((This story is pure fan-fiction. The characters and locations are the sole property of Shonen Jump and the series's creator, Masashi Kishimoto. Neither do I own any of the Predator series, characters, nor concepts as created by Jim and John Thomas nor written/drawn by the many literary artists in the comic book, video game, and book genres. At no time is this fiction an intent to infringe upon their rights nor properties.))
Naruto woke up before dawn and took care of his morning routine. Following breakfast, he got dressed and quickly made his way through the Village, cloaked, and stood before the Hokage Tower before deactivating his Stealth Mode and he entered the building. Heading up the stairs, the masked blonde ignored the stares and starts his presence made amongst the administration staff and the occasional Genin team. Reaching the Hokage's Office, he waited his turn patiently as Shizune took care of the usual morning petitions and requests.
To her credit, Shizune didn't flinch or react openly the moment the Hunter stepped forward. She merely smiled and lifted an eyebrow. "May I help you, Predator-san?" she inquired politely even as her dark eyes travelled over the visibly muscular flesh. Like any woman, she enjoyed the sight of a man that took care of himself and he was definitely in good shape.
"I was wondering if the Hokage had a few moments?"Naruto responded in a calm manner as he returned the perusal though the woman was unaware of it. His hands folded behind him at the small of his back and he waited as the Hokage's Assistant and Personal Aide checked the day's docket.
Looking up from the schedule, she shook her head, "I'm sorry, Predator-san...she's booked until around 4 this afternoon. Will that help?" she asked, curious as to why he was present today since, as far as she knew, everything was going smoothly with their joint projects. Then she remembered…"Since you're here, she did want me to let you know that you need to have a full physical and evaluation done." she said as she handed him a slip of paper. "For your shinobi file, in case there are any emergency details, etc…" she explained.
"I see...May I request a specific attendant or doctor?"he queried softly as he read over the document, a directive to see to this matter within the next few days. He frowned however as he realized exactly what the term "evaluation" referred to. He definitely didn't look forward to having someone getting nosy inside his melon. "I will have to ask, for the safety of others, that any 'evaluation' be done without the usual mind probe...my mind is not a place for others to go snooping."
Shizune shivered despite herself at the way he said that. "All physicians adhere to confidentiality protocols, Predator-san." she reminded him firmly. And she was surprised to hear him snort.
"And they get around that by saying they are going to 'consult' with another physician." he made quotation marks in the air as he retorted. "No thanks. There is no current doctor or medic in Konoha I would trust beyond the Hokage and yourself." he said bluntly, his head tilting slightly as she went wide eyed in surprise. "She trusts you. That's enough for me." he added seriously, though his eyebrow rose at the way the woman blushed at the compliment. "I'll be back at four so we can attend to that."he resumed and saw her make the notes in the schedule.
"Will you be taking care of the other then?" Shizune asked, the 28 yr old unable to reign in her growing curiosity. Especially since it seemed she may well be let in on one of Konoha's biggest secrets before the day was out.
"Yes. I will go and see…" he paused to read the attending physician's name aloud, "Yamanaka Inoichi immediately to get that taken care of."he turned to leave and paused, "Please, should Neko-san come in, let her know that there is a change in plans and I will be remaining in Konoha for the next little while...I will talk with Hokage-sama and she should take a few days off."
"Surely you'll see her before I do." Shizune replied but wrote the message down quickly.
"Not necessarily. Not with this as well as the physical." Naruto replied before using a quick shunshin to depart.
Shizune watched him leave and gave a mental shrug before moving on to the next person. Only to see that there was no one else.
((Yamanaka Flower Shop))
Inoichi was having a normal enough day at the Flower Shop. A few early morning customers. Content to attend to his plants, he heard the door chime ring and spoke casually, "Welcome! Be right there!" His mood changed immediately at the response, the modulated voice making him stiffen up and his eyes narrow.
"No need to rush, Yamanaka-san."
