Also read Samurai Seed and kind enough to leave a review. It's the prequel of this story. Go to my profile and you'll find it.
NOTE:
"Chidori!": normal talking
"Rasengan!": special case (Naruto Berserker mode, different language)
'Darn!': thoughts
GWA HA HA HA! : Giant creature speech
"Journal no bla bla": Renald's writing or other uses
Disclaimer: I own nothing… except the plenty of OCs in the story.
Chapter 33:
The Mansion's secret and the Trip
"Naruto-nii-san."
"So." Naruto sighed. Contempt was evident in his face. "This is what you've stoop into? Sabotaging our trip; that I can still forgive. But stealing food from hungry refugee? Wow. That's some life."
"Cut the sarcasm." Inari snarled. Naruto inwardly winced at the boy. He's grown taller since the last time he saw him (though Naruto still dwarfed him) and he was thin, but the lines on his face were hardened and his gaze is now intense and dark. No longer wearing his hat, Inari's black hair had grown neck long and disheveled. His clothing consisted of only a ragged cloak that covered his entire figure. The Inari he knew long ago, gloomy as he was, still has a shred of a child-like quality in his visage. But this Inari, was a misshapen, hardened, been-through-Hell version of the crybaby boy he once knew.
"You're so right. Cause you know what? I think I'm going to beat the crap out of you first, and then beat you out some more and then talk some sense to you."
"Oh, the old standby. You are so smug, aren't you? You think I can't handle living alone? Well I got news for you. I'm doing just fine without your help. So why don't you just leave me be!?"
"Oh, and THIS CONSTITUTE AS JUST FINE!? PROWLING THE NIGHT, STEALING FOOD… Your grandpa and your Mother would be ashamed of you. I'm ashamed of you."
"HOW WOULD I KNOW!? My cowardly of a grandpa couldn't do anything without YOU around. In Wave, I was alone, fighting the whole world! And it was winning!"
"You're wrong. He's not a coward. When I go to Wave today, I saw not a relic of a bygone age. I saw a man, with a vision, in a desperate fight on a losing war that needs help. Sure, you know you were facing the whole world. Knowing that, and what did you do? WHAT DID YOU DO!?"
"That good-for-nothing old man refused to hear me out and I-"
"NO EXCUSES! You decided to run. Leaving your grandpa and your mother to face them alone. So who's the coward here, actually?"
"Don't think you can just leave and then go back and tell me what I wanna do with my life!?"
"Your grandpa told me that if I found you, I don't have to force you to go back. Personally, I intend to leave it at your decision. But now I saw you like this, I realized I just can't leave you be. I'm taking you back to Wave. Period!"
"I'm not going." Inari raised his arms out of the cloak, revealing a crossbow-like contraption strapped on his right arm.
"That's no longer your decision." Naruto grabbed his sheathed Tenrou.
"SHUT UP!!" A barrage of arrows burst out from the weapon, hitting nothing but empty air. Naruto reappeared right in front of Inari and slashed his weapon. The boy managed to barely blocked the attack with his crossbow, but it was too heavy for his small figure to handle and the younger boy were tossed a few meters away. But before the boy wander off even further, Naruto reappeared on his back and grabbed his collar.
"You sir, are going home!" Just as soon as Naruto finished his sentence, a scythe like object went flying to his face. The blond had to back away and let go lest it would've hacked his neck clean. Inari fell down the cliff, but he quickly moved around, swinging the scythe weapon to the cliff. The scythe hooked on to the cliff wall, and Naruto get a good look of the said weapon. A Kusari-gama. Swinging on the chains of the scythe weapon, Inari regained his footing and stick back with Chakra.
"Who taught you that?"
"You did. Remember the day you spent trying to climb a tree? I peeked. The rest took me months but…"
"Monkey see, monkey do. If you weren't so twisted I might praise you."
Inari replied by angrily throw his kusarigama at Naruto. The blond simply caught it and the weapon chained on his nodachi. Inari smirked and pulled. To his surprise, it felt like he was trying to pull an iron pillar.
Naruto stood firm on his spot, holding the chains firmly. With one back stroke, the boy pulled the other boy all the way back. Naruto swung his fist at the incoming boy. Inari quickly jerked his leg, blocking the punch with his kick. Using Naruto's fist as a stepping stone, the boy somersault to the back and aimed his crossbows at Naruto again and shoot. Thinking fast, Naruto used the chains on the Nodachi and swing it around, blocking the barrage of arrows. Naruto attempted to pull the chains again, but Inari was ready. The boy tightened his grip around his chain weapon and then something that resembled a blue pulse surged from his hand to the chains. Then, as if alive, the scythe end spun around and unchained itself from Naruto's nodachi. 'What the…!?' The scythe swing around and gored his shoulder. Inari retracted the chained scythe and grabbed it again. He smirked when he saw Naruto's blood stained his weapon. For Naruto, however, this is no longer laughing matter.
"So that's how you wanna do it? OKAY!" Naruto finished a handseal and swung his nodachi. 'Fuuton, Dai Kamaitachi!' a blast of sharp wind burst towards Inari at high speed, slicing everything in its way. The boy jumped away, avoiding the storm. And just then, Naruto appeared right in front of him and kneed him on the gut, sending the boy rolling on the snowy ground. Naruto mercilessly sent another wave of the air blade. Inari grunted. Again, blue surge flowed throughout his chains, and like a serpent, rolled around and encased its user in a sphere of chains. The barrage of Kamaitachi landed on its target, pulverizing and cutting everything in sight, giving rise to a curtain of snowflakes.
Naruto landed and observe his handiwork. 'Oh dear… Get a hold of yourself Naruto, killing the person you try to save tends to defeat the purpose of the rescue.' The blonde's train of thoughts was shot out when a bunch of arrows burst out of the snowflakes. Using Tenrou, Naruto blocked every single one of them. Following, roaring angrily, Inari burst out of the smoke and closed the distance while continuously shot out the arrows. Once he reached a certain distance, Inari pulled out what's left of his kusarigama, the scythe part, and jumped up with a cry and brought it down. Before he can even touch the ground, Naruto disappeared and reappeared right above him. As he turned around, Naruto's feet was brought down to his cheek, and the boy find his face slammed down to the snow, with a foot on his cheek.
Naruto removed his foot and kicked the boy so that his face turned to face him. Before Inari can get up again, Naruto pointed his Nodachi to his neck. "Enough! You can't win! I don't know who teach you to fight like this, but you're simply out of your league when you challenge me, ya lt'l brat! Stand down or I'll hogtie you proper!"
As if on cue, an arrow grazed Naruto's ear from behind. The boy's advanced senses saved him just by a tiny margin. He turned and saw the one who had shot the arrow. A furious Doctor Ina.
