Hello, Warhawk talons here bringing you chapter 23. Please continue to support the story by commenting and reviewing.
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the material used in the story. All source material is owned by its respective companies.
Tales of the Elemental Nations
Chapter 23: Koharu's ambition. Namine's plan revealed.
Senju residence, morning
Sakura was heading upstairs to Nawaki's room to check on him like she originally intended. To her surprise she saw Bronya exiting the room and closing it. "Bronya? What were you doing in Nowaki's room?"
"I wanted to say good morning to him, but unfortunately it appears he's already left for today. Most likely leaving through the window." Bronya replied.
"Really? That's too bad I wanted to talk to him this morning. Any idea where he might have gone?" Sakura asked.
"No. Knowing his personality he could be anywhere."
"Oh well, maybe he'll be back by the time we come back. We should head back downstairs, Dizzy really wants to go visit the Teriyaki shop." Sakura said. The girl that showed up last night with the rest of their guests was dizzy now in a unique organic body which just amazed Sakura even more so when she found out that Bronya helped Danki with it. "I still can't believe you managed to give dizzy and actual human body? How'd you guys do it?"
"It wasn't as difficult as you think. I once knew someone who had a similar body to the one we gave Dizzy. I just took what I knew and worked from there." Bronya answered. "Now. If you would be so kind as to give me a few minutes I will join you all downstairs. I wish to call one of my coworkers to tell them good morning."
Sakura understood and went downstairs leaving Bronya alone. She then took out her cell phone and dialed a number and after a few rings she heard a male's voice. "Morning Bronya, enjoyed your little sleepover?"
"Yes Yuyake, and good morning to you too." Bronya replied to casually. "I've just confirmed that Nowaki is not in his room. So it's safe to say that Sveta came last night as predicted and they both left. And it seems they even took my gift with them."
"Well once again Namine called it again. I should expect that the next time we see Nowaki he'll be caught up and hopefully remembers the information we'll need for tonight." Yuyake said. "You remember what you have to do, right?"
"Yes. I will keep Xion as well as the other young ganin from getting involved." Bronya answered before hearing her name being calls from downstairs. "I must go. Good luck Yuyake, save the others."
"Good luck to you too, and we will." Yuyake said as they both hung up. Unknown to bronya Xion who was coming upstairs stopped and overheard some of their conversation mainly the end of the conversation and hearing the name Yuyake.
Nawaki's inner world
Nawaki and Sveta were in what look to be a cave with different kinds of gems and rocks glowing around them. "Where are we?" Nawaki wondered.
"This is your inner-world Nawaki. Everyone has an inner space when in their psyche, how it looks is based on the individuals characteristics or what environment they feel comfortable with."
"And my world's a cave?" Nawaki said underwhelmed.
"This cave is acutely very pretty. It's not dark, damp or even small." Sveta said liking the scenery of the cave. She then focused her psychic abilities I'm trying to locate the strange energy she felt when they try to dive into Nawaki's memories. They soon began walking and saw that the cave was much larger when many passageways until they came across a barrier that had a purple sigil that they saw earlier. "This is definitely it. That's the seal keeping you're deeper memories suppressed."
"So this is it, huh? I wonder why it's here in the first place?" Nawaki wondered as he approached the seal. As he touched it he felt a shock. "It seems even from inside we still can't get through it."
"I feel strange chakra signature emanating from it, but I think I can destroy this barrier. I just need to." Sveta focus her mental energy on the strange barrier. After a few minutes it began to fade to the point that Nawaki's hand can go through it. "I've weakened the barrier but I have to stay focus in order to keep it like that. You'll have to continue on without me." Sveta said still keeping her main focus on the barrier.
"If that's the only way then so be it." Nawaki said going through the barrier but not before looking back at Sveta. "Thank you, Sveta. I'll handle the rest from here."
"Okay... Just promise me that you'll remember me after you come out, okay?" Sveta asked.
"Of course. That's a promise!" Nawaki said as he entered the cave passage disappearing from sight.
Nawaki's memories
The scene then change to a first person view with Nawaki opening his eyes to see himself in some kind of room. He was unable to move and felt like he was being held. "My word! They look exactly alike! I could easily mistake them for twins!" He heard the voice of a man and turn to the direction of the voice to see a white skin male with long blonde hair and green eyes wearing a lab coat.
"Who's the geek in the lab coat?" Nawaki said able to speak his thoughts but was still unable to move. His head suddenly turned to look up at a lady who was wearing a hospital gown who had blond Orange hair and dark orange eyes and was breathing heavily. "What? Who is this?"
"I know what you mean, Even. He looks so much like kushina's and minato's son, but the only difference is that he has more of my DNA into the mix, theirs is just secondary." The woman said holding Nawaki close. Then to Nawaki's surprised he started to cry leading to the woman to rock him like a baby while shushing him. "Now now, little one, no need for that now. Just give Mommy a second and she'll give you what you want."
"What? Mommy?! Are you saying you're my mom or something? What exactly is it that I want-" Nawaki's thoughts were interrupted when the woman exposed her right breast and brought his face towards it as his mouth began to suck on it drinking what can only be breast milk. "Huhhhh! Am I Being... Breastfed!?" Nawaki screamed and his thoughts.
"So what are you going to call him? Naruto jr? Or something else?" Even asked / joke while Nawaki still weirded out wondered why Naruto's name was mentioned.
"No. He deserves his own name. I'm going to call him... Nowaki. How do like that name?" The woman said naming nawaki as his body stop breastfeeding to giggle happily. "Glad you like it."
"Growing attached to him already, Koharu?" Even said sounding amused but then tensed up when Koharu gave him an intimidating look. "I'm just saying! I'll leave you two alone, we can talk about plans for his future later." With that the scientist left the room leaving the mother and son.
"Koharu? She has the same name as Elder Koharu?" Nawaki was definitely surprised to hear that but not as much when he saw a mirror near the bed and saw his reflection which was that of an infant Naruto except with bright orange eyes instead of blue. "What the?! My reflection looks just like Naruto! But that can't be, these are my memories not his!" Nawaki was once again interrupted from his thoughts as Koharu resumed breastfeeding him. "Ok! I've seen enough of this memory! Fast forward, Fast forward!"
