CH 28
ONE MONTH (31 Days)
Naruto - New, Yet So Old - Naruto - New, Yet So Old
Same Day – Released for TrainingAll the Genins were dismissed from the assembly. Many were met up with their Jounin instructors and the rest of their teams. The medics all called to them and said that they needed to be checked over for their injuries before they could go back to their families.
"It seems like a good thing," Naruto said, "But it just makes it that much harder to wait and practice some kind of wow-factor technique to impress the judges in order to win the tournament and earn our Chunin rank."
"What are you talking about Dobe," Sasuke with an exasperated sigh. "You've already earned your rank. Now what about Risa and me? What will our wow factor be?"
The blond shrugged, but had a mischievous look in his eye.
"You know who your opponent will be, right," Naruto said. "It just means that you'll need to think of something."
"Naruto," Risa said his name in a tone that told everyone she knew that the blond had already put some thought into. "My first opponent hasn't displayed anything. Choji lucked out with the 'Bye'."
"Did he really," Naruto asked.
"He's got a point," Sasuke said, which earned him a look from everyone around him, which mainly consisted of his teammates and a few of the Chunin 'Elite' examiners. All other teams were now out of earshot. "Choji didn't show us what he was capable of. There might be the slim chance that he'll feel secure with what he already knows and may choose not to learn something new."
"But that still means I don't know what he'll be attacking with," Risa said.
"Research," Naruto told her. "The family is one of the known Clans of Konoha. Translate some of what we know about the family to figure out a plan of attack against them and you might find the key against your opponent." The girl nodded because that made sense.
"So care to tell us about the mission you completed back there," Kakashi-sensei asked. "We noticed that you'd been prepared… water bottles?"
Naruto grinned sheepishly and said, "I didn't really want anyone completely seeing what I was doing and I figured that the mist thing would be the best way to hide much of what happened."
"When were you given the mission," Tokuma-sensei asked. "Was it before you started the Genin exams?"
"No," Risa told them. "It was after we arrived at the Tower. He was taken away by ANBU, but we thought…" she looked at Sasuke who nodded his agreement that they were both thinking the same thing at the time. "We thought it had something to do with that ninja we'd captured in the woods."
"What ninja," Kakashi asked.
"We think it might have been Orochimaru," Sasuke said with a shrug. "He was too snaky to really be anybody else."
"Snaky," Tokuma-sensei asked. He shook he head as the reached an area that was far less secluded. "We'll talk about this later. You three have appointments with the medical centre and even Akoba has one with the Vet."
The dog whimpered at the word, Vet. "Oh hush," Risa said. "You know cousin Hana is nice. See, she's here to pick up Akamaru in order to check him over because the stones from the wall I punched had hit him too. I'll be there once I'm done with my review."
"Risa," Hana called out with wave. She had Akamaru in a carrier and had an empty one in her other hand. "I heard that he was covered in tape. Could you tell me why?"
"No," Risa said. "It wasn't really tape, but medical wrap and it was only taped shut."
"I'll still need to give him a check up," Hana said. "Let me have him and I'll make sure that the two of you are together in a couple of hours. Will that be fine?"
"Yes," Risa said, putting her pup in the carrier. "Be good." Akoba's whole demeanour was similar to Akamaru's in that they both looked sulky. "Thank you cousin."
"I heard you kicked my baby brother's butt," Hana said with a laugh. "Man I wish I could have been there to see it."
"There wasn't much to see," Risa said, a little embarrassed.
"Recordings of the preliminary round will be made available to the Clan Heads, the Rulers and Kages before they come to see the final round," Tokuma-sensei told her. "So I'm sure that you'll be able to see it with Tsume when she gets her copy."
"All right," Hana said. "You guys carry on. See you later."
"Later," Risa said. "Behave Akoba and don't blab our secrets." The dog just grumbled and yipped his agreement.
"All right you three," Kakashi-sensei said. "It's your turn. Naruto you're with me and you two follow the Hyuga." He guided them to the medical centre, but pulled the blond in a different direction.
Naruto sighed, having an idea of where they were going. "Sensei," he said. "There's nothing wrong with the Seal."
"I was ordered to check," Kakashi said looking at the stubborn look on the boy's face. "Congratulations, by the way."
"Huh," Naruto said looking up at him.