00000000000
The ninjas had made themselves as comfortable as they could in the old battered mansion. What the good doctor said was somewhat true: the place was pretty banged up and could use some good repair to put it back in an orderly state. Holes everywhere. Floor that would give away at a drop of a kunai. Roofs that were falling apart piece by piece. Spider webs littered the place. This kind of situation is clearly unacceptable IF it was used to taking care wounded patients. But, at the very least, the mansion's foundation is still sturdy, offering some protection against the snowstorm. The mansion was so high up the cliff and what's with the roaring wind, the genins could hardly hear the noises of the fighting that occurred below. The genins put up their tent decided to take their rest for the night. Neji decided to stay awake for a little while.
"Neji? You're not going to sleep?" Yukiku approach him.
"Nah. I'll stay awake a little longer. That woman… Ina… I had a feeling I've heard her name before… I just can't make it out when and where."
"You're thinking too much."
"Maybe you're right. But there's more to this 'mission' than meets the eye. And personally, it's not just about the place."
"I'll go look around."
"Okay."
Yukiku looked around the place. Everyone was resting. Mostly had even fast asleep. All except one.
"Guccha-san?"
The sand nin blinked, being addressed as if waking up from a daze. "Ah… Y… Yukiku-san?"
"I'm sorry… I thought you were asleep."
"I… Oh… No… I'm not asleep…. I can't."
"Rest up. Tomorrow's going to be a long day."
"I'll find no rest here… I just can't… too much snow."
"I know it's cold."
"No, Yukiku-san… it's not the cold. It's… the nightmare."
"Oh?"
"…I never told this to anyone but… when I was a young boy… before I was genin, I lived in this small village and I had a little brother once. One day, my little brother and I met a little girl… She's from outside the village. We guessed she's from Mist."
Yukiku listened.
"She was… interesting. It seems she had a knack of controlling ice."
The girl's heart skipped a beat.
"She created ice sculptures. It was beautiful. I mean, we lived in the desert and icy sculpture is a never before seen sight. Many people came to see. She continuously created bigger and more beautiful sculpture. But that was just a trap." Guccha looked at the snow falling and gritted his teeth. Not realizing the look on Yukiku's face.
"I went back to catch mom and dad so I wasn't there when it happened. But my little brother insisted to stay, as he want to keep watching. I thought he could take care himself and our parents weren't that far behind, so I left him. I was a few meters away from him when it happened…" Guccha let a tear fell. "The witch suddenly exploded a blizzard upon everyone. My brother got frozen first… and he shattered before my eyes."
At this point, Yukiku could barely listen. That's because she weren't in that mansion anymore. She was there… when she created that disaster.
"Half of my village got frozen to death that afternoon. And I can never forget the sounds I heard during that disastrous blizzard… the sound of that witch laughing…"
Yukiku blinked several times, and broke out of his stupor. "Hey, w… what's the name of that village?"
"…good luck trying to find it on the map. It's no longer there. It's called TaiyouKaze."
That was it. That confirmed her greatest nightmare. The victim of her first innocent sin had come back to find her again in form of this Sand Nin standing in front of her.
Guccha still haven't looked at Yukiku's terrified face. "Ever since that… I've wanted to hunt that witch down. But… because of that experience I've been afraid of snow and ice." Guccha chuckled bitterly. "Pathetic isn't it? An avenger that is scared at the very things that his target used as weapons…" Guccha turned to Yukiku, who already turn her back on him.
"I…I'm sorry… I shouldn't have asked." Yukiku tried to hide her terrified expression.
"No… It's nothing. No. In fact… maybe I should've told you. Wouldn't want my child trauma disturb our mission. Yeah?"
Yukiku tried her best to keep her voice calm. She's failing. She had to finish this NOW! "Get some rest." And with that, the Ice Witch left her unknowing victim away.
00000000000
"Dr. Ina? What's the meaning of this?"
Inari used the chance to kick the nodachi away and made a run for it. Before he managed to get far, Naruto grabbed the back of his collar. And then, another arrow almost struck his arm. The boy freed himself and ran into the dark of the night. Naruto contemplated to chase him, but refrain to do so, what's with the Doctor aiming another one of her arrow at him.
"One more step and I'll shoot you dead."
"You don't understand doctor."
"I understand a child abuse when I see one. And that boy didn't steal."
"Be that, as it may, I'm here to take that boy back to his family."
"His family died long ago."
Naruto snorted. "And who told you that?"
Ina frowned.
"The boy still has a family: a mother and a grandfather back in Wave." Upon seeing Ina's bewildered look, Naruto understood that the doctor was tricked by the boy, he relaxed himself and sit on the roof, sighing.
"I ran into that child a few days after I moved here. He tried to sabotage our work several times but, we made peace with him soon… He seems… troubled. Did his family abused him or something?"
"Far from it." Naruto shook his head. "His family loved him. And he was always a gloomy kid. I beat the sense to him back then when the bridge was being build; I thought he'll be okay… I never imagined he'll turn into a miniature insufferable wretch."
"Back then? When the bridge was being built?" Ina's eyes widened. "Are… are you Uzumaki Naruto? The one whose name was used for the bridge? The demon ninja who single handedly repelled an invading ninja army?"
"One and only. What? Surprised that I'm just a Genin brat?" Naruto snorted seeing Ina's shocked face. The doctor was speechless alright. Naruto sighed. "On the other hand, you too are not like what I'd imagined. That was a very fine marksmanship for a doctor, ma'am."
"I've learnt what's necessary for me to survive in this place. We doctors, after all, must have a keen eye. I simply utilize it to the best." Ina looked at Naruto's relaxed attitude and felt something was off. "And my eyes tell me, you took it too well that I deprived you of your target."
"Heh." Naruto smirked. "You have no idea, miss eyes-not-so-keen." The Bunshin disappeared, leaving a bewildered Ina.
Meanwhile, Inari ran through the dark of the night. At first, it was as if he was running through the forest. And then, after walking for several minutes, he looked around and saw a familiar tree with a rock. He frowned, concentrating. Blue pulse surged through his veins, and the rock was lifted a few meters off the ground, revealing a hole. He jumped into the hole before the rock came falling down with a thud. Inari put off all his armaments including his Kusarigama and his crossbow, and then sit in his little hideout after turn on the light, resting.
But no sooner than he took the first breath, something shook beneath his ragged cloak. And then, to his shock, a burst of smoke blasted out from underneath his cloak, revealing a grinning Naruto. Inari aimed both of his arms at the blond when he realized he tossed it a while ago and Naruto's holding it. The boy can only grit his teeth in anger.
"Nice hideout. Very… comfy."
Inari frowned, and then the Kusarigama on the ground pulsated again and sprang to life. Naruto immediately pinned the weapon underneath his foot. "And I see you know some weird magic tricks, but you know what they say about magic tricks, once you know how it's done, the rest is easy. Now will you stop that Metal elemental manipulation and speak like a civilized person!?"
The younger boy blinked.
"You don't know do you?" Kira had crammed the basics of effects each elemental has to their heads during the training in the Sword Mountain.
