Chapter 13:
New Faces
"Anyone home?" a voice resounded through Killer Bee's home.
"Come In!" Yugito yelled, she already knew who it was.
Soon, a woman walked in. She looked to be around 15 years old. She had straight bowl cut blonde hair, and she was very… Well developed…
"Samui, what brings you here" Yugito asked.
"I just came to ask sensei whether he wanted to visit Omoi in the hospital. And you know how he is in the hospital" Samui spoke.
Yugito nodded. He knew of Omoi's habit to overanalyze things, to the point where his opinions bordered on Ludacris. Him in the hospital would have him begin to speculate about his chances of somebody forgetting to bring him his medicine, and then they might forget about him, and then he would die, and then the Raikage would cry about his death, and then the Raikage's mighty tears would flood Kumogakure, and then everyone would drown just because of his mistake on a mission…. Needless to say, the situation needed to be resolved…
Samui then took in her surroundings. She was in Bee's living room. It was quite amazing. The floor was covered with many high quality rugs with inricate designs. The walls were also covered with rugs also. There was a fire place in the corner of the room, and a mirror hung above it. There was a couch on one side of the room and a table in the centre. It was an unorthodox setup, but it worked out very well in the end.
Samui noted Bee, and then for the first time, saw the person who was laying in meditative stance next to Bee, who was also in meditative stance.
"Who's that" Samui asked.
"Uzumaki Naruto…" Yugito replied.
Samui's eyes widened. That was the infamous Naruto that had seduced Yugito. The reason she knew this is because Yugito and her were like sisters. They talked about everything that girls needed to talk about.
Samui took in the young boy. Her eyes widened as he recognized him, "I met him in the market"
Yugito looked surprised but then nodded, "He and his team are here on a diplomatic mission… The Hokage chose him as his personal guard"
Samui's eyes widened, "Personal guard! He could hardly be a Genin, how could he be the Hokage's personal guard"
"Don't judge on appearances Samui, I thought that was something Bee taught you. I saw him fight Bee, and I realized then, that I would have a slim chance of beating him" she spoke the last part while sighing as if in defeat.
Samui's eyes widened even more if possible, "So are you saying he's jounin level, that kid!"
Yugito responded with a nod and was about to speak again until someone cut her off.
"TEBAYO! WE ARE DONE, YO! HE AIN'T SCREAMING AIN'T NO MORE DREAMING!" Bee rapped as if he was conscious the whole time.
Samui watched as Naruto's eyes began to awaken. What she saw surprised her. His eyes were an evil shade of red with a slit in them.
As Naruto woke up, he surveyed his surroundings. He was still in Bee's living room with Bee and Yugito, though one more had arrived.
"I've met you before" Naruto spoke and he attempted to stand, but took a few steps to balance himself as his world was spinning.
Samui watched Naruto as he steadied himself and looked her in the eye.
Samui nodded, "Yes, my name is Samui"
Naruto nodded, "Uzumaki Naruto. I'm sure Yugito has told you about me"
Yugito growled at Naruto while he smirked, and Samui nodded, "Yes, I've heard about you, Uzumaki-san"
Naruto nodded, then spoke to Bee, "Thank you for your assistance, but I must be leaving" his voice was business like, "I'm sure it's late.."
"LATE! IT'S ONLY 10:50! TEBAYO!" Bee rapped. His rapping was starting to get on Naruto's nerves.
"10:30 eh? I was supposed to be back by 7:30, well better get going" Naruto spoke, then closed his eyes.
Yugito was confused as to what Naruto was doing. Samui was thinking along the same lines as Yugito.
Bee watched Naruto intently, then in a flash of movement, his eyes flew open. Then, he disappeared. There was no blur, no sign of movement, he just disappeared.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
As Naruto appeared in front of the Inn, he was met by Kakashi who was standing and awaiting his return.
"I see you decided to drop in, Naruto" he spoke, all the while still reading his Icha Icha book.
Naruto frowned, then spoke, "I was… Gathering information"
Kakashi's raised his eyebrow, "Do share"
Naruto smirked, "The incident in Iwa two years ago…"
Kakashi's eyes widened, then he spoke, "I see, so what did you learn"
Naruto spoke, "I learned nothing, I merely remembered everything I forgot…"
Kakashi nodded, "I see, you released repressed memories eh… Well, that'll be our little secret. The Hokage was worried about you. He thought you might've gotten into some trouble…"
"I'll explain everything. For now, let's get inside" Naruto spoke.
"Agreed" Kakashi spoke and crescented one of his patented eye smiles. Then the two turned and walked into the Inn…
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Currently, Naruto was sitting in the Raikage's office with the Hokage. The topic was boring, yet Naruto was still listening to every bit of information, remembering anything that could put Konoha in a bad position. That was when a messanger rolled in…
"Raikage-sama… The Kazekage has arrived" the messanger spoke.
