barely handle a weapon so heavy. But natural strength and self-taught skill were not enough to overcome him. Drawing his second saber, Yashiro shifted his feet and took a dual-wielding fencing stance… he suddenly darted forward… To anyone watching, it would appear as if Yashiro had suddenly passed through his opponent in the blink of an eye. A frown crossed Yashiro's face as he turned around, and Mizurei was still standing.
"Is that all you got?" Mizurei stood there, a few visible cuts could be seen on his body, but nothing that would affect his performance. As he clutched his heavy spear, many markings could be seen over the thick wooden shaft left by the saber. He had successfully deflected the killing strokes. "Namen jane (Don't you underestimate me)."
"(He is certainly worthy of his reputation. Even without using his powers, to have achieved such a level at his age without proper training. He is definitely a genius of rare calibre.)" Yashiro thought. That move which defeated Naruto before he could even blink, this man had successfully withstood it. Yashiro returned his left-hand blade into its scabbard, and approached Mizurei. "You do possess some skill, but you still have yet to learn how big the world is. Allow me teach you the difference is between 'Genius' and 'Master'." He suddenly lunged forward, swinging his right blade at Mizurei's face and cut across the cheek.
"AH!" Mizurei's eyes darted down, feeling the sting on his cheek and blood running down the long cut. Shaking it off, he jumped back in order to put some distance between himself and his opponent, in order to effectively use the deadly point of his weapon. A successful thrust would no doubt kill his opponent, but the chances of actually landing one was close to nothing. For this reason he proceeded in attacking with powerful sweeps. Even if the sharpened point didn't make contact, the impact from the shaft would be enough to shatter Yashiro bones and leave Mizurei free to follow up with a deadlier thrust.
Yashiro returned his right-hand saber into his sheath, "I admire your persistence, but this duel already bores me." suddenly, he darted forward, evading Mizurei's swing completely and dropping down to one knee. Mizurei looked down and gasped as he saw Yashiro place his hand on the grip of his saber in the quick-draw stance…! "It needs more blood." he drew the saber, and swung it.
"URGH…!" Mizurei's eyes opened wide, as he felt indescribable pain in his side. "AAAAAH!" He screamed out loud, as Yashiro's saber was embedded into his waist!
"Hmm?" Yashiro blinked, feeling surprised…
"GRRR!" Mizurei's expression hardened as he clenched his teeth tightly… "HAAAA!" he screamed, delivering a powerful hook from his right fist, smashing directly into the side of Yashiro's head, sending the demon carrier's entire body sliding to the left, also removing the saber from his own body. "(Pant… pant…)" he gasped desperately for air, one eye closed and his right hand clutching the wound.
The white haired demon carrier shook his head for a moment, and then straightened up, looking down at his saber. The blade seemed sharp enough… "I had intended to cut you in half." He mused, "Did I put too little strength into the swing, or is your flesh simply tougher to cut?"
"Kuso…!" Mizurei gasped, falling to his knees. Everything he did, everything he threw at him, it was all useless! "I'll die at this rate…!" he growled. Just one hit from his fist wasn't enough to take down an opponent of this calibre! This man who had also defeated Naruto was far beyond his level. He couldn't win, unless he did the forbidden. "(If I use my powers… I may stand a chance…)" he thought to himself. The problem was that unlike before when he first encountered Naruto's team, right now he was still in rage of the city. Every single sensor would be triggered! "(Using my powers is a death sentence… but if I don't use them I'll only die sooner!)" he thought, looking at his opponent. He couldn't afford to hold anything back. "To hell with the law and to hell with the consequences, only one thing matters now!" he shouted, and glared to Yashiro, "For all the suffering you have caused, I'LL DESTROY YOU EVEN AT THE COST OF MY OWN LIFE! KURAAAAAAAE!"
Yashiro suddenly jumped out of the way when giant ice shard tore upwards through the ground where he stood moments ago. Had he not moved, he could have been skewered. "You won't get away…!" Mizurei snarled, clenching his fists even tighter. "GRAAAAA!" unleashing a savage roar, the full power of his bloodline erupted forth.
Mizurei's power gave him dominance over water, and in this country water was everywhere; within the many rivers and streams, below the surface of the ground, even in the air in the form of mist, he had an unlimited supply. Jagged spires of ice were erupting from the ground, tearing everything apart. Yashiro was constantly on the move, bounding off the side of the rising ice towers. The trees gave him no foothold, as they were all being uprooted from below. "(If I got caught in that, I wouldn't make it out with just a few scratches)" He thought, seeing the fallen trees being ripped to pieces by the deadly glacier, truly a frightening example of what would happen to his body if he stood still. "I never expected to see so much destructive power in a mere bloodline. You really are a living weapon."
"Don't you EVER… CALL ME THAT!" Mizurei roared, as he focused his power through his weapon, "HAAAA!" he hurled the great spear with all his might, his sights set directly on Yashiro's heart. Yashiro swerved his body and narrowly evaded the spear, but what he didn't realize that it was only a distraction! "HYOKEN! (ICE FIST!)" by the time he had turned his head, Mizurei had already reached him, a thick layer of ice covered his fist…
CRACK!
The impact lifted Yashiro right off the ground, sending him flying and hitting his back against a tree. The white-haired swordsman simply stood motionless, his head hung low. "How long has it been…" a small laugh could be heard coming from him, Mizurei stopped and stared "…since I fought anyone this persistent?" still facing down, Yashiro straightened himself up. "It is indescribable… those who draw strength from within… those who fight with all their heart… nothing gives me a greater thrill than finding such an opponent, and watching their faces twist with despair and agony…!" he raised his head, his eyes opened wide with a large wicked grin across his face, even Mizurei was taken back. This look wasn't that of a cold assassin, but a bloodthirsty killer! "HYAA!" suddenly stepping to the right and spinning around, his saber passed right through the tree he was leaning on. The trunk had been cleanly cut through, and was beginning to tip in Mizurei's direction…
"WHOA!" Mizurei jumped back to avoid the falling tree… "EI!?" He exclaimed, turning his head and seeing Yashiro was suddenly there…! "ARGH!" he cried out loud as Yashiro slashed him across the back! Growling, he formed a thick layer of ice over his fists and shins as he spun around, attempting to retaliate with wild flurry of punches and kicks, but not one of them even hit! "NGH!" he winced again as he received another cut on his shoulder. He was fighting harder than he could ever remember, but this man was totally overwhelming him! The number of his wounds were rising, but no matter what, he just kept on fighting…!
"AH…" Mizurei suddenly stopped. He stood there, completely still, the ground beneath him soaked in his blood. "(cough) D… damn… you… Yashi…" finally succumbing to his wounds, he could not even finish. The last of his strength left his body, and he fell to the ground. Mizurei had been defeated…
Yashiro looked down at the bloody form of his victim. Mizurei had fought valiantly, but the difference between them was simply too vast. Two hits. That was all he had achieved: two completely ineffective hits. He could still sense life in that body. Approaching Mizurei, Yashiro lifted his saber "All that is left is to remove the head." he said out loud, imagining just how they would react when they found it skewered on his own spear right in front of the Encampments?
THUD!
"UGH!" Yashiro gasped in surprise when he felt an impact against the back of his head. Turning around, his eyes widened with surprised, "You!"
"Get away from him, Yashiro!" Ebi spoke threateningly, standing ten feet from him.
"I did not expect to find you here. When did you even get into this country?" wondered Yashiro, "More than that, you even attacked me. Until now, you've always fled. Why the sudden change of heart?"
"I have no need to answer you!" Ebi replied, a drop of sweat ran down the side of his face, wondering what on earth possessed him to put himself in such danger… Concealed by his sleeves, he held five razor sharp shuriken ready in each hand. "Step away from Mizurei!"
"You know him?" Yashiro asked… "I get it. You are also in league with fox-boy." quickly putting everything together, Yashiro turned away from Mizurei and began to approach Ebi. "Knowing you, you must have realized you weren't safe back in the leaf village and tagged along with fox-boy all the way into this country, thinking you've left us behind. But what are the odds, running straight into us?" he smiled
"An unfortunate coincidence…" Ebi cursed inwardly. Yashiro understood everything the moment he saw him, and whatever strong front he tried to put was doing nothing. He was afraid, and Yashiro knew it.
"There is no such thing as coincidence." Yashiro grabbed his saber, "And the scroll you had stolen from us and so carefully hidden away… you wouldn't entrust it to anyone else. It must be with you right now!" he pointed his saber at Ebi, "I'll be taking it back!"
"AH…!" Ebi gasped as Yashiro suddenly lunged at him before he could even react! When suddenly… Yashiro gasped in surprise as the roots of the surrounding trees erupted from the ground, wrapping around his arms and legs so tightly that he couldn't move!
"That's as far as you go." a woman's voice spoke from above. Yashiro turned his head to see a woman standing up in the trees. It was Kurenai! Her hands were forming a seal. She had used her genjutsu to bind his movements!