Flashback:
"First I will explain the relationship between the elements. We'll use the neutral Goyosei first, since this one is easier to understand. Yin and Yang Goyosei had a little bit of complication so we'll deal with that later. There are three relationships: the destroying, the supporting, and restraining. Destroying means one element will negate the other: Water drowns fire, fire melt metal, metal cut through wood, wood plow through earth, and earth absorbs water. The supporting means the use of one element will strengthen the other: Water can nurture wood, wood will give light to fire, fire will decompose objects that would become earth, earth will contain minerals (metals) and metals can carry water. There's also the restraining relationship in which: water rust metals, metal breaks earth, earth grounds fire, fire burns wood, wood absorbs water."
Neji and Yukku nodded. Naruto start smoking slightly.
"In a high level combat, it is important to recognize the characteristics of each element and the effects it has. In high level battle, you can't wait until the ninja cast a jutsu at you and then you gave an appropriate response. If the jutsu is extremely powerful and fast, lateness can kill you. It is essential that you know your opponent's strength before hand. But your enemy isn't going to tell you his elemental affinity on request. It'll be the same as asking you to kill them. No, you have to look for it. Observe, and you'll see their weakness. Wind - cut, fire – burns, ice - freeze, thunder – shock, and water – movement, these you already know. Other elements, its effects are not as easy to recognize. Take metal for instance."
Kira produced a hunk of metal. He concentrated and the metal pulsated and then suddenly shot up to the sky. Kira frowned again, and the metal shot back to earth to his hand. It stopped midair and floated atop Kira's palm. "What do you see?"
Neji pondered for a moment and answered. "Metal elements can… repel and reject metallic items?"
"Magnetism. That is the effect of Metal Elements. They say humans have a slight magnetic capability in their body. Metal elements utilize that factor to its maximum effect, enabling us to change the polarity of our magnetic field at will. High level metal user can inject their chakra into a metallic object, changing its polarity at will. Tetsujin, Sandaime Kazekage of the Sunagakure was one of those born with a metal element affinity. He used his elemental affinity to its maximum effect with his weapon, the Satetsu."
"How does this polarity work?" Yukiku's turn to ask.
"It works like this: when the polarities of two objects are the same, let's just say I'm at plus polarity and this hunk of metal is also a plus polarity, we will reject each other." The metal shot up to the sky. "On the other hand, when the polarity is opposite to each other, we attract." The metal shot back down to Kira's hand. "Using both polarity effects, one can move metal to whatever direction or shape it into whatever one likes." Kira strengthen his chakra, and the metal transformed into a kunai.
Neji continued. "Then… how do we fight someone with metal affinity?"
"It's a bit tricky. Metal elemental is somewhat straight forward. You can brutally increase both your defense and offense, but at times, at the cost of one's agility or even their own mobility all the way. When you fight someone like that, the best strategy is a complete hit and run stratagem. But your elemental affinity also plays a part. Neji, you have Thunder element yes? Thunder stems from fire, the natural weakness of metal. Lightning is also fire, but unlike fire, it coursed through metal much quicker. Before the heat, the shock will get to the enemy first. Lightning is five times hotter than a sun, which is pretty much a big ball of fire, so if you charged up your lightning jutsu, you can burst through metal defenses like they're butter. BUT, be careful. Reaching that temperature is hazardous, both to your enemy… and yourself. So watch it."
Neji nodded.
"What of me? Water is supported by metal."
"Yes. A metal user is pretty much in bad luck when they run into you. Water rust metal. And no matter how tight a metal defense is, water will eventually overflow them. Also, you can use blood to melt through them, or use ice to freeze and crack them open. Frozen metal is very fragile."
Naruto had already short-circuited some time ago, and so Neji asked in his behalf. "What of Naruto? He's a wind element. Can he cut through them with his wind?"
"When it comes to Naruto, things get a little bit tricky. Wind element stems from Wood element. Metal cuts through em. And a wind would also find it difficult to topple down a hunk of metal rest firmly on the ground. On the other hand, metal blade, with enough force, can punch through even a maelstrom."
"Power. You're talking about power?" Yukiku surmised. "Then, I don't think we should be worried of Naruto then. He had so much of it." Naruto blinked at the word power.
"At the very least, not one person that we know of is stronger than Naruto. But what if it was me? What if it's some other demon that happened to possess extremely powerful metal element? Space and time, the yin and yang of metal element are two most powerful known elements in the three worlds. In human world, the thought of normal people, without the aid of immortal beings, who possess such elements are unthinkable. But for Demons and Gods… well… some of us could use them with impunity. 70 percent of the currently known forbidden class jutsus, God, Demon, and, to a slighter degree, human's jutsus had something to do with either time or space or both."
"Just be short." Naruto stood up. "What should I do when I do encounter one? Overpower them? Cut through the metallic projectile?"
"Here's a tricky thing. It depends on your opponents' mastery of the element. Metal element Master can reshape a metallic object. So even if you cut through say, metal lodge, they can put it back together with their magnet. So hit em before they do so. Speed is crucial. Wind element, fortunately are one of those element that can help you increase your speed. The hit and run tactics I told you before must be used at maximum. Unless the situation is in your advantage. Understood?"
Neji and Yukiku nodded, Naruto, understandably, shook his head.
Flashback ends
"Enough of that metal bending trick. Enough as it may, I got it crammed into my head a few dozen times even in my sleep. (Kira teach in my dreams too) I know all the tricks. And there's no metal object around here that you can manipulate." Naruto made a few short seals, and then burn the boy's weapons, the kusarigama, the crossbow, leaving only a misshapen molten glob of iron, fusing it with the ground.
Inari growled. And then a cupboard right next to them exploded. Dozens of solid iron arrows floated out and lined themselves in three rows before Naruto.
"Good lord…" Naruto's eyes widened slightly. With a swing of his arms, Inari launched all the arrows at Naruto. The nin swing his blade, creating a gust of flames that instantly turned all the arrows to molten globs. "ENOUGH!"
Before the boy can react, Naruto decided to get hard and kicked the boy in the stomach before pulling his collar up and lift him off the ground. Naruto strap the collar to the wall and then impaled Tenrou through it, hanging the said boy on the wall. "NOW STAY!"
"I'm not going back!"
Naruto sighed. "What has the world done to you, Inari?"
"…" Inari didn't answer, instead he turned away.
Naruto sighed. "If it's about the bastard who raped your mother, don't bother, my worst half had killed him."
Inari gave the blond boy an eye.
"And… along with he's entire crony. The whole set. Your grandpa technically owns one third of the city now. And he's been trying to broker a deal with the better authorities of the city, the Sea-Slayer gang and the Metalmaster gangs."
"But they're still gangsters."
"Worse than you think. I don't know about the Metalmasters, but the Seaslayers are pirates. And I personally don't know if I can trust them. That's why I need you to go back. I've done my part when I massacred the Royal Skulls. You can fight this well, your grandpa will need all the help he can get."
"You're asking me… to just walk back home and let's forgive and forget?"
"I want you to start acting like a man of the house. You have the strength now, unlike before. Those with strength have to protect those without."
"What, you're telling it's my… what, obligation!?"
"What does your heart tell you? Even before all this happened, you know what it's like to be powerless to do anything. And then when you saw the same thing happened to your family, DON'T tell me you don't know HOW they feel!"