It was the Hokage who responded, "Kazekage, I was not informed of this"
"I meant to tell you, Hokage-dono. My sincerest apologies.. I invited the Kazekage and the Tsuchikage to this meeting as well. They both accepted to come, but it seems they are both late. I also invited the Mizukage but he was busy with internal matters" the Raikage spoke.
"Internal matters meaning the civil war that threatens to destroy the balance which holds the village together" the Hokage spoke.
The Raikage smirked, "Not one to be behind the bush with your words, are you Hokage-dono"
The Hokage managed a stifled laugh, "Not at all, Raikage-dono. I believe you inviting the other Kage's was a good choice. Perhaps it may be the beginning of a cross-village alliance."
"Perhaps Hokage-dono… Wouldn't that be something" the Raikage replied. The Hokage nodded in response.
"Well, let us go and wait on the Kazekage" the Raikage spoke.
"Very well" the Hokage replied and moved to stand up, but he was stopped as another messanger came in.
"Raikage-dono! The Tsuchikage has also arrived!" the messanger yelled.
The Raikage suppressed a look of surprise. Both Kage's arrived within the hour of eachother? Not even an hour, within minutes…
"I see…. Well it looks as if we'll be welcoming both Kage's then." The Raikage spoke.
"Indeed, it would seem so" the Hokage replied and both Kages, followed by their escorts/guards, walked out of the room and towards the lobby.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Naruto was standing in front of 2 of the most powerful people of the Shinobi world. On the left dressed in white Hokage garbs with accents of the colour blue was the Kazekage. His face was slightly hidden by the shadows but from what Naruto could see, he was middle age. He was at that point where he was beginning to show signs of his age…
On the left was the Tsuchikage. He was a short man with a rather large nose which was a slight shade of red. His hat covered his head but there was no sign of any type of hair. He stood with his back slightly crooked and he was about a little shorter than Naruto…
But what intrigued Naruto the most were the bodyguards with each Kage. Each one had 5 bodyguards, much like the his team did, but he noticed that in each group, there were many young people.
The bodyguards of the Kazekage included two jounin, one with a face mask covering his face and right eye. He also had a bandana on, so a tiny space was only visible where his right eye was. The other guard wore goggles which were tinted so his eyes weren't visible. He had a sword on his back. He wore normal shinobi trousers and a black long sleeve shirt under a jounin vest.
It was the other guards with the Kazekage that got Naruto thinking. They were kids… There were 3 of them. One dressed up in what looked like a black cat-like jump suit and he wore purple face mask. The female wore a one piece outfit that was a shirt and a short skirt. She also had a red sash around her waist in which a giant battle fan was held.
The last of the guards for the Kazekage was a boy with red hair. He had green eyes but strangely no eyebrows. He had a black lining around his eyes, signs of an insomniac. He also had the kanji for 'love' tattooed on his forehead… Naruto sensed that there was also something different about him…
Naruto looked over to the Tsuchikage's guards and noted them all. He recognized them all…
They were the ones from the memory of the incident in Iwa. There was Zensuke, Rei, Sunako, Keira and the last one was Kyo, the one that had confronted him when he entered Iwa.
Naruto's eyes widened as he noticed them. He soon met the gaze of the one he remembered by Zensuke.
They stared at eachother for the moment, none letting the other tear them down, then they broke their gaze.
"Welcome, Tsuchikage-dono, Kazekage-dono. I am glad you could join Hokage-dono and I" the Raikage spoke.
It was the Kazekage that spoke, "Yes, well it would seem that the situation calls for it, would it not" as he spoke this, he turned to the Tsuchikage, "I mean after the incident…"
The Tsuchikage looked right back at the Kazekage, "The incident… Funny thing is that our village is still stronger than yours, even after the incident… The only reason you're here is to secure a deal with the other villages because you know that your village will be crushed if war were to break out"
The two Kage's met eachother's gaze and Naruto observed the whole scene. He calculated in his mind. The Tsuchikage had a point. Ever since the end of the Third Great Shinobi War, the Wind Daimyo had preferred to offer contracts to ninja of Konoha, meaning Konoha stole some of the income which Suna would have received. And with that lack of money, exports and imports of goods was severely deterred to the point that some parts of Suna are on the edge of starvation.
Naruto watched as the girl with the fan tensed and moved her hand towards her fan. Zensuke began to do the same, fashioning a sword that Naruto remembered he did not have the last time…
"There will be no need for mindless bickering, Kazekage-dono, Tsuchikage-dono. The reason we are here is to discuss of a possible union, we should not be against eachother before we talk of coming together, would you not agree, Kazekage-dono"
The Kazekage broke his gaze and turned to the Raikage, "I would agree that under the circumstances, you are correct… It would be best for all of us at this time to… Get along, and what do you say, Tsuchikage-dono"
"I would also agree… So then, what of this treaty, are we going to begin" the Tsuchikage asked.
