Disclaimer: I own nothing.
Chapter 9: Coup d'état
A few days later, Naruto, Choji and Hinata were summoned to the Hokage's office for a mission: escorting a group of merchants to Na no Kuni. The merchants were already on their way when they were given the mission, meaning they had to prepare fast and catch up. When they caught up, they introduced themselves and everyone continued to Na no Kuni. On the way there, however, they saw smoke coming from their destination.
"I'll go on ahead and investigate." Naruto told Hinata and Choji. "You two keep following the road and protect the merchants." They nodded in compliance and Naruto left for Na no Kuni.
As he got closer to the border, Naruto was attacked and had to dodge a multitude of shuriken.
"Going by your headband, you must be a shinobi of Konoha." A voice echoed in the forest. "That must mean the people we are looking for are heading this way. Any outsiders who stray into this area must die!"
Naruto dodged an explosive kunai and two shinobi appeared before him, katana in hand. They charged forth and were about to attack, only for Muramasa to cut right through their blades and bodies. Two more souls for Naruto.
"Going by what they said, they are after someone in the caravan." Naruto said as he rushed back to the others.
Naruto met up with the caravan, who took a break while he explained the situation to Hinata and Choji.
"So they're looking for someone in the caravan?" Choji asked and Naruto nodded. "But why? Aren't they just merchants?"
"Obviously, someone among them knows something we don't." Naruto said.
"Or maybe they're targeting someone else and we're moving in the exact same path. Maybe we should change our course." Choji suggested.
Naruto sighed. "It's possible, but I wouldn't hold my breath."
Choji kindly explained to the merchants that they had to take a slightly longer path, for security's sake. Naruto noticed that Shun, Kikusuke and Yurinoshin looked at each other like they knew the real reason for the deviation. Naruto would keep an eye on them.
When they took the alternate path, Kikusuke snuck away with the agility of a shinobi. Naruto immediately sent a Kage Bunshin after him.
"I will protect you at the cost of my life, Haruna-sama!" Kikusuke thought before he dodged some shuriken. He had seen where they came from, however, and unsheathed his katana and attacked, only to be blocked by a pair of tonfa. The man wielding them had purple hair and tear-shaped warpaint on his cheeks.
"Who are you?" Kikusuke demanded as he jumped away.
"The name's Ruiga." Ruiga introduced himself. "I have to say, I didn't think you'd come out here on your own. She must be a part of that group after all."
What neither of them knew, however, was that Naruto's Kage Bunshin was hidden within the trees and observing the whole thing. From what the enemy said, Kukisuke's presence meant that she, whoever she is, must definitely be in the caravan. He would keep observing, to see what more he can dig up.
"If this is going to be one-on-one, then I will never lose to a Nuke-nin!" Kikusuke claimed.
Ruiga smirked. "I wonder if you can handle it."
"Feel the Hana Ninpo of Na no Kuni!" Kikusuke said as he charged. As he swung his katana, the flower heads of the field were floating around him. "Hana Shuriken!" The flower heads hardened and charged towards Ruiga like Shuriken, befitting the name.
Ruiga spun his tonfa in circles to block the flowers, deflecting and breaking all of them.
"Naive." Ruiga said as Kikusuke ran literal circles around him. Ruiga's eyes widened and he looked up. Many flowers were falling around him from above.
"Hana Ninpo: HyakkaSaiho!" Kikusuke called out as the flowers landed on the grass and exploded. "Ninpo: Kyokasui!" When Kikusuke said so, rose petals surrounded Ruiga.
"Genjutsu." Naruto thought as he cancelled it on himself.
"You're going on Genjutsu, now?" Ruiga asked as he put his tonfa away and cancelled the Genjutsu. The moment he did so, lines of flames were heading towards Ruiga from all around him.
"Now to finish you off!" Kikusuke said. "Hana Ninpo: Hyakka Ryoran!"
The flames exploded, loud enough for the caravan to hear, upon reaching Ruiga, making a lot of smoke.
When the smoke dissipated, they saw that Ruiga had a water barrier around him.
Ruiga chuckled as the barrier fell and he held his tonfa forward. "Too bad. A Hana Shinobi will not defeat me. Now it's my turn. Suiton: Seibun Hofutsu!"
Water emerged from the surrounding plants. From the horror in Kikusuke's face, he must have known he couldn't win. Perfect.
Naruto appeared behind Ruiga, placed an arm around his neck and stabbed him right through the heart, stopping the Jutsu.
"D-Damn it!" Ruiga coughed blood. "There was...another one...hiding." He said before he let out his last breath. Naruto sneakily got his soul through their proximity.
"Naruto-san?" Kikusuke asked.
"You weren't sneaky enough." Naruto said as he dropped the corpse. "The original created a clone, me, to follow you."
"I see..." Kikusuke said as he bowed his head. "Forgive us for tricking you. Allow me to explain to the others when we get back."
"The original will receive my memories when I dispel, he shall explain everything to Hinata and Choji." Naruto said.
Kikusuke nodded. "Very well, then. My real name is Kikunojo and I am a personal guard of Haruna-sama, whom you know as Shun. Haruna-sama is the daughter of Na no Kuni's Daimyo. The man you killed was one of the Criminal Brothers that spurred a coup d'état in Na no Kuni, if that unusual Jutsu of his was anything to go by. My partner, Yurinojo, and I feared that our combined skills wouldn't be enough to protect Haruna-sama, so we hired Konoha's help, even if what little money we had made us lie about the Mission's importance."
To Naruto, it felt like the missions in Nami and Yuki. One had little money and the other had a princess.
"I see..." Naruto said. "Let's head back to the caravan. I'll dispel when we're completely safe."
With that, the two of them hurried back to the others.
Kikunojo and the clone arrived at the caravan to see them take a break. The clone dispelled and gave the original its chakra, memories and the soul. Naruto and Kikunojo explained the situation to their respective groups, leaving the merchants out of the problem.
Yurinojo and Haruna were shocked that Kikunojo would have died without Naruto's help and that one of the Criminal Brothers was dead.
"T-This is beyond the rank." Hinata said nervously. Choji nodded in agreement.
Naruto sighed. "I know, but can we really turn back at this point? We already got ourselves involved, so let's finish this mission."
The other two agreed and the caravan continued on its way. Although Choji guided the merchants to a nearby town for their safety, leaving Naruto and Hinata alone with the trio of Na no Kuni.
"They should have stayed with us." Haruna said. "They were still useful as decoys."
"Absolutely not." Naruto said. "My team's mission is to protect those merchants, but we ended up involved in this mess of a coup d'état. They are being taken to safety because that's what we're supposed to do. You won't last long as a Daimyo if you keep that attitude."
Kikunojo and Yurinojo stood in front of Haruna before they bowed to Naruto.
"Please forgive her." Kikunojo pleaded.
"When Haruna-sama was young, Na no Kuni was in the middle of a war and she was kept as a hostage by the enemy." Yurinojo explained. "When she returned, she stopped believe in people in general."
"Whether she believes in people or not isn't my business. All I am saying is that the people will not follow a Daimyo that cares little about them." Naruto said before they continued on their way.
Eventually, they set up camp for the night. Choji also caught up to them after bringing the merchants to safety. They could feel that they were being observed. Hinata and Haruna snuck away to avoid danger.
Naruto, who was seated in front of the campfire, jumped in the air to dodge an iron ball.
"Good reflexes." A fat man holding a Kusarigama complimented.
"You must be the second brother." Naruto said as Choji, Yurinojo and Kikunojo stood beside him.
"The name's Jiga. It should be an honor for you to know who I am. Feel pride in that, for none of you will survive this encounter." Jiga said as he spun the iron ball attached to his Kusarigama.
Naruto and Choji threw some Kunai at Jiga, only for the large man to swing his iron ball at the kunai, somehow making them stick to it. He swung his iron ball again, sending the kunai back to the quartet, forcing them to dodge.
"So, Ruiga used the plant life to get water and you deal with magnets?" Naruto asked.
"You're quite sharp." Jiga said. "Yes, I use Jinshaku Ninpo, thanks to ingesting iron since childhood. With all the iron in my body, I can change the magnetic polarity as I want. This mountain has a lot of steel in it, making it my ultimate battlefield."
"So you are a large magnet. Then all we need is something that isn't metallic." Naruto said.
Jiga chuckled. "Do you even have-"
Before he could finish, he had already been restrained by Naruto's Chakra Chains.