"…"
"We'll stay here for probably until tomorrow. You better be ready by then." Naruto let the boy down.
"I… Even if I go back… I really don't think I can forgive the old man."
"The old man never asked you for forgiveness. But everything had to begin somewhere. At least see them."
"I…"
"Take your time. Besides, I'm anxious as to what have you been doing since you left your family. Who taught you to fight like that? How did you get here? What is this place?"
"You sure ask a lot of question in one go."
"Wouldn't you, if you found out a crybaby boy turn into a miniature walking shack of grim in just a few months you didn't see him?"
"I'll pretend I didn't hear that. Actually, I get to the Mist village first. They put me together with the rest of the refugees… but… the life there was terrible. They didn't give much of a damn on our welfare. I don't really blame them. From the news I've heard, the Mist have been through a lot too."
"Why didn't you stay there in Mist?"
Inari didn't answer. "…I have my reasons. In any case, I can't stay there… so I was thinking I will drift around, travelling around the world. I grab some bits of food, but collapsed here. Doctor Ina and her humanitarian worker pick me up… I was… quite a pain to her the first time but… we finally came to an agreement. She'll give me some rations, and I will give her some help."
"I see… did she teach you to fight like that?"
"She taught me how to shoot."
"She taught you how to use metal elemental?"
"No… that one I figure out myself… I mean I don't know a thing about metal elemental manipulation but… one day I just found out I can move metallic objects if I willed it strong enough."
"How long have you been here? I mean… how long have you been in this place?"
"A few weeks now. I used these tunnel networks to go around the premises quickly helping the people to defend against some vagabonds or bandits."
"Bandits? You're nearby the border of a ninja village. Bandits would think twice to come here!"
"Oh, but those bandits are smart bastard. They keep clear from border knowing that we too won't pass it. That's why I've been setting up traps and all…"
Naruto picked up one of Inari's iron arrow. "Where did you get this?"
"I made it… Using scarps of iron. There's a room filled with it… now that I think of it… I do need to resupply, come with me. I'll show you." Inari grabbed a torch and lit it up. The boy walked through the tunnel network maze, stopping on each intersection for a few seconds before setting a course swiftly. Obviously he's been around the place long enough. Naruto followed closely behind. After minutes of walking, they reached a dead end. "From here we have to climb. Use the wall climbing technique."
"Okay." The two walked vertically from the ground. Naruto saw a light from a far distance. It's really a long way to the top. 15 minutes later, Naruto climbed out of the manhole and arrived inside… looks like some sort of abandoned laboratory. "Hey? What's this?"
"An abandoned lab. I don't know what this place is but…As you can see, it's old. Here I found lots and lots of weapons like my crossbows… My guess is… this is some sort of weapon research facility… or something." Inari quickly made his way to storage rack. Truth be told, there are plenty of similar crossbows. Naruto watched in awe as Inari took a steel pipe, concentrated on it and then Naruto watched how the steel pipe bend, just like how Kira did with his, and a few moments later, the pipe transformed into 4 pieces of steel arrows.
Naruto looked around. Broken baker glass, capsules filled with nothing but dust, flask with spots of dried substance in it… "Funny smell."
"Really? I didn't smell anything?"
"I guess you won't. I had an advanced sense of smell. I can tell something smell funny."
"Really?"
"Yeah… and I do hear some noises… there." Naruto pointed at a small room with the lamp lit.
"That's not how I left it." Inari blinked.
"Anybody else knows about your tunnel network?"
"Only me, well, at least, I think."
Naruto put his finger over his lips and ready his weapon. Inari also put his Crossbow gauntlet on and ready a set of arrows. They quietly, soundlessly, walked towards the small room. The closer they got, the clearer the sound. Naruto heard the rustles and sound of papers being ripped and turned. Someone is reading a book inside. No, there are at least three people in there.
"Which book exactly he told us to find?"
"I dunno. Keep searching!"
"We'll never gonna find it, he's gonna kill us…!"
Naruto peeked from the corner of the door. Three Mist nins were trudging through what looked like old archives. They opened several pages, go through them several times, and then tossed the book away before they look for another book. Naruto recognized them as the genin participant.
'…what are they doing?'
It was then; Inari accidently got a pack of dust fell on his nose. "Haa… Haa… ATCHOOO!"
Naruto slap his face silly. The three Mist nin were alerted to their presence. '…idiot.' Naruto thought fast. What should he do? He thought of using henge, when suddenly he heard a sound of clicking. "Heh?"
And then, so sudden, a loud bang exploded right next to his head. Naruto instinctively rolled to the side. The Konoha Nin looked at the shocked Mist Nins. One of them was holding… wasn't that a gun!? A Magnum no less!
"You fool! What are you doing!? They'll hear us!"
"I… I…" The one holding the gun seem had all his blood rushed out of his face. His hands are trembling as he holds the trigger.
"Abunai-yo! Taku!" Naruto groaned.
"S… Y… You're Konoha-nin aren't ya!? W… What are you doing here?" One of the Mist nins, the calmer of the trio, asked.
"…I'm on patrol, remember? I was… scanning the whole village when I found this… manhole… I followed it and I ended up here."
"Patrol? What? Patrol? Patrol! Oh yeah… you're the half frozen guy… right?"
"Yeah. The same." Naruto remained alert. His hand gripped his long katana, ready to act, while the nervous breakdown Mist nin was still aiming the gun at him. "Look… I don't care if some of you have some hobby of some midnight flash read… but will you please tell that guy to put the damn gun down! That thing's dangerous! I almost blew myself up using one of those!"
The trembling shinobi still hasn't taken down his gun. "…he knew…"
"Eh?"
"He knew! He overheard us! No witness! No witness! NO WITNESSES!!" The nin reached his the peak of his terror. Naruto knew what was coming and quickly moved just as the Nin pulled the trigger. To Naruto, the tenseness of his nervous system means more adrenalin rushed in, and the instant when the bullet was midair, everything looked standstill. Naruto quickly brought the steel sheath to bear. The bullet hit the sheath and bounced back. The bullet ricocheted here and there, and, as if by some horrid coincidence, the bullet hit the shooter right in between his eyes. Shocking everyone. The other two instantly went into battle stance and one of them even pulled out a gun as well. USP.
'Since when Genin start using GUNS altogether!?'
The remaining Mist Nins, angered as they may be, are calmer than the first one. When they draw the gun, they put a Pipe on a gun's muzzle. Inari realized the situation is hostile and try to aim his crossbow on one of them. But Naruto quickly ran up on him and shove him down just as the two nin start shooting. The sounds of their guns blazing are so much less than the first guy. Naruto blinked. 'So that pipe thing is some sort of… silencer?'