"Your timing couldn't have been better…!" Ebi said in relief, backing away from Yashiro. "And here I thought you knew me better. Facing you alone is suicide, and that's why I had Kurenai accompany me in hiding."
"Another one?" despite his position, Yashiro didn't look intimidated; his expression was a mixture of annoyance and boredom. "Just how many more of you do I have to kill before your village finally stops throwing ninjas at me?"
"You are in no position to insult me." Kurenai leapt down from the tree branches, landing neatly on her feet, "Yashiro! For attempted invasion of the Leaf Village and murder of five shinobi, you are wanted dead or alive!"
"Attempted? You're making sound like I failed. As I recall, I walked in and out of your puny village without any difficulty whatsoever. As for that murder bit, I'll gladly plead guilty to that one." he smiled mockingly, "Now that we're all clear on that, why don't you go powder your nose or something? The men are talking."
"And just for that…" Kurenai glared at him, and a number of roots suddenly crept up his body and wrapped around his neck, "We can forget about alive." the roots began to squeeze his neck even tighter…
"I was thinking the very same thing." at that statement, there was a flash sheer killing intent, so much that Kurenai was taken back. Yashiro's right arm suddenly passed through the roots and delivered a mighty uppercut, catching her by surprise!
"KURENAI!" Ebi shouted, as Kurenai gasped and stumbled back, unable to move properly. That blow to the chin had dazed her, but even more shocking was that the roots that were binding him seconds ago had all dissolved! He had broken the illusion! True, Yashiro possessed superior physical ability, but that alone should have no impact on mind-affecting genjutsu! Not wasting time wondering how he did it, she grabbed a kunai in her right hand and thrust it directly towards his throat, but the killer simply caught her wrist in his left hand, stopping it from going any further.
"I believe you need both hands to perform those 'jutsus' of yours," he stated simply, tightening his grip even further. Ebi immediately whipped out the handfuls of shuriken and was about to throw them… "Don't even try it!" Yashiro yanked Kurenai's arm, pulling her between himself and Ebi, stopping him from throwing.
"And just who do you think you're using as a shield?!" Sensing his grip was too strong to break free, with her arm still in his grasp Kurenai suddenly performed a cartwheel, flipping her body and swinging her leg towards his face. "Damn!" she gasped inwardly when Yashiro caught her leg in his other hand. Before she could try anything, Yashiro swung her entire body over his head and slammed her down against the ice-covered ground head-first.
"So you're a jounin. So what? If you can't use your jutsus, you're nothing but an ordinary woman." Grabbing her by the hair, he pulled the stunned woman off the ground and slammed her back against a tree. She opened her eyes and was about to make an attempt to fight back, but felt the sharp blade of his saber press against her throat, causing a drop of blood to run down. "Oh don't stop now, go on! Give me an excuse to do it." he spoke, not removing his eyes from Kurenai, knowing the ninja would try something if he looked away, "And I suggest you drop your weapons too" he spoke louder, so Ebi could hear.
"Damn it all…!" Ebi cursed. Naruto couldn't beat him, Mizurei couldn't beat him, even Kurenai couldn't do it! While Ebi, the weakest one by far… what could he possibly do? Ebi opened his hands and dropped his weapons to the ground.
"Finally… after all this time, it's finally back in our grasp…!" Yashiro smiled victoriously, "Hmm?" he felt something. Looking at the hand clutching the kunai at Kurenai's throat, he saw what it was. "A bug? At this time of the year?" his eyes narrowed. Suddenly, he felt something strange. Looking down, his eyes opened wide. More insects! They were crawling up his legs! "WHAT?" he exclaimed, he could feel them, they were all over his body! From beneath his sleeve, more of them came crawling onto his hand, causing him to drop his blade! "AAAARGH!" He screamed out loud, closing his eyes as they were attacking his face!
"Unfortunately for you, you failed to realize there was one more shinobi." the usually silent Shino stood there, carrying Mizurei over his shoulder. He had had unleashed this swarm of insects on Yashiro! "Sensei! Ebi-san! Hurry!" the two others nodded fled into the forest.
"RHAARGH!" Yashiro shouted, trying to kill these bugs that were biting into his flesh, he could see them escape into the woods! "YOU'RE NOT GETTING AWAY!" holding both sabers, he dashed into the woods in hot pursuit, moving far quicker than any of them. "GRR! WHERE ARE THEY!?" His eyes were darting left and right. Suddenly, his eyes caught movement. He could see them leaping across the treetops in the distance, "I SEE YOU!" he pursued them deeper into the woods, eventually vanishing from sight.
Meanwhile, in the branches up above where he just stood, the three of them plus Mizurei were standing silent, Ebi's hands formed into a seal. "It worked…" he sighed in relief. He had used a combination of bunshins and henge to create the image of them fleeing to draw Yashiro away. "Okay, let's move" he motioned with his hands.
"Hold it!" Kurenai's hand grabbed him, stopping him from moving any further. "You owe us an explanation, and we will not aid you any further until you tell us what I want to know!" she shouted angrily, "That man had killed some of the finest ninjas our village had to offer, and overcame my genjutsu without any effort whatsoever! Just who or WHAT is he, and more than that, what is your connection with him?"
"I will answer your questions, but not right here! I only lured him away temporarily, and it won't be long until he realizes the truth and then comes back and kills us!" Ebi shook her off, "We have to find a safe place…" he turned to Shino, who was carrying the injured Mizurei. Ebi turned back to the earlier battlefield and saw Mizurei's spear, quickly jumping down and pulled it out of the ground, struggling under its tremendous weight, but he knew they would need this later. "Let's go!"
They had fled far from the site of battle into a very dense part of the woods. By now night had fallen, the place they were in was nearly pitch black, but not impossible for the trained ninjas to navigate… they were hoping it would be for Yashiro. Sensing that they had finally lost him, they placed Mizurei's body on a makeshift bed of dried leaves and grass. With a sigh of relief Ebi dropped the heavy spear to the ground and then leaned in closer to examine Mizurei. "Good." he sighed, closing his eyes. "He's still alive"
"Will he make it?" asked Shino, eyeing the blood all over Mizurei's body
"His condition is stable." Ebi breathed a sigh of relief. "His body seems to have developed a natural defence mechanism. Even unconscious, his powers are preventing further blood loss." he then turned to face the Kurenai and Shino. "Now I believe you had questions?"
"That is correct" Kurenai glared at him. "My first question is about our enemy, Yashiro. Not only was he able to overtake me in combat, but for a man with absolutely no training or knowledge of basic ninjutsu, how is it that he was able to break my illusion and yet fall for your cheap diversion?"
"The answer I'm afraid is very simple. He is just that powerful." Ebi looked down with his arms crossed, "Not only does Yashiro possess tremendous strength and skill, but he has an extraordinarily powerful mind, with mental strength that far outstrips your own." he explained, "Your genjutsu did surprise him, but there is no way a mind-manipulating technique could hold him long… a mind that surpasses anything human…" Kurenai took note of those particular words, "I did not attempt to penetrate his mind and merely fooled his eyes instead." He finished. Kurenai's instincts told her that there was more he wasn't telling her, but she wasn't going to press for it yet…
"My next question." said Kurenai, "You came to this country knowing what Naruto's mission involved… Naruto, who also had encounters with these men before." After seeing Yashiro for herself, she couldn't believe that boy actually WANTED to fight him! That killing intent she felt from Yashiro… just what in the world was he?! "After Naruto had decided to remain here, you changed the nature of our originally assigned mission to make sure we stayed, while that killer happened to be in this very country the whole time! Did you keep us around in case he came for you? That is not all, but you were fully aware of the discrimination taking place in this land, but hired us knowing full well of Hinata's bloodline!"
"I assure you, I had no intention of dragging you all into such a dangerous conflict. I selected your team to accompany me because of their tracking skills. For what it's worth, I was reluctant to bring Hinata to this place, knowing the local circumstances… but I have full confidence in her. She is one of the few to have fully earned my trust." Ebi answered. Kurenai stared, unable to detect any sign that he was lying. "As for Yashiro, I honestly had no idea he was in this country. In fact, one of the reasons I came here was in the hopes that he would still be searching for me in the Fire Country. That plan completely backfired."
"Very well… that is all for now." said Kurenai, still sensing Ebi knew far more than he was letting on, but chose not to press for more information… at least, not directly from him… "We'd better return to the camp."
"We must travel carefully. In his state, moving Mizurei-san may kill him." Said Shino. They couldn't jump across the treetops as usual, they would have to carry him through the woods. Quickly getting to work and building a makeshift stretcher, they began to travel as quietly as they could, praying that Yashiro would not find them…
(Meanwhile)
In another part of the forest, not far from the encampments there was a clearing where a spring could be found. In the centre of that very spring, a lone figure could be seen standing on the surface of the water, that figure was Naruto.
