Author's Note's: I'm back with another chapter!
Okay, I know everyone is used to me posting rather large chapters, but please, if I post a 5,000 plus words chapter, don't complain and yell at me. 5,000 words is still a large chapter, and most of the author's on this site post half that. I did apologize for a shorter chapter at the beginning of chapter ten, so I don't see the reason to get upset with me in the reviews. I couldn't add anything to that chapter, it was the slow, somewhat boring transition into this arc, and it was needed. So please, if I'm not writing chapters as long as you want them, I'm more than happy to see you try and bust out 10,000 words every time.
I've recently learned the origins of the Otsutsuki, and believe it or not, I can actually work all of it in this story. Don't worry, I'm not going to go into the whole alien thing too much, but it will be mentioned and explained throughout the story.
If you haven't already, go check out Dreamers Community, the stories of author's in Dreamers can be found there, so if you're looking for something good to read, I'd start there.
Thanks to my beta, Dreaming of the Phoenix.
Bringer of Peace
Chapter Eleven – The Prodigy Cell
He awoke to something warm and soft. Inhaling, a heavenly scent invaded his nostrils. He chuckled softly, the irony of using "heavenly" to define her not lost on him. His arms were wrapped around her, her back firmly pressed up against his chest, her very breath bringing him happiness.
Neji smiled into Lilith's hair, enjoying the feeling of embracing the woman he loved most in the world after so long of being separated. His wife held his heart… his very soul within her hands, and she knew that. That, however, didn't matter, because he held hers as well. They belonged to each other, and they'd never leave each other ever again. His hold on her tightened, digging his face further into her beautiful silver hair as he lost himself in her scent. He'd do anything for this woman, for his wife.
Anything.
"Good morning." Her beautiful, entrancing voice sang out.
They were in Neji's room, in the Hyuuga Compound. His room wasn't very decorative, but it served its purpose from time to time, mainly when he had to show his face around the compound. Both Neji and Lilith usually stayed with Naruto in the Uchiha Compound, but if Neji – who was a ward of the Clan Head – didn't make periodic appearances in "his clan's" compound, then people would begin to search, and if they were lucky – or unlucky, depending on your loyalties – they'd stumble onto something they certainly were not supposed to.
"Morning." Neji replied, sighing in content. If it were up to either of them, they'd stay this way for a few thousand years, maybe even eternity. But it wasn't up to them, and they had much to do. "We should get going." He began. "Nii-san will be waiting for us."
He felt Lilith stir, groaning in such a way that could even be called cute. And if one knew anything about Lilith, she didn't do "cute". Provocative? Most definitely. Seductive. No doubt. Strikingly beautiful? Absolutely. But cute? Neji chuckled to himself again. He kind of liked being with her when she looked so young. It felt as if they were growing up together, and he would make sure they grew old together.
"Can't we stay like this for just a bit longer?" She asked in a pleading voice. "I want you all to myself for a while more." She practically purred as his arms pressed her further into him. "The world, the plan… your brother… they can all wait."
Neji smiled softly, once again breathing in her hypnotic scent. "If only, my love…" he whispered. "If only." He sighed, this time in a mixture of annoyance and irritation. "But we can't… we promised my brother that we'd meet him early. We have to discuss our strategy for our trial."
Lilith snorted dismissively. "Please." She began. "Anyone of us could handle this entire village alone. The only shinobi who could possibly give us trouble is the Hokage himself, and I don't think the old monkey is going to fight a bunch of genin." Even Lilith, a demon queen from another dimension knew that Sarutobi Hiruzen, the "God of Shinobi", was not one to be trifled with. His status alone was fearsome, and his skills even more so.
"It's not losing that we need to prepare for, but how we win." Neji explained. "We need to show that we're ready for the challenges to come, but we cannot reveal our true strength. We need to prepare for what we're going to do, and how we're going to do it." If anyone knew about even a fraction of the power anyone of them possessed, it could make things a bit complicated. They needed to show the strength of chunin, nothing more.
Lilith sighed, hating that she could see the logic in his words. Ignorance was bliss, she understood that now. "Fine…" she groaned. "But I want something in return." She whispered lusciously. She smiled seductively while turning her head, her slim hand snaking up the back of his head, bringing their faces close. Finally, after a cruel pause, their lips met, a chaste kiss exchanged between husband and wife.
This was a rather complicated, unforeseen situation for them. While the two were husband and wife in their past lives, they were, essentially, nine and twelve years old in this era. While they had been inseparable lovers before the time of shinobi – or even ninjutsu – they were children now, and even though their love was just as strong and untainted, they couldn't act upon it like they were used to. It just wasn't right… not yet, at least. But the thing about their love, the thing that made it so beautiful, was that they could wait for each other for literally millennia, and their love would not fade. A thousand years had passed since the last time they felt the wondrous pleasures a wife and husband made when making love, they could wait a few more. Well, that's how Neji felt about the matter, but Lilith… not so much.
After their lips separated, the silver-haired girl's hands sneakily turned south, but were intercepted by Neji's. "Lilith…" he whispered, his voice expressing how hard it was for him not to let her have her way with him.
Lilith glared at him in slight irritation. "No one has to know, Hamura…" she whispered back, pleadingly. "Please… I miss my husband's touch…" her hand once again tried to move down, but once again, her hand was stopped.
"I'm touching you now." he replied with a small smirk on his face. He wasn't lying… they were touching, just not in the way she craved.
"You know what I meant." She snapped back, her azure eyes blazing like fire, her anger showing. "It's been too long. I've dreamt of what it would be like when I was finally back in your arms." She looked around the room, and then at the way they were cuddling. "And this was not it…" she turned her entire body, her chest now pressed up into his, their foreheads touching. "If it's the way our bodies look, then we could change that, easily, just for a few hours…" a wife never felt more beautiful, safer, more loved than when her husband expressed his love for her through lovemaking. Or, that's how it was for Lilith. Hamura wasn't the best at expressing his feelings much, not in the way she knew he could. But when they were connected, and nothing else mattered but their hungry thrusts, she felt everything his heart wanted to say. She missed that.
In that moment, while he looked into her beautiful, azure eyes, Neji was actually tempted to give in, to give her what she wanted. And he would have, if there hadn't been a knock on the door.
Lilith sighed, her eyes narrowing dangerously at the door, daring someone to walk through it. Neji just smiled at her softly. "I'll see you in a moment, love." He whispered, getting out of bed. "We'll discuss this more later."
Lilith turned her lethal glare at him, giving him a frightening look. "You better believe it." she retorted as she walked to one of the only things that decorated the plain room. A mirror sat on the wall directly opposite the door, its large, wooden frame out of place in the near empty room of the "Hyuuga prodigy". Gently reaching out, Lilith placed a single, delicate finger on the surface of the mirror, and in an instant, she was gone, leaving Neji the only one present.
He sighed. He hadn't heard the last of this… he was sure of that. He cleared his throat, and began. "Yes? Who is it?" He asked.
From behind the door, a familiar voice spoke out. "Neji-san, Hiashi-sama has requested your presence. Please meet him in his office before your departure today." It was one of the branch family servants, an older woman who always looked after the younger Hyuuga children. Neji couldn't quite remember her name, but he knew her to be a warm, polite woman who deserved much more respect than the clan gave her.
"Of course." he answered through the door as he dressed. "Thank you." he heard the woman walk away, her duty done. As he slipped his sandals on his feet, he sighed. Now what in the world would the Clan Head want with him?