Inoichi straightened and walked to the front counter, removing a set of gloves. "Hokage-sama told me to expect you. Follow me please." he said politely, though he found the mask more than a little off putting. Getting his daughter, Ino, to take over the front, Inoichi led the masked Hunter through the back to a calmly decorated office. He sat down in a chair and gestured to a chaise lounge, "please lay back and relax."
"No offense, Yamanaka-san, but I will not agree to a mind probing." Naruto said as he laid back, only to turn his head curiously as Inoichi chuckled.
"None taken, Predator-san. I told the Hokage you would object and out of respect for your preference, all we will be doing today is some tests and then talking. The evaluation doesn't exactly 'require' a mind search. Let's begin shall we?" he put a hand atop a seal and locked out the outside world.
((Several Hours Later…))
Naruto left the Flower shop noting how the blond haired girl repeatedly jumped or shrank away whenever he so much as lifted a finger. Not that he cared one way or another about how she reacted to his presence. All he knew at that moment was a chilling certainty that her father now knew far more than he should…
((Thirty minutes after that…))
Tsunade was listening intently to her Neko Masked ANBU even as she reached into a drawer to pull out a small, for her, bottle of sake. She took a hard pull and sighed, "Let me get this straight. He has already contacted the bridge builder, Tazuna of Wave, to act as the general contractor and crew leader for the labor forces. And the same man will be bringing those laborers to Konoha. Who are due to arrive in less than a week. On top of that, a Courier will be arriving around the same time or later with a delivery that you or I must sign for. On top of THAT, he has hired a four man cell from IWA to handle something concerning his compound. Did I understand you correctly?" She said in a sharp tone and with narrowed hazel eyes.
Yuugao nodded from her position in the office: One knee on the ground, arm draped over the opposite knee and head down. "Hai Hokage-sama. He didn't address the particulars with me. Just said that his Kage Bunshin would oversee and handle everything during his absence. Thanks to the message Shizune-san gave me, I can say that is no longer the case." Yuugao added in a low voice as she mentally smiled when the Hokage frowned over the whole Iwa nins being anywhere near Konoha.
Anything about to be said was halted as Inoichi was let into the office by Shizune, who oddly, entered as well, closed the door and took up her normal position off to Tsunade's right shoulder.
Inoichi glanced at the ANBU before bowing to Tsunade, "Hokage-sama. I have my report on the initial evaluation you requested." he said with a professional expression set firmly in place. He handed over a manila file without preamble nor further spoken word.
Tsunade accepted the file, glanced through it before handing it to Shizune. "Thank you Inoichi. I appreciate the rush and I apologize for that same urgency. Would you mind giving us an overview?" she asked politely as gestured to one of the seats as she rose from behind her desk and lounged on a matching couch.
Inoichi blinked at this breach in protocol but moved to take a seat. Placing a significant pause to consider the presence of both the ANBU and Shizune.
Tsunade saw this and gave a small smile. "I understand your reluctance, Inoichi. Shizune has my full confidence and Neko-san is my liaison with Predator-san." she explained, "She can be trusted to not speak of what she hears."
Inoichi considered this for a full minute before nodding. "As you wish, Hokage-sama." he replied with full formality. "I want it on record however that I object to this breach of protocol."
Tsunade's smile fell and she nodded with a stern expression. "Noted. So what's the damage?"
Inoichi had to stop himself from a sharp retort. She is the Hokage, after all… Instead he leaned forward with elbows on his knees and fingers intertwined, "This isn't like a broken bone." he began, not hiding his tone, "He doesn't need fixing. I'll put it bluntly. I've evaluated a majority of this Village's shinobi at one time or another for the past decade plus and he's saner than anyone should be if they 'grew up' under identical circumstances." hinting at the issues the Hokage had brought up to him prior to making the arrangements for the session. "This man...and yes I do mean man…is incredibly intelligent. I'd almost swear he was a Nara, based off the IQ tests I ran him through." he added just so they understood him perfectly. "His education, if you will, is so broadly based, I have to call him a jack of many trades. Excellent at most, a master of few. According to the Aptitude and Interests Tests. It's when I began a Free Response Test that things began to change." He paused then added calmly, "If I hadn't already known he was of the current generation, I would swear I was evaluating a long term veteran Hunter nin that had been in the field for too long.
