Thank god! The chapter's finally done! And thank you all for the wait the ending of this one gave me quite a bit of trouble for the last few weeks but here it is. So enjoy!
Chapter 8
Days have passed since the team has been disbanded, and now Naruto is once again standing in front of Tsunade and Shizune (holding Tonton) with Ino, and Shino at his side. "Okay you three with be sent to the Umi no Kuni (Land of Sea), on a mission under Anko Mitarashi, who is not here yet." The term speak of the devil comes to mind as Anko opens the window from the outside of the office and jumps in.
"Sorry I'm late Tsunade-sama work took longer than expected." Said Anko with a salute "so what's the mission?"
"There's been a disturbance in Umi no Kuni that calls for attention, something about a demon in the sea, which has been causing disturbances as of late." Anko sizes up for a moment, enough to cause concern in Tsunade. "What's wrong? You will go right?"
"Of course." Anko says losing the enthusiasm in her voice.
"Shizune the details please."
"Of course Tsunade-sama." she says pulling a map down from the ceiling, "this is Umi no Kuni." she says pointing the lower right region. "As you can see they are made up of various small islands, the main transportation of which is by ship. These ships have been attacked recently and all their money and valuables taken."
"Those who were victimized all say that the damage was done by the 'Demon of the Ocean'."
"And the mission is to kill this 'Demon of the Ocean'?"
"More or less but there is more." Tsunade responds
"Umi no Kuni has no hidden village of its own, so they're prepared for contingencies through military cooperation with their neighboring county Mizu no Kuni (The Land of Water), and have been paying a retainer every month." Shizune said "However the other day one of their ships that collect funds was attacked by the 'Demon of the Ocean' as well."
"I see, to preserve their relations with Mizu no Kuni, Umi no Kuni will do anything to protect their next ship." Anko said in the most serious manner any of the Genin have seen from her.
"Yes your mission is to protect the next ship collecting funds and, destroy the 'Demon of the Ocean'. Understood?"
"Isn't this group a little disjointed for this mission?!" Ino said worryingly
"There's no use talking about it." Tsunade says "I've thought about the combination and this is the most qualified one."
'She really just gathered all the available Genin.' Shizune thinks dejected
"Fine whatever you say Baa-chan." Anko orders the Genin to pack and assemble at the front gate before Tsunade tries to kill Naruto. As Anko is about to follow them out Tsunade stops her.
"Be careful." she said seriously.
"Yes ma'am" and with that she leaves.
At the front gate the four have gathered with backpacks strapped to their backs, Ino opens the mission booklet that hold more information on the mission, reading it aloud to the others, as they look at the booklet. "Other characteristics of the 'Demon of the Sea', it's like a fish, and like a person… what is this nothing like this exists!?" She yells
"Not true, an Ex-Shinobi could be using a transformation, and a Genjutsu." Shino said
"Well no matter, if we don't get information, then we'll have no solution." Anko said facing the three. "Now Mother Island is the biggest island at the center of Umi no Kuni, we'll go to a nearby fishing port and cross over there."
"Understood" the three Genin say at once. "Alright let's depart for Umi no Kuni!" Yelled Naruto with excitement as he starts walking away from the gate.
"This guy is always so hyper, and I'm just anxious about what going to happen." Ino thinks as she follows Naruto, they all start jumping from tree to tree quickly making their way across the landscape. In a few short hours they make it to the port, looking down on it from a nearby hill.
"Coming this far we can already see over Umi no Kuni." said Anko
"Then that must be the Mother Island right?" said Ino pointing to the largest of the three visible islands, Anko look at the island, her curse mark burning, as unknown memories flash in her mind. Not releasing the anxiety attack she's going through until the flashes fade, she composes herself thankful that none of the Genin saw, not seeing the look Shino was giving her.
"Sorry everyone but can you make the arrangements for the boat?" She asked of them still shaking slightly.
"But Anko-sensei what will you do?" Asked Ino
"I'll be taking care of some business and join you later… see ya!" and with that leave the three where they stand.
