The Pantheon of Nine
By: Finn Mertenz
Disclaimer: I DO NOT OWN NARUTO. I DO NOT CLAIM TO OWN NARUTO.
Chapter 113: In The Name Of Gelel! Revenge: For My Father.
Tuesday 2:47pm, July 27th 58SSP
"Did any of you losers feel that?! Something bad just happened!" Tayuya stuttered.
Standing beside a warm fire, Tayuya loomed over Kahiko, Emina and Temujin, encircled by Shisui from overhead. Positioned inside a narrow canyon, Tayuya couldn't see the skyline.
"It felt like an earthquake... I hope Sukami is okay." Emina cut in.
"I won't stay here any longer! Those people are in danger because of me!" Temujin shrieked.
Stomping with agreement, Tayuya leapt on top of a pink-furred ostrich, an iconic mount in the Kingdom of Gelel. Gripping the reins of this foreign bird, Tayuya wrinkled her tiny nose.
"I don't care about the people, but I'm pretty bored! So let's move!" Tayuya ordered.
Following Tayuya's lead, Temujin climbed onto his own ostrich, charging through the narrow ravine. Trailed by Tayuya, this red-haired jinchūriki wiped the reins of her ostrich, determined to win.
Meanwhile.
Crouched atop a dense tree branch, Karin glared at the hovering outline of a green-tinted airship. Exposing a great view of Sukami, a massive crater was all that remained, surrounded by lush fields.
"Geez... It's the Land of Snow all over again." Karin muttered, pushing her glasses up.
Observing nearby piles of debris and sand-covered houses, Karin inquisitively gripped her chin. Rustled by a sudden breeze, Karin's spiky crimson hair wavered against the wind.
"Time to put my detective skills too the test." Jumping to the forest floor, Karin was concealed by foliage.
Twenty minutes later.
Rushing across a grass-filled plateau, Tayuya and Temujin both rode on the back on an ostrich. Shrouded by the overcast shadow of Shisui, this violet-eyed raven soared through the horizon.
"I meant to ask you... What kind of strange power do you use?" Temujin questioned.
"You fight like a rabid animal, but I don't sense any Gelel inside of you." Murmuring his words, Temujin held the reins of his ostrich.
Rolling her brown eyes in response, Tayuya's pale face was framed by a pair of red bangs. Held in place by her fluffy panda hat, Tayuya's hair was draped against her shoulder.
"First of all, no one gets inside me." Tayuya mocked, tilting her head to the side.
"And second, I'm a complete badass. All I do is win." Scratching the bridge of her nose, Tayuya yawned with exhaustion.
Usually distracted by her favorite boy, Tayuya grew bored from a lack of Naruto, daydreaming about his whiskers. Torn from these thoughts by a nearby tree-line, Tayuya hummed with interest.
"Oh, what's this? I can't believe you've already picked a new girl." Kamira spoke, exposing her black eyes.
Defined by snow-white skin and elbow-length pale blond hair, Kamira was a 17 year old Gelelian knight. Dressed in turquoise-tinted medieval armor, spiky protrusions jutted out from her shoulder pads.
Framing her prominent chest, Kamira's breastplate was a tight fit for her slime figure. Also, a knee-length grey cape clung to Kamira's petite armor, revealing portions of her naked legs.
"I didn't think you'd leave me so soon." Rubbing her armored chest, Kamira winked at Temujin.
Startled by this sudden appearance, Tayuya's ostrich became frightened with shock. Knocking Tayuya to the ground, this crazy bird also influenced Temujin's ostrich, dismounting the royal prince.
Running off to graze on distant grass, these ostriches didn't even react to Tayuya's fanatic screaming. Picking up a rock, Tayuya hurled this object at the retreating birds, but she completely missed.
Grinding his teeth, Temujin unsheathed his foreign blade without warning, tightly gripping the hilt. At the same time, Tayuya sat down with a sour expression on her face, pulling her hat loose.
"Is that your girlfriend? She's pretty... Pretty lame." Muttering her insult, Tayuya dragged one finger under her nose.
Enthralled by these words, Kamira's face was instantly covered by a twitching vein, bulging on the side of her temple. Charging forward, Kamira unsheathed her unique blade, matching Temujin's weapon in shape and tone.