Yuugao nodded, subconciously remembering what he had said during their very first talk. I have been on my own and alone for too long…
Shizune had been listening even as she read the report and her eyes rose and locked on Inoichi's, "Pardon Inoichi-san...but is this reliably accurate?" she asked lifting the folder slightly. Not even seeing how the other two women were shocked by the challenge to the mind walker's abilities.
Not offended, he chuckled, "As certain as I can be without going for a swim in what I can guess is a very deep and very dangerous ocean." his serious tone accenting his words, "By the time we were finished, I had come to the conclusion that the Predator is a highly functioning individual with a few Sociopathic tendencies. No more than what has been exhibited by some of our own veteran Jounnin that fought in and survived the Second or Third Shinobi Wars."
Tsunade sat upright and spoke calmly, though her hands clenched at her knees. "Such as?"
For her part Yuugao stiffened but made no sound to attract attention to herself. Time to see just how far down the rabbit hole goes…
Inoichi took a deep breath, "I don't know the details but he has a strict code of behavior revolving around those he called the 'Sky Hunters' and the hunt itself. It governs and shapes his entire perspective as well as his mannerisms. For example: his world view is apathetic. Most would take it as him being a professional. That or him showing a distinct arrogant streak." a negative shake of his head, "He just doesn't care. Nationality, Lineage, Social or Political Position, Age...none of that makes no difference to him. The only one that does have any bearing is Gender. Which I'll get into with him at a later date. In his perspective, people fall into six distinct categories. Of which they may change or have multiple designations." he ticked off a fingertip with each, "Noncombatants. Prey. Threats. Peers. Allies. Mates. Two of them are recent additions." he added seriously. "The Hunt itself is a strictly adhered to ritual. From Prey selection to chasing his quarry to ground, to the kill, and ending once he collects his trophy." he paused to let that sink in.
Shizune had a slightly confused expression, "I don't understand the significance…"
Inoichi looked to Shizune but spoke to them all, "It means that once he begins a Hunt, he has to finish it. It's not that he won't stop...It's that he can't stop. Not until the ritual reaches it's conclusion. Whether it's the taking of his chosen trophy or his own death. When asked, he was matter of fact about it. He quite literally doesn't fear dying. In fact he shows visible signs of being mildly addicted to the thrill of the Hunt. The trophies he has collected is a by product of that addiction."
Tsunade felt a migraine coming on and she knew that she was partly to blame. I did this to him...just as much as Jiraiya and those two Clans…We all made him into this... She blinked to keep from letting a single tear show itself as she spoke, "You said there were two new developments in his perspective..." She prompted.
"Yes, though we didn't get into those details at this time." he said and noted the curious tilt of Tsunade's head. "It took some serious coaxing but he has agreed to meet and talk every three to four months. Hunts and missions allowing. It was honestly better than I had hoped though I pressed for once a month."
Tsunade nodded slowly, "I see. Defection threat?" she asked with a cool bluntness
"Minimal. So long as You, and by extension, Konoha, keep your word to him. If it is broken…" he spread his hands, "It will lead to a dangerous series of events."
"How so?" asked Yuugao, receiving a sharp look from Tsunade and Shizune both.
Yet it was Tsunade who answered. "Not once has he targeted a Konoha nin unless they were in a Bingo book. That will no longer be the case. He came after me that day because I am of the Sannin. His agreement with the Sandaime is the only thing that allowed him a way to cease his Hunt without violating his Code." she sighed and rubbed her brow pensively, "His given word is his bond. But if we break ours...He will withdraw and any wearing Konoha's sigil will become Prey.."
"Exactly, Hokage-sama." Inoichi supplied as he rose to his feet. "If you'll excuse me?"
Tsunade nodded a dismissal but her mind was going through the various scenarios should anyone hear of this. "Neko...sit down. You too Shizune." Once they did she spoke coldly, "We have a genuine tiger by the tail. Say nothing of what you've heard." she saw them nod. "We continue to be cautious in our dealings. I want more regular updates on his behavior and mannerisms." she said, glancing at Yuugao. "If necessary I can offer him new Prey to keep his tendencies in check." she murmured softly, "Which wouldn't be a bad idea, since that would also send a message to any even thinking of deserting….I will definitely have to consider it."