"(huff… huff…)" he was panting lightly, sweat poured down his face, from hours of constant chakra activity. Ripples formed in the spring with every step he took. Turning his body, he punched into the air, and carefully observing the mist displaced by his attack. The movement of the mist… that was the key to this training. A smile formed on his face, he had been successful, he had completed it! "And that makes two…!" he grinned, looking down at his fist.
Using the 'shared exp' trait of the Kage Bunshin no jutsu to his advantage, he had completed the second of his techniques tonight! He always had quite a few jutsus he had wanted to work on in the past, but between all the missions, training spare time reserved strictly for ramen, he could simply never devote enough of it to fully develop them, until tonight that is. He kept reminding himself to go kick the asses of Kakashi, Jiraiya, Ebi and all the other guys who likely knew this handy trait in the Kage Bunshin no jutsu, yet never bothered to tell him. These moves were fairly simplistic, but no doubt effective. The first one would be the most important, reserved especially for Yashiro… but the second one would changed the way he fought, and was actually inspired by the fighting styles of a certain blue haired girl…
"Hmm?" he suddenly heard a rustling in the bushes and turned his head.
"N-naruto-kun?" emerging from the bushes, Naruto was surprised to see the very same person he had just been thinking of, Hinata!
"Hinat-AAH!" He suddenly screamed. He lost his focus and his foothold on the water disappeared, causing him to sink! "GAH!" he quickly regained his concentration and stopped himself from sinking any further. He had only fallen in deep enough so that the water went up to his ankles. "Urk!" his eyes suddenly opened wide, "That's… COLD!" he screamed, jumping into the air and continued hopping around, "OW-OW-OW! Frostbite! Frostbite!" dropping down on his butt, kicking off his wet sandals while exhaling warm air onto his hands, then furiously rubbing his ice-cold feet.
When everything had finally calmed down… Hinata sat on her knees next of Naruto, "Ano… I'm sorry Naruto-kun…" she apologized, "I didn't mean to cause you so much trouble."
"Ah, it's no problem, Hinata! I've had worse happen to me tonight, a LOT worse!" He grinned, remembering the unfortunate side-effect of training with shadow clones that Ebi also neglected to mention, that being the sudden rush of exhaustion that that hit him whenever the clones all vanished… right when he was standing at a treetop. Apparently, rocks made for lousy landing cushion. "All in all, I'm completely satisfied. All my training's paid off, I'm feeling stronger than ever!" this statement was true. He was closer than ever to mastering that special chakra-using taijutsu, compared to the time he fought Kamui, where the only thing he could really do was punch and block, he has now become quick and versatile enough to use this in combat against other ninjas. With his increases in strength, skill and overall battle experience, he was many times the fighter he was back then!
"I know what you mean…" Hinata nodded.
"Oh yeah, I heard about you training under Kurenai-sensei. How's that been going?"
"I couldn't remember being so exhausted in all my life." Hinata replied. Kurenai, who was usually easier on her respected Hinata's wishes to grow stronger and revealed just how tough she could be. "I can't believe I was able to withstand those drills… but thinking of how hard Naruto-kun was trying… it gave me strength to continue…" she smiled. Her cheeks grew even pinker as she looked down, "A-ano! I… brought you some dinner, Naruto-kun…!" in both her hands, she presented him with a box wrapped up in cloth. Removing the cloth wrap, Naruto saw it was a nicely prepared bento meal, "This is… it was made just for Naruto-kun…"
"Wow…! Thank you Hinata!" Naruto shouted, startling her a bit. The sight of food reminded him just how hungry he was! "ITADAKIMASU!" taking a pair of chopsticks, he dove right in. Hinata giggled at Naruto's antics. Words could not express how happy she felt that he was enjoying it so much… "ACK!" …a little too much. Hinata gasped as Naruto clutched his neck and his face was blown up and turning blue! He was choking!
"AAHH! Naruto-kun!" she cried in horror, and quickly started to shake him, "Please hang on!" she gave him hard slap on the back, causing him to cough it out. "Naruto-kun! I'm so sorry! Are you all right?" she asked desperately
"Whew… thanks Hinata!" Naruto smiled and thanked her, and then picked up the food and started eating again. Hinata stared at him with wide eyes, mouth agape. "What?" he asked, noticing her staring, "Do I have rice on my face?" there were actually a lot of grains stuck to his face, but that was hardly the point. Hinata started laughing, and Naruto laughed along with her, though he still didn't get it.
"You never change, do you Naruto-kun?" Hinata shook her head and let out an exasperated sigh. She was smiling brightly, seeing this side of him always cheered her up. "But really, I'm glad… glad to be here on this mission helping you." Though their time in this country was not meant for fun and leisure, she was thankful to able to spend this time with him. "Wow!" her eyes brightened up as she looked at the spring in front of them. The pristine water was sparkling under the glittering starry night, and the moon shone starts shining its light on the spring. "It's so pretty…!" she clasped her hands together.
Naruto smiled as he watched her, enjoying the view of the water. "So, you sort of have an idea of what I've been training on, but what about you? What have you been working on, Hinata?" he asked curiously
"I have been training in taijutsu, so that I can fight without relying on my eyes." Hinata started growing a tad shy at the question. "But I have also been working on something else. I am trying to perfect a new jutsu of my own."
"HONTO!? A new jutsu?" Naruto exclaimed excitedly, "Ne ne! Hinata! Can you show me!?"
"Ano… I… I don't think it's ready yet!" she looked down nervously, "What if I get it wrong?"
"It's alright, Hinata. No need to get shy over it! I'm sure you'll do it perfectly!" Naruto reassured her. Hinata thought about it until she decided to show him.
"Okay…" she said nodded with a smile, while still having a bit of a blush. Hinata stood up and proceeded to unzip her coat…
"(GYAAAAAH! What is Hinata doing!?)" seeing her slowly removing her coat, Naruto was trying to keep a straight face, but inside his mind, he was going ballistic. "(Kuso! I can't look at this! I don't wanna become a pervert like the old man!)" He screamed mentally, covering his eyes, not wanting to lose his chastity by seeing what he thought he was going to see…
"Can you hold this, Naruto-kun?"
"Eh?" Naruto then opened one eye and saw that Hinata was actually finished; she had only taken off her coat. Naruto was lost in a state of mind, though. "(WHOA.)" those were the only words he could process, for the first time seeing her without a coat on. Hidden beneath that bulky jacket was an amazing figure. She was wearing a thin, almost skin-tight black shirt. "Hai…" as he took the coat from Hinata, Naruto was having a blush on his face still, almost getting impure thoughts. He could see more curves, also noticing she was more 'developed' than the other girls from his class. After thinking that, Naruto raised his palm, and gave himself a firm slap across the face to banish the thoughts.
As Hinata walked towards the edge of the lake, she performed the ram seal to gather chakra to her feet. After getting enough chakra that she needed, she advanced, walking on the surface of the water, going to the middle of the pond. Naruto wondered what was going on as he stared at Hinata in confusion. Hinata looked backed, gave him a nod with a smile, and stopped at the center of the spring. Hinata then began what she was going to show him. From Naruto's point of view, he was totally captivated by this sight. Hinata, silhouetted in the moonlight, performing the katta, in a way, it seemed almost as she was dancing upon the spring. Her movements were filled with such grace and beauty, while the water spiralled through the air and encircled her form… it was the most magical thing he had ever seen. Finally, the chakra dispersed and the water fell like rain. It was over.
When Hinata finished, she started walking back towards shore. Naruto was still captivated by Hinata's performance and has not moved a muscle since. When she finally reached shore, Hinata asked, "Ano… so how was it, Naruto-kun?"
Naruto did not say anything because of the state he was in. A minute later, though, he finally shouted, "WHOOOAAAAA! THAT WAS AWESOME, HINATA!" Hinata was blushing throughout Naruto's applause, but had a smile of appreciation.
Later on, the two sat right next to a tree as they were staring at the scenery under the starry night. Neither one said anything, until Naruto finally spoke. "Ummm… nice night. It fits with the scenery and everything, ne?"
"Yes," Hinata answered. "It does."
True the spring under the stars and moon did look pretty, but that didn't seem to matter to him, he wasn't looking at the water, he was watching her. Her pearly white eyes seemed to glow like the moon and stars reflecting the light in front of them. That wasn't all, but her silky dark hair, her creamy pale skin and her gentle smile… "(Ah!)" Naruto suddenly exclaimed mentally, turning away when he realized he had been staring at her. Thankfully she hadn't noticed. Slowly, he turned his gaze towards her once more, he could feel his heart beating, "(How come I never noticed?)" He asked himself. Just looking at her, he was enthralled by the sight… he just realized it for the first time. She was beautiful.