"Well now" the Raikage spoke, "I'm holding a banquet dinner at 8:00 tonight. I had planned it for tomorrow as I had not anticipated the arrival of the Kazekage this early. But it still works out"
The Tsuchikage grunted, then spoke, "Well then, I guess I'll be off to my Inn"
"As will I, Raikage-dono" the Kazekage spoke.
"Indeed… You might as well leave also and be ready for tonight, Hokage-dono. I'm sure our dinner will break any tension between we Kages" the Raikage spoke with a smile that seemed more like a taunting smirk than an actual smile.
"Alright, then I will bid you goodbye until later, Raikage-dono" the Hokage spoke, then gestured to Naruto, and they both left.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
"Sensei, did you see him…" Zensuke spoke.
"Yes… There was something about that boy with the Hokage" Keira responded. Rei and Sunako just stared at their teammate and sensei, not realizing what they were talking about.
The Tsuchikage cut into their conversation, "During meetings like this, we Kage's are usually allowed one or two guards into the meeting with us. Since the Raikage only had one, the woman that was next to him, then I suppose that the boy was tasked to guard the Hokage personally…"
Rei's eyes widened, "THAT KID! He's barely our age! How could a Kage trust his personal safety to-"
"Kage's are smart" the Tsuchikage spoke cutting off Rei, "If that boy was chosen to be the Hokage's personal guard, you can bet there was a reason behind it."
Rei nodded, then calmed down. She was just surprised that the Hokage would trust his life to someone so… Young…
"I recognize him from somewhere" the new voice made itself known.
Zensuke turned to Sunako who was the one that spoke, "You know him?"
"I'm not sure… He just felt, familiar, as if I'd met him from somewhere" Sunako spoke.
"I felt the same… I don't know from where, but I know I have met him before" Zensuke spoke.
"Perhaps you are just confusing him with someone who looks like the Yondaime" Kyo spoke.
At the sound of the name of the Fourth Hokage, the group went silent…
"He did look like him…" Kyo spoke. By this time the group had stopped walking.
"We don't speak of him so freely, you above any should know this" the Tsuchikage spoke in a quiet tone with underlying anger.
"Hai! Sorry Tsuchikage-sama!" Kyo responded.
"But I do agree with you. That boy needs to be watched. Zensuke, I believe you are up to the task…" the Tsuchikage spoke.
"If you believe so, Tsuchikage-sama, then I will complete this task you have set out for me" Zensuke responded in a business like tone.
"Good. Then your mission is to locate the boy and figure out anything and everything about it… But try to in a way that doesn't attract too much, unwanted attention" the Tsuchikage spoke.
"HAI!" and with that Zensuke sunshined away.
Rei looked at the spot where Zensuke disappeared and then sighed. Then, she turned back and continued walking with the group.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
"Gaara's getting anxious" a blond girl with four pigtails instead of the normal two whispered quietly.
"I think it was that guy… There was something about him, something like Gaara… I could sense it" the boy who wore the black cat-like suit spoke.
"Brother… Do you think that IT will come out" the female spoke.
"If it does, Temari…. I will protect you from it" the boy spoke.
"Idiot… Worry about yourself before me…" the female now identified as Temari spoke.
"I guess it's an older brother thing, eh" the boy spoke and Temari managed to bring out a smile.
"Kankuro… That kid though… He's intriguing…" Temari spoke.
"I don't trust him… If he's anything like Gaara, then I don't think I would like him" Kankuro paused, then brought his voice back down to a whisper, "I mean… Did you see his eyes"
Temari nodded. In fact, she had seen his eyes. Cold cerulean blue eyes with were devoid of all emotion. It was like he was a lifeless puppet… But even a puppet with no emotion couldn't have eyes so cold…
"I'll meet up with you guys at the Inn. I'm gonna go find him" Temari spoke.
"No Temari… He'll be at the banquet tonight. I'm curious about him also" Kankuro spoke.
"As am I" the Kazekage cut in, "It would seem he was chosen personally to guard the Hokage… He must be more than he seems"
Temari nodded as the group continued walking. None of them seemed to notice as Gaara began to grin…
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
It was evening, around 6:00. Naruto wandered through the streets of Kumo, though he had a target destination. He was heading towards the hospital. He had remembered the blond woman he had met, her name was Samui, and about her team in the hospital. For some reason, Naruto thought he might be able to get some information from them…
Naruto knew he wouldn't be able to get in through the front doors. They wouldn't let a rogue ninja from another village just walk in to a village's hospital and see their shinobi that are in intensive care, so Naruto went for the old fashioned approach, in thrugh the 3rd story window.
As Naruto climbed into the window, he noted that there was nobody in the room. Strange… He had sensed someone in the room, but from the calmness of the chakra he could tell they were probably sleeping, so where were they?
Naruto quickly grabbed the hilt of his sword, as he did this the bandages burst in a display of wind.
He then pivoted and turned his blade horizontally and out to block the incoming strike.
Naruto took in his attacker. He was dressed in a hospital garb. He was brown skinned and he had white hair. Naruto and him were now clashed sword against sword.