"These are chains made entirely of my chakra. Despite looking metallic, your Jinshaku Ninpo is useless against them." Naruto said before he looked at Kikunojo and Yurinojo, who nodded and unsheathed their katana.
Jiga tried struggling, but felt weaker the more he did so.
Kikunojo and Yurinojo readied themselves and gave Jiga the killing blows.
"We were lucky you had such an ability, Naruto-san." Kikunojo said as Naruto retracted the chains.
"No problem. Now, let's catch up to Hinata and Haruna." Naruto said. The others nodded and rushed to join the girls.
Luckily, due to how short the fight was, they managed to catch up to the girls. Hinata had her back turned to Haruna, who had a rock in her hand. Naruto appeared next to the princess and grabbed her wrist.
"Don't even think about it." He said. Hinata turned around upon hearing Naruto's voice. She was horrified when she saw the rock in Haruna's hand, understanding the implications. "What were you even thinking?"
"I can't count on you guys!" Haruna said. "So long as I live, Na no Kuni as a chance to survive! I don't care who is sacrificed for my survi-"
*Smack*
Before she could finish, Naruto had slapped her, to everyone's shock. Haruna held her cheek as she looked at Naruto in shock.
"You're pathetic. If we follow your 'logic', then everything crumbles. That attitude of yours will make people rebel, destroying the very place you think will survive so long as you live. It's the people who choose who they follow, not the leader. If you think your people will follow you, no matter what, with your attitude, then you're just like the Daimyo that wish to wage war, just like those that took you hostage!"
Haruna's eyes widened.
Suddenly, the group was surrounded by another group of shinobi.
"Finally found you!" They looked up and saw a tall man, with brown hair and an outfit like Ruiga and Jiga, floating in mid-air. "It's impossible to run away from me."
"You must be the third Brother." Naruto said.
"Is he flying?" Choji couldn't help but ask.
"I am Renga, and low-ranking shinobi like you can't even imagine techniques like mine!" Renga said as he sent waves of transparent...Naruto had no idea what it was.
Naruto rushed forth and barely dodged the attack before he ran up a tree and jumped to reach and try to punch Renga, only to hit a transparent barrier.
"He is manipulating something solid and transparent..." Naruto thought. Glass? Or maybe...
"Ice." Naruto said as he landed on the ground. "You're manipulating ice."
"Very good." Renga praised. "I can gather the water particles from the vapor in the air to create ice crystals."
Naruto scowled. Since his attacks were technically invisible, he had to end this quickly. He unleashed his chains, only for them to wrap themselves around a spherical barrier around Renga.
"It's useless." Renga said. "I watched your battle with Jiga. I will not be caught by the same trick."
"So I see." Naruto said as he started leaking purple chakra. "Then I will have to use something else."
Renga's eyes widened as the purple chakra took the shape of the Kyuubi no Kitsune.
"I-Isn't that...?" Choji stuttered.
"W-Wasn't the Kyuubi's chakra red?" Hinata wondered as she looked at Naruto with Byakugan. The purple chakra was flowing through Naruto like the red one once did, but it was stronger.
Kitsune grabbed the barrier and crushed it in its hands before grabbing Renga and applying pressure. When Renga's followers tried to attack Naruto, they were restrained by Kitsune's tails.
"Even if you kill me, Na no Kuni will be consumed by war without its Daimyo!" Renga said, causing Haruna, Kikunojo and Yurinojo's eyes to widen.
"You killed the Daimyo." Naruto stated.
"That's right. It was hilarious, watching him beg for us to treat his people fairly and whimper about how regretful he was of sending his only daughter as a hostage for his Country's well-being. It was pathetic! He was nothing more than an idealistic old fool!"
"I've heard enough." Naruto said. "Choji!"
Choji nodded and jumped in the air. "Baika no jutsu!" He inflated and turned into a ball. "Nikudan Sensha!"
The moment Kitsune let go of Renga, the ice user was squashed and rolled over by Choji.
"Hinata!" Naruto called out.
Hinata charged with her Byakugan. "Juken!" She said before she struck Renga's heart with a palm strike, making him cough blood before dying.
"Haruna-sama..." Kikunojo muttered as he looked at the princess, who was clearly distraught.
"Chichi-ue..." Haruna sobbed as tears streamed down her face. "I will bring peace to the people of Na no Kuni, Chichi-ue, this I swear on my life."
"Glad to hear it." Naruto said as he dismissed Kitsune, freeing Renga's followers, who promptly fled. "Shall we keep going?"
Upon arriving to a village, at dawn, they were surprised when they met up with Shizune and Shikamaru. Apparently, Tsunade got some information on the coup d'état and sent some available shinobi to deal with it, to Haruna, Kikunojo and Yurinojo's joy.
Soon after, Haruna was named Daimyo and the Konoha shinobi had to leave.
Several days later, Naruto, Sakura, Kakashi and Lee are given a B-rank mission: Heading to Tsuki no Kuni and protect the prince, Michiru, during his world trip.
While walking through a desert, they saw a large group of carriages headed their way.
"What are they all carrying?" Sakura wondered as the carriages stopped next to them.
"This is everything I've bought!" They turned to the first carriage to see an overweight man getting out. "There were so many things that I splurged on while travelling, and before I knew, I had this much. I am the prince of Tsuki no Kuni, Michiru Tsuki. And you are?"
"We come from Konoha." Kakashi said. "I am the captain, Kakashi Hatake." He then gestured to the Genin. "The blond is Naruto Uzumaki, the girl is Sakura Haruno and the last one is Rock Lee. The four of us will be your escort until you return home."
"I see. I'm counting on you guys!" Michiru said before he walked in front of Sakura and took a closer look at her face. "You're pretty cute! Are you really a ninja, even though you're such a cutie?"
"You'd be surprised at how many competent Kunoichi become quite gorgeous." Naruto said.
Kakashi nodded in agreement. "Indeed, a Kunoichi's looks often reflects their skills. Their training gives them a healthy and beautiful appearance. So while Sakura may look young, she's skilled."
"Is that so?" Michiru asked before he held his hand out to Sakura. "Nice to meet you, little lady."
"Nice to meet you." Sakura greeted back as she shook Michiru's hand.
Michiru then used his free hand to lightly caress the back of Sakura's hand, to Sakura's shock and Lee's horror. Michiru had a slight blush on his cheek. Sakura soon had a sickly-sweet smile on her face and ever so slightly crushed the hand she was shaking.
Michiru let out a wail of pain as he tried to pull his hand away, unsuccessfully until Sakura let go of the appendage.
"She's also stronger than most adults." Kakashi added as an afterthought.
"I see." Michiru said as Lee tried to hold his snickers and Naruto had a smirk.
Naruto, with his reflexes, caught a toy arrow aiming for his headband.
"Good catch." A black-haired, glass-wearing boy with a toy bow said as he got out of the same carriage as Michiru. "We may have some good escorts after all."
"Your son?" Naruto asked Michiru as he gave the arrow back to the boy.
Michiru nodded. "His name is Hikaru. Please forgive him, he's a little demon."
The shinobi greeted the boy before the world trip continued. A couple of bandits tried to attack in the middle of the dessert, but they were easily dealt with.
When they stopped for the night, they saw a handful of chefs preparing meals after meals for Michiru and Hikaru.
"Do you plan to take over as king?" Kakashi asked Michiru as he walked next to the prince's carriage.
"Of course! Once Papa retires, that is." Michiru said from inside the carriage. "But, he's still plenty healthy, so that's a ways off."
Naruto could see Hikaru, on a small platform behind the carriage, playing a handheld game.
"He even sent us on this journey." Michiru explained. "Speaking of which, what kind of person is Konoha's king?"
"She can't really be called a king, but Hokage-sama is an excellent person. Both as a shinobi and everything else." Kakashi said as Naruto snorted. Whatever kingdom Tsunade reigned in would be ruined with all her gambling.
"Does the person have to be an heir to be Hokage?" Michiru asked.
Kakashi glanced at Naruto, who pretended not to notice by keeping watch on Hikaru, before turning back to Michiru. "No. Only the strongest and most committed member of the village becomes Hokage. Naruto is a good example. He is easily the strongest of my students and is always calm and collected. He may very well get the seat in a couple of years."
Michiru poked his head out of the window to look at Naruto. "Wow, you're pretty amazing!"
Naruto shrugged. "I just stay focused, really. Nothing to praise there."
