Chapter 25: Journey at the Waterfall
Village Gates, Konoha
"That was convenient", Hasashi remarked as he dusted off dirt from his yellow vest from the Hiraishin technique from earlier where they were transported from the Land of Snow, to the village gates of Konoha. His teammates could not help but be awed by its capabilities as such techniques made transport from both Outworld and Earthrealm look like a joke.
"It really is", Kitana replied. "Now I can tell why your father in your present life is feared at the Hidden Stone"
"He got his moniker because of the technique, while I received mine because I become a raging inferno if angered enough", Hasashi replied with a hint of humor while his teammates sweatdropped at his attempt.
"Due to its nature, is it possible for you to travel from anywhere regardless of distance?", Kuai Liang asked as he and Jade shared the same thought as well.
"Possible, because whenever one uses it, they travel in a sort of dimensional void, but I am not sure if travel between dimensions, such as Earthrealm or Outworld could be possible but we'll see.", said Hasashi as he put away his kunai and motioned three of his teammates to follow him inside the village. There, they were greeted by the eternal gate guards.
"Oy! Hasashi! Did the mission at the Land of Snow went well?", Izumo asked as the yellow-clad ninja lowered his mask and hood to give a smile.
"Yes, but not without any difficulties. You'll see the news soon enough.", Hasashi calmly said.
"Ah, we'll see soon enough!", Kotetsu remarked. "Hey, your old classmates from the academy are wondering where you went, why not pay them a little visit?"
Hasashi pondered for a moment before making up his mind. "I'll see what I can do. We'll talk another time.", he replied before Team Eleven went inside the village.
As they walkes the streets, numerous stares were directed at them, nor they would care since they were used to it. That is where they were greeted by a familliar face to Hasashi.
"Naru-Hasashi?"
"Hello, Sakura", Hasashi greeted with a small smile. After the failure of retrieving Sasuke, Sakura took her training seriously but she was also disheartened that Sasuke didn't come back as well as Hasashi being seriously wounded in the process. It was also at this time that Tsunade took notice at her chakra reserves, and subsequently took her under her wing. "I trust your training with Tsunade paid off?"
"My expertise in Medical Jutsu had increased because of Tsunade-sama but-", Sakura said before she was interrupted.
"Hasashi!"
Team Eleven turned to see…a naked brunette waving at group. Hasashi was downright shocked as did Jade and Kitana while Kuai Liang closed his eyes in annoyance while blusing in embarassment from the sight, with Jade even covering his closed eyes with her hands. Kitana glared at the 'streaker' and unconsciously clenched her fist, and Sakura just stared at the 'girl' in shock.
A puff of smoke later and the girl was replaced with Konohamaru. "Hey Boss, how'd that one look?" Kitana and Jade actually visibly relaxed when she saw the 'streaker' was just some kid using the perverted jutsu while Kuai Liang breathed in heavily before exhaling exasparately, seeing that his pride had been violated at the sight.
Hasashi shrugged, "Konohamaru, I told you not to use the jutsu, especially at public places. Especially in front of women."
"Aww come on, boss!", Konohamaru whined. "We used to do hat remember? Like old times inside public establishments?"
Hasashi paled as his apprentice and younger brother figure dropped a bomb, albeit unintentionally. Sure if he still acted as Naruto Uzumaki, it would be no problem to him but as Hasashi Namikaze, the thought of teaching perverted moves, especially to children, was a stain that he wanted to clean. And as Hanzo Hasashi, he would surely scorn himself for his earlier antics.
Behind him, his three teammates were in shock or rather disgusted. All of them never thought that Scorpion would teach something so inappropriate to children, while Kuai Liang facepalmed, mentally asking Hanzo why did he ever teach such techniques to little kids.
Hasashi could then feel two killing intent signatures, as he turned to face Kitana and Jade, who gave forced smiles at their squad leader. Both Konohamaru and Sakura stepped back in fear from the two women as they turned to Hasashi.
"Scorpion", Kitana asked. "Would you mind telling us what on earth are you teaching him?"
"I-I can explain", Hasashi reasoned as he tried to find a way out of this while glancing at Kuai Liang to help him out, but the Cryomancer simply gave him a 'You're on your own now' gesture to which Hasashi gave a glare that spelled traitor to him. 'I just came from a mission and this is what I get', he lamented as he took a deep breath.