The more he watched her, the more he began to think about the times he had been with her. From the time they had sat next to one another in the chuunin exams, when she had presented him the medical cream after his match with Kiba, when they had spoken before his big upcoming match with Neji. Then there were the more recent memories, seeing her for the first time in a while shortly after meeting Ebi for the first time, they quickly grew into close friends. She comforted him when they were on the bridge and she had not abandoned him when they were facing certain death against Kamui. No matter what sort of obstacle he faced, she stood by him. "(I've never met anyone like her. No matter what, she never gives up… and she's always there for me. But there are times when I'm around her… I feel something I just don't understand…)"
He began to remember some 'other' moments between him and Hinata. The times their hands accidentally touched, the way his arms wrapped around her when they had defeated Kamui, and the times she had gently embraced him… every time he remembered them, he could feel that very sensation stirring inside. "(I feel as if… as if I want something more than friendship. But is this really alright…? For us to be more than friends…?)"
Naruto's expression then changed to a sad one. "(But then there's the fact of what I am… the vessel of that damn monster. I… I've worked so hard just to gain this friendship we have now… but how will she react?)" Once again, that thought haunted him. The image of her looking at him, trembling in fear… "(If she becomes afraid of me… if she doesn't accept me… I… I just don't know what I'd do…!)" he closed his eyes and looked down in despair. Suddenly, he opened his eyes and raised his head, when he felt her soft hand placed on top of his own. "What?" he turned his head, to see her smiling face.
"Cheer up, Naruto-kun. I'm sure everything will turn out fine." she smiled brightly.
"Hinata…" he felt his heart beating faster. He could feel his doubts and uncertainties melt away… from his perspective, she looked more beautiful than anything he had ever seen… "Hinata!" He exclaimed, wrapping her in a tight embrace.
"N… Naruto-kun!" Hinata gasped, unable to believe what is happening here and now. Clutching her in a tight embrace, she could feel his heart beating against hers… she felt so warm… Naruto suddenly let go
"I… I'm sorry…!" he quickly backed away from her, looking down, he was ashamed. "(Why…? Why did I just do that! I ruined everything…! I'm so stupid!)" a tear formed in his eye… he was expecting to hear her scream and run away…!
"No… you don't have to be sorry for anything… Naruto-kun…! You did nothing wrong…" she grabbed his right hand, clasping it tightly in hers. She also looked down. "When Naruto-kun feels something, I feel it too. When I see Naruto-kun's smile, my heart feels warm. When I see you are sad, it aches. I can never be angry with you, because to me… Naruto-kun is the most important person in the world… and someone I want to be with always…"
The two raised their heads and gazed directly into one another's eyes. Without fully realizing it, they began to lean in closer towards each other, their faces just inches apart…
"Na… Naruto-kun…" Hinata whispered softly… unable to believe this was happening… it had to be a dream…
"H-Hinata…" Naruto uttered in a daze… giving in…
"GYYYAAAAAAAAAHHHHHH!" they suddenly heard a scream
"AAAAH!" The two of them screamed, nearly jumping out of their skin at the very loud noise. Both backed away from each other and straightened up, looking into the woods, then turning back to one another.
"W… what was that?" she gasped, trembling from the sudden jolt back into reality after being such a vulnerable state of mind.
"I… I don't know…" Naruto trembled as he clenched his heart, which was pounding right out of his chest. "But that scream, it came from the direction of the camps!" He turned to her, "I… think we should go check it out! Come on!" he suddenly ran off.
"Naruto-kun… I… I'm coming!" Although shaken, she knew they had to check out whatever it was, but just a moment ago… she couldn't believe it was possible… they had almost…! "OHHH!" she shook her head in frustration. Getting up to her feet, she ran after him.
(At the encampments)
As they emerged from the woods and into the area of the encampments, both Naruto and Hinata gasped at what they saw. Terrified screams filled the air, people were running terrified from soldiers and the camps were on fire!
"HA-HA-HA-HAAAA!" From within the sixth camp, Kirishaku's voice could be heard, "RUN! SCURRY LIKE THE RATS YOU ARE! ACCEPT THE PENALTY FOR YOUR CRIMES!"
"That voice…! IT'S KIRISHAKU!" Naruto shouted.
"NARUTO! HINATA!" The two of them suddenly heard their names being called, both turned to see Kiba running towards them, "Where the hell were you?!"
"Kiba-kun!" Hinata exclaimed, "What's going on!?"
"Kirishaku's attacking the villages!" Kiba shouted, "I was just outside the camp when without any warning soldiers started swarming this place, setting fire to everything!"
"No…!" Naruto gasped, he was trembling… he could not believe what was happening…! "WHERE ARE THE OTHERS!?" he shouted
"I don't know! You two are the only ones here!" Kiba shouted back
"Damn it…!" Naruto growled, turning around. All the houses were on fire, but all the focus was really on the sixth! There were soldiers surrounding the sixth encampment, keeping people of the other camps from helping, and forcing the residents of the sixth back in with their weapons while Kirishaku and his men continued to ransack it from the inside! Naruto suddenly ran towards the entrance, the guards turned around and saw him charging in their direction! "GET OUT OF MY WAY!" Naruto slammed the first one in the face, the impact sent him flying and hitting the ground, out cold. As the other guard came at him, Naruto did a backflip, kicking upwards against his chin and knocking him unconscious.
Two more soldiers attacked, that's when Kiba and Hinata came in. Kiba crouched down and kicked the soldier's legs out from underneath him, making him fall back. As that soldier hit the ground, Kiba jumped high into the air and came crashing down on him with his knee. Hinata struck her palm against the next soldier's chest, chakra surged through his lungs. The man collapsed, he was down for the count. More soldiers surrounding the perimeter of the camp came running towards them.
"KIBA! You stay behind and take care of these guys! Don't let any more of them through!" Naruto shouted as he and Hinata dashed through the entrance
"Got it! But watch out! I can smell more of them inside!" Kiba shouted back, as a spear-wielding soldier charged at him. Kiba swayed his body and avoided the weapon, "HAA!" he smashed the back of his fist against his face, knocking him out. Suddenly, another one emerged behind him about to strike, but Akamaru leap out of nowhere with his fangs bared, biting him in the face! "NICE JOB AKAMARU!" he shouted as the man ran around screaming, the dog still hanging from him. Kiba smirked and turned around, as more and more soldiers came rushing towards him… "YOOOOSH! KAKATTE KOI! (BRING IT ON)!"
Within the camp, Naruto and Hinata were running past the blazing houses, fighting their way through soldiers just as Kiba had warned them. Naruto growled as he looked around, he saw a number of bodies belonging to the residents here. Making his way to the center of the village, he gasped at what he saw! People were being forcibly rounded up and threatened with the weapons. At the very center of the camp, overseeing the entire raid, surrounded by his retinue, it was Kirishaku! Right now, he was cheering on his soldiers as several of them at once were beating a villager who had tried to fight back.
"STOP IT!" Naruto screamed, he and Hinata both ran towards one soldier who was lifting a large rock, ready to smash the victim's head. That soldier gasped, feeling the impact of both Naruto's fist and Hinata's palm, he was sent flying and crashing through the walls of one of the burning houses. The other two soldiers turned to Naruto and Hinata, "Let's see how YOU like being ganged up on! KAGE BUNSHIN NO JUTSU!" Naruto shouted, as ten of his clones suddenly appeared and surrounded the two men, pouncing on them and beating them up. Naruto and Hinata both kneeled by the victim, "Are you okay!? Speak to me!"
"Yes… thank you…" He answered weakly. Naruto felt some relief; he was okay. "They were threatening my son… I tried to stop them, and they…" the man trailed off, feeling his consciousness slipping away. "Please… stop Kirishaku!"
"Grrr…!" Naruto growled, turning his sight onto the man responsible for all this, laughing at the mayhem he brought "KIRISHAKUUUUUU!"
"Hmm? YOU!" Kirishaku gasped, seeing Naruto closely followed by Hinata running towards him, stopping fifteen feet away. His bodyguards drew their swords, but Kirishaku motioned them to hold still, for now…
"What is the meaning of this!? Why are you attacking these people!?" shouted Hinata
"Be quiet! You have some nerve speaking directly to me you little wench!" Kirishaku snapped at her. Naruto growled, ready to pound him into dust just for that remark, but Hinata held him back. "These savages have broken the law once more and used their powers! There is no point in denying it, every single sensor in the city had alerted us! I am merely bringing them to justice!"
"J… justice…?" Naruto said in utter disbelief, "You call this justice…?! YOU BROUGHT IN THE ARMY TO RANSACK THE VILLAGE, BURN THEIR HOMES AND MURDER INNOCENT PEOPLE! WHAT KIND OF SICK JOKE IS THIS!?"
"The denizens of encampment six have forgotten their place! They humiliated me, and their rebellious behaviour was beginning to influence the other camps! I am merely restoring order." Kirishaku grinned, "I will make an example to all of them by setting fire to their villages and having everyone the 6th camp executed. I also have something extra special in mind for their leader Mizurei… who has yet to show himself!" he scowled, "My men have reported no sight of him! That coward who claims to be their protector has abandoned his people just to save his own skin!"
