Sorry about the unexplained hiatus as I had to deal with some...problems...so hopefully I won't get any more unwelcoming surprises. I changed some of the lyrics in the song, "Strong in the Real Way" and made it a duet between Naruto and Pearl as the rest of the lyrics in the canon just repeat over and over after Pearl's piece.
On a final note, I do not own Naruto, Steven Universe, or Eye of the Tiger.
"Believe in Steven!" normal speech
"Believe in Steven!" thought/mind speak
"Believe in Steven!" demon speech
Chapter 13: Strength of Giants
*Beach City; Crystal Temple*
Naruto was sitting in the living area of the temple with an ice pack on his head as a skull splitting headache had mysteriously appeared over night when he saw Pearl carrying a bandaged Steven. "Whoa, what happened?!" Naruto said as he was quickly looking over Steven in slight panic. "Sugilite happened," Pearl answered with irritation in her voice, "We had to take down a communications station we had set up years ago. That was responsible for your splitting headache this morning. Instead of having a plan to properly tear it down, Garnet and Amethyst decided to just fuse into Sugilite and just recklessly destroy it nearly crushing me and Steven!"
Naruto looked around for his mother and Amethyst to only find them missing. "So where's Mom and Ammy-nee?" the blonde asked before getting a slight agitated look from his girlfriend. "Sugilite can find her own way home!" Pearl lightly roared, causing Naruto to flinch his arms up to protect himself.
Seeing the scared and defensive look on Naruto, Pearl let out a small sigh as she calmed herself down. "I'm sorry Naruto," Pearl said with lament in her voice, "It just that some fusions can become unstable and out of control, especially when fused for too long. Can you forgive me for losing my temper a bit." The blonde slowly relaxed as he nervously chuckled and said, "I-It's alright, Hime; I'm just too used to Sakura after all the times she punched me when she was mad…which was all the time. Kurama is still amazed that I'm not afraid of girls because of her." Pearl lightly growled a bit at the idea of some girl using Naruto as a punching bag and thought, Now that he's my boyfriend, I better not see her or any girl mistreat Naruto or they will regret it.
*Konohagakure*
Sakura was enjoying some tea when an ominous chill ran up her spine. I don't know what that was, the rosette thought as she could somehow fell Killing Intent from that chill, but I hope that I never meet whatever caused that chill. Sakura carefully looked around her as she could become a target to those who worship Naruto as the fourth Hokage's son.
*Beach City; Crystal Temple*
Naruto was walking out of the room he was sharing with Garnet with a few scrolls in his hands when he saw Pearl going through some stances with her spear. "Going through some of the scrolls Amber had left behind?" Pearl asked as she saw her boyfriend before receiving a nod from Naruto. "Like to help?" the blonde asked as Pearl sat next to him after sending the spear back inside her gem.
"Of course," she said as she picked up one of the scrolls while Naruto took one of the other ones. "Energy Chains?" Pearl said as she opened the scroll to reveal the contents inside. That was when the memory of Kushina Uzumaki appeared in her mind as it was just weeks ago that she and Steven had met Naruto's real mother. Was Kushina a student of Amber? the Gem thought as she remembered Kushina binding her with chains, No. Kurama told me that he only remembers what Mito had learned about 'Nisseki' through history books and from the Uzumaki elders.
"Are you alright Hime?" Naruto asked as he saw the conflicted look on Pearl's face, "Is something wrong?" The Gem looked at her boyfriend and let out a regretful sigh, "Yeah," Pearl said as she looked away guiltily, "There…There was more to what had happened when you retreated into your gems." Naruto gently turned Pearl's face to see the glistening look on Pearl's eyes and said, "Whatever it is that's bugging ya, Pearl, you can tell me." Pearl looked away as a tear rolled down her face as she said, "I'm…I'm not sure if I told you…I don't want to lose you." Naruto then gently wrapped his arms around his girlfriend as he said, "Pearl. I will always be with you forever, no matter what happens to us. Even if we somehow fall out of our love, I will still protect you with my life…always." Pearl felt the warming love in the hug surrounding her and the everlasting promise echoing in her mind as she felt a gentle kiss upon the gemstone on her forehead.