Racing to stop his childhood friend, Temujin was parried at the last moment by Ranke. Another Gelelian knight, Ranke was 16 years old with white skin and sky blue eyes, matching her ankle-length cape.
Exposing her shoulder-length frilled blond hair, Ranke had a distinct pair of bangs that hung to her armored breast. A vibrant tone of purple, Ranke's armored attire was the same hue as Naruto's Rinnegan.
"Long time no see, loser!" Ranke laughed with a Tayuya-like tone.
Forced to fight, Temujin's bare face was briefly obscured by a barrage of sparks, spewing out from his sword. Clashing and striking against Ranke, the sound of metal striking metal polluted the air.
Tossing her fuzzy panda hat against her opponent, this fluffy garment clung to Kamira's face, blinding her vision. Using this moment to her advantage, Tayuya leapt back across the grassy plateau.
Pulling the fluffy-eared hat from her face, Kamira angerly cut this fabric in half, forcing Tayuya to gasp. Characterized by a twitching vein on her face, Kamira lunged at Tayuya, thrusting her blade.
Instead of dodging this attack, Tayuya caught this approaching sword with both hands, cutting her skin. Dripping blood atop blades of grass, Tayuya's wound was abruptly cauterized by red coral.
Disarming her opponent, Tayuya slammed her hardened fist against Kamira's breastplate. Cracking her armor on impact, Kamira was punched through a bundle of distant trees.
Undaunted by this collision of earth and metal, Temujin was running through the background. Deflecting several of Ranke's attacks, Temujin fought with the finesse of a knight.
Parrying Temujin's sword with her gauntlet, Ranke smiled with glee, squinted each of her blue eyes. Leaning close, Ranke kissed Temujin on his cheek, causing the elite warrior to blush.
Without warning, Ranke's blade was instantly engulfed by a sparkling aura of blue lightning. Arcing across the nearby earth, this display of chakra rippled through the air.
Biting his lip with hesitation, Temujin's own blade was shrouded by a vortex of Gelel Energy. Yanking this weapon from Ranke's gauntlet, these battling knights shoved their glimmering swords together.
Rustled by a fierce mixture of Gelel and chakra, Temujin's spiky hair wavered under this dense shockwave. As this occurred, Ranke's loose bangs chaotically battered her shoulder-pads.
"Just give us the stone! That's all we want!" Ranke spoke with a condescending tone.
Enthralled by Ranke's voice, Temujin's ripple-patterned green eyes began to widen, exposing his black pupils. Screeching with vigor, Temujin created a harsh explosion of Gelel Energy.
Ignoring this distant sound, Tayuya was running through the tree-line, chasing after Kamira. Throwing a handful of senbon-shaped coral, Tayuya littered the forest with debris.
"You're good! At running away!" Tayuya mocked, leaping onto a tree branch.
Swallowed by a creeping void, the entire forest was consumed by an extending shadow, surrounding Tayuya. Adrift in a sea of darkness, Tayuya continued to run, stomping her feet with each step.
Brushing away a pair of phantasmal arms, Tayuya ran without delay, illuminated by a red glow in her eyes. As floating face screamed and shouted around her, Tayuya smiled with delight.
"Is this the best you got? My childhood was worse." Speaking with a twisted laughter, Tayuya sundered the endless void.
Staggered by shifting earth, Kamira's foot was impaled by spears of coral, protruding out from the ground. Screaming with agony, this sudden attack forced Kamira to limp backwards.
"You ruined my favorite hat!" Tayuya shrieked, tackling Kamira to the grass.
Bashing Kamira's skull with coral-covered fists, Tayuya snarled with rage, baring her teeth. Beating her opponent for several minutes, Temujin timidly strolled behind Tayuya's shoulder.
"Y-... You won." Temujin whispered.
"Exactly! Same shit, different day!" Tayuya barked, wiping the blood from her knuckles.
Distracted by the distinct roar of steam-filled propellers, Tayuya glanced up at a massive airship. Hovering across the horizon, this machine of war loomed over the Land of Wind.
Meanwhile.
Guided by a red-eyed crow and the aroma of fresh food, Naruto traveled through the Land of Steam. Tracking Utakata's last known location, Naruto was searching for clues.