The two hid behind a cupboard, while the two nins continuously barraged the said cupboard with shots after shots. The cupboard was so old, each shot quickly reduce the place for cover. Naruto had to think fast. There's only one way he can survive this… and that is by being offensive. "Inari, PUSH!" The two boys pushed the tattered table towards the two shooting nins. With the table providing sufficient amount of cover, the two nins was so busy shooting at them, they forgot the first basic rule of handling incoming attack: dodge or block. The table crashed at them, throwing both off balance. One hit the wall, knocking him unconscious while the other one dropped his gun due to the impact. He quickly scurried to get it back. Inari threw his Kusarigama and accurately grab hold of the gun before he tossed it somewhere else. The Mist nin growled and charged at the little boy, unsheathing his katana. Naruto run forward pulled out his nodachi and welcomed the nin's attack.
"Nice to see you haven't forgotten some of the old ways of a ninja…"
The nin didn't answer. Instead he pressed his katana at his nodachi. Naruto groaned. Was this guy just weak… or was it that he's just getting too strong? The two made several exchange of blows, and Naruto took the upper hand. Hell, he only needs to use just one arm to tackle this guy's full blow! Frustrated, the nin pulled out a kunai and tried to jab Naruto's feet. Bad mistake as now he only have one hand to hold off the Jinchuriki's might. With one stroke, Naruto smashed the Nin back. So strong was his stroke, the Nin's katana flown off his hands. Naruto quickly concentrated some of his chakra on the Nodachi and swing it. The chakra exploded creating a gust of wind that tossed the wide eyed genin, sending his head on a collision with a steel pipe.
"Now… where's the other bugger…?" Naruto got his answer soon when he saw just behind Inari, the third nin regained his consciousness and took aim at Inari. Naruto quickly ran towards the boy. He shoved Inari aside just as the trigger was pulled.
Naruto roared as he tasted this new pain. It was like being pierced by a hot sword. But the worst part of it, the sword stayed in there. And he couldn't reach it. He looked at his shoulder. Red stain colored the orange stripes of his black jumpsuit. An angry Inari aimed his crossbow and shoot, nailing the nin's neck, dead center.
"Naruto! Naruto-nii-san! You okay?"
"This is the first time… so this is what being shot felt like…"
"Naruto-nii-san! Don't touch the wound."
"I think… it sank in… won't come out!"
"It WASN'T supposed to come out! Come on! We gotta get you to Doctor Ina, She'll know what to do."
"Urgh…" Naruto tried to stand up. But as he did, he glanced at the papers from the archive ransacked by the three nins. He took one and read it. "T… This is?"
"RAAAAAAAAAAAH!" Just then, the nin from before woke up and charged at them. Before he got far though, a snaking chain sword crashed on to his stomach before it pushed him all the way to the wall, hanging him there, dead. The sword retracted and Naruto recognized the sword all at once.
Sure enough, Yukiku just sheathed the Dragon's tail as she ran towards the bleeding Naruto.
"Half of the whole house heard the first bang. What happened?"
"Naruto-nii-san got shot… on the shoulder!"
"I can see that."
"Y…Yukiku! What are you doing here?"
"You tell me. I heard a shot and I just found this opened door and… well… I thought you're supposed to be on patrol? What are you doing in the House's basement?"
"Basement?"
Just then, Neji too already gone down. "Naruto?" He looked around and saw three dead Mist nins. The Genins from the Mist. …or are they? Neji observed their corpses and noticed… their bodies are no longer that of 12 year old genins… they're all full grown men! '…Jounins.'
"Get him to Doctor Ina. We'll talk about this later, ok, Naruto?"
"Got it…"
Not a moment's waste, Inari and Yukiku quickly brought Naruto before Doctor Ina. The Doctor wasted no time nor asked any details on how did the boy ended up with a gunshot wound but she's quick to work. "Deep penetration to the shoulder, the bullet went through the clothing. Alright, first take off his clothes. You, get me some light, I want this place well lit on the double." Yukuiku, Inari and some of Ina's assistants did as they were told.
Naruto was put on the hard floor, face down. Ina washed her hands and looked at the wound. "Alright… let's get started."
After she injected some anesthesia, Naruto felt limb on a greater part of his shoulder. The Doctor took out her scalpel and a scissors. "First we have to take out the bullet out. Then we'll sterilize the wound. Let's do this!"
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In the basement lab…
Neji, as some of other ninja carried the Mist nins dead bodies, wondered why the hell Jounins come here, scanned the aftermath of the fight and tried to withdraw some conclusion. 'Three jounins posing as genin to search this place up. And they're using guns… It's not coincidence that we stayed in a house where there's such a lab…We were sent here just for them to find some notes in this lab… it all screams Saizen… but… what could he possibly want in that lab?'
Everyone soon get back upstairs, but they're more alert and weary than ever. Too weary to even begin wondering why a bunch of Mist Jounins were found dead in the basement and what the hell was that noise? Neji understand however, that after what happened tonight in that room warrants another search. Neji looked around and saw several other Mist nins. Outwardly, they're Genins… but inside? He decided he won't take any chances. Creating seal taught by Naruto, Neji quietly chant: 'Ninpou, Kage Bunshin!' Neji waited until there's absolutely no one looking, leaving his Kage bunshin behind as a dummy guard, and then he returned to the basement, and looked at the archives the Jounins were tearing apart. "What are they looking for?"
Neji looked at the notes and all. He noticed they're all reports. All written in Ninja codes. "This is a bit troublesome…" He slowly began deciphering the codes and read the content… after he read a few pages; his look is stern and somewhat disturbed.
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An hour later, and plenty of blood and all, Ina sewed the wound on Naruto's shoulder and dropped an iron ball. Yukiku have never seen a bullet before blinked. "…all that trouble… because of this small piece of iron?"
"Well… that small piece of iron will infect and poison your body if left inside for too long. And if we let it stay there even longer, it'll rot your flesh and then we'll have to amputate it… if not, it'll kill you."
"But he'll be alright… right?"
"Well just don't move too much. Otherwise the stitches will break and the wound will reopen."
Yukiku sighed in relief. "De… who are you?"
During the end of the operation, Inari had taken a good look at Yukiku, and jawdropped like he just saw a ghost.
Naruto chuckled. "Right. Inari, meet Yukiku, Haku's twin SISTER."
"…you're sure? I mean… this one's a girl?" Inari gaped.
"Inari?" Yukiku turned the wild haired boy. "This is the boy you're looking for?" Naruto nodded. The girl smiled kindly. "Inari-kun, nice to meet you. I'm Yukiku. My brother and I, were we that much alike?"
Inari nodded. "First time I saw your brother was when the battle was over and he was already… I thought he was a she. Naruto-nii-san told everything afterwards. And… safe for your hair, you both look exactly alike."
"I see." Yukiku sighed. "You were also there when he fell? Don't worry, Naruto had told me everything. Thank you."
"Yukiku, where's Neji?"
"I figure he's in the house now."
Naruto tried to get up, but the pain on his shoulder forces him back.
"Oh no, no. That's deep penetration, your shoulder bone managed to stop the bullet from getting even deeper but it crack itself up to do that. You need rest for tonight." Ina pushed the boy back to the bed.
"Ooowww…" Naruto rest back.