Lilith was in a sour mood as she walked through the home of the Uchiha Clan Head. Not only would her husband not scratch an itch she had for a thousand years, but they were interrupted during a serious conversation. And to think, this morning had turned out to be so good. Waking in the arms of her husband was a luxury she would never take for granted again, and, even though it was but a peck, they had shared a kiss. She had hoped that all of this would have led to something more, but that thought had been destroyed before it even officially began.
Apparently, her bitterness was incredibly noticeable, because a rather amused voice spoke from her side, startling her. "Ah, you seem chipper, sister." Naruto mused. She almost jumped. She hadn't noticed him at all!
"W-what are you doing?" She asked heatedly, crossing her arms. When he chuckled, she glared at him even harder.
"I was about to join Itachi and his family for breakfast. You?" he asked. It was then that Lilith realized that she had arrived in the Uchiha Compound via mirror travel, a personal favorite means of transportation, and that she had no grounds to be at all upset with her brother-in-law. But Lilith was nothing if not stubborn, and she would stay in whatever mood she damned well pleased.
"That is none of your business." She replied defiantly, turning away from the blond, which only made him chuckle at her childishness.
"Careful, Lilith." He began. "If I didn't know better, I'd think you really were a twelve year old girl." He laughed softly at her reaction, which would have been rather scary, if Naruto hadn't been scared of anything. Ever.
"Then it is fortunate that you do know better." Lilith replied crisply. Before either could continue, they arrived at the kitchen, where Itachi, Fugaku, Mikoto, and Sasuke already sat, and a delicious breakfast already on the table.
"Naruto-kun, Lilith-chan," Mikoto greeted them warmly, "Welcome." There were three empty seats at the table, and three plates full of delicious food waiting to be eaten. "Where is Neji-kun?" she asked, noticing that Naruto's brother was not with them.
Lilith huffed, crossing her arms as she took a seat at the table, next to Sasuke, and began to eat her breakfast in silence. Naruto shook his head, chuckling at Lilith's antics.
"He'll be here soon." Naruto reassured them. He didn't know where his brother was, or what he was doing, but he knew he'd show up sooner or later.
As the blond took his seat next to Fugaku, Itachi took it upon himself to start the conversation they needed to have. "We need to discuss your strategy, Naruto-san." He began. It didn't matter that they were at the dinner table, or that his otouto was sitting right next to him. "Whoever you go up against in the test, you need to set limits for yourselves." Naruto decided to listen as he ate Mikoto's delicious meal. "Do you have anything in mind?"
Lilith was still grumpy, so she was silent as always, and Naruto was enjoying a rather juicy piece of bacon. Sighing, Itachi massaged his forehead. It was almost like he really was dealing with children…
Seeing his son's dilemma, Fugaku cleared his throat, the deep sound getting everyone's attention. "Naruto-sama," he began, "Do you have anything in mind for your upcoming trial of combat?" He asked in a no nonsense tone, which actually made Naruto look a bit sheepish.
"Oh… ah, I apologize…" he looked to the Uchiha matriarch. "This is really good, Mikoto-san." He praised the woman, before turning his attention back to Fugaku and Itachi. "As for the trial, I was thinking about showcasing some of my Rinnegan techniques."
Itachi narrowed his eyes in confusion. "I thought we agreed that you would keep those hidden."
Fugaku nodded, agreeing with his oldest son. "I don't think using the Rinnegan is a good idea, Naruto-sama. You shouldn't show your hand too early in the game." Having the Rinnegan was one thing, but being able to use its gifts was another, and the Uchiha Clan Head wasn't so sure if the world was ready for this yet.
Naruto smiled, eating some rice before continuing. "I don't mean that I'm going to show them everything, just enough to pique their interests enough to send me to Kumo. I was thinking about this last night… normally, all I would have to do is show that I am at least chunin-level, but in my case… things are a bit different. I need to prove that I am both at least chunin-level and that I can defend the eyes that this shinobi world would go to war for. To do that, I need to show Konoha that my eyes are actually mine, and that no one, not even the Leaf, can take them from me."
Itachi was silent for a moment, his brilliant mind replaying Naruto's words over and over again, until he nodded. "I see… that would be wise." In all honesty, it would have hindered them if they didn't prove that they could safeguard the Rinnegan. Kumogakure had already tried to steal dojutsu from Konoha, and they were still, most likely, bitter at how that ended for them. The death of their Head Ninja would not fade from their minds so quickly. "But it is instrumental that you also prove that you do not rely too heavily on your eyes. Chunin are the middle point of genin and jonin. They need to know the basics – like a genin – but also have a versatile arsenal. Use the abilities of your eyes too periodically and you won't pass their test." Itachi knew well that a shinobi was made a chunin for more than just raw power. Finesse, skill and intelligence played a major role in the decision making.
Naruto nodded, agreeing. "Yeah, that is why I will be putting your training to good use, Itachi-sensei." He said with a small smile on his face. Naruto knew that Itachi was more than a little excited about teaching the Rikudo Sennin.
Itachi tried to hold back the smile that slowly crept onto his face, but to no avail. He smiled, and that smile increased when he saw the way his family looked at him.
His father, Uchiha Fugaku, the Uchiha Clan Head, looked at him with pride. Fugaku was proud that his son was going to help their progenitor make a difference in the world. A father couldn't be more proud.
His mother, Uchiha Mikoto, the Uchiha matriarch, looked at him with warmth and love. She was also proud of her son, and she couldn't have asked for a better role model for their youngest.
His brother, Uchiha Sasuke, his precious otouto, looked at him with wide, awe-inspired eyes. Sasuke always knew that his aniki was the coolest, and even though he wasn't positive what Naruto-sama and his brother would do, he knew that it would be important. His brother was important.
There was silence for a moment, until a knock at the door was heard.
"God damn it!" Lilith shouted. She was really getting sick and tired of all these people interrupting important moments by rudely knocking on doors uninvited.
Everyone just looked at her with strange eyes, wondering why she was shouting.
Neji sat in the Hyuuga Clan Head's office, with Hyuuga Hiashi sitting on the other side of a large desk, their pale white eyes holding each other's gazes. He had been there for a few minutes now, and neither had spoken. It seemed Hiashi was trying to decipher something, to find something that only his eyes could express. It didn't bother Neji, though. He was used to this. Silence and staring was easy, it was talking that was difficult.
"I've been informed that your team has been invited to the Chunin Exams." Hiashi began. It appeared it was time to talk… wonderful.
Neji nodded slightly, remembering his place within the clan. He had a part to play… for now. "Yes, Hiashi-sama." He began. "Kumogakure no Sato has sent an invitation for us to participate in the exams. Hokage-sama agreed to test our combat readiness, and if we pass, he'll allow us to compete." There was really no need to hide these types of things from anyone – or at least any shinobi within Konoha. Hiashi would just have been informed of it later anyways. Neji was both a member of the man's clan, and the man's personal ward, of course he'd know.
Hiashi was silent for a moment again, his stoic eyes watching his brother's son. "And you feel you're ready for such an exam?" He asked. "Does your Hyuuga blood tell you that you can bring honor to our clan?"
Neji's face expressed nothing, the perfect example of Hyuuga elegance. "Yes, Hiashi-sama." He replied. "I am ready."