"Do not speak that way about him! Mizurei-san is a greater man than you could ever hope to be!" Hinata shouted, "How can you treat human beings like this!?"
"Human beings!? BAH! Your kind isn't fit to be called human!" Kirishaku shouted back, "You are freaks of nature! The lowest and most despicable creatures in this world! Your very existence is a crime!"
"You…" Hinata was trembling with anger, "YOU ARE COMPLETELY INSANE!"
"SHUT UP! I WILL NOT STAND BY AND BE INSULTED BY A FREAK!" Kirishaku howled in anger, "As for you…" He then turned to Naruto "I'M SICK OF YOU! YOU'VE POISONED THIS COUNTRY ENOUGH WITH YOUR IDEALS! NEITHER OF YOU WILL LEAVE HERE ALIVE!"
(Naruto and Hinata go chibi, anime style.)
"Hey Hinata," Naruto suddenly smirked, "If I didn't know any better, that almost sounded like a threat!"
"Oh no! Whatever shall we do?" She gasped with her hands pressed to her cheeks.
(End Chibi-mode)
Kirishaku was begining to burn red with anger. They were mocking him!
"I say we KICK HIS ASS!" Naruto shouted, suddenly grabbing a flaming piece of timber and hurled it at Kirishaku. The nobleman screamed as the flaming projectile hit him, and continued to cry out as his decorative ornaments were set ablaze!
"AAAARGH! EVERYONE! FORGET THE FREAKS! I WANT THESE TWO DEAD THIS INSTANT!" Kirishaku screamed. Obeying his orders, they left the villagers alone, giving them the opportunity to run to safety. Only a select few remained, ones who were capable of fighting, Mizurei's men. Those fighters ran to the center, joining with Naruto and Hinata as soldiers surrounded them all.
"So what do you think of the odds?" Naruto smirked, looking at these soldiers…
"Completely unfair." Hinata replied. "They don't stand a chance."
"ATTAAAAACK!" Naruto, Hinata and Mizurei's companions all charged into battle. Naruto roared as he struck a soldier upside the head and knocked his helmet off and then smashed him down with his fist. As that soldier hit the ground, Naruto grabbed him by the leg and gripped tightly… "HRRRGN!" Naruto grunted, swinging the unfortunate soldier in circles before throwing him into an oncoming group. Putting his hands together Naruto formed five copies of himself, all of which immediately went charging into their numbers with their fists flying! Even without activating her bloodline abilities, Hinata smoothly evaded the weapons of her numerous opponents and proceeded in striking with her open palms. Armour did absolutely nothing to stop her chakra as it passed right through and directly struck their organs! Though nowhere near the strength of their leader, Mizurei's men were all born and bred fighters, their lineage gifting them with tremendous natural strength and skill. Even without use of their own powers, they held their own against the superior numbers!
"ARGH! DAMN IT! YOU'RE ALL USELESS!" Kirishaku shouted from afar, not liking the way this battle was going. Even against a hundred soldiers of the Mist Province, this band consisting of little more than a dozen people was holding its own!
"We may possess powers, but we have not used them! Do you know why?" Hinata asked, having just downed another opponent, "It has nothing to do with that law you wrote! We simply have no need of them against the likes of you! And before you call anyone useless, Kirishaku… just what have YOU accomplished?"
"That… does it!" Kirishaku snarled and drew his katana. "Little bitch…! I'LL KILL YOU MYSELF!" he suddenly charged towards her
"Why you…!" Naruto was about to intervene, but Hinata motioned him to stop.
"You concentrate on what is really important… Naruto-kun! I can fight him myself!" She said, drawing a kunai
"Heh…!" Naruto stared at her and smiled warmly, while one of his hands held up a soldier by the front of the shirt and the other was repeatedly punching his face, "You can do it!"
"HAAAA!" Kirishaku screamed, swinging his katana…
-CLANG-
The sound of metal rung through the air, as Hinata had completely deflected the blade with the kunai. "(Not even a scratch!)" she noted, looking at the fine kunai pressed against the master crafted katana. She had to thank Ebi later. Kirishaku continued to swing the sword at her, and Hinata continued to dodge and parry everything he could throw at her!
"KUCHIYOSE NO JUTSU!" Naruto's voice echoed through the sky. There was a great burst of smoke, and many soldiers screamed when Naruto was standing with his arms crossed on top of a giant armoured toad the size of an elephant! "YOUR ATTENTION, PLEASE! This fight is strictly between the amazing Hinata and the asshole sometimes known as Kirishaku! Will the nameless henchmen leave?"
"Who… who do you think you are?! We serve Kirishaku-sama with honour! Do you think you could scare us away with your sorcery!?" One of the soldiers shouted, but started to sweat nervously when the toad turned towards him… "AAAAAAH!" he screamed when the toad's tongue suddenly shot out and grabbed him, pulling him into its mouth.
"Anyone ELSE wanna argue?" Naruto crossed his arms, while the soldiers were quaking in fear of the huge monster. "LISTEN UP! I'm giving you all ten seconds to get your asses out of here before I treat froggy to an all-you-can-eat Mist army buffet! TEN…! NINE…! The soldiers began storming out of the camp, screaming, pushing and shoving as hard as they could, many dropping while dropping their helmets and abandoning their weapons in their haste to get away from this monster. The giant toad opened its mouth and spat out that one soldier, who immediately got up and ran away, tears in his eyes and crying loudly for his mother. "Heh… sorry big guy, I forgot you guys eat bugs, not garbage."
"YOU COWARDS!" Kirishaku screamed as he could see his forces running away, "COME BACK HERE! I ORDER YOU!"
"You are all alone now, Kirishaku!" Hinata spoke harshly, pressing against his sword with her kunai, "There is no one left to fight for you!"
"Do you honestly think you can defeat a jounin of the Mist!?" Kirishaku growled, finding it incredibly difficult to deflect this girl's attacks!
"Even if you were a ninja at some point, you spent all those years basking in luxury… you are weak." She spoke boldly, "There is no way I would ever lose to you!"
"Shut up! SHUT UP!" he continued to hack wildly at her, growing tired with every swing. In his prime he made it to the chuunin level, and from there on he simply used his influences to gain Jounin rank. It has been over thirty years since he had performed any missions, let alone physical work. He was heavy, he was slow, and he was absolutely no match for this girl! "JUST DIE ALREADY!" he raised the katana over his head and swung down with all his strength, "WHAT!?" Hinata glared up at him, having caught the blade above her head between her palms! In the moment he was stunned, she took advantage of it, disarming him and flinging the Katana to the side. She raised her palm, gathering chakra. Kirishaku gasped, remembering the devastating effects of the girl's palms on his soldiers, and this time it was packed with enough chakra it was visible! Her palm shot towards his heart…! "AAAAHH!" Kirishaku fell down on his back and lay there. He blinked. He was alive?
"Were you expecting me to kill you?" asked Hinata, looking down on him. She hadn't struck him with any chakra, she merely pushed him over. "You are a pitiful man, completely blinded by your prejudice, you caused so much suffering. You really do deserve to die." she glared at him. He was on the ground, trembling, with a terrified look on his face. "But I am not like you. I know honour, and I will not resort to murder someone who has none. I just want everyone to see for themselves just how pathetic you really are." As if on cue, villagers were coming back. Those who had fled because of the attack, they all looked down on the quivering Kirishaku. Kiba ran into the scene, and stood quietly and watched.
"G… grrr!" Kirishaku growled, standing up. His knees were trembling. All around him, he could see the stares of the people he had so viciously tried to harm…
"You are not welcome here." Hinata spoke firmly. "Get out, and never return."
"You… you haven't won!" sweating nervously, Kirishaku tried in vain to put on a strong front, "I'll be back…! With more men! I will not stop until EVERY last one of you monsters is rotting in the ground!" he shouted, but there was no response from anyone… "HUH?" he gasped as he felt something large and sticky wrap around him.
"Wrong answer, asshole." Said Naruto, standing on the toad that grabbed him with its tongue, "You can return as many times as you like, with as many men as you can get, but always remember, we'll be right here waiting for you." he hopped down and walked over so he was standing next to Hinata. "Get him out of here!" He called to the giant toad. The toad croaked in confirmation, and with a huge swing of his tongue, he flung Kirishaku into the sky.
"YANNA KANJIIIIIII! (Author's note: Or as you may know it: 'Team Rocket's blasting off again!)" Kirishaku went sailing over the horizon and vanished out of sight with a 'ping'.
Naruto nodded at the toad, indicating his job was done. It disappeared in a burst of smoke. Naruto then turned to Hinata, and smiled fondly at her, "You were amazing, Hinata."
