Chapter twenty five: The Sword of the Thunder God!
Shino took Idate onto his back, "Ready?" Shino asked.
Idate nodded, "Only if you're feeling up to it Shino-san." He said.
Shino pulsed chakra into his anti gravity seal, making the two as only as heavy as their clothes.
Hinata kissed Naruto's cheek and hugged Neji, "Please be careful." She whispered.
She stepped away and jumped onto the water, standing next to Tenten who passed her one end of a huge cloth. Shino and Idate lifted into the air and flew down the coast, hiding behind the large sheet of camouflage material that was being carried by Tenten and Hinata to cover their escape.
Neji watched them slowly disappear before turning to Naruto, "So how will we make sure he attacks us?" Neji asked his Captain.
Naruto formed three hand seals with a smirk, "Wood clone jutsu." He announced, summoning a clone of wood from his own chakra and the wood of the boat.
Neji watched with wide eyes as the clone formed, "Clones don't have chakra systems Taicho, he can't hold a transformation." He said with a frown.
Naruto and the clone chuckled, "This one can." He said as the clone performed said jutsu and appeared exactly as Idate did.
Neji activated his Byakugan and gasped, "How?" he asked.
Naruto's clone smiled, "I have the chakra system from the boss, it's just how this jutsu works." It said with a smirk.
Neji shook his head with a sigh, "Do you even have a limit Naruto?" he asked bluntly.
Naruto and the clone smiled, "I'm only limited by what I believe is my limit." He said.
Neji raised a brow and looked at Naruto incredulously, "What does that even mean?" he said.
Naruto suddenly turned serious, "No time! We'll be within view soon," he turned to his clone, "Get sailing," he then turned to Neji, "keep your Byakugan active, but don't make it obvious you can see him unless he breaks cover." Naruto ordered.
The two nodded and got back into position, Naruto walked to stand at the bow and scanned the coastline, making it obvious that he was doing so.
He subtly activated his scope seal and zoomed in on the boat's landing point, there were no traps and Naruto could see that someone was hiding in one of the near-by trees, 'Yep, rain headband and Jonin Stripes. This is gonna be hard, but it looks like he's underestimated us. Gotta end it quickly then before he realises how big a mistake that is.' Naruto thought as he saw the guy stand on his branch and stretch.
Naruto now got a look at the guy's full outfit, "What the hell is with the rain village ninjas and their onesies?" he asked out loud.
Neji raised a brow, "Taicho, you do realise you're wearing a onesie?" He asked.
Naruto's brow twitched, "Shut up." He ordered.
'Idate' and Neji chuckled.
Ten minutes later, the trio landed the boat and straight away they began running as if the race still mattered, Naruto yelled, "How far off now Idate!?"
'Idate' replied, "Not too far, we should be miles ahead of the Wagarashi's runner." It said.
Neji ran in front of 'Idate' while Naruto ran behind, it was less than a minute later that Neji turned, "Look out!" he yelled.
Naruto spun around to see something rising through the air, it slowed to show…an umbrella?
"NINJA ART: SENBON SHOWER!"
Naruto watched as the umbrella opened up and began to spew forth needles, 'Wide range attack, already planned for.' He thought as he let the act begin.
Naruto dove in front of 'Idate' and took over one hundred needles in his back to protect him as Neji dove to the side and barely dodged the attack.
Neji froze in fake fear and stared at Naruto in shock, "Naruto!?" he gasped, staring wide eyed at the 'corpse'.
'Idate' crawled away as the rain nin fell to the ground and saw Neji's fear, "Hmph, weak." He said before charging at the off-guard Neji.
Neji just stared at where Naruto was, watching as he turned to a puddle, 'Three, two, one.' Neji counted down in his head.
The Rain Ninja whipped out a kunai and was about to lunge when Naruto's hand sprouted from the ground a tried to grasp his ankle, the Jonin reacted and managed to only get hit off balance.
Just like they planned.
Neji began spinning as the Jonin settled his footing less than a meter away from him, "KAITEN!"
The ninja was shredded, showering the two in…water?
Naruto pulled himself out of the ground and took guard next to 'Idate', "Dammit! Almost had him!" Naruto yelled in frustration.
A laugh was heard from the trees surrounding them, "Wow, I must say that was certainly surprising. You would've had me if I hadn't noticed the boy's Byakugan. It was obvious you would've spotted me while I was waiting."
Neji activated his Byakugan to find the enemy, but could only see a thick veil of chakra rising above them, "What?" he muttered.
"NINJA ART: BLACK RAIN!"
A black drop hit Naruto's face, causing him to look up. He saw large amounts of a black liquid forming above his head, unfortunately, some just fell into his eyes, "AAH!" he yelled in pain.
Neji, who saw what happened with his Byakugan, didn't bother to turn around, "Taicho?" he asked as he stood on guard.
Naruto suppressed his pain and stood tall, his eyes still shut, "I'll be fine. Plan b." he ordered.
Neji nodded before some off the liquid landed on his arm, he touched it and realised what it was, "Taicho, this is oil" he informed.
Naruto frowned then he heard a noise, "Your seven o'clock." He muttered.
Neji heard the quiet words and focussed his Byakugan, managing to see a small chakra tag be thrown at them, Neji realised his opponent's plan. "Explosive tag!" he yelled.
Naruto reacted instantly, he raised his arms and focused his chakra, "DECAPITATING AIR WAVES!" he yelled as he launched the jutsu.
It blew the tag away, causing it to explode only meters from where it was thrown from. The explosion didn't reach the oil-field so the Naruto, Neji and 'Idate' were safe.
Naruto crouched as the ninja was forced out into the open, "Step back." He ordered to Neji.
Naruto punched the ground with his awesome strength, causing a small earthquake and a fissure to form. Most of the oil drained into the fissure within a few seconds.
The ninja paused and clapped, "Once again, I am impressed you two work well as a team. And you, blondie," he said pointing to Naruto, "Certainly have a wide range of techniques for a gennin." He said.
Naruto smirked, with his eyes still squeezed shut, "Chunnin actually." He said.
