Authors Notes: Alright, so I was mistaken, there will be ONE more chapter before the Land of Snow/Spring mission, and here it is! I will admit, this chapter is mostly filler and fluff, so it may be shorter then my usual chapters. Being used to set up immediate and distant future events as well as build up some character relations between Naruto, Yakumo, and maybe Kurenai.
Voting Poll Update: Due to an incomplete list, the votes have been reset as of the posting of this chapter. To apologize, the voting limit is 3 votes per person.
Now, there are a lot of requests to make Sasuke: The Dildo Avenger officially part of the story. Unfortunately, it has to stay in the Omake universe. However, if any of you wanna take the concept and write a spin off crack fic, feel free to do so. Only thing I ask is that you credit the original person for the idea, that person being CrimsonStarBlade.
Review Corner
Anthonym3 – Yup, when I read your review, I just had to be a smart ass and include the kitchen sink. Of course now I am getting requests to do a chapter with the kitchen sink, so go figure. As for Sasuke The Dildo Avenger, he will pop up in future Omake's.
CrimsonStarBlade – This is a good idea for a future Omake, to have Sasuke confront Itachi with his new weapon. As for Queen Sara, do you have any suggestions for how Naruto and her could meet? I am not familiar with the game she is from, mainly since the last Naruto game I played was Ultimate Ninja Storm 2, so I am a bit behind in that aspect, lol.
Nani Daguq – Sorry about that. Rest assured, there will be more adventures of Sasuke The Dildo Avenger.
YeagerMeister31 – Sadly, Naruto isn't even trying to get their attention. He just wants to help people. Of course unlike your typical anime protagonist, he is not oblivious to their attraction towards him.
Harem – Ameyuri, Anko, Ayame, Fem!Haku, Fem!Hidan, Fem!Jashin, Fem!Kyuubi, Fu, Fuka, Hana, Hanabi, Hinata, Hokuto, Ino, Karin, Karui, Kin, Konan, Koyuki, Kurenai, Kurotsuchi, Kushina, Mei, Mikoto, Natsuhi, Pakura, Rin, Ryuzetsu, Sakura, Samui, Shion, Shizuka, Shizune, Tayuya, Tenten, Temari, Tsume, Tsunade, Tsunami, Yakumo, Yukata, Yugao, and Yugito
So there has been a few requests to add Fubuki to the harem list, since that arc is coming up after this chapter, I need ideas of how that could play out. So feel free to send me a private message with suggestions.
Now, with that being said, on with the show!
Darkness Falls
Chapter 20
Unknown Location
Threads of light filtered into the old darkened storage room through the cracks in the boards that blocked out the windows, preventing those outside from seeing inside the darkened room. Off to the side, a large man with white haired leaned up against the wall. Waiting. The man seemed anxious, almost giddy with anticipation.
He didn't have to wait long as another figure entered the room, whispering for his attention.
"Did you get it?" The large man inquired as he turned to greet the new arrival.
"Yes." The other, smaller man answered, offering a rolled up scroll that still had the wax seal on it, proving it hadn't been tampered with.
Without a word, the larger man took the scroll and broke the seal, unrolling it to read it's contents, which read as follows.
N.U. Kitsune,
We humbly ask for your expressed permission to use your intellectual property,, as the studio is eager to do a movie based off a popular book series, and yours is at the top of the list. It is with great excitement that we contact you with this offer to film a movie based off of your wonderful book series, Demon Heart. You should know that the lead actress herself, Yukie Fujikaze, is an avid fan of your stories and is eagerly looking forward in staring in the film.
Please contact us at your earliest convenience so that we may negotiate a fair deal for all involved.
With regards,
Sandayu Asama
"So their studio is looking to make a movie based off a popular book series." The larger man grinned. "I'll give them just the book series that would make the perfect movie."
"If you say so, I don't really care." The smaller man commented with a shrug, not really caring about the movie industry in the slightest. He just wanted to get paid and go on about his day.
"Ha! You say that now, but with the stipulations I will be adding to my contract, you will soon see the true meaning of art, and a body like Princess Koyuki's, is truly be artistic." The larger man replied with a lecherous grin.