"That's so stupid." Hikaru muttered before he realized he was heard and pretended he didn't say anything.
Naruto ignored him anyways, so there was no problem.
Eventually, they stopped by a town that had a circus in it. Michiru and Hikaru decided to watch and were very entertained...or mesmerized in Hikaru's case. Sakura especially enjoyed the Kangooroo boxing fight, although Lee and Naruto had to dodge her randomly thrown punches.
"And now, the moment you've all been waiting for." The circus' Ringmaster announced. "Time for the rare Siberian tiger's appearance!"
The spotlights focused on a higher platform, revealing a Sabertooth tiger. It gave out a mighty roar, startling the public. The tiger jumped down to a small podium.
"Behold, the Siberian tiger, Cham!" The Ringmaster said. "And his partner, Kiki!"
A small monkey did a few backflips before landing on Cham's head.
"Please enjoy their performance!" Everyone started cheering.
Cham and Kiki then stood on opposite sides of the stage and threw, headbutted in Cham's case, a beach ball like they played Volleyball. Cham would then run and jump across rings of fire.
Hikaru was mesmerized by Cham more than anything else he had seen.
Then an archer came to the stage and Kiki held an apple with a single finger. The archer aimed and shot an arrow dead on the apple, making people applaud. Kiki then held another apple and Cham stood on its hind legs and started leaning side to side, giving extra challenge.
Only for a toy arrow to hit the apple...
Naruto facepalmed. Why did this have to happen?
The spotlights then landed on Hikaru.
"That was easy..." Hikaru said.
"That was amazing, young man!" The Ringmaster said. "How about this?" He snapped his fingers and Kiki held another apple and Cham ran around the stage. "If you can hit this one, you'll get a reward!"
Hikaru focused for a moment before he shot his arrow...Bullseye.
Michiru applauded. "That's amazing, Hikaru!"
The rest of the public also applauded.
"That boy's pretty good, isn't he?" Lee asked.
"He's quite the marksman..." Naruto agreed.
The Ringmaster walked up to Hikaru and gave him his compliments before asking what he wanted as a reward. Hikaru said he wanted Cham. The Ringmaster wasn't completely sure, as Cham was not only large and ferocious, but important for the circus. Michiru said he took a liking to the circus and bought the entirety of said circus, to the Konoha Team's astonishment.
As the circus started packing, Cham's roar was heard. The team rushed in the direction and saw Cham stalking towards a scared Hikaru, who tried to offer the tiger an apple.
When Cham was about pounced at Hikaru, Naruto stood between the two and gave the tiger a stare, intimidating him. Such was the ability of one who controls all monsters.
"Be careful, Young Master!" The Ringmaster warned. "Cham doesn't like people."
"Do something about it!" Michiru demanded as he grabbed the Ringmaster's shoulders. "This thing is dangerous!"
"There won't be any problem while I am around." Naruto said, his gaze never leaving the tiger, who backed away. The sight calmed Michiru down.
Hikaru ran away, upset that Cham tried to attack him.
"That was incredible, Naruto-kun!" Lee exclaimed as flames appeared in his eyes. "Your Flames of Youth were so great that they intimidated the tiger!"
"I had no idea that Naruto had such a powerful presence." Sakura thought as she stared at her teammate.
Eventually, the caravan continued, with the circus crew following behind. Hikaru, from his father's carriage, was sadly staring at the caged Cham.
They arrived at a port village, but it had boats ready, due to recent storms. While temporary vessels would be prepared, Michiru decided to visit his wife, who lived in the village. Hikaru was shocked that he'd meet his mother.
The carriage stopped at a yellow house. A black-haired woman wearing a green sundress was taking care of the yard as the carriage stopped.
Michiru got out of the carriage with several bouquets of flowers.
"Long time no see, Amayo!" Michiru said jovially as Hikaru stood next to the carriage.
Amayo's eyes widened and she dropped the plate of berries as she walked forward.
Michiru held his arms out, dropping a few bouquets, and readied himself for a hug. Amayo, however, walked by Michiru and looked at Hikaru.
"You're Hikaru, right?" Amayo asked as she looked at the boy she knew was her son before hugging him. "You've grown, Hikaru."
Hikaru blushed shyly.
Michiru cleared his throat, getting Amayo's attention.
"Who are you?" She asked.
Michiru became distraught and dropped the rest of the bouquets. "You're mean, Amayo! It's me. Me!"
Amayo looked shocked. "Michiru?"
"That's right!"
"What happened to you!? You're like a different person! What's with all the extra weight!?"
"I became like this because I ate all the time to ease my sorrows of you leaving me!" Michiru said.
Michiru and Amayo went inside the house and had an argument as Michiru tried to explain that he wanted her back. It didn't end so well...
At sunset, the vessel was ready, unfortunately, not everything could be loaded in it.
However, Hikaru came to Naruto with a shocking demand.
"Run that by me again?" Naruto asked.
"If you become my servant, I'll give you everything you want!" Hikaru claimed. "Toys, games, I have a lot of them!"
Naruto sighed. "While I can be a bodyguard for the trip, I can't be much more than that, as I serve another Country." Naruto said as he walked away.
That satisfied Hikaru for now. He could always find a way to get Naruto as a servant with the given time.
During the cruise, in the middle of the night, Hikaru saw Kiki taking an apple from his table. When the monkey saw it was found, it tried running away. Hikaru then took the apple to the monkey and held it out, causing Kiki to cautiously walk back towards him. Hikaru then followed Kiki to the circus animals.
Naruto, having said he could be a bodyguard for the trip, had kept an eye on Hikaru and followed him, to the team's confusion.
Cham growled when he saw Hikaru. The boy tried to befriend the tiger again by holding out an apple, only for Cham to roar, scaring Hikaru.
"What's your problem?" Hikaru whined as he threw the apple in frustration. The apple hit one of the cage's bars. The action angered Cham, who started roaring louder.
Naruto stayed on the sidelines. The boy wasn't in any danger, so long as the angered Cham was caged. He then heard lightning strikes. He looked at the direction of the noise and saw a storm brewing. It would hit the cruiser soon.
When the storm hit the cruiser, later in the night, the shinobi team and the circus crew had to make sure the animals didn't fall overboard.
"Just let them be." Hikaru told Naruto as the latter was about to head for the deck. "I'm already bored of them."
"Your father bought you both Cham and the circus. And now that you're no longer interested you want to let them die in the storm? Keep up this attitude and you will make for a pathetic king." Naruto said before running off to the deck.
Naruto's blunt words shocked Hikaru. The boy was silent for a moment before he clenched his fists. "I'm not pathetic!"
As the Konoha team and the circus crew emptied the cage and led the animals inside, Hikaru headed straight for Cham's cage. While the wind and waves were stronger than Hikaru, the boy managed to reach the cage. The keys were on the lock, whoever tried to open it must have been repelled by the waves. He twisted the key and opened the cage. The following waves washed Kiki, Hikaru and Cham overboard.
"God dammit!" Naruto said as he jumped off and made multiple Kage Bunshin. They held hands and served as rope for the trio, pulling them back to the boat.
Naruto dragged them inside until the storm stopped the next morning. Cham became friendly and loyal to Hikaru after the risks he took.
Eventually, they reached the island of Tsuki no Kuni, which was shaped like a Crescent Moon.
Michiru's carriage was dropped at the dock and the Team, as well as Michiru and Hikaru headed for the palace. The rest of the luggage would take time to unload.
"How weird." Michiru said as he poked his head through the window. "This street is always supposed to be busy."
"And yet it's empty." Sakura said as she looked around.
There were, however, shinobi with ill-intent tailing them. Kakashi and Naruto noticed them through the back alleys and on the roofs.
They eventually arrived at the palace. Its massive gates opened for them.
"No one's coming to greet us..." Michiru said as he got out of the carriage.
The moment he said that, however, a brown-haired man with sideburns and a moustache walked out of the castle.
"Ah, Shabadaba!" Michiru greeted.
"My, my, if it isn't Michiru-dono!" Shabadaba said. "Good job travelling through the different Countries. It's wonderful that you returned safely!"
"Thank you, Shabadaba!" Michiru said. "But that aside, the town looks a bit odd. Did something happen?"
Shabadaba was silent for a moment, worrying Michiru a bit before the prince noticed something.
"Where's Papa? I don't see him around."
"The king...has died!" Shabadaba announced joyfully.
Michiru's eyes widened in horror as soldiers surrounded the group. The shinobi team braced themselves.