"On becoming Chunin during the preliminary round," the grey-haired man looked down at him with a grin.
The blond shook his head and said, "It was a political move and probably one for partial protection."
"Protection?"
"Kiri's Assassin in the Mist Technique," Naruto said. "The Rulers and Kages will see that documentation footage and wonder where I learned it. The rank will grant me some protection, although I do have a scroll that shows a similar technique to making Mist."
"Heh, heh," Kakashi chuckled. "Did you mention this to the Hokage?"
"How would he know," Naruto said. "Besides the hand signs will be unmistakeable to those that have seen it before, so yeah…it really is a form of protection."
They were now in a secure room, protected by High Level ANBU and away from the curious eyes of those that wanted to know more about the Jinchuriki of Konoha.
"How could it be explained," Kakashi asked, motioned the boy to remove the clothing that was covering the Seal.
"You are my sensei," Naruto said. "You and Tokuma-sensei were part of our mission to the Land of Waves when we encountered the missing ninja, named Momochi Zabuza. You were also there when we discovered my elemental affinities, of which one is Water. So you could have taught me the technique during our training."
"True," Kakashi said, lifting his Hitai-ate to look at the Seal with his Sharingan. "But I didn't."
"The Hokage doesn't know that, unless you told him different," Naruto said. He looked at the man and said, "You do know that 'He' senses that you have questions."
"I have many, but…"
"He's close to the surface," Naruto said. "It's because of the blood spilled and because of Gaara's presence. Now's going to be your only chance…"
Kakashi nodded immediately…he had to take the opportunity presented.
Naruto closed his eyes and brought up the chakra belonging to the Fox demon, known as Kurama. Three breaths and then he opened red fox-slit eyes to look at the man. The boy's whisker marks deepened and his hands had claws from fingertips. The presence of the chakra was a thing of nightmares to many a Konoha ninja.
"Man," the beast growled out menacingly. "Ask your questions…be aware that there are some I just cannot answer."
Naruto - New, Yet So Old - Naruto - New, Yet So Old
"Will Naruto be all right," Sasuke asked his other Jounin sensei.
"Of course," Tokuma told his two students. "We just want to make sure that whatever the fourth Hokage had done was not undone by the presence of the creature."
Risa snorted, "That'll never happen."
Sasuke nodded and then he looked at the youngish looking nurse and shuddered at her simpering looks. "Sensei," he said. "Do not leave me."
Tokuma-sensei noted the looks that the boy was getting and he glared at the young nurses, which caused a couple to look away. "Risa," he told the girl. "You find one that you trust and get checked out. I'll stay with Sasuke."
"Yes sir," she said, walking the direction, where she knew she needed to go for a check-up.
The Head Nurse appeared and noted the atmosphere. She shooed the scary ones away and said, "Follow me, boy. Don't worry your sensei can stay with you."
"Thank you," Sasuke said looking down to the ground, sort of shy, but mainly to hide his fear. It wouldn't have been the first time that a nurse had gotten too handsy with him during the 'cough' part of a physical exam.
Naruto - New, Yet So Old - Naruto - New, Yet So Old
"During the battle you said that someone is still living from the time that Konoha was founded," Kakashi stated.
"Did I?" The demon fox said with a bored look.
"How is that possible," Kakashi asked.
"I can't answer that," Kurama said.
Systematically the grey-haired man had asked question after question and received a few vague replies with a lot of 'I can't answer that,' which meant that he couldn't answer because either; he didn't know the answer or he was spelled to silence in some form.
"Look this is getting you nowhere," the demon looked at the man. "Ask your real questions or else I'm leaving."
Kakashi sighed and asked, "Will Naruto be all right, if you keep coming out like this?"
"The boy will be fine," Kurama said. "The lock on this Seal is precise and better then the one that had been on the boy's mother. I can't come out unless he let's me, which is the only reason you can talk to me at this time. Other rare cases, I may appear when force healing is required in order for the both of us to live."
"Do you intend harm to the village if you come out like this," the man said.
"That depends," the fox said. "Who's calling me to come out to play? Some old fart in an office with questions or some idiot completely bent on destroying the village that he believes should have been his to control from the beginning."