The ninja raised a brow, "Wow, and you're pretty young as well huh? Tell you what, I'm havin fun. So I won't kill you just yet," he said with a dark sneer, "Let's see if I can't break your guard." He said as he pulled out a black handle.
Neji's brow rose as he looked t the handle with his Byakugan. He could see inside was some seals and a small…something. 'What is that?' he thought.
Naruto used his sensor abilities from Zabuza and Akamaru to 'feel' what his enemy was doing, 'Holy shit! That's a lot of lightening chakra!' he thought, clasping his hands together in a seal, "Better not risk it." he muttered.
"WATER STYLE: WATER WALL!" Naruto yelled.
A huge wall of water rose around the two Konoha ninjas acting as a defensive play. Naruto sent chakra to his feet to hold him to the ground and dug his head into the rising wave. The water hurt, but it removed all of the oil from his eyes.
Neji was looking through the water and saw the rain ninja charging while sending chakra to the handle in his hand, "Move!" Neji yelled as he kicked Naruto aside and jumped through the water wall himself.
'Idate' barely turned in time to see a blade of lightening slice through the wall and it's arm.
The clone only jumped away, as it dropped it's transformation.
The rain Jonin paused in his charge and stared at the clone, "What?!" he yelled in shock at being deceived.
Naruto stared at the lightening blade in the ninja's hand, "That's the Sword of the Thunder God!" he proclaimed with shock.
Neji landed next to Naruto, both of them slightly wet, "You mean the weapon of the Nindaime Hokage?" he asked.
Naruto nodded and glared as the ninja turned to face the two with his own glare, "That can mean only one thing, you're Aoi Rokusho, leaf missing nin." Naruto said with a glare.
Aoi returned the glare, "I'm a rain ninja now. Where is Idate?" Aoi asked.
Naruto smirked, "None of your business, traitor." He said as he whipped out his own sword.
Aoi's eyes widened, "A mist sword?" Aoi asked in shock.
Naruto chuckled, "Yep, scared yet?" he said as he pulsed his chakra, de-activating his weights.
Aoi glared, "No, I'm just pissed off!" he yelled as he charged at Jonin speed.
Naruto parried the first strike, only to be electrocuted through the metal of his own sword, Aoi kicked Naruto's chest, pushing the two apart. "Where is Idate?!" Aoi yelled.
Naruto rolled to his feet as Neji stood guard in front of him, "Taicho, you can't let his blade touch yours or you'll be shocked." Neji said.
Naruto nodded, "I know that now," he said as he held a one handed sign and blew onto his blade, surrounding it in a green hue, "WIND STYLE: UPGRADE BLADE!" he declared as he whipped it forward again.
Naruto and Neji stood side-by-side as Aoi spoke, "One last chance, where is Idate?!" he yelled.
Naruto whispered, "You see any weakness in the blade Neji?" Naruto asked.
Neji nodded, "He needs to be channelling chakra for it to be active, therefore, if I can block the chakra points on him, it will be nothing more than a handle." He said while his Byakugan glowed.
Naruto nodded, "I will try to get you that opening." He said as he took an offensive stance.
Aoi smirked with a scoff, "You're going to fight me? Are you stupid?" he asked.
Naruto just looked at the size of his own blade, then at Aoi's. "Na, as you can see. You're just tiny in comparison to a real man." He taunted with a grin.
Aoi, who secretly is ashamed of his lack of…endowment, bristled with hatred and charged with unfocused rage.
Naruto used his enhanced blade to fend off Aoi, but he was losing ground. "Neji!" he yelled as he countered a high strike and pushed back.
Neji dropped behind Aoi and span, "KAITEN!"
The orb of chakra threw Aoi around and then towards Naruto's forgotten clone, who held a hand sign, "WOOD STYLE: PRISONER VINE!" it yelled.
Aoi impacted the chest of the clone and it exploded into a net of thorny vines, wrapping around Aoi and holding him still.
Naruto dove at Aoi, his blade swinging, "This is it!" he screamed.
*SHLINK*
Kubikiri's blade glistened as the liquid dripped down its length, only for Aoi to burst into more water.
Naruto was kicked in the ribs once again, launching him back towards Neji's side, "Shit! What do we have to do?!" Naruto asked.
Neji's mind raced, "I'm not sure what we can do, other than continuing to try." He said.
Naruto nodded, "How does someone even make a sword of lightening anyway?" he proclaimed.
Something in Neji's mind clicked as Aoi started another speech about how he'll find Idate and his 'thought-to-be-still-alive' squad will destroy these two, 'useless-children.'
Aoi spoke as Neji whispered, "Naruto, you remember the basic element use classes from the academy?" he asked.
Naruto raised a brow and nodded, "Yeah, but my wind blade should've been cutting through his lightening anyway by now." He said.
Neji nodded, "What if you hit him with some water? He's holding what literally thousands of volts." Neji explained.
Naruto smirked, "Oh we so got this." He declared.
"ARE YOU EVEN FUCKING LISTENING TO ME?! I'LL KILL YOU!" Aoi yelled when he realised the two were talking over him.
Neji sprinted forward while Naruto held his blade above his head with his right arm and began forming seals with his left.
Neji pulled out two kunai and threw the first at Aoi, "That's it?" Aoi laughed as he cut down the kunai.
Neji threw his second at Aoi, only for it to fall short, causing Aoi to laugh as Neji closed in, "Konoha's standards have really fallen with you!" he mocked as he stepped forward to meet Neji's charge with a swing of his blade.
Neji jumped into the air as he passed his own kunai, the seal on the kunai made a small explosion, covering Aoi in a smoke cloud and pushing Neji high into the air.
Neji landed on a nearby tree and re-activated his Byakugan, looking through the smoke he smirked, "We win." He muttered as he began sprinting into the cloud.
Aoi had shielded his eyes with his sword so that no dirt entered them, when he pulled away, all he saw was a dust cloud. 'Trying to catch me off guard I guess? Whatever, this sword can handle anything!' he thought with confidence as he saw Naruto appearing through the cloud.