"I shall inherit the throne now!" Shabadaba claimed. "So you, the heir, are in my way! Kill him!" The soldiers charged with battle cries.
"Your majesty, please get inside the carriage!" Kakashi demanded. Michiru nodded and dragged Hikaru inside the carriage.
Lee used effective Taijutsu to knock the soldiers out while Sakura and Naruto respectively used a kunai or Muramasa to deflect the soldiers' weapons before using their fists or feet to knock them out.
"Get out of here!" Kakashi ordered the man riding the carriage. The man didn't need to be told twice. However, soldiers managed to overwhelm him before the carriage could get away. Kakashi repelled the soldiers.
The more the soldiers tried to overwhelm them with numbers, the more Naruto made clones to balance things in his team's favor.
Suddenly, an armored carriage arrived. A black-haired jumped out and attacked the royal soldiers.
"Korega?" Shabadaba said in shock.
"It's Captain Korega!" The soldiers muttered amongst themselves.
"He's a traitor! Kill him quickly!" Shabadaba ordered.
The soldiers charged and Korega was forced to knock out his former comrades. Kakashi quickly assisted the man.
"Thank you." Korega said as he and Kakashi stood back to back. "Who are you?"
"A hired guard from Konoha." Kakashi answered.
Korega sighed in relief. "That's the best news I've heard in a while!"
"At any rate, take care of the carriage. His majesty and his son are inside." Kakashi said.
Korega nodded as got on the carriage and rode it to safety. The Konoha shinobi, as well as the armored carriage, quickly followed the carriage and Kakashi used a Doton Jutsu to block the path.
"What are they?" Shabadaba wondered as he looked at the blockade.
"Your help really saved us back there!" Korega said. "I apologize for not explaining the situation in advance!"
"What's our next move?" Kakashi asked.
"We have friends in Sanchu." Korega said. "We're going there now!"
Eventually, they arrived at Sanchu, which was a cave. Within it lied the sleeping body of the king.
"The king knew that minister Shabadaba would want the crown one day." Korega explained. "Even so, the king hoped he would understand him someday. However, the minister continued to walk the path of anarchy. Luckily, since we knew about this beforehand, we were able to offer our advice to the king, and came to the conclusion to execute the minister. And just in case the worst were to happen, we had his majesty, Michiru and Hikaru-dono, go overseas under the disguise of travelling our neighbouring Countries."
"So that was why... No way!" Michiru muttered.
"The king had planned to deal with the minister." Korega explained. "However, the minister had already hired some wandering ninja and had a military force set up. Their counterattack was greater than we had expected and we were forced to flee. But in the end, the king was..." he trailed off.
"Jiji-sama..." Hikaru muttered.
"I am an apprentice medic-nin." Sakura said. "May I take a look?"
Michiru and Hiraku stepped aside for her. She uncovered the king's torso and saw the damage. Most of the king's body had been petrified!
Naruto's eyes narrowed. Good thing he had a dominated soul that gave him immunity to petrification.
"It seems that one of the shinobi has some sort of special ability." Korega said. "The king was poisoned while leading us!"
"Poison too?" Naruto also had poison-immunity, but how many more would he need?
"How is he, Sakura?" Kakashi asked.
Sakura used the diagnostic Jutsu.
After a thorough analysis, she managed to use her knowledge of medical ninjutsu to stop the petrification. It did little to save the king, however, as he should have been tended immediately after he was attacked. He had very little time left.
"You're back, Michiru." The king rasped as he awakened.
"Papa!" Michiru gasped.
"Jiji-sama!" Hikaru called out.
"Your majesty!" Korega said.
"Hikaru as well?" The king asked. "Thank goodness."
The Konoha team then introduced themselves to the king and informed him of their mission.
"Is that so?" The king asked. "Thank you for taking care of them. How is the country doing, Korega?"
"Unfortunately, it's going to fall to rebel hands at this rate." Korega said grimly.
"I see. Michiru, what do you think of this country right now?" The king asked.
"What do I think?" Michiru repeated. "I think it's a very rich, pretty and wonderful country."
"But I think that fortune alone does not bring happiness." The king said.
"Huh?" Michiru wondered what his father meant.
"Smiles, happiness, hopes and dreams..." The king trailed off. "I wanted to create a country that was peaceful and charitable. It's a shame that Shabadaba, who I had considered a comrade, could not understand this."
"I don't understand what you're saying!" Michiru said. "You sound just like Amayo!"
"Did you see her?" The king asked. "How did it go?"
Michiru simply shook his head.
"I see..." It was enough for the king.
"She said that I don't understand what is important." Michiru explained.
"As straightforward as ever, I see." The king said, sounding amused. "I thought that her scolding you would be perfect, but I never thought that she would become disgusted with you like this. It's such a shame. 'What is important', she said? Please listen to my final words, Michiru."
Michiru, Hikaru and the soldiers loyal to the king were shocked.
"I can't tell you what is most important in my current condition. You will become the next king."
Michiru, Hikaru and the soldiers started crying.
"All of you bodyguards... I'm sure you already know what it is, but please hear my final request... Please protect my son and grandson..."
"We will, even if it costs us our lives." Kakashi swore.
"Thank you..." The king said as he drew closer to death. "Michiru... I'm counting on you."
"PAPA!" Michiru cried out!
"Jiji-sama always treated me so kindly." Hikaru told Naruto as they walked outside. "He even made this bow for me. I tried really hard and he was always so happy whenever I hit a bullseye. I really loved him."
"Did you understand what your Jiji-sama was saying, Hikaru?" Naruto asked.
Hikaru shook his head.
"Then listen to me." Naruto said, getting Hikaru's full attention. "He was talking about the heart."
Hikaru placed his hand on his chest. "The heart?"
Naruto nodded. "You and your father grew up believing that what can be bought is what makes people happy. The truth is: when people want to be with you because they want to be, not because you give them something, is what makes someone truly happy and makes it important to them."
"While I can be a bodyguard for the trip, I can't be much more than that, as I serve another country." Naruto's response to becoming Hikaru's servant echoed in the boy's mind.
"Is that why you prefer serving Konoha over becoming my servant?" Hikaru asked. "Because Konoha is more important to you than anything I could give you?"
Naruto nodded. "That's right. Another good example would be that handheld game of yours. If it ever breaks, you could always get another one with the same games in it. However, nothing that can be bought with money, toys or games could ever replace your Jiji-sama in your heart."
Hikaru's eyes widened. "Jiji-sama is more important to me than any of my toys. My bow is important to me because Jiji-sama made it for me."
"You're catching on." Naruto grinned. "If you keep this up, you'll become a great king, like your Jiji-sama."
Hikaru's face lit up at the words of encouragement.
Later that night, Hikaru, Michiru and the soldiers were headed to the port in a carriage. The Konoha team was running next to the carriage.
"We don't have a strong military force." Korega said. "It's too weak to be able to stand up against the minister. For the time being, we would like to send the new king and Hikaru-dono overseas. Our best tactic would be for him to meet with our allied countries and form a stronger military force."
They eventually reached a beach with the boats ready for travel. However, the Konoha team and Michiru had to dodge an explosive kunai. When the smoke from the explosion dissipated, three shinobi stood before them: a white-haired girl, a large brown-haired man and an orange-haired man.
"Are you guys stupid or what?" The girl of the trio asked mockingly.
"We saw a light coming from the coast." The apparent leader, the orange-haired one, explained. "It was so obvious that you had made arrangements to get those ships. Now why don't you hand over that man and the brat?"
"Not a chance." Naruto said as he drew his blade. "We have a job to do, just like you three."
"You've got guts, brat." Naruto heard the orange-haired man's voice behind him.
Naruto immediately turned around and swiped, only for the Nuke-nin to jump over the blade and try to kick Naruto, but the blond blocked the kick with his forearm.
The Nuke-nin was then immediately kicked in the back by Rock Lee, knocking him away.
"What took you so long?" Naruto asked as he kept his gaze on the Nuke-nin.
"Forgive me, Naruto-kun. I have no idea why it took me so long to realize the enemy's proximity. I shall pay more attention from now on." Lee swore.
The large brown-haired man charged toward the team, but he was slower. Naruto met the man midway, to the latter's shock, and wounded him with an upward slash before kicking him in the face, knocking him back.
"Kongo!" The girl called out before she charged towards Naruto.