Kakashi looked up sharply and knew that he'd just been given a broad hint, along with the founding of Konoha. 'Some of the answers may just be in Sasuke's library,' he thought. 'Or the Grand Shinobi Library and their deep vaults, which only the Hokage and a very select few can see.'
"The fox kit living inside," Kakashi said. "Is he a danger to Naruto or this village?"
"Kita's has never attacked has he?" The fox asked.
The kit then emerged from the boy's body too. He looked around the room and then looked at the blond boy. "Gran'pa, what're you doing out?"
"Why are you out at this time," the old fox asked. "Never mind that now, tell the man that you mean none of the any harm."
"Papa's team has seen me at different times," Kita said with a sharp tooth yawn. "It's usually at night, but why the questions about me now?"
"May I ask why you come out at night," Kakashi questioned the little kit.
"Gran'pa snores," Kita replied honestly. "The cage is loud and his snores cause the floor to vibrate. If I sleep on one of his tails it's okay, but some nights he's restless and just rolls and rolls, which leaves me sleeping on the floor, so I come out instead. Papa keeps me just as warm and he moves less in his sleep."
Kakashi coughed to stop the need to laugh at the shocked look on the Fox's face.
"I'm through with your questions," the fox said. He closed his eyes, took three deep breaths and the chakra emanation that had been present from his emersion, disappeared.
Naruto opened his eyes and his body hazed through the phases of his former life before settling into his current form. This had happened during the exam too, but he never noticed it. No one else had noticed it either, but it was only a spirit settlement. His body was twelve and that was how he was living his life now.
Kakashi had noticed it. "What was that?"
"What was what," Naruto returned.
"I could have sworn that I saw you looking older and aged," Kakashi said.
"He does that when he visits the cage too," Kita said. "It's spiritual. Gran'pa thinks it's cause he's reincarnated and his spirit knows it. Just forget about it." He returned to his place inside the Seal.
"Good idea," Kakashi said.
"Can I get dressed now?" Naruto asked. "I do have a mission report to fill out and I also need to know, if I'll be given the same month off."
"Do you need it," Kakashi asked as he nodded for the boy to get dressed.
"I think it would be fair," he said. "The Genin teams won't be doing missions until the Chunin exams are over anyway."
"We'll go see the Hokage about that," the man said. "Let's go get you check out first."
Naruto - New, Yet So Old - Naruto - New, Yet So Old
Two Days LaterRisa was sitting in her family's compound watching Akoba play with the new pups that had been born. She was juggling six balls and thinking about a bomb delivery system that would work well against the puppeteer from Suna. She was also thinking about how to defeat Choji whose family had a signature Taijutsu form, but she just didn't know what it could be.
"Don't think too hard," Naruto said from the tree above her where he'd landed.
"Hey," she said looking up. "How did everything go with the council?"
"Those meddling old farts," the blond said with a shrug and a wicked grin. "I told them a bit of what they wanted to hear, but I also basically told a couple of them that they were getting senile and should think about going into an old folks home."
"Naruto," Risa said in tone semi-chastising tone. She put away the balls she'd been using. "I have an idea on how to deliver my toys, but…"
"But…"Naruto dropped down and crouched next to her. "What?"
"I'd like to get Haku's help," Risa said.
Naruto smiled and said, "Really! Why, what method are you thinking of using?"
"Senbon," she said. "Do you think his boss could spare him for some Senbon throwing lessons?"
"I'm sure something could be arranged," Naruto said with a grin. "Let me go see where they are and I'll get back to you." He hopped back up into the trees in order to leave the same way he dropped in.
"Thanks," she said.
"De nada," Naruto told her and he was gone.
Naruto - New, Yet So Old - Naruto - New, Yet So Old
A Day LaterSasuke had been thinking about his upcoming fight against Gaara of the Sand. He was sitting in his compound wondering how to go about fighting against the sand armour and defence. "There has to be a way through," he muttered. "But how…"
"It's a tricky thing," Kakashi-sensei said and then jumped away from the three shuriken that were thrown in his direction because he'd startled his student. "Good you're getting more speed to your attacks."
Sasuke huffed, "Kaka-sensei what are you doing here?"
"It occurred to me that you might find yourself pondering on a solution to the dilemma of sand and an armour made of it," the grey-haired man said. The black haired youth snorted at the obvious question. "I could show you a few things, but honestly I too don't quite know how to conquer that one."
