Underlined speech is thought.

Italicized words signify emphasis put on the words or a change in tone. You should be able to figure it out from the choice of words and the character.

Sentences of thought that are completely italicized were spoken by another character.

CAPITALIZED SPEECH IS YELLING.

These are … interruptions in …speech caused … by things …like laughing,…crying, thought,.. and…others.

Words-with-dashes-between-them-consistently-signify-when-a-character-is-talking-too-fast-to-understand.

Words with tildes~ after them are spoken for longer~ periods of time.

Bold words are author notes.

(Previously on "The Ultimate Shinobi." Hinata watched Arashi deal with Sasuke up until the Uchiha was sent up for her to take care of. Through the fight, nearly all the training she went under came into place. The giant spinning platform trained her to remain on a flying summons's back. The Chakra blade training let her disarm Sasuke's Chidori and his sword. The dance training gave Hinata the experience needed to effectively strike Sasuke repeatedly, even though he had the Sharingan. The killer intent training helped her develop the instincts needed to handle Sasuke in his first curse seal stage. The training in Kumo allowed her to unleash an attack that was both damaging and forceful. After this, she began to utilize the Seikūken. Unfortunately, Orochimaru interfered with one of his poisonous snakes. Arashi decided to break things off after Hinata counters the poison with her own. Once he was alone with her in the forest, he says that their next destination is Konoha.)


11-15-09

"Surprise~~"

Three figures walked down the dirt path leading right into Konoha. The eldest of the males wore an expression of pure glee as he thought about all the different fun events that will happen. The teenaged girl looked like she had a headache simply by knowing exactly what the older man was thinking. The third, a male in-between the two's ages, had a blank expression since he didn't know how he should feel about where they are going. The eldest of the group clapped his hands and smiled even wider. "Alright, I'm sure that you two remember the plan. It's the best one for getting in without much incident."

"Do you even realize what you are saying Arashi-shishō? You are talking about a missing-nin wanted by Konoha and walking through the village's front gate without incident. Do you realize how stupid you sound?"

The other male chuckled. "I must agree with Hinata-san. Knowing you Arashi-sama, you plan on using me for your own amusement."

Arashi smiled widely. "Yeah, you're right Kabuto-kun. This plan is just so they don't try to kill you on sight. … I am expecting plenty~ of entertainment."

"Excluding the bondage, this should be fun for me too."

Hinata shook her head in exasperation. "It is disturbing how similar Kabuto-san has become in comparison to you~ Arashi-shishō."

"At least I spent my time turning Kabuto-kun into a personality clone rather than devising new ways to annoy you."

Kabuto chuckled. "Do you think that makes her fell better?"

"Rub it in my face why don't you~? I can't believe you managed to get me even once, let alone three times. It's only been four days~. How did you master Arashi-shishō's behavior so quickly?"

"I think that this is actually Kabuto-kun's natural personality. When someone has their memories wiped, personalities usually don't change. The memory wipe gives them a chance to gain new beliefs. If they have the right beliefs, even a naturally cruel person may be able to help the world."

Kabuto chuckled some more. "I'm glad that my abilities are actually repairing the damage to my brain, allowing me to see what my old beliefs were. It is fun comparing the new me to the flashes of memories of the old me. I must say that this new way of life is already turning out to be more entertaining. I see now that emotional conflict is far better than physical conflict. There is so much more … variety~. Playing with people this way has much more potential."

Hinata let out another sigh. "From what Arashi-shishō told me about your past, you aren't much different. You are just going about it differently. Now let's get you tied up so I can finally see my home."

Just as Hinata finished wrapping Kabuto's wrists in wire and rope, Arashi grabbed both by the waist and charged full speed towards the village. Kabuto was amused while Hinata went from surprised to annoyed in a single second. "How did I ever expect him to not try to make a big scene? Now every ANBU, Jonin, and Chunin that sees us will give chase. How does Arashi-shishō expect to be accepted as a Konoha shinobi when every action he takes could get him thrown in jail?"

A few seconds later:

As soon as the two gate guards saw a man running past at a speed matching Might Guy's while caring two people, they raised the alarm. "HE'S HEADING FOR THE HOKAGE TOWER! INTERCEPT AND PROTECT HOKAGE-SAMA! HE'S NOT ALLOWED WITHIN ONE KILOMETER OF HER!"

