Ch.37 Judgement: My answer is no
Nothing new to report today folks. Just the same daily update cause I want to finish this as soon as possible. Though if any of you are reading this today feel free to start sending me emails asking any questions about the story in general. I'm sure you'll want to know what I'm about to do and what I plan to do after this story.
I will say this. I don't think this is going beyond 45 chapters I can assure you that. I will be done hopefully before then. If not that holy crap I'm writing too much.
Anyway, Let us begin shall we?
Last time
"Hello Miss Guren My name is Ino Yamanaka and this is my associate Rikuson Hakugen. We've on behalf Miss Tsunade Senju have come asking for you assistance."
"No.."
"...Wait we didn't even tell you."
"Whatever it is, whatever you want I'm saying no. I have children who don't have homes to read to. If you know what's good for you leave. I don't have time for this so Tsunade's wasting her's."
"Wait miss Guren please listen to us." Before Rikuson took step inside there was already a small Jian already at her throat. Ino took note of Guren's Magatama seeing her as a S class toushi. "She's fast for a S class. Very fast." Ino thought.
"Watch yourself Nanyou toushi. I'm not part of this war nor will I ever be. I know what's going on with the seven schools and I refuse to get my children involved in it. They're much happier thinking it's a movie."
"Please listen to us. We need your help. There's no one better than you."
"And you think I'd betray my own vow to help you? Why should I?"
"If you don't they'll be in danger. If she gets her way these kids won't have anywhere to go. She'll destroy everything you strive to protect. What will you do then when that happens?"
"What do you mean?"
"There's an evil stronger than you can ever imagine on it's way to swallow everything; Everything until she covers the entire world in death and shadow. If you come with us you can help with training a young man who has the power to do so."
"Naruto Uzumaki right? That kid Shiba'i Chuutatsu is after?"
"Right. He's training with someone but he doesn't have long. We're hoping since you were the true master of the Jian sword you can help him master in faster than expected.
"...I see."
"There's also the chance you can see Yagura and Houtou again." She raised her eyebrows in surprise. "Yagura? What's he got to do with it?"
"He's a Jinchuuriki and Shiba'i's enemy. If she gets her hands on Naruto she'll use her power to obliterate the other Jinchuuriki and bring an end to this world. Life as will known will cease to exist...Please..You have to help us. You'll helping those children and Yagura with a brighter future.
"...Yagura...I've always wanted to see him again. I wanted to check up on them and made sure he and his family were doing alright. I even set up an appointment to come over." The two girls stood silently as she placed her sword back in the desk. Her hands ran through the blade tracing every inch of it before turning to see her kids still engaged on a story called "Where the wild things are". She looked back at the two girls giving a reassuring nod. "Let's go. I'll assign a temp guardian while I'm out."
"You did the right thing." Replied.
"Don't get me wrong I still haven't given my answer. I'd rather deliver my answer to Tsunade personally."
"We are thankful to you Guren! You won't be disappointed."
"I'll tell my kids before we go." She turned around heading towards the reading room to call the attention. Upon hearing her leaving most of the small ones had hugged her unhappy at the fact their "mama" is leaving. The older boys were a bit reluctant at losing a good go fish player. She said her goodbyes promising them to return when she did what she set out to do.
XXX
Deep in the heard of the White lotus hideout Karui and her group lead Hinata, Neji, and lee inside the chambers deep in the heart of the refuge. Karui reported herself to their second in command Kakouen.
"Good to see you Karui."
"Yeah. We're reporting our evacuation of Ryoshuu academy to Lady Tsunade." Kakouen looked behind Karui seeing the four Ryoshuu toushi before she looked back at Karui. "Where are the others?" She asked. Karui and Samui only bowed their heads in anger clenching their fists. "...There were no others...They were killed.."
"What?"
"We were attacked by the enemy. Ryoshuu suffered many casualties. This is all that's left."
"Where is your leader?" Asked Kakouen. This caused Bachou to start crying again. "...Big bro...was killed...by that monster..."
"What?"