"Taijutsu or Kenjutsu," Sasuke said. "Maybe a mix of both, but I think I need to go somewhere for that. Something of Lee's method, speed and persistence. I know that there's a way to use that."
"I know a place," Naruto piped up, as he landed on another roof. "I got word that there's an island in the Land of Waves that might be just the thing. Perfect training paradise or so I was told."
"What about Risa," Sasuke asked.
"Her solution is coming here," Naruto said. "A friend needs some more patch supplies and is willing to stick around for next three weeks, as long as a replacement is sent to aid his partner. I need to go there too, so we can take those supplies with us."
"Us," Kakashi-sensei asked.
"Only if you want to come along on a plain old C-Rank, Kaka-sensei," Naruto told him, jumping down to stand next to the Uchiha. He looked at Sasuke and asked, "Can Risa stay here with our friend? I can set up wards to prevent anyone from peeking in at them, plus it also means that we won't have to book any of Konoha's training grounds. If they need them then they can do that on their own."
Sasuke shrugged and said, "I don't mind, wards would be good though. I'd like them on the main house and the north wing where I put the library scrolls. But who's going to teach the Taijutsu."
"We'll bring a few scrolls from the library," Naruto said. "Our Kenjutsu master might be able to help us with that thing we figured out."
"I know a thing or two about Taijutsu," Kakashi-sensei told them, as he landed next to where they were standing. "I know how to integrate it with a Tanto, so I can teach you some of the forms that might help you to integrate them with the longer blades."
Naruto and Sasuke looked at one another. The black haired youth lifted an eyebrow and the blond gave a single nod of his head. It was a good idea.
"All right," Sasuke told the man. "Will Tokuma-sensei be watching over Risa?"
"He is our other sensei," Naruto said. "Unless he was called back into the Jounin ranks?" He looked at Kakashi to see how that would work.
"Until our students have passed or failed the Chunin exams," the man said. "They are all listed as our students until further notice. You'll have to ask him, but I'm sure he won't mind."
"I have a few calls to make," Naruto said.
"Calls?" Sasuke asked.
"We're not in the dark ages," the blond them. "There are telephones."
"I know that, but calls to who," the Uchiha asked.
"People," Naruto replied with a grin. "Prepare your kits for travel, we can leave in three hours and if we're lucky, we can get to the ship by tomorrow afternoon. Seal?" He asked his teammate who nodded and confirmed to wanting that eye colour and Sharingan hider, even though his Sharingan was already hidden. The blond then Shunsinned away, leaving the other two look on and wonder.
Sasuke shrugged and walked into the main house of the Uchiha compound saying, "Guess I'll go pack my stuff."
"I'll meet the two of you at the front gates," Kakashi said scratching the back of his head.
Fours hours later, they left the village with all their proper papers in hand, including the parcel for delivery and the Hokage's blessing for supplemental training away from the village.
Naruto - New, Yet So Old - Naruto - New, Yet So Old
The following day Risa and Tokuma were waiting at the gates for their guest, who arrived in the company of three foxes. A couple of which had more than one tail.
"Oh my," Tokuma-sensei said. "Hold your weapons!" He yelled at the guards.
Risa ran out to meet a friend and Akoba to meet three interesting creatures. "Haku," she yelled running up to hug him, but it was an excuse to talk to him before he reached the gates. "Are they here for Naruto?"
"Yes," Haku said. "I freed two from very intricate traps when they asked me to. They knew about the scroll and were about to gnaw their own legs off to get here. Is he around?"
"Didn't you get the message," Risa asked and then explained when he shook his head. "He left last night to deliver a textile bundle to a merchant vessel called 'The Fox Fire'. Sasuke is letting us use his compound. It's completely warded and I have to place a Seal on you in order allow you to move freely to and from the place."
"I see," Huka said, taking the scroll that she slipped him. He then turned to the three foxes and said, "The one I was telling you about just left the village, but should be returning when the moon is at this same phase."
"We understand," the oldest of the three said. He looked to the other two and then said, "We'll still accept the treatment promised."
"You're wounded," Risa said. "My cousin can help you. Do you plan to stay in the village?"
"Once we are healed we can hide until the return of the boy," the oldest said.