The scene then changed to Nawaki who to his surprise still looked like Naruto now of Age 3 was sitting on a couch with an emotionless expression polishing a rock as Koharu wearing business clothes and her hair tied in a ponytail was at her desk looking over paperwork while also looking at one scroll in particular.
"So Danzo wants me to build a research facility to create super soldiers for the leaf Village. The facility is no problem, but the real problem is test subjects for my scientist to work with." Koharu then wrote something and attached it to a hawk before opening the window and releasing it. "Now that that's done, back to you."
Koharu walked over to Nawaki who got up and walked towards her as she picked him up and went to sit back down at her desk. "You still have not said a single word since the day you were born. Even and the others are starting to be concerned that you might be a failure even contemplating on terminating you." Nawaki's body cuddled up closer to the woman as if he understood what she meant. Koharu signed before rubbing his head. "No need to be scared, it's not going to happen. I've already found the solution." Koharu turn his head to face her computer before franking up something for him to see. "Your body is the very picture of Health but you mind isn't progressing fast enough. That's why we're going to speed up the process by allowing an acquaintance of mine to turn your soul and remake it into a data soul. So basically you're going to briefly become an artificial intelligence with the brain waves of someone else."
"Artificial intelligence? What's that mean? What's going to happen to me?"
Nawaki tugged on her business shirt bringing her attention back to him. As if knowing what was on his mind Koharu spoke again. "Don't worry Nowaki, he's not just going to put some random brain waves of someone who's already alive, least of all your original. It'll be someone who's no longer among the living. Although the process may end up reshaping your form and DNA a bit, but you may gain some new abilities in the process and you'll still have my DNA overall."
"I still don't understand what's going on here?!" Nawaki said before yelling out in his subconscious. "I've had it! Enough with these cryptic scenes brain! Just show me what's really going on here! How did I come back to life!" Nawaki demanded.
Nawaki was at that instant pulled into another memory. The memory consisted of him in a small white room on a bed with his head bandaged. He noticed that there was a window that show the hallway where Koharu and Even were talking. Although he did not move from the bed he was able to hear what they were talking about.
"So how did the operation go?" Koharu asked.
"It went perfectly! I'll admit I had my doubts with bringing Orochimaru in on this but his assistants proved valid. The DNA of the Senju Clan matches well with the Uzumaki gene, them being close relatives in all. So Nawaki's DNA synchronized so well with Nowaki, so to the most talented medical Ninja and DNA specialist he would be a complete match for the original." Even explained shocking Nawaki.
"But what of my DNA? I may have agreed to splice his DNA with tsunade's younger brother, but I didn't agree to make him of that woman's kin." Koharu said with a somewhat agitatedly look thinking about Tsunade.
"Oh no need to worried my dear, your DNA is still within him, and is imprinted in his very soul. As a precaution to keep his connection to you Secret, we managed to make it so that he can use his mental energy to suppress your DNA. Although it will suppress his full capabilities with his solar energy abilities." Even explained.
"That's good to know. Did you do what I asked regarding his memories?"
"You mean suppress the memories of the original Nawaki from his mind without Orochimaru noticing? Then yes." Even answered. "We definitely don't want Orochimaru taking any further interest in our little Golden Boy here. As far as he's concerned this was another failure and he went on his way no doubt continuing to do his own research privately. He asked me to send you his regards."
Koharu smirked wickedly. "Great work then Evan. Orochimaru would have done anything to take Nowaki with him to use him for his own purposes." She then notice that nowaki was looking right at her and in response smiled and waved at him leading him to return the gesture before she look back at her most trusted scientist. "So how goes the preparation for the research facility? I suspect it's up and running."
"Everything is in order, and danzo's men have dropped off the test subjects that he wanted us to use. You won't believe what he did to get them."
"I'm not really interested in the details. The research facility is yours to run as you see fit. So for now I dismiss you, I want to be alone with him for a while." Koharu ordered walking to the door that led into the room.
"Of course. Am I to understand that he will not be one of the new residence of the research facility?" Evan inquiry.
"He'll go there for training. That Isa boy from the moon Samurai Clan, I want him to be Nowaki's training partner once he's ready for combat training." With that said Evan dismissed himself as Koharu enter the room and approached Nowaki who looked at her walking towards him before stopping and kneeling down to look him in the eyes. "Hey there my little Starlight, how are you feeling today?"
"I... I feel fine Mo-MMommy." Nowaki said finally speaking putting a smile on Koharu's face. "Can I take these bandages off?"
"Of course little one. Let me move the mirror in front of you and I'll help you take them off." Koharu went to grab a body height mirror that was near the corner and placed it at the foot of the bed. She then helped Nowaki take off the bandage wrap on his head. Nawaki who was subconsciously there was silent trying to make sense of everything he's heard. He focused his attention back on the memory just as they finally took off the last wrap to reveal Nowaki now having Brown chestnut hair. Nawaki gasp at the new appearance that matched his right down to his pink mark cheeks. "So how do you like your new look?"
"I think I like it." Nowaki said looking at his reflection. "So does this mean I'm Nawaki now, or am I still Naruto's clone?" Nowaki asked. "Na- Naruto's clone?! I'ma clone?! No...no... I can't be a clone! I just can't be!" Nawaki was panicking on the inside due to the revelation of the truth. It only ended once he felt koharu hug him from behind.
"No. Your neither of them. You are Nowaki, and you are so much more special then you think." Koharu said showing loving motherly side that she probably has never shown anyone before. "Never forget that."
Both Nowaki and Nawaki shed tears as their head leaned against Koharu's chest. Nowaki for Tears of Joy for his mother's acknowledgment, and Nawaki for tears of sadness for learning the truth of his birth and just wanting to lean on someone to cry.
Leaf Village outskirts, morning
Naruto and Wasabi were standing before a place they haven't been in 8 to 9 years. The old leaf orphanage.