"Senesi?!" Ino calls out confused
"C'mon it can't be helped." Said Naruto as he and Ino start going down the hill, Shino not following them, "what are you doing Shino we'll leave you behind." Said Naruto turning to face Shino. Walking the rest of the way they make it to the village by sundown, after making it to one of the ports they question an older gentleman about getting on a ship.
"Sorry, but the boat from port has sailed out already." he said
"But the sun hasn't even set yet." said Ino confused.
"Look girt around here, there's no one willing to take you across in the early evening, sorry but come back tomorrow." He said
"Is their anyway to get to Mother Island besides the ferry?" Asked Shino
"I don't advise is but, but is necessary you can use my small boat." he said somewhat reluctantly, the three look to each other and nod knowing this will be the best way to go about the problem and getting to the island quickly. Unfortunately in their minds they have to wait for Anko who even as the sky becomes dark still hasn't shown.
"How can she not be here yet?" Asks Ino to her teammates "she's like an older female Naruto!" she yells out.
"Hey that's rude putting me in the same category as that unreasonable sensei!" Naruto yells at her only to have a kunai held against his throat
"Who's what now?" Anko asked Naruto does the smart thing a stutters out an apology. Ino and Shino both wonder about the sanity of their sensei, as she tells them.
"Good work on procuring a boat you three." she said with a smile kunai still pointed at Naruto
"S-sensei… where were you all this time?" Asked Ino getting her thoughts together.
"Oh something like gathering information… wells let's go!" she tells them enthusiastically. Half an hour later the sun has set Ino and Shino sit at the front of the boat looking behind them incase anything tries to attack them from behind. Shino is looking out diligently maybe it's always hard to tell with him wearing sunglasses everywhere, while Ino looks bored out of her mind. Anko looks out ahead of them, leaving Naruto with the hard work of rowing the boat. "Where almost at Mother Island."
"Alright then full speed ahead to Mother Island!" calls out Naruto who starts to row faster.
"How can you be so full of energy right now?" Asked Ino as she herself is about to fall asleep. Naruto just laughs to himself. 'Sakura sure has her share of trouble, I'm starting to feel sorry for her.' Anko can't help but giggle herself at the Genin, but is interrupted as the boat lurches rocking from side to side.
"What I must have run into a rock or something!" said Naruto struggling to move the rudder, Shino stand to help Naruto, while Anko getting her bearings yells out to them.
"All of you look ahead!" pointing to a whirlpool that formed in front of them, "get us out of here quick!"
"I would but the oar won't move!" Yelled back Naruto, trying to help Ino decides to help Naruto and Shino with the oar only for a slightly pink colored appendage to come flying out of the water grabbing a hold of her like an octopus attacking its prey.
Holding out her right arm Anko yells out "Sen'eijashu (Striking Shadow Snake Hands)!" several snakes seemingly attached to her sleeve fly out trying to catch Ino. Whatever has Ino notices this and plunges her into the water. Anko goes after her as Naruto and Shino leave the oar just before it hits the whirlpool and plummets into the sea. Anko surfaces from the water Ino held in her arms bridal style, "To show themselves so soon… you two be careful they're aiming at us from underwater!" she yelled to them "Shino take Ino" she said placing her in Shino's arms, and runs out further into the sea. The same appendage grabs a hold of her, smirking she now knows where the mystery person is and after go into the tiger hand seal uses the Katon: Ryūka no Jutsu (Fire Release: Dragon Fire Technique). The appendage that is now tightly wrapped around her waist is lit aflame from the Jutsu which crashes into the water burning whatever was grabbing a hold of her. The flames dance around a now shown body only to flicker out revealing a water clone. The threat behind the attack is known as a young man with black hair, wearing glasses, black fingerless gloves, a black shirt, tan pants and black shinobi sandals, whose arm is now wrapped around her neck like a snake.
"You let your guard down." said the man only to get kicked in the head by Naruto sending him skipping across the water, as Naruto lands a second person grabs his leg and pulls him under now in a full nelson Naruto can't help but think 'There was one more?!' this man is very similar to the first with the same outfit only with a pair of round sunglasses at seem to be magically attached to his face as they have almost no frame other that what connects to the two lenses together, as well as an underwater breathing mask. 'What? Why is my chakra draining?' he thinks desperately holding onto his breathe.
