Authors Note: This chapter is going to be in Han's POV. Also, I'm just noting here that any and all big training and bonding for Naruto and Kurama is going to start happening after all the nine are together, so in about four to five chapters.
Disclaimer: I obviously do not own Naruto, the world, the characters or any of the situations. All of these belong to the creator Masashi Kishimoto.
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Chapter 19
The Bothersome Jinchuuriki
The armoured jinchuuriki sighed as they surveyed their little temporary camp for the month. It had been nearly nine years since he had ventured out into those woods and became a missing nin.
At first Han had travelled the world, visiting all the hidden villages he could before word got out he had left. Keeping his forehead protector as well was something he had pondered in the beginning, it was proven to be a wise choice though.
It had taken months before Iwagakure and the Tsuchikage realized he had deserted, but they were too prideful to admit that they had lost one their jinchuuriki so never reported it. This action basically freed Han to do whatever he pleased if it didn't involve Iwa. With his forehead protector he kept, the jinchuuriki was often able to fool foreign shinobi for information and sometimes even aide as he was never in the bingo books.
The first few years had been pleasant and relaxing to the adult's mental state, doing odd jobs and always on the move around the hidden villages. Eventually though, he grew bored and decided to just settle in the mountains of Iwa, living a nomads existence as he pondered the world.
Kokuo was a nice conversationalist during that near decade experience, they still didn't talk much, but their chats were nice.
Han became used to a schedule of resettling a new camp every one month or so, as to not go completely insane. Sometimes he would run into Iwa shinobi who would try and recapture him only to be foolishly beaten away. Other times he might see a traveller who would indulge him in a conversation.
It was a peaceful life, one Han was definitely content with and would never in any circumstance consider changing.
In the current present the five tails jinchuuriki was tending a small fire. Usually he would just use his steam to cook his things but the manual work passed the time that he now had so much of.
While watching the small bright orange flames dance across the air, Han heard multiple rapid noises approaching him. Sighing, he stood and got ready for a fight.
"It's probably more Iwa shinobi trying to return me to the village." He thought bored as this was far from the first time he had been attacked.
However, the group of people he saw did not look like typical Iwa shinobi, in fact they had different types of forehead protectors on from a variety of villages. "Strange, I wonder if they are trying to get me to let my guard down?" Han wondered as the people inched closer to his location.
Pausing a bit to observe, he studied them more closely. There was a short man with pink eyes and a long staff that was probably taller then the man himself, who actually looked more like a child then adult. Also, there was a young blonde woman with a Kumo protector on her head. Lastly a man in a blue kimono but looked like he was from Kirigakure.
Feeling like he had wasted enough time studying the new arrivals, Han jumped in front of the group with his steam enhanced physical prowess.
Sparing only a second to gauge their shocked reactions, he wasted no time in beginning to fight them off. "For the last time. Leave me alone!" Han boomed as he swept the trio back.
The short man seemed to recover quickly from his shock though.
"Hold on! We're not your enemy!" They yelled while dodging Han's powerful punches.
"I've heard it before, now leave me in peace." The armoured jinchuuriki ordered as the party looked to each other before backing away.
Sighing, the six tails jinchuuriki stalked back to his camp and packed up to find a new location before the trio came back with inevitable reinforcements.
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Han eventually made his way to the next mountain over, setting up his camp once more. Just when the large man was about to finally relax after the journey he head some familiar sounds. "More Iwa shinobi, not again." Han thought as he once more prepared to fight, only to see the exact same trio from before.
"How did you find me?" Han asked alarmed that the same people had managed to locate him.
"We followed your chakra signature, not many have a jinchuuriki's out here." The blonde kunoichi informed, though none of them were in a fighting stance though weary.
"We just want to talk quickly! No fighting!" The short one interrupted before Han could kick them out.
"How do I know you're not from Iwagakure, or at least hired by them?" Han asked with mountains of suspicion lacing his deep voice.
"Well, you don't. But do any of us look like we're from Iwagakure?" The short one asked calm, motioning to the differing forehead protectors.