"Wow. The old place really is still standing, even after all these years." Naruto wearing his black coat said looking at the old orphanage a nostalgic looking face. He then looked right to see the side of the house the hand an open window. The same window he jumped out of during the fire when he decided to run away from the village.
Wasabi noticed what he was looking at. "Lost for words too, huh? To think that our lives changed all because we jumped out a window?"
"Yeah, you're right. I ran away from this place with no intention to ever come back, and now nearly 9 years later I find myself back here." Naruto said before his ears twitch a bit. "Are you feeling nostalgic as well Sin?"
"No. All I feel is the need to hit someone when I look at this place." They turned around to see Sin who was looking at them with her Wicked smile. She then saw Wasabi. "Well isn't this nice. You brought the cat with you. And how have you been wasabi?"
Wasabi growled at the cat comment. "I'm doing well, more than I can say for you, Sin. You look just as psycho as you did before the fire."
"Sticks and Stones, feline! So is anyone else with you two?"
"No, it's just us, No Leaf ninja just like you wanted." Naruto answered.
Sin looked mildly disappointed. "Now that's no fun! I was really looking forward the hurting a few Leaf Ninja! You could have at least brought your least favorite friend for me to play with!" Sin complained like a child who didn't get the Christmas gift they wanted.
"Stop complaining will ya! Are you going to take us to Yuyake or not?" Wasabi said.
"Fine. Years later and your still no fun. Follow me!" Sin began sprinting away with Naruto and wasabi following after.
After a good while of hiking Sin lead them to what look to be a zipper on a big tree. "Why is there a zipper on a tree?" Naruto asked.
Sin responded by walking up to the tree and pulling the zipper down to reveal a portal with blue light. "Just step on in you two. Everyone's waiting." Naruto and Wasabi although hesitant went inside with Sin being the last to enter as the zipper closed.
Magilou's pocket dimension
Naruto and Wasabi found themselves in what looked to be a mansion of some sort. It gave off Sanctum sanctorum vibe to Naruto as day looked around. "Wow! Is this where you live nowadays Sin?" Wasabi asked.
"Oh she wishes this place was hers. But unfortunately it isn't." They looked at the direction of the voice to see magilou walking down stairs with yuyake, Ryugi, and a taller kid who wears a white sleeveless shirt and bandages on his wrist while wearing a doll green long flowing vest when matching baggy pants and black sandals while carrying a jö staff on his back, he also wears a red cap with one strand of his brown hair sticking out. "Welcome! Whiskers and kitty, to my humble pocket home! Please make sure to remove your shoes, I like to keep this place as tidy as I can."
"I don't even need to guess. You haven't changed a bit Magilou. But the tall guy Doesn't look familiar at all? Who are you?" Naruto asked the tall boy.
"Heh! Iwabee. Someone who was going to your senior!" Iwabee scuffed. "Yuyake. You sure these two are up for this?" He asked turning to the black armored boy calling him by name and putting a look of shock on Wasabi's face.
"That's Yuyake?!" Wasabi said looking at yuyake.
"Yes. Just have a little faith will ya." Yuyake assured him before turning to their new guests. "But right now you, Lime, and Isarabi have a job to do. They'll meet you at the location."
"I have no problem with fish girl, but why do I have to be paired with that smart mouth lime?" Iwabee sad walking down stairs and towards the zipper door entrance.
"Hey! I don't like him either, but we need him for his speed. If he gets too annoying, punch him. Just don't punch him too hard, he's no use to us unconscious." Sin said opening the entrance for him. Once he entered she looked at Ryugi. "Ryugi, Its your turn. Meet up with those two and see if half for brains is ready for tonight." The ice user nodded and went through the portal before Sin closed it.
"And where are those two heading off to?" Naruto asked while also noting how Sin said half for brains. "And what's this about tonight? What are you guys trying to do?"
"I'll let the woman in charge tell you that." Sin said walking left before turning to look at yuyake. "And Yuyake. Don't leave me waiting for to long!" Sin said in the seductive voice before walking away.
"I won't. Just give me few minutes and I'll be right with you." Yuyake said before turning to Magilou. "I have a lead to follow up on, so I'm leaving the rest up to you. Good day Everybody!" And without any warning the black-clad individual disappeared.
"Hey Wait!" Naruto called out invain. "The guy says he wants to talk and yet in 5 minutes he leaves me with more questions than answers! And what did he mean by woman in charge, isn't he calling the shots here?"
"I guess you would think that given how he was just giving out orders like that, wouldn't you?" Magilou started off. "No, he's just the second-in-command guy with a plan. The person in charge what the person who called us here Wanting our help. She's right up stairs waiting to fill you all in on what's going on." The witch said pointing upstairs. "Now if you'll excuse me I have a second job that I have to get to and I'm already running late. See you all tonight!" Before they can ask what that job was magilou did her usual magicals Zamazam and disappeared in confetti.
("Hello everybody! Sorry I'm late entering the story comments. I had some things I had to do for the big mission tonight. What that is? Well you'll just have to sit back and let Namine explain it to ya!")
"Well that wasn't much of a reunion! They practically invited us in just as they were leaving!" Wasabi said very irritated. "And what's this about something going on tonight and acting as if we already agreed to participate in it?"
"I don't know? I honestly can't tell what's going on here." Naruto said as they began walking up stairs. "By the way. The way you looked at Yuyake earlier, it looked as if you seen is new-look somewhere before."
"Well if I'm not mistaken, I believe I just saw the infamous Black Knight AKA Knightmare." Wasabi replied surprising Naruto who asked her to explain further. "Knightmare Is said to be an assassin who made his name known not just the medieval Nations but the elemental Nations as well. They say he's an assassin that hunts and kills strong formable ninjas, Samurai, Knights, adventurers, heck even Mercenaries and Pirates!"
"An assassin? Yuyake? What do you mean by Immortal assassin?"
"I'm not sure whether it's true or not. But they say that There have been multiple people who took on the identity of knightmare." Wasabi explained. "That being said, since you told me that he works for the court of Silence it makes sense why there's no real information on him. Some people don't even believe he exists."