"How do you like my improved skill of Chakra Kyūin Jutsu (Chakra Absorption Technique)?" he asked through the slightly muffling mask, Naruto feels the draining but gets an idea summoning up a small amount of the Kyuubi's Chakra he continues to feel as it too gets drained.
'Perfect." Thought Naruto, the man lets go screaming in pain, Naruto quickly makes his way to the surface, the first Shinobi has shown himself to Shino, and the still unconscious Ino as Anko quits searching underwater for him. The second Shinobi pops up body still in pain.
'Looks like I have to purge this Chakra.' Is the thought running through his head going through multiple hand signs he creates the jutsu that created the whirlpool earlier though easily three times the size catching Naruto in its pull, sending him to the bottom of the ocean. Both turn into Water clones disappearing as the whirlpool hits their bodies.
"Shit I can't approach them with this." She said pulling herself onto the water's surface. On the seafloor Naruto lets out a small amount of air as he tries to swim back to the surface. With his blurry vision he sees a figure approach him and pulling his arm around their shoulder helps him up to the surface. Naruto unfortunately passes out right before resurfacing, and seeing him still breathing fine the Figure starts making its way to shore.
(With the Team)
"Did you find Naruto?" Asks Shino and Anko come up from the water as thick fog having set in around them.
"No which means he either drifted away or managed to escape." She said returning to the boat "At any rate with this fog there's no reason to remain here. Let's make our way to shore and start again." She orders Shino who nods in understanding goes to the oar as another rack of pain goes through Anko. She pulls her hand to her curse mark as they move silently through the water.
They make their way to Mother Island and after setting and another attempt to find Naruto failed by sunrise they make their way to Shiragiku Inn to meet with their client, a balding man with abnormally large lips and nose, along with sideburns leading to his remaining hair that also connected to his beard and mustache. "Hello it's good to see you I'm the one responsible for guarding the ships collecting funds. I'm Hitode." He said sitting across from Anko two of his men sitting off to the side, and the two Genin sitting behind her all of them in a formal kneeling position. "I know the circumstances, your college disappeared and I'm sure you're worried…"
"Have you received any information since then?" Anko asked
"I'm sorry, but there has been no information regarding a victim rescued from the shipwreck." He apologizes "However I am troubled. This is difficult to say but, but the departure of the collection ships has been pushed forward."
"Pushed forward?" Anko said Surprised
"Yes, now we are scheduled to leave tomorrow morning. We apologize for our late notice. As expected a large number of people find the relationship with Mizu No Kuni very Important and we had to push the departure foreword." Hitode said
"I understand. But we'd like to take time here seek and investigate our college." She asks of him
"Of course"
"We'll meet you at the port tomorrow for guard duty."
"Thank you for cooperating but just one thing… as you can see we are not a wealthy country. Fishermen and we are both concerned about the disturbance of this Demon of the Ocean. We greatly appreciate your help with our country." Hitode said bowing head followed by the three to his right doing the same.
Meanwhile in a small house near the water is where we find Naruto finally waking up from nearly drowning. A small cloth land on his lap after sitting up, the door to his left opens as he finally sees his savior a young girl a year or two older then himself. She has purple hair much like Anko's a pink tank top under a pale blue shirt with a pale yellow wrap around her waist. As well as a pair of brown shorts though the strangest thing to Naruto is the wrapping she has around her right leg, left thigh, left arm, right wrist, as well as her face and neck. "You've come to?" She asked him in a near emotionless voice.
"Yeah thank you for saving me." Naruto said
"It just sort have happened…" She trails off only for Naruto to once again speak.
"No really you saved me, by the way the name's Naruto Uzumaki what yours?" He asked after a moment she tells him that it's Isaribi. After getting back into his jacket Naruto is lea to the room Isaribi was in where he finds a cooked stew waiting for him. Putting some into his bowel Isaribi hands it to him asking.
"Why did you come to this remote area?"
"A mission to protect a boat, and eliminate this Demon of the Ocean that's been troubling the country."