"What ever." The other man shrugged again. "My pay?"
"Pfft, you have no respect for art." The larger man commented before tossing the smaller individual a small sack filled with coin. "Here."
In a quick motion, the smaller of the two caught the sack and proceeded to open it and count how much money was in it, a scowl coming across his face as he saw it was far less then he was expecting.
"Hey, this isn't the amount we agreed upon!" He exclaimed in anger.
"I paid you what the mission was worth." The white haired man stated matter of factually. "It's not like you had to go behind enemy lines or anything. No all you had to do was intercept a single letter."
The smaller man only scoffed and left the room, knowing there was no arguing with the larger man. The larger man stayed silent as he watched the other left, smirking to himself before turning his attention back to the scroll in his hand.
"Sorry Kitsune, you already have too much success." He smirked. "Now it's time for Icha Icha to reclaim it's throne, and a movie starring none other then the lost Princess of Yuki no Kuni is just the thing to ensure my books get put back on top where they belong."
Konoha, The Next Morning
It was quiet in the Uzumaki compound. Mostly because the only ones still within the property was Naruto and Yakumo, as the others had left to go about their days, as all of them had the day off. Sakura had left earlier to keep up appearances with her mother, whilst Anko and Haku had accompanied Yugao to run some errands around the village.
While everyone else was out of the compound, Naruto had taken the opportunity to address the issue that the power seal on Yakumo had created. An entity that called itself Ido. A manifestation of all of the girls negative emotions and thoughts. From what the young blonde could determine was that Ido had always been present within her mind, though was set free when the seal was placed on her. Still, it was something that needed to be addressed immediately.
Which was why he was now in one of the training grounds. Seals scatted all over the ground, save one large circle in the center of it all. The seals purpose was to link those who were inside the circle minds together in a safe manner, as well as contain any power that could potentially leak out and cause damage.
"Are you ready, Yakumo-chan?" Naruto asked as he knelt down in the large circle.
"Y-yes." The girl hesitated, clearly afraid of what was about to happen. Regardless, she too knelt down in the circle as well, just across from where Naruto was. "Are you sure this is going to work?"
"Don't worry." He replied, giving her a reassuring smile before bending over, he channeled his chakra into the seals. In an instant, a blinding white light erupted around the two, prompting them to cover their eyes.
Yakumo's Mindscape
When the two opened their eyes, the first thing they noticed was that they were not in the training ground anymore. Instead, they were in what appeared to be a nightmarish hell scape. Barren rock cropping and ruined buildings littered the horizon as the sky above was filled with black clouds with red lightening striking at random. In truth, the entire scene frightened Yakumo.
'Is this really my mind?' She thought fearfully as she took in the environment around her. However, she was broken out of her thoughts when she felt a hand on her shoulder, turning she saw Naruto standing beside her.
"It's only like this because you have an alternative personality fighting for control." He explained. "Just remember. This is your mind, you're the one in control. No matter what this Ido says. Nothing can happen unless you want it to happen."
Encouraged by the blonde at her side, Yakumo nodded her head and steeled her resolve as the two of them set off towards a large broken tower like structure. No doubt where Ido was residing. It didn't take long for the two to arrive at their destination. Stepping into the center of the broken tower, they were greeted by the sight of an individual that looked similar to Yakumo, with the exception of horns that protruded outwards, and elongated fangs coming from mouth. It's skin a darkened grayish brown, with an almost animalistic cat-like face, and eyes..
"So, my weak pathetic shell finally comes to me." The demonic entity growls out.
"You must be Ido." Naruto commented as they approached the figure, unaffected by it's appearance.
"How cute, she brought a friend." It sneered. "Too bad you have only came to your death."
"I don't think so." The blonde stated casually. "You see, this is Yakumo-chan's domain. Not yours. You are merely a false queen in this mindscape."
Taking this as her cue, Yakumo stepped forward. A steeled look of determination in her eyes. All the while repeating what Naruto had told her. That despite Ido's intimidating appearance, the demon could do nothing to her or Naruto without her consent.