"Those can be easily faked." The five tails jinchuuriki stated darkly.
"I suppose. But just hear us out." The pink eyed adult replied. Thought Han didn't immediately start fighting, he didn't relax his stance either. "We're all jinchuuriki, everyone in our group is." He explained, surprising the larger man.
"I wonder if they are telling the truth. Why must Kokuo be asleep right now?" Han mentally checked as he narrowed his eyes. "What does that have to do with me if you share the same condition or not?" He demanded irritatingly, though less so then before.
"We're making a group and bringing all the jinchuuriki together. There are major threats to the jinchuuriki right now and we want to make sure that no one is alone and not prepared to face them." The blonde kunoichi informed with a cool air.
The brown haired individual in a kimono remained silent in the background, observing.
"I believe I can handle myself, but thank you for the offer." Han said lowering his guard, sensing that the new arrivals were genuine in their intentions.
"Would you at least like to meet the group, Han right?" The short one asked again curiously, and beneath his armour Han was mildly surprised that they knew his name.
"That is my name yes. But I would like to ask that you introduce yourselves if you already seem to know me." The large jinchuuriki politely requested and the introductions began easily.
"I am Yugito Nii. Jinchuuriki of the Nibi and hail from Kumogakure." The blonde kunoichi went diplomatically.
"Utakata, I have the six tails and am from Kirigakure." The quiet man in the kimono said after Yugito finished.
Lastly, the short one began his introduction.
"I'm Yagura Karatachi, holder of the Sanbi and the Fourth Mizukage of Kirigakure." Yagura went kindly, extending his hand for a handshake.
Han froze upon hearing the last name.
"The Fourth Mizukage?" He quietly and slowly asked again, unease creeping up his spine through his armour.
"Yeah, but I'm not officially on Kage duty right now." Yagura joked, chuckling though oblivious of the rising tension in the armoured man.
"You… you are here from Iwa! Everyone know's that Kirigakure! That the Fourth Mizukage murders any missing nin they find!" Han accused, charging the group once more.
Caught up in his alarm and anger, Han didn't notice the stricken look on the Mizukage's face when he brought up the missing nin accusation. He missed the regret and shame that was bore into his youthful features as the trio once again fled.
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The annoyed five tails jinchuuriki later moved camp again to another, much farther and steep mountain after the fight. It became days and soon a full week with no incident or bothersome jinchuuriki or shinobi in general. This fuelled Han's belief that he was right in his original assumption of the band and that they might've been lying even.
He tried to consult Kokuo once the beast woke up, but they had no recollection as they were asleep during the altercation.
Han had assumed that the trouble was finally over and that he could get back to a semi normal life. He was wrong.
A week and a few days later, Han once again heard the footsteps and breaths of multiple people, larger then the trio. "So they finally brought reinforcements huh… cowards." He mentally scoffed as he readied himself, building up steam.
Going to charge the group he stopped when he almost hit a young blonde boy with his punch, he stopped right in time though so he avoided hurting the kid.
Said kid let out a terrified scream before returning his own punch at the larger man, actually causing him some pain. Surprised he stepped back, cursing under his breath. This gave him time to observe the group, it was the trio again but they had four others with them. Another adult and three children.
The Mizukage looked a little irritated, but it was more at his own group, specifically the new adult and the children. "So, you're here to capture me I presume." Han asked frustratingly, but this time reeling in his obscenities as there were young ears around.
The Mizukage sighed tiredly, full of guilt before speaking.
"No Han, we were truthful with our original intentions." He awkwardly said, averting his gaze from the irate jinchuuriki in red armour.
Said jinchuuriki observed the group once more.
"Kokuo. This is most likely the group they were referring to, can you confirm if they are fellow jinchuuriki or not?" He asked his tenant wearily.
"Yes, they are who they say they are. I can feel my siblings within these humans." Kokuo answered with a fond tone.
"I see, they weren't lying about that then. It explains why that kid's punch hurt so much." Han winced as he thought about the attack. "But still, Iwa could've miraculously hired them, they have the Fourth Mizukage with them after all." He added carefully in his head.