The attacker also had his left arm in a sling and there were bandages covering his face. Bandages were also visible going down his left and right leg.
"Who are you" Naruto asked calmly, still clashed with his attacker.
"I should be asking you" the man spoke.
Naruto smirked, "Uzumaki Naruto" he spoke, then blurred out of sight. The man's eyes widened as he ducked to avoid a slash which just flew over his head. It cut a few of his hairs off.
The man then jumped away and took a stance with his sword, "Why are you here" he asked.
"I meant you no harm… I am merely here to ask you a question" Naruto responded.
"And what might it be" the man spoke.
"Are you and your team close to the Raikage? His assistant specifically reported to the Raikage when your group returned injured from your mission" Naruto spoke.
The man's eyes widened, "How did you know that I returned from a miss-" but the man was cut off.
"I was tasked with guarding the Hokage during his meeting with the Raikage. Now, answer my question, are your team and the Raikage closely aquainted?" Naruto asked.
The man calmed down somewhat then spoke, "He knows the leader of our team well…"
"You mean Samui" Naruto asked. The man's eyes went wide again.
"How do you know Samui!" he asked.
"I met her while talking to your sensei… Killer Bee" Naruto spoke.
If the man could have been more surprised, he would have. First of all, this man had met the Raikage. He also knew Samui and his sensei, Bee, what else could he know.
"I ask you this" Naruto paused, then spoke, "This treaty meeting, is it just a way to get the Byakugan?"
The man's eyes widened and he spoe quickly, "What're you talking about! We resolved this issue years a-"
"This issue was never resolved. We merely sent you a suitable replacement… One which was expendable…" Naruto spoke, "With the Hokage and some of his most trusted and strongest jounin in your village, getting the Byakugan would become a much easier feat… Wouldn't you agree."
The man grit his teeth at this, then spoke, "I don't know what Lord Raikage-sama is planning, but I believe it does have to do with the Byakugan…"
"So this whole treaty is a load of bull eh?" Naruto tightened his grip on his sword, then he was gone.
Disappear
A whisper of the word disappear was heard as Naruto vanished…
A crashing sound was heard as the man was now pinned up against the wall, Naruto holding him against the wall by his throat with his gauntlet.
'HOW DID HE DO THAT' the man thought as he was being held by Naruto.
"What is your name" Naruto asked.
"Omoi" Omoi responded.
"I see… Do not cross my path in the future... Because if I know it is you, I will not spare you…" Naruto spoke this and let loose his grip of Omoi's throat. He fell to the ground as Naruto released the grip.
Naruto began to turn away back to the window and once he reached it he spoke, "The Raikage's plans will fail" and with that he jumped out of the window.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Naruto stood in the clearing. It was around 7:00 and evening was nearing. Naruto was told by the Hokage to be back at the Inn by 7:30 so he could escort the Hokage to the banquet. Naruto knew he would be back on time.
The information that Naruto had discovered though was intriguing to say the least, but he did not confine it within the Hokage, nor any of the other members of his squad. He decided to handle it on his own.
He didn't know how strong the force the Raikage would send would be, but he decided that Kain would be more than up to it. In any sort of battle, Kain would have the advantage. A large disperse of chakra, such as the chakra of the 5 tailed beast, would attract Konoha shinobi…
"Summoning Jutsu" Naruto spoke then slammed his hands on the ground. The summoning markings appeared on the grounds, then a puff of smoke erupted. After this, a small toad appeared.
"Gamakitchi…" Naruto spoke.
"Hey boss… Got Treats" he spoke in a high pitch voice.
"It will depend on if the task I'm going to give you is completed to my standards" Naruto spoke back.
"Uh-huh… Always like this boss, it's a turnoff. So what do you want?" Gamakitchi responded.
"I need a message delivered. I believe you have met Kain" Naruto spoke.
Gamakitchi nodded, "Yeah.. I met the guy"
"Good. See that it reached him by sundown. I know not when the enemy will strike, so get this message to him as soon as possible" Naruto spoke as he handed a small scroll to Gamakitchi.
"Sure thing boss" and as Gamakitchi said this, he disappeared in a plume of smoke.
Naruto stood up after seeing Gamakitchi return to the summons realm, then he turned around and spoke.
"You may show yourself, Zensuke" Naruto spoke.
And sure enough a person jumped out of a tree and landed gracefully on the ground. He stood up and faced Naruto, "How do you know my name" he asked with a slight snarl.
"Calm down… We have met before" Naruto spoke.
"I don't recall meeting you" Zensuke returned with a snarl.
"Perhaps a fight will make it clear" Naruto spoke.
Zensuke smirked, "Are you sure about that… You seem real confident…. Just because you were chosen as your Kage's personal guard doesn't make you all high and mighty"
"I am merely speaking fact, Zensuke. I was stronger than you then and I am still stronger than you now" and as Naruto spoke this, he put his hand on the hilt of his sword, the bandaged wrapped around exploded in an outburst of wind.