Naruto just sprinted at Aoi with a battle cry and a fist held back, so Aoi swung his blade again. Cutting the water clone into pieces, making a puddle and wetting Aoi's legs. "Son of a bitch." Aoi muttered as the clone fell.
Aoi's eyes widened as a water dragon flew at him from behind the collapsing clone.
He quickly held up his sword, using it as a last defence, that was his biggest mistake.
The sword did manage to cut most of the dragon, but the water still covered Aoi and the sword together. This caused the sword's electrical properties to be forced through his system.
Aoi screamed in pain as his nerves were shocked, he released the sword and it deactivated without his chakra.
The water dragon fell as well, but Aoi was paralysed from the electricity so he stood defenceless as Neji took a low stance behind him, "EIGHT TRIGRAMS: SIXTY FOUR PALMS!" he yelled as he launched himself forward.
Aoi barely managed to turn his head slightly as Neji assaulted him, "TWO PALMS!"
"FOUR PALMS!"
"EIGHT PALMS!"
"SIXTEEN PALMS!"
"THIRTY TWO PALMS!"
Neji took a low stance as he lined up his last blow with Aoi's spinal cord, "EIGHT TRIGRAMS SIXTY FOUR PALMS!"
Aoi's lower body became limp, exactly how Hinata's had once been. He fell to the ground in pain with the electricity still shooting through his nerves.
Neji picked up the Sword of the Thunder God and felt a pulse enter his body, 'I feel it.' he thought as he admired the blade.
Aoi rolled onto his back and pulled out a kunai, "I'll kill you." He grunted out through his teeth, taking aim at Neji's turned back.
He swung his arm to throw when suddenly, he had no arm.
He looked at his stump and screamed before Naruto stomped on his stomach, blowing the air out of him. "Shut up. You've lost." Naruto said before punching Aoi into unconsciousness.
Naruto smirked as he pulled out his weapons pouch, "Mission complete." He said with a smile as he turned to Neji.
He raised a brow, "Ugh, Neji? You ok?" he asked.
Neji snapped out of his daze and looked away from the handle, "Hm? Sorry?" he asked.
Naruto flicked Neji's ear, "Stay with us ya hear? You can admire your new trophy later, we gotta take this guy home now." Naruto said as he pulled out a seal from the pouch.
Neji clipped the handle onto the waistline of his belt and knelt next to the unconscious Aoi, "Why do we have to take him alive?" he asked.
Naruto grinned, "Cause this guy has a 'capture and interrogate if possible' order on his head. As far as I know, no one in our squad is an interrogator. Right?" Naruto said as he slapped the seal on Aoi's forehead.
Neji nodded in confirmation as the now forced-to-be unconscious Aoi was picked up, "Forgive me taicho, but if we want him alive, shouldn't we do something about that arm?" Neji asked as he pointed to Aoi's bloody stump.
Naruto watched blood flow the wound and frowned, 'Really should've learned those medical jutsu before this mission…' Naruto thought as he pondered over what to do.
Neji whipped out his new sword and seared the wound shut with a stroke of lightening, "Let us make haste." Neji said as he began walking.
Naruto made a few hand signs and knelt, "Summoning jutsu!" he spoke.
Neji turned and stared at the apartment sized rattlesnake that appeared, "How can I help you Naruto-sssssama?" it asked as it bowed slightly.
Naruto gestured to Aoi's hovering unconscious body, "Hey Tenshou, can you drop this guy off at Konoha's front gate? Tell em he's from me and we'll be home tomorrow night." Naruto ordered.
The large snake nodded, "Ssssssure thing Naruto-ssssama."
Naruto sighed and watched as the snake slithered over to Aoi, "How many times have I told you not to call me 'sama'?" Naruto asked.
The snake swallowed Aoi whole and his rattle-tail suddenly pulsed blue, "Fourteen." It answered with a fanged smirk.
Neji stared as the rattle took the shape of Aoi's body and felt as though he was gonna throw up, Naruto spoke with a frown, "And how many times til you actually listen to me?" Naruto asked.
The snake chuckled, "Only Nine hundred and eighty ssssix more to go." Tenshou said before it tunnelled underground.
Naruto turned and began hovering, "Ready Neji?" he asked with a smirk.
Neji just stared, "W-w-why didn't you just summon one of those monsters earlier?!" Neji yelled.
Naruto tilted his head curiously, "They're not monsters, they're snakes." Naruto said as he began flying in the general direction of the main race course.
Neji blinked in confusion before tree hopping after his taicho, "If you weren't able to kill me I would destroy you right now baka!" Neji yelled as he chased after Naruto.
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"Okay! Initiate the plan!" Tenten yelled as the group hit land.
Shino placed Idate down and Idate began sprinting at maximum civilian speed, Shino flew above his head and kept pace. Hinata tree hopped ahead to scan for any problems with her Byakugan, and Tenten paused to re-wrap the camouflage cloth before catching up to Shino and Idate.
Shino needed almost no chakra to fly by himself since it was his bugs doing all the work, so he was to be the one to guide Idate through any up-coming conflicts that Hinata would spot. Tenten would help Hinata before the two caught up.
Shino spoke, "How much farther Idate-san?"
Idate sprinted as fast as he could, "If I can keep this speed, only half an hour to the steps, ten minutes up the steps, then it's the last stretch." He said as his speed increased.
Shino nodded as he kept up with Idate, the coast disappearing behind them and Hinata disappearing ahead of them, Tenten thought 'I hope Naruto-kun and Neji are alright.'
Twenty minutes into their running Shino suddenly swooped down and lifted Idate into the air, barely dodging a kunai trap.
Tenten leapt forward while simultaneously whipping out a katana, she deflected another set of kunai then threw one of her own with an explosive tag attached.
The kunai flew into the woods and exploded, forcing the two rain gennin out into the open. Tenten's eyes widened in shock, "How are you alive?!" she yelled.
Shino placed Idate back on his feet, "Run Idate!" he ordered.
Tenten waved Shino along, "You too! Someone has to protect him and these two are injured, I can handle it!" she yelled as she took a defensive stance with her katana.
Shino saw the look in her eyes and slowly nodded, "I…wish you luck Tenten-san. Be careful." He said before flying after Idate.