"Alright," the Gem said as she let out a sigh that told her that it was now or never, "The reason I didn't tell you is because learning that the one who had sealed Kurama inside of you was your own father was still fresh on your mind and I wasn't sure about how you would react." Naruto nodded as a good part of him wanted to punch the Fourth Hokage really hard, father or not. "Well," Pearl continued, "when you had finished recovering from that injury, you…How do I put this correctly?…you weren't you." Naruto raised an eyebrow at that as he only remembered the few times he wasn't really himself but only two moments where Naruto couldn't even remember what had happened at all. "At that moment," Pearl said as she swallowed a small lump in her throat, "when you appeared out of the ambers, it was your mother that appeared…your real mother, Kushina Uzumaki."
Naruto froze at that revelation. His mother…his REAL mother was still with him. But how? Naruto thought as it didn't make any sense at all, How did she…is she dead…or is she still alive? "Kit," Kurama spoke from inside Naruto's mind, "Kushina Uzumaki, the very woman who gave birth to you, did die along with your father as I saw it myself. I can't really explain how she just appeared after you were done recovering; I have a few theories, but I really can't explore them as it would involve you getting seriously injured again or tampering with the seal that binds me to you. But I will tell you that she loved you with every ounce of her heart and then some as I have seen her dreams of her having the perfect family. If she were alive and saw how the village treated you…she'd probably level the entire village of Konoha to the ground without even using my power. If she saw you today, she would probably boast how her son has become a great man and will still love you even after knowing that you were adopted as a preteen." Naruto smiled a bit as he mentally thanked Kurama as he then looked at Pearl before wrapping her into a hug with a few tears rolling down his cheeks.
"Thank you," the blonde said as he silently sobbed into Pearl's shirt, "Thank you for telling me as I've been wondering for YEARS about the woman who had brought me into this world. Thank you. Thank you so much!" Pearl smiled gently as she rubbed Naruto's back and hummed a gentle tune in his ears. "Don't worry Naruto," she said as she then rocked the blonde back and forth in a gentle motion, "I'm here for you as I will always love you." After drying his tears, both Naruto and Pearl decided to both look into the scroll about what amber had written about the Energy Chains, neither of them knowing of the dangers lurking ahead.
*Crystal Communications Hub Remains*
A massive shadow was towering over the ruins of what was once a communications hub for the Crystal Gems with a sneer on its face. "I cannot believe that skinny little toothpick!" the shadow roared into the sky, "I'll show her not to leave me behind!" The massive shadow then began to travel towards its destination…Beach City.
"I'M COMING FOR YOU PEARL!"
*Beach City; Crystal Temple*
Naruto walked out of the Garnet's room after putting the scrolls away when he saw Pearl looking at the small mess of clothes left behind by Steven. Must have just missed Otouto, the blonde thought as he then saw the jealous look on Pearl's face, What's wrong with Pearl-hime? Not noticing her boyfriend nearby, Pearl looked out the door's window and began to sing…
Why do you have to look up to her?
Aside from a literal sense.
Don'tcha know that a power that big,
Comes with a bigger expense?
And can't you see she's out of control,
And overzealous?
I'm telling you for your own good,
And not because I'm…
Hime, Naruto thought as Pearl forcefully pulled the blinds down on the window as she continued to sing and dance…
I could show you how to be strong,
In the real way.
And I know that we can be strong,
In the real way.
And I want to inspire you,
I want to be your rock.
And when I talk,
It lights a fire in you.
Pearl heard footsteps and saw Naruto slowly approaching her as he began to sing along with her…
I know how it feels to be there,
Small, meager, and weak.
But I use that as a means,
To push myself to the fullest peak!
I know that there will be someone,
Who is far more better than you.
But I know that they can be beat,
By finding that power oh so true.
Hearing Naruto singing alongside her had given Pearl the courage and strength to become stronger than she could ever be and also have the courage to not give up. Naruto, my Handsome Rogue, Pearl thought dreamily as she continued to listen before joining Naruto…
I could show you how to be strong,
In the real way.