"I will defeat you here… I would like to know your name, since it seems you know mine" Zensuke spoke.
Naruto smirked, "Uzumaki Naruto… "
At the name being mentioned, Zensuke clutched his head with his free hand. After a few seconds, he let go.
"It would seem though as if you are in no condition to-" but Naruto was cut off.
"Sorry about that, guess I'm just… Excited…"
And with that, Zensuke blurred out of sight and appeared right behind Naruto, his blade in a downward swing.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Temari had disobeyed her orders. She just needed to find the blonde guy she had seen with the Hokage. There was something about him, something dangerous, yet something that Temari couldn't stay away from.
From what Temari could tell, the boy was just like Gaara, but different… If that was the case, then perhaps he could help Gaara…
Temari walked with a brisk pace through the market district of the village, trying everything to find the boy. She decided against finding another one of the Konoha delegates and asking for Naruto, that would only spell trouble in the end.
But it would seem that Temari lucked out as she heard distant sound of blades clashing. If she remembered correctly, the blonde boy had a sword on his back, so it was possible that it was him.
So Temari rushed to the scene hoping to find the blonde guy and with him perhaps the answer to Gaara's problem...
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Naruto went into a one handed handstand with his left hand, then flipped over Zensuke. He landed on the other side of him then Naruto swung his blade at Zensuke's mid section.
Zensuke put his blade in front of him, blocking the strike. He then pushed outward, sending Naruto's arm and blade outward, therefor leaving him exposed and open.
Zensuke then swung at Naruto in a downward motion. Naruto saw the attack and blurred out of sight, reappearing behind Zensuke. Naruto brought his blade down on Zensuke just as Zensuke turned. Zensuke though was able to place his blade horizontally over his head to block the downward strike. He then pushed upward, flailing Naruto's blade away. Through that motion, he kneed Naruto in the gut.
Naruto coughed and grit his teeth as the impact of the hit sunk in. Then, he blurred out of sight, reappearing a few meters above Zensuke. His sword was high in the air.
Kenjutsu: Chakra Blade
He swung and a blade of blue chakra flew out and headed towards Zensuke.
Kenjutsu: Infinite Pulse
Zensuke swung and a yellow crescent of chakra was emitted from his blade. Both attacks clashed with each disappearing in the end.
As Naruto was landing, Zensuke appeared under him and jumped upward, sword in hand. He swung just as he reached Naruto.
Naruto, who was parallel to the ground with his back to the sky, saw the attack and guarded by putting his blade in front of his chest.
Zensuke and Naruto's swords clashed in mid air. Zensuke with unimaginable force was pushing Naruto upward into the sky while locked with their blades.
Naruto's eyes widened, then his eyes flashed red.
Kenjutsu: Demonic Lunar Fang
As he spoke this, his blade began to glow an eerie black colour with a red outline. Zensuke's eyes widened as he felt the condensed chakra in the attack.
An explosion occurred as the black chakra expanded in a great outburst, eclipsing both Naruto and Zensuke.
….
'Argh' Zensuke thought as he was falling towards the ground. From that height, a direct impact may break a few bones, and Zensuke couldn't allow that.
Zensuke threw his sword towards the ground and he watched as the blade stuck into the ground. He righted himself in mid-air and landed on the hilt of the blade.
He watched as the figure of Naruto descended and landed gracefully on the ground. Naruto had no scar on him. Zensuke's eyes widened at this. Naruto's attack seemed an area effect, meaning it did damage to a whole area. From what Zensuke saw, Naruto's attack engulfed even Naruto, so how was it that Naruto had yet a scratch, while he…
His shirt at the front was literally nothing more, only burnt and charred remains. He had a large burn running down his chest diagonally from the attack.
Then he noticed something, his whole chest wasn't severely burned. The red burn mark seemed to go diagonally across his chest, almost like a sword slash.
His eyes widened more. The attack wasn't an area effect, it was just so strong that that was it's radius. It was an attack like his own Infinite Pulse, but much stronger…
"Still think you can win, Zensuke" Naruto spoke. Zensuke looked at the figure of Naruto. He took him in.
He wore a black shirt with a red design, and a cloak over it. The cloak which had features of a vest at the front was black also and had a hood. The accents of the robe were red, such as the inside of the hood. At the back of the robe was the spiral of Konoha. He also had a gauntlet in his left hand.
Right now Naruto's face was covered by the hood, shrouding his face in a veil of shadows, but Zensuke had seen what he looked like at the Raikage Tower, blonde hair and blue eyes… Features extremely reminiscent of the Fourth Hokage…
"I'm not done yet" Zensuke spoke, then disappeared from Naruto's sight.
Naruto brought his blade to his right and held the hilt high with the blade going downward. He blocked the strike from Zensuke, then Naruto spun. With the force that Zensuke was using to push down on Naruto blade, Zensuke was put off balance and he stepped forward. Naruto completed a full 360 and was now beside Zensuke, his sword in hand. His face was very close to Zensuke's at this point.