Droves of Jonin and Chunin who received the message quickly came out of the woodwork and made a beeline along the path that would take them straight to the intruder. Even with the two people he was carrying, he was far faster than the average jonin. Anyone behind him couldn't catch up. The man also was able to slip by a number of the shinobi in front of him. One noticed who the male was being carried in the left arm. "HE'S CARRYING KABUTO YAKUSHI! HE MUST BE IN LEAGE WITH OROCHIMARU!"

Another jonin noticed the female finish some hand seals. "Not good." He watched as a rock came off the edge of a building and into the female's hands. A drop of sweat formed on the back of his head when she started hitting her forehead with the rock. "FOCUS ATTACKS ON THE LEFT SIDE! THE WOMAN APEARS TO BE A BIT INSANE!"

The man doing the running showed clear signs of nearly slipping as he let out a fit of booming laughter. The rock soon found the man's head, but he continued laughing as if it didn't happen. Off in a short distance ahead, a person wearing an ANBU mask blocked the way. The intruder shortened his running stride and zigzagged at an extraordinary pace while not slowing his forward speed at all. This unusual running confused the ANBU completely and allowed the intruder to slip past.

As soon as he accomplished this, the ninjutsu started flying. As and unbelievable response, the man actually increased his speed. He was dead set on not losing any time. "IS THIS MAN EVEN HUMAN~?"

As he started getting too close, five people wearing the mask started to run after him. The intruder once again shortened his stride and started zigzagging at an insane pace. His forward speed finally dropped to something those behind him could catch up to. They knew that would change on the off chance he got past five ANBU. All of them unleashed a fire ball jutsu at once. Instead of seeing this as a danger, the man saw it as a chance. He returned to full speed and jumped over the flames and the ANBU. He jumped even further and higher with the next one. Everyone realized where the next jump would take the man and thought the same thing. "He's insane."

The Hokage's Tower:

"I have already told you countless times before … I am not sending hunter-nin after your daughter. She has not been kidnapped nor has she done anything that would cause her to be considered a missing-nin. Although there were some times when her letters were late, she kept up with them the entire time, and still does. We have even provided you with copies of all these letters."

"I have read them all, and there is plenty room for mistake. Many letters are hastily written and lack certain details such as location and~ physical conditions."

"I know full well that your greatest concern is whether or not she has been impregnated. It astonishes me that you don't have more faith in your own daughter. I have read all of the letters and even had most checked for tampering."

"What about the ones not writing in my daughter's hand."

"We have samples of Arashi's handwriting, and all those letters are certainly written by him. They even state that he is writing them because Hinata is unable to do so at the time."

"Do you not see that those letters fail to point out why my daughter is unable to write at the time?"

Tsunade's bolted up in a spot of rage. "THAT'S ENOUGH HIASHI!" She then sat back down calmly after asserting her authority. "The mission was set to last for three years. That is what Arashi paid for and that is what we agreed to. Unless the letters stop coming, there is nothing I can or should do about it. The unfortunate always happens on a mission. It's rare for us to even be certain that a shinobi is even still alive when it comes to missions like these. Not only am I certain that she is alive, but I am certain that she is growing with each passing few months."

Hiashi narrowed his eyes. "What is your meaning?"

"Try reading the letters again, except you skip three or four for every one you read. I would have missed it if Hinata's sensei hadn't pointed it out to me."

The doors suddenly swung open. A chunin with a frantic expression was revealed. "My apologies Hokage-sama, but this is an emergency. An intruder ran straight into the village while carrying two people. He may be here in a matter of seconds."

Just before she asked if he has been identified, the sound of shattering glass echoed behind her. Acting on instinct, she launched a blind chakra filled punch. The man ducked under it in the nick of time and looked up. "You know~, if being Hokage doesn't work out you have potential at a milk factory." He dodged yet another punch. Tsunade was about to continue her attack, but stopped when she realized who he was. "Surprise~~."

"WHAT ARE YOU~ DOING HERE?" Before the question could be answered, the same five ANBU from before reached the window and tossed a barrage of kunai at the three people. The man dropped both, pulled out a sword, and slashed the kunai to bits in a very short time. As the ANBU started up some hand-seals, Tsunade held out her hand authoritatively and got their attention with some killer intent. "This man is not an enemy of the village. He is a client for a mission. Leave now before I demote all of you to chunin." They were gone in that instant.