And I know that we could be strong,
In the real way.
And I want to inspire you,
I want to be your rock.
And when I talk,
It lights a fire in you.
Pearl and Naruto were now looking at each other as they had their arms wrapped around each other in a loving manner as they both said, "In the real way." The two of them kissed for a short moment before separating from each other as Pearl then said, "I…I guess you saw…" Naruto slowly nodded as he then said, "I saw that look in your eyes as it was the same look I had given towards Sasuke many times before. I have always been jealous of that teme because he was better, stronger, and more skilled as a ninja than I was."
"But that was because your training and education was always sabotaged," Pearl pointed out as Naruto chuckled a bit. "True," the blonde admitted sheepishly before donning a serious tone, "but I used that as a reason to better myself; too show myself that I can become stronger and not let myself get clouded by my jealousy towards Sasuke." Naruto then stole a glance through the door to see Steven, Lars, Sadie, and Greg working out before he continued, "I had always considered myself as Sasuke's rival as I would always try and best him, even after so many losing so many time against him. I had also thought of Sasuke not just as a friend or rival…but a brother as we had grown up alone in the village. Too bad that was before…" Pearl saw Naruto gently touch his chest where his scar was and knew how bad the pain was to Naruto when he had to fight Sasuke that could have caused his very death.
"Hey Naruto," Pearl said as she placed a hand on the blonde's shoulder, "How about we do some training on our own. I could teach you a few more things about you gems and you could show me some jutsus. How's that?" Naruto smiled a bit as some training did sound like a good idea and said, "Sure, I've been meaning to check out a few of those scrolls that Pervy Sage had given me." The duo pumped their fists in excitement before going into the deeper part of the temple to begin their training regimine.
*Kirigakure*
An elderly man was sitting at a the bar when a middle-aged man approached him. "Never seen your face around here," said the man as he sat next to the elderly man, "New around here?" The aging man nodded and whimsically said, "Why yes I am sonny. I'm Konpon and I was just wondering if there were any dangerous places I should avoid on my travels." The middle-aged man's eyes became lifelessly blank as he then said, "There is a cave just north-east of here that everyone calls Leech Stone Cave. People have said that the cave somehow sucks out not just chakra, but life energy out of anyone who dares enter the cave." None of the other patrons could hear the rest of the conversation…nor did they care enough to notice the devilish smirk upon Konpon's face.
*Beach City; Crystal Temple*
Naruto was on the beach looking at the makeshift gym with Gamakitchi and Gamatatsu sitting next to him. "Well…" Naruto said as he tried to find the right words for what was before him, "I've had worse looking equipment." Gamakitchi hopped onto the top of the makeshift monkey bars and said, "I'm not sure how long it's been since this ladder saw the light of day. That one bar looks like it's about to break with some extra weight." Greg, Sadie, and Lars were calling out to Steven who was still in the temple. I know that I have a bit of a healing advantage thanks to Kurama, Naruto thought as he began to wonder, but Steven should have been able to jump back up after an hour at least.
"What's that over there?" Gamatatsu said as he pointed towards the ocean, "It almost looks like Daddy." Before anyone could react, a shockwave had hit the area alerting everyone to a shadowy figure in the distance. What is that? Naruto asked himself as he took another look at the figure. The figure was a humongous woman with four arms, purple skin that was slightly darker than Amethyst's, and her equally massive hair was a near midnight purple-black. She wore a body suit similar to Garnet's with the exception of a few tears and was also wearing pointed shades over her eyes with a lone eye resting upon her brow. "What the hell is that?!" Greg said in shock and awe as Lars had fallen off of the makeshift monkey bars as one of the bars broke. "Definitely called that," said Gamakitchi taking his eyes off of the humongous woman for a brief moment, "although I'd thought that either Steven or Greg would have broken that."
The woman stepped on the beach before yelling, "I'm bored!" Steven smiled brightly, despite his aching body, and cheered, "It's Sugilite!"