Yukiku sighed. "Anyway, Inari-kun! You watch over the big dummy okay? I'm going back to the house to see how it is going."
"Okay."
"Yukiku! Wait! There's something I need to tell you, and it can't wait!"
Yukiku looked at Naruto. There's something in his eyes that showed he was serious. He motioned her to come closer. Naruto looked at Inari and Ina for a moment, signaling them that it's private. The two understood and move away. "What is it?" She whispered.
"I take a look at one of the notes in that underground basement. Only a page… but it said something about some tests on some convicts. And it just occurred to me. Back in the Naga's flagship, the number of people listed as missing, started off a few dozen, and a few hundred, and then thousands. I just remembered, the wave of these people disappearing, the pattern exactly follows the phases of a drug testing on humans. You tell Neji that."
"…how did you figure that?"
"Just…occurred to me." 'More like a ghost told me…'
Yukiku nodded. "Alright. I'll be sure to pass it on." She stood up and then bowed to Dr. Ina once before she left.
Ina turned to Inari and Naruto. Considering the amount of concern she saw in Inari's eyes throughout the surgery, it's hard to imagine the two were trying to kill each other just a few hours ago, that same night! "Seeing you two… I take it you two had made your peace?"
Naruto and Inari looked at each other and then answered in unison. "Hell no."
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Hiko's retainer frowned that night as their Captain gave the most peculiar order they've ever heard. Drop several packages of dried stingrays in several designated areas? However, one look at the Captain's face and he knew that's one order he could not disobey.
Meanwhile, on the seabed, the Ray was sailing around when its first mate, Rei noticed the incoming packages. "Captain!"
Shu walked to Rei's station and the first mate showed him the packages.
The Captain recognized it in an instant. "Crew… change course."
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Neji was still reading report after report. The more he reads them, the more disturbed he became. Just then he heard footsteps. The Hyuuga hid himself and only relaxed when he saw it was Yukiku. "Neji! Where are you?"
"Here." Neji revealed himself.
"I take it you've read some of the files. What it's all about?"
"…truthfully is… I really am lost. We start out trying to find out the would-be murderers of the Mizukage. But… what I've seen in this report… I'm not even sure if it's linked at all." Neji handed her the report.
"Hm?" Yukiku read the report and decipher the codes.
Test 211, day 5
Subject: Gankotsu Rakan
Subject sentenced to death for the crime of murder.
Day 6, Subject: Gankotsu Rakan began to show behavioral change, moved to quarantine cell
Day 7, Subject: Gankotsu Rakan began to show external changes
Yukiku frowned. "…this…is…"
"The writer of that report made absolutely clear not to reveal the true nature of whatever they're doing. But I do understand, it had something to do with enhancing the test subjects… most of other report sound similar… all about testing and all that."
"…drug testing."
"What?" Neji looked at Yukiku.
"T… This is something Naruto had said. I had no idea how exactly he figured it out before you do… but he did. You told me about all those missing people? Well, Naruto told me that the pattern of how these people was missing resemble the pattern of drug-testing on human test subjects."
Neji blinked as if someone just turned the lights on his head. "The standard procedure of human drug test! Elementary! I can't believe I missed that."
"So these reports… the contents were about the testing done on these people?"
"Apparently so… but I don't know how this could link with our investigation? And why are these people are so interested in these reports? I do understand… That whatever happened, whatever drug they're trying to cook up… it still going, and the Kage had no idea it was happening."
"You're saying that there's something else Mizukage haven't told us?"
"Apparently so. We need to find the link between these reports, the replacing, and the party who wished for Mizukage's death." Neji blinked. "If these reports are about the progress… there should be a report that conclude all these… a journal! One that chronologically archive the overall test! And there's gotta be the writer. Let's find it!"
"Okay."
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Naruto had fallen asleep on the operating table. Unfortunately, again, his sleep is far from peaceful.
He was back to that battle in the Wave village. Back then when the bridge still not yet finished. He was on a familiar sight. Sasuke lying next to him, stabbed with hundreds of needles and Haku was staring at him from his Demon Ice window.
"T… This is?"
"GROAAAAAAAAARGH!!" He heard… he saw himself roaring! He looked on to his past self. His inexperienced, weaker, self. Red youki trickle out from his small being and the berserk Naruto pulled Haku out of the mirror, just like he did in the past. The present Naruto knew the next event only too well.
"Stop it…"
The Kyuubified Naruto gave Haku a hellish beating.
"No more… if you do that you'll…!"
And then, just like how it was, Naruto gave a strong punch to Haku's mask, shattering it. And then, still blind with rage and bloodlust, Naruto charged at Haku, only to stop at the last moment.
The present Naruto than remembered, this was not how Haku will die. His terror realized with the sound of thousands of birds chirping in the air. "No… KAKASHI-SENSEI!!! STOOOP!"
As expected, Kakashi was charging at the locked Zabuza. Everything happened just like how it was. Haku used the Demonic Ice mirror to jumped in between Zabuza and Kakashi's Chidori. Naruto quickly jumped in between Haku and Kakashi. But the chidori went through like he was a ghost and it still impaled Haku to death.
Naruto gasped. Tears swelled at the corner of his eyes. '…w… why?'
"You can't change what already happened, Naruto-kun."
Naruto turned and saw, to his horror, the impaled Haku talked to him. "It happened in the past. You can't change it."
"…you're not real…"
"No. We're just a figment of your imagination."
"We?"
"Listen well, Naruto-kun. My sister. And Inari. It's slight, but there's some resemblance between them."
"Resemblance?"
"Think harder kid!" A harsher, muffled voice responded from his back. He turned and saw Zabuza, beheading Gatou. His body was just like how it was when he died: pierced by many spears and swords. The Mist Devil turned around and looked at him with those bloodshot eyes. "Think back. WAAAY back. What happened back there? What started the civil war? What caused those Kaguya to go berserk!? Think back to the past! What really happened back there?"
"What… happened?"
"Think…Kaguya! Murakumo! What actually happened!?" and then, Zabuza suddenly turned into demon and swallowed him.
"WGHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!" Naruto jerked up, sweat flooding him like crazy. He startled Inari, who was, until a few minutes ago, fast asleep right next to him.
"Eh? Naruto-nii-san?"
Naruto look around. It seems he had startled a few patients. And the sky outside is still dark. It still nighttime. "…oh dear."
"Something wrong?"
"…just a nightmare. Get back to sleep." Naruto swept the cold sweat from his face away. The nightmare. It was… similar. Hokage, Haku, Zabuza… three people that was quite close to him, and he watched their deaths. All except the third Hokage. But that doesn't change the fact they were close. And then he remembered again the words from Haku. About his sister's and Inari's 'resemblance'. 'What do they have in common though?' He couldn't imagine any familial ties or whatsoever, leaving him only their battle prowess. Naruto looked at Inari and tried to remember. Inari was capable of steel element manipulation, to the point he could even turn scrap metal and bend it to form arrows. Based on what the boy told him, it would appear he learnt how to do it by himself. Yukiku had that supernatural, yet uncontrollable, power over blizzard and ice elemental. And then there's also the fact that she seem incredibly talented in sword fighting, to the point of creating her own techniques without being taught anything by Kira.
