Chapter 10

The Hidden Village of Lightning

The gates of Konoha, the doorway into the Hidden Leaf Village. Naruto was currently standing at said gate, awaiting for the departure to Kumo. He was standing with two other jounin. These jounin were Asuma Sarutobi and Genma Shiranui. He was also with the Hokage who was seated in a carriage. The group was just waiting on Kakashi, and everyone knew just how late he could be.

After minutes of waiting, Kakashi finally walked down the road towards the gate out of Konoha.

He waved at the group, "Sorry I'm late, I saw a fish in the river and I had to make sure it didn't drown" he said then ended with his classic eye smile.

The group sweat dropped at Kakashi's antics but then they were soon on the road towards Kumo.

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"So Naruto, we've heard rumours but… Just who are you?" It was Genma who spoke. It seemed when he spoke these words, the whole group started to pay extreme attention… Even Kakashi who poked his head over his book.

Naruto sighed, and looked at his teammates, "You don't need to know of my life, but because we are together on a mission, I will tell you that I'm at least chunnin level"

Genma narrowed his eyes at the boys answer, but let it go. If he didn't want to tell, then it couldn't be forced.

The Konoha group continued to walk down a path, while the Hokage was still seated in the carriage. Trees lined either side of the path as the team walked. After another few hours, the sun began to go down.

"I think we should look for a place to set ca-"

An arrow suddenly landed in front of Asuma. Asuma looked down at the arrow, and then around at his surroundings.

Genma copied Asuma's actions, as did Kakashi, all three began to get into defensive position.

Naruto put his hand on the hilt of his sword, then spoke, "There are 50 plus enemies, each not even chunnin level"

"Meaning they're bandits?" Genma spoke.

"Hokage-sama" Asuma spoke then, "Please, stay inside and let us handle this"

"OK" the aged Hokage's muffled voice was barely heard while he was in the carriage.

Naruto calmly turned to his left where a single bandit came walking out of the trees. The others turned attention to the bandit as he walked closer. When he was about 5 meters away from the carriage, he stopped and looked at the shinobi.

"Shinobi, please surrender" the bandit spoke.

Naruto responded, "Either your incredibly brave, or incredibly stupid" the last word came out as a growl that surprised both Naruto's teammates and the bandit.

After Naruto's response, the bandit started laughing. He then spoke,

"HA! You know what I've learned, bandits with chakra are just as good as shinobi, and much better in LARGE NUMBERS! ATTACK!"

The bandit started running through hand seals at a moderately slow pace. Naruto smirked, and before the bandit could finish his last seal, his head had been cut off.

The bandit's headless corpse fell toward the ground. Naruto stood behind it, blood on his blade.

"And it has begun" Naruto spoke, then blurred out of sight.

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Naruto moved to the left, then sliced at a bandits midsection, then flipped backwards over another bandits, coming down on top of him and slicing his head open. Then, he blurred out of sight, appearing behind yet another bandit, and slicing his head off clean.

There were only about 20 bandits left, and the force was beginning to retreat. Naruto decided he should just end the useless charade.

"GENMA, KAKASHI, ASUMA, STAND BACK" Naruto yelled.

They each looked at Naruto for a moment, then jumped out of the way, all the time Naruto was preparing to end it. Naruto got into a stance, and looked at his oppenents.

Dance of the Wind

Naruto then blurred out of sight, reappearing a few meters behind a bandit. He sliced his sword and a blade of wind nearly invisible flew out, slicing the bandit in half. Naruto followed through with the swing, sending out another wind blade to a different bandit.

Naruto kept disappearing and reappearing, sending out wind blades which cut each bandit in half. Then, Naruto jumped into the air, his sword held high.

In a flurry of movement, Naruto swung his blade many times, all the while emitting wind blades, which went in all directions downward, cutting down the rest of the bandits and reshaping the ground.

Naruto while in mid-air, finished his final swing and dropped towards the ground. He landed elegantly into a roll, then put his weight on his sword, all the while looking at the carnage he created.

Dead bodies were everywhere, and a light cloud of debris hung in the area. All this time, Naruto was smirking to himself.

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"What. The. HELL!" Asuma yelled, his cigar had fallen out of his mouth.

"Uzumaki Naruto, he's really something" Genma spoke.

Kakashi just smiled and reached into his pocket, pulling out his favourite orange book.