Yuugao nodded, "I will, Hokage-sama. And he will definitely make an excellent deterrent."
"Agreed." she said as she briskly got to her feet. "Now, we have his medical exam to deal with." she glanced at her aide, "Shizune will handle it since he is willing to grant her a measure of trust since I do." Her tone spoke volumes of just how much that meant. "Do whatever it takes to ensure he doesn't feel it is misplaced."
Shizune nodded, holding the manila file close to her chest. "H...hai, Hokage-sama." The dark haired medic immediately began thinking aloud, "I'll take him to the ANBU wing for privacy. I will need a small guard to ensure no one enters the area, I would suggest a very good Rapid Response Team."
Tsunade nodded, "Neko, pick three other ANBU you trust to assist. You have…" she glanced at the clock, "Two hours."
Yuugao's only response was rise and use a Shunshin to get things in order.
With that done, Tsunade went back to her paperwork and Shizune left to prepare the examination room.
((Two and Half Hours Later…))
He walked through the hospital with a two man ANBU escort. Head high and shoulders squared all the while ignoring how movement stopped and whispers followed his passage. It had taken a bit of extra time to sooth the Hokage's feathers but it had been worth it in his opinion. Good thing he had learned of her weakness. An expensive brand of Plum sake from Tea Country. He presented it to her with a small chuckle as her eyes widened in pleasant surprise just after she raked him over the coals about his choice in doton experts. They had argued for a good hour by then and once they finished with a click of saucers and a renewed promise of a tour, he left. Knowing full well he had to be a bit more aware of such things and that she had the right to be informed prior to any arrangements being made.
Arriving at the room, he entered and immediately used the various filters of his mask to search the room. Finding none, he grunted and set to removing his equipment and sealing them away in a storage seal on his inner wrist. He then began disrobing and that was what Shizune walked in on.
Not speaking a word as she quickly shut the door and activated a full privacy seal. She turned and froze with eyes wide upon seeing him removing the mesh undershirt. A soft gulp of nerves as she let her professionalism slide and simply enjoyed the sight of a powerfully built man shedding his clothes and revealing himself to her one article at a time. Heat bloomed on her cheeks and her heartbeat sped up as he unceremoniously turned around and paused upon seeing her. Clad only in a pair black boxer briefs which hid not a single detail. Wow...when Kami blesses a man, she doesn't play around… she thought almost lecherously as she took in the not too thick muscles of his arms, chest , and thighs. The visible near eight pack of his abdominals and obliques. The wide shoulders and thick calves. She wanted to pout when she saw the mask still in place but it disappeared when her gaze went low and she greedily stared at the bulge that filled the front of his shorts. She blinked when he coughed and she flushed hotly before getting herself under control though she really wanted to fan herself rapidly. "Um...sorry to barge in." she stammered
His chuckle was muffled by the mask as she simply stood there before his hands came up. His thumbs pressed on the release seals and he closed his eyes as the mask came off. He tossed his hair and he breathed in deeply before replying humorously, "Not at all, Shizune-san. I've heard of men that have waited their entire lives to see that look on a woman's face. Like she wanted nothing more than to tie him to their bed and…"
Shizune gaped like a fish as his boldness and finally found her voice after a minute or two, "No...nonsense. As a doctor, I can appreciate the male form…." she said as she turned away and fought to control her flushed face. She cleared her throat before turning back to face him, her eyes now hiding how she devoured his facial features. Damn….he would look so good spread over my bed….stop it! I am a doctor, not some civilian girl seeing her first man. I done this...oh... I've only done an exam a few times since returning…..oh shit… she thought as she went to put on a pair of latex gloves. She bought a few more moments by taking up her clipboard and clicking the pen. "Now then...Predator-san, we will begin with the basics. Height, weight, etc. If you would…" she ended by gesturing to the scale by the far wall. She averted her eyes as he strode by, keeping her gaze off his ass and on her papers.