She started running circles around Naruto. Flower petals appeared in her pattern and she disappeared within them. A Genjutsu. No matter.
Naruto blocked an attack coming from the right with Muramasa. He blocked more strikes until he turned around and cancelled the Genjutsu. She was right in front of him.
He ran his left pointer and middle finger along Muramasa's blade, channeling wind chakra. He then aimed for the girl's neck, prompting her to try and block. Before the blades clashed, however, Naruto's left hand twitched. Suddenly, a bleeding wound on both the girl's right arm and her waist, to her shock. Once, Muramasa clashed with the girl's blade, she was knocked back several feet by the force of the attack.
"Fuuton: Tsubame Gaeshi." Naruto said. This Jutsu consisted of using wind chakra to attack multiple body parts at the same time. Molding pure wind chakra on his left hand through Muramasa's blade, Naruto waited until Muramasa was about to strike to unleash the chakra on his hand, creating the illusion of striking three different places at the same time.
Kakashi was also shocked. He knew Naruto was good, but to be able to react to the enemy before even himself? Was there a Genjutsu that he didn't notice? Kakashi tried releasing it, but nothing changed.
"It's not a Genjutsu." The orange-haired one said as he got up. "Our explosive kunai released a reaction-dulling poison that messes with the five senses. Though why your blond friend is unaffected by it is a mystery."
"A poison mist, of course!" Kakashi realized. "That explains why Naruto is unaffected. He probably received some kind of resistance through the Kyuubi."
"Karenbana, Kongo! We are pulling back for now! The older heir is enough!" The leader said as the royal soldiers retreated with a restrained Michiru. The trio of Nuke-nin quickly retreated.
"PAPA!" Hikaru called out.
"Save me!" Michiru cried out.
Kakashi cursed inwardly. Now that Michiru was taken hostage, they couldn't leave Tsuki no Kuni. After all, they promised the late king.
The next morning, everyone snuck close to the castle.
"Security's pretty tight." Kakashi said as he came back from his recon. "I couldn't sneak inside. We don't have much time."
"All we can do is give up then." A soldier said.
"Can you really do that!?" Another growled.
"What are you telling me to do then!? There's so few of us! It doesn't matter how powerful these guys are! It's impossible!"
"At the very least, we need to let Hikaru-sama escape overseas." A third soldier said.
"You really think Hikaru will go anywhere without his father?" Naruto asked, getting everyone's attention. "Besides, we..." He gestured to his team. "...promised to the late king that we'd protect both Hikaru and Michiru. We have to think of something."
"Naruto-niichan..." Hikaru muttered.
"That's right." Kakashi said. "We can't go back on our word."
"I'm ready!" Lee saluted.
"I am as well!" Sakura said.
They then heard footsteps coming their way. Everyone went on guard, but the 'intruders' were Cham and Kiki.
Hikaru immediately ran up to the tiger and hugged it.
"Hey, Cham! What's wrong with you all of a sudden?" They heard the Ringmaster's voice.
As it turned out, the circus crew made it to the palace, only to be threatened to leave by the soldiers, causing the animals to run away in this very forest. This gave Kakashi an idea, however. Since when were military forces trained to defend themselves against a well-organized circus? They would definitely deserve their money with this one.
By nighttime, the plan was ready. Michiru stood on a plank, which would soon break under his weight, high on a tower with a rope around his neck.
The circus, with their music on full blast, marched jovially toward the castle gate.
"You guys again!?" One of the guards growled.
"W-Well, you see..." the Ringmaster stuttered before flinching when a spear was pointed at him. The man sure can put on a show when he wants to get paid.
"Leave already!" The guard growled.
"That's weird!" Kakashi, disguised as a member of the circus, walked by the Ringmaster and stood in front of the guards. "We were called and came to do a show."
"I didn't hear anything about it!" one of the guards growled.
"There's no way that's right, is there?" Kakashi asked as he moved his eyepatch and used his Sharingan to knock the guards out with a Genjutsu.
The circus crew opened the gate and entered the castle yard. Its music and attractions gathered the attention of everyone in the castle.
Meanwhile, the Konoha team, along with Hikaru and the soldiers loyal to the king entered the castle through a secret passage.
"We were the only ones the king told at this passage." Korega whispered.
"Hikaru-sama." Another guard whispered as he gave Hikaru some real arrows. "I made these for you. I hope they will be of some assistance."
"Thank you." Hikaru whispered.
They immediately started running in the empty hallway.
"According to Kakashi-sensei, Michiru-san should be in the highest terrace." Sakura said.
They eventually ended up by the main entrance. Korega gave Sakura and she nodded.
"Kakashi-sensei!" She whispered in her headset.
Kakashi nodded as he heard Sakura's signal. "Time to get started." He whispered.
Kakashi stood in front of the fountain. "We're finally reaching the climax of our program! Everyone, please enjoy...this!" He immediately uncovered his Sharingan and made several handsigns. The water in the fountain rose and shaped into a dragon before spewing water at the soldiers.
When the soldiers started attacking, the animals of the circus easily overwhelmed them.
"ISHIDATE!" Shabadaba roared.
"I know!" The orange-haired Nuke-nin said as he and his teammates left.
Naruto turned to Hikaru, who was shaking like a leaf.
"Don't worry, we'll save your dad." He said.
Hikaru nodded, reassured.
"Let's go." Korega said as everyone ran up the many sets of stairs. "The highest terrace is at the throne room. Even with our few numbers, this should be possible."
Unfortunately, Kongo stood in there way.
"So the leader was right." The large man said. "He was always good at reading things. Like figuring out that the ruckus outside was just a diversion. Those things are obvious to him."
"Everyone, go on ahead." Lee said as he stepped forward.
The rest of the group nodded and ran into a nearby hallway.
Kongo tried to intercept them, but Lee stood in his way.
As the group ran up some more stairs, Sakura threw a kunai at a wall. Karenbana released her camouflage as she dodged it.
"Good job noticing me." She said mockingly.
"You stink of perfume." Sakura taunted. "Bad tastes for a kid."
Karenbana had an angered look. "Kid!?"
Sakura drew another kunai. "I'll hold her off. Go on ahead."
Karenbana didn't even try stopping the others, she was too angry at Sakura for calling her a kid.
Soon, the group had almost reached the throne room's tower. They could see Michiru on a plank, a rope around his neck.
"Papa!" Hikaru called out.
"Hikaru?" Michiru said as he looked below.
Korega was about to enter the tower, but Ishidate jumped down from the tower and grabbed Korega's face. The back of Ishidate's gauntlet opened to reveal an eye. Korega was quickly petrified and thrown aside, breaking into rubble.
"Captain Korega!" The soldiers cried out.
The group was then immediately surrounded by guards.
"In the end, your plan was all in vain." Ishidate said as he stepped forward.
Everyone then heard Cham's roar as the tiger ran up to the scene.
Naruto immediately used the distraction to throw a smoke bomb. When the smoke dissipated, Ishidate saw that Naruto was by himself, while the king's soldiers ran away along with Cham, with Hikaru on the tiger's back.
"So you stayed behind?" Ishidate asked.
"You would have given chase anyway." Naruto said as he discarded his heavy coat.
*Boom*
"What are you?" Ishidate asked as he saw the large crater the coat made. The royal soldiers preferred to chase after the others than stay anywhere close to Naruto.
"Someone higher than you in the food chain." Naruto answered.
Ishidate scowled at the boast and levitated several stones from the floor itself. He turned them all into several small projectiles that he shot toward Naruto, who dodged them all with impressive speed. Naruto then charged toward Ishidate and they started trading blows, with neither of them landing a decent hit. They both jumped away from each other.
Naruto carefully looked at his opponent, whose eyes now had a hint of insanity in them.
Ishidate couldn't believe it. This brat? Equal to him in skill? Impossible... Impossible! He let out a war cry as he grabbed a piece of the floor and had it shoot small projectiles even faster than before.
Naruto cursed and used the Kyuubi's chakra to gain greater speed. After dodging the projectiles, he charged at Ishidate and stabbed him in the gut.
Ishidate coughed blood but didn't give in. He grabbed Naruto's shoulder with his gauntlet and its eye opened. Ishidate started laughing but stopped when he noticed something was wrong. The brat wasn't petrifying!
"What are you!?" Ishidate demanded.
Naruto smirked. "I already told you: I'm someone higher than you in the food chain. It's over." Two Kage Bunshin appeared behind Ishidate. "Fuuton: Tsubame Gaeshi."