"You expect me to believe you of all people?" The five tails jinchuuriki demanded, quietly seething but avoided spilling his killing intent, for the kids of course.
A look of more shame crossed the man's face, providing a dark contrast that was unreadable. "I did use, to have some violent tendencies to provide no mercy to those who are classified as missing nin, or traitors." The Mizukage spoke quietly. "But I have changed my opinion of them after some much needed talks with a close friend. I plan to change for the better on that regard." Yagura continued, sneaking a subtle glance at his fellow Kiri shinobi.
Han just looked at him sternly, but not yet showing any outwardly hostile behaviour.
"I, we of all people should know that many actions have a reason behind them. So please hear us out." The short Kage went with a more determined tone.
The blonde woman, Yugito spoke next.
"We wish you no harm Han. But I can assure you that Yagura here is a good person, and whatever you have heard of him is most likely exaggerated." She spoke with an air of authority yet understanding.
The rest of the group began affirming that notion, making the five tails jinchuuriki loudly sigh.
"Fine then, let's say I believe you. Now leave me alone." He curtly added as he turned to return to his camp. However, he felt a strong presence up ahead and saw the kids in the group rampaging about.
His eye visibly twitched as the adults tried to get the younger members in order.
"Sorry about that, we had a feeling you would say no, so we brought the entire group to do the introductions here." Utakata told him apologetically with a gesturally grin.
"You would be right…" Han trailed off in agitation as he joined the efforts to tame the chaos.
Half an hour later, having been acquitted with the group of jinchuuriki. Han out of obligation let them stay for a meal.
"I miss ramen." The young blonde boy, Naruto complained as he chewed a fish.
Yugito grew a soft smile on her face as she pulled out a package from her bag, instant ramen.
"Here Naruto, you can have this." She said, using the Nibi's abilities to heat it up and cook it in a disposable wooden bowl.
Naruto's face lit up as he devoured the tasty noodles in under a minute, then spending more time thanking the two tails jinchuuriki profusely.
"So, I'm sorry for asking again but, the offer is still open to join if you like?" Yagura asked after eating and the group was packing up their own gear.
"While I still appreciate the offer, Yagura. I would prefer being by myself." Han answered in forced politeness, inside he was still uneasy around the controversial Kage when it came to the topic of missing nin.
"That's understandable, so I assume you and your tailed beast have a good relationship then?" The Kage prodded curiously to which Han nodded.
"Indeed, me and Kokuo get along well, though we don't talk much due to the fact that we are both reserved individuals." The larger man explained calmly, receiving another nod from the shorter male.
"That's good. But I would like to warn you against the threat you might face alone Han." Yagura added with concern.
"I appreciate the sentiment, but I would prefer my solitude." Han insisted and the other male relented, a little disappointed.
"Okay then, but before we go could you direct us to the four tails jinchuuriki? Roshi I believe his name was." The Mizukage asked politely.
Han thought the request over, he did know where Roshi probably was, but he didn't know if he should tell them or not. The group could be dangerous despite their current demeanour, and that would put Roshi at a disadvantage. Before responding, Han felt a nagging on his armour, looking down he saw Naruto again.
"Hey are you coming with us?" The nine tails jinchuuriki excitedly asked eagerly with pleading eyes.
Han had a soft spot for kids. Loudly sighing once more at what he was about to do, he made his decision.
"I know where Roshi is most likely located at the moment. I will accompany you there and then take my leave after we see the old fool." The large jinchuuriki answered to general positivity from the rest of the group.
It would only be until they met Roshi though, then he could leave and have his peace back.
As he too packed his small camp up and began leading the group northwards, to where Roshi liked to camp and train, Han began thinking.
"I wonder what that old fool is doing right now?" He absentmindedly pondered as they ventured forth.
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Authors Note: I need one of these guys to be more resistant to the idea of joining. Next up is a Roshi backstory which will be the last one. Hope you enjoyed the chapter and please review!