"What these two had in common…" Naruto pointed out. "…was that they seem to be a natural prodigy. They just suddenly know how to do it… without anyone teaching them…" Naruto frowned. "But… I don't understand. How is this small fact, and the drug testing linked with the Mizukage's assassination attempt? We're missing something here…" And Naruto had an idea, courtesy to Zabuza, on where can he find that missing link.
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"…nope. Nothing." Yukiku threw away the nth report. So far, from all she had found, they're just repeating the same thing over and over again. Test on subjects. Note the subjects' external and internal changes. The subject died. Move on to the next subject. And so forth and so forth. "I'm getting sick of this…" She was in a really nasty mood.
"Well… I do find something VERY interesting." Neji raised a dusty report. "Another series of test, but the test subject names were Kaguya Masaki, Kaguya Raigo, Kaguya Tsumuji, KAguy this, Kaguya that… Kaguya."
"Oh? And… What does that tell you?"
"Mizukage told us that the Kaguya got contracted with a very deadly disease. I'm trying to put myself as one of the higher ups of the Mist village. If one of my own clan, which makes up half of my main army, was on the verge of extinction… I would concentrate all my effort to heal that clan."
Yukiku blinked. It does make sense. "So you're saying, what we're looking at here… are drug testing reports of the cure for the Kaguya?"
"Initially, yes. But perhaps… this is just my guess… somewhere along the line, it changed into something else. They stopped the research, probably by Mizukage, and then now, at least 2 years ago, they might've picked it up."
"Fat a lot of good that help us. You think too much Neji. And besides, even if it does, how is it connected with the Mizukage's assassination attempt?" Yukiku's head ache, trying to cram that entire conclusion in her head.
"You seem pretty grumpy. Something happened?"
Yukiku suddenly remembered her conversation with Guccha. She shook her head furiously. "Let's keep up… I really rather not talk about anything else right now…"
The two continue their search in the archive. But after hours in the dusty lab, they found nothing. There were just reports with the same procedure repeated over and over again.
"What the… These dates… some of these reports dated way back."
"How way back?"
"These notes… they're 22-25 years old… these notes dates back even BEFORE the beginning of the Civil War between Kaguya and Murakumo."
"What?" Yukiku blinked. "So… your theory that this was the research for a cure doesn't work?"
"No… It doesn't make any sense… I'm missing something here. I mean… in the last 2 years, over 4500 people, kidnapped or called, and then, replaced with fakes. If you simply look at the numbers, assuming those 4500 replacements were people loyal to the cause, it does sounds like a preparation for a full scale takeover."
"Sounds like a coup alright. Suspect?" Yukiku nodded. 4500 boogie positioned in various spot can turn the whole village upside down.
"It keeps increasing. First, only Shu. And then there's the fact that the 4500 real bodies we've found were mutated. Fudou Touzou the Whale was the next in line because of this. And then finally, those three impostor Genins, try to kill Naruto with GUNS! Only one jounin would authorize something like that in this village, and that man, is Saizen the Sawshark. The latter two were heavy suspect of the murder of Hoshigaki Kisame, whatever implication that might bring."
"The first one… definitely has a strong motive… I mean, if Shu killed the Mizukage he'll became the next Mizukage."
"But all his actions are contradictory. I mean, if he wanted to do that, why didn't he stay in the village instead of becoming a pirate? If I want to murder someone for his position, I will take a position in which, when I assume the throne of leadership, people will welcome with open arms. No… if you talk about motive, there's another person who can also have some motive: Fetaru Hiko and Kyoko. Their father died a traitor to the village, remember?"
"I thought they would strive to clean their names."
"You'll never know what went through the minds of the children whose father were killed because of treachery. I would try my best to find the truth… or maybe I'll feel treated unjustly. Believe me, I knew how it felt."
"Then, what do you think?"
"Like I said…" Neji lifted a scroll. "We're missing an important piece of the puzzle. What Mizukage told me about the history of the Mist Civil War may look grand and it does help… but I think that's nothing but the tip of the iceberg." Neji was frustrated. Their investigation was getting derailed. But he cannot help but to notice, his instinct kept telling him that they are linked. The assassination attempt, the missing bodies, the replacements, the mutation, and now this.
Yukiku looked around the place. At first, given the situation and the need, she never really took great care of the surroundings. But then, as she took her time and look around, she couldn't help she began noticing things. Familiar spots. Something within her keep telling it so. Nudging the back of her head, the deepest recesses of her long forgotten memory…
"Yukiku! Come here sweetheart! And be quiet okay?"
"Hahaha…"
"Say cheese!"
Yukiku blinked. What was that? She turned around frantically; as if she just awoken from a bizarre dream. This act alerted Neji. "Yukiku? Something wrong?"
The girl didn't seem to listen. She quickly rushed to what looked like an empty wall. She began touching, feeling the wall, as if looking for something hidden in there. She knocked it several times, softly, gently… before she used her ice elemental to freeze the wall and then she punched a hole straight through it. She pull down the rest of the wall down, apparently metal wall which was only paper-thin, covering a small safe behind it.
"A hidden safe?"
"A trick…"
"Eh?"
"If you try to open it… it'll explode… the real content is NOT inside…" She talked as if she was hypnotized. She turned the safe around, and then using the Kubikiri, she cut a portion of the back section of the safe. Revealing… a photo.
Neji take a look at the photo. He quickly noticed the year the photo was taken and several familiar faces. "The photo dates back… around 15 years ago… this is Fujiki. I'm assuming the thin man with eyebags… is Fudou Touzou, I saw him standing with the other Devil Swordsman… But who are all these people?"
"I don't know about them… But I do know… her." Yukiku pointed her trembling finger on a woman with a slightly swollen womb.
"Who is she?"
"S…She's…" tears swelled up at the corner of her eyes. "She's my mother."
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Meanwhile, in the territories of the Amegakure…
"Report."
"The ninjas had just made residence in the village Milord. Taka's eyes confirmed they all wear… differing village headband, including our own."
"Genins. They sent Genins under cover of the Chuunin Exam."
"Then, what should we do, Hanzo-sama?"
The Amekage of the Amegakure looked at the map of the area. "North. That's where they'll be going. From here, there should be a ship, waiting for them."
"Should we go there and set up a trap?"
Hanzo shook his head. "Why should we? They're not entering our territory… yet. Keep watch on their progress. Report to me as needed."
"Yes, my lord."
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The next day
At dawn… when everyone is still asleep…
In Kirigakure…
Hiko had that serious look in his face. He walked past his men without so much as to greet them or whatsoever. Silently and quietly, he went to his sister's strut. With his skill as one of the Seven Devil Swordsman, he quickly went past the guards to her sister's room. He looked at her. They say he resembles his father, and yet sister takes after her mother. Hiko had to agree. Hiko left a piece of paper at his sister's bed and give him a brotherly peck on her cheek. She chuckled and snuggles away. 'I will keep you safe, my sister…'
And with that, he disappeared.