"We're going into a warded location for training," Tokuma told them. "We can purchase meats from our market to suit you for the time until the wards fall, but we do have to decide quickly." He glanced back at the guards. "I can also provide you with the same Seals to allow the same freedoms."
"Tell them that we have a pact and that in order to fulfill it properly we are going to wait for our companion's return," the eldest said to Haku. It was the truth anyway. "We'll take only the one that will allow us into the secluded area. We do not want the option to leave, as the hostility seen is not something we wish to experience again."
Haku nodded and was glad that he had the papers of proof for things like this. He walked up to the gate and handed his papers, including the one that mentions that the foxes were there for a purpose.
"I've never seen anything like that," one Chunin guard said.
"Why," Haku asked tilting his head slightly. "Risa has a dog and there are several animals roaming around that I can see."
"Foxes are a different matter altogether in this Village," the second guard said. He only received a shrug for his semi-question.
"We're taking them to Hana and then they'll be with us in the Uchiha Compound until Naruto returns," Risa explained. The guards recorded the information and then waved them on through.
"I was to pick up some other things from Akiko's," Haku said.
"Risa why don't you take the foxes to see you're cousin, while I go introduce our friend, here, to your old teammate," Tokuma-sensei suggested.
"All right," Risa agreed.
Naruto - New, Yet So Old - Naruto - New, Yet So Old
Five Days LaterThe Konoha Council were debating the names of the invitees. There was one Company name that had been in their books, as having paid for missions, for approximately the past three years and yet no one had ever met the Head of the Company. Polite letters were always sent in reply to all other Nations, all along the lines of:
'Our Company is young and too new at this time to allow our Director time to attend the prestigious function of a Shinobi Chunin Selection Exam…'
However that 'small' company had been ordering several missions from a couple of Shinobi nations, with the majority of them being requested and fulfilled by Konoha, Village Hidden in the Leaves.
"You must allow that the number of missions commissioned by this Kitsune Company Limited has been profitable for our coffers," one council member said. "We must send a request unlike any other to entice the Head of the Company to come."
"It would be a coup if we managed to do what no other Shinobi Nation could do," another member commented.
"That may be true," Hyuga Hiashi said. "However we must expect a similar answer or reply to our request. Whether the enticement is accepted or not we must accept that the man doesn't seem to want to enter any of the Shinobi borders."
"Why do you suppose that is," the third Hokage asked. "This is a man who gained a 'good' reputation for taking over a large shipping empire like Gato's and seems to be a man that needs to be respected. I've had many reports that the Land of Waves is no longer suffering from the fees that had been implemented by Gato's greed."
"True," Hiashi said. "However it could also be deemed suspicious too. Why has no Nation been able to see the Company's President or gain an introduction? It's almost like the man doesn't care for our customs or protocols."
"We do happen to have a young man in our Village that is deemed to be a representative of that Company," Shimura Danzou said. "Perhaps he'd be able to persuade his Boss to attend."
"Who might that be," the Hokage asked.
"A young man who's currently residing in the Uchiha Compound," Danzou told the council.
"The Uchiha Compound…"
"Someone's staying there…"
"How is this possible…"
"Does the young Uchiha know…"
"Didn't the boy leave the village with the demon," one council member pointed out.
"A-hem," the Hokage coughed. "The young Uchiha has had his family's compound Sealed before leaving. No Shinobi may penetrate that Seal other than those that are considered exceptions."
"How is that possible," Hiashi asked.
"It is of a similar technique that was presented during Chunin Uzumaki's battle," their leader told them. "He petitioned and received permission to do so for whenever he needed to travel outside of our village."
"How do you know you cannot go in," one of the members asked.
"I tried to send a Ninja to request an audience with the young man, that Danzou had mentioned and to no avail," the Hokage told them.
"How come we were not informed of that Seal before now," Danzou asked. "Surely it is something new that can be used by our Ninjas."
"Actually we already have that technique in our libraries," Sarutobi Hiruzen told them. "We've just never seen it modified in such a way prior to the Sealing or Warding of the entire compound."
"What do you mean," a council member asked.
"It is the same Seal that our shopkeepers use to lock or ward many of their storefronts," the old man explained. "The young Uchiha had used those on each of his buildings prior to every mission that took him away from Konoha's walls. This is the first time he's warded the entire compound. He has the right to protect his lands and buildings."