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Soon, Naruto walked out of the debris and came to the sight of his teammates standing with the Hokage, the carriage behind them.

"Enemies have been eliminated, Hokage-sama" Naruto spoke in a business like tone.

"Good, have you suffered any injuries?" the Hokage spoke.

"No, I am unharmed" Naruto responded.

"Good, then we can set up camp" the Hokage spoke, then proceeded to re-enter the carriage cart.

"No need, there is a village up ahead" Genma spoke, "We can rest their for the night, though we must be discreet. I suggest a henge, Hokage-sama.

"Very well" the Hokage spoke, and got back into the carriage. The team continued on their path.

Naruto walked up to Kakashi, "A few people know me in Kumo"

Kakashi's eyes widened, "What? How?"

"Calm down Hatake" Naruto spoke, "It shouldn't compromise the mission", and with that, Naruto left and re-took his position around the carriage.

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Kain sat under a tree in Team 7's normal training ground. Naruto had told him that anytime he needed it, that he should feel free. The training ground had slashes on the ground and the posts were cut in various places. He was working on Kenjutsu. Naruto had told him that learning Kenjutsu, along with having a powerful Taijutsu style, would make him a very difficult opponent to handle.

Kain then heard footsteps to his left and saw the one and only Sasuke Uchiha walking up to him, Sakura was not too far behind. Naruto had told him about the Uchiha and the Haruno. Kain sighed and stood up, sword still in hand.

Sasuke walked up to Kain, "Fight me"

Kain looked at the Uchiha, then glanced at the Haruno, and then he spoke, "I can't. If word gets out I fought you, I'll be in a jail cell for the rest of my life. The people in this village already want me dead because of my part in your mission, and because you almost died because of it"

Sasuke grit his teeth, then stepped right up to Kain face, "Fight. Me. NOW!"

Sasuke then jumped back and began to run through handseals.

Kain's eyes widened as Sasuke released his jutsu.

Fire Style: Fireball Jutsu

A large fireball sped towards Kain. Kain though knew exactly what to do, and started running through handseals.

Water Style: Water Wall

A wall of water surrounded Kain, and a hissing sound was the only evidence of the fireball hitting the wall of water. Steam was created and surrounded Kain, blocking his own vision.

Sasuke stood back, ready for an attack, then he jumped up, just as two hands reached out of the ground where he was just standing.

After the hands, Kain popped out of the ground, dirt on him. He looked at Sasuke who was a few meters away.

'That jutsu is useful' Kain thought and then mentally thanked Naruto for teaching him it.

Sasuke then smirked.

Kain looked at him in confusion, but his confusion left as he figured out what the Uchiha was planning.

"Now, I'll show you… HOW MIGHTY THE UCHIHA REALLY ARE!" Sasuke exclaimed as he activated his Sharingan.

Sasuke's pupil turned blood red, and the circle in the pupil turned a deeper shade of black. Also, two spinning tamoes were now evident in the pupil of the Uchiha, signalling the second stage of his Sharingan.

Sasuke then blurred out of sight, reappearing just to the right of Kain.

Kain ducked as the Uchiha aimed a kick to his head. Sasuke followed through and used his other foot to kick outward towards Kain's chest.

Kain jumped up and over Sasuke. Sasuke put his hands on the ground and went into a handstand. From there, he lifted upwards, hitting Kain in the stomach and sending him flying upwards.

"Argh…" Kain huffed as the air left his lungs. He landed a few meters away from Sasuke in a heap.

"Now do you see? THE DIFFERENCE IN OUR POWERS?" Sasuke exclaimed.

Kain got up, putting his weight on his sword, then smirked, "Uchiha, do you know where Kekkei Genkai originated?"

"The Sage of Six Paths" Sasuke replied without missing a beat.

"Yes, and he was the one who fought and sealed the Juubi, the Ten-tailed beast, into himself." Kain paused the information sink into Sasuke.

"And the sage had 2 sons, the older one with the eyes of the sage, the younger with his body?" Kain asked.

"Yeah… Its said that through their distant relatives and bloodlines, the Byakugan and Sharingan were formed…."

"Exactly, and you remember what happened to the Juubi, the Ten Tails?"