One rain gennin went to follow Shino, but he was forced to dodge Tenten's swipe, "You have to go through me first!" she said as she took another defensive stance.
The one on the left, Oboro Tenten realised, took a step forward. "Look, it's two against one here. Either give up or die. If you give up, I promise to allow some…fun, before we kill you." He said.
Tenten could recognise a threat when she saw one, "In that case, I'll kill you first." She said as her gaze hardened.
"NINJA ART: HAZE CLONE TECHNIQUE!"
Tenten's eyes widened as she realised Oboro was distracting her while his teammate formed a jutsu, she took a defensive stance and pulled out a short-sword in a reverse grip to complement her katana as hundreds of black dressed versions of Mubi rose from the ground.
Tenten looked back at her attackers only to realise they disappeared amongst the clones, "Shit!" she muttered as she turned in a circle.
She stared down the clones surrounding her, noticing they were moving slow and sluggishly, 'I've never heard of 'Haze clones' how does this technique work?' she thought as a clone took the first attack.
She dodged it's kunai swipe and slashed it's chest open, staring shock as her blade just passed through the clone, 'So they're not even real? A Genjutsu?' she thought.
She decided to ignore the 'Haze clones' and instead tried to find the originals, only to gasp in pain as a haze clone cut her arm, "What?" she asked in shock as she stepped away and began to dodge and block every kunai swipe and strike.
Tenten jumped and dodged strikes for nearly ten minutes before she was too tired to continue, "No choice then!" she yelled as she rolled back from a strike and whipped out two scrolls.
Tenten leapt into the air and unsheathed a spiked ball and large shield, she threw the ball downwards and shielded herself in mid air.
The moment she heard the impact, the pulsed her chakra "KATSU!" she yelled.
******BOOOOOOOM******
The ball exploded, shredding the clones and decimated many trees in the surrounding area, creating a flat plain and nothing more to hide behind.
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******BOOOOOOOM******
"What was that?"
"Tenten's shrapnel bomb!"
Naruto's eyes widened at Neji's answer, "Let's go help her!" he yelled as the two changed direction.
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Tenten landed with a pant as she re-equipped herself with weapons, this time a spear. She scanned her surrounding area to see black blobs rising out of the ground, reforming into the Haze clones, "You have to be kidding." Tenten muttered as the numerous enemies reformed.
She caught a glimpse of yellow in her peripheral vision and turned to see a haze clone attacking her with a kunai.
She stabbed the clone's arm with her spear, making it move away from the airborne kunai, her eyes widened when she realised what they were doing. 'They're throwing kunai at the same point one of the clones strike! Now how do I stop them?' she thought to herself.
She kept dodging the strikes and swiping at the clones, she smirked as she came up with a plan, 'Let's see who has faster reflexes.' She thought as she moved to the centre of the clearing.
She counted the timing between each real strike, 'about eight seconds, and they appear from where I last dodged from.' She thought.
She dodged two fake strikes then counterattacked the third, putting herself in a blindside position. 'let's hope my aim is perfect as usual.' She thought as she threw a dagger into the air.
She took the attack to her arm and leapt right, keeping her wound facing where she leapt from. She rolled to her feet and pulled the kunai out, 'Three, two, one.'
"AH-**BOOOM**
Tenten smiled as she turned to her last spot, seeing the splatters of her opponent, who she just blew up.
"MUBI! NO!"
She spun and earned a hand full of shuriken to her leg, "Shit!" she let out as she fell to the ground in pain.
She looked up to see a pissed off Oboro charging at her in blind rage, her spear lay under her good leg. 'One shot!' she thought as she reacted quickly.
Oboro lunged at Tenten, his kunai glinting in the light, at the same time Tenten hooked her foot under her spear and kicked upwards.
*SHLINK*
Oboro paused in mid-air as he landed on Tenten's spear, he looked down to see it stabbing through his chest. He dropped the kunai and slid down the pole, landing half on Tenten's legs. He stared at her wide open eyes and gurgled blood before dropping as dead weight onto her lower body.
Tenten stared at Oboro's open eyes in shock, "I, k-killed?" she muttered.
She sat in his growing puddle of blood for a few minutes, maintaining eye contact with the corpse. Naruto landed by her side kicked the body off of her, "Ten-chan! What happened?! Are you ok?" he asked as she snapped out of her silence and began to cry.
Naruto held her to his chest as Neji arrived on the scene, "Taicho!? What happened?" he asked as he looked at Tenten's body, covered in blood.
Naruto looked up at Neji, "She became a true ninja. Listen to me Neji, activate your Byakugan and tell me if pulling these out of her will do any damage." Naruto said as he nodded to the shuriken.
Neji did so and shook his head, "They didn't reach in far so removing them will do no harm." He confirmed as he scanned the rest of her for wounds.
Naruto pulled the shuriken out, causing Tenten to gasp each time. He used his enhanced sight seal to examine each wound, finding nothing in the wounds he said to Neji, "Wrap her arm, I will do her leg." He ordered.
Neji nodded and pulled the bandages from his arms, passing most of them to Naruto.
Neji lifted her unmoving arm and began to wrap it, causing her to whimper in pain. He hit a tenketsu in her arm to numb the pain, "Better?" he asked.
Tenten nodded, tears still falling down her face.
Naruto ripped the left side of her blood covered pants leg off and began wrapping her wounds with Neji's bandage. "Sorry 'bout the pants Ten-chan, but they're ruined anyway." He said as he finished wrapping the wound.
Neji helped her climb onto Naruto's back and Naruto hovered in the air, "Ready?" he asked.
Tenten nodded as grasped her hands around Naruto's neck as he cupped her so she could sit, the three pushed on, rushing through the trees to catch up to Idate.
##################################
Hinata stood at the bottom of the stairs and saw Fukusuke appearing in the distance, 'C'mon Idate, Shino.' She thought as she looked down the side road Idate would be appearing from.
Just as Fukusuke took his first steps onto the staircase, Idate appeared not twenty meters away, Hinata grinned and began to wave to him and Shino, "Hurry Idate!" she yelled.