"Wow... Hey, by any chance you remember what he looked like before that night?" Naruto asked.
"Not really? Let me think. He had light skin, a year older than us, black hair that sometimes covered his eyes and uniquely he had red scarlet shaded eyes."
"Red shaded eyes." Naruto said as they made it upstairs to see a door with a sign saying come in. "On my last mission to retrieve Sasuke I saw a glimpse through his helmet and saw that he had Heterochromia eyes. The right one blue and the left one red."
"Well that's how I remember his eyes being." Said Wasabi. "Sin seems to be 'very close' with Yuyake. Maybe after we're done talking with whoever's behind that door I could talk to Sin and see if I can learn anything else."
"That could work, but Sin seems a lot more... unstable. She may be difficult to talk to." Naruto said completely aware Sin's crazy demeanor.
"I've been able to become friends with Enko, and she acts like an animal. So I'm sure I can handle sin's crazyness." Wasabi assured. They then open the door to see another familiar face.
The room had a tea party like design and a round table with a tea set. And the person sitting at the table was a young girl in a White dress with white skin blonde faded long hair and blue eyes. "Hello Naruto, Wasabi. Its been a long time."
"Namine?" They both said equally surprised.
"Could you both came in and sit? We have a lot of important stuff to discuss." Namine said.
Hokage's office
Tsunade was not in a good mood today. She sat at her desk with her assistant shizune who just came in, Retsu, and most of the clan heads minus inoichi including Tsume who was in a very sour mood.
"So let me get this straight. A few members of your clan try to Dethrone you and nearly succeeded if it wasn't for Shinbi who was visiting and notice something was wrong?" Tsunade asked for confirmation.
"Yeah. And thanks again for the save there, Shinbi. I hate to admit it but even I worried on what they were going to do to me and my kids." Tsume thanked.
"It was no problem, responding to your earlier text about coming over to talk. Usually your Clan's compound is always buzzing with noise, if it was that quiet something was definitely wrong." Shinbi replied. The part about her texting him to come over confused her not remembering doing something like that.
"As much as I'm glad that nothing bad happened to you Tsume. I'm still quite confused about your earlier statement involving inoichi." Hiashi said getting back on the main topic. "Are you sure that that inoichi is the traitor?"
Tsume growled faintly forgetting Shinbi's statement. "Yes."
Then suddenly choza slammed his fist against the wall cracking it. "I still refuse to believe it! There is no way inoichi would be apart of this conspiracy!"
"Well Sorry! I guess I just imagined that my cries for help fell on deaf ears when inoichi was just supposed to be outside and still did nothing when I was getting dragged away!" Tsume yelled.
The two Clan heads glared at each other and would have started a fight if Shikuku didn't use his shadow possession Jutsu to restrain them. "That's enough! The reason for why Inoichi would do this can wait. The right now you need to figure out where he and Gaku are going with those prisoners." The two calm themselves so shikaku release them.
"Thank you, Shikaku. Shizune, have you received any word from Kakashi and the others?" Tsunade addressed seeing her come in.
"Well...yes my lady. But, I'm afraid I have some troubling news." Shizune said nervous and distraught.
Tsunade her assistant and Retsu all relocated to a bigger meeting room where Ibiki and Aba were there with kurenai who look down sadanand. "Kurenai? What's the matter? Where's Kakashi, Guy, and Asuma?" Retsu asked.
"S-Sensei... We failed." Kurenai said. When asked to elaborate Kurenai explained the event that happened last night with the fight with Koharu.
After this they couldn't help but feel a bit overwhelmed. "I can't believe it? You, Kakashi, and Asuma, even Guy. All of you were defeated? And by koharo herself?" Said a flabbergasted Tsunade.
Kurenai nodded. "Yes, she did. The only reason I'm here is because she let me go. She wanted me to deliver you a message lady Tsunade, and she advised using the IT to share it with you all. Believe it or not it was Ino's father inoichi who put the message in me."
Retsu turned towards ibiki. "Ibiki, Aba! Transfer these memories from kurenai into our heads as well as to the others who are still in the office! We all need to see this!"
The two IT specialist did as instructed as they placed one hand on kurenai's shoulders and with enough focus including some assistance from kurenai herself the three women found themselves in a black void along with the clan heads. Before one of them can start asking questions Koharu wearing her business outfit and hair tied appeared in front of them.
"Hello and good morning Tsunade and Retsu. I'm sure you're already aware of my appearance as kurenai had mostly informed you of my fight with her and her friends. I commend you on sending capable ninjas such as them. Kakashi put up a more than the Valiant effort and was throwing everything he could at me, but unfortunately even that proved futile." Koharu said.
"So this must be the new body that kurenai was talking about." Retsu said looking at koharu.
"I Found it hard to believe that Kakashi and the others would lose to koharu, But just by looking at her body alone I can Definitely, believe it now." Said Tsunade and she glared at the councilwoman.
"You both are probably wondering why I put a message in young kurenai here? Well, I'll get straight to the point. I want to negotiate." Koharu said Shocking the people who are receiving the message. "I know. Shocking isn't it? But don't be too surprised. I've done this many times with Herizen, but I doubt he ever told Any of you about it."
"What?!" Almost everyone said surprise.
"As you know, I have Kakashi, Guy, and Asuma In my custody right now. Do not worry. They are alive and have no serious injuries. I'll be happy to return them on the grounds that You both undo this little, investigation / interference in my Branch work. That being said, I don't know who he takes orders from, but I want you both to stop sending the devil of the Hidden leaf to interfere with me as well. I don't care who you sent him after, just keep him from interfering with me any further."
"Dose she really Expect us to go along with her demands?" Hiashi Asked out loud.
"She's holding three of our comrades hostage while we have nothing to bargain with." Shinbi replied Seeing How bad the situation is.