"THAT'S SUGILITE?!" Naruto said in pure absolute shock, "SHE'S AS BIG AS GAMABUNTA!" Pearl ran down the beach next to Naruto while Sadie and Lars hightailed it to safety. "You're back!" Pearl said before the gigantic Gem pointed an accusing finger at her. "You left me behind!" Sugilite said with a growl escaping through her dangerous looking teeth. "We just thought that you didn't need any help. Now, why don't you separate and we can all sit down and relax."
"NO!" said Sugilite as she kicked Pearl away in anger and defiance. "Hime!" Naruto called out as he then turned his attention to the towering Gem, "You guys were fused for too long! Pearl told me that your personalities wouldn't mix right and when fused to long you start losing the sight of who you are; You're not you!" Sugilite looked at Naruto and point one of her thumbs towards herself as she said, "I am myself! I'm sick of being split up! You better get used to me, baby, and get this junk off my beach!" Naruto dove away with the two Toads just in time as Sugilit had smashed the makeshift gym with a stomp of her foot.
Naruto stole a glance towards Pearl and Steven and said, "Pearl! Get Steven to safety while I'll deal with her!" Pearl looked at her boyfriend and said, "Are you nuts?! She'll crush you without a second thought!"
"JUST DO IT!" Naruto roared out using a small fraction of Kurama's power to bring out a point before turning his attention towards the massive Gem. "Sorry Mom, Ammy-nee," Naruto said as he summoned his claws, "Don't think I can hold back this time." Sugilite chuckled as she said, "Don't make me laugh, Shrimpy, I could crush you without even trying!" Here goes nothing, Naruto thought as he charged towards the gigantic woman with his claws ready to strike.
Naruto jumped to the side to avoid a punch from Sugilite before jumping on her arm and running up towards her. "Nice try you little bug," said Sugilite as she drew back a hand before swinging it in an attempt to swat at Naruto. She barely missed as Naruto added a little boost in his step before digging his claws into Sugilite's flesh and launching himself towards her face. "Eat this!" Naruto roared out as he slashed Sugilite's cheek before going into a freefall towards the sand. Seeing the sand getting closer and closer, Naruto began to focus his chakra into his gems in hopes of his idea working. "Naruto!" Steven cried out as Naruto was plummeting to what could be certain death. Come on Naruto, Pearl thought with anticipation in her heart, I know you can do it.
Naruto opened his eyes with a confident smirk on his face as he said, "Gem Style: Hooking Claw!" The blonde shot his arm out as a golden knife was launched out of the amber gem with chains made of amber that connected the knife back to Naruto. The knife then opened up to reveal that it was a barbed claw before digging itself into one of Sugilite's arms. "Nice trick," said Sugilite as she saw Naruto swing on the chain before launching another barbed claw towards her back, "but these are mosquito bites to me. Hope you're ready to fly."
At that moment, the gigantic woman grabbed the chain and began to spin Naruto in the air. "Naruto!" Pearl cried out as she summoned her spear and charged towards Sugilite. "What?! You wanna fight me too?" the giant demanded as she continued to spin Naruto in the air. "You'll thank me later!" Pearl said as she jump toward Sugilite before getting swatted violently back into the ground. Naruto was feeling the force of the spinning tear into his body before severing the connection to the chain, sending himself flying towards the ocean. "Come on, kid!" Greg said as he picked up Steven in an attempt to get his son to safety. "Dad, no," said Steven as he watched Sugilite's rampage, "Pearl! Naruto!"
Naruto was flying in the air and saw the ocean getting closer to him in a dangerous manner. "Don't hold out on me Kurama," Naruto said as he made one of his claws disappear before biting his thumb and perform the needed hand seals, "Summoning Jutsu!" The blonde slammed his hand on the thin air as a large plume of smoke exploded underneath him with Gamabunta appearing just before Naruto had hit the water. "Thanks for the save there, Gamabunta," Naruto said without noticing the giant Toads arms tensing up, "I thought I was going to be a go-"
"Naruto, you idiot!" Gamabunta roared as he was now jumping around on the sea water, "What's the big idea summoning me on sea water?!" Naruto was holding on for dear life as he said, "I don't see what the big deal is; You're a Toad and water is your element!" Gamabunta stopped jumping around as he said, "While you are right about water being my element, you have failed to realize that fresh water creatures, which includes Toads, a.k.a. ME, and sea water do not mix well! I'm already getting a bad rash from just contact alone!"