"Greetings, young mister, here's your dango." A elderly shopkeeper spoke out, defined by a large mole on her chin.
"You're mistaken, I just got here." Slurring his reply, Naruto scratched his whiskers.
Ignoring his protest, this aged woman shoved a plate of dango into Naruto's hands, drenched with sweat bean paste. Pinching Naruto's cheek with a deep cackle, this elderly woman turned around.
"Don't worry, hun. You're friend already paid." Waving her wrinkled hand, this aged caretaker disappeared into her shop.
Rustled by an abrupt downpour of rain, Naruto's hair, whiskers and outfit became soaking wet. Garnished by a squawking crow, Naruto's attention became focused on Itachi, seated on a tattered bench.
Allowing a crimson umbrella to leisurely rest against his shoulder, this opened fabric shielded him from the weather. Nibbling on a mouthful of wet dango, Itachi twitched his visible finger.
Chewing his food, Itachi took a dramatic sip of water, clasping his cup with both hands. Sitting beside this S-rank criminal, Naruto gagged on fresh dango, a trained habit from Anko.
"It's been awhile since we ate like this." Itachi mumbled, swallowing his food.
"Yea, Sasuke would be pissed if he saw us." Naruto remarked. clearing a stick of dango.
Partially enveloped by Itachi's umbrella, Naruto's food was safe from harm, but his hair was bombarded. Staining his face with a constant stream of rain, Naruto discreetly cried.
Pretending not to notice, Itachi lowered his umbrella, allowing rain to drench his own face. Seated beside his brothers best friend, Itachi was reminded of his life inside Konoha, a life of peace.
"Shisui's Genjutsu won't stay active forever." Itachi explained.
"When Sasuke exhausts his chakra reserves, the Genjutsu will fade. And my brother will have to make his own decision." Wiping the food from his mouth, Itachi sat in silence.
Closing his umbrella, Itachi propped this wooden tool against his bench, raising his face towards the cloudy sky. Dampened by the squawks of nearby crows, the heavy sound of rain polluted the air.
"He'll make the right choice, he always has." Naruto cut in.
"You took him... Didn't you?" Exposing Utakata's pipe, Naruto questioned his childhood friend.
Glancing to the side, Itachi stared directly into Naruto's Rinnegan, creating a deep contrast between red and violet. Sharing their guilt, these rogue shinobi could feel each others burden.
"I have to prove my loyalty to the Akatsuki." Itachi murmured.
"We both have our part to play, and this is mine." Taking one final sip from his cup, Itachi tore his gaze from Naruto.
"But my medicine isn't working anymore... So I'll have to rush things." Hasting his words, Itachi crawled onto both feet.
Organizing his trash into a neatly-stacked pile, Itachi pinned his wet umbrella under one arm. Turning around, Itachi froze mid-step, allowing an endless drizzle of rain to bombard his outfit.
"Once the Akatsuki are eliminated, I'll leave everything else to you." Erupting into a flock of crows, Itachi disappeared from view.
Meanwhile.
"Hurry up already! We have to investigate!" Karin complained.
Standing in the shrouded floor of a forest, Karin was accompanied by Gaara and Haku. Located on the distant outskirts of Sukami, this group of friends were chasing Haido's airship.
"I won't let Tayuya hog all the spotlight! The fans need to know that I'm best girl! Not her!" Breaking the fourth wall, Karin shouted in protest.
"I think you're acting a little immature." Haku spoke out.
Pinning both arms against her small chest, Karin gripped her chin, exposing a confident smile. Unleashing a muffled giggle from under her breath, Karin bumped her butt against Haku.
"I'm not acting." Karin chuckled with a wide grin.
Standing in the background with both arms against his stomach, Gaara's downcast face was exposed. Stained with dust, debris and sand, Gaara's outfit was covered in dirt.
Suddenly, Haido's distant airship released a concentrated barrage of chakra-filled projectiles. Sundering the plateau-filled Land of Wind, distant canyons collapsed under this attack.
Fueled by this invasion of his homeland, Gaara instinctively leapt atop a cloud of shifting sand. Followed by Haku, these elite shinobi quickly hovered through the air, surging across the horizon.