Once more, the Hyuuga Clan Head was quiet for a brief moment. "You understand why your father no longer dwells in the world of the living, correct?" he asked his nephew.
For Neji, it was a strange question. His host felt many emotions for his deceased father, but the part of him that was Hamura, the dominant part, felt little to nothing about the entire affair. So, doing the only thing he thought best to do in such a situation, he let the host's feelings slip out.
"Yes…" he began through clenched teeth. "Kumo sent their Head Ninja to our village under the pretense of peace, and tried to steal the Byakugan through Hinata-sama." His hands clenched into fists and he felt his anger welling. "The man was struck dead, and his body was given back to Kumo… but they demanded reconciliation for their dead official, and demanded your head." The entire time, Hiashi was silent, observing the way his nephew reacted as he told the story. "Instead, my father, Hyuuga Hizashi, who was your younger, identical twin, decided to take your place, insuring that the Hyuuga clan could keep their leader." Neji's eyes were no longer empty white orbs, because now they were filled with hate and anger. "My father was sacrificed for the "greater good"."
A harsh silence fell over the room, its plain, white walls watching them. Neji visibly shook with anger, his father's memory hitting him with full force. The man who smiled at him when he proved his prodigy, the man who loved him unconditionally, the man who was taken from him prematurely by wolves in sheep's clothing… his precious father.
"Your trial is tomorrow." Hiashi stated, ending the silence abruptly. "I will be there to watch." The man with noble elegance stood, his posture that of a king. "I will expect you to pass, Neji. I expect you to go to Kumogakure. I expect you to participate in the Chunin Exams, and I expect you to show them just how powerful the Hyuuga blood runs through your veins."
Neji blinked, confused. He had never heard his uncle speak with such emotion in his voice before. The man always wore a mask of stoicism, his face ever-emotionless. To see him so expressive took him aback for a moment.
"I… I understand, Hiashi-sama." Neji finally replied.
"Do you?" Hiashi asked. "Do you truly understand what I am telling you?" His eyes locked onto his nephew's. "I want you to show everyone in that kami forsaken village the fate that awaits them if they harm us ever again. I want them to fear what we are capable of… what you will be capable of. I've heard the branch family members… they say you are the embodiment of our clan, that you should be the heir…" Neji looked away, for more reasons than the Clan Head thought. "We will see if what they say is true, and then, you will show the clouds the same." Contrary to the beliefs of many, Hiashi loved his younger brother very dearly, and when he had to allow him to sacrifice himself for the clan… it was the hardest thing in his life he ever had to do. Ever.
Neji suddenly stood, a fierce, determined expression on his face. "It will be an honor, uncle." He spoke informally for the first time with the man who led the Hyuuga.
Hiashi nodded. And his eyes expressed something they never had until that day.
Respect and love for his nephew.
For his brother's son.
"Kage," Shisui began, sitting down at the table in the Uchiha house. "That's the shinobi they've picked to send with you." He reported to the great sage he decided to follow. Uchiha Shisui was a man known far and wide, widely considered one of the greatest shinobi to ever be born in the Uchiha clan, second only to his cousin and close friend, Itachi. His skill matched Itachi's, and his loyalty was even fiercer. But Shisui, more than anything, craved peace. He dreamt of a world free from war, suffering, strife and pointless death. He was a visionary, a peace-seeker, just like Itachi. The fact that there was someone just like Itachi born in the same era, in the same clan, was as phenomenal as it was strange. People like Shisui, like Itachi, they changed the world, be it good or bad, and they didn't show up all of the time. His descendants were truly amazing.
"Kage?" Itachi asked. "I've heard of him…" he narrowed his eyes in concentration. "One of the Hokage's personal ANBU, right?" he wondered.
Fugaku nodded his head. "I, too, have heard of Kage. He specializes in infiltration and reconnaissance. I've heard great things about that young man." It was true. Kage had made a name for himself as a successful information gatherer. He utilized the shadows almost as proficiently as the Nara, and he was effective in mostly any situation that involved stealth.
"Yes, but he's also young, nineteen, I believe." Shisui replied. While he and Itachi were even younger, they were also Uchiha prodigies, and had complete mastery over the Sharingan. Kage was skilled in his line of work, but he wasn't a frontline ninja. "He isn't a heavy hitter, either. He's focused all of his training in spy work and stealth. I won't deny that he's incredibly good at what he does, but he's not the person I thought Hokage-sama would pick at all. A B-ranked, stealth-heavy ninja would not have been my first choice."
"I'm surprised." Naruto began. "I thought the Hokage would have sent someone with more experience, an A-ranked jonin at the very least." It was strange to him. Everyone – and he meant everyone – made such a big deal about his eyes that he was sure the Hokage would have sent someone more… practical? What was stealth going to accomplish if things went south? Unless… "They're sending someone efficient in infiltration and reconnaissance because they want to spy on Kumogakure…" he stated. "They're using this invitation to further their knowledge on the enemy…" He chuckled dryly. "Even though they have a peace treaty." This shinobi world was far more devious than he thought. Everything was used to further another's goals. No doubt Kumo was doing the same with the invitation. They probably thought they could sway him to join their village. His eyes were extremely valuable and feared. Naruto wouldn't put it pass them to try and force him to join their ranks if he refused, or maybe even kill him. Taking out a potentially extremely dangerous threat may be worth the inevitable war that would spark because of such an action, in their eyes. The balance of power was everything to these people, to these shinobi, and they'd do anything to keep it the way it was.
"You are correct, Sennin-sama." Shisui nodded. "But Kage is not the only one they're sending." His eyes met Itachi's. "The Hokage and the village elders have deemed it necessary to send a small ANBU envoy with you. Itachi and I will be coming, along with Tenzo, Hokage-sama's orders."
Lilith raised an eyebrow. "And Kumo will just let something like that occur? I don't reckon they'd be too happy with three highly capable ANBU running around their village."
Shisui shook his head. "They don't have a choice. They were the ones to invite a specific team to their village. It is in our right to…" his eyes fell on Naruto.
"Protect the village's security." He finished for the young Uchiha. "They're not just sending a Rinnegan wielder to another village, they're sending a Jinchuuriki." Lilith scowled at the title. She wasn't extremely close with Hagoromo's creations, but she did think of them as family, and she could relate with the demon hate they've received in the last century. "Under that pretense, three ANBU guards is a rather small amount of security."
"To add to that, we, as ANBU, will only have limited access to the village. Our movements will not only be restricted, but overseen." Shisui explained. "We will only be allowed to move as freely as Kumo permits us, which is only where Team Six goes." The restrictions were many, but if anyone could maneuver around such simpleton things as "restrictions" – which was not at all in the ANBU Black Ops vocabulary – it was Itachi and Shisui. They didn't call him Shunshin no Shisui for nothing, after all. And Itachi… well, he was Itachi, which was enough. Naruto didn't know who this Tenzo character was, but he suspected him to be just the man for the job.
Shisui nodded. Itachi was confused, though. "Why the two of us, though?" He asked. "Surely Hatake-taicho will be back in time for their departure. Why would they send two Uchiha with Tenzo-san?" It was a little suspicious in his mind. Hatake Kakashi was the ANBU captain, having more years in the shady organization under his belt than anyone. Ever. He even had a Sharingan, so it couldn't be the dojutsu factor. So what was it?