Ishidate screamed in pain as they gave him slashes after slashes with insane speed. His body fell on the floor, deathly pale from the bloodloss. Due to no one looking their way, the soul went unnoticed.
Naruto's head snapped up as he heard the sound of snapping wood.
"Papa!" Hikaru called out from the opposite tower.
"Hikaru! Use your arrows!" Naruto screamed.
Hikaru's eyes widened before he turned to Cham.
"Cham, please, I need your help! Help me reach Papa!" The boy pleaded as he got on the tiger's back.
Cham took a running start and jumped off the tower. Hikaru aimed his arrow at the rope holding his father and shot. The arrow pierced the rope and three of them started falling.
Only for Kitsune to catch Michiru with one hand and Cham and Hikaru with the other.
"Gotcha." Naruto said.
Hikaru looked at Kitsune fearfully as it let them down to the floor. "What is that, Naruto-niichan?"
"Just a little something I gained during one of my many missions." Naruto said as he used Muramasa to cut the knot tying the rope around Michiru's neck, allowing the soon-to-be-king to take deep breaths of air as Hikaru hugged him.
"Y-You..." They all turned to see Shabadaba.
"Shabadaba!" Michiru roared as he started chasing the scared minister.
Due to Kakashi overusing his Sharingan, the team remained in Tsuki no Kuni for the next two weeks. During that time, Michiru was named king of Tsuki no Kuni and the people rejoiced. Michiru also gave his all to lose weight, in order to win back Amayo's heart. Sakura enjoyed the two-week 'vacation' to her fullest. Naruto was always amused to see the steam coming out of Lee's nostrils and ears whenever he saw Sakura in a bikini. But, once Kakashi fully recovered, it was time to leave. The entire country came to the port to say goodbye to their heroes.
As Naruto took a walk in the nearby forest, he saw a girl with waist-length brown hair painting the Hokage Tower and Monument which you could see from this spot. There was a clear difference, however. She painted thunder clouds in the sky whereas the real sky was clear and sunny.
"Pretty impressive." Naruto commented.
If the girl was surprised of his sudden appearance, she hid it well.
"What's with the thunder clouds, though?" He asked. He then noticed thunder clouds were quickly gathering in the sky. "How the hell...?"
She didn't answer. Instead, she painted a lightning bolt striking down at the Hokage tower. The moment she finished, lightning struck the roof of the Hokage Tower.
Naruto's eyes widened. How did she do that? One thing was for sure, though...
"Someone has a grudge." He commented.
The girl said nothing as she packed her supplies.
Some shinobi quickly combined their strength into a Suiton Jutsu that extinguished the fire caused by the lightning strike.
A pair of medic-nin appeared and held her before giving her an injection of sleeping agent that knocked her out.
"She sure caused a lot of trouble." One of them said.
"Let's hurry and take her back." The second one said.
"Somebody mind explaining what's going on?" Naruto asked, getting their attention.
An ANBU member immediately appeared in front of him. "Naruto Uzumaki, you are to return to the village at once."
"I suppose getting an explanation is out of the question?" Naruto asked.
The ANBU nodded. "Exactly. It has nothing to do with you."
Naruto shrugged. "Fair enough." He walked away. He could always find out through another way.
He then walked into an argument between Team 8's Genin. Apparently, Kurenai left Team 8 behind. Naruto's eyes narrowed. First, that girl and her painting, then Kurenai leaving Team 8? It was too quick of a succession to be a coincidence...
When he looked around, Naruto found Kurenai on a roof, looking over the distance.
"Deep in thoughts?" Naruto asked as he stepped up next to her.
"Naruto?" She really must have been really deep in thought, for he wasn't trying to be sneaky and she was still surprised.
"I overheard your former Genin arguing amongst themselves, mainly because of Kiba wanting an explanation." He explained.
"I see..." She said. "There's nothing I can do about that. If you see them again, please tell them I'm not coming back."
"You should have been more subtle." He said, to Kurenai's confusion. "It has something to do with that brown-haired girl skilled in painting, isn't it?"
Her widened eyes were all the answers he needed.
"So you've met Yakumo?" She asked.
"So that's her name, Yakumo." Naruto said. "She wasn't very talkative. But I saw her painting skills with my own eyes, as well as the results." He looked at the Hokage Tower. "The way I see it, if you were somehow involved with this girl, then she must be skilled in Genjutsu. But if that lightning strike was real, how could it be a Genjutsu?"
Kurenai sighed. He had already figured out so much...
"Yakumo and I had a...past together. The Sandaime chose me to be Yakumo's tutor due to my skills in Genjutsu. Yakumo had her clan's, the Kurama Clan's, Kekkei Genkai, which is the ability to make their enemies feel whatever physical pain they feel within their Genjutsu." She explained.
"Meaning those who have that Kekkei Genkai could kill their enemies with Genjutsu alone." Naruto said with interest. He had planned to get the Sharingan from Sasuke or Itachi, maybe even Kakashi, one day, but if he could combine both of these Kekkei Genkai, it would truly be a deadly combination. He then realized something. "Wait, then that means that the damages on the Hokage Tower aren't really there, but we think they are."
Kurenai nodded before she sighed. "However, Yakumo was born with a weak body. She had very little stamina and couldn't hold a candle to anyone in Taijutsu. But she was inspired by Rock Lee's effort and wanted to prove that one could become a ninja with Genjutsu alone."
"But you don't have Guy-sensei's enthusiasm." Naruto deduced. That much was obvious not matter what angle you looked from.
Kurenai sighed sadly. "I couldn't do it. I told her to seek a new path in life, but she refused. We were forced to seal her powers."
"Fat lot of good that did." Naruto commented as he looked at the Hokage Tower.
"We didn't seal the entirety of it, just the part that was dangerous." Kurenai said.
"Oh yeah, because being able to make lightning strikes at will isn't dangerous at all." He said sarcastically.
"Her paintings are her focus for her Genjutsu." Kurenai explained. "She can't do them at will. Not quickly, anyway."
"Old man Sandaime wouldn't have approved unless it was a danger to the village." Naruto said.
"Those who have that Kekkei Genkai can't control all of their power, so a second, monstrous personality that has better control over the powers is created by the Kekkei Genkai."
"And that's what you sealed." Naruto realized. "But don't you think the anger of having her dream taken away would make the second personality stronger and break through the seal?"
"This is my problem." Kurenai said. "I shall deal with it myself."
Naruto shrugged. "I highly doubt that whoever is watching over her would let me get close, anyway. I'll just leave you be." He walked away.
Nothing of interest happened for the rest of the day. But the next day, he saw Guy, Team 8 and Sakura rushing somewhere and followed them while sticking to the shadows.
The group made it to a cottage in the mountain. But they were stopped by a beanstalk Genjutsu. Team 8's tracking expertise quickly dealt with the culprit, but they found out, through him, that Kurenai was inside with Yakumo. What Naruto saw that the others didn't, however, was that Kurenai snuck out of the cottage through a window with Yakumo on her back.
Kurenai tried to escape with Yakumo, only to be trapped in a beanstalk Genjutsu. When she tried to release it, she was unsuccessful. A man with light-brown hair and black eyes appeared before them.
Yakumo's eyes widened. "Uncle Unkai, father-figure of the Kurama Clan..."
Kurenai's red eyes narrowed. "Facing Unkai of the Kurama Clan won't go as smoothly as it did with the others." She said.
Unkai chuckled. "For me to be praised by the Genjutsu Mistress, Kurenai Yuhi... Let us try to avoid meaningless battles. Hand over Yakumo!"
Yakumo tightened her grip on Kurenai, who braced herself.
"Even you have fallen to my Genjutsu, Kurenai." Unkai said. "How do you plan on fighting me?"
Kurenai didn't say anything. She stabbed her own shoulder with her kunai, using the pain to free herself from the Genjutsu.
"Damn it!" Unkai exclaimed.
They then heard laughter.
"Using pain to free herself from the illusion. Truly she wishes to protect this girl."
"Who is there!? Show yourself!" Unkai demanded.
Kurenai was confused. This wasn't one of Unkai's followers?
"Very well." The ghostly figure of a pale-skinned man holding a crystal ball, wearing purple robes, a red cape and red hat revealed himself between Kurenai and Unkai. "I am the Dark Priest called Shaft."
"I do not know what you are here for, but you are in my way." Unkai threatened.
"You are in mine as well, as my lord desires the girl's powers." Shaft revealed.