"Wait for me! I'm important too!" Karina pleaded, clinging to the side of Gaara's sand.
Meanwhile.
Tying an unconscious Kamira and Ranke against a large oak tree, Tayuya fumbled with the rope. Standing over her shoulder, Temujin was looming in the foreground, defined by ripple-patterned green eyes.
"So... Where is the Stone of Gelel?" Tayuya questioned, standing up and brushing the grass from her knees.
"I don't really know..." Temujin admitted, drifting deep into thought.
-Flashback-
Obscured by sparkling rays of the setting sun, the war-torn Kingdom of Gelel could be seen. Disturbed by a pair of armor-plated boots, these feet ran for safety, dragging Temujin close behind.
"We must get to the harbor, hurry! Kahiko is waiting for us!" Jumijen panicked, a 34 year old king.
Characterized by a sparkling set of green-tinted armor, Jumijen's most noticeable feature was his crown. Colored with a stark hue of white, this crown was embellished with a glowing green jewel.
Contrasting his white skin, Jumijen wore a knee-length blue cape, drawing attention to his ripple-patterned green eyes. Also, Jumijen had ear-length blond hair with spiky tips, jutting out in various directions.
"But I don't understand! What's happening?!" Temujin stuttered, just past his 14th birthday.
Running through a marble-lined path, Jumijen was ambushed by a group of mindless knights. Jumping over these red-eyed warriors, Jumijen continued to run, picking his son up with both arms.
"All that is good in me, I give to you." Praising his son, Jumijen tore the jewel from his crown.
Pinning this glimmering emerald against Temujin's chest, this pulsating orb phased through his shirt. Seeping through Temujin's skin, this Stone of Gelel merged with his heart.
Transforming Temujin's green eyes, they was instantly engulfed by a distinct ripple-pattern. At the same time, Temujin grunted and groaned with pain, gripping his chest in agony.
"When all hope has faded, look inside yourself. And you will find the answer." Hearing these distorted words, Temujin fell unconscious.
"Quickly! My king! they're coming!" Kahiko shrieked, pulling the lever on his iron boat.
Nestled beside a stone dockyard, a 53 year old Kahiko was half-dressed and drenched with sweat. Throwing a blanket over his 13 year old daughter, Emina, Kahiko was preparing to set sail.
Startled by a barrage of arrows, Jumijen unsheathed his foreign blade, deflecting a bundle of projectiles. Tossing his sleeping son atop Kahiko's boat, Jumijen gripped his hilt with both hands.
Disturbed by the faint sound of distant screams, the eerie air was magnified by pillars of smoke. However, each of these sounds were soon drowned out by dramatic clapping.
"Very good, my king. You've led me right to the stone." Haido chuckled, a 45 year old member of Gelelian nobility.
A common trait inside the Kingdom of Gelel, Haido had snow-white skin and a massive nose. Irradiated by his ripple-patterned green eyes, Haido had a bushy pair of brown eyebrows.
A perfect match for his well-trimmed brown hair, Haido's face was framed with thick sideburns, covering his cheeks. Shrouded by a transparent monocle, Haido's left eye was covered by a glass lens.
Denoting his lavished life style, Haido worn an ankle-length blue bishop robe, concealing both arms under his cape. This garment was the same tone as Haido's blue fez-hat, encircled by a fashionable pink feather.
"You betrayed me... You betrayed all of us!" Jumijen accused his former friend.
"None of you understand how important that stone is. I could create an empire, unite the world or become immortal." Listing his desires, Haido clenched his monocle.
"Just one shard completely stops the aging process. But, you already know that." Scratching his sideburn, Haido displayed a sincere smile.
Despite his young age, Jumijen was actually known as the Eternal King, an immortal protector of Gelel. For over two hundred years Jumijen watched over his kingdom, but Haido's rebellion changed everything.
"My king! Hurry!" Kahiko pleaded, pulling the cord on his propeller.
Swarmed by a faithful army of mindless knights, Haido ordered these soldiers to attack, surging across the stone dock. Kicking Kahiko's boat into the ocean, Jumijen leapt at these attacking knights.
Deflecting an array of jagged blades, Jumijen knocked several warriors into the nearby water. Charging towards Haido, Kahiko looked away at the last moment, unable to watch.