"I think Hokage-sama feels that Naruto's parentage would get in the way of Kakashi's judgement. And, the three of us are specifically capable of "handling" the Nine Tails, so I imagine that had something to do with their decision making." Shisui replied. That was the only explanation he had at the moment. It was true, though. Tenzo had his… birth gift… that could seal away a Bijuu, and considering they weren't only taking a Jinchuuriki into enemy territory, but heading to a place that had two of their own Human Sacrifice's, Tenzo was an obvious choice. And with their mastery of the Sharingan, both Itachi and Shisui could suppress Bijuu chakra. "Nara Shikaku-san personally saw to this setup, after all. He's most likely thought of everything, and has contingency plans for the contingency plan."
Itachi still wasn't convinced, but he held his tongue. For now.
"Whatever the case may be," Naruto began, "We have to first prove ourselves worthy before we can go anywhere."
Lilith sighed. "You too?" she asked. "Why can't we just rock the person we face's world, and be done with it?" She asked. She was still slightly upset with how her morning turned out.
Naruto shook his head, considering. "No. We can't show too much skill. We have the fact that Itachi's been training us. That will give us a little more wiggle room. No one doubts his prodigy." He took a drink of tea Mikoto had made earlier. "But we can't just steamroll a jonin. We have to show that we can work smoothly as a unit, while simultaneously showcasing out individual prowess…" he sighed. "This is going to be harder than I thought…"
At that moment, Neji appeared in the kitchen, where everyone was still sitting at the table, enjoying the breakfast the Uchiha Matriarch had made.
"I'm sorry that I'm late." Neji bowed respectfully to everyone, a curtesy more than anything. "I was summoned by the Hyuuga Clan Head." He announced.
"What did Hiashi want with you?" Fugaku asked, curious. The Hyuuga and Uchiha had bad blood between them, both clans believing themselves to be the superior. And the fact that they were the only two clans with dojutsu really helped spark their rivalry.
"He said he was going to be watching our combat trial." He admitted. "He wants me to go to Kumo and show them the strength of the clan."
Lilith snorted. "That's all?" she asked. When Neji's eyes met hers, she looked away, still upset.
Neji just sighed, rolling his eyes. He walked over to the empty seat next to his wife and sat down, placing his hand on hers, which was on the table.
She didn't make any move to remove his hand from hers, though. She had spent a thousand years without him; she wasn't going to let some disagreement come between them. Oh, she was still very much upset with him, and wasn't going to drop the subject, but she could be close to him and still be angry. She was a woman, so fuck logic.
Naruto just smiled warmly at his brother and sister, happy that they were reunited so quickly. He then felt a small pang of sorrow, of longing. He really missed his wife, more than he let on. She was the first thing he thought of when he opened his eyes in the morning, and the last thing he thought of before he let slumber take him, and even then, he dreamt of her. Tsukuyomi was his wife, the love of his life… his everything.
"I believe I have something in mind for your test, Naruto-sama." Itachi began. Naruto looked at his friend, and he liked what he saw. Itachi had that look in his eyes, the look that said a stroke of brilliance was nigh.
"Oh?" Naruto asked, smirking. "Pray tell, little dragon." He intoned, sipping his tea once more.
Everyone finished their breakfast as Itachi went over his plan, once again impressing everyone present with his brilliant mind and tactics.
Naruto, Itachi and Lilith walked with the young Uchiha, Sasuke, towards the academy. They had all finished the wonderful meal Mikoto had prepared for them, and Itachi decided to walk his precious little brother to school. Deciding to enjoy the morning air, Naruto tagged along, and both Neji and Lilith went with them.
Unfortunately, Neji was whisked away by some Hyuuga messenger, reporting that he was summoned by the elders. Lilith had demanded to come with him, but Naruto received the secrete plea to calm the woman down, and take her with him for the walk. He promised to find them after he was finished with whatever it was he was needed for. So, Lilith found herself with her brother-in-law from an era long forgotten and shrouded in legend, an extremely powerful, young shinobi, and the reincarnation of said brother-in-law's oldest son. Sometimes, this whole "new era" thing was a bit confusing.
Sasuke happily walked next to Itachi, the formers chest puffed out slightly, proud to be the brother of the famous – or infamous, considering what region of the world you were in – Uchiha Itachi. Naruto walked next to Sasuke with a familiarly protective stature, happily smiling at what remained of his first son's presence within the boy. Indra's chakra was his now, but Sasuke still possessed his soul, so, technically, he was Indra – or the reincarnation of Indra's transmigrant essence… Sometimes, this whole "new era" thing was a bit confusing.
"Will you be able to pick me up, nii-san?" Sasuke asked hopefully. He liked to brag about Itachi when the academy ended to the other students. Not everyone could say they were related to the youngest ANBU operative to ever grace Konoha.
Itachi gave his brother a small smile, his heavy, already weary eyes gazing at the one person he would burn the world to ash for, just for their safety. "I will try and make it, otouto." He said.
Naruto looked at Itachi with a small amount of pity. No one so young should know enough to have eyes like his little dragon. No one. "I promise, Sasuke-kun, I will personally make sure Itachi is here to pick you up today." He promised the boy he would not ignore ever again.
Sasuke's returning smile even made Lilith's grumpy mood wash away, the childish ignorance warming her heart. "Thank you, Naruto-san!" Sasuke shouted, suddenly taking the blond by his hand and leading him to other academy students.
Naruto was a little shocked, and confused, until Sasuke began to introduce him to other children of their age. He blinked, before smiling and greeting everyone who was introduced to him.
As Naruto played with the kids his own age, Lilith chuckled, shaking her head. "You'd never guess what he's capable of by just looking at him." She began. "Look at him," she said, "He's acting just like another eight year old." She chuckled some more.
Itachi was silent for a moment, just observing the literal demon before him, his analytical eyes feeding his genius mind information as fast as a Nara's.
"You fear him, don't you." It wasn't a question. "Why?" Itachi asked. "What happened to make you still fear him, thousands of years later?" He had been curious ever since the day Lilith showed up. Her body language, the way she went silent when he entered a room, everything she did screamed that she was scared of Naruto, or wary, at the very least.
Lilith went quiet, turning her face away from Itachi. She was like that for a moment, before she spoke. "Have you ever wondered why humanity hasn't encountered demons in this realm for thousands of years?" she asked.
Itachi contemplated the question for a moment. While most of the world thought that the Bijuu were actual demons, the shinobi – the intelligent ones – knew that they were not, in fact, demons, but extremely large constructs of sentient chakra. Their exact origin has been shrouded in mystery, though. So with that information, Itachi began.
"No. I have never thought about it." Now that he did think about it, it was rather strange that no one had ever encountered demons, or any other species, in recorded shinobi history. "Did they once freely walk the earth?" He asked, curious. He didn't know much about demonic kind, and to any real ninja, knowledge was power.
"Even before I arrived, demons roamed the lands, bringing carnage and destruction to humanity. They had no other motives to their madness besides carnal desires. They were a serious problem to everyone, and humanity's second enemy, their first being themselves." Itachi listened as Lilith described ancient history. "There were many small battles against humankind and demons, and even total wars, which humans would later call Crusades." Memories of how she first met her husband rushed through her mind. "I was the reason for the Second Crusade," she admitted, surprising Itachi. "I was utterly defeated by my husband's brother." A shiver ran through her. "He called upon stars from the heavens, and smashed my entire army in one fell swoop." She finally made eye contact with the boy, her azure eyes serious. "That alone would have been enough to justify my longing fear of him…" she then turned back to observe the playful blond. "But even that paled in comparison to the Purge…" she stated ominously.