"It would be best to quit. You won't get away easily is you get involved with the Demon of the Ocean."
"You don't need to worry. This is a mission, yeah we were careless yesterday, but next time will catch that Demon of the Ocean!" Naruto practically yelled as he ate the stew.
"So you feel fine now?" She asked
"Yeah thanks to you, dattebayo! Damn I thought I stopped saying that!" he yelled at himself.
"Then when you're finished eating that, get out." She said as he got up and left the house, Naruto stares at the exit for a moment and scarfs down the rest of the food before following her. Outside he sees her looking at one of the walls looking back onto the house he sees that it's been graffitied. Words like 'Monster' and Go Away' written over her rusted house, as well as random paint splashes. "What happened?" He asked alarmed
"It was the work of some of the village brats. If I let bother me I wouldn't hear the end of it." She said walking away, Naruto starts walking in the other direction until he hears "Look the monsters out!" Run towards her he sees six kids from the village behind some rocks.
"Get out of here your bad luck!" Cried one of the kids before throwing a rock in hand at her. It connects with her upper arm. "Get out!" cried out another chucking another rock at the now downed Isaribi. Naruto catches them by surprise by catching the rock in his right hand. Isaribi opens her eye as she shut them in anticipation from the hit, seeing Naruto protecting her.
"All of you stop that!" He yelled at them "You're taking your pranks too far." he said as he continuously throws the rock up in the air a catches it again.
"What are you? Some friend of this monster!" one of the older kids yelled.
"Monster?" Asked Naruto
"Yeah, Isaribi was taken away and became friends with the Demon of the Ocean!" He yelled to Naruto, the others then start to through various insults at him while running away. Naruto about to chase after them is stopped by Isaribi calling out for him to stop.
"Huh? But why?" He asked her looking back to her
"It's okay, leave me alone." She said
"I can't just leave you alone!" He yelled back "If they keep doing that…"
I'm saying it's none of your business!" Naruto is taken back by the sudden shout. "I'm the girl who was spirited away, it's natural that people would find me creepy." She said looking away from him.
"But that's not your fault!
"It's doesn't matter, humans don't let those different from them into their group." She said still not looking at him. As she's about to continue they hear galloping, they both look to a person wearing armor riding past them though only Isaribi notices the cylindrical package the person caries. And without another word she leaves behind a sad looking Naruto. Going in the other direction Naruto manages to find the town Anko and the other are at, well were at seeing as when Naruto arrived they left going in the same direction he came from. Arriving at a cove Naruto comes across a strange sight Shino has wrapped a fish like person with wire with Ino stand next to him while both stand on top of the water.
"Hey, finally found you guys!" he calls out running to them
"Naruto you're safe... but you're a little late we already caught the Demon of the Ocean." Ino boustead gesturing to the fish person taking a close look as sees a familiarity.
"Isaribi? Is that you?" Naruto asked
"Naruto what are you talking about!" Yelled Ino
"Isaribi, please answer me!" he says nothing as she breaks the wire and dives under the water, globs of water appear turning to Isaribi and one of the men from yesterday simply stating how useless it is to try and get her back and leaves creating another vortex. Anko who has been holding onto her shoulder during this whole time collapses making Naruto wonder what the hell is going on. It's that night when Naruto gets his answer, Anko after waking up tells them of Demon Island one of many places Orochimaru made into a research facility before he was found out by the village of creating Forbidden Jutsu. They make their way to said Island and into the base discovering the experiment that have been until they fall for a trap and fall down a hole. This leads them to one of the men who attacked them the night before who Shino finally identifies as the person who fought Sasuke in the chunin exam preliminaries. Shino stays behind to fight him allowing Naruto and Ino to meet up with Anko who found Isaribi and Amichi.
Amichi as it turns out is the mad scientist that made Isaribi into a fish-human hybrid, who also promised to when his research is finished turn her back to normal. Their talk was interrupted though by the other member of the duo that attacked them, using an explosive tag blasting the wall furthest from them into chunk speeding in their direction. Anko was injured protecting Ino while Naruto was hit full force by the debris though still able to get back up. That's when the member of the duo came in, and with some quick work from Ino they managed to make it out alive.