Outkirsts, A Week Later
"Do we really have to guard him?", Kitana asked her yellow-clad teammate as the two walked along the road with a certain Sannin leading the way.
"At circumstances like these, I could see that there is no need but Tsunade-sama requested us to accompany Jiraiya for a sort of diplomatic mission at Taki", Hasashi replied as they continued their trek towards Takigakure, with an ice pack on his head from what happened the other day. "And considering the opportunity, this shouldn't come to pass"
"I have to agree though", she replied. "The way I heard it, they also had a Jinchurikii. We might be able to warn that person of not only the Akatsuki, but also to the likes of Bi-Han and Raiden at that point", Kitana remarked as her yellow-clad comrade nodded in response. "But why would they send only the two of us here?"
"Kuai Liang and Jade are in Kirigakure for a diplomatic mission to confirm the village's new relations after the civil war though I may presume that they took the job so they may be able to find new recruits for the Lin Kuei and to help in locating the other Jinchurikii since some exiled themselves from their villages.", Hasashi said while recalling a conversation with his Cryomancer teammate on rebuilding the clan once more after it was destroyed twice, not counting the one he left at Earthrealm to his apprentices.
"Or a reason for Jade to spend time with him alone, given the fact that you had him as his sparring and meditating partner most of the time.", the blue-clad ninja said as Hasashi scratched his head despite his hood's barrier .
"I cannot blame her though", Hasashi said. "She's really close to Kuai Liang, and I cannot help but praise him in winning her heart for that matter.".
"Taki's Jinchurikii might be able to listen to their own kind, since their inner demons are sort connected to mine as well", Kitana said while contemplating of how they could interact with the said individual at Taki.
"I do not mean to intrude, but the way I heard it, Jinchurikii were often not treated well by their own villages?", Kitana asked just as Hasashi sadly lowered his head and re-adjusted his mask.
"Yes", he replied. "To the villagers, they only thought of Jinchurikii as demons themselves and as the their trump cards, to which they suffered considerably as their hatred is pointed towards you and they would even go beyond boundaries simply because you are alive. Others, like those of Kumo, look up to them as guardians of their village but people such as Gaara and myself were the objects of hatred of the village", Hasashi said, remembering all the times that he had suffered because of the burden left by his father. He felt a hand being placed on his shoulder, and he turned to gaze at Kitana's apologetic look that showed both pity and concern.
"I'm sorry", she apologized. "I didn't mean to remind you of what has happened. I am certain what you experienced gave back memories but to what I heard and witness, people looked at you in a much different light now".
Hasashi smiled under his mask, "I can only hope that in time, people like myself will also gain the same treatment."
Kitana could not help but smile at his response as they continued to continued their trek. "How much farther, Jiraiya?", she asked.
The Toad Sage shrugged. "Just a little bit more if we continue this route. I'll speak to Shibuki concerning the Akatsuki, while you two would go and find Taki's Jinchurikii. Am I right?"
Both ninja nodded, before continuing their journey in silence.
Hours Later
Takigakure. Few foreigners would ever lay eyes upon this, one of a small handful of truly hidden villages among the Elemental Continents. A pity, because it was a truly beautiful place; made up of traditional, eastern style buildings, most of which were carefully and caringly constructed as if by an expert carpenter, built around the walls of a small, circular valley full of plant life, around a massive, crystal clear lake, at the heart of which lied an island where their administration building lied, resting at the base of the gargantuan, sacred tree of Taki, whose canopy covered the entire village. Beams of sunlight shined through its branches, illuminating the concealed village.
The roof of the valley was hidden under a powerful genjutsu which was constantly monitored. It was an S-class secret of the village and any outsider that stumbled upon it was quickly dealt with. Even the commonly used entrance was well, if a little obviously, hidden; an underwater cave system behind a massive waterfall.
It was thanks to the lengths they went to keep their home hidden that the village had only once been successfully invaded, and that mark on their village's pride had occurred solely due to the actions of a traitor.