"Kansui Bunyaku fell by the hands of Shiba'i Chuutatsu. She made good on her threat.."
"I see...Come inside. Lady Tsunade is expecting your arrival."
Meanwhile
The eastern side of Kanto lay in ruins after the massacre at Ryoshuu academy. As soon as she was done with it she targeted other places where she suspected the white lotus have hidden. She knew that they harbored Naruto and she would weed out any place she remember after taking the memories using one of her paths. It wasn't long before the Japanese military had started to mobilize around her next area where she was liable to go. as predicted she arrived with her other 'partners' as they described her and prepared a front line defense.
"Shiba'i Chuutatsu, Itachi Uchiha, Kaku Bunwa, Nagato Uzumaki, Karin Uzumaki, Tobirama Senju. You are under arrest by the authority of the Japanese Empire. Lower your weapons and surrender. You are surrounded and outnumbered!"
It took ten seconds for her to analyze everything and judged the correct amount of people before she looked at what she summarized was the general of this grand army. She needed to only gaze over to Tobirama which prompted his attention. "Asura Path. You may go now."
"Right." He proceeded to walk towards one of the tanks that stood in the way of Shiba'i next target and proceeded to lift both of his hands. Soon guns cocking prompted the hands to form fists and crash the ground, causing a massive tremor to open the ground and swallow clanking metal and human flesh. Gunfire had spread at the yell of the general command. They emptied out round after round of magazines on all six paths before a small flak cannon opened fire onto Shiba'i directly. The giant explosion enveloped all six paths on one shot.
"We did it sir! We got 'em!"
"Good work gentlemen! Drinks on the house tonight." Shouted the general.
"Oh yes! Very good work indeed." Whispered a voice from the very smoke rising from the area. "No...how could they?" Much to his horror the other five were still alive and well. Not a single scratch on any of them, acting as if nothing had happened.
"How is this possible?"
"It's rather simple General. I'm not human anymore. I've ascended beyond normal human limitations. Death is something I no longer need." Spoke one of the paths. They watched Shiba'i come towards the others with her armed raised. "Shinra Tensei." She whispered and destroyed everything in front of her. Explosions overtook more than half of the city block and taking down many buildings on the process. After all was said and done she continued her warpath towards her next destination according to what she absorbed from Karui was a small Shinto Shrine.
One of the paths however noticed someone still breathing in and out. Much the heaviness of his gasping he didn't have too much to live. Shiba'i sent Karin to check it out. "Human Path..."
"Understood." She replied, walking towards the last remaining force of the Japanese armada. She kneeled down taking his cheek in her hand before laying it on his head.
"Please...spare me...I have a family..I beg of you."
"...I'll make it quick."
"Please...No!...NOOOOO!" He screamed the moment she pulled out what appeared to be a blue effigy in the form of a ghost out of his body. It was sucked back into her hand killing the man instantly. "He didn't know where Naruto was. He was also trying to save his own skin. Pathetic weakling." She said leaving the area.
"Leave him Human path. Gakushin's shrine should be close by." Commanded Shiba'i. It was Itachi who started to head out leaving the other paths behind. "Animal path will summon us when he arrives. He's faster than we are." The other paths waited for when they were transported to their next destination.
XXX
It's was near the magic hour as Naruto trained harder with Tenten the master the Hyakuhekitou of the horse. Time had passed quicker then he had hoped but his progress was still something to be desired. No matter how much he tried to make a correct back swing it ended up missing it's target.
"Damn it! I just can't get that back slash right."
"It's your form Naruto. You keep dis-aligning your body with your arm and your arch is way to outward. You need to close your arm in more and align it perfectly with the rest of your body. Remember the sword is apart of you."
"Right!" Again he lunged the sword with his back swing but his arm wasn't aligned with the rest of his body which caused his swing to arch outward instead of straight in. "Damn it!"
"Hold on Naruto..You have to calm yourself. I know it's frustrating at first but with time you can get it."