The next morning comes and they see it an attack on the payment ships, Shino starts to take on the man with the sunglasses, while Ino gets everyone from the downed ship onto a lifeboat. "So we meet again weirdo." Proclaimed Anko "Excuse me but I have something to ask you…"
"What are you doing Isaribi?" Interrupted Naruto "If you keep this up you really be the Demon of the Ocean!"
"Do it Isaribi." Amichi said, Isaribi charges Naruto and sends both of them into the ocean. Naruto as he's being dragged down quickly makes Kage Bunshins, Isaribi letting the original go dispels them quickly though giving Naruto enough time to make it to the surface. Lying on the small flat rock Naruto catches his breathe as Isaribi pokes her head out of the surface of the water.
"Isaribi, I bet you understand what I've been saying to you, don't you care a bit about tormenting people this much?"
"No." She stated "I think nothing of it even bringing you down."
"That's a lie." Said Naruto and his only response is a blast of water sending him near the opposite edge of the rock
"It doesn't matter to me who gets injured…" She starts as she jumps onto the rock, "or who drowns, I'm satisfied as long as I can return to being a human!"
"It's about time to come to your senses!" Naruto yelled as he got back to his feet and slapped her two scales digging into his palm, look soberly at he explains "I am painfully aware how you feel, but doing that it's not good! You saved me! You have a kind heart!"
"You're useless, just how long do you think you've been doing this?" Said Amichi standing on the rock behind Naruto "He's just a kid, why can't you finish him off quickly?"
"I-I'm sorry sir-"
"I can't take it anymore get out of my why." Amichi said to Isaribi
"Bring it on I'll kill you, you damn monster."
"Oh a monster? Me?" He asked NAruto
"Yeah you easily injure and kill people you're nothing but a monster wearing a human's skin." This statement sends laughter though the air from Amichi "what's so funny?"
"If so, what then? I'm not some half monster like Isaribi, I'm…" He said as he starts to transform, his lab coat ripping to shreds as he gains dark green scales and a body like Isaribi's with one exception. His face unlike Isaribi who still has her human face his has two large solid red eyes, a large fin going from the crown of his head down his neck and two strange fins on his face making eyebrows "Further refined than her and fully integrated for combat. Now get out of my way, you are an almost dead guinea pig." and sends a blast of water out of his mouth hitting Isaribi.
"What are you doing?"
"Even though we were supposed to dissect and use her as materials for experiments, we took pity on her and let her live. But after all, she's terribly ungrateful and useless." Amichi said sending Isaribi into despair but he also notes Naruto anger. "Oh what's wrong kid?" he said venomously
"You're not only a monster in body and soul! In fact your scum!" Naruto yelled as he starts to attack Amichi but at every turn he's knocked back onto the water.
"Why would you go so far to save me?" Isaribi asked to a now face down Naruto.
"Alright time to quit -" Amichi is interrupted and Isaribi and Naruto look up and see why. A trident made of water its three prongs sticking out vertically along his body one piercing his heart, another in his throat, and the last through his head. The blow killed him instantly, and he slumped into the ocean blood starting to pool, as it floats.
"Finally found you!" Yelled a voice from behind the fallen Amichi, Isaribi gasps at the person while Naruto gives off a glare. The figure made from water with a stone in its chest looks much like Isaribi and Amichi, the water making scales all over its body its hands webbed along with its feet. On its head are two fins replacing the ears, and a dorsal fin along the top. "I can feel it you're the one… the one who killed my brother's!" The Elemental said its voice deeper than the others. It creates another trident swiping it at Naruto who dodged the spiked ends, as he yells to Isaribi "Go get Anko-sensei! The one with the purple hair!"
"B-but what? What's going on?" She yells out
"No time to explain just get Anko-sensei!" Naruto yells as he summons Harvester blocking the next strike. Isaribi still unsure why goes to the boat the Anko is still on who she finds to be asleep. After a lot of shaking and a few slaps to the face she manages to wake the Special Jounin, who after seeing Isaribi jumps back.