Fukusuke turned with wide eyes as Idate slowly caught up to him, "Al-Most-There!" Idate panted as he caught up to Fukusuke.
The two runners sprinted at full speed, seemingly equal as they reached the viewing partition half-way up the stairs, "There they are!" "they're neck and neck!" "Go Fukusuke!" "C'mon Idate!"
Shino landed in a tree and Hinata leapt up next to him, they tree hopped up the hill, keeping an eye on the racers.
Both racers hit the top step at the same time and broke into a full out sprint.
The crowds screamed with cheers as the two runners turned the last corner within the same second of each other.
Idate glanced at his opponent from the corner of his eye, 'How did he even get here this soon?' Idate thought as he focused his gaze forward, 'No time to worry!' he thought as he took a deep breath.
In the last twenty meters of the race, Idate suddenly shot in front of Fukusuke, he tore through the finishing ribbon and stumbled to the shrine.
His victory was met with applause as Fukusuke fell to his knees.
Idate smiled as he was lifted into the air by the Wasabi clan, tears of happiness and relief flowed as his smile turned into a huge grin, "I-DA-TE! I-DA-TE! I-DA-TE! I-DA-TE!" they cheered as they threw him into the air.
Hinata smiled and she turned to Shino, "He did it!" she said excitedly.
Shino nodded and stood tall while adjusting his glasses, "Mission success."
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Later that night in the wasabi complex, the whole clan was partying in celebration of another four years of the town being under their control.
Idate and Jirocho sat next to each other at the head table, eating a feast and sharing numerous drinks with raucous laughter.
All the Konoha ninjas stood in the corner of the room, discussing the mission and what the next plan is.
"…and that's when you turned up." Tenten finished retelling everyone of the fight she had against Mubi and Oboro.
Hinata was frowning, "I can't believe I missed seeing those two, I'm so sorry Tenten-chan!" she said.
Tenten shrugged, "It's alright Hinata-chan, it's in the past so it doesn't matter, k?" she said with a smile as she stood straight and slightly winced at the pain in her leg, she leaned back against the wall, "this does hurt though" she muttered as she rubbed her leg.
Naruto felt bad for letting Tenten get hurt, as he felt it was his responsibility. So naturally, he hugged her and lifted her onto a nearby chair, "Don't move, ok? We don't want you getting any worse. In fact, I will carry you back to Konoha when we go." Naruto said as he stared into her eyes.
Tenten nodded and blushed, which Hinata noticed, "Hey Tenten-chan, can I talk to you in private please?" she asked.
Tenten nodded and pointedly looked at Naruto, he stepped away and walked over to Neji and Shino, who were both being hounded by local girls.
One brunette looked at Neji with stars in her eyes, "Neji-sama! Please take me to Konoha with you!" she screamed.
Neji twitched before glaring at the girl, "No." he said.
A blond girl held Shino's arm, "Shino-sama! Will you marry me?!" she yelled.
Shino looked down at her and considered his options like any Aburame does, 'it would be illogical to dismiss the advancements of upper class woman of an allied village,' he thought.
He saw the throbbing hearts in the girl's eyes and for once, dismissed logic, 'Fuck that, fangirls suck.' He thought.
Naruto's eyes widened as Shino let out some bugs from his mouth and formed a creepy smile, "Pretty giiiiiirl." He said as he raised a bug covered arm.
Every girl near Shino and Neji screamed and ran away, Neji let out a deep breath, "Good work Shino-san." He said.
Naruto stepped up to them, "What was that about?" he asked.
Shino brought the bugs back into his body and readjusted his glasses as Neji explained; "It seems we are known as heroes for our exploits in protecting Idate-san. The girls and young women seem to be… embracing their fantasies of marrying a hero." He said with a frown.
Naruto raised a brow, "How come no one has been hitting on me then?" he asked.
Neji smirked, "When you were cleaning your sword before, not only did that intimidate some girls. But Hinata-sama also…persuaded a few more reckless girls to quit their advancements." Neji said.
Shino nodded, "Indeed, it was quite a spectacle." He said.
Naruto chuckled, "That's my Hinata-chan!" he said with a grin.
####################
As Naruto stepped away, Hinata sat down next to Tenten. "Tenten-chan, do you like Naruto-kun?" she asked with an embarrassed blush.
Tenten blushed herself, "Umm, sure I do, he's nice." She said, pretending she had no idea what Hinata was talking about.
Hinata grasped Tenten's hand, causing her to look at Hinata's face, "Tenten-chan, I can see it. I know you like him like I do." Hinata said.
Tenten looked back at her lap, "Sorry, I know I shouldn't, and you love him and I, I don't know when it started, but I-" she stopped her nervous rambling as Hinata put a rice ball in her mouth to shut her up.
Hinata smiled as Tenten blinked at her in shock, "Please, be quiet and listen for a moment?" Hinata asked.
Tenten just nodded as she took a chomp out of the rice ball, Hinata began her pre-meditated speech. "Tenten, Naruto and I are going to be together for as long as he lets me be with him. Hopefully that will be forever, but Naruto is someone very important in our village." She said before taking a deep breath.
"He is the last member of two deceased clans." She said.
Tenten's eyes widened and tightened her lips to stop from interrupting Hinata, 'He's from a clan? Didn't see that coming.' She thought.
Hinata began again, "As the last member of his clan, it is law of the leaf village that he marries at least two wives, and a maximum of four. At least I think that's right. Therefore, I have to get used to the idea of sharing him." She said.
Tenten's face blushed as she thought of 'sharing' Naruto with other people, Hinata finished, "He said he'd only be with people who I approve of, and I can't think of anyone better than someone who loves him like we do. Do you understand what I'm saying Tenten?" she said with a soft smile while she tightened her grip on Tenten's hand.
Tenten blinked in shock before smiling and holding the last of the rice ball to Hinata, "So, we'll share?" she asked hopefully.
Hinata smiled and took the rice ball, she finished it off in a single bite, "Mhmm!" she hummed with a close eyed smile.
Tenten hugged Hinata while wincing as her wounds pulled, "Thank you so much Hinata-chan!" she said rather loudly.