-Flashback ends-
Meanwhile.
Crash landing on a thin plate of metal, Karin helplessly rolled across the floor, knocking her glasses off. Followed by Gaara and Haku, these elite shinobi quietly landed on their feet.
"Find the control room, then we take out whoever is running this thing." Gaara spoke aloud.
Infiltrating Haido's airship, streams of sand funneled into Gaara's gourd, snapped shut by a wooden cork. Sneaking through this foreign vessel, Haku dragged Karin across the floor.
Running down a narrow hallway, a metal door was flung out without warning, exposing dozens of knights. Flooding this iron hall, these endless warriors forced Gaara and Haku to retreat.
Pulled across the floor without a second thought, Karin had a sour expression on her face. Sliding both glasses over her eyes, Karin's hair was sprawled across the floor, dragged by her ankle.
Meanwhile.
"We pulled back too soon, I basically had that ice girl." Kankuro complained, talking about Haku.
Sitting on the opened fabric of Temari's fan, Kankuro, Baki and Matsuri were all baked by sunlight. Flying over an endless desert of sand, Temari stood atop the hilt of her fan, guiding it home.
"Forgive me for speaking out... But I agree, we had Gaara." Baki declared.
"Naruto completely vanished, and the rest of his friends were distracted." Grumbling his argument, Baki shook his head from side-to-side.
Holding both arms in front of her prominent chest, Temari bit her own lip in response. Gazing at the setting sun on the horizon, no one could see the conflict in Temari's eyes.
"You're father would've captured Gaara, and brought him home." Inspired by these words, Temari reached her breaking point.
"I'm not him!" Temari screamed with vigor, forcing her fan to violently rustle.
Hitting his skull against Temari's hilt, Baki groaned with pain before rolling across her fan. At the same time, Kankuro glared at his sisters loose hair, humming under his breath.
"I'm not him..." Repeating these same words, Temari was concealed by sunlight.
Meanwhile.
"There's the ship... But I don't know how we'll get on." Temujin exclaimed, pointing at Haido's vessel.
Standing atop the edge of a grass-covered plateau, Tayuya and Temujin loomed over the horizon. Popping her knuckles with twisted delight, Tayuya spit into her own hands, rubbing them together.
"This is gonna be fun." Tayuya muttered, slamming both palms against the earth.
Forcing a pillar of red coral to rupture from the ground, Tayuya and Temujin was launched through the air. Screaming like a little girl, Temujin flew into panic while Tayuya laughed with joy.
Soaring above the clouds, these spying teenagers both landed on Haido's airship, denting the metal on impact. Spewing loose strands of red hair in all directions, Tayuya hastily combed her hair.
"Okay, we're gonna find your stupid stone. Then I'm gonna find my boy." Flicking crimson strands to the floor, Tayuya observed her surroundings.
"The stone finally returns home." Fugai snarled with rage, stomping her armored boots into view.
A 21 year old Gelelian knight, Fugai was the right hand to Haido himself, a female warrior with great prestige. Proof of her foreign nationality, Fugai had snow-white skin, a common trait in the Kingdom of Gelel.
Defined by shoulder-length brown hair, these strands clung to Fugai's dark blue armor set. An array of petite fitting plates, Fugai's stomach and a vast amount of her arms were exposed.
"Haido has waited long enough, give me the stone." Narrowing her violet eyes, Fugai bared her teeth.
Instead of responding with words, Temujin unsheathed his blade before charging forward. Blocking this attack with her blue gauntlet, Fugai tossed Temujin against the floor, kicking his stomach.
Distracted by the iconic squawks of Shisui, Tayuya glared at this hovering raven with both eyes. Clenching her fists, Tayuya completely ignored the battling knights in the background.
"Nerd! I summon you!" Tayuya shrieked, pointing at Shisui's Rinnegan.
Startled by the racing silhouette of Fugai, this armored knight hurled her fist at Tayuya's surprised face. Casually caught by Naruto, this whiskered jinchūriki rested his chin against Tayuya's shoulder.
"Sorry, I got distracted." Naruto apologized, snapping Fugai's wrist.