Lightning struck Unkai from another one of Shaft's crystal orbs floating in the sky, rendering the man unconscious.
Shaft turned to Kurenai and Yakumo. "Now, hand over the girl." He calmly demanded.
Kurenai looked up before looking back toward Shaft after seeing nothing unusual in the sky.
"I am not so foolish as to think the same method of attack will work twice in a row." Shaft said. "But you do not look like you will give up on the girl. So be it." The crystal orb in his hand lit up into a large fireball and shot toward Kurenai, who dodged but recoiled at the explosion. Her fall caused Yakumo to let go of her.
"Yakumo!" Kurenai called out as she tried to run up to the girl, only for an orb crackling with lightning to get in her way and shock her.
Shaft floated toward Yakumo and lifted her in the air with magic.
"Spread this message to the rest of your village, if you so desire. One day, the Elemental Countries will fall to Dracula, Lord of Darkness!" Shaft laughed before he disappeared with Yakumo.
"Yakumo!" Kurenai cried out. She had failed! Failed to protect her student!
Naruto looked at the battle from atop the trees with a smirk. He sent a Kage Bunshin to the castle, after Kurenai snuck out of the cottage, and had it order Shaft to capture Yakumo. Now, it was time to talk to the girl.
"Where are you taking me!?" Yakumo demanded as she was restrained by Axe Lords.
"I wish to make you an offer, Yakumo Kurama." Yakumo turned her head to the direction of the voice and saw a cloaked man wearing a scary mask.
"An offer?" She asked nervously.
"Before that, however, I will show you something." Dracula said as the Axe Lords took her to the torture chambers.
Yakumo's eyes widened as she saw someone restrained by chains. It was the Sandaime Hokage!
"Wake him up." Dracula ordered the cloaked Shinigami.
Shinigami stepped up to the old man and tapped his shoulder, undoing the magic.
Hiruzen groaned. "Is this the Shinigami's stomach?" He wondered as he looked around. His eyes widened when he saw Yakumo. "Can it be?"
Yakumo turned to Dracula. "But the Sandaime is supposed to be dead!"
"He is dead." Dracula said calmly. "After all, the one standing next to him is the Shinigami."
Hiruzen and Yakumo's eyes widened at they looked at the cloaked skeleton wielding a scythe.
"Now, you have questions to ask the Sandaime, I believe." Dracula said. "I shall let you ask them, for I am also curious about the truth."
This was a chance Yakumo couldn't waste, no matter how much this place unnerved her.
"Why have you assassinated my parents!?" Yakumo demanded. This was news to Dracula.
Hiruzen's eyes widened. "Assassinate your parents? I have done no such thing."
"My parents were Jonin! There is no way they could have died in that fire!" She yelled.
The Sandaime stayed silent.
"Force the truth out of him." Dracula ordered.
Shinigami placed a hand on Hiruzen's shoulder and the old man could feel the loss of what little control he had over his body.
"I have not ordered your parents to be assassinated. Your uncontrolled Genjutsu powers burned your home and killed them in your depression."
Yakumo's eyes widened.
"I then found out about your second personality, the Ido, through Unkai. After that, I ordered Kurenai to seal your powers in an attempt to destroy the Ido. I had her do it in order for her to be the entire focus of your anger. I know for a fact she hated doing so and regretted it ever since."
Yakumo screamed as she held her head. A ghastly figure exited through her mouth before taking a physical shape similar to Yakumo's.
It was dark green in skin tone, had large horns sticking out of the sides of its head and had saber teeth, like Cham.
"Sandaime Hokage..." It said.
"Ido..." Hiruzen muttered as it walked closer to him.
"Feel the brunt of these feelings and let me get my revenge!"
Dracula stood between Hiruzen and the Ido.
"So, you are the one created by Yakumo's power. Her anger and hatred made you powerful, indeed. Your powers would be valuable as my servant." He said.
"I care not about you! All that matters is my revenge!"
Dracula smirked behind his mask. "That makes things easier for me, then."
Ido charged, only for axes to embed themselves on its back. It wailed in pain before being decapitated by Muramasa. An orb shot out of the corpse and entered Dracula.
"Now, the Kurama Clan's illusionary prowess is mine." Dracula chuckled.
Hiruzen's eyes widened. "That katana...!"
Dracula turned to Hiruzen and took off his mask. "How's it going, old man?"
"Naruto..." Hiruzen muttered.
"How does it feel? To see someone you cared like family being a monster in reality?" Dracula asked. "Oh... That's right. Orochimaru already gave you this feeling, didn't he?"
"Why are you doing this?" Hiruzen asked sadly. "Yakumo's power will overwhelm you, just like it did to her!"
Dracula chuckled once more. "Oh, if only you knew how much power I have. But that's just the tip of the iceberg. Now, I have Yakumo's powerful Genjutsu abilities, but what would happen if I were to gain the Sharingan as well?"
Hiruzen's eyes widened in horror. If he could use them both at the same time, then-
Dracula laughed. "You figured it out! Unfortunately, Sasuke went to Orochimaru, so he's out of my reach for now. So is Itachi. But I will get one of them eventually. I am not so sure about Kakashi, however, as his Sharingan is transplanted. But I have said enough. I have nothing more to say to you, old man. Have a nightmarish time in Shinigami's stomach."
Before Hiruzen could say anything, Shinigami had already absorbed him.
Dracula turned to a shaking Yakumo. "Take her to the Were Beasts. Whether they eat her or turn her into one of their own matters little to me. I have to return to that foolish village."
Yakumo screamed in terror as she struggled to get free.
When Naruto returned to the village, there was no panic at all, meaning the news hadn't spread. He did learn that Kurenai was highly depressed and wouldn't be going back to Team 8. She was replaced by her best friend, Anko Mitarashi.
A few days later, Shikamaru gathered Naruto, Ino, Choji, Kiba and Lee for a new mission of great importance: assisting the Sand Siblings in Kawa no Kuni.
"During Sasuke's defection, we were saved by the Sand Siblings." Shikamaru said. "This mission is our opportunity to return the favor. Here's the plan: we will make multiple teams of two. Do not act independently of each other. I will be teaming up with Ino. Choji and Kiba, you're the second team. That leaves Lee with Naruto. Shino, Hinata, Neji and Sakura have already gone ahead through a different route, so let's hurry."
"Right!" The rest of the group said together.
The group rushed east toward Kawa no Kuni. But they eventually stopped and went on standby, waiting for the others to report their recon.
Eventually, Shino's bugs came to them, thanks to a small pouch, that had the scent of a female Kikaichu, that Shino gave to Sikamaru for the mission.
The Bugs worked together to make kanji in the sky for their report.
Shikamaru cursed. "So it's already started... Kiba, Choji! Take the western forest. Ino and I will take the northern hill. Naruto, Lee, you two will take the northwestern forest. We'll back up each sibling with our team. It's time to begin 'Operation Return the Favor'. Scatter!" With that, each team went on their way.
Naruto and Lee rushed in the northwestern and eventually found Gaara, high up on a sand pillar, swinging his opponent like a flail with his sand before the sand let go and his opponent went flying.
Suddenly, three beams of chakra hit the sand pillar before a large water dragon attacked Gaara. Gaara fell to the ground, his sand soaked.
Gaara's opponent was a broadly-built man with black eyes and wavy brown hair. He wore a black coat with dark blue pauldrons and a breastplate shaped like a tiger's head. He also wielded a long-hilted mace with a head that could be swung around thanks to a chain.
"Your luck ends here, Sabaku no Gaara!" The man said as he swung his mace's head at Gaara, only for Lee to kick it away.
"A hero's arrival is always fashionably late!" Lee said passionately.
The man's shock at Lee's arrival made him lower his guard, allowing Naruto to kick him on the back of the head.
"Naruto?" Gaara asked.
"This is to repay the debt we owe Suna through the Sasuke Retrieval Mission." Naruto said. "Leave this guy to us."
"Be careful. His armor absorbs chakra." Gaara said as he tried to get up, but stumbled. That water dragon really hit him hard. Not to mention his Sand Armor is even heavier, due to being soaked.
Luckily, Sakura arrived on the scene. She started healing Gaara's bruises. His sand was drying in the meantime.
"I shall start!" Lee said as he charged toward the armored man.
When he kicked the man in the gut, the armor absorbed the chakra after Lee's kick landed on it.