"The Purge?" Itachi asked. He somewhat already had an idea what this "Purge" was, but he wanted to hear it from her.
Lilith just stared at Naruto for a moment, and Itachi could not read her emotions from her expressions. Then, she spoke. "The Purge is the day the Rikudo Sennin washed away all demonic life from this realm." She stated bluntly, her voice low. "And it was the day he decided it was alright if I married his brother." That had been both the most terrifying and greatest day of her life. While Hagoromo still didn't accept her, she found happiness in her marriage. She had never actually loved someone, not truly. She gave her everything to Hamura, and even mothered his children.
Before Itachi could speak, Naruto was once again with them. "Did you know just about every main clan has their heir or heiress in the same class as Sasuke-kun?" Naruto stated incredulously. "What are the odds of that happening?" Lilith and Itachi just stared at the smiling blond strangely. "What?" he asked. He narrowed his eyes in confusion.
"Nothing." Lilith replied. "Shall we return to the compound?" she asked as she began to walk away.
Itachi nodded, following the silver-haired girl back to his family's estate. They still needed to discuss the plan for tomorrow.
Naruto just blinked again, looking at the two retreating forms oddly. Was it something he said? Deciding to let it go, he shrugged his shoulders and began to walk as well.
"Hyuuga Neji, branch family member of the prosperous Hyuuga clan, you have been summoned here today to answer questions we, the elders, have for you." An aged, obvious Hyuuga man began. Four men and one woman in all white robes – the same color as their eyes – sat in a row on an elevated platform, looking down at Neji, who stood in the center of the room. They were all in a poorly lit room – something that meant nothing to holders of the Byakugan – with no windows or anything at all to let in any light from the outside. Nothing but the elders' platform, which sat a long desk, and candles to give what little light that resided in the Spartan room.
Neji narrowed his eyes in confusion. "What questions are these, Elder-sama?" He asked. What did the elders of the clan want with him, a branch family member? He hadn't done anything to warrant a summoning like this, not to his knowledge, at least.
"Do not act as if you haven't been sneaking off to the Uchiha compound for the last few weeks, child." A second elder, this one distinctly feminine, began. "You have been brought here today to confess the reasoning why you have been conspiring with our rivals for clan dominance."
Neji looked at the woman who hid her face in the shadows like she was a complete idiot. "That's what you want to know?" He asked. "I did not know the activity of a lowly branch member such as myself was so important to you." He admitted. His tone held contempt and arrogance within it, the latter faux, the former completely genuine.
"The Hyuuga blood has never flown within a Hyuuga as potent as it does you, Neji." Another man began; his voice soft and gentle – almost affectionate. "None of us here deny that commonly known fact. You have proven yourself a genius, proven to not only us, but the entire clan, that you are not merely some worthless boy, but a fellow clansman who will help bring fame and glory to the clan." Neji smirked. These people had no idea what was going on right under their noses. They had no idea who walked among them again. "We are just concerned that the Uchiha will try and exploit you and your considerable skills for the gain of their own clan."
While Neji was still just a "green" genin, he was still considered a prodigy. Students didn't ever graduate early from the academy unless they showed a beyond exceptional aptitude for the shinobi arts, and even then, to graduate the academy at nine was a feat truly admirable. The Hyuuga hadn't had such prodigy amongst their clansmen since the Hiashi and Hizashi twins were born. Those brothers had shown the world just how deadly the Hyuuga could be if they wished, fighting in both the end of the second shinobi world war, and the entirety of the third. Hyuuga Neji was on the same path as his father and uncle, and the entire clan knew it. Some even wanted to see Neji succeed Hiashi-sama instead of Hyuuga Hinata-hime.
"In case you have all forgot, I am a member of Team Six, and my teammate, Uzumaki Naruto, is studying under Uchiha Itachi." Neji found the need to "play along" with these shinobi incredibly annoying. He only found solace in the fact that they would be leaving this dreadful place soon. "Naruto-san convinced Itachi-san to allow Lilith-san and I to join their sessions, which are usually held in the Uchiha Compound." He explained in a bored, slightly irritated tone. "I don't think anyone can deny that Uchiha Itachi is a skilled shinobi. I was given a chance to study under him for the time being, and I took that chance. It has made me a skilled shinobi because of it." While he could – if he really wanted – destroy the entire village by himself, he couldn't let anyone else know that, so his increase in skill and power had to come from somewhere – i.e. Itachi.
"Regardless, you are a Hyuuga, and you simply cannot-" the first elder to speak began again, but was cut off by Neji's amused voice.
"I cannot what?" he asked. "The last time I checked, I was a ward of Hyuuga Hiashi-sama, not yours." He wasn't intending to stand here all day and let these foolish shinobi tell him what he could and could not do. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to meet my team for a training session. We're going to be combat tested tomorrow, you see, and we'd like to prepare as much as we can." With an impolite, polite bow, Neji turned away from the "wise" elders of the Hyuuga clan, and walked away, completely ignoring their demands for him to stay. He was done with playing their games for the day.
The worst part about the whole thing was that these morons were of his clan. He found what little comfort he could that they weren't directly descended from him. After all, his descendants were not born on the earth…
But on the moon.
"I mean it, Jiraiya." Sarutobi Hiruzen stated again as they walked to the new area Team Six's combat trial would be held in. "Give them a fair test, nothing less." The trial was meant to be had in a simple training ground, but after word got around that the Rinnegan was going to be tested, many people demanded to be present.
First, it was Danzo, his old friend and Second in Command, and the other two elders, Koharu and Homura. Hiruzen had been willing to allow that, the three always helped him in matters of great importance. And of course, Nara Shikaku was required to be present; the man would help assess their skill level. Again, Hiruzen agreed with the Jonin Commander being present. But, and the Sandaime really should have seen it coming, the leader of the T&I division, Yamanaka Inoichi, and the head of the Akimichi clan, Akimichi Choza, had decided to watch as well, curious to see what the "prodigy" with the Rinnegan could do. Those two were close personal friends with Shikaku, and leaders of two prominent clans of Konoha, so Hiruzen allowed it.
But once word got out that the Heads of clans could attend the trial of the Rinnegan, Hiashi, the Hyuuga Clan Head, demanded to be present. His ward and nephew, Hyuuga Neji, would be there, so it was in his right to attend. Again, Hiruzen agreed to let him come. And of course, if the Hyuuga were going to be allowed to attend, then the Uchiha demanded that they also be invited. So, to keep the peace, Uchiha Fugaku and his wife, Mikoto, would be there. Inuzuka Tsume thought it would be interesting, so she would make an appearance, and then Aburame Shibi and Aburame Muta would be present, the former representing their clan, the latter being Shibi's apprentice, and asked to tag along for the "instructive experience".
What should have been a small gathering turned out to be a huge spectacle, and a simple training ground would not suffice, not with all these people. So, Hiruzen moved the area Team Six would be tested to the arena that was set up in Training Ground 44, better known as the Forest of Death. Unlike in the Chunin Exams, however, no one was expected to fight and survive within the forest itself, so everyone was going to witness Team Six – which was beginning to be called the Prodigy Cell – at their best.