"Okay, I'm sorry, but you're going to have to punish me later!" Naruto said as he pointed towards the beach where Sugilite was still fighting Pearl, "If we don't do anything to stop Sugilite, she'll crush all of Beach City and if anything were to happen to Pearl, I will renounce our contract right in front of your sons AND Okina! I'm also telling them that you were too scared to fight a Gem fusion." Damn this kid's driving a hard bargain, Gamabunta thought as he saw the gigantic woman whom he assumed was Sugilite, Okina and Jiraiya both would never let me live down Naruto renouncing the contract just because of a bad skin rash. Also, no summon in history had ever faced off against a fused Gem before as it is said that Gem fusions have powers that could rival a tailed beast. "Alright kid, I'll help ya," Gamabunta said with a smirk, "but I'm still going to punish you later after this is all over."
Back on the beach, Pearl was holding herself up with her spear as Sugilite was just too powerful. "Why don't you just give up and let me crush you," the gigantic Gem said as she raised her foot, "I promise that it won't hurt a little bit…This will hurt like hell." Pearl closed her eyes for the inevitable to happen as a loud crash echoed in her mind. Sensing that she wasn't in any form of pain, the Gem opened her eyes to see Sugilite wrestling with a giant red Toad wearing a dark blue yukata. "Pearl!" said Naruto as he rushed towards his girlfriend and helped her onto her feet, "Thank Kami you're alright! Gamabunta is buying us some time for us to get a plan on how to take down Sugilite, so any ideas?"
"What's the point?" Pearl said as she watched Gamabunta hop around to avoid Sugilite's flail, "She's just too powerful for us…we can't beat her like this." Naruto sneered as he stole a glance towards the titanic fight between Gamabunta and Sugilite as tried to think of something. Sugilite is strong and surprisingly fast for her size as she was able to either dodge Gamabunta's Water Bullets or just block them with her arms. What CAN we do? Naruto thought as Gamabunta would eventually run out of steam, I'm really not seeing how to…Wait a minute!
"You right Pearl, we can't beat Sugilite this way," Naruto said before a smirk formed on his face, "but there is someone who can stop her!" Pearl looked at the blonde and said, "I'm not sure if he could stop Sugilite; she's twice his size and far more stronger. We just can't-"
"SNAP OUT OF IT!" Naruto yelled before softening his voice, "Sugilite is just another obstacle for us and we cannot NOT do anything about it. We can always become stronger by using Sugilite to dig deep inside of ourselves and find that true power that lies deep within!" Pearl saw the sun shining behind Naruto's hair as her boyfriend held out his hand and asked, "So…are you with me?" Pearl looked at the battle between the two titans before looking as the temple statue with a smile. Naruto is right, Pearl thought confidently, I may not be a powerhouse like Sugilite or Garnet…but I AM strong in my own right. Pearl grabbed Naruto's hand with a fire in her heart and said, "I'm with you. Let's form Topaz!"
Naruto smirked happily before he turned towards Gamabunta and said, "Hey Boss Toad! I need you to buy us a little more time so that we could call a friend of ours!" The giant Toad was in a deadlock with Sugilite as he said, "You better make it quick and snappy! I'm not sure how much longer I can hold her off!" Naruto and Pearl nodded as they stood right against each other and clasped their hands within each other, their gemstones glowing. Pearl lightly pushed herself away before slide stepping to Naruto's left side, still with her hands in Naruto's. The two then twisted around and got down on one knee before twisting back onto their feet with Pearl wrapping a leg around Naruto's back. "This is no time to perform a sexy tango!" Gamabunta scolded as he lost his grip and jumped back to avoid a punch from Sugilite. "Let them dance," the titanic woman said with a scoff, "It's not like their little fusion could stop me, they're still too little for me." Gamabunta stole a quick glance of Naruto and Pearl stepping around, still seductively close to each other, before the giant Toad drew his blade. You two better know what you're doing, Gamabunta thought as he launched himself towards Sugilite, blade ready to cut. Naruto let go of one of Pearl's hands as the Gem twisted her body outwards before just as quickly twisting back into Naruto, creating a bright flash of light upon contact.