"Time's not a luxury anymore now Tenten. If I can't master this how am I supposed to beat her." Again he tried and again he failed. This sword was getting harder and harder to swing. Naruto's fatigue showed in his labored breathing and drips of sweat coming out of his eyebrow. He was getting tired and out of sync with his sword.
"Naruto...It's time to take a break. You won't get anywhere if your too tired to fight."
"..I can't stop now Tenten. Not when I'm this close." He gasped. Clearly he wasn't going to give up on himself and he damn well won't let his tired out body get the best of him.
"Here..I go!" He wheezed. However before he even get the strength to lift the sword he collapsed on the ground. Tenten came to his aid to try to get him up.
"Naruto! Naruto get up! Oh man he's passed out." She shouted for someone to come help her. "HELP! NARUTO'S PASSED OUT!" She screamed. Quick as flash from the doorway came Ino with her first aid kit. She had returned from her trip with Rikuson and started her emergency treatment.
"Ino! Where were you? I though Lady Tsunade sent you somewhere."
"She did and now I'm back. Here hold this." She made her hold a towel while she made sure he was still breathing. "He's alright. His body just hit the sleep mode cause he wore himself completely out. He should come to in about a second or two." As she predicted Naruto's eyes had started to stir with the sword still gripped in his hand. "..What happened? I feel so tired.."
"Naruto Uzumaki. Have you been pushing yourself too hard again?" Asked Ino.
"Huh? Ino? What're you doing here? I thought Gramma Tsunade asked for you?"
"I did and I'm back now. Rest easy Naruto. Help is on the way okay? Trust me."
"Help? From who?"
"Someone's who an expert in mastering that sword you've got." This curiously caught the attention of Tenten. "She's having a talk with Lady Tsunade right now."
To Guren and Tsunade
"Well well well. If it isn't the swordswoman of the east. Guren of the Crystal Jade swordsman."Spoke Tsunade
"Tsunade Senju. When was the last time we met? I believe is was near Shanghai wasn't it?"
"Oh yes. You were still with the others back then."
"So I take it this is something personal like and not about business."
"...It's business as usual Guren. It always is."
"Of course. With you when something's wrong you tend to make it right no matter the cost. Even if you gave your life up for it."
"Enough with the past Guren. The reason I called you here was for one purpose."
"Naruto Uzumaki's training with a sword. I know about that."
"Yes...Right now He's trying to master the Hyakuhekitou under the tutelage of Tenten."
"Wait...Did you just say Hyakuhekitou? The set of five jian that were said to be cared for by the three pillar gods themselves? I heard they were all destroyed by someone."
"You'd be right to assume that. But one survived the onslaught brought on by the Black Dragon's very own Orochimaru when he tried to posses power. It was the horse Jian that Naruto Uzumaki must master before he can fight off Shiba'i Chuutatsu. As of now I've sent my agents to keep tabs on her and right now it appears that she's figured out our former hideouts and is weeding them down one by one until she finds us. If she does find this place and Naruto isn't ready. This world is doomed as we know it."
"You think this is going to influence my decision."
"Wasn't it your dream to see the legendary sword for yourself?"
"Nice try. But my answer is no. I've got kids I have to worry about. When the times comes to defend them with all my might then I will. I am a still a Crystal Jade swordswoman after all."
"...If that's what you believe than I have no right to stop you. I was only hoping you'd be able to train the boy in time before we made our move. We don't have much until she starts getting impatient."
"I know what she's capable of. I know she could level all of Tokyo if she wanted to. But I won't let her anywhere near those kids. I love them like they were my own children and the last thing I need is for them to be in danger of this war she's waging. I know you want him to save this world but I put that orphanage before anything else."
"Is that how you feel?" Asked Tsunade. "Is that really your final answer."
"That's my-"
"Miss Tsunade you wanted to see me?" Spoke a soft voice from the door. Guren had turned around smiling. She knew who that voice was.
"Yagura? Yagura is that you?"
"Mama Guren? MAMA GUREN!" He came in glomping her into the floor. "Oh Yagura sweety! Oh how I've missed you!"