"You have plagued me for the past three months." She stated. "Filling my mind with thoughts of destroying the village, torturing Kurenai-san to death, and setting the world on fire. No more!"
"Foolish girl! Those were your own thoughts and desires!" Ido exclaimed, lashing out with a wave of power, which sent debris and large tendrils of dark energy towards the two.
However, before the attack could hit, the tendrils smashed into an invisible wall as the various debris of masonry shattered upon colliding with the invisible force as Yakumo stood there, mildly flinching at the closeness of the attack. Naruto on the other hand, didn't even bat an eye. Seeing that Ido's attack couldn't touch her, the young girl was filled with more confidence as she brought up her right arm and swing it to the side in a sweeping motion, sending out her own wave of power that obliterated the dark tendrils and kicking up it's own dust and debris.
"You have no power here!" Yakumo stated with finality. "This is my domain!"
As she stated this, she began to stalk forward towards the demonic like entity. All the while, her power keeping the tendrils that Ido kept sending towards her at bay as they were destroyed upon impact of the powerful barrier Yakumo kept around her. Gradually, the young girl drew closer the Ido, causing the entity to begin to panic as it's powers were having no effect on the girl or the blonde that had accompanied her. As Yakumo drew closer, Ido began to panic further.
"STAY AWAY!" Ido cried out as she started throwing more attacks at the girl in desperation, though as expected, none got even close to her. "STAY AWAY FROM ME!"
"You're right." Yakumo finally spoke once she got within arms length of the demonic looking entity, using her power to hold Ido in place. "I did have those thoughts. I wanted to see the village burn. I wanted to see Kurenai-sensei suffer for what she did to me. I wanted everyone who had wronged me to pay. But I was wrong."
"So what now?" Ido asked, resigning herself to her fate, since she couldn't escape from her captor. "Will you banish me from your mind? Lock me away, or just snuff out my existence?"
"No." The brown haired girl replied to the surprise of Ido. "You were created by my own negative emotions and thoughts. You were able to grow and nurish due to the seal that was put on me to suppress my power. However, despite how you created, you are sill part of who I am."
It was then that Yakumo did something that neither Naruto nor Ido had expected. She brought the entity into a hug. Upon doing so, a bright light flashed, temporarily blinding the blonde from seeing what was happening. As the light faded, the brownish skin began to shed away from Ido, revealing a more fair complexion underneath it. The horns that adorned her head becoming smaller, before twisting and changing into a more elegant looking set, looking almost like the horns of a ram. Her fangs also becoming smaller, almost to the point that they only barely protruded from under her upper lip. Her eyes, while still keeping their cat like appearance, had changed color. What was once yellow filled with malice, was now a pinkish color.
As this happens, Ido's eyes widened in shock of what had just happened. Feeling as if all the darkness that had clouded her mind had been cleared. This was further reflected as the enviornment around them began to shift and change. Buildings that were once crumbling repaired themselves, as the darkened sky cleared, to allow rays of sunshine to wash over the newly repaired city. Leaving the three of them standing in the center of a beautiful park.
"I'm sorry." Ido cried, allowing her head to drop onto Yakumo's shoulder, to which the brunette stroked the girls hair to comfort her.
"No, I am sorry." Yakumo smiled. "I thrust all of my negative emotions upon you unfairly."
Meanwhile, Naruto merely smiled as everything unfolded. He was honestly surprised at Yakumo's approach in how to handle Ido, how she had accepted that Ido was part of her, despite what the being had represented. He knew that had Yakumo try to fight it, Ido would have only become stronger and increase it's chance of completely taking control.
"Thank you Naruto-kun." Yakumo stated, breaking the blonde out of his musings. "I couldn't have done this without you."
"How did I help?" He asked, a little confused. Sure, he may have set up the seals to allow them both in her mindscape so that they could confront Ido, but aside from that he did nothing.
"With your words and belief in me." She smiled, while still stroking the hair of the still sobbing Ido. "At first, I fully intended to fight with everything I had. But when you told me that she couldn't do anything as long as I didn't allow it, it made me realize that she was born because of me."