"He was sealed into the sage" the Uchiha spoke, "But why are we talking about this. It's no more than a bedtime story"

"Oh no Uchiha, it's more than that. On my journey, I found out that the Kekkei Genkai derive from demons, or bijuu rather. You see, when the blood of the Sage was passed down through the sons, there was demonic blood. The sage had the Rinnegan, which is a base DNA for a Kekkei Genkai. That is why the two doujutsus you spoke of were able to form. The mixture of the bijuu's demonic taint and DNA of a pre-exsisting Kekkei Genkai".

"I don't believe any of that" Sasuke replied, but did not miss Kain's smirk.

"Kekkei Genkai derive from bijuu, and what do you think I am?" Kain spoke.

Sasuke's eyes widened, as did Sakura's, "What do you mean, you can't be-"

"But I am Uchiha, and I will show you, my Kekkei Genkai"

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It was nearing nightfall and the group was resting at an Inn. The Hokage was under a henge to look like a normal shinobi, as was everyone else. They could be recognized as jounin, and if they were recognized, someone might realize that they were probably with somebody important.

Naruto currently lay in his bed, Kakashi was in the other bed across the room. The Hokage was in the room nextdoor, and Genma was currently guarding the entrance. Genma had decided to take first watch, Naruto would take second and Kakashi would take third. Asuma would take last watch.

So at the moment, Naruto was just lying in his bed. He decided to take this time to visit the fox…

(Naruto's Mindscape)

"So Kyuubi, is the Kekkei Genkai ready?"

"Not yet, foolish human. It should normally take hundreds of years to create a Kekkei Genkai, but since I found base DNA of a Kekkei Genkai, It will take less time, but still it will take time."

"Base DNA?" Naruto asked, "You mean my father or mother had a Kekkei Genkai?"

"No" the Kyuubi spoke, "If it were one of your parents, you would unlock it naturally, but this DNA derives from thousands of years ago"

Naruto's eyes widened, then spoke, "Which Kekkei Genkei"

"Human. Do not test me. I cannot tell you. The DNA is barely recognizable. It's hard enough just to extract the Kekkei Genkai… I do not know at this point."

"Hmmm" Naruto said to himself, deep in thought, "What about Kain's. Are you saying that Kain's Kekkei Genkai came because his relative lived to a closer year to Kain's birth?"

"No, the reason for his Kekkei Genkai is his seal. His seal allowed for early leaking of his demon's chakra, while your seal locked all of it up" the Kyuubi spoke.

"So if your chakra had mixed with mine at an earlier age, I would have had a greater chance of developing a Kekkei Genkai?"

"Indeed" the Kyuubi spoke.

Naruto nodded, then addressed the Kyuubi, "Work well, I want the Kekkei Genkai soon" and with that, Naruto began to fade out of sight in his mindscape. As he left his mindscape, he heard the words of the Kyuubi.

"Don't test me human… I am far more powerful than you can imagine…"

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"I don't see a difference" Sasuke spoke as he looked at Kain. Kain has supposedly activated his Kekkei Genkai, but Sasuke could see no evidence of it.

"I'll tell you to spare you of your curiosity. My Kekkei Genkai, which derives from by bijuu, allows me a stronger elemental manipulation with each of the elements." Kain spoke.

Sasuke's eyes widened as he began to catch on, "Meaning-"

Kain cut him off, "Meaning that all my elemental jutsus are that much stronger with no added effort"

Sasuke couldn't believe what he was hearing. He didn't believe something like that existed.

"I'm not done yet Uchiha. My Kekkei Genkai also grants me the exclusive ability of Ice Manipulation"

If possible, Sasuke's eyes widened even more, "You mean like that girl I fought"

"Haku's a boy you idiot" Kain spoke, then tightened the grip on his sword, "Prepare to defend yourself, Uchiha"

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"Delegates from Konoha?" a blond haired woman around 16 years of age filled the room.

"Yes, they are here to discuss a treaty" a deep resounding voice spoke.

"What's with this sudden treaty?" the blonde haired woman asked.

The Raikage looked Yugito in the eye, then spoke, "Do you remember of the event in Iwa?"

"Yes, because of my bijuu I was able to unlock the suppressed memories. I am surprised you remember, Raikage-sama"

"Don't judge me lightly, Yugito. I am quite strong. The jutsu was created to destroy the memories of the weak, and to suppress the memories of the strong. Few people in the world remember that event, Killer Bee is one of them. I don't know of Konoha and if anyone remembers there, but I would rather avoid a disaster like that"

"I understand, Raikage-sama"

"Good. The delegates should be here in around a day's time. Be prepared for who they send. It will be a memorable day"

"Hai, Raikage-sama."