Jiraiya just nodded. "Yes, yes, I know, old man." He replied. "I'm not going to cripple them or anything." Naruto was his beloved student's son, and his godson, of course he'd never actually harm him or his fellow teammates. "I just want to make sure we're not sending infants into the slaughter house."
"Jiraiya…" Hiruzen began. "Naruto's been receiving training from Uchiha Itachi for at least a year now, there's no doubt in my mind that they're ready for this. If Itachi thinks so, I'm inclined to believe him." Itachi was one of his greatest operatives, ready to put the village above his clan any day. He was truly an amazing shinobi, even if he was young.
"Itachi may be skilled, but even he is still just a child." Itachi was no doubt a prodigy, but that didn't make him one hundred percent right in everything. "We will see just how prepared these three are, and I will give them the chance they deserve, but I will not just let them win. They're going to have to earn this, like everyone else."
Hiruzen nodded, happy that Jiraiya was going to give Team Six a chance at the very least. This was an important trial, after all. No one had ever tested the Rinnegan like this before, or at least, not to Hiruzen's knowledge.
Jiraiya, however, had something, or someone, to compare Naruto to. After all, he'd trained a Rinnegan-wielder once before. And he knew if Naruto was anything like Nagato, he would be ready for the Chunin Exams.
Standing in the middle of the arena, the giant, stone hands formed into the ram seal behind them, Team Six stared up at the Hokage and his student, who stood on the viewing platform above. The three were dressed in shinobi wear, looks of readiness on their faces. Naruto simply wore a plain, long-sleeved, black shirt, its sleeves slightly longer than his arms, its collar high, mirroring the Uchiha's wear. Simple black shinobi pants adorned his legs, tied at the ankles with white bandages. His hitai-ate, which also had a black cloth, was wrapped around his head, and he wore black shinobi sandals. Curiously, a chokuto finished out his appearance, attached at his right hip. Jiraiya narrowed his eyes at the blond, analyzing every single little detail about his godson.
Neji was dressed in formal Hyuuga robes, white, long-sleeved shirt, and black pants. His shirt, like Naruto's, had slightly longer sleeves, cloaking his hands from view. The black cloth of his hitai-ate was wrapped around his head, and black shinobi sandals adorned his feet. Again, a chokuto curiously finished his appearance, strapped to his right hip. Jiraiya raised a single eyebrow. While it wasn't unheard of for a Hyuuga shinobi to be sufficient in kenjutsu, it was rather rare. And for both Neji and Naruto to wield a blade of the same kind was a little suspicious for Jiraiya.
The last, but certainly not the least, member of Team Six, Lilith – a young girl around twelve, the oldest of the team – stood proud, a hint of a smirk on her face. She wore a sleeveless, black and white top, and simple, yet oddly elegant black kunoichi pants, and matching sandals. Her creamy, dusky skin was a bit too developed for her age, and her short, silver hair accented her azure eyes. She, like the others, had a chokuto attached at her right hip. All three genin were declaring some kind of skill in kenjutsu, then… Jiraiya smirked. Maybe Minato's son and his teammates would surprise them.
The Sandaime Hokage cleared his throat, ready to get things started. "Team Six," he began, "Today is the day you will be combat tested. You have been invited to the Chunin Exams by the Yondaime Raikage, and today we will determine whether or not you will be attending." He gave the three young children a warm smile. "Try your best, and make us all proud." He gestured to the impressive gathering. "Konoha will be watching you."
"Hai, Hokage-sama, we will do our best." Naruto replied, slightly bowing his head. His teammates followed his example, showing their leader his due respect. Hiruzen was the one man Naruto, Neji and Lilith did not want to test. They were extremely powerful individuals, but so was the Professor, even by Naruto's standards. Naruto could not only see, but feel the Hokage's chakra… Sarutobi Hiruzen was not one to be trifled with, not without considerable thought beforehand. Even if Naruto challenged him in open combat, he'd definitely have to have Kurama assist him, that's how powerful the "God of Shinobi" was. And to think… the man was so far out of his prime at the moment… just how powerful was he before…?
"Good." Hiruzen replied. "Now, to introduce your opponent." He began.
The Hokage did not get to say anymore, though, because Jiraiya suddenly jumped into the arena, making a spectacle of things, as usual.
"The gusty, brave, and oh so very handsome Jiraiya the Gallant, at your services." The toad Sannin introduced himself while jumping around on one foot, flourishing his arms in a strange way. Naruto, Neji and Lilith just looked at the man with confused eyes. Jiraiya sighed. "No one appreciates a good entrance anymore…" he whispered.
"Are we going to be facing you, Jiraiya-sama?" Naruto asked. This was definitely going to be an interesting test if one of the Sannin was going to be their opponent.
"That's right, kid." Jiraiya stated with a smirk on his face. "You can always quit now, you know." He added. He wasn't disappointed, because Naruto just smiled at him calmly, the same expression Minato used to give him when faced with a difficult task.
"I think you already know my answer, Jiraiya-sama." The blond replied. Jiraiya didn't miss how Neji and Lilith just stared at him with confident eyes, never wavering.
"I think so, too." The Sage of Mount Myoboku said. "Well, let's get on with it, then." He began. "The test is simple. The three of you need to take these bells from me." Jiraiya explained. He took two small bells from his pocket, holding them by their red string. "Usually, you would be told that only two of you would pass this exam, and the one who could not take a bell would be sent back to the academy. But, seeing as how this is a test to make sure the three of you are ready for the Chunin Exams, that explanation doesn't work." He smirked. "So, work together and try to take these from me. We're not only testing your individual skills, but how you work as a unit." He tied the bells to his waist, and then nodded. "Okay, don't hold back, give me everything you got. Do you understand?" he asked.
He got a nod from each member of Team Six, and he smiled wildly at them
"Good!" he shouted. "Then let's begin!" he yelled, taking a defensive position, wanting to see how they were as aggressors.
The smirks on their faces made Jiraiya a little uneasy.
In a blink, Team Six began. First, Neji rushed in, getting in close to challenge a living legend in Taijutsu…
With palms alit with blazing chakra, Jiraiya saw the blow the Hyuuga was going to strike him with. His right hand was quick, but easily read. The toad sage went to catch the boy's strike, showing him how foolish it was to rush an older, more experienced shinobi, regardless of how deadly your taijutsu was. That would be the first time Jiraiya would be surprised that day, and certainly not the last. Instead of striking the Sannin with his obvious right hand, he gripped his chokuto with his left hand and unsheathed it, slashing out at the white-haired man simultaneously. Jiraiya actually had to disengage, else have a genin draw blood. He had to admit, that had been a clever, rather deceptive move. The footwork alone Neji just showcased was exceptional.
To avoid the strike, he had to jump into the air. Now air born, he would meet the only female of the team, who had, at some point, clung to the ceiling. So they knew how to adhere to surfaces using chakra, then…
To avoid a volley of extremely precise shuriken and kunai, Jiraiya flipped his body midair, showcasing impressive reflexes. As he fell to the ground, he noticed Naruto looking at the exact spot he would be landing. This… this had all been planned? This kind of teamwork was not heard of with genin, green genin at that.
Curious, Jiraiya let gravity take him to where they wanted him to land, wanting to see what the son of Namikaze Minato could do. And he did, Naruto showed them all something they'd never forget.