He whispered, "It's over, Zensuke"
Kenjutsu: Wind Scythe
Wind began to pick up around Naruto blade. In a flurry of wind, blood spurted out of Zensuke's chest in a straight line going vertically. It looked as if a sword had slashed down his chest.
His eyes widened as he saw the cut. It went very deep and it was a perfect and clean cut. It was almost as if it was done my a Medic Ninja.
"You see Zensuke, Wind is my primary element… It's very useful in situations such as this" Naruto whispered, his face was still right beside Zensuke's.
"Oh yeah… I'm not out yet…" Zensuke spoke, then blurred.
Naruto smirked then turned around. A few meters away from him was Zensuke. He was on one knee, panting. He held his sword in his right hand as he panted. His head was to the ground.
"You really should face your enemy." Naruto spoke in a taunting voice.
Zensuke's heavy breathing stopped, and if one could look closely, they would see a smirk foming on his face.
"My Eye of Intent" he whispered, but Naruto heard this.
And the force that followed was one that Naruto remembered very well. It was the one he had felt in his vision, the one that knocked his head backwards. It was even stronger now, and more concentrated. It was truly overwhelming, and it was still just Killer Intent….
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Temari's eyes widened at the sight. She could feel the pressure of the Killing Intent that radiated off of Zensuke, and frankly, it scared her. It was… Stronger than the Killnig Intent that Gaara released when IT took over…
But what scared her most was that the blonde boy seemed barely fazed by the Killing Intent, yet he was right in front of Zensuke. Heck, Temari felt like throwing up and she was far off in the trees watching.
Xxxxxxxxxxxx
"You impress me, Naruto… You can still stand while this close when my doujutsu is active" Zensuke spoke.
He watched as Naruto looked at him, and he began to grin… Soon, Naruto's grin became maniacal.
"You think THIS can faze ME!" Naruto yelled all the while laughing, then he spoke, "Let me show you, the true power of Killing Intent"
Zensuke's eyes widened as Naruto's eyes changed from blue to red. They also had a slit in them. After they changed, something followed….
Zensuke doubled over as he felt the Killing Intent Naruto radiated. His eyes dilated and then went wide. His pupil was spinning in his eye and he started bleeding from his eye.
Then, Zensuke fell to his knees. He couldn't handle the Killing Intent. He looked at his blade, and he was truly contemplating plunging it into his heart.
But even through this, Zensuke stood up, his eye a bright purple. He closed his purple eye for a moment, then he opened it in a flash.
Zensuke released a Killing Intent which countered Naruto's own. It wasn't as strong as Naruto's but at least now he could stand.
"Impressive" Naruto spoke, "But lets see if you can still keep up with me…"
Then Naruto blurred out of sight and appeared in front of Zensuke. He sliced at his mid-section. Zensuke parried the strike then returned with one of his own.
Naruto put his blade in front of him to block the strike, then he pushed outward, taking Zensuke's blade with him. Naruto then went for a strike at Zensuke's head.
Zensuke ducked then jabbed at Naruto's gut. Naruto moved to the right to dodge, then swung downward again at Zensuke.
Zensuke spun to the left all the while dodging Naruto's attack. He then finished the rotation with a slice at Naruto's chest. Naruto blurred out of sight and appeared behind Zensuke, continuing his assault.
Zensuke decided to take the offensive. He ran at Naruto and swung his blade. Naruto parried the strike but Zensuke kept coming. Zensuke swung again and again, Naruto either dodged or parried the strike. Naruto though had had enough.
Kenjutsu: Chakra Blade
Naruto spoke this as he parried one of Zensuke's strikes. A chakra blade was emitted as Zensuke's strike was parried, and it's force carried Zensuke away.
He grit his teeth at the attack, then swung outward, sending the attack flying away. He then blurred in front of Naruto.
He swung downward on Naruto's head. His doujutsu flared for a moment, but he disregarded it and continued the strike. He charged up chakra in the blade as it descended downward.
Kenjutsu: Infinite Pulse
Zensuke missed the impassive look on Naruto's face as his sword glowed yellow, a trademark of his attack.
BOOM
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Temari was panting in the tree she was sitting in. When Naruto had released his own Killing Intent, Temari had promptly released the contents of her stomach. She couldn't handle it. In fact, she saw the vision of her own death while under the influence of Naruto's own Killing Intent.
But even through this, she continued to watch the battle. She had thought that Naruto had a huge edge over Zensuke, but Naruto had not dodged the last attack, and it looked powerful. Dust had been picked up and a cloud of debris blocked the view of the battle. She wasn't sure what had happened, but she guessed that Zensuke had somehow came out ontop…
Oh how wrong she was.
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….
The dust took it's time to settle, but it soon did, and the sight was incredible…
Clashed in the centre of the field was Naruto and Zensuke. In Naruto's left hand, his gauntlet to be exact, was Zensuke's blade. Naruto's own blade was at his side and he just held Zensuke's. But Naruto himself was different.