"It… it was nothing, Naruto-kun…!" she suddenly exclaimed, blushing a bit. Her shyness seemed to have returned… (clap, clap, clap) "Ano?" Hinata began to hear clapping. All around her, the people were beginning to clap faster and faster…!
"LET'S ALL HEAR IT FOR HINATA!" Naruto suddenly shouted, throwing his arms into the air, "BANZAI! BANZAI! BANZAI!" There was a roar of applause, people were shouting praises at her, Kiba whistled loudly with his fingers.
"AH!" startled by sudden cheering, Hinata clung into him tightly, earning an even grander ovation and a number of loud woops from the crowd.
"Eh-heh-heh…" Naruto rubbed the back of his head, grinning nervously and red in the cheeks as the girl held onto him. For the first time in her life Hinata was the center of attention… tonight, she was the hero!
"AHHH! MIZUREI-SAN!" someone screamed. The applause came to a sudden halt. The crowd immediately moved out of the way, as they could see Ebi, Shino and Kurenai bringing in Mizurei on a makeshift stretcher. There were many horrified gasps and screams, adults covering the eyes of their children. Mizurei lay on the stretcher, with many open wounds and covered in blood.
"MIZUREI!/MIZUREI-SAN!/ANIKI!" Naruto, Hinata and Mizurei's followers ran to him
"Stand back! Give him some space!" Ebi shouted.
"What the hell happened to him!?" Naruto asked desperately.
"He… he was attacked by Yashiro." Ebi looked down
"WHAT!?" Both Naruto and Hinata gasped
"What happened to the camp?" asked Ebi, looking around. This place was in ruins, and many of the houses had burned to the ground, "Never mind, tell me later! We have to treat him now! Are there any buildings left standing?"
"That one over there! That one hasn't been damaged yet!" one of Mizurei's companions pointed
"Come on! Help carry him!" Many people moved out of the way, as Mizurei's companions carried him inside and placed him down as gently as they could. With a small blade, Ebi cut open Mizurei's shirt. "His bloodline ability is keeping him stable for now, but it isn't enough." Said Ebi "Hinata, you know medicinal herbs. I'll need you to mix medicine while I treat him. Everyone else, please leave."
Naruto looked at Hinata, who responded "It's okay, please go." she rolled back her sleeves, preparing to get to work. For a second it looked like he was about to say something, but Naruto nodded silently, and left with the others, as Ebi and Hinata got to work on Mizurei.
As Naruto left the hut, he began to wander by himself, looking at the state of the village. Many of the homes had been destroyed, as were the houses in the other camps. They no shelter, and it was almost winter. He kept thinking about Mizurei, and how badly he was hurt fighting Yashiro. The wounds Mizurei sustained were even worse than the ones Naruto received when he challenged Yashiro in the Mist capital… but unlike Naruto, Mizurei did not have the support of any demon. There would be no miraculous healing, he was on his own…
So many things were going through his mind right now… it was just overwhelming. Mizurei was in critical condition and might not survive the night… the MaShin plotting the destruction of the country by poising the two sides against one another, and their offers to join them in MaShin… the attack Kirishaku had led on the encampments, in which so many had died tonight… but most of all… back at that spring, what almost happened with Hinata…
Eventually, Ebi and Hinata exit that house, and walked over to him. "We've done all we could. Now it's all up to him."
"I see…" Naruto looked down, while a number of villagers went in to tend to Mizurei.
"You don't have to be so worried. Mizurei is very resilient, as much as you. I'm certain he'll be okay." Said Ebi. Then looking around, he then spoke to them. "Naruto, Hinata, I would like you to come with me. There are matters that need to be discussed in private." They followed Ebi outside the village, while being careful to make sure no one else followed them. Now, certain that they were alone, Ebi turned around, "Now… I will tell you everything."
"What is it you wanna tell us Ebi?" Asked Naruto
"You two trust me, do you?"
"Well, yeah. Of course we do." Naruto shrugged, and Hinata gave an affirmative nod.
"You're the only ones. The rest of your friends aren't nearly so trusting, and who can blame them? You guys know nothing about me." Ebi crossed his arms. Naruto and Hinata stood silently. It was true, they had taken him for a friend, barely knowing anything about him, or putting any thought whatsoever into why he held such a title, despite his low fighting capabilities. It's true he was very intelligent, but that alone shouldn't be enough to raise his rank above a village chunin. "The reason I am telling you this, is because you two are directly involved. Everything ties into the ancient scroll the two of you fought so hard to recover from Kamui… and the MaShin." The two remained silent. They obviously remembered the artefact they had risked their lives to reclaim from Kamui, but never truly understood its significance. Nor did they understand its connections with the MaShin, those dangerous individuals who seemed to show up wherever they went. "It all began years ago, in a mission given to me by the third Hokage."
"The old man!? He knew about them?!" Naruto gasped, while Hinata watched silently, "What kind of mission did he give you!?"
"An ongoing mission, one that continues to this day. So secret it was never recorded in any archive." explained Ebi, "He knew of the existence of the MaShin, the fallen empire that once brought this world to the brink of destruction, and the existence of the ancient scroll carrying the knowledge that made them so powerful. This knowledge was too dangerous to be possessed by humans, its contents would be a threat to the world should it fall into the wrong hands. Could you imagine if Orochimaru had acquired it, and achieved the immortality he so desperately seeks?" both Naruto and Hinata winced at the thought. "I don't consider myself a fighter, but I'm an expert on matters involving research and investigations of the cryptic… thus I was charged with the task of tracking down the MaShin secrets. This mission was beyond classified, and in order to ensure secrecy, it was never made official. I was given the label of 'Sennin' as a cover, and just like Jiraiya of the Legendary three, I was exempt from taking part in missions and have the freedom to travel outside village whenever I deemed necessary… no questions asked."
"HA! I KNEW IT! You really are a fake sennin!" Naruto shouted
"This is NOT the time!" Ebi snapped at him
"Sorry-sorry!" Naruto apologized, "But still, all these years, all this secrecy, what was it all for? The scroll wasn't far from the village, and you even sent us genin to pick it up instead!"
"I am getting to that." explained Ebi, "Over the years, and uncovering many hidden sources, I had learned that the MaShin Empire is very much alive and active today, operating in secret. I had joined them and infiltrated deep enough into their ranks to steal that scroll. I have been on the run ever since, and they've marked me for death. At one point I was so certain they would catch me, I hastily hid the scroll on Gakido Peak in some abandoned shrine, if only to keep it out of their hands a little longer, while I continued to flee. Eventually I made it back home, to Konoha Village."
"And that's when you met me…!" Naruto exclaimed in realization
"News travels further than you might think, and I had heard quite a bit about your exploits. Your battles in the Wave Country, your victory against Hyuga Neji and Gaara of the Sand, along with knowing your 'other' abilities…" He added, Naruto knew that he was referring to the demon… "I specifically hired your team, and even goaded you into a fight to gauge your level and see if you would stand a chance if a MaShin soldier got involved. I went as far as to show off all my flashiest techniques to make you want to learn them. When I was satisfied, I went ahead and sent you on the mission. I would remain in Konoha where my pursuers were likely watching for me, while some genin team they had no interest in went on with its business. Unfortunately, they caught onto the plan, and you got caught up in the fight to reclaim this scroll…" from his bag, he held it up, "The MaShin Scroll."
"That's the scroll we fought for!" gasped Hinata, "But you just called it the MaShin scroll… does that means it belonged to them all along?!"
"The MaShin Empire possesses power beyond anything you can imagine. Technology centuries ahead of us and military might that dwarves our village's… and the origin of their power is right here." Ebi held the ancient MaShin scroll. "With this scroll, you can unleash plagues that can erase nations… construct weapons with the power to destroy armies… even call gods and demons into this world, and then bind them with human beings to grant them superhuman capabilities." At that last remark, Naruto was trembling.
"If… if the knowledge inside is so dangerous, why don't you just burn the damn thing?!" Naruto shouted. Hinata stared at him, unsure why that last bit had him so agitated.
"No matter what, I am a scholar, and having only the faintest idea of what knowledge could possibly be contained, I could not bring myself to destroy it at the time… but that is no excuse." Ebi admitted shamefully, "In my arrogance, I even dared to think that if only I could escape the MaShin long enough to study its secrets, I could wield these powers against them… It was not until you had returned it to me that I could see this scroll for what it truly is… evil." Naruto watched as Ebi trembled. More than anyone, he understood the horrors of MaShin. "It offers so much power… so great… so absolute… all-consuming and corrupting… it is not meant to be seen by mankind…" He closed his eyes and shivered.
Naruto and Hinata remained silent as Ebi composed himself. What things could he have seen to drive him to such a state?
"The scroll itself is a curse on the world. It should not even be allowed to exist… and that's when I learned something else…" Ebi clenched his teeth. "I have tried every known art of destruction our village possesses… they were all useless against the MaShin Scroll. It is absolutely indestructible. Nothing can harm it."