Faster than any genin – or chunin, for that matter – should be capable of, Naruto used both of his hands to weave one-handed hand-seals. Using a single hand to weave one-handed hand-seals was almost unheard of, the chakra control and practice to do such a thing was Kage-level, and even Jiraiya hadn't tried to master it. But simultaneously weaving different hand-seals with each hand should have been impossible. It would mean…
Immediately, the Hyuuga and Uchiha present activated their respective dojutsu, confirming what everyone thought the boy was doing. He was, somehow, simultaneously kneading two types of nature transformations within his body.
The moment Jiraiya's feet touched the floor; Naruto put his thumb to his mouth, and breathed both water and fire, one element shooting out of either side of his thumb. With another single-handed hand-seal, he stomped his foot, and while the fire-water combo rushed the Sannin, the earth all around him rose, creating three walls, one behind him, and one on either side of him, trapping him in the way of the coming impossible technique. He looked up, the only exit besides down, and saw Neji sticking to the ceiling, weaving hand-seals of his own. Somewhere, in the back of Jiraiya's mind, he realized how strange it was for a Hyuuga to be using elemental ninjutsu.
But that wasn't important right now. What was important was the death-inducing combination of fire and water rushing at his person, and the gale of powerful wind coming for him from above. He was effectively trapped, and dead, by the looks of it. But Jiraiya wasn't just given his legendary status. It would take much, much more than this extremely impressive showcase of teamwork, strategy, and ninjutsu mastery.
Clapping his hands, Jiraiya shouted the name of his technique, a technique that had saved his life more times than he cared to admit. "Hari Jizo (Needle Jizo)!" That's when his mane of grey-white hair suddenly expanded, covering his entire body before sharpening. With enough chakra, this technique could stop just about anything. With incredible force that had no business belonging to mere genin impacted the Sennin, the force causing a loud boom. Steam and dust enshrouded the arena, covering them from the sight of their observers.
Everyone watched with bated breath for the obstruction to clear, but Hiruzen watched with narrowed eyes. He knew something had been… off, with how the three children acted all the time, and the sudden friendship between Naruto and Neji. And now, seeing the kind of skill Team Six had… his eyes were now opened, and he would watch and wait for whatever this feeling was to bear fruit.
The steam and dust cleared, showing Jiraiya unharmed. His hair began to recede, and he smirked. "That sure was something, kid. How'd you do it?" Jiraiya asked Naruto, who was now accompanied by Neji.
"They destroyed the arena…" Inuzuka Tsume, the Clan Head of the Inuzuka Clan, whispered. Her faithful ninken at her side growled, watching the boy with eyes that screamed alpha so loud Kuromaru wanted to jump in the arena and help him. And Tsume was right; the entire floor where Naruto's technique had rushed past was scarred, ripped to pieces. The point of impact – Jiraiya – looked like an Akimichi, in their giant size, smashed the places to bits with furious fists.
Naruto just smiled softly. "Shouldn't you pay attention to your surrounds rather than talk to the enemy?" Naruto asked politely, pointing to the ground.
As Jiraiya looked at the stone floor, it was already too late. Lilith burst from the earth, her hand reaching out to Jiraiya's waist, where her hand gripped one of the bells and pulled, jumping away from a strike in the form of a punch. Lilith safely landed next to Neji, smiling as she dangled the bell by its red string.
"That's one bell, Jiraiya-sama." Lilith chirped happily.
That girl… Jiraiya hadn't felt that girl at all… how she could mask her chakra signature to that extent while using a technique to barrel underground was a mystery to the sage. These weren't average genin. That much, Jiraiya was sure.
"You three are a lot better than I thought, I'll give you that." The older shinobi admitted. "You work together as if you've all known each other for many years." His words almost made Lilith lose herself in laughter, but she managed to keep up her fake smirk. "But now we're going to step our game up!" he smirked as his hands blurred, creating hand-signs faster than any eyes could see.
"He's actually using ninjutsu against rookie genin?" Homura asked.
"He knows what he's doing…" Koharu responded, though she did not sound confident.
Jiraiya took in a deep breath, and then spat a giant fireball at the three rookies.
Neji and Lilith, who had been standing at Naruto's side, suddenly dashed behind the blond, successfully falling into a triangle formation. The ball of flame rushed Team Six, and the observers watched with curious eyes, wanting to see what the Prodigy Cell would do. The Uchiha watched with their Sharingan, and the Hyuuga watched with their Byakugan, just waiting.
Gakido.
That's when Naruto raised a single arm, reaching out to the chakra-induced fire. What should have been a scorched end became impossibility. Everyone leaned in close, trying to get a good look at what they were seeing, for when the white-hot fire reached Naruto's hand, it began to shrink in size, like… like the jutsu was being absorbed. Those with dojutsu could see the young boy taking in the Sannin's chakra into his body, dispersing it by spinning it in the opposite direction. He was making an S-ranked shinobi's jutsu completely ineffective.
"Ninjutsu is completely ineffective against me, Jiraiya-sama." Naruto proclaimed. Jiraiya just stared at the blond child with awe in his eyes. That technique didn't even have a fraction of the strength he could have put into it – he didn't want to kill them, after all, just push them – but it surely packed a punch. A genin should not have handled it with such relative ease. Jiraiya blinked, snapping himself out of his thoughts as he noticed movement. The test was not over, and Team Six was not done.
With impressive speed, Neji spun, grabbing both his and Lilith's swords, throwing them both at Jiraiya while spinning, the blades flying at their opponent with great precision. Jiraiya skillfully dodged both blades, before blitzing them. In response, Neji then grabbed Naruto's chokuto, and rushed Jiraiya at a speed most genin didn't even know about.
The Sannin smirked, taking out a kunai to meet the Hyuuga. In a spectacular fashion, steel met steel, clashing, sparks flying around them as they fought for dominance. In a stunning display of swordsmanship, Neji let go of his blade, once again spinning, but this time he didn't stop.
Hyuuga Hiashi went wide-eyed as he witnessed a branch family child use a technique reserved for the main house with the kind of perfection you'd expect from an adult.
"Hakkesho Kaiten (Eight Trigrams Palms Revolving Heaven)." Neji whispered coolly, almost dismissively, able to grab his blade before his technique began, adding to its already lethal nature. His chakra sang, forming a blue sphere around him, able to both defend and attack. Jiraiya's kunai met the spinning dome, and his entire arm was pushed back. The Sennin leapt back, not wanting to be hit by the Hyuuga's "ultimate defense".
"Your prodigy has not been over-exaggerated." Jiraiya said as Neji ceased spinning. "I know grown Hyuuga men who cannot efficiently use that technique…" He heard the whispers of the Hyuuga branch family. Jiraiya was a spymaster, it was his thing to know things, and he knew just how talented his fellow clansmen thought Hyuuga Neji was. Now, he knew first hand that their claims were not unfounded.
Locking gazes with his senior, Neji smirked. That's when Naruto's voice rang out from behind the aged ninja. "Jiraiya-sama!" he shouted. "Look! It's another bell!" he said happily. Jiraiya narrowed his eyes at the bell within the blond's hands, and then looked at his waist.
Indeed, the bell was gone. "When…?" he asked. And then he realized it. When Neji had thrown the chokuto at him, it hadn't been to hit him, but cut the string of the bell… Jiraiya chuckled, incredulous. "Well I'll be damned…" he began. "The last team to actually get both bells was my own…" he said. Tsunade, Jiraiya and Orochimaru had been the only case – after the test was first given to their sensei, Hiruzen, when he was young – to successfully take both bells, even though Jiraiya had failed the test and was tied to a stump.