Naruto and Lee then tried to combine their Taijutsu and Kenjutsu assaults, but the armored man tried to taunt them by staying on the evasive.
Suddenly, Shino's bugs gave a message that Ino was hurt. Even though Gaara wasn't completely healed, he convinced Sakura to go help her out.
As Gaara walked up to the battle, Lee was hit by the enemy's mace.
"That's enough." Gaara said. "I'll finish this quickly."
The large man chuckled. "You don't have anymore sand to use-"
He was interrupted by Gaara sacrificing his Sand Armor to make a spear. He threw the spear and it pierced the enemy's heart.
"Gaara-sensei!" Gaara's kidnapped student, Matsuri, called out.
Naruto made a Kage Bunshin that would remain with the exhausted Lee and, along with Gaara, rushed toward the last opponent, the one holding Matsuri hostage. They cornered him in a valley. The man had a slim face and brown hair swept to the back.
"That's as far as you go." Gaara claimed. "I'm taking Matsuri back."
The man smirked. "Do you think you have me cornered? Even with your ally, you are the one cornered, Sabaku no Gaara! Even if you are called 'The Ultimate Weapon', didn't you use all of your sand back there?"
"I wouldn't lose in a one-on-one battle, no matter what kind of techniques you use, let alone a two-on-one battle." Gaara said.
"We shall see." He threw Matsuri aside and held out a black longsword. "Come forth, Mugen Kougai!" Their previous opponent's tiger breastplate appeared on his chest. "Garian Tou! Hisho Soken!" A three-bladed whip-sword appeared and its blade waved around him like tentacles. A short sword then appeared in his left hand.
The duo braced themselves.
"It's time for you to learn that mere ninja cannot defeat the weapons that those from the Takumi village create." The man boasted before he swung the short sword, creating a tornado.
Naruto immediately stepped forward and let out a Kyuubi-enhanced roar, creating wind vibrations. Both winds collided and cancelled each other.
"Garian tou!" The man called out. The three serpent blades attacked. Naruto deflected one with Muramasa, but the other two reached Gaara, who dodged one but was stabbed in the shoulder by the other one. All three blades retracted. "Seems like your main reserve of chakra has depleted. Surely the monster within you can be of assistance."
"So, he's after the Shukaku's chakra." Naruto thought. "Is he a member of Akatsuki? Or does he need the chakra for something else?"
"Garian Tou!" All three blades attacked Naruto, who dodged as he couldn't block them all.
The moment he and Naruto were separated, Gaara was trapped in a metal sphere.
"Gaara!" Naruto and Matsuri called out.
"The preparations are complete. What we want is the Shukaku's chakra." The man said.
"What?" Gaara asked.
"I, Hoki, have waited a long time for this moment." Hoki said. "Now, Gaara, you shall become Shukaku and give that power to me!"
Naruto cursed as he rushed to free Matsuri from her wooden casing.
Gaara immediately threw something through the sphere's bars before they closed. It was Matsuri's Rope Javelin. When the freed Matsuri picked it up, sand fell out of it and became a sand eye for Gaara to see the outside.
"It's useless!" Hoki said. "The Ultimate Weapon that our ancestor, Seimei-sama, created will be complete!" He then made some handsigns and the sphere started draining Gaara's chakra.
The chakra shot toward a piece of the mountain and blew it off, revealing a coffin. The coffin floated and landed in front of Hoki. The coffin opened and revealed a corpse.
"Seimei-sama!" Hoki said. "I offer my body as a container for your great revival!"
The corpse started glowing before Hoki's body dissolved into particles that joined with the corpse.
The corpse was revitalized and rejuvenated. A man with long white hair walked out of the coffin.
"I am Seimei, founder of Takumi village." Seimei introduced himself. "After a century, I have returned to become the village's Ultimate Weapon!" He then made some handsigns before walking toward Hoki's now-glowing equipment. After a flash of light, Naruto saw that Seimei had merged with the equipment.
"My plan is finally coming to fruition." Seimei claimed. "With this, the Takumi village will stand at the top of the shinobi world."
Seimei then turned to the sphere. "So that's how they did it. They used the power of Suna's monster as a source for my revival."
Naruto inwardly cursed. Seimei's merging with the weapons obviously meant he was even better than Hoki at using them. What the hell was he supposed to do?
Seimei faced the sphere. "Now, Shukaku, give me your power!"
The sphere started transferring chakra to Seimei.
Suddenly, Gaara let out a roar as the sphere broke apart, revealing Gaara's half transformed state.
"So, this is Shukaku?" Seimei asked. "This is my first time seeing the real thing."
Everyone else arrived on the scene. They were worried when they saw Gaara's condition.
"Fighting Shukaku wasn't in my calculations." Seimei admitted. "But, this is in my favor. Defeating Shukaku will prove that Takumi village's Ultimate Weapon is unbeatable."
However, Gaara wasn't wavering. Naruto's speech after their first battle echoed in his head. He wouldn't give in! He would protect those important to him with his own strength!
To everyone's shock, the Shukaku transformation was suppressed.
"Is he suppressing Shukaku?" Temari wondered.
"Why is he doing that?" Shikamaru asked. "He's only weakening his attack power."
"He wishes to fight with his own power, not one he can't control." Kankuro said.
Seimei chuckled. "You couldn't maintain the form?"
"I do not need that power to protect what's important to me." Gaara claimed.
"Pathetic." Seimei said. "Shinobi have no need for emotions. Those that kill their emotions become more powerful. And that power is the only justice. You do not even have the chakra to fight."
"I am almost out of chakra." Gaara admitted. "But I wasn't just twiddling my thumbs while in that cage."
"What?" Seimei asked.
Gaara slammed his hands together. "Ryusa Bakuryu!"
Nothing happened for a moment before Seimei chuckled.
"You don't have any more sand to control." He said.
"I am Sabaku no Gaara! Breaking stones and turning minerals into sand is in my nature!" Gaara said.
The mountain behind Seimei started to crumble. A wave of sand crashed on Seimei. Everyone else jumped in the air to avoid getting buried.
There was a moment of silence before...
"Kujaku Senpu Sen!" Seimei called out as he rose from the sand with a whirlwind. "So you still had some power left. I'll take all that power, then!"
The Infinite armor started draining Gaara's chakra, but Gaara looked completely calm.
"Saiko Zettai Hogeki, Shukaku no Hoko!" Gaara called out as he made a sand spear with its head shaped like Shukaku's claw.
He threw the spear right into the armor's open maw, destroying the breastplate.
"H-How!?" Seimei demanded.
"Someone like you, who sees people as weapons, wouldn't understand."
Seimei then fell on the ground and was swallowed by sand.
Gaara slammed his hands on the sand. "Sabaku Taiso!"
There was a small quake before particles floated out of the sand.
"It's over." Naruto said.
Gaara then fell on the ground. Everyone rushed toward him.
Sakura checked his pulse and sighed in relief. "He's fine." She said, causing everyone to relax.
Everyone then went back to Konoha, including the Sand Siblings, to recover.
"So, you're finally back." Naruto, in his hospital bed, said as he opened his eyes and looked at Jiraiya.
"Sorry my information gathering on Akatsuki took so long." Jiraiya said.
Naruto shrugged as he sat up. "I did a lot of important missions while you were away."
"So I heard. Good job. Anyways, I found out Akatsuki's motive. You'll have a lot of training to do during their two-year absence. I wonder if you're ready..."
"If you really are wondering, then you don't know me enough." Naruto smirked.
Gaara, who was on the next bed and hidden behind a curtain, heard everything.
Later, Dracula returned to the castle.
"It's time for the plan to begin." He said.
He, Shinigami and a Persephone maid entered the Doppelganger Mirror Room. He handed Muramasa, Tsunade's necklace and his headband to the maid before stepping up to the mirror. After a moment, his reflection, already knowing everything he knew, smirked and stepped out of the mirror.
"Have fun." Dracula said.
"I plan to." The Doppelganger said as he took Muramasa, the necklace and the headband before leaving.
"Now, all that's left is for me to catch Akatsuki's attention." Dracula said as he put the hooded cloak and mask on. "Thankfully, there is no shortage of bounties in this world."
Naruto and Jiraiya stepped out of the village gate, leaving for their training trip.
"This is bound to be an interesting two years." Jiraiya thought.
Naruto, however, was eager for the original's plan to continue.
This chapter's a little later than usual, but better late than never, right? Anyway, next time, we start Shippuden, where things change up a bit.