There was a knock on the door to the meeting room. An attendant opened the door and passed a missive for the Third Hokage. Hiruzen read what it said and the lifted a business card up to show what he'd received.
"It seems that we can call the number on this card to reach the Kitsune Company Limited, President directly," the Hokage said. "The note indicates that he'll take the one call and after that the number on the card will no longer be of any use."
"How is that possible," a council member asked.
"Disposable communication device," the Hokage explained. "Interesting concept, but impractical for a Shinobi in the field. Even if it is completely turned off there are those that are sensitive enough to detect such a thing. Something about unnaturalness detected in natural states…"
"Are you going to use it," Danzou asked.
"I'm not sure that I want to at this point in time," the Hokage said. "It would be polite, but there's hardly a need. We were only deciding on whether to send the man an invitation. Let's put this in reserve and move on to the next item of the agenda."
"Uzumaki's promotion during the preliminaries," Danzou said. "How could you arbitrarily decide such a thing without consultation of the council? I, for one, must protest."
"I disagree," Hiashi said. "The Hokage has a right to elevate or promote his soldiers as he sees fit. Whether the young man participates all the way through is quite irrelevant now, the invitations to the leaders for their input is just that an input or recommendation, which may or may not influence a Genin's chance to gain his or her rank. During the preliminary round, Uzumaki had performed as a ninja above the rank of Genin. I for one agree that his level of skill is above that of a normal Genin."
"How can you say that," another member of the council said. "The whole thing was covered in Mist. We couldn't see a thing."
"True, but the boy thought of protecting the spectators before commencing his attack and that is the act of someone considering the people and damage he may be about to do," Hiashi told them. "He placed the Proctor in a position of safety and ensured that injuries to bystanders were minimized in the best possible fashion."
The council members looked thoughtfully at each other.
"By promoting him this way, you basically told all the others Leaders and Kages that he was too strong to compete further," another stated with a comprehending smile. "It would still have been interesting to see more of the boy's talents."
"It is wise to keep some things like his skills in reserve for the missions that need them," a third council member said. "It'll also keep them guessing about the scope of the boy's talents. They'll come here wondering if they've seen everything or not because he was just a Genin."
"What of the matter of the Demon's presence that came forward," Danzou asked.
"That's been explained to the common rulers and other Daimyous, as a form Beast Mimicry," the Hokage said. "He's had an Inuzuka teammate for a long time and they are famous for their Beast Mimicry Jutsu, which is a teachable technique without the need for a bonded canine companion to perform. Luckily there was evidence of that in the footage that has been submitted for them to see."
"Doesn't that particular 'teachable' technique only work if the ninja in question is in possession of a Summoning Scroll for animals,' Danzou asked.
"Does it," the Hokage asked. "I've never heard of that phenomena…are you sure?"
"I have not looked up that technique in recent years," the one eyed man said. "I'll may have to get back to you on that one."
"Please do," Sarutobi said. "I'd be very interested in seeing the results of your research. Now is there anything else to bring up…"
Naruto - New, Yet So Old - Naruto - New, Yet So Old
Ten Days LaterGaara had read the scroll and had asked the only adult that he partially trusted to investigate the matter because his siblings trusted the man. Their 'teacher' put together a short list of ninja that could be trusted absolutely to investigate the strange note that had been given to him. It had contained coordinates and condolences, however the sentiments did not explain why condolences were needed.
Baki didn't know why he needed to check out that particular area of the dessert and yet he had a terrible sense of foreboding. 'It's not often that he requests a favour,' the man thought. 'There has to be a reason, but at the moment it escapes me.'
"Sir," one of the ANBU called out to him, as he was leader for this mission. "Over here."
There in a shallow grave were the bodies of three people.
Baki swallowed and instinctively knew that they had to be taken to the elderly brother and sister of the deep. They were the only ones that could authentic what his gut was screaming at him. "Take them the Siblings," he said. "Not a word to anyone. I will inform my students and they will formulate the plan. Find your trusted and be sure of them."
"Yes sir," one of the ANBU replied. He took out a corpse transportation scroll and placed what was undoubtedly their former Kazekage, one of his advisers and the ANBU that followed them everywhere.