"That's not all." Koharu continued. "In addition to your cooperation I will give you All the evidence you will need if you desire to take danzo down. He was the one who actually killed your uncle, Unohana. Nothing personal towards him, but I don't like him and his assassins trying to pin things on me. And for Tsunade I'm willing to Cancel all your gambling. I own a good portion of them anyway. And for the clan heads, I will give them info on certain members of their Clans Who are undermining them. If Tsume is there I am willing to give you Gaku for his betrayal."
Tsume growled at the mention Of The Clan member that tried to betray her.
"What happens if we refuse to give in to her demands?" Choza wondered.
"Just in case your wondering what will happen if you don't agree. Well for starters I can't promise that Kakashi and the other two's stay will remain 'unpleasant'. As for what else you rightfully need to be worried about. Why ruin the surprise? But there won't need to be a surprise if you pick the smart answer." Koharu said giving them a dark look to show them she was being serious. "You have 2 days to decide and on the third day I'll be expecting an answer." Koharu finished explaining her offer before giving one final serious look at the direction of what she guessed would be Tsunade which was accurate. "Oh. And one last thing Tsunade. I'll be coming for Him soon." And it with that the telepathic message was over and they were back in reality.
The room was silent for a good bit before Aba spoke. "Lady Tsunade? In regards to this message, what would you like us to do?"
Tsunade was silent for a good bit before speaking. "Bring kurenai to the hospital so she can rest! Shizune! Get the Clan heads and tell them to meet us at the War Room!"
"Yes, my Lady!" Shizune said leaving the room.
"What are you planning, Tsunade?" Retsu asked.
"We've underestimated Koharu too many times. Now because of that Kakashi, guy, and Asuma are now prisoners. This time I'm going to bring this witch in myself, and I may need you and the others help to do it." Tsunade said with unwavering conviction.
Retsu seeing this couldn't help but smile. "If that's your plan then you can count on me for help. I'll admit it's been a long time since I have found an excuse to fight."
(Oh yeah! Do you hear that people? The adults are coming out to play! Now let's get back to Nawaki and see how he's holding up.)
Nawaki's memories
Nawaki was still reliving his past. After reliving the memory of how he got his current appearance he was definitely devastated but was able to temporarily get over it by distracting himself with the other memories he was reliving. As stated earlier his mother began to train him with his solar energy the first thing being of how to absorb it, store it, release it, and manipulate it. There was even a training session where they were training with mental energy which he discovered his younger self was able to lift small objects, and now he wonders how much he could lift now. Koharu also had him fight other kids. One was a boy named Isa who had lunar energy. This surprised him because he heard from Xion that Isa is her older brother. Another opponent was a kid named Lea who was a Spirit energy user with fire capabilities, he was pretty friendly if Nawaki was to be honest. Another that he recognized was to his surprise Ryugi who was just getting the hang of his powers which nawaki discovered was a temperature ability which he used to decreased the heat around him making ice particles out of air and water. This at least explained what happened during his fight with him but it turns out he beat this kid Ryugi a good number of times and sometimes it's very easily.
Now in another memory Nawaki saw his younger self that was 5 years old wearing blue shorts and light green shirt walking back to his room after another practice session with his mother when he saw from the corner of his eye a younger version of Sveta who was being escorted back to her room looking depressed.
"Is something the matter, Nowaki?" Koharu asked.
"Its that girl, mom. She look's sad. Why is that?" Nowaki asked.
Koharu knew that the wolf demi-human girl was depressed because she was and unwilling resident of This research facility and what's most likely trying to escape again, but once again failed. "She's just having trouble adjusting to her new living arrangements. Not everyone has come to accept this place and what this could mean for their future."
"Their future? What do you mean by that?" Nowaki asked. "What did she mean by not everyone? Is she saying that not everyone is a prisoner here?" Nawaki said in his head.
"I'll tell you about that later. But just know that the more that she continues the struggle like this, the longer she'll be treated like a prisoner here." Koharu finished.
Nowaki contemplated on this until a thought came to his head. "What if I help her get used to this place? Then she won't have to be treated like a prisoner."
Koharu was a little surprised by his statement. "Huh? Are you serious, son?" Koharu asked receiving a nod. "Why?"
"I don't know? I just feel sad seeing her so sad. So I want to do something about." Nowaki answered as Nawaki continue to observe feeling the he's about to meet Sveta. "So... if it's okay with you, can I become friends with her?"
Koharu look at Nowaki and sighed. "Geez! Having this kid is making me somewhat soft, but I just can't say no to that face. Sure, Starlight. Whatever you want. Just don't tell her your real name or mention mine, okay?"
"Ok."
Later that night Nawaki watched as his younger self move about the facility until he finally came across Sveta's room. Using a key card that he got from Mom he entered the room to see Sveta in a white room with a standard white bed in her curled up in a ball sitting on said bed.
Sveta could send someone entered the room and looked up to see Nowaki and gasp at who she saw. "Naruto?! No he doesn't smell like him, but he looks just like Naruto? Who are you?! What do you want?!" Sveta questioned getting in a pouncing position ready to attack if need be.
"I'm No-Nawaki. My mom works here so I stay here sometimes." Nowaki said.
"Hangs out here? Why would anyone want to hang out in this prison?" Sveta asked inwardly. "So what do you want then?"
"To come meet you." Nowaki answered confusing the wolf demi-human. "I saw you earlier and now you look so sad so I wanted to meet you. Why were you so sad earlier?"
"Why? That should be obvious. I'm stuck in some strange place being held against my will along with everyone else! They turn me into some freak and now I'm somehow able to do weird stuff with wind! I don't know why they did this to me I just want to get out of here! I just hate this!" Sveta yelled out.
"A freak? Do you really see yourself as a freak?" Nowaki asked.
"Well what else would I be if not a freak?" Sveta said turning away.
"I think you look awesome!" Nowaki said shocking Sveta who turned back around as Nowaki continued. "Mom always told me about Demi human but I've never seen one before. And you look really cool, and really cute too!" Nowaki proclaimed well unknowingly making Sveta blush. "You said you have one powers too, you mind showing me?"