"So instead of fighting her, you decided to embrace that she is a part of you." Naruto surmised with smile. Approving of her resolve.
Yakumo merely nodded with a smile.
"Of course." She replied. "As one, we can move forward towards our dream to be the most renowned Genjutsu Mistress in not just Konoha, but all of the Elemental Nations."
At this, Ido nodded in agreement.
"Together." She said.
Real World
Slowly the two opened the eyes, the glow that the seals had once given off when activated had died down. Looking around, Yakumo could see that it had only been roughly half an hour, though it had felt like an entire day. Naruto seemed to catch on to her confusion and chuckled.
"Time flows different within our minds." He commented. "How do you feel?"
"I feel whole and…." She paused, scrunching her nose slightly. One thing that she noticed right away was that she felt physically stronger. Stronger then she had been three months ago. "Stronger. Like I was missing something that just I just got back."
"That's good." Naruto smiled as he moved to stand from his kneeling position, only to be tackled in a hug from the brunette. Tears streaming down her face as she muttered 'Thank yous' over and over again. Smiling, the blonde rubbed the girls back as he was forced to sit back down while she cried into his chest.
Another half hour passed as the two sat there, Yakumo having finally calmed down from her emotional state and had fallen asleep in the blondes arms. Seeing this, Naruto softly chuckled to himself and carefully stood up, adjusting the brunette into a bridal position and proceeded to take her to her room. Mentally noting that he was going to need to talk to the old man about expanding his home, especially at the rate he's been getting roommates.
Laying her down on her bed, Naruto smiled and leaned in and kissed her forehead, causing Yakumo to smile softly in her sleep.
"Get some rest." Naruto said as he turned to leave the room. "I am sure Kurenai-san will be coming by to visit later today."
As he left, Yakumo cracked open her eyes and smiled once more.
'You know, he is cute. You should see about dating him.' Ido commented from within her mind, prompting Yakumo to widen her eyes in surprise as a blush crept across her face.
Hokage Tower, 30 Minutes Later
With Ido now dealt with, in a rather peaceful manner, Naruto knew he had to talk to the old man about his ROOT problem. He knew that with his latest interference, Danzo would be after him even more then before. Which is why he found himself in front of the familiar set of wooden doors. Giving them a firm knock, he waited for the elder village leader to call him in.
"Ah, Naruto-kun." Hiruzen greeted with a smile. "Good to see you."
"Good to see you too Ji-ji." The blonde greeted back. "Unfortunately, I am not here for a social visit. Could we have some privacy?"
Nodding, the elder man dismissed all of the ANBU in the room and activated the privacy seals in his office. As an added step, Naruto had activated his Shadow Sight ability to ensure the room was truly empty. Once it was confirmed that they were alone, Naruto deactivated his ability and took a deep breath.
"What do you know about ROOT?"
The question alone was enough to make the elder man's blood freeze.
"Where did you learn of that, Naruto-kun?"
"Had a few run in's with them." The blonde explained with a small scowl. "And just recently, they had attempted to acquire Yakumo Kurama into their ranks through the use of loyalty and enslavement seals intertwined together."
"ROOT was a group of ANBU lead by Danzo." The old man sighed, not liking the implications. "Emotionless tools to be used for black ops missions. Assassinations, infiltration's and worse. I had ordered them to be disbanded before retiring from this position, before your father took over."
"It would appear that this order was never fully carried out." Naruto mused. 'Or, the previous Hokage allowed them to reform in secret under him.'
"I agree." Hiruzen sighed once more, rubbing his temples as he felt a massive headache coming on.
"Unfortunately, these ROOT ANBU have seals on them that prevent them from talking, even if tortured. Also, I wouldn't be surprised if there is a 'Dead Man's Switch' seal on them somewhere." The blonde added. "So with no concrete proof, we have nothing to show."
"What of you and Yakumo-san's memories?" The old man offered. "Inoichi could easily share those."