"Please don't kill me!" Isaribi yelled seeing the Kunai in her hand
"Why have you not killed me yet?" Demanded Anko
"I actually don't understand what's going on right now, except something is fighting Naruto-san right now." She said pointing to where he's defending himself from the Elemental's attack. Anko rushes to Naruto's aid. She throws her kunai only for it to through its body splashing harmlessly in the water.
Anko lands next to Naruto another kunai in hand "So any ideas on how to beat this guy?" Naruto asked her.
"Can you tell what this thing is?"
"It's called an elemental, this one's made of water, just hit the rock in its chest, and boom down for the count, so again any ideas?"
"Nope, no one here know any lightning techniques so that option is out." Said Anko, "I only know Fire moves, and you only have your shadow clones. And as he seems to be made of water most of our other techniques will most likely faze through his body." She continued though is unable to talk further as the elemental attacks them, throwing its trident at Anko creates another one and attacks Naruto. Naruto parries the strikes though is unable to make a counter attack, Anko comes in for an attack missing the stone with her slash. Naruto seeing his opening swings his scythe missing as well but by only an inches, both of the leaf shinobi back off after their assault. "So missy you gonna join us?" Akno said
"Who are you talking to?" Asked a confused Naruto just before Isaribi's head pokes out of the water.
"I still want to Know why, you would defend me like you did." Said Isaribi as she starts to stand on the water.
"So what happened to Amichi?" asked Anko
"D-dead, killed by that thing." Isaribi replied pointing to the elemental
"Good, happy the bastards dead" Remarked Anko, 'though now he can't tell me where Orochimaru is.' Anko is then snapped out of her thoughts as the elemental began to attack once more, wildly going after the Naruto only striking at Isaribi and Anko when they try and get close. Isaribi learns early on that her entire repertoire is useless, her taijutsu is ineffective, and her only ninjutsu, Suiton: Taihōdan (Water Style: Great Cannon Ball Technique) being the same element as the creature did no damage to it whatsoever. Anko is in a similar boat her Ninjutsu consists of snake techniques and fire techniques though thankfully her Taijutsu is good enough to fend of the elemental, though has yet to do any sort of damage as the elementals heart stone constantly shifts in its water body. Naruto is showing signs of exhaustion as he continues blocking attack after attack, he sees his chance to strike after the elemental makes long slash. The stone like it has been move's around Naruto's strike, forcing it to miss. Watching as the fight continues Akno starts to think of a plan, she looks over to Isaribi and gets an idea.
"Hey gaki." Anko says coming up to Isaribi, "I think I've got a plan to beat this thing." She said getting close before whispering the plan in her ear.
"Do you think that will work?" She asked
"Best thing we can do right now, now let's start this thing." Anko said with a sadistic smile, reaching into her pouch, and hands a small bundle of wire to Isaribi. Taking the wire Isaribi rushes towards the elemental, it sees her, makes a second trident and swipes at her. Isaribi dodges by diving into the water, she resurfaces on its other side and let's go of the wire. Anko noticing the lack of tension jumps in the air and pulls hard on her end of the wires. The elemental is confused at this action before feeling a tug from his heart stone, and is then rendered airborne. Anko goes through the hand signs and releases a Katon: Ryūka no Jutsu which hit it full blast and in a matter of moments it's water body is turned to steam and the heart stone is destroyed.
Naruto breathed a sigh of relief as the fight comes to an end, looking at the dust that was the elemental he sees a small object falling down. Naruto runs and catches the object, his scythe disappearing as he runs, before it hits the ground, opening his hand he sees that the object is a small blue crystal. "What the hell is this?" He asked to himself holding the crystal between his index finger and thumb. And before his eye's he sees it vanish, as Anko and Isaribi make their way to him.
"You okay kid?" Asked Anko
"Yeah just a little tired."
"Good now we just need to make sure the others are okay" Said Anko after finding Ino who got all the sailor to safety, and Shino arrived only a minute later confirming the death of the sunglasses. With everything now said and done the sailors continue their voyage to make the payment, Isaribi decides to go with the four as they leave hoping for the Hokage to heal her.