"Mama Guren! I didn't think you were here! I thought you were still at the orphanage. Boy am I glad to see you mama! I missed you too!"
"Oh dear come here. Oh Yagura how you've grown. Look at you!" She ran her hands across his face and hair. " You've been practicing like I told you right?"
"Yeah. Me and big bro Naruto are working hard to fight against Shiba'i. Especially big bro who's using a sword just like your mama."
"Is that so?"
"Yeah! Come on! You've got to see it." He got off of her, taking her hand and rushing towards where Naruto was training with Tenten and Ino. She came into the room seeing Naruto lunging his blade with great precision and effortless ease. Though when he came to the back swing...
"Whoa kid. That back swing is horrible. You're not putting effort into it. I see your form is alright but you're not feeling it."
"Huh? Who're you?" Asked Naruto.
"The names Guren.
"Yeah yeah Big bro! This is my mama before I was adopted into Big sis's family."
"Oh.. It's nice to meet ya in person finally."
"Has Yagura been talking about me?"
"I sure have. You're the best mama I've ever had."
"Aww. That's so sweet. But I'm not your mama anymore remember."
"But you'll always be mama to me!" He smiled. That struck a chord of maternal instinct in her which caused her to take him in a big hug. "Oh Yagura you're still as cute as I remember!" She smiled.
"Mama...You're choking me!" He wheezed.
"Oh sorry dear." She said putting him down. "Where is your sister by the way?"
"She should be waiting at the courtyard just outside the temple. I was getting some training done before I was called."
"I see." Naruto decided to interrupt them before things went off topic. "Hey I hate to ruin the reunion but were you the one Gramma Tsunade sent to train me?" Tenten had seen her face and snapped her fingers. She recognized who she was. "I know you now!"
"Huh?" Spoke Guren.
"You're one of the Crystal Jade swordsman. Guren of the east! Wow I'm your biggest fan! I always wanted to meet one of the four greatest weapon masters in the whole world."
"Oh..Thank you...Miss?"
"My name's Tenten. I trained myself following your skills mistress!" She bowed.
"You can dispense with the formalities. I gave that up to a long time ago."
"What?..Why?" Her answer was clear when she put her arm around Yagura shoulder. "This is why. Kids like him and others I still take care of. You know they miss you back there. Be sure to stop by so you can say hi!"
"I will Mama!" Yagura replied.
"So are you gonna teach me now?"
"...Well!"
"Really? You were going to teach him too? That'd be great. With her at our side you can master that sword in no time."
"Really? Wow that'd be cool." Replied Naruto."
"Hold on..I didn't say anything.I was just here to-"
"I wanna watch it. Please Mama Guren..Please!" Guren had only to look back and see the smirk Tsunade wore at the doorway. Tsunade had pulled out all the stops to make sure she go her to train him. "...I'll gut you for this Tsunade. Curse you and your whole damn scheming ways."
"I have high hopes for you. I know you can do it Guren." She left with a smug look on her face. Again she turned towards Naruto and gave a good up and down before she gave her analysis. She was impressed with his body structure and when she watched his form it was clear he was getting the gist of it.
"Tenten was it?"
"Yeah?"
"You've done a good job by yourself until now. But how about some help?"
"That would be an honor mis- I mean Master Guren."
"Just Guren is fine. I'm only going to fix a few things. You've just about almost done Naruto. But I'm gonna work you to the bone now. So get ready."
"Right!"
XXX
It was just about high noon when Gakushin and Sasuke Uchiha had stepped in front on the shrines entrance. It wasn't two minutes before Gakushin had risen from her meditative state that aroused Sasuke to her aide.
"I can sense her now Sasuke. She's coming just as I had foreseen."
"You sure?"
"Yes...I can feel her..."
Right on cue Stood six shadows in the front slowly approaching the shrine. Sasuke was able to activate his Sharingan before the battle started. He knew this was going to be his greatest battle yet.
Next time Ch. 38 Bloodbath: Sasuke Vs. Shiba'i
See ya next time ^ ^.