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Sasuke flew back from a punch from Kain fist, which was embedded in a larger fist of ice. Then, Kain raised his hand and lowered it, and icicles rained from above.

Sasuke dodged each icicle, his Sharingan the only reason why he could accomplish such a feat.

Kain then swung his blade and a blade of wind flew out and sped towards Sasuke. Sasuke flipped to the left to dodge the wind blade, then he began handseals for his own jutsu.

Fire Style: Fire Dragon Jutsu

A fire dragon formed behind Sasuke and took a great size, then sped towards Kain. All the while, Kain was forming hand seals for his own jutsu.

Wind Style: Wind Dragon Jutsu

A wind dragon began to form behind Kain, and took full size. It was bigger than Sasuke's.

Sasuke smirked, 'He made a wind dragon, meaning it will be defeated by my elemental fire dragon"

Sasuke could only watch in horror as the Wind Dragon engulfed the Fire Dragon and continued on its track towards Sasuke.

Just a moment before the Wind Enhanced Fire Dragon hit Sasuke, it stopped in mid-air.

Sasuke's eyes widened as he stood in place, staring at the immobile Fire Dragon.

Suddenly, the Fire Dragon began to fade away. The red fire started turning into a blue haze. Soon, the whole figure of the dragon was a blue haze, then the haze made it's way towards Kain.

Kain seemed to absorb the haze as it entered his body through his pours.

Sasuke's eyes were still wide, and he was speechless.

"How…is that possible?" Sasuke spoke through quick breaths.

"Simple" Kain spoke, "I turned my elemental chakra back into it's base form, then re-absorbed it."

"How thought, it's shouldn't be poss-" Sasuke was cut off by Kain.

"You people all say it shouldn't be possible. What do you know is possible and isn't?" Kain spoke.

Sasuke recomposed himself, then looked at Kain, "Where'd you learn that?"

"Naruto taught it to me" Kain spoke.

'Naruto' Sasuke thought, 'Does everyone he teach become this strong?'

"You see Naruto as a rival do you not? A stepping stone til' you reach Itachi, am I right" Kain spoke while staring straight at the Uchiha.

The Uchiha looked at Kain, a new emotion was visible in his eyes.

"You won't be able to defeat Naruto for a long time" Kain spoke, "Either get it together, or find a more realistic stepping stone".

Sasuke was angry on the inside but in some part of him, some part hidden deep inside him, he knew Kain was right…

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Naruto and the group continued their walk towards Kumo.

"So, what'll we be doing while the Hokage is in his meeting?" Naruto asked.

"The Hokage will have one of his guards with him in the meeting. The rest of us will wait in the Raikage's tower." Genma answered.

Naruto nodded, but Genma quickly spoke again, "You're going to be the one to guard him during the meeting."

Naruto's eyes widened, and he quickly addressed Genma, "Me? Why would the Hokage choose-"

"The Hokage gave explicit orders that you would be the one to guard him. It has to do with showing our strength" Asuma cut in.

"Showing our strength is different from being stupid. I mean, I've still got a long way to got and to protect the life of Oji-… I mean Hokage-sama may be beyo-"

"Naruto, calm down" it was Kakashi who spoke, "You'll do fine… Do you remember what you told be in Wave"

Naruto stopped walking and stood still for a moment, thinking back to Wave…

(Flashback)

Naruto was at the dinner table, Kakashi was seating with him. Tsunami was making dinner for Team 7. Tazuna was upstairs and waiting to come down.

Naruto while sitting at the table addressed Kakashi.

"Hatake, do you believe I have changed" Naruto asked.

Kakashi poked his eyes over the cover of his book and spoke, "You've changed quite a bit"

"Don't worry Hatake", Naruto paused then continued, "What you saw was my mask"

Kakashi looked at Naruto, then nodded in understanding. Then, he spoke, "I would've thought you were far too young to have a mix. It took my father's death for me to crescent a mask".

"And it could take the Kyuubi for me to crescent one also, Hatake" Naruto responded, a little big agitated.

Kakashi nodded, then apologized, "Sorry Naruto, I didn't mean it like that"

"I may have changed a lot, but remember, I'm still me…

(Flashback End)

"Yeah" Naruto spoke, "I remember that".

And with that, the gates of Kumo came into sight. Naruto would not fail to protect the Hokage, even if it cost him his life.

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