(Play Eye of the Tiger)
Gamabunta shielded his eyes from the harsh light before lowering his arm as the light fade away to reveal an orange skinned man that was half of Sugilite's height. "Alright Sugilite," said the man, "hope you're ready to get whipped by me, Topaz!"
"Ha! Don't make me laugh," Sugilite said as she mockingly place all four of her fists on her hips, "So you're taller than before, I'm still bigger AND stronger than you!" Topaz summoned his chain as he said, "We'll just see about that, ugly." Topaz jumped into the air to dodge Sugilite's fist before landing on her arm and running up towards the titan's face. "I already saw that trick," the titanic woman said as she pulled two arms back to swat at Topaz. "Really?" the orange Gem said with a smirk on his face, "How about this?" Topaz threw the knife end of his chain deep into Sugilite's flesh before jumping off and used the chain to swing around the gargantuan arm, completely avoiding the titan's attack. Using the momentum after dislodging the knife free, Topaz flew towards Sugilite face with the weighted end of the chain spinning above him. The orange Gem then threw the spiked ball right into Sugilite's face, busting her glasses and revealing her four eyes. "Yikes," said Topaz as he landed on the beach while the titanic woman reeled back from the attack, "I guess I was kind of right with that 'ugly' comment; you look like some freaky dinosaur-turtle combination." Sugilite regained her balance as she then said, "You just got lucky you little punk; you're still no match for me!"
"You forgot that he's not the only one you're fighting," said Gamabunta as he flew in from above in an attempt to slash at Sugilite. The titanic woman jumped away in time as the Toad's blade had just sliced a few bangs off her head. "Thanks, Bunta-san," said Topaz as he jumped up onto the Toad's head with his chains ready for an attack. "Don't thank me just yet," Gamabunta said as he saw Sugilite swing her flail around, "She's actually stronger than what I had given her credit for and I'm sure that attack of yours had only made her mad." Topaz smirked as he said, "Then I guess we had found our little advantage."
Before Gamabunta could say anything, he was hit by Sugilite's flail and launched out towards the ocean. The sudden loss of balance caused Topaz to fall towards the ground before using a flip to land safely. "Just you and me now, Shrimpy," Sugilite taunted before Topaz completely vanished from her sight. Looking around, the titanic woman growled as she couldn't see the small tufts of sand moving towards her. "Where are you, you little coward?!" Sugilite demanded before feeling something crawling on her body, "There you are!" The titan smacked her thigh, only to feel the full force of her slap. "Sheesh," said Topaz as he popped out from Sugilite's body suit on her shoulder, "I thought you just looked bad, you smell even worse!" The orange Gem dove back inside to avoid Sugilite attempt at slapping him, only for the titanic woman's shoulder to take the full brunt on the attack. "Ugh, gross," said Topaz as he stepped out from Sugilite's massive hair near her ear, "When was the last time you cleaned your ears, never ago?" Sugilite threw a punch towards the orange Gem, only to hit the side of her head and her opponent dove back inside her massive hair. "And really bad dandruff too," said Topaz as he was hanging upside down in front of Sugilite's face, "There's a nice invention that you should look into, it's called a conditioner. Seriously, have you seen the SIZE of those flakes?!" The orange Gem dove back into Sugilite's hair, causing her to punch herself in the face. "Stop hiding!" Sugilite roared before Topaz popped out of her top. "For a titanic woman of your size," the orange Gem said with slight wonder on his face, "no would ever think you're flat chested." Topaz jumped out just in time for the gigantic woman to punch herself in the chest, causing her to stumble back from the hit. "You should also start shaving really soon," said Topaz as he landed safely on the beach with his back towards the titan, "especially there. Brrrrr!"