"Oh... okay." Sveta began showing off one of her airbending tricks like making a ball of compressed air, jumping really high using air jump, and even showed him her new trick and made her hand crackle with a little bit of electricity. "The electricity is new. The scientist that usually works with me plans to teach me something tomorrow involving it. So what can you do, Nawaki?"
"Well my mom said I really shouldn't show off my abilities in front of people without her permission, but it would be unfair to you if I didn't." Nowaki said and he began to show off some of his tricks. First he showed off his telekinesis and lift up her bed just a bit, then he change the color of his eyes from brown to light orange. And finally he created a small ball of light blue energy that he turned into a axe. While observing this in amazement Sveta then noticed notice weird blue veins on Nowaki's arms that seemed similar the magical circuit.
"What are those on your arm?"
"Oh these? Those are just my cyber marks. I don't know what exactly it is, but my mom says I need to let them grow so I can merge them with my solar energy." Nowaki answered.
"So you're able to use solar energy? That's amazing! I didn't think anyone can do something like that!" Sveta said completely amazed.
"Yeah I know! But the sad part is if a regular body takes in too much they could seriously hurt themselves so it's not safe for normal people to use it." Nowaki explained. "Mom's is different though. She merges both cyber energy and solar energy but she says I'll be able to do it too when I get older and then I'll be able to use my solar energy without getting hurt anymore." This put a look of shock and realization on Nawaki. "So that's it! Solar energy was never meant for people with normal bodies to use! Without this cyber energy I'm not able to use it properly. But then how come I stopped using it? Do I have to knowingly use it for it to work? Wait a second that guy named Evan said that I'm capable of suppressing Koharu's DNA which is probably where I get the cyber energy from."
The memory continued on with his younger self and Sveta talking with each other before the younger Nowaki mentioning it was gained late and that he needs to go but not before promising Sveta that he would come see her again.
Nawaki continue to observe the memories of his everyday life at the facility until he noticed something the ordinary. He was only seeing the memories involving the research facility and a few other locations like the Volcano base in Cinnabar town including a small village that was near the outskirts of the abandoned town. When it came to the memories of his time in the leaf Village it was mostly at the Uchiha District with his mother having some business with fugaku while he played with Sasuke.
As for his memories of Sveta. He relived every play date with her. He broad board games, books for them to read, and even some food that he wanted her to try. He saw happy this made her as she stopped trying to escape and even on one occasion kissed him. Which made Nawaki blush.
He was now at a memory where he was 8 years old and sitting in a big special room that was his at the weather facility with his mother Koharu there with what looked to be a coffin. "So, for this Sun hibernation to work I have to sleep in this coffin for a whole entire day and a half? Why?"
"It's because your cyber energy has now grown enough that you should be more than capable of combining your solar energy with it. The coffin you'll be sleeping in will constantly feed you solar energy while you rest." Koharu explained. "But before I explain further let's review. What's the similarities and differences between cyber energy and spirit energy?"
"Cyber and Spirit energy are easily flexible Energies and in some cases can be switched from each other mostly from Spirit to cyber but is still a rarity, another is that it can merge with other specific Energies like the solar energy that we use. The difference between them is that cyber energy maybe too much for the physical body to handle which could cause extreme damage or death in the worst-case." Nowaki answered.
"Good. Now what is a steel humanoid?"
"Steel humanoids are what we are. To outsiders we seem like androids or cyborgs, but are really Demi humans with super dense cells that gives us extreme durability and our brain cells are just as strong giving us mental energies that works similar 2 computer system." Nowaki answered again. "As a side note were capable of surviving weeks or a month without eating or sleeping but at least should take a full day or two to replenish our strength."
Koharu smiled while ruffling his hair. "Very good! Now final question, what happens when you combine our physical energy with cyber energy?"
"It create a different and denser form of chakra called mantra which doesn't require hand signs at all but just mere thought. However, when it comes to ninjutsu the only elements it can do are Energy based elements. we have no use for genjutsu technique considering we're immune to it. but taijutsu is no different for us."
"That's good! Now you're physically and mentally prepared for your first Sun hibernation!" Koharu said in a proud voice. "Now, into the coffin with you. Evan and the others will be coming by to take you to the sun generator." Koharu said motion Nowaki towards the coffin.
"Ok mom!" Nowaki said getting into the coffin and laying down trying to get comfortable. Koharu came over to help him get settled in while asking how it feels. "I kinda feel like vampire. Have you ever felt like that before when you sleep in your coffin?"
"At first, but you get used to it-" Koharu was interrupted when her cell phone rang and she excused herself for a moment to take the call. Once the call was over she walked back to Nowaki. "I've just got an urgent call about a problem that just came up at our home in Cinnabar town, I need to go there right quick to handle it."
"What? But, but you'll be back right? I mean you'll miss my first Sun hibernation, mom." Nowaki said sounding like a kid who's afraid their parents will miss their very first play.
"I when you miss it for the world. As soon as I'm done with this I'll come back as soon as I can." Koharu reassured him before laying him back down into the coffin. "Just lay down, relax and let sleep take you. And after the process is over y'all opens up to see me right outside greeting you."
"You promise?" Nowaki asked.
Koharu leaned in and kissed his forehead before giving him a warm motherly smile. "Of course my little Starlight." After that being said she grab the two doors and prepare to close the coffin but not before giving her son one last look. "Nowaki. No matter what happens, remember that I love you and mother will always love you."
"I know. I love you too mommy. I love you 1000!" Nowaki proclaimed smiling before feeling drowsy all of a sudden as the coffin cushion relaxed his body.
"Well I love you 2000!" Koharu said closing the coffin. "Goodnight."
It was now Pitch Black leaving Nawaki with his thoughts. "Wow... for a woman that was obviously a Crime Boss she was actually a really good mother to me." Nawaki did notice throughout the memories koharu doing business involving criminal activity but his younger self was just too oblivious to it. "So what happens next?"
Nawaki patiently waited for something to happen. He heard some random noises involving some scientists talking until a large explosion happened with tons of people screaming. It was a while before he heard anything else and the next voice surprised him.