"Amazing", Kitana remarked, marveled at the villages's landscapes and structure. "It's as if I am visiting Edenia before the invasion"
"The reaction is mutual", Hasashi said. "I once came here with my old team during an escort mission before my rebirth, and I don't think they would recognize me as Uzumaki Naruto, the Konoha Genin at this point."
"Because you're now known as Namikaze Hasashi, the Yellow Inferno?", Jiraiya asked sarcastically with pride.
"Could be. Though I prefer to be known as the former", he said as they entered.
Hasashi craned his head as he took in the peaceful village, a smile spreading across his face as he did so. It was a little nostalgic being; it had been a long time since he'd been to this place and being here sent the young Jinchuriki on a brief stroll down memory lane.
The last time he'd been here had been well before Sasuke's defection. That time he, the aforementioned Uchiha heir and Sakura, had been escorting the, at the time, extremely nervous and timid leader of Taki: Shibuki, back home and arrived only to find it had been taken over by a missing nin from the village; Suien, who Naruto had defeated with a little help from Sasuke.
Hasashi lightly shook his head to clear his mind. The thought of how well the three of them had been getting along at that time, and how it had all turned out, was something he'd rather not think about, especially when it involved a blasted dark wraith.
He turned when he heard others emerge from the water's surface behind him. Out of the clear, blue water came a kunoichi of the village, wearing Taki's standard shinobi attire, followed by Jiraiya of the Sannin.
Hasashi held back a chuckle as he used his chakra to rise out of and stand on the water, his sensei and their escort doing the same a moment later. Kitana stood away from them as Hasashi gave her a re-assuring nod. Breathing deeply, she chanelled her Edenian magic to her feet as she stood on the water, gasping to the fact that she had done it but walked very carefully as she might have lost her focus at that matter.
Due to the crisis at the time, Shibuki had been forced to show him the entrance to the village, making blindfolding him a moot point.
As they rose, the trio turned their eyes to the tree. Taki was certainly a nice place, though in this Sannin's opinion it was a short on public bathhouses and hot springs, but, oh well. He was here for business, not pleasure anyway, as much as he preferred the latter and that he wouldn't want to risk the wrath of his two escorts because of his perverted nature.
"If you'll follow me, I'll escort you to see Lord Shibuki." The kunoichi said as she turned to the trio. "He's been expecting you, Master Jiraiya. I'm sure he'll be surprised to see who you've brought along."
As the kunoichi began walking towards the island in the lake's center, sending rippled through the water with each step, Hasashi smiled as he said, "I would like to see what he's been up to." When the Sannin had told him they were heading here, he'd instantly thought of his adventure here and wondered how Shibuki was doing. When they first met, he really didn't seem like the type of person who'd do well running a village, though Hasashi could tell he cared deeply for it, but after standing up to Suiren, he'd seemed to have changed. "So, you never said. What is it you want to talk to Shibuki about anyway?"
Jiraiya shook his head. "Still the same though I have what I considered top-secret info that even I can't tell you." He said, smirking at his godson's obvious annoyance
The Konoha trio had entered the entered the administrative building and walked down its halls. The kunoichi opened the door for them and allowed them to enter.
Shibuki sat behind a desk, filing away a completed form and reaching for the next one when he heard the door open. Thankful for a brief respite from the never-ending monotony of paperwork, he looked up and smiled amiably.
"Welcome, Master Jiraiya. It's been quite some time since you last visited us. You're a little later than I…" He greeted before his expression shifted to one of surprise and shock when he saw the yellow-clad ninja walk in behind him followed by a blue one. "Naruto? Or is it Hasashi?"
"Hello Shibuki." Hasashi said while placing a hand on his chest before bowing down as a sign of respect towards the sovereign, with Kitana doing the same. "Either way is good for me. It has been a while, my friend. Kitana, this is Shibuki"., he introduced.
"Pleasure to meet you", Kitana said with a handshake.
"To you as well", the village leader responded with a smile before turning his attention towards Hasashi.
The village leader smiled. "It sure is. Much has changed since we fought Suiren, but what are you now is certainly spectacular, especially your feats back at Kiri along with the Cyclone and the Spectre and that you single-handedly defeated Kakuzu and his partner as said at some bingo books but did not claim their bounties"
"It was nothing, Shibuki.", Hasashi said with a wave. "I merely performed my duty as a ninja of my village and that money is of little to no concern for me. Anything interesting has happened?".