"Good job recognizing me so quickly Tsunade. I'm glad to see that you can still send a man flying just by turning around."

Veins bulged on her forehead and her voice became strained with anger. "I'm not so glad to see you so willing to cause such chaos in my village."

Hinata, who stood up in an instant after being dropped, joined in with a bow. "Gomen Hokage-sama. Once Arashi-shishō gets an idea in his head, stopping him or dissuading him are near impossible tasks. He usually doesn't give me enough time to even realize what he is doing before sucking me into it."

Tsunade coughed into her hand. "Well~, when I read that he likes to stir up chaos and trouble, I did not realize that he liked taking it this far." She started to rub her temples. "I can already see this man causing me a lot of paperwork." She quickly noticed the other person starting to stand up next to Arashi. "WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING HERE~?" She quickly noticed how his hands were bound before turning to Arashi. "How in the world did you manage this?"

Hinata was prepared to smack her own forehead knowing that Arashi planned to tell her exactly what happened. He spent few minutes telling her about Orochimaru, wiping Kabuto's memories, and Sasuke. "From that fight, I came up with a great idea for Hinata-chan's next training regimen. She should become even stronger."

Tsunade rubbed her temples. "He's already given me a pile of paperwork just coming into the village, and now he's brought in one of the biggest missing-nin out there as if it were nothing. I won't be finished for two weeks."

Hiashi decided to make his presence known. "You mean to tell me that my daughter fought on par with the Uchiha traitor? Do you honestly expect me to believe that?"

Arashi smiled widely. "What's wrong? You think that because you failed as a teacher, it is Hinata that is weak. Has your own incompetence ever crossed your mind as the reason."

Kabuto let out a long whistle. "I felt that one from over here."

In a short burst of anger, Hiashi charged Kabuto a prepared a lethal blow. He was surprised when Arashi took the blow right over the heart. "You forget things easily, don't you Hiashi."

Tsunade narrowed her eyes. "The Chakra Screen Jutsu. I see that it is just as effective against the Hyuga as against me. Arashi would certainly be a dangerous enemy to make." Tsunade cleared her throat loudly. "I hope you haven't forgotten your manners Hiashi-sama. This is not the place for fighting, let alone killing someone." She turned her attention to Arashi. "From your story, I am guessing that the mission isn't technically over."

Hiashi quickly turned to Tsunade, shrugging off his recent failure as if it didn't happen. "Forget about him and turn your attention towards the A-classed missing-nin standing right in front of you. Shouldn't he be your primary concern?"

Arashi looked at Hiashi with just his eyes. "You really need to learn how to shut up. I planned to talk about that and other arrangements as well." Before the Hyuga leader could protest, Arashi unexpectedly jabbed his throat with lightning speed. The man gripped the spot and struggled to get his voice out. Arashi turned his head to face him. "You really shouldn't underestimate me by thinking that my Chakra Screen Jutsu is all I can do." Arashi faced Tsunade just in time for Hiashi palm to slam into the side of his face. "Let's talk about Kabuto first."

The changed man couldn't help but smile widely at the scene playing out before him. "That blow hurt Hiashi-san more than Arashi-sama."

Hinata had never been so shocked in her life. She doubted Naruto walking right into the room, confessing his love for her, and then kissing her right on the lips would surprise her more. "I can never imagine anyone except Arashi-shishō being able to insult Otou-sama like this without getting killed. Otou-sama's killer intent would have paralyzed me if it wasn't for the training I went through. You should lighten up Arashi-shishō."

Arashi gave Hinata a glace. "No promises." He turned back to Tsunade. "When I first came to this village, I was able to look around and do some decent research on the skills within this village. I believe that with your efforts combined with a Yamanaka's, you can make completely certain that Kabuto is no longer a threat to the village. As for training, I can do more than just Hinata-chan. If possible, I want some of the other old genin to play a part in some of my training ideas."

Tsunade smiled. "That sounds very interesting, but I must tell you that all of those genin have graduated into being chunin. The only genin left are Hinata and Naruto. Everyone else has been able to attend the chunin exams and pass."

Hinata smiled widely. "Shino-kun and Kiba-kun are chunin now?"

Arashi turned his attention to Hinata. "I think that's what Tsunade said Hinata-chan. You don't seem very bummed that you are still a genin."

"It's okay. Even if I am not a chunin, I doubt that I would be as strong as I am now if I didn't go on this mission."