"So this is the coffin holding the replica weapon koharu was developing?" The voice of third Hokage herizen sarutobi was heard.
"Yes." A young male voice could be heard. "Inoichi's intel was spot-on when he said they were developing something dangerous underneath the weather station. However, even though I was able to get this coffin my interference cause the malfunction which set the place Ablaze so I couldn't investigate anything else."
"It's okay Itachi all that matters is that we got this weapon out of Koharu's hands before she could use it. I don't know why she would clone Nawaki and give him the ability to use solar energy but I know it must be for no good reason." (As a sign note remember no one exactly knows about Koharu's steel humanoid body. So the old man clearly has no idea that he just kidnapped Koharu's son, he just thinks he took a child that he thinks he was going to use for evil.)
"Wait?...Did he say Itachi?! Itachi was responsible for the fire at that weather station?!"
"So what are we to do with this replica? Clone or not the child bears no sins." Itachi asked.
"You are concerned for him because he is Sasuke's closest friend, are you not?" The Third said receiving only filing which could mean anything. "He will not face any kind of mistreatment but for safety measures I'll have his memories sealed away and sent him somewhere outside the village. Now regarding your disguise. No one recognized you, did they?"
"Of course. As far as any Survivor is concern, it was a blue Oni that raided the facility." Itachi replied. "If you would allow me. May I ask why you allow koharu, to continue her transactions and not stop her permanently?"
"That is not of a need-to-know basis Itachi. Just know that sometimes you have to let people like danzo and Koharu do what they do best if the village benefits from it and must be willing to placate them to a certain degree. but make no mistake that if they go too far I will not hesitate to stop them." the third Hokage explained.
Itachi did want to argue wanting to state that allowing them to continue their factions may have dire consequences in the end but held his tongue. "I understand Lord third. If I may make a request Lord Hokage, I would ask that you would allow me to reset Nowaki's memories and to relocate him."
"I will allow it. Take him somewhere far away where no one who knows of him will find him, and tell no one not even me of where he is." The Hokage said leaving the room to let Itachi do what needs to be done. (Well this is an interesting development.)
Nawaki was all sorts of flabbergasted. He really didn't know what to say. Then suddenly the coffin door opened and his younger self opened his eyes to come face-to-face with Itachi who eyes were red with the Sharingan until one of them morphed into a different shape. "For give me, Nowaki... tsukuyomi!"
Nawaki's inner world
Sveta was waiting patiently for Nawaki until the purple sigil barrier cracked before shattering like glass. Not a second later Nawaki reappeared. "So how did it go?"
Nawaki was silent. "Let's go back first. This is going to be a long story."
(Oh I said it is! You heard it right here folks! It was Itachi who was responsible for what happened at the research facility and he did it under the order of our beloved third Hokage! I'll say that's a lot to take in but for now let's head back to my good old pocket dimension and see whiskers doing!)
Magilou's pocket dimension
Back with Naruto and wasabi, Namine begin to explain why she wanted to see them. "You want us to mount a rescue of the remaining orphans and kidnapped kids that are still being held by Koharu's faction?" Wasabi said surprised.
"Yes. 5 years ago, a man wearing a blue Oni mask and Abu uniform raided the facility and gave most of us a chance to escape including myself. Now I want to do the same for them. the reason I brought all of us together is because I need all of you guys to help me to this." Namine explained.
(Hmmmm! Perhaps Itachi left out some details in his report to the Third? And all of you are probably wondering, am I willingly keeping this secret from everybody? The answer is no not really. Warhawk make sure to erase my memories every time I'm in the story. Got to be some limits to breaking the fourth wall!)
"Do you know who that blue Oni guy was?" Naruto questioned.
"No. He never gave us his name. All he did was free us and told us to go our own way and then took off with a mechanized coffin." Namine answered.
"Coffin? You must mean the one that Sveta had mentioned! Do you know what was in that coffin?" Naruto asked.
"Yes... it was your friend Nawaki or Nowaki as you know him fast as." Namine said and began to explain about Nowaki's birth excluding the fact that he was an embryo clone of Naruto leading him to only think that he was a clone of the original Nawaki. (Spoilers! Namine doesn't want to be the one to tell Naruto the whole truth. That honor should go to Nawaki himself. But let's continue.)
"So Nowaki is a clone of Nawaki?... to be honest I'd half suspected that he was tsunade's actual little brother but I kind of figured he was a reanimated throat spirit like my mother?" Naruto said sounding less surprised.
"A great Theory honestly. However, that Grill explosion only affected people of the UN Nation not the other Vail Nations. Besides given his history he didn't really do anything the heroic to be recorded into a throne of Heroes if one existed in this Vale Nation." Wasabi said before turning her attention to the blond girl. "So about this mission? I'm not saying I'm not interested in helping, but I would at least like to know more about how this is going to go down."
"That was my question too? Do you even know where the others are being held at?" Ask Naruto wanting to know more of the mission details.
Namine nodded "Of course. I have our old friends, Lime, and Isarabi scouting an area where I believe well lead to where they are. Yuyake's friend, Iwabee is helping them. But the only way for us to enter the face will be for us to have Nawaki help us. Which is why Ryugi is going to go get him and Sveta."
"How do you know that Sveta is with Nowaki, and why send Ryugi to get them?" Naruto asked.
"While your at it, mind explaining who that Iwabee guy is? I remember Isarabi and Lime, but I have no idea who that guy is?" Wasabi ask a question that was on her mind.
"The reason I'm sending Ryugi is because him and Nawaki were also friends and sort of like rivals. I'm hoping he will help jog his memory. As for Iwabee, he's a friend of Yuyake who he said is willing to help. As for how I know Sveta and Nawaki are together?... I'm not proud of it, but I have an ability that allows me to just know things which is how Yuyake and sin knew where to find you guys." Namine answered their questions but looked a bit sad answering the last one.
"Is she's saying that she possesses clairvoyance?" Wasabi wondered.
This question was also on Naruto's mind but had another question. "Ok... here's my last question. What all do you know about Yuyake? He feels nothing like who he used to be at the orphanage. What exactly did those scientists at the facility do to him?"