Shibuki shrugged as he sat back down. "Oh, the usual. Fortunately, no serious problems have arisen since last time you've been here. Things have been pretty boring around here, not that I'm complaining." He said, turning to Jiraiya. "Now, what was it you wanted to see me about?"
"Yeah, I guess we should get down to business." The perverted sage nodded before turning to both Hasashi and Kitana. "You two can go ahead, you can use a break", he said as both ninja nodded as they walked out of the door, their task in finding the village's Jinchurikii at hand.
Later, Village Interior
Hasashi and Kitana walked across the bridge leading from the center island to the village proper, wondering where they could find the village's Jinchurikii since asking locals or ninja would be a violation of their security, and that they would want Jiraiya to explain to Shibuki about the Akatsuki.
Stepping off the bridge and walking the streets, the two looked around at the people that went about their daily business. When Hasashi did help save the village, his team had left before things could return to business as usual and he hadn't gotten a chance to really explore the village.
As he looked around, Hasashi and Kitana noticed that the yellow-clad nina was receiving many looks. Because of how secretive and secluded the village was, even though it was fairly large, outsiders stuck out like a sore thumb, even without forehead protectors denoting them as such. He could see them staring at him and feel their gaze on his back and every once in a while, whispers concerning him would reach his ears.
It was something he was fairly used to. After all, he grew up receiving hateful glares and cruel whispers of the people of his own village as he grew up back then before his rebirth. However, this was different than what he'd experienced back home and he couldn't resist letting a proud smile spread across his face from what he was hearing and the looks he was getting.
Unlike during his earlier years, the eyes and words that were upon him all radiated approval. Many of the civilians who had been held captive recognized him, and they were glad to see him once more. A few civilians who had been hostages on that day actually came forward to thank him, and some were simply fascinated by his team's feats at Kiri and of the Land of Snow.
"Naruto!" "Naruto, you're back!" The blond turned to see the two children, whose names he realized he had never learned, who had been the first to meet his team when they'd arrived in the village. He remembered helping the two clean up the waterfall's basin before they learned that the village had been attacked.
"Oh, hello there." Hasashi greeted as they approached to which he went down in one knee due to the height he is in now. "How are you?"
"Great! It's been so long, I didn't think we'd see you again." The girl said as she and her brother looked up at the teen with stars in their eyes. The boy was a hero in the eyes of many of the village, and none more than the two children who had personally witnessed him take down the guy who betrayed their village and hurt Shibuki. "You look so cool now than the last time we saw you!", she exclaimed, pointing at his new appearance.
"A change of wardrobe is needed at times of change.", he exclaimed until another child stepped forward.
"Who is she?", the boy said pointing at Kitana, who was largely unfamiliar on how to communicate with children.
"She is Kitana, my partner. Say hello to her", Hasashi said as the children were awed by her natural beauty as she waved at them.
"Is she your girlfriend?", the younger girl asked, earning surprised looks from the two but quickly shrugged them off.
"No, she is an associate but a friend nonetheless", Hasashi told them as he lightly shook his head. Due to their masks, they could not see the slight blushes from their cheeks. A younger boy stepped forward to ask him.
"Have you had any new amazing adventures since you left?" The boy asked eagerly.
Hasashi smiled at the child. "I have. I can tell you all about them if you want."
"Really? That'd be awesome!" The boy cheered. "So, what are you doing here?"
Hasashi craned his neck to gaze at Kitana then onto them, remembering their purpose to why they were here in the first place. "We have personal affairs to be dealt while functioning as an escort to a Konoha official",
"Say, Naruto." The girl began, pointing back to what must be her house. "We've got some cleaning to do in the yard. You mind helping us again? With the two of you?"
Hasashi shifted his gaze at Kitana, who gave him a nod with a smile, as the two nodded and went with the children.
Hours Later
"I didn't know you were popular with the children, Scorpion", Kitana remarked as the two walk in the underground tunnels. "Especially that you taught them other things than that technique of yours"
Hasashi shrugged. "It was all in the past before, now we have to continue our mission in locating their Jinchurikii"
"We've been searching for hours. I understood the need for them to keep secrets regarding their holder but that doesn't give him or her a fact not to be known by other people", Kitana said as Hasashi lowered his gaze.