His whisker marks were a lot thicker and he had an outline of red chakra around him, but what was strange was that the chakra seemed sinister… And evil…
Naruto spoke, "Zensuke… It would seem you have a long way to go before you can challenge me"
Zensuke's eyes were wide at this scene, but he composed himself and spoke in slight anger, "I'm not done yet… I will defeat you-"
After he spoke this Naruto sighed, but he did not miss Zensuke's smirk.
SLICE
Naruto looked down at his gut and saw a sword blade protruding from it. It was a glowing yellow. Naruto noted though that the sword was made completely of chakra.
His eyes widened as he took in the blade. Then in a flash, more blades came. They went through right shoulder and left leg.
"Argh…." Naruto spoke, then coughed blood. It fell onto Zensuke's foot.
"Don't underestimate me" Zensuke spoke. Naruto releasead his grip on Zensuke's blade as he fell to his knees, the chakra swords of Zensuke were still in various places around his body.
"Argh…" Naruto spoke a mumbled sound as he struggled to stand, but Zensuke noticed something. Though his face showed he was in pain, it quickly turned into a smirk.
Zensuke's eyes widened as his doujutsu flared, then he spun to the right, just as Naruto popped out of the ground behind him, the end of his blade where Zensuke had just been.
Naruto came out of the ground and landed. He wasted no time going after Zensuke. He blurred out of sight and at the same time, the Naruto that Zensuke's chakra blades were in promptly burst into smoke.
'A shadow clone…' Zensuke thought as his doujutsu flared up yet again, warning him about an attack from… All Directions?
Zensuke's eyes widened as he couldn't comprehend what was going on. Then, he noticed that around him in a pentagon were 5 Narutos.
Each Naruto had his sword held up into the air, with one of the Narutos with his sword stuck into the ground. Suddenly, a path of lightning erupted in the ground under Naruto sword. One path travelled towards Zensuke, while two others travelled on the edge of the Pentagon around either side.
Soon, a pentagon was formed from Electricity, and Zensuke was standing in a smaller pentagon in the middle of the large pentagon.
Zensuke also found that he couldn't move.
His eyes widened more as he struggled to get his feet to move but to no avail. It was almost as if they were paralyzed.
Lightning Style: Electric Sealing
From each point of the pentagon a surge of lightning travel upward in the direction of the centre. All five met in the middle of the pentagon, right on top of Zensuke's head.
Then, it came. A single lightning bolt was fired from above and made it's way down with break neck pace.
BOOM
"ARG!AAAAH!" Zensuke yelled as he was electrocuted. It was an excruciating pain, and he just couldn't handle it.
The Naruto that had his sword in the ground stood up and looked straight at Zensuke, his face held no emotion. No happiness, no accomplishment, no anger, nothing…
But what Zensuke did notice was that Naruto's eyes were still red. There was just an evilness to Naruto's eyes that Zensuke couldn't describe. He knew he had to do something, but what could he do. He was paralyzed and being electrocuted.
Then he noted Naruto. He was gathering lightning chakra in his left hand, but Zensuke noted that the chakra was not blue, nor was it yellow. Those were the two traditional colours of Lightning based chakra, but for some reason, Naruto's own was a violent red.
"This will herald your end" Naruto spoke in a demonic voice. He bent his leg slightly, preparing to speed towards Zensuke, until a voice came through.
"STOP IT! You'll KILL HIM!" a voice yelled.
This voice stopped Naruto in his tracks. All was still for a moment. Naruto turned towards the direction of a voice to see a female with blonde hair and 4 ponytails.
Her expression backed the power which came with her voice, but Naruto could sense that she was suppressing an emotion while she was facing him. Naruto could also tell that that emotion… Was fear…
Soon, Naruto's pentagon sealing died away and Zensuke fell to his knees. He was panting hard as smoke rose from his body from all the burns he had just received. Naruto turned his gaze back to Temari and he addressed her.
"You were with the Kazekage" Naruto spoke normally. His eyes were still red and his left hand was still infused with red lightning.
Temari nodded hastily to Naruto's statement. Naruto then spoke again, "And just why are you here…"
"I was… You see well…" she tried to form an answer but one didn't come to her.
Naruto sighed, then turned back to Zensuke. He reached into his pocket and threw something at him. Zensuke caught it and looked at it.
"It's a soldier pill. Your chakra should be more or less gone, my seal is to blame for that. I'm surprised you're still conscious actually" Naruto spoke with a genuine voice.
Zensuke looked at Naruto, then at the pill. He was right. At the moment, Zensuke was teetering on the edge of consciousness. Any moment he knew he might collapse.
He grit his teeth, then stood up, "We will finish this another time, Uzumaki Naruto"
He began to walk away from the training ground but he walked slowly and with a limp. It was obvious that he was injured and exhausted.