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The next morning, in the refugee village, Naruto didn't quite remember any face more miserable than that of Yukiku. Her eyes were red and she looked like she spent the whole night crying, without sleeping. Neji told him of their findings that night: the tests, the photo, the dates, everything.
Naruto also use the chance voice out his suspicion and some clue to their missing link, much to Neji's awe. "I have to admit Naruto… First the idea that it was some drug testing… it never crossed my mind and yet you somehow figure it out and now this! No offense, but I've never take you as the detective type."
"None taken, I never thought I had it in me too. So… we know that Fujiki and Toudou as well as her mother were involved in this. Seeing that we're about to be picked up by Fujiki, I'd say this present us with a very good chance."
"We have to approach him carefully though. If he's indeed one of the traitors we'll be in trouble, we know too much now."
"Have you told Tora-mayu-jii about our findings?"
"I won't report anything until we can make a sense out of it… and until we find the connection between her mother… and all this." Neji lift his chin to the miserable looking Yukiku. "Anyway, you've spent the night under the Doctor's care. You wouldn't happen to have convinced the doctor to leave with us, have you?"
"I was too preoccupied with our current case. But…I think it wouldn't hurt to ask now."
The group of ninjas came before the doctor. "Well, what's your decision doc?" A Grass nin wasted no time asking the main question.
Ina sighed. "We've talked about it, and we decided. Some will go, some will stay. That way these people won't be left behind. How's that?"
"No can do. The orders are specific; we cannot leave any of you behind!" A sound nin protested.
"Well, we can say the same to these people. We just can't leave the people suffer without help or medical aid."
The nins and the doctors were at odds and began arguing one another.
Suddenly Naruto spoke. "How bout this: you and your team come with us... and take the rest of the villagers with you."
Everyone stopped talking. They looked at Naruto, as if wondering his sanity. "And how…do you intend to escort them all to Fujiki's ship?"
"I can use Kage Bunshin. And there aren't that many villagers. All can be escorted to safety!"
The ninjas still look skeptic. Ina on the other hand, while she deep down thanked Naruto but still… "I'm not complaining to that idea. The problem is, not every wounded people can be moved. Some weren't even capable of traveling."
"But if they stay, they might be killed." Naruto pressed his point.
Ina thought for a moment. She looked at her comrades and began their discussion. A few minutes later… "Alright. We'll see what we can do. But we must first check the condition of the sickly. If they're too weak to even travel, depending on the severity of their illness, some of us is going to stay here, whether you like it or not, to take care of them. The same can also be said to family members."
"How soon can you make the preparation for this?" Neji, glad for some sort of solution, continued.
"Two or three… but we'll make it in an hour."
Neji looked at the other nins. "Any other suggestions?"
The nins had to admit. This is the only way they could convince the stubborn doctor to move. Otherwise, they had to force the doctor with strength, and they might hurt/kill someone by mistake. With this in mind, everyone shook their heads. "Then it's decided. Hurry Doc. THE REST OF YOU TOO! WE'RE ALL MOVING! ONLY BRING WHAT YOU NEED! WHAT YOU CAN CARRY!"
For the first time ever, life seem returned to the people of that small settlement. Everyone suddenly went bristling, stuff loaded to bags. The nins spread out to watch out for the citizen as too they don't carry more than they should.
"Damn those Konoha nins... they're acting like they're taking charge of the whole thing."
"Say, what about those three dead jounins?" The other sound nin asked. He pointed at the bodies of the Jounins left behind. The Mist Genins are clearly confused hat their seniors were found dead in the basement, but they did what they have to. They put the bodies of their senior into a pyre, for animals to feast on their bodies, as to not left anything behind.
The first nin thought for a moment and then added with smirk: "Let's bring them along."
"Eh?"
"These three are Jounins. If we tell the Mist nins that the Konoha killed them, what would those examiners think?"
"Gee! You're smart!"
"Get some scrolls. We'll put the body in."
High on the sky, an eagle, or so everyone thought, observed the event and then flew away. The eagle flew some distance away and landed before a group of shinobis, all bear the symbol of Rain village. "Hanzou-sama." the 'eagle' spoke. "The villagers are moving."
"They do? Well, it seems our problem is leaving on its own." A lady ninja with extremely dark long hair commented.
Hanzou nodded quietly, trying to measure up this new complication. "Who's leading them?"
"Leading them?" a short fat boy with much food dirt loitering his clothing exclaimed.
"Think. They are competing students, each bent on failing the others. To them to quickly make a decision in such a short time, there must be one, or a group whose voice are heard by all. So, who lead them?"
"From what I see, there were two voices. Both…" Taka, man with a headgear bearing Amegakure insignia and a goggle hesitated for a moment, and then answered. "Both wear Konoha emblem."
Hanzou perked up at this. "Konoha… it's been a while since I encounter their kind…"
"Milord! That was a long time ago!" A large man whose hulking stature dwarfed many others roared.
"Yes. And then they became the infamous Sannin. Orochimaru, Jiraiya, and Senju Tsunade." Hanzou sighed. "Taka, continue your watch on them. Report to me of anything new."
Taka bowed once before he flew back to the sky.
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An hour later...
Neji and Naruto looked at the crowd. Quite a few of the villagers decided to stay. Half of the doctors decided to stay. Ina was giving her last goodbye to her comrades, as well as good luck. She turned and then nodded.
Neji turned forward.
"Alright. Everyone, move!"
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Deidara's days in interrogation
Minichapter 17:
The murder
"...so after you kissed him... you two start arguing... and then... well... the accident?"
"Y...Yes."
Deidara was already scared, up to the point he demand Athrun to go straight to the murder sequence. "IF YOU ASK ME TO DO ANYTHING LIKE THAT AGAIN, I SWEAR: JUTSU OR NO JUTSU, I'll...YEAH!!"
"So... how exactly did you murder him?"
"I choked him."
"You choked him."
Deidara secretly sighed in relief. Finally, a normal scene. He's well trained to handle various kinds of choking: wire, hand grip, whatever the kind. He could just let that homo choke him as strong as he could; he'll just hold his breath and pretend he's dead. Yep. Simple.
"Demonstrate it then." Athrun ordered.
The man put both of his arms on Deidara's neck. "I put my hands on his neck, tightly."
Deidara smirked arrogantly. 'Yep, go on ahead. Do your worst! Yeah!'
"Then I kissed him again while holding his neck tightly." Before Deidara could say anything the man kissed him again, tightly and deeply.
Athrun and his students shook their heads. 'Poor Deidara...' the same thought crossed their minds.
5 minutes later the man let go. "When I'm done I realized that I've grasped his neck too tightly and I've killed him."
Indeed, Deidara's state is pretty much close to dying.
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Whooo boy... this arc is harder than I thought... Don't worry. For those of who are a bit lost, It'll make sense in the future chapters. I hope.
But as you've all read, this arc will focus also on Yukiku's past and origin.