Staggering backwards, Fugai howled with a wolf-like screech, rippling through the afternoon skyline. Tripped by Temujin, this female knight was knocked off the airship, falling into a void-filled canyon.
"Follow me! I know where the control room is!" Temujin pled, opening an iron door before running inside.
Meanwhile.
Running along the side of a metal wall, Karin pulled a handful of explosive-tagged kunai from her satchel. Throwing these weapons with glee, Karin collapsed the distant doorway.
Trapping a group of mindless knights behind her, Karin stopped to admire her excellent work. Pushing her glasses up, Karin poked, probed and flicked a bundle of nearby switches.
"I wonder what these do?!" Karin blurted out, turning on the alarm.
Slapping her own face with regret, Karin was startled as several knights busted into the hallway. Squeezing with panic, Karin wildly flapped both arms before running away.
Meanwhile.
"What did Karin do now?!' Gaara gasped, running into a large throne room.
"She wanted to be a distraction. I guess that worked." Haku shrugged, ignoring the alarm.
Strolling in front of a wide-screen window, Gaara and Haku both gazed across a cloud-filled horizon. Awed by this glimmering view, Haku's jawline fell open, causing his black eyes to twitch.
"Home never had a view like this..." Marveling his words, Haku's eyes became widened.
"Oh? That's sad. My home sparkles like the sun." Haido cut in, seated in a marble throne.
Exposing his ripple-patterned green eyes, Haido held an ornate book between both hands. Shifting through these pages, Haido soon glanced at his strange visitors.
Turning around, Gaara confronted this middle-aged man with a stern glare, allowing their eyes to meet. At the same time, Haku tilted his head with confusion, scratching the bridge of his nose.
"Explain yourself! What are you doing here?! Where did you come from?!" Gaara questioned.
Dramatically closing his book, Haido stood up from his throne, towering over the nearby teenagers. An age-defying warlord, Haido used a Stone of Gelel to become immortal, just like Temujin and Jumijen.
"My, my... How rude." Haido sighed with the wave of his hand.
Engulfed by a green aura, Haido unleashed a beam of Gelel Energy from his right hand, shattering Gaara's sand. Overwhelming this red-haired jinchūriki, Gaara was blown through distant glass.
Losing sight of his friend, Haku reached into his satchel, but Haido grabbed his wrist with alarming speed. Shocked by this display, Haku was flung through Haido's throne, spewing chunks of marble across the floor.
"What am I doing here? Where did I come from? The answer is obvious." Strolling as he spoke, Haido eventually loomed over Haku.
"The sage's sacrifice was in vain, demons will soon rise up again. And the Stone of Gelel is our only hope!" Explaining his goals, Haido tore his monocle off.
Over a thousand years ago, the Sage of Six Paths was born inside the Land of Demons. A far-off nation that bordered the ancient Kingdom of Gelel, Haido saw himself as the next sage.
Undaunted by the sudden appearance of Temujin, Haido casually backhanded this attacking knight. Pierced by a barrage of senbon-shaped coral, Haido shrugged in response, lazily rolling both eyes.
Abruptly impaled through his chest, Haido's tone took a stark shift, glancing over his shoulder. Focused on the whiskered face of Naruto, this violet-eyed jinchūriki held a chakra-rod with both hands.
Plunged through the Stone of Gelel in Haido's chest, Naruto's chakra-rod shattered this rare rock. Erupting into a green-tinted shockwave, dozens of glowing pebbles scattered through the throne room.
Straining to see, Tayuya held both arms in front of her squinting eyes, exposing a pulsating array of Gelel. Littered across the walls, floor and ceiling, hundreds of Gelelian shards came into sight.
"W-... What?" Naruto stuttered, picking up a Stone of Gelel.
This looks just like the 1st Hokage's necklace. Examining this ancient stone, Naruto swelled with interest.
One day later.
"It feels good to breathe fresh air again." Kahiko commented, standing on the deck of Haido's airship.
Freshly commandeered by Temujin, this 14 year old immortal was dressed in a sleeveless green tunic. Matching his eyes in color and tone, this attire brought attention to Temujin's blue boots.
"I'll say! It'll be nice to relax, I'm home sick already." Emina replied.
Four weeks have past since I left... But it feels like an eternity. Temujin pondered, sliding one hand over his chest.