"Except you're forgetting that due to Danzo being an Elder Councilor, this would involve all council members, and the civilian side doesn't like me all that much." Naruto pointed out. "Also, Yakumo-chan has been ostracized by her own clan and family, so she doesn't have much support either."
"I see, this does complicate things." The Hokage stated with a frown. "For now, keep your guard up. And be sure to inform your girls, no doubt Danzo will target them to get to you."
Naruto nodded at this, as he knew this was a very likely scenario.
"Already ahead of you Ji-ji." He commented.
"Now, is there anything else, Naruto-kun?"
"Actually yes." The blonde answered. "I would like your permission to expand my compound."
"Why do you need my permission?" Hiruzen asked, a little confused.
"Because I plan on bringing in someone from outside of the village." Naruto grinned. "Tazuna."
"I see." The old man chuckled. "Very well, when do you plan on doing this?"
"Probably around the Chuunin Exams that are coming up." The blonde shrugged. "Tsunami-chan plans on attending anyways."
"Very well, Naruto-kun. You have my permission."
"Thanks Ji-ji." Naruto replied as he left the room, leaving the elder village leader alone with his thoughts.
'I'll need to keep a closer eye on Danzo.' He thought. 'Unfortunately, I don't know who to trust. So it must fall to myself and Neko when she is around.'
Ramen Ichiraku
The purple haired beauty, known as the 'Queen of Blades', was sitting by herself at the ramen stand, enjoying a bowl of pork miso, while chatting with Ayame. The subject of course was about Naruto. Ayame was a little disappointed that Naruto had been unable to come see her the previous day, but Yugao explained that he intended to before something serious came up. Going on to explain how Naruto had helped out Kurernai's student and potentially saved her from a very bleak future.
As the two were conversing, two shadows cast over the two women. Ayame scowled, having a good view of the two that had just entered the stand, prompting Yugao to sigh to herself.
'Guess it was too much to hope that the bastard would leave me alone.'
"Hey Yugao-chan." Hayate greeted as he entered the ramen stand, ignoring the scowl Ayame was sending his way as Kakashi entered along with him, reading his usual orange book.
"What do you want?" The swords mistress asked in an annoyed one.
"Don't be like that Yugao-chan." Hayate said as he took a stool next to her, ignoring the glare he was receiving from Ayame. "I just wanted to have a friendly chat."
"I've already told you, I am not interested and I will not forsake my fiance."
"Come on Yugao-chan, I know you were forced into that arrangement against your will." The coughing swordsman continued. "But I can take care of you a lot better then that brat can. In more ways then one."
This of course prompted both women to scowl at the mans words.
"If you're not going to order something, then I am going to have to ask you to leave." Ayame stated, glaring at both men in the stand.
Turning his attention to the ramen waitress, Hayate couldn't help but notice her own beauty as he let his eyes travel up and down her body. This of course did not go unnoticed by the two women, earning him another pair of heated glares that he ignored.
"Don't even think about it." The ramen waitress stated with a cold edge to her voice. "I have a boyfriend."
"Fine, fine." Hayate held up his hands in mock surrender. "I'll have a beef ramen."
"And you?" Ayame turned her attention to the masked jonin.
"Pork ramen, please." He replied before turning back to his book, clearly showing he would much rather be anywhere else but here.
The brunette ramen waitress made eye contact with the swords mistress before disappearing back into the kitchen area to prepare the orders. Normally her father would cook while she took orders, but he had an errand to run, and wouldn't return for another few hours.
"So how about you forget about that brat, and I will take you out on a nice date." The male swordsman pressed on. "That brat probably doesn't respect you anyways."
"What harm could it do to give Hayate here a chance, Uzuki-san?" Kakashi piped in lazily, still not looking up from his book. "Go out a few times as friends, and you may be surprised."
'So that's his plan.' Yugao thought to herself with a scoff. 'Bring along a wing man to pressure me into going out with him. Dumb ass.'
"I assure you, I am quite happy with my engagement to my fiance." The purple haired woman stated with a clipped tone. "And as far as our relationship goes, it is purely professional. And even that is pushing it."
"I just don't get what you see in the brat." Hayate scoffed. "He should have died on his first mission out of the village."