Chiyo and Ebizou were known as the 'Legendary Siblings' of Wind Country. They didn't mix and mingle with the leaders or the Kazekage's Council like some of their generation did because they didn't feel like they had done the right thing during the Wars. They had moved to a secluded area of the Kazekage's domain, as they were family and family like to consult family in times of stress.
This time, however, it wasn't just family that they were entertaining.
Two ANBU and the three Genin Sand students currently still in the running for the rank of Chunin, were present.
Chiyo looked at the girl, the puppeteer and then she looked at the boy that she'd planted the demon inside. He was a regret for her, based on the life that the young man had led and is still leading. She hadn't been skilled in the Art of Seals, but had done what had been asked of her.
"Yes," she looked at them. Their faces were serious and it should in the stance that the ANBU had.
"We need corpse authentication," Gaara said, without beating around the bush. It was too important to not get it right.
"Why not take this to official channels," Chiyo asked.
"They're not family," the red-haired youth explained. "We need authoritative confirmation before we plan or take any further action."
Chiyo slowly blinked and then looked to her brother, Ebizou, who had a confused expression. He only shrugged at her, indicating that it was her choice to help or not.
"Very well," she said. "Bring them here." She pointed to an area that had raised platforms and was surprised when three corpses were brought forward. Upon seeing them, she gasped. Her brother came to her side and hissed at what he saw.
"Where were they," he asked. The situation about finding them was explained and then he said, "He's been sending missives to his Council, saying that negotiations with Sound are going well."
"The Council needs to know," Temari said.
"No," Gaara told them. "The plans will continue, as is, however we will ensure that those in key positions are the ones we trust. If communication is still coming in, we need to find who it is that is speaking to our Council, as the Kage, if these bodies prove true."
"They are, as they seem," Chiyo said. "I will perform the tests, but I know my poisons and I know who's been afflicted by which over time. I will write up my report and give it to…"
"Me," Gaara said. "You'll give it to me. I will hold onto it until we return to Fire Country to continue our Chunin exams."
"As you wish," Chiyo said. "Leave me to do this." They bowed and left her.
"You realize that the reasons for this 'War' are not known," Ebizou told her. "I have some hope that things may change."
"Things have changed," she pointed out. "If this had been discovered after those children had already left, what to you think would have happened?"
Ebizou knew what would have happened. It wasn't something he wanted to see Suna embroiled in. "The arrogance to believe that we'd be easily manageable," he muttered. "How simple it was to change the course of this Sand."
Naruto - New, Yet So Old - Naruto - New, Yet So Old
Thirteen Days LaterEncased in a block of ice still living and completely confined, the Snake Sannin wasn't happy. His plans were going to fail at this rate. They hadn't even tried to remove him from the ice or the block at his feet.
'Oh that looks interesting,' he thought, as the guard in the room just fell to the ground. A small figure approached, cloaked and masked. 'Who and what are they…'
"Earth Style: Tiny Quake," the figure said.
Orochimaru felt the block of Earth trapping his feet, crumble and a couple of his bones would have shattered, if they had been in a semi-cohesive state. This time not caring about be seen escaping from the ice, he curled his body in a coil as he drained away from the ice.
Once he was out and in human form, he looked at his kneeling rescuer. "You're not Kabuto," he said. "Step forward."
The small person did as asked and didn't flinch when the blank face, mask was removed. The Snake Sannin looked and then grinned. "I take it the experiment went well," he observed. "We need to leave here. I have plans in motion that must not fail."
"Yes my lord," the pink-haired girl said.
"You will tell where is Kabuto," he said.
"Dead, my lord," she replied.
"How?"
"Ordered by the Hokage," she answered. She never volunteered the information. She couldn't speak independently yet. It had taken thirteen days for the seeds of the experiment to come to fruition and then she acted.
"We leave now," the man told her. "You are ready."
"There is nothing for me," she replied, turning her blanked gaze at him. Her mind had been changed to his favour and with luck he wouldn't have lost his old medic after all.
Naruto - New, Yet So Old - Naruto - New, Yet So Old
Elsewhere that day, Naruto was standing in front of three men, dressed as Naoya, President of Kitsune Company Limited. He sighed and didn't like that this had to be done. The distaste of finding out that these three had breeched their contract didn't sit well with him at all.