"That's it you little pervert!" Sugilite roared in anger, "I'm going to crush until your bones turn into dust!" Perfect, Topaz thought with a smirk on his face as he started to run with the titanic woman following him. Sugilite followed her opponent as he turned to run up the cliff to the very top before jumping off. "Nice try," said Sugilite as she began to swing her flail into the air. Topaz turned around and threw the knife end of the chain in a spinning motion, causing the knife to loop around Sugilite's ankle before locking itself into the chain. "Have a nice trip!" the orange Gem said as he muscled enough strength and using his shoulder as leverage to pulled the gargantuan woman's ankle out from under her. Sugilite lost her balance as she inadvertently let go of her weapon before falling hard on the beach below. "That all you got?" the gigantic woman taunted as she looked up to see Topaz standing before her, "You think that's enough to-"
*KLONG!*
(End Song)
Sugilite remained stunned after getting hit on the head by her own flail before exploding in a puff of smoke to reveal Garnet and Amethyst. Gamabunta had just arrived as Topaz was split back into Pearl and Naruto with Pearl rushing towards the downed Garnet and Amethyst. "Well kid," said the gigantic Toad as Pearl wrapped the two Gems into a tight hug, "once again you have used that hidden intellect of yours to take down yet another titanic creature. Are you sure you're not really half-Nara or just pretending to be an idiot." Naruto looked up towards Gamabunta and said, "Hey! I may not be as smart as Hime or Shikamaru, but I'm not THAT stupid!" The Toad chuckled as he took the smoke pipe out of his mouth and thought, Your boy is still alright, Minato. I have no doubt that he will become a great leader in the future. "Oh yeah…before I forget," said Gamabunta as he turned the pipe upside down and tapped a few ashes onto Naruto," here's your punishment for summoning me on sea water. Ja ne!" The gigantic Toad vanished into a plume of smoke while Naruto was getting burned by the few giant boulders of ash with Gamakitchi laughing at the blonde's plight.
No one had noticed the hurt looked hidden on Garnet's face as the Gem watched her son dig himself out from underneath the burning boulders.
Naruto…
*Land of Mist; Leech Stone Cave*
Inside the heart of the cave stood a pedestal with a dark green heart-shaped gemstone with dark red lines arching around it like veins resting upon it. A middle-aged man fell to the floor as two ninjas in standard ANBU gear wearing blank masks stood behind the fallen man. "He has passed," said the masked woman as she checked the man for a pulse, only to find none. "It does not matter," said the masked man as he pulled out a scroll, "We all are but mere tools and extensions for Danzo-sama." The masked man unrolled the scroll to reveal a lone seal before applying chakra on the writing. A plume of smoke erupted to reveal Konpon before another plume of smoke erupted below the elderly man to reveal Danzo.
"So this is the fabled Leech Stone," said Danzo as he started to apply seals on the gemstone in hopes of weakening the stone's power. "The legend from the nearby village had spoken about a powerful life absorbing demon that wreaked havoc across the lands until a priestess appeared to combat the demon," Danzo said as he continued to apply the seals onto the stone, "She was able to somehow weaken the demon before ripping its stone heart and destroying the body. The priestess then sealed the demon's heart inside of a cave where the heart could never see the light of day." After applying the last touch on the seals, Danzo activated the seals as he said, "That priestess was a fool for hiding away such power in an easy matter."
Seeing how the stone's power was nullified, Danzo picked up the stone with both hands as he began to darkly admire not just its beauty, but the power still emitting from it. The elderly man and his two ROOT members heard the sound of stone grinding against stone as they saw the walls lowered themselves to reveal armored statues made of golden amber. "Well played, priestess," said Danzo as he sent a smirk towards the army of statues, "but I'm afraid you really don't know what one can do with the right power." The elderly man chuckled as he moved his right shoulder as the statues slowly approached him.
The stone in Danzo's hand briefly glowed and if anyone were to listen closely, they would have heard the sound of chuckling escaping from the stone.
"Soon…"
What secret has Danzo discovered? Will this cause more trouble for Naruto and the Crystal Gems? Find out next time!
Ja ne!