Temari decided to intervene, "Do you need help getting back"
Zensuke turned to the source of the voice. He looked at Temari, his eyes held slight confusion. Then, he spoke.
"I am of a different village of you are, yet you offer assistance so readily." Zensuke spoke.
Temari spoke quickly, "This meeting is about Unity between our villages. I guess it's an act of good will"
Zensuke looked at Temari, then smiled genuinely. He then spoke, "I thank you for the offer, but I decline. I will be fine on my own"
Temari nodded and Zensuke continued on his way. He was soon out of the training field.
After he left, Temari turned to Naruto.
"What are you" she asked.
Naruto furrowed his brow, then responded, "What do you mean by that"
"I mean… Just what are you. You weren't phased in the slightest by the massive killing intent that that guy produced, and then you countered with one that was almost twice as strong. You caught his blade, and used some bizarre sealing jutsu I have never seen before. And your eyes-"
Naruto's furrowed his brow more, then cut Temari off.
"My eyes eh… Were they evil? Did you feel as if you were looking into Hell?" Naruto asked, his voice slightly raised.
"No" Temari answered calmly which surprised Naruto. She then continued, "They are similar, to the eyes that torment my brother"
Naruto's eyes widened at this, then he spoke, "So it's true then. That guy with the red hair and the gourd."
Temari looked at Naruto, then spoke, "He is different... He…"
Naruto cut him off, "He's a host… "
Temari's eyes widened, "How did you-" but she was cut off once again.
"Simple. I'm one too"
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"You are… Wait, you mean to say that-" Temari spoke but was once cut off again from her own rambles.
"I hold the Kyuubi no Kitsune, the Nine Tailed Demon Fox." Naruto spoke.
"Wait… The Nine Tailed Fox? Gaara's demon only has one tail…" Temari answered.
"I see. So you've seen him in a full released form then, wait, one tail… So he holds Shukaku, the Sand Spirit?" Naruto asked.
Temari nodded. Naruto then put his hand under his chin. He was in thought. He stayed like that for a moment, then he spoke, "So then you're here for some help."
Temari nodded, "I need one question answered."
Naruto nodded, "Ask your question…"
"Why is it that you seem to remain… Sane… When you have a demon in your gut" Temari asked.
Naruto was confused by the question, "My sanity has always been intact, ever since the moment of my sealing."
It was now Temari's eyes who took on a confused tone, "But my brother is…"
Naruto nodded in recognition, then spoke, "The only reason I can think of is his seal. Last I heard, Suna wasn't too renowned for sealers…"
Temari nodded, "It was the Kazekage's assistant who sealed Gaara."
Naruto nodded, then he began to walk away from the training field.
"I see… Well then if that is your only question-" but Naruto was cut off.
"WAIT! Your not gonna help him!" Temari spoke with slight anger.
Naruto continued to walk away from the training field. He walked past Temari without saying a word. Once he was past her, he turned and looked at her.
"There is nothing I can do for him. He has already been sealed. Reconstructing the seal without the Key would be disastrous and would most likely result in the Shukaku being released. Adding to the seal could have worse effects, because it seems that the seal that was already put on him was pretty bad in the first place… " Naruto spoke.
If one looked closely, they would see slight sadness hidden in his eyes, but that was overshadowed by a cold glare.
Temari's eyes began to water ever so slightly as she spoke, "So there's no… No hope for him then"
"I never said that… Do not fret… We will meet again, and perhaps I may be able to help you then…" Naruto spoke.
Temari had a new brightness in her eyes as she spoke softly, "Thank You… I didn't get your name" in truth she had but she wanted to hear him say it.
"I believe you did… But I don't know yours" Naruto spoke.
Temari's eyes held surprise, but she nonetheless spoke, "Temari…"
Naruto nodded, then continued to walk out of the training field. As he left though, he blurred out of sight.
Temari stared at the spot where Naruto had disappeared.
'He's… Interesting…' Temari thought as she began to leave the training ground, 'Interesting Indeed'
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"God damn it… Where is that kid" it was Asuma's voice that spoke. It was 7:40 and Naruto had not yet returned.
"It seems he's running late… As usual" Kakashi spoke.
Right now, the group was in front of the Inn with the Hokage, awaiting the arrival of Naruto. Then, Kakashi spoke once again, "Well, speak of the devil"
Naruto appeared in front of the group. He looked at them all, then spoke, "Sorry I'm late… I was lost on the road of life…"
Kakashi couldn't help but smile at Naruto's use of his own excuse.
The Hokage noted the scratches on Naruto's shirt, "Naruto, did you get into a fight"
Naruto frowned, "It wasn't much of a fight, Hokage-sama."
The Hokage nodded, "Will it compromise the mission"
"No, Hokage-sama. I don't believe it will" Naruto spoke.
"Very well then… We should be off" the Hokage spoke.
Naruto nodded as the a Kumo shinobi who was tasked to escorting the Konoha group led them away to the direction of the Banquet Hall.
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