"So you sold information," he stated. "Stole from the shipments and returned to extorting from the people." He looked at all of them. "You voluntarily took the bonds and have had a run of bad luck. Your first step spiralled you to this conclusion. If you had stopped your activities, at any point, we would never have had to meet."
The three men looked at him in defiance. He knew that they didn't believe that he'd really kill them. They'd ignored the fact that others that had failed like they had done were never heard from again. The man had already saved them from Gato once.
Naoya pulled out a Tanto blade and killed all three without much expression on his face. He looked at the men that had brought the three in for questioning. "A bonus will be deposited in your accounts," he said. "Feel to tell anyone that I've not gone soft in the head or anywhere else. Bond breakers will be treated, as per the contracts signed, no exceptions."
"Yes, sir," they said and left when they were dismissed with the bodies of the fallen bond or Seal traitors.
"You're pretty ruthless," a grey haired ninja said. "Where have you been hiding?"
"I'm sorry," Naoya said, looking at the man who was his sensei. "What are you talking about, Kakashi-sensei?"
The man snorted and shook his head. "Are you going to attend the Chunin exams as the President of a Company or as a newly ranked Chunin?"
"Hmm," Naoya said. "I'm still thinking on that one."
"Konoha will gain prestige…"
"I know," Naoya said. "I've turned down every other request in the past because I'd been 'unavailable to attend' for various reasons. I have to be careful and plan carefully, Kakashi. Don't bring it up again."
"As you wish, Boss," Kakashi-sensei told him. He had a kick out of calling the blond man that because that's what Zabuza called him officially. The blond developed a constipated look every time he was called 'Boss' for some reason, but it was funny to see that reaction, so the ninja kept using the term.
Naruto - New, Yet So Old - Naruto - New, Yet So Old
Twenty Days LaterSasuke was taking a break from his training. He'd called out the two warrior brother hawks for advice and they were having a grand time playing in the real world.
Barak, the older brother commented, "Your Kenjutsu style has more Fire in it."
"That's right," Niyal said. "I think you should concentrate on your Lightning."
"Why," Sasuke asked.
Zabuza had been leaning up against a tree, just observing the hawks and their contract holder.
"Lightning, directed to sand can turn the sand into a chunk of glass," he said. Then he explained how he knew this obscure bit of information. "I read that in a Science Monthly magazine."
The black haired youth blinked at the thought that a ninja like the Demon of the Mist, would read something so, so non-ninja, but then he shrugged and chose to put that information at the back of his mind.
"Now that's an idea," Niyal said. "Could you turn the chakra infused sand into glass?"
"I don't know," Sasuke said.
"But if you used Lightning to defend and strike in Kenjutsu form," Barak said. "You'd be able to be do something interesting in the fight. I believe that could be your 'Wow' factor."
Sasuke stood up and then practiced his forms again this time only concentrating on his Lightning element. It was still an element unfamiliar to him, but it was one that he knew would have benefits to his needs, it was just too new at the moment to fall into an automated understanding of it and everything that he could possibly do with it.
Naruto - New, Yet So Old - Naruto - New, Yet So Old
Twenty-Eight Days LaterExhausted and ready for at least twenty-four hours of sleep Sasuke, Naruto and their sensei walked through the gates of Konoha. It was then that the blond youth learned about the foxes.
"Hey kid," one of the guards said.
"Huh," Naruto said with a wide yawn. "What is it?"
"You received company," the second one explained. "They're waiting for you in the Uchiha compound."
"O…kay," Naruto's eyes narrowed because they had slightly calculating looks on their faces. "You guys placed another bet didn't you?"
"Of course," the first one. "We have to get our fun somehow."
"Whatever spins your shuriken," the blond said. "Teme, wait up, I'm coming with you." The black haired boy only stopped and waited until his friend had caught up to him.
"The Hokage would like to see you immediately," the second Chunin told Kakashi. "You heard of the escape?"
"Yes," the one-eyed man said. "The meeting related?"
"We can't tell you more," the first said with a nod. "Don't delay, this is vital!"
Kakashi looked at them and noted their unease at being the messengers. He may be laid back, but when things are 'vital', he knew to act properly.
Naruto - New, Yet So Old - Naruto - New, Yet So Old
TBC…