Namine was silent while looking down sad making Naruto feel like you should have reconsidered his question. "Yuyake is definitely different from who used to be. But, it wasn't because of the facility. In fact he was never involved in that facility to begin with. He was never captured."
"Never captured? Then what happened to him after the-" Wasabi began to ask.
"I don't want to talk about it anymore!" Namine shouted as powerful white aura emerge causing the room to shake.
Naruto and Wasabi were unable to move as they were trapped under the overbearing aura.
(Hey Namine! Watch it! You're in my house remember?!)
Namine regained her self control as the aura disappeared causing the shaking to stop. "I'm sorry! I didn't mean to do that!"
"It- it's ok. My question was kind of rude, you can just ignore it." Wasabi said in a shaky voice.
"Another name to add to the list of normal-looking but scary powerful female... I wonder if she's capable of read my mind too." Naruto wondered.
"Unfortunately I do. Sorry." Namine answered causing Naruto to nervously sweatdrop. "And to answer your other question that you were thinking about. Yuyake is doing something that's very personal to him, and that's all I'm willing to tell you. Now are you both ready to listen to the rest of the plan for tonight?" Namine asked getting a nod from both Naruto and Wasabi. "Good!"
Konoha Hospital
In a hospital room kurenai was now resting on a hospital bed recovering from her failed mission. She was completely sound asleep and was unaware of the shadowy figure that has entered her room completely undetected. That shadowy figure being Yuyake.
Yuyake approach the unconscious Jonin standing on the right side of her bed. "Magilou, I know your watching. I need your help with this one, so you might as well come out."
(Well looks like I'm needed back in the story folks. I'll be right back.)
In an instant magilou appeared. "You rang?"
"I need you to get inside this woman's head to get information on a certain person's whereabouts. Can you do that?" Yuyake asked.
"Can I do that? Have you forgotten who I am Dome boy?!" Magilou asked sounding hurt only for Yuyake to ask will she do it or not. "Yeah I can do it." Magilou went over to kurenai's left side of her bed before placing her hand on her forehead as it glows pink. "So... who are you trying to find?"
"Yakumo Kurama. She was once a ninja from last year's graduates who was later dismissed after a mission gone wrong with her team. She had great mental power and a talent in genjutsu that rivaled even kurenai here." Yuyake explained. "Her only flaws was that she was incapable of being adequate in Ninjutsu or taijutsu so she dedicated herself to genjutsu and thanks to her High mental ability she could create illusions that were capable of feeling real. However, because of that failed mission and the threat of such a power the third Hokage had kurenai seal away her mental abilities and later relocated her somewhere else where no one has seen her since."
"Really? What a waste of potential then. What makes you think that she knows where this Yakumo girl is?" Magilou inquired.
"Other then a handful of anbu Black Ops I don't know the names of, and the third Hokage himself she is the only person who would know of the location. I know she visits her every now and again." Yuyake reassured.
"Then good news! I found the location. She's in a manner near a mountain side that is just behind the village. But as you said there are anbu ninjas around the location." Magilou said revealing the location.
"Good. While everyone is busy with the whole Koharu thing, I'll be paying my dear old friend visit. I should probably invite Sin along too, I did promise I take her out sometime this week." Yuyake said revealing his plans for tonight.
"How you find someone as crazy as her attractive is beyond me, but to each their own I suppose." Magilou said nonchalantly. Just as they were about to leave she had another question. "You called this girl a dear old friend. You saying you friends with this girl? How?"
"Its a very long and complicated story magilou. One of Hope, friendship, a promise, but more importantly of misplaced faith and broken trust." Yuyake said looking out at the window and staring at the Hokage Monument specifically at the Third.
On the random part of the wall, sunset
Overlooking the village as the sun began to set was Axel and Siax. "Well Well! This place sure hasn't changed a bit, has its Siax?!" Axel sad looking down at the village wearing the Akatsuki uniform.
"It certainly hasn't." Siax said with his eyes closed before opening them to look at the village. "I wonder if Itachi felt any nostalgia when he gazed upon this place when she returned."
"So Nostalgia aside it'll be great to see Nowaki again. Things sure weren't the same without him." Axel said.
"Your right. Koharu became more cold and cruel after she lost him. But what was one to expect after a mother loses her child the way she did." Siax mentioned in his still stoic voice.
This actually sent shivers down Axel's spine. "Ain't that the truth. Glad we weren't around during that time. So how are we going to do this? because our job is to just test Nawak's power."
"We observe of course. If we're lucky we may not have to be the ones to test his power." Siax said as he stared at the Moon feeling his power grow.
(Oh! Lea! Isa! I haven't seen those two in a very long time! and yes they're Akatsuki members while also being former orphans. what's their story you're probably wondering? Stay tuned... for the next chapter! And scene!)
End
Aannnnd Here's chapter 22! Hello everybody I know it's been a very long while since the last update. A lot's been going on. Had some trouble with my work hours, my grandmother just passed away a few days ago, and I've just been to tired and a little bit down to keep writing. I also wanted to make sure I could write what I wanted to write in this chapter.
I have revealed a lot of things but at the same time revealed new Mysteries and Cliffhangers which is what I like doing. You're probably surprised about the interaction between Koharu and Nowaki with her being motherly but this was just me showings that although she is technically a bad guy she wasn't an abusive parent. And yes I totally use that love you 1000 thing from Avengers endgame. I'm that big of a fan of Infinity Wars and Endgame references.
For what to expect of the next chapter, it will be three epic missions! Tsunade trying to stop koharu herself. Naruto and Nowaki helping to rescue the remaining orphans. And lastly Yuyake's own mission.
P.S: I've given even more depth to Yuyake's backstory. He was never involved in the research facility. What happened to him is of a different story. I also revealed the dark side the third Hokage herizen sarutobi. Before any of you think this is out of nowhere you must be aware of that even he walk the morally Gray Line as we're all aware that he allowed danzo to get away with things.
As always I'll see you all next time and please leave reviews!