Kakashi couldn't help but frown at his friends words. The masked pervert could understand being jealous that someone was dating the girl he liked, after all, he himself was jealous when Rin and Obito had started dating; but to wish death upon someone was crossing the line for him.
"What I see in Naruto-kun is none of your business." Yugao stated. "And to see you sink so low as to wish death upon a fellow Konoha shinobi just further lowers my opinion of you. You truly are pathetic."
At hearing Naruto's name come out of the purple haired ANBU's mouth, Kakashi nearly dropped his book in surprise. Stealing a quick glance at her, he could see the black streaks that ran through her hair, making him wonder how he never noticed it before. However, he didn't get to dwell on it further, as another person entered the ramen stand, immediately causing Hayate to scowl at the new comer.
"How's my Queen of Blades?" Naruto asked as he wrapped his arms around the purple haired woman's waist from behind, giving her a light kiss at the base of her neck.
This of course prompted her to smile and lean back into his embrace, all the while getting a sense of enjoyment as jealousy and rage washed over Hayate's face. Meanwhile, the masked jonin could only look on in surprise as the scene unfolded before him.
"Now, haven't I already warned you about harassing my fiance, Hayate-teme?" The blonde inquired as he settled into a stool on the opposite side of his purple haired beauty, who of course after Naruto got settled and slid over into his lap, wrapping her arms around his neck while he supported her by holding on to her waist. It was clear that she was relishing the fact she could be openly affectionate with him.
"Like you have any power over me." Hayate scoffed. "I out rank you as a shinobi."
"As a shinobi maybe, but you're forgetting something." Naruto smirked. "As the clan head of the Uzumaki clan, I out rank you. And with myself being a shinobi as well, gives me a voice on the Shinobi council."
At this revelation, the sickly swordsman paled.
"Now, so far I have been polite about your unwanted advances towards Yugao-chan." The blonde continued. "However, I am beginning to grow tired of your foolish pursuit of my fiance. As such, I am tempted to bring this before the Shinobi Council, in which one of many things could happen to you, as you would be perceived as a threat to one of my future clan members."
"Firstly, you could find your shinobi license revoked and your chakra sealed. Secondly, you could find yourself stationed far outside of the village to ensure no 'accidental' contact with the affected clan member. And lastly, as I just overheard you stating your desire that I died on a mission outside of the village, it could be seen as you conspiring against a clan head, in which the punishment is public execution. So what will it be, Hayate-teme?"
While scowling at the implications, Hayate wisely remained silent. Meanwhile, Kakashi couldn't help but shudder, not just because of the words his estranged student had said, but the tone he used. Which promised that he would follow through it it if needed. As silence fell over the four, Ayame returned with the two orders, placing them each before Hayate and Kakashi.
"Ah, Naruto-kun, you're here." Ayame smiled as she made her way around the counter and enveloped the blonde in a hug from behind, as the young blonde craned his neck to give her a soft kiss on the lips, while the purple haired beauty moved slightly out of the way to allow her future sister-wife and fellow jashinist in for some affection from their mate.
"Sorry I didn't come by last night." The blonde apologized. "Something came up that I had to look in to."
"It's okay, Yugao-chan let me know what happened." The brunette waved off his apology.
"Her too?" Hayate inquired as he watched the two girls surround the blonde.
"As the last of the Uzumaki clan, he is in the Clan Restoration Act." Kakashi spoke up with a slight sigh. In all honestly, he wasn't surprised by Ayame being in a relationship with the blonde with how he loved ramen,
"Of course you would know that, since you cornered Sakura-chan about it yesterday." The blonde commented.
"I was curious since Anko and Sakura both seemed unaffected by other women's attraction towards you." The masked jonin shrugged, skillfully eating his ramen without lowering his mask. "And you were busy talking with the Hokage."
"I'll give you that." Naruto conceded. "Though I must say I am insulted by the implications you made about me to Sakura-chan."
"Oh, and what did he imply about you Naruto-kun?" Ayame asked, seeing the purple haired ANBU woman scowl at the masked jonin, as Yugao had already heard about what happened.