Hinata smiled back, "No problem Ten-chan, you do have to ask him yourself though. But I'm pretty sure he'll give you a chance." She said as she returned the hug.
Hinata stood and held Tenten's hand, helping her to her feet she asked "Do you want to go outside to the balcony? I'll send Naruto out in a minute so you can prepare yourself."
Tenten nodded and began to walk away with a limp, "That would be great Hinata-chan, thank you again." She said with a huge smile and a wave.
Hinata nodded and turned to find her Naruto, "I hope this is ok.." she muttered as she spotted him.
Hinata stood behind the three boys and smiled as Naruto said something that he laughed at and the two emotionless boys even crack a smirk. "Naruto-kun?" she asked as she tapped his shoulder.
Naruto turned and smiled widely, "Hey Hina-chan!" he exclaimed as he hugged her close.
Hinata leaned into his embrace for a moment before stepping back, he caught her off-guard with a quick kiss, she blushed hard. "What do need Hina-chan?" he asked.
Hinata smiled, "Well, you remember wha-what we talked about with your future wives?" she asked, accidentally slipping out a stutter.
Naruto raised a brow, "Yeah, if one of us chooses then the other has to approve," he saw the look in Hinata's eyes, "…Oh." He let out as his face flushed and he began looking around, "Is it someone from this party? Cause I'm not too sure about bringing a stranger back to the village…" he muttered, trying to hide his nervousness and how uncomfortable he was behind conversation.
Hinata held his hand, "D-don't worry Naruto-kun, its someone I approve of, and I know you like her more than a f-friend already. She's on the balcony waiting for you." Hinata said while pushing him in the general direction of the balcony.
Naruto nodded, "Okay, umm yeah I'll go…do that." He muttered as he slowly walked towards the balcony.
Hinata smiled as she watched him walk away, 'This isn't as hard as I thought it would be, well, for me at least.' She thought with a smile.
###################
Naruto pushed the curtain aside and stepped out onto the balcony, he smiled as he saw the moonlight glowing through a few spread out clouds.
He trailed his sight down from the moonlight sky to see Tenten leaning against the railing, looking out into the sky aswell.
He smiled, 'Ten-chan, I guess if there has to be someone else, I'm glad it's her.' He thought as he took a step closer.
He leaned against the railing next to her, looking out just as she was, "Hey Ten-chan." He said quietly.
Tenten glanced at Naruto out of the corner of her eyes, "Hey Naruto-kun." She muttered nervously.
The two stood in silence for a moment before Tenten finally spoke, "So…did Hinata-chan..?"
He nodded, "Told me everything." He said with a smile.
Tenten looked down at her fiddling hands nervously, "So, do you accept me to be…well, yours?" she asked.
Naruto was quiet for a moment, before grasping her face softly and turning her gaze to meet his, "I wouldn't be here if I didn't want you Ten-chan." He said as his cerulean eyes burned into her chocolate brown.
Tenten grinned widely at Naruto's proclamation and boldly leaned forward, pressing her lips to his.
Naruto's eyes widened before he too leaned into the kiss, it was a just a kiss, but the two felt as if something connected them in that moment.
Tenten and Naruto pulled away from each other and smiled widely, they stood in a comfortable silence, just looking up into the moonlit sky with each other.
#########an hour or so later##############
"Excuse me ninja-sama."
Naruto and Tenten looked behind to see someone bowing, "I'm sorry to interrupt, but Jirocho-sama would like to speak with Naruto-sama." The little girl said.
Naruto stepped away from Tenten but held her hand, "Sure thing, where is he now?" Naruto asked.
The girl smiled up at Naruto, "He just left to his study Naruto-sama." She said.
Naruto laughed and patted the girl's head, causing her to smile up at him, "Please don't call me 'sama', I'm no better than you." He said before he walked passed her and lead Tenten back inside.
Tenten squeezed Naruto's hand once before she stepped back towards the team, "See you later Naruto-kun." She said with a smile.
Naruto nodded, "Bye Ten-chan." He said before he walked out of the ballroom and towards the first room he met Jirocho in.
*Knock Knock*
"Enter."
Naruto opened the door to see Jirocho sitting in his chair, a small smile on his face, "Please Naruto-san, come here." He said as he waved Naruto over.
Naruto walked to Jirocho's side and crouched, "What is it you need Jirocho-sama?" he asked politely.
Jirocho grasped his shoulder and lifted him to his feet, "I need to thank you for doing such a wondrous job with protecting Idate, and pay you for your mission." He said with a smile as Naruto stepped back.
Naruto nodded, "It was my honour to help Jirocho-sama, please feel free to call upon my aid in the next race." Naruto said with a smile in return.
Jirocho reached into his vest and pulled out a fat A4 envelope, "you know, I think I will. By the way, I added a little to your pay considering the injuries sustained by that teammate of yours, I hope she heals quickly." He said as he handed the large sum of money to Naruto.
Naruto nodded as he received the payment, "I'll pass on the message, we will be leaving early in the morning and heading home at full speed, so I do not expect to see you for a while after this meeting." Naruto said with a small smile.
Jirocho nodded, "Indeed, the life of a ninja seems to be fast paced," he said as he stood in front of Naruto, "I truly thank you for your services Naruto-san, I wish you well tidings for the future." He said as he clasped Naruto's forearm in a monkey grip.
Naruto shook the Daimyo 's hand and nodded, "It was an honour sir, I wish you the best for your term in office." Naruto said with a smile.
They released their grips and Naruto walked from the room, exiting with a respectful bow.
#############################
It was three in the morning and Naruto stood in front of his four man squad, "This was the best way a first C-rank could've gone I think." He said with a smile, "Only one person injured, no casualties AND a success." He said as he counted off on his fingers, "I just want to thank you all for helping me." Naruto said with a wide grin.
Neji fingered the handle hanging from his belt, "If I get something like this every time I enter a mission with you, consider us even." He said with a smirk.
Shino nodded, "It was a challenging and interesting mission. I thank you for allowing me to join you on it Naruto-Taicho." He said.