Running through the background, a blind Karin chased after Tayuya, begging for the return of her glasses. Also, Gaara and Haku were propped against a nearby railing, gazing across the Land of Wind.
Squawking overhead, Shisui perched himself atop Naruto's shoulder, standing mere inches away from Temujin. Scratching his whiskers with one hand, Naruto's spiky blond hair was a perfect match for Temujin.
"I owe a lot to you and your friends... I can finally go home." Muttering his words, Temujin stared at the sun.
Reaching into the pocket of his tunic, Temujin revealed a well-kept linen bag, filled with glowing rocks. Tossing this bundle into Naruto's hand, these Stones of Gelel twitched in his palm.
"There's enough for each of your friends, and extra." As Temujin spoke, Karin and Tayuya continued to argue.
"I appreciate that. I'll definitely hold on to these." Naruto remarked, hiding the Gelel under his sleeve.
Ignoring the loud screams of Karin and Tayuya, Temujin breathed a sigh of relief. Soaring through the cloud-filled horizon, Temujin's new airship hummed with vibrant propellers.
"I'll drop you off at your ship... Then, I'm going home." Temujin declared, dreaming of a better world.
Meanwhile.
"This is the complete wrong direction!" Deidara complained, standing on his clay-like white bird.
"You're mistaken, it's the correct way." Sasori lazily argued, resting on Deidara's bird.
Flying over the Land of Neck, this minor nation was nestled between the Land of Wind and the Land of Earth. An isolated country with no shinobi village, the Land of Neck was extremely weak.
"I thought the Stone of Gelel was in the Land of Wind... What are we doing here?!" Continuing to protest, Deidara huffed from his nose.
"I grew up in the Land of Wind... They don't have any Gelel, but this land is different." Sasori murmured.
"My spies reported a young girl in this land, a girl who carries a Stone of Gelel." Speaking with boredom, Sasori rolled onto his side.
Rustled by a constant stream of swirling clouds, Sasori's crimson hair wavered against the wind. Twirling two fingers through a loose strand of hair, Sasori had a far-off expression in both eyes.
Snorting in response, Deidara wrinkled his nose, exposing the smirk across his fair-skinned face. Glancing at the canyon-littered landscape below, Deidara shrugged each of his shoulders.
"The Land of Neck is such a stupid name." Deidara mumbled.
"I mean, what's next? The Land of Snow?" Mocking an unknown land, Deidara cleaned his ear with one finger.
"You don't get out much, do you?" Sasori sighed, crawling to his feet.
Hovering just below the clouds, Sasori strolled across Deidara's clay bird, popping his neck with a wooden snap. Combing one hand through his red hair, Sasori leisurely walked off this bird.
"M-... Master Sasori!" Deidara panicked.
Plummeting through the skyline, Sasori closed both eyes as his Akatsuki outfit rustled in the breeze. Enhanced by his puppet-like reflexes, Sasori gripped a jutting tree branch before flipping to the forest floor.
"Oi! Don't just jump off like that! You'll scare me to death!" Screeching his complaint, Deidara shook his fists with rage.
Soaring below the tree-line, Deidara leapt off his bird, forcing the clay animal to erupt into a cloud of smoke. Running after his idol, Deidara quickly walked beside Sasori, traveling through a dense forest.
"You should be happy. At least you feel something, because, I'd rather feel pain than nothing at all." Sasori scoffed.
"You've just been talking to the boss again. Pain, pain, pain, that's all he talks about." Deidara cut in.
Approaching a narrow canyon in the forest, this ravine was the namesake for the Land of Neck. Dotted with a endless maze of unending chokepoints, the mountain-filled Land of Neck was a natural bulwark against invasion.
"Personally, I can barely talk to him. He's too depressing." Scratching the side of his head, Deidara accidently bumped against Sasori.
"My life is depressing." Sasori slurred his reply, pointing across the horizon.
Focused on a looming cloud of rain, this approaching storm violently thundered in the distance. Forcing flocks of birds to flea, this harsh storm boomed with vigor.
"Ohhh... Now that's art." Deidara groaned.
"Just wait. I'll show you what true art really looks like." Sasori exclaimed, obscured by rustling leaves.