"So that is the "Prodigy Cell", is it?" Aburame Shibi spoke.
"That name is not unfounded." Muta replied.
Shibi nodded. "I concur."
"And those are genin!?" Tsume asked incredulous. "What the hell have you been teaching them, Itachi?" She asked the Uchiha prodigy that was standing next to her with his family.
Itachi looked at the older woman with calm, weary eyes. "They are naturally gifted, Tsume-san." He admitted. "I have only been able to push them in the direction they've already decided to take."
Tsume huffed. "I wish my son was so promising…" she complained.
Naruto, Neji and Lilith looked up to the Hokage, who was now conversing with the Nara. Jiraiya followed their eyes to his sensei, and smirked.
"I'll go see what they're talking about in such hushed tones." He said. Naruto just smiled at him, nodding. Jiraiya then vanished, only to flicker back into existence next to the Sandaime. Naruto watched him as he joined them to talk in whispers, and he already knew what it was about. No one had shown that kind of elemental ninjutsu mastery probably in the course of shinobi history, and if they were honest, they still hadn't. Naruto was using a unique mix of ninjutsu and ninshu. If asked, he could say that it was an ability of the Rinnegan, gifting him with perfect, absolute chakra control. The use of the Preta Path had also been necessary. He needed to showcase that he had some control over the abilities his awesome eyes gifted upon him.
The blond Uzumaki looked behind him, meeting the eyes of Itachi, who was standing next to his parents. Itachi nodded to his friend, and Naruto nodded back. They had done it exactly the way Itachi had planned, down to the last minute detail.
A strong, yet strangely gentle, voice began in the arena of Training Ground 44. "I would first just like to tell you all how impressed you've made everyone here today. It has been many, many years since a team with your capabilities has been forged." Hiruzen began. "Individually, you have shown skills far above your rank, I think we can all agree on that." Everyone in the room nodded silently. "As a unit, you've managed to successfully complete a difficult task against a difficult opponent, proving that as a team, anything is possible. And that is the Konoha way, we cherish our comrades, and we work together to complete our dreams, just as the Senju and Uchiha did before us." All eyes secretly fell on Fugaku, Itachi and Mikoto, the only three Uchiha in the room. "You were brought here to test your readiness for the Chunin Exams, and I would be foolish to not grant you permission."
Naruto smirked. "Thank you, Hokage-sama. I am glad to hear your confidence in us. My team and I have worked very hard to get to where we are at in our teamwork, and we wouldn't have even come close without the help of my shishou, Uchiha Itachi." Naruto wasn't going to take all of the credit. Itachi played an important role in all of this.
The spark in Hiruzen's old, dark eyes wasn't noticed by anyone, not even the analytical Itachi. The third was piecing a puzzle together that no one even knew existed, thousands upon thousands of theories running through his mind as he simultaneously carried on a conversation. "Yes, it would seem that learning the shinobi arts from a skilled ninja such as Itachi-kun has been extremely beneficial." He spoke.
Shikaku, the Jonin Commander of Konohagakure, began. "Team Six has proven themselves ready for the Chunin Exams, and will be participating in this year's test taking place in Kumogakure no Sato. You will meet with your designate sensei for this trip tomorrow. But for now, you may return to the village." He smirked. "And well done. You've certainly earned the right to participate, that's for sure." He added.
Team Six nodded, before turning and heading for the exit, where Itachi and his family met them. Hiashi watched as his nephew, the branch family child who had just used a main family technique like it was the easiest thing in the world; leave the arena with his team and the Uchiha. As they left, he couldn't help but think that there was something… different about Neji. His brother's son wasn't as arrogant as he was before, and a lot calmer. Something had changed since he graduated the academy… since he started to hang around the Uchiha.
It was at this moment that Sarutobi Hiruzen, Nara Shikaku and Jiraiya of the Sannin appeared before him, their faces serious. "Hiashi…" The Hokage began, his eyes still lingering on the door Naruto and company had just exited through. "We need to talk…" he started in a grave tone. "It's about Neji."
The Sandaime knew you needed all the pieces to finish a puzzle, and he wasn't going to stop until he acquired them all. Something was amiss concerning Team Six, and he was determined to uncover it.
A single, distinctly unhuman figure stood in the darkness of a single room within the impressively massive metal skyscrapers of Ame. This room, its room, was completely void of everything. Four dark, almost dreadful walls stood tall, both the ceiling and floor exactly the same. There was no bed, no lights or candles, no personal objects whatsoever. Nothing. There was absolutely nothing within this creature's room – just like with its soul.
Nameless. It was actually nameless. It didn't belong in this world, which it found ironic, since it had been shaping this world to its master's will for a thousand years. It had no real face, just a blank, black head, with a singular eye that was just as empty as its room. It felt nothing, no remorse, no compassion, no pity, not even fear or pain, nothing. All that it cared about was the mission, that's all that mattered – the mission.
It had subtly and smoothly shaped the outcome of everything that concerned his descendants. Their wars against each other, the countless battles between his sons, everything. Its hand may as well hold the pen and write history in its image – in its master's image. Its mission was by far the most difficult, dangerous, and damn near impossible kind, but it had done it. Everything had been falling into place, like carefully positioned dominos. All that was left was to take that man's creations from him, and it would complete its thousand year mission…
Its mission was simple: bring back mother…
It had been so confident. Everyone who could have possibly stopped its goal was long gone, lost in legend and lore with the passage of time. It may or may not have had something to do with making them more myth than history.
But as it stood in its room – if it could even be called such – in complete silence, as stiff and straight as the walls that surrounded it, it felt, for the first time ever, anxiety. It could feel itself shaking, trembling in fear at the information it had acquired. This could change everything, mess up everything. It couldn't have foreseen this happening. It shouldn't have happened. All of its carefully executed plans, all of its patience, everything was now threatened with the news the snake had shared.
It cursed itself; it had become too lax, too unaware. This should never have slipped its attention. Time was getting to it; too much time had passed where nothing was a threat to it. And now, it may be too late…
It needed to be sure; it needed to see them for itself. Only when it could see them with its own could they be sure. It was almost positive, though. It knew the requirements for them to show up…
Yes, it knew…
The one they called Zetsu knew that if the Rinnegan was in Konoha…
That could only mean that the one thing it was afraid of was also in Konoha…
Zetsu's plans were in danger.
What to do…
Author's Note's: The plant-man is scared!
Okay, so at first, I was going to have Aburame Muta be the one to take them to Kumo, but then I thought about it and decided that it was a stupid idea. Then I thought about having Kakashi be the one to take them, but that's lame, everyone always uses Kakashi. So, I went with someone who's actually a Naruto character, and not just an OC, that could make things interesting. Kage was the first person I saw in the Naruto official character data book, so I went with it.
People have been asking what I will do with the Hyuuga. They make their first appearance in this chapter, and much, much more will come in the future. Remember, it's only been a couple of weeks (maybe a little more than a month) since Hamura returned as Neji. Not a lot of time has gone by yet.
Please review! I love reviews almost as much as Naruto loves Ramen!
Question: Who is your favorite author (on this site), and why? (Mine is probably Digitize27, because Sage is by far the greatest fic of all time on this site.)
Fact: I've only ever broken one bone in my entire body, my left arm. I consider myself lucky that I haven't broken more.