Hinata smiled softly, "You did wonderful as a captain Naruto-kun, you led this mission well and you were able to rely on the team's strengths just as any good captain would." She said.
Tenten nodded in agreement, "This was the best mission I've ever done!" she cheered.
Naruto smiled and face Konoha, "Alright then, time for the quickest ride ever! You ready?" Naruto asked.
Tenten unsealed a long chain from her weapons scroll and climbed onto Naruto's back, Shino clasped Hinata's and Neji's hands and pulsed his chakra, focussing his and his bug's chakra into making them weightless.
Tenten looped the chain around the handle of Naruto's sword and threw either end to Hinata and Neji, they caught the ends with their spare hands.
Naruto rose into the air, "From the outskirts of Fire country to Konoha by dinner time?" he asked Tenten.
Tenten smiled and held on tight, "Not nearly fast enough!" she cheered.
Naruto pushed some of his more potent chakra from the Kyuubi into his wind funnels, "LET'S GO!" he yelled as the five disappeared in an airborne blur.
##################################
At full ninja speed, the journey from the Wasabi complex to Konoha's front gate takes about eighteen hours of travel. For Naruto and his team of gennin, they made it in thirteen.
That's why when Izumo and Kotetsu saw a giant dust cloud rapidly approaching the village, they raised the silent alarm, alerting a squad of combat Anbu to the approaching possible threat.
The Anbu arrived within five seconds of receiving the alert, the Captain took lead. "Eagle, what is it?" he asked.
The woman on the team looked down the road, a glimpse of her white eyes were visible through the mask, "It…appears to be Chunnin Naruto Uzumaki and his squad." She said.
The captain sighed before taking a step back, "By the looks of things, he's not gonna be able to slow down in time to NOT crash. I'll slow him, then you catch him ok Bear?" the captain said.
The large chubby man on the team's right nodded, "Got it taicho." He said as he stepped forward and dug his feet into the ground, literally.
The captain stood on his shoulders, "Cat, give me a boost, quickly." he asked.
The cat faced anbu placed a hand on the Captain's back, sending his own chakra into the Captain's seals as well.
Eagle spoke up, "Ten seconds till collision. Recommended start in four." She said.
The captain formed some hand signs and the jutsu's power was doubled thanks to Cat, "WIND STYLE: WEIGHTED WHIRLWIND!" he said as he pushed his arms forward, creating a rippling effect in the air as well as a very strong wind.
"Three seconds!" Eagle yelled over the noise.
"Ready Bear?!" Cat yelled.
Bear nodded, "Partial Expansion jutsu!" he proclaimed as he held his now gigantic arms forward.
The dust cloud stopped meters from the four Anbu, the wind slowing down Naruto enough without harming him for Bear to catch his shoulders. Though they were still pushed back a few meters.
The Captain stopped his jutsu and dropped next to Naruto, "How many times has it been Naruto?" he asked.
Naruto, who was still being held in the air by Bear's arm and had Tenten sitting on back, grinned sheepishly, "hehe Umm, don't know what you're talkin 'bout Puppy-san." He said.
Bear placed Naruto onto his feet as the captain leaned over Naruto's form and pointed to his mask, "It's not a puppy, it's a wolf!" he said.
Naruto shrugged, "Puh-tae-to, Puh-tah-to." He said as he lowered Tenten to her feet and Shino and the others rejoined the group.
The Anbu sighed, "Whatever, there's no point anyway." He said as he brushed back his grey hair.
Naruto frowned, "But Ka-MMPH!" Wolf slammed chakra enforced tape over Naruto's mouth.
"It doesn't matter if you know what my name is, you aren't allowed to call me by it while I'm in the outfit." Wolf said as he turned back to his team.
Naruto managed to rip the tape from his face, "Will you be home tonight? Cause I wanna tell everyone about the mission!" Naruto said with a wide grin.
The Wolf masked Anbu face-palmed, "What did I just say Naruto! Stop giving away my identity!" he yelled as he bobbed Naruto's head.
Naruto just stood with a frown on his face as he stared up at Wolf, who sighed. "Yes I'll be home tonight. Go report to the Hokage." He said before disappearing in a poof of smoke alongside his squad.
Naruto grinned widely and turned to his team, "Time Neji?" he asked.
Neji pulled out his pocket watch, "Just over thirteen hours Naruto-taicho." He said with a smirk.
Naruto grinned, "Don't worry, I'll do that whole journey in less than a second someday, Believe it!" Naruto said as he gave a thumbs up to his team.
Shino nodded and calmly walked passed Naruto, the only sign that he was exhausted was the slump of his shoulders, "That was very interesting Taicho, although I do not need to crash through any more trees or buildings in my lifetime." He said as he began to walk away towards his compound.
Naruto smiled again, "Well then, I guess that's the cue to dismiss everyone! I'll see you guys next time yeah?" Naruto said as he lifted into the air again, "Last orders, Hinata-hime and Neji, escort Ten-chan to the hospital and make sure she sees a Jonin named Shizune for medical treatment. Then you both go straight home and rest. As soon as you're better Ten-chan, I want you to help Neji use his new sword. Everyone in agreement?" the three nodded and Hinata resealed the chain into Tenten's weapon scroll as Neji gave Tenten a piggy back.
Hinata smiled as she helped hold Neji's bag while he carried Tenten, "What about you Naruto-kun?" she asked.
Naruto grinned and pulled up his hood, camouflaging himself black and shooting up into the blackening sky he yelled, "I got a Baa-chan to annoy!" his laughter echoed behind him as he launched towards the Hokage's office.
###########################
"Mission accepted Sarutobi-sama." Ibiki said with a bow that Sasuke mimicked from his place by Ibiki's side.
Hiruzen nodded and handed the scroll over, "Anko and Kin have him from four in the morning, you two can take over at eight if they get no results. We want all the information on what Aoi did since he left the village." He said.
Ibiki nodded, "Are you sure Sasuke should be present for my…methods?" he asked.
Sarutobi nodded, "He wants to be a hunter ninja, and as you know, some hunter ninjas need to be able to extract information. Who else could teach him better then the Mind Sadist of Konoha?" he asked rhetorically.