"It is likely that they wanted to keep his or her identity a secret since they feared that they would be able to know how to defeat and capture the said individual, which I once heard, was one thing villages would do. Even my identity as a Jinchurkii was regarded as a secret in the past but that changed during the Chunin Exams months ago.", Hasashi exclaimed as Kitana nodded in understanding. "So we have to do this hard way to prevent any unwanted attention."
"How do we know if he or she is a holder?", Kitana asked.
"My own inner demon can sense his siblings' chakra once we get closer, and he'll lead us to where he or she is if the signal is getting stronger", Hasashi said as they contonued walking.
And so, travelling through the underwater tunnels surrounding the village once more, the two emerged from the waterfall and stepped into the forest, taking a moment to take in the natural splendor of the falls. The two spent a half an hour walking through the forest.
As the sun began to set over the land, the two ninja discovered a small river that fed into the larger one that began at Taki's entrance. Deciding to have a look closer, he casually walked just beyond the water's edge. Soon, the sound of churning water reached their ears, hinting at the presence of a waterfall, though by the sound it was much smaller than the one that hid Taki's entrance.
Unlike the falls that hid Taki's entrance, the clearing had several sparse groupings of flowers. Their fragrance, combined with the crisp, clean air produced by the water and the earthen scent of the forest gave the area an appeal even the majestic falls outside of Taki's entrance lacked and made even the hyperactive blond feel completely at peace.
As he began to approach the tree line, he caught sight of a figure in the grove. Quietly, he stepped in for a closer look.
Sitting on a stone at the edge of the lake with her feet dipped into the water as she leant back on her arms was a girl who looked to be around the same age as the Namikaze himself had not for his rebirth. The girl had straight, spiky hair that was a distinctive mint green in color that almost reached her shoulders and framed her face and had tan, caramel colored skin. She wore a white, sleeveless midriff shirt and a short matching skirt and white shinobi sandals, along with bandages under her shirt that went halfway down her stomach and from her skirt halfway down her thighs and a pair of long, white armlets, which all together he found similar to what Ino wore. He could see the forehead protector of Taki tied around her right arm.
'Her chakra, it's not like any other and from the looks of it, is it...insects?', Hasashi thought as he looked at the girl with a calculating eye with Kitana doing the same.
'Yep, that's him, Kit', Kurama said in Hasashi's mindscape. 'I know only one Bijuu with insect essence that large, and we are looking at his holder right now'
'From the looks of it, it looked like she didn't want anyone near her', Hasashi said as he wondered wether to take a more cautionary approach or a formal one.
'Well, Jinchrikii like yourself tend to be treated like crap back then, right? So it wouldn't be surprising if she attacked you and your partner head-on.', Kurama stated as Hasashi only sighed in response.
But before the two can approach the girl, she disappeared in a shunshin, before a voice called out. "Mōjō no keimusho! (Net-Shaped Prison)!"
Jumping away, Hasashi and Kitana tensed as they gripped their weapons at their enemy, which revealed to be the girl earlier, who glared at them for their inadverdent trespassing.
"Who are you?", she demanded as she pulled up another handsign, jutsu ready to be casted. "What do you want?"
Raising a hand toeards her, "Easy now", Hasashi carefully said as he gripped the handle of his katana with the other while walking slowly. "We're here to talk, nothing more"
"That's how it always starts", Fu retorded as she went to a fighting stance against the two shinobi as Hasashi could only sigh in disappointment at the situation they are in.
"Would you call for a diplomatic solution?", Hasashi asked his teammate who unfolded her fans towards the Jinchurikii.
"No, but I'd rather call for aggressive negotiations", Kitana replied as they stood against their adversary.AN:Aaand Cut! Still kicking here! Happy holidays to my readers and I still enjoy my time writing this despite difficulties in doing so! Now, I'm planning to do two phases at the next chapter, one we can continue where we left off or the other where Sub-Zero and Jade are in Kiri that would involve Skarlet but the choice is up to you. Spectre, signing off, and happy holidays!