"Oh great. Simply wonderful. I'll keep that in mind the next time I get a mission that involves travelling to Mount Doom…!" Naruto crossed his arms.
"When you had left for your mission to finalize the alliance between Leaf and Mist, I assumed my pursuers were still looking for me in Konoha, so I brought it with me. That was my next mistake, as we all soon learned, they are here too." he shuddered. "Now that Yashiro knows I'm in this country, we are all in grave danger. If he realizes I'm staying with the rest you in Encampment 6, he will come for me, and there would be nothing we could do." Naruto, Mizurei, Kurenai… even the strongest among them could not stop Yashiro. "Hinata? I apologize, but I must speak to Naruto alone. Please go and get some rest."
"Ano…! I-I…" Hinata looked like she was about to protest. Naruto too looked reluctant for her to leave, but he understood this was a matter of secrecy. As Ebi was their Team's client, she relented… "Goodnight Ebi-san… goodnight… Naruto-kun…"
"It'll be alright Hinata…" Naruto said gently, "I'll find you in the camp, okay?" She nodded and made her way back to the encampment.
After Hinata left, Ebi made absolutely certain that no one was listening before he continued "Those times you fought MaShin soldiers, have you ever used the power of your demon?"
"Only once… when I fought Kamui in the woods at Konoha. I never got the chance to use it against Yashiro." said Naruto, "But then… even when I used the fox's chakra, once Kamui unleashed his own demon, he was even more powerful… it was by some miracle we won."
"The MaShin ranks are filled with demon carriers, and among them Kamui is quite strong. But when you consider the demon he holds compared to yours, it is really nothing that special. The Mukade should be no match for the Kyubi… ordinarily that is." explained Ebi, "The Kyubi may be powerful, but the method in which it was sealed into you is different." he looked down at Naruto's stomach, "The fourth Hokage sealed the demon through a pact with the shinigami. It is easily one of the most powerful sealing techniques. A tiny portion of the demon's chakra is able to seep through the seal, and even then you have to keep your emotions and power in check, or the seal could break and the demon would be set loose. Our enemies however have no such concern. MaShin's method of binding demons to their soldiers is specifically designed for battle, allowing their full power to flow through. Their demons are joined willingly, in the hopes of their power being used for slaughter, and MaShin soldiers can fight without any restraint. As for Yashiro… he is among the very best."
"Then it's hopeless!" Naruto looked down. Whenever an enemy proved too strong for him, he could always count on the powers of the Kyubi to pull him through. But if his ability to harness the powers of a demon was below that of the average MaShin soldier, what could he expect to do against the likes of Yashiro who outclassed him in every single aspect?
"There is a way…" said Ebi. "In order combat MaShin, we must use their techniques against them. I had studied the scroll's contents regarding weapons and I believe I have found what we need." he smiled, straightening his glasses, "I'm not good at fighting, but I am confident in my ability to craft weapons. I will put my skills to the test. You may not be able to channel the full power of Kyubi, but what if we were to build a weapon that allows it?"
"You can do that…?" Naruto gasped, "How…?" His question was answered when Ebi held up the scroll. Naruto immediately understood.
"No one is more heavily involved with demons than the MaShin Empire. They have the ability summon and merge them with living humans. It's not a stretch to think they have the technology to create weapons that utilize the power of demons as well. However…" Ebi looked down, "To create a demonic weapon will require much time and effort, as well as a number of rare components. Of course, I do have the necessary ingredients to craft just about any weapon in the scroll, except for one… the most powerful one of all…" he scowled, "There is a weapon that requires a rare metal that possesses unique properties that affect demons… so scarce that it has reached legendary status. It is said that the first Hokage once owned a necklace made with that legendary metal, a huge chunk of it no less. If only we had that mineral, even just a piece the size of a grain of sand… I can create a weapon holding powers we can only imagine…"
"You mean this?" Naruto held up the necklace he got from Tsunade
"SWEET HOLY HELL!" Ebi screamed, nearly suffering a heart attack. "LET ME SEE THAT!" he grabbed it and examining it closely, "This… this is the real thing…! How did you…?"
"Heh! I guess you can say it was a gift from Tsunade-obachan!" Naruto grinned.
"I see… and with this much of the metal, we can make a truly incredible weapon…" said Ebi, "But I also understand that it may hold sentimental value as well. Whether you would want it to be used to make a weapon, it's your choice. I can just make another weapon without it. Whatever decision you make, I will respect completely."
"Hmmm…" Naruto looked down. The necklace he had won from Tsunade was his symbol of victory in mastering the rasengan… but so much was at stake. Yashiro's plot was coming into fruition, and they were powerless to stop him. They needed it. "Ebi… if I give this to you, can you really make a weapon as great as you say?"
"I swear on my life." Ebi answered, "With this mineral, I will forge the strongest weapon you will ever see… one that unleashes the full might of the nine tails in every swing. A blade that only you can wield."
"Then take it." Naruto pulled off his necklace and handed it over. Ebi held it carefully in his hand, as if it were the most valuable treasure he had ever laid his eyes on. Though Naruto felt some regret for giving up such a precious necklace, he decided that in a way, the necklace isn't really being destroyed, but rather being reborn…
"I promise you, you will not regret this decision." Ebi spoke, eyeing the necklace.
"Ebi… I want you to know something though…" Naruto said seriously. "MaShin is too powerful, and the only way we can stand any chance is to turn their own powers against them… but… to use knowledge from that scroll…" he glared at the thing he had fought so hard for, not knowing its evil, "We are doing this out of pure necessity. After this, I don't want anything more to do with that scroll. Even if whatever secrets locked inside could give us the power to utterly crush MaShin… I refuse to use it."
"You have no idea how glad I am to hear you say that." To Naruto's surprise, Ebi smiled. "I had no intentions of handing it over to the Hokage, the village elders or anyone else for that matter. If I were to turn it over to the Leaf Village, we would gain the power to match MaShin… but at what cost? It may present us with the easy solution… but it won't end there. Once they start using those powers there will be no way they'll ever let go. They'll become addicted in no time. It won't be long before we start using it against other villages, other countries… against the world. We wouldn't be ridding the world of MaShin… we'd just be taking their place." Even if the weapon designs weren't the most potent secrets contained within, they were already pushing it just by using the technology. There was no way they would take another one. "Once our work here is complete and we return to the village… I will resume trying to find a way to destroy this scroll and end this curse on humanity." Looking at Naruto, Ebi could see that he was very tired. "You must really be exhausted after everything today. You should get some rest, while I get to work. Good night Naruto."
"Good night Ebi" Naruto nodded, as he left him in the woods. Ebi moved deeper into the forest until he reached a rocky area with few trees. This was a good location to work. Ebi closed his eyes and took a deep breath, steeling his mind. What he was doing was incredibly dangerous; if he got careless for even a moment, he could lose his mind and his soul.
Ebi began reciting a series of words in a bizarre language. There was something about the spoken words that just felt so utterly wrong… Even the sounds of the nature, the leaves blowing in the wind and the creatures that inhabited the woods went silent. The bindings on the ancient scroll began to glow and unlock, and the MaShin scroll began to unravel…
Naruto entered the village once more. Many of the houses had been burned down, and people had formed makeshift shelters with the materials they had left, whatever they could do to keep a roof over his head. As he was looking for the other Konoha nins, he was suddenly stopped by Kurenai. "Naruto." she spoke
"Hai, Kurenai-sensei?" Naruto replied
"Come with me. I would like to have a talk with you." she motioned him to follow. Naruto let out an audible groan. He just wanted to sleep…!
She led him to an isolated area within the encampment. Knowing there was no one around, she turned to him. "Today, I fought the man who had injured Mizurei… the same man you intend to fight." Naruto looked surprised. She fought Yashiro? "I am ashamed to say, it did not go well. I was almost killed. If it weren't for the assistance of my student, I would not be here now." she then gave him a stern look. "Today, a man who was not even a ninja and had absolutely zero knowledge about chakra was able to break my Genjutsu. I questioned Ebi-san and received no answers… answers, I'm certain you have."
"What's there to know? He won because he was stronger than you. Join the club." Naruto scoffed, his arms crossed and eyes shifting to the side. Kurenai could see he knew what she wanted to know, and he wasn't intending to say anything. However, she had her own ways of extracting the truth from him…
"We have another pressing matter to discuss…" Kurenai spoke firmly to him, "That matter being… what exactly is going on between you and Hinata."
"Ah…!" Naruto gasped, his eyes opened wide, "W… what are you talking about? H-heh…! There's nothing going on between us…"
"I am not blind Naruto." She said sternly. "Throughout this mission entire, I have watched as the two of you spent much time together. You have grown very close… perhaps even begun falling for one another…"
"EI!?" Naruto exclaimed… feeling his pulse suddenly skyrocket, "E… even if that were true, t… that's none of your…"
"It is my business if it concerns my student!" Kurenai silenced him, "If getting involved with you means she will be placed in further danger, then it will be my responsibility to separate you two for her own safety." She finished. Naruto was trembling.