Sasuke raised a brow, "So I'm going to actually be learning to be an interrogator?" he asked.
Ibiki's answering laughter bellowed, "That will take years, no I'm just gonna give you a crash course!" he said.
Sasuke nodded slowly, "And what will that entail?" he asked.
Ibiki placed a hand on Sasuke's shoulder, "You will be watching me work, with your Sharingan active. I'll also teach you my four interrogation Genjutsus, with any luck you will learn to do them visually." Ibiki said with a smirk.
Sasuke's eyes widened, "You want me to steal your work?" he asked.
Ibiki laughed again, "Steal? It's part of the Sharingan, as an ally I'm officially giving you permission to use my works. Get it brat?" he said with a sadistic smirk.
Sasuke smirked and nodded, "I understand Ibiki-sensei." He said.
**CRASH**
Sasuke whipped out his Kusarigama in the same second Ibiki and Hiruzen sighed.
"Hey Jij-AAHH!" Naruto yelled as he was wrapped in Sasuke's chain and held against the floor.
Sasuke blinked, "Oh, Otouto, you're back already?" he asked casually as he lifted his foot off of Naruto's back.
Naruto rolled onto his back, "WHAT THE HELL ANIKI?!" he screamed.
Sasuke just smirked and pulled Naruto to his feet, "I just reacted, next time check if the window is open before you fly through it." he said as he pulled his weapon, spinning Naruto around until he fell on his ass unwrapped.
Ibiki chuckled, "You may be a Chunnin, but you're still a brat."
Hiruzen smiled and talked before Naruto could begin yelling again, "Ibiki, Sasuke. You two are dismissed. If you find anything that involves setting up another mission, or when you've finished your report, give a copy to me as well as Tsunade-chan. I'll see you both tomorrow." He said.
Ibiki and Sasuke bowed before heading for the door, Sasuke patted Naruto's shoulder on the way out, "The family is meeting at the Autumn Tree for dinner at seven, try to make it in time. I wanna hear about your mission." Sasuke said as he passed and left the room.
Naruto yelled out, "I'll be there!" as Sasuke closed the door with a smile.
Sarutobi coughed lightly, "Well Naruto-kun, how was your first mission as a Chunnin?" he asked.
Naruto crouched in mid air, "Pretty awesome if I do say so myself." Naruto said with a smile.
Sarutobi chuckled, "Yes it seems to have had some action, considering the prisoner you sent back." He folded his hands under his chin, "Since you are a Chunnin, unless you took part in a double A rank mission or an S-rank, you have to submit your report through the paperwork system, do you need help?" he asked as he pulled out two forms.
Naruto shrugged, "Sure thing, but after this I need to talk to Baa-chan about some stuff so how long do you reckon this will take?" Naruto asked as he looked at the sheets.
Sarutobi smirked, "Actually, the process is only a few steps. But the recount depends on the mission." He said as he pointed to a few points on the sheet, "This is a layout sheet prepared for first time mission reporters, other than the basic obvious things like name, level, the client, pre-determined rank and resulting rank from your opinion, the majority of a report is literally your recount of what occurred on the mission. If there were parts that you weren't present for that are vital explanation points, you will need to get someone who was present to recount those particular moments. You understand everything?" Hiruzen asked.
Naruto looked at the sheets and blinked, "Umm, I'm gonna need more than one sheet for this." Naruto said after a moment.
Hiruzen chuckled, "See that seal?" He asked as he pointed to a seal on the bottom of the lined section of the page, "It is your basic containment seal which holds a one hundred meter length scroll. You should have enough room on that." He said with a smile.
Naruto nodded, "Umm, okay then." He muttered, looking extremely confused.
Hiruzen chuckled, "It's okay, you can take the practice sheet home. You can't screw up if you follow those instructions, just take your time alright?" he explained.
Naruto nodded and smiled, "I think I got it, but I can ask you any questions if I find something wrong right?" he asked.
Hiruzen nodded with a chuckle, "Of course you can." He said.
Naruto 'stood' tall, "Ok, I think I should get started ASAP shouldn't I Jiji?" he asked rhetorically as he floated towards the door, "Thanks Jiji! I'll see ya later." He said as he waved.
Sarutobi waved as well with a smile until Naruto clicked the door shut, he rolled over to the active ninja wall and pulled down a funnel, "You two listening?" he asked.
From the same horn a rickety old woman's voice rang, "Hiruzen we can't work in these conditions! Get us another job!"
Hiruzen covered his mouth to hide his chuckle before speaking again, "Now now Koharu, you said you wanted a civilian based job that had work in the Hokage tower, I'm just doing what you asked." He said with a suppressed smile.
Shuffling was heard before Homura's voice rang, "What do you need Saru?" he mumbled in a tired voice.
Sarutobi's brow tightened a little in sadness, "Homura, Chunnin Naruto Uzumaki returned from his mission successfully, only Tenten will be out of commission. A few days at maximum…can you come up here when you're free tomorrow?" he asked with a hopeful voice.
Homura was silent for a moment before he spoke, "Of course, I'll be up at midday." The line cut off.
Hiruzen opened the curtain and looked over the board, looking as the different lights turned off under the gennin's names and Naruto's turned off, signifying their return. Hiruzen smiled 'One more safe return.'
#################################
Chapter End.
Thanks for reading everyone! I just want to take this moment to thank all of those who have given me the positive reviews that make me want to continue writing.
On a serious note though, to the guest who wrote his name as 'Len' in a review from chapter 12 that was written to me on 2/18/13. If a piece of fiction honestly disturbs you that much that you'd destroy a piece of furniture in anger, please seek help so that you don't accidently hurt a person in the future. Sudden bouts of rage can cause serious damage, even if you don't mean them to.
Also to the guest who always posts, 'Supert History'. You've been reading since the very beginning so I'd like to thank you for sticking by my Fanfic :D
Since I don't have time to go through each and every review (sorry) I just want to thank all of those who have given me constructive criticism, feedback, story ideas and motivation to continue writing.
So please, continue to Read & Review :D