Naruto wanted to laugh hard as she tried to hide her reactions to his presence and appearance. Most would have ogled unashamed and he thoroughly enjoyed teasing the woman. Yet he ceased and took on a more professional mannerism and did as she instructed without complaint. Clenching his fist repeatedly so she could get a blood sample for typing and checking a full C-panel. Even remaining still as to let her use a pressure cuff and stethoscope to gauge his blood pressure and count his heartbeats for a full minute.
It was only when she prepared to perform the diagnostic jutsu that he seemed to get on edge. I wonder what this is about? she thought even as her hand became encased in the typical green glow. "Relax, Predator-san. This is just so I can quickly check the state of your internal organs, bones, blood vessels, and Chakra Network." she explained in a soft tone as she gently placed her hand just above his shoulder. She immediately felt him become as tense as a boulder.
"I recognize the Diagnostic Jutsu, Shizune-san…" he replied in a strained tone, "I just don't like any Jutsu directed at me unless I am using Clones." She's not trying to hurt you. She's not trying to hurt you. She's not trying to hurt you. he had to focus on that singular thought, otherwise he might reflexively kill the woman.
Shizune couldn't help but frown at this, though she understood what he meant. He truly trust so very few...Its only because he trusts Tsunade-sama, who in turn trusts me, that I can stand as I am now and survive… Her frown deepened as she focused her attention on the data she was receiving through the jutsu. "There is something off...something blocking my Jutsu...Focused on the left side of your torso...What is?" she stepped back quickly and let the jutsu dispel. Then she placed her hands on her hips, "Predator-san what are you hiding?" she asked in a terse tone.
Naruto sighed and made full eye contact as he lifted his hands from the examination table and formed the ram sign. "Kai." was all he said then a second time a moment later. Not looking away as he wanted...needed...to see her reaction.
Shizune let her arms drop as she felt the release of Chakra and her eyes travelled to the left side of his chest. Whatever she had been expecting this wasn't it. A soft glow was revealed, covering him from the shoulder, down over the pectoral muscle. Travelling along the tendon between abdominals and external oblique and curling around to the back just below the level of the belly button. Shizune blinked as the glow faded and her eyes widened in horror as the skin lost his robust colour and dimmed to a wan shade. Almost a grayish hue. Added to that, the skin was pock marked over and over again by strange almost circular scars. A hand came up and covered her mouth as she watched Naruto stand up slowly and fully turn around; revealing the grey tone and scarring terminated at the top of the Deltoid and Trapezius muscles though the damage to the obliques did include maybe a third of the Latissimus Dorsi muscle group. She wanted to gag at what she had fast come to consider a desecration. She throttled the reflex and looked back up to his eyes, hers wide with unshed tears of sympathy.
Naruto's gaze narrowed and said bluntly, "Save the pity. I survived. Took me a while but I have full mobility and strength." the tone matter of fact and uncaring as he retook his seat on the table. He clamped his lips tightly as Shizune came forward and resumed her jutsu. Watching her with a blank expression as she would pause at every little twitch of muscle and glance at him.
Shizune finished and began filling out the clipboard. "The right side of your body is in peak condition. Left side is a different story. Heart, lung, ribs, major and minor muscle groups have layers of scar tissue that cannot be accounted for by your lifestyle, weapons damage, or anything I have encountered before. Your skin shows a lack of pigmentation though the melanin and haemoglobin counts are accurate for your racial markers. In short, I've never seen the like and I'm going to call Tsunade-sama in for this." she turned and didn't even see his nod of agreement nor how his expression darkened bit by bit.
Naruto felt his eye twitch dangerously as she told him what she had uncovered. Nothing different than what he had been told before by a couple of doctors he had seen in the past. He stood up at her direction and began disclosing the source of the other scars as she indicated each one. He knew she was cataloguing them for identification purposes. He couldn't help but chuckle as he found humor in her soft startlement over the double layered seal just above his left clavicle. "That is how I jointly maintain the barrier and henge over this damaged area." he explained.