"I… understand…" Naruto calmed down himself and looked at the ground. "It's the demon… that's what's bothering you, isn't it?" Kurenai seemed surprised by this question. While the demon inside Naruto was certainly one of her concerns, she didn't expect him to go out and say it. Where was he going with this? "You are right to be concerned. Even caged up inside me, it always attracts trouble, and Yashiro has taken interest in me for that reason." he looked up at her, and Kurenai's eyes began to widen "…because they are like me."
Kurenai let out an audible gasp, "Are you saying…?"
"The people who attacked the village, the man Hinata and I fought, and the one I seek to challenge right now… they also carry demons within them." said Naruto, "If Yashiro was immune to your genjutsu, then Ebi was telling the truth. Yashiro was indeed too powerful to be affected by a human mind, because the mind you attacked was that of a demon."
"All this time… they were…!" Kurenai was at a loss for words "And Hinata? She knew?!"
"She knew nothing. She is completely innocent. I'm the only one to blame." Naruto tried his best to protect Hinata from any blame by directing all of it to himself. "I kept lying to everyone because I didn't want anyone find out. I wanted to fight them all myself… so that way… no one would ever have to know…" he looked down, knowing how childish his answer sounded. "Hinata… You are right to want to take her away… getting involved with me is dangerous… but… I… she…" he clenched his fist, he simply didn't know what to say.
"Just what does she mean to you?" asked Kurenai
"Hinata… is my friend… more loyal and devoted than anyone I know." Naruto spoke, "More than anyone, I respect her for her strength and who she is. She has stood by me through everything, and I care deeply about her for that reason. I know that I am not the strongest shinobi… and chances are, I may not even live to make it home… but…" he looked up at Kurenai, "Hinata means more to me than anyone in the world… and I'd sooner die than allow any harm to reach her."
"Hmmm…" Kurenai looked down. Naruto's answers about the demon vessels has left her with even more anxiety than before. She had understood that these enemies were strong, but she didn't realize just how far their power extended until now, but… "I have seen your honesty and determination, and I must say, I am pleased." she said, surprising him. "It is for that reason I shall entrust her to you."
"E… entrust her to me…?" Naruto stared at Kurenai… his face growing red at those words…
"I may be her assigned instructor, but I cannot always be around to protect her from harm." Said Kurenai, "Whenever that time comes, I trust you to take care of her."'
"Then I will swear on it, by my way of the ninja." Naruto placed his hand over his heart.
"Very good." Kurenai said with a serious but sincere smile. Looking at him, she could see clearly that Naruto was exhausted, "You should go get some rest now. Good night." As Naruto walked off, Kurenai thought back on her words. Naruto's reaction was understandable, depending on how you interpreted what she meant by 'entrusting' Hinata to him… Kurenai smiled, "Hinata chose well. You are a good person, and perfect for her. I know you will not disappoint me."
After searching for a while, Naruto found the area where the other Konoha nins were resting. He could see Hinata, who was sleeping soundly right now. Sitting down next to her, he smiled fondly as he looked down at her, brushing a few strands of hair away from her face. Naruto yawned, and then lay down beside her, his eyes begun to close… "Goodnight… Hinata…" he said one last time before drifting off…
"This is bullcrap! I missed all the action!" Kiba's loud voice suddenly shouted, and Naruto's eyes opened wide.
"I just don't understand what you're so angry about, Kiba" Shino replied, "You fought plenty of soldiers while you were here."
"That's right, soldiers! A fancy word for 'nameless henchmen who die in one hit'! While I was mopping up garbage, you guys took on the real boss!" Kiba huffed
"We were almost killed! You were lucky to have not taken part in that battle! How could you be upset about missing it?" Shino said in disbelief
"Because…! Ara? Naruto?" Kiba just noticed him, "Hey Naruto!" Naruto grumbled and sat up, glaring at him, "What happened just now? What did Kurenai-sensei call you out for?"
"Nothing much" Naruto said sleepily, "Ebi didn't satisfy her, so she called me out to have a 'little talk'. I gave her what she wanted, and she said she was pleased. Didn't look like she was faking either…" Naruto plopped down on the floor and fell asleep.
"WHAAAAAAAAT!?" Kiba screamed, absolutely shocked by those words… getting a completely different idea of what he meant. "Holy shit…! I've never known this side of Kurenai-sensei…! AND WHY DID IT HAVE TO BE YOU!?"
"Don't misunderstand Kiba, it is nothing like that." Said Shino, "After seeing Naruto-kun and Hinata spending all this time together, most likely Kurenai-sensei wanted to make sure that he would be good enough for her…"
"Oh really…?" Kiba stared at him, and then growled. Lunging down at Naruto, he grabbed him by the shirt and lifted him up, "YOU BASTARD! SO MY TEACHER WASN'T ENOUGH FOR YOU, AND NOW YOU'RE PIMPING ON HINATA!?" he shouted. He growled even louder when he saw Naruto was snoring, some drool was coming from his mouth and a snot bubble blew as he snored… "OI…! WAKE UP DAMMIT!" He screamed as he started slapping Naruto over and over. "Ara?" Kiba stopped when he saw Naruto was awake…
"GRRRRRRR…" Naruto growled
POW!
Shino looked up into the air feeling rather impressed by the height Kiba reached before hitting the ground, while Naruto dropped to the floor and went back to sleep.
(Meanwhile)
"I swear…! They will pay for this…! They will rue the day they crossed me…!" Limping through the forest using the empty sheath of his katana for support, Kirishaku was heading towards the Mist capital. "Next time I'll bring an army…! No! I'll hire missing-nins! The most vicious ones I can find! And then…! And then…!"
"Are you quite done?" a voice spoke. Kirishaku turned his head, and was surprised to see a figure standing in his path. A thin man with spiked golden hair, and yellow catlike eyes…
"Who are you?" asked Kirishaku
"In this land, I am but a humble palace guard…" Kintentsu gave a courteous bow, smiling happily. "But I come to you now as a messenger from Yashiro."
"Yashiro?" Kirishaku straightened up at the mention of that name, "What does he have to say?"
"He says you have played your role splendidly, but now you are of no further use to us." Kintetsu answered happily, "He expresses his deepest regret that he could not be here to kill you himself!"
"W… what!?" Kirishaku gasped at that statement, "But Yashiro is my most trusted…!"
"In order for our plan to proceed," Kintetsu raised his hand, causing Kirishaku to jumped back when lightning suddenly appeared crackling at his fingertips…! "You will have to die!" he suddenly darted towards Kirishaku…
Across the night sky, a blood curdling scream echoed throughout the land…
(In front of the Mist Capital)
"Hmm? What's this?" A guard on patrol spoke, as he could see a strange figure on the ground. It was difficult to see through the mist. Approaching it carefully, he shone his lantern onto the figure, "AH…!" he gasped, recoiling in horror… "T… THAT'S…" turning around, he ran away. He had to alert everyone!
More and more guards came, all of them gasped at what they found. The mangled corpse of Kirishaku…!
"It… it's horrible…!" one of the guards gasped, as a medic examined him closely. "Who could have done this?"
"These wounds…" the medic spoke, examining the wounds closely. "Were not inflicted by human hands, nor man-made weapons" there were many burn marks, coming from powerful electric shocks. "There is only one thing that could have killed him in such a way. Bloodline powers…"
"They did this…! They murdered him…" the guards began to tremble in outrage… "THEY HAVE MURDERED KIRISHAKU!"
Throughout the city, houses and buildings were lighting up, as people were running onto the streets. News of Kirishaku's death was spreading like wildfire, and before long, everyone in that city knew what had happened.
"IT WAS THOSE MONSTERS! THEY KILLED HIM IN COLD BLOOD!"
"THIS IS AN OUTRAGE! WE WILL NOT STAND FOR IT!"
"THOSE MURDERERS SHALL PAY FOR THIS!"
All over the city, these outbursts could be heard. Earlier tonight, every single sensor had been triggered which meant those people had broken the law and activated their powers. There could be no other explanation, those people had to be responsible…!
Standing from above, watching the scene of public outrage spread through the people, Yashiro smiled. "Truly these people amuse me to no end…" he spoke. Kirishaku had actually done something useful for a change… destroying the homes of the bloodlines and killing a number of them. They too are most likely feeling the same anger, if anything even more so than the ones from the city. "Everything is going according to plan…"
Through Kirishaku's death, outrage had been sparked among the people of the Mist Capital… while on the side of the bloodlines, the attack on their people and on their leader has left them filled with hatred. As the people of this country are turned on one another, Yashiro's scheme is coming into fruition. Naruto has fought and trained hard, while Ebi works to create a weapon that could give him the chance stop the MaShin soldier, but it may already be too late to stop the conflict…
(To Be Continued)