"I'm touched Hinata-chan. You really feel like I have made a difference in your life. That alone makes me a happy teacher."

Hinata narrowed her eyes. "What are you up to?"

Arashi smirked widely. "Why do you have to think that something bad will happen when I say something nice?"

"You said it, not me."

Arashi's expression blanked for a bit before smiling again. "So this is what feeling like a proud father is like?"

Hinata let out a long sigh. "What has happened to me? Otou-sama is standing there and I am acting like this." Her eyes widened when she noticed that he wasn't there. "I actually didn't notice that he left. I must have really changed if I can ignore Otou-sama when he is in the same room. I should have been too nervous to say anything, but I am actually pretty calm. I don't think I can speak out against him, but I am not that scared anymore."

The door suddenly opened, revealing a large white blur charging straight for Hinata. She was brought to the ground quickly. Reacting as fast as her training allowed her too, she pushed the large object off of her with enough force to send it halfway to the ceiling. Everyone except Arashi and Kabuto was shocked.

The people who were standing outside the door were equally shocked. Arashi smirked at their looks. "Well if it isn't Hinata's team. This must have shocked them."

Hinata sat up and noticed the white blur. She was also surprised. "Is that you Akamaru-kun? When did you get so big?"

Akamaru's partner, Kiba spoke up. "FORGET THAT! WHEN DID YOU GET SO STRONG?"

Hinata blinked in confusion, which Arashi responded to. "Hinata-chan … you just took a dog weighing about as much as you do and pushed it up half way to the ceiling while lying on your back. That isn't normal for a male shinobi to be doing so effortlessly, let alone a kunoichi. This is especially true considering how physically weaker you were two and a half years ago."

Getting over her shock, Kurenai approached Arashi directly. After a few moments of staring at him directly, she let out a long sigh. "Thanks for bringing her back."

Arashi smiled in a gentler way. "After all the time I invested into her and how much I care, I couldn't let her get killed out there."

Shino decided to step forward. "Hinata's face is bruised."

Kurenai quickly moved over to Hinata and examined her. It was barely there, but parts of her face were tinted yellow from old bruises. "WHERE DID THESE~ COME FROM?"

Tsunade stood up. "Don't worry Kurenai. I plan on giving Hinata a check up as soon as possible. Right now, we have a few other things to deal with." She pressed a button hidden under the desk, causing a fully dressed ANBU to appear. "Take Kabuto to the interrogation room and schedule a mind scan from Inoichi."

Kabuto narrowed his eyes as he was pulled along. "That's it for my fun." He then smirked. "I'll be able to have even more when I am released."

The chunin and jonin were shocked at watching the man walk out. Kiba turned to Hinata. "You actually captured that guy."

Arashi laughed. "Hinata-chan isn't that strong yet. I doubt she could capture Kabuto without killing him. It is me who captured him. I am also the one responsible for…." Arashi looked around a bit. "Where did Hiashi go?"

Hinata's jaw dropped a bit. "You didn't notice."

"Nope. I must have done too well in tuning him out. I'm willing to bet that he hates me now."

Hinata narrowed her eyes. "No one could lose that bet."

"Not even Tsunade." Arashi started laughing at his quick witted joke.

The Hokage's eye twitched in irritation. "That aside, I think I should give Hinata a quick look over." Tsunade stood up and walked over to Hinata. "I am going to check your internal organs first and work my way out." Hinata nodded and spread out her arms. Starting from the head, Tsunade worked down to her pelvis. "There is no internal damage and I couldn't help but check if there was any evidence of anything inappropriate happening to her. Arashi has proven how trustworthy he is."

Tsunade moved her glowing hands to Hinata's feet and slowly worked to the knees before backing off, worrying Hinata a bit in doing so. "Is something wrong Hokage-sama?"

"N-no. I thought I detected something, but it's medically impossible. I am going to continue." As she did so, her confused expression only grew more confused. Tsunade turned her focus from Hinata and saw that everyone was worried about what she was finding except one person; Arashi. He had the devious smirk telling her that he knew exactly what she was seeing. She read his lips precisely. "Surprise~~." Tsunade stepped past Hinata and glared right into his eyes. "How did you do that to her?"


This is a really gentle cliffy. I am going to show the first new training and try to come up with ideas for most of the others. I have plans for Might Guy's team, but the others are a bit more complicated.

Next Chapter: Metamorphosis.