Shizune was about to ask for more details but was halted when there was a knock at the door. Smiling to Naruto in what she hoped was in assurance, she opened the door and let Tsunade in, handing her the clipboard before re-sealing the room.
For her part, Tsunade was curious as to why she had been summoned so urgently by Yuugao and she had her answer as she read over the multiple pages of the medical file. Steeling herself, she turned to face Naruto and paused as she took in the visible damage. Kami...this is worse than I imagined...how have you managed to bear this? The pain must be incredible… she thought as she approached the exam table and set down the clipboard. She didn't reveal her thoughts as she accepted a lab coat and slipped it on. "Now then...Na...Predator-san, with your permission?" she inquired calmly, though her eyes were hard and a vein began to tick over her eye. How dare they do this?! They were supposed to have stopped this before the Third Shinobi War! With his nod, she gently placed a hand on the scarred skin and traced a few scars. Immediately she felt a twitch and had to hide a soft smile at his shiver. Looking up quickly, she saw he had closed his eyes and his hands gripped the table tightly. Well, that's interesting...The nerves relay physical contact as pleasure signals instead of pain. Frightening, yet interesting all the same...
Continuing her physical examination, Tsunade ignored the increasing signs of arousal and excitement coming from Naruto. The slight smell of hormonal release in the sheen of sweat collecting on his skin, increased breathing as well as the obviously growing bulge in his briefs. By the time she was finished, he was nearly panting and his eyes had become heavily lidded with lust if the dark blue color they exhibited were any indication. "I'm sorry for the discomfort I caused you, Predator-san." she apologized sincerely though there was a part of her that secretly enjoyed it. It had been a long time since she had elicited such a direct and honest reaction from a man. And she enjoyed the feeling it gave her as well…
"It's alright, Tsunade-sama. I understand it isn't intentional but even my restraint has limits." Naruto replied in between soft pants as he blinked and focused to get himself under control. Phew...glad that's over. Any more and I don't want to know what would have happened. he thought as he banished the images coming to his mind of at first Tsunade then Shizune bent over the table, gasping and writhing in pleasure as he took one then the other over and over again.
As if she could read his mind, Tsunade's eyes darkened in something other than anger and her lips parted slightly. She stepped back quickly and glanced at Shizune who was patently looking elsewhere with red cheeks and shifting her legs nervously. Looks like I'm not the only one… Getting back on track she briskly took up the clipboard and began writing as she spoke in a calm voice. "This is something not seen in very long time, Shizune. What you're seeing is the result of repeated Jyuuken strikes to the same points. As in at least thirty repetitions." she paused as she watched comprehension dawn on her apprentice's face. "Exactly. He has been tortured by a Hyuuga at the very least. The grey coloring indicates his Network has been seriously damaged if not compromised."
"More like fifteen." Naruto replied harshly as he glared at the floor. "Eight beginners. Five Gennin. Two Chuunin." he didn't so much as react when he heard them both growl or gasp. "I'm not positive how long I was there. It blurred over time to simply times of pain and times of no pain."
Tsunade strode to his side and placed a hand on his right shoulder. "I need to take a closer look. I'm sorry." she said and as his head rose quickly, she knocked him out with a chakra laced touch to his spine. Catching him against her as he slumped forward. "He's going to be very pissed when I wake him." she murmurred. Tsunade wiped her hands on the lab coat. "Shizune, get a full standing chart of the Chakra Network and tenketsu. We have to catalogue the damages before we can even entertain the thought of a method for treatment."
Shizune nodded and quickly unsealed the room and rushed out.
Yuugao poked her head inside and asked lowly, "Is everything alright Hokage-sama?" her eyes widened as she saw the buxom blonde slowly laying out Naruto on the exam table. She couldn't see much with Tsunade blocking her view as a sheet was drawn over the patient's legs and waist, but she jolted straight when the woman replied in a hard tone.
"Get me Yuuhi Hinata."
((A/N: I'm not a psychologist. I looked up sociopathy and picked a few common traits. Adapting them to fit better given his life and chosen career.))
