Moterock's Den of Devastation
CHP 37: Encounters
Anko and Zatanna remained inside the coffee shop for an extended period, conversing back and forth on different subjects. The chunin exams were the main focus but they stirred away touching on other subjects.
For the first couple days things were strange and uncomfortable but over time both Zatanna and Starfire grew accustomed to the Leaf. On occasion she still received unnerving looks from certain villagers, but for the most part was no longer really a problem. At times she got the feeling neither of them would be accepted or fit in, and was relived she turned out to be wrong.
"What do you say after we're done here we go and catch up with the contestants?" Anko asked.
"Sounds good to me, I'd love to see what sort of progress they've made. Who knows some of them might surprise and get a lot further than they might have believed. I've always been a fan of underdogs." Zatanna smirked sitting back.
Half a mile from the coffee shop walked Naruto and Starfire alone. Up a hill and onto an open field they strolled, "This looks like the perfect spot," Kori spoke looking Naruto's way, "So what's it going to be, three rounds like our last session?" She grinned.
Just as Naruto was about to answer his stomach grumbled instigating a chuckle from her lips, "Maybe we should keep it at one, I really need to get something to eat after we're done here," Naruto grazed at his hair putting extra space between them. He reached back tightening the ninja headband around the back of his head, "Well I'm ready when you are."
"Sure so am I."
Fingers together Naruto generated twenty clones of himself taking off toward her. Shoving one foot into the ground she took off into the air, green balls of energy taking shape in both hands. Blasting them down at random she eliminated seven clones coming down over what remained of them. They came at her from different angles throwing out kicks and punches, most of which she blocked and countered with moves of her own.
To her left two of them formed a Rasengan coming straight at her. Blitzing at top speed she went for their legs taking them out in a cloud of dust, another of the clones pulling at her hair from behind and slamming her to the ground. Quickly collecting herself Starfire dashed up grabbing two by the neck, blasting off into the air. Nearly forty feet airborne she scurried downward planting both clones into the ground, each disappearing on impact.
She had little time before a kick came toward the side of her face using an arm to block. From behind another of them connected with a rasengan to her back. The attack caused her to topple over the grass a couple times before coming to a stop. Glimpsing over her shoulder she spotted four of them coming straight for her. Hovering off the ground she charged her energy beams blasting down four and all the rest until there was only one that remained, "That shadow clone technique of yours is quite interesting. I've been meaning to ask how much energy it drains from your body chakra or whatever you call it."
"The amount I just created doesn't tire me even a little, I have the ability to create over one thousand at a time. But enough about that, I'll tell you all about it later."
Starfire touched down over the grass, observing Naruto come at her fast. Fists held tight she waited for the last instant jumping out of the way as the true Naruto dove down from the tree above. Instead of her his rasengan hooked up with and destroyed his own clown, "Nice maneuver…how long?" Naruto asked looking her in the face.
"Almost immediately after you created the shadow clones. You did a decent job of disrupting my vision with everything that was going on but even through it all I noticed you jumping into the tree. It was only for a quick second but I had no doubt in my mind it was you, the original." She smiled throwing her hair back.
Feeling she'd catch him off guard, Starfire fired off another round of energy blasts. Eluding and dodging with relative ease, the area around him filled up with dust and dirt off the ground. Taking advantage she blitzed forward taking him to the ground. The smoke soon cleared, Starfire sitting atop Naruto with her elbows over his chest, "I win again Uzumaki, you're really slacking. What is that two in a row?" Starfire lowered herself bringing her face closer to his, "So what do I get as a prize?" A seductive grin formed on her face.
Next thing he knew sweat ran down the side of his head. What in the world could she be insisting?
"What are you two doing?"
Naruto's heart jumped at the familiar voice immediately pushing Starfire off him, "Sakura Chan!" He ran toward his long time friend/crush, "We weren't doing what you might be thinking, I swear! It was just a training session believe me!" Naruto panicked.
"Uh huh…that's not what it looked like," Sakura turned her back to him walking the opposite way, "Lady Tsunade wishes to see us both, possibly about a mission. If you aren't otherwise busy than we should head to her office now."
"Sounds good to me," Naruto followed close behind. He looked over his shoulder, "Later Starfire, we can catch back up sometime soon."
She simply nodded watching both disappear down the hill.
XXX
Carefully hidden behind the trees and bushes, Deathstroke held the map out in front of them verifying they were in fact in front of the hidden village holding the sword they were in search of. It went without saying, both Circe and Slade thinking to take the direct approach. It didn't matter who or how powerful the individuals that lurked inside, they felt their power and training was well beyond what could possibly be within the village, "Think we should make our move or do you have something else in mind?" Circe looked to Deathstroke.