"I implied that Naruto may have been using fear to keep them with him." Kakashi sighed, knowing it was best if he admitted it freely then try to deny it. "And for that, I apologize."
"Apology accepted, Taida-sensei." The blonde stated with a shrug.
As silence settled over the group, Ayame ducked back into the kitchen area to prepare a few orders of the blondes preferred dish. Meanwhile both Yugao and Naruto merely enjoyed each others company with the purple haired woman sitting comfortable in the blondes lap. Once again, much to the dismay of the swordsman, Eventually the man had had enough and left the stand, along with Kakashi after paying for their meals.
"So how is she?" Yugao finally asked, inquiring about their new room mate.
"We took care of her inner demon this morning." The blonde stated. "Truthfully, it wasn't that hard. It was more about Yakumo-chan acknowledging that Ido is part of her."
"You know he is going to come after you, right Naruto-kun?" Implying that Danzo would no doubt be sending more ROOT after the blonde hanyou.
"I hope he comes after me himself." He grinned as Ayame sat down the first of many bowls of the Kushina Special in front of her mate. "Save me the trouble of having to hunt him down with all the cloak and dagger bullshit."
Both girls could only chuckle at their mate.
"Besides, every time I think of him, I feel a shiver down my spine." He continued. "Jashin-chan really wants his soul."
Root Headquarters, Under Konoha
"What do you mean you can't find her?" Danzo inquired in a clipped tone. While barely showing any emotion, it was clear that the bandaged war hawk was livid about the Yakumo girls disappearance.
"We returned to her residence to finish the seal, only to find that she had left the compound at some point in the last twenty four hours." One of the Root ANBU reported from their kneeling position.
"Do we have any leads as to where she could have gone?"
"I apologize Danzo-sama, but there are none." Another nameless Root answered. "As ordered, we had ensured that all connections with her sensei were severed beyond repair, and that her clan had ostracized her."
The bandaged elder frowned at this new wrench that was thrown into his plans. With the Yakumo's girls powers, he could have easily taken over the village and mold it into his own image. But once again, he was faced with another set back. While there was no evidence, the old war hawk knew that the Uzumaki brat had to be involved some how.
"Izumi!" He called out.
A few seconds later, a slender female knelt before him. Long brown hair with bangs framing her face, her onyx eyes fixed firmly on the ground before her, with a mole under her right eye. She wore a long-sleeved, high-collared purple shirt, baggy blue pants, a shuriken hostler on her right leg, red armband on her left arm, and a long purple fingerless glove that ran nearly the length of her arm.
"Yes Danzo-sama?" The woman identified as Izumi replied.
"I have a special assignment for you." He stated. "I want you to tail Uzumaki Naruto and learn what you can about him and report back to me, but do not move against him unless you see a clear opening and can either subdue or eliminate him without any witnesses or collateral damage. This will be a prolonged mission for you. Do you understand?"
"Hai, Danzo-sama." The woman answered. "I am to tail the Kyuubi Jinchuuriki and report to you any findings I discover. Should I be given the opportunity to neutralize him, I will take it."
"Very good, you are dismissed to begin your mission." Danzo stated. "Do not fail me."
Without a word, the fallen Uchiha girl disappeared, while the bandaged war hawk inwardly grinned. Izumi was one of his best trackers and despite her inability to sustain her Sharingan for an extended period of time, she was quiet formidable in combat.
'Naruto Uzumaki, you will either become my weapon or you will die.'
Additional Authors Notes: And that's a wrap!
Had a surprise appearance by Izumi, since she had been requested numerous times to be added to the story and harem. However, I do need some help coming up with how and why she ended up being in ROOT, so if you have any suggestions let me know!
Also, had to bring Hayate back for a bit more rejection as well as Naruto flexing his Clan Head status. Not to mention Kakashi finally realizing that Yugao is with Naruto. I've also been having Kakashi notice the similarities between Naruto's girls.
Anyways, I hope you all enjoyed this filler chapter, and I look forward to your thoughts in the reviews!