A small device positioned over his good eye allowed him to get a perfectly zoomed in view of everything taking place all around. There were many cottages and homes, and not one stood out as a place where the sacred sword might be kept. Taking another quick look at the photo, he scanned the area for the woman in question. Storming in like crazed beasts wasn't the best course of action due to the objective.
"Well aren't you going to answer me, or do you plan to just sit there like a statue?" Circe grumbled from his right. Eye still on the activity up front, Deathstroke handed the photo and map to the RD member that had been assigned to tag alongside them.
"Give me a little bit longer to locate the girl and then we'll make our move."
"Sure whatever…but make it fast. I'm growing bored." Circe complained.
If she knew more about the woman than just appearance, Circe's magic could have come into play, as far as pin pointing the exact location of the woman and even the sword. Kian and Mila gave limited information, which wasn't nearly enough to perfect the job quickly. Thus far the member who'd been sent beside them hadn't written much down. Soon as the action began, he was more than certain that would change.
"There she is, I've got her." Deathstroke pointed to a woman carrying a bucket of water.
"In that case let's go greet our subject." Circe grinned.
Mysterious purple energy taking shape all around her body, Circe hovered over the top of the village. She was spotted by several villagers, fingers pointing up at her. Many of them didn't know what to make of it. They'd come across shinobi before and even had a couple of their own within the village, but had never came across one with flight ability. The energy circulating outside her body gave a handful of them a scare. Eyes on the target, she hovered along touching down in front of the woman.
"Just when I was thinking we'd stick to a more stealth approach; so much for that." Slade mumbled.
He jumped from out of the tree following after her. The other member assigned to travel with them stayed hidden behind the trees. Catching up to Circe he positioned himself off to the side of her. Circe held a photo of the sword out in front of the woman, "Take us to this blade and we'll leave without causing you any harm." The woman took a closer look at the photo in Circe's hand, knowing exactly what it was.
"The sword of Geruyet has been past down from several generations…why in the world do you people want to see it?" She fell back in defense, hands held out. More villagers surrounded the three listening in to what was going on.
"Hand over the sword and we'll leave this place without harming a single hair on anyone's head. If you don't however comply we will have no choice but to result to violence, and I know that's not what you want."
With a hand to her mouth the woman stepped back in the opposite direction to the sorceress, "That's crazy, you must be joking! I can't give up something that means so much to my family and this village as a whole. Tell me you aren't being serious!" The fright and terror was evident within her eyes. Who were these people and how did they know of the Geruyet sword?! It was something the village kept secret. Broadcasting anything about the sword would only bring unwanted attention to the village.
"I personally know nothing about the blade and to be honest could care less about the damn thing. He and I have been given orders to come out here and recover it one way or another. This is your last chance to submit, hand over the sword or we'll have no choice but to force you. Think about your safety and health…I know you will make the right decision."
Circe's sinister grin brought chills up their back. The purple energy around her body soon died down, but still had a mysterious feel to those standing around her. A lot of them were still taking in what she had said, not certain if she was being one 100% honest.
"The sword of Geruyet is not something we will just offer up," An older gentleman emerged from the crowd stepping in front of everyone else, "It is a precious item to this village and we won't let some outsider take it. I don't care how powerful you or whoever sent you is, we aren't giving it up!"
"That's unfortunate," Circe paused for a moment, "Guess you leave me with no other choice."
Pointing one finger at the older man she threw him thirty feet the other way into a tree, by use of a magical telekinesis combination. An out roar of screams followed with much of the village people dropping back in fear, Circe looking to Deathstroke, "What do you say we have some fun till these people talk?"
"Couldn't think of a better option." He replied loading a hand gun.
Elsewhere the team of Sasuke and Shredder came to a stop, the additional member holding the map. Before them stood a group of sand Shinobi, unable to identify a single of the three seeing as they didn't where ninja headbands, "State your business why are you here? These grounds are reserved for residents to Sunagakure, and unless you possess a letter of some sort that specifies business with the sand then I suggest you leave." One out of the five sand shinobi spoke.
Looking back to the RD member, Shredder pulled the image of the scroll from his hands revealing it to the sand shinobi standing before them, "We're in search of this item, and according to our Intel is no further than two miles ahead. Step aside and let us continue."
Each of the five ninjas looked at one another and then back at Shredder, "I'm afraid we can't let you go any further without some form of verification. You can start by telling us who sent you."
Shredder's eyes closed before opening a second later.
"I'll say this once and only once," Two long blades surfaced from Shredder's left gauntlet, "Move out of the way or die!"
This was it. Sasuke would finally witness Shredder in full combat. No shinobi defending territory would ever step aside to an unknown. Things were about to get interesting and he could hardly wait, a smirk appearing on the side of Sasuke's face.
To Be Continued