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Arc 4, Chapter 3

-Konohagakure-

(Hidden Leaf Village)

Seated at the counter of a bar one would expect Asuma to be kicking it back and letting loose getting his drinking on, but instead, he sat with his shoulders hunched over and his smokey black eyes focused on the lit cigarette held between his index and ring finger.

"Ahem."

The Jonin peeked his eyes up at the bartender who cleared his throat and cracked a grin at his outstretched hand. He dropped his much-loved cigarette into the man's open hand and winced when he crushed it in his palm and tossed it in the trashcan all the while pointing at a sign that read, "No Smoking."

"Alright, alright bud there's no need for such unnecessary anger," the chain smoker held up his hand in surrender and laughed at the bartender's retreating back. He let out a deep sigh and glanced down at his hands. 'Did I… did I do the right thing by not killing the kid when I had the chance…?' He continued staring emptily at his hands.

"Did you hear about Ken Senju?" A man seated at a table behind him asked with a drunken blush spread across his round cheeks.

"Yeah, about how the kid apparently killed some big shot in the Nadeshiko village…" A friend of the drunks replied giddily.

"Good thing he left our village before he could tarnish…" A third man; another friend seated at the table began before stopping. "Tsu… Tsunade-sama!" the third man screamed in fright. "I didn't mean anything by tha-"

"Can it and move aside, I don't know nor care about whatever you're talking about…" Tsunade's husky and strong voice commanded in a no-nonsense tone. After a brief series of drunken shuffling and hurrying footsteps Tsunade sat down in the seat next to her Sensei's heir.

Asuma looked away from his palms and stared nervously at Tsunade with an amused smile. No matter where the woman went trouble or some sort of entertainment followed.

"What are you looking at brat?" Tsunade glared at Asuma and waved for the bartender. Not bothering to ask why the server scowled at Asuma, she ordered the cheapest bottle of Sake they had. When the bartender turned around to grab and sort through the many bottles located on the shelf in front of her, she looked back at Asuma. "Don't tell me that you requested for me to meet you just to gawk at me," she asked while taking the offered bottle from the bartender.

"Please enjoy your drink princess Tsunade."

Both she and Asuma ignored the bartender's comment.

After the man left muttering curses under his breath Asuma grinned. "Nasty one isn't he Tsunade-hime?" he joked, jabbing a thumb at him.

Tsunade however wasn't amused. She popped open the bottle and allowed for some of the fizzle to leak out before taking a chug. Lowering the bottle from her glistening lips she let out a soft moan, "This taste like shit."

Asuma chuckled and combed his hand through his thick shiny black beard, "Well you did order the cheapest bottle Princess Tsunade."

Tsunade's hazel eyes narrowed at Asuma just as she took another swing of the cheap poison. Once again lowering the bottle with her lips turned in disgust she said, "Why did you pester me for a whole week straight just to watch me drink. Speak brat before I lose my cool." She took another gulp.

"The new generation is growing up pretty fast… With Team Seven right in the center," he sighed and took out a cigarette and instinctively readied a small scale fire jutsu to light it.

"Ahem."

Again it was the Bartender with his hands outstretched. "You need to leave Sarutobi Sensei."

Asuma cracked a grin at the bartender and then towards Tsunade. Reaching in his pocket and retrieving a few coins he slid them across the table and motioned for his grandfather's student to follow him. "Come on Tsunade-hime, seems like I'm not welcomed here anymore."

Tsunade smirked at the shocked bartender's face and got up, "This tasted awful anyway."

"You ordered the cheapest one Princess Tsunade! What did you expect!?" The bartender cried out as she and Asuma left the bar. "Damnit, I missed out big time! That woman drinks like there's no tomorrow!" he sobbed banging his fist against the wooden counter.

XxLine BreakxX

"So, what about Team Seven being at the center of whatever?" The Legendary Sucker inquired as the two of them stood beneath a streetlight. "That apprentice of mine didn't do anything to one of your brats did she…" she slowly twirled around her bottle of Sake and watched as Asuma exhaled a thick cloud of smoke.

"Yeah, she and the other two. Naruto and Sasuke in fact," Asuma watched as the smoke dispersed into the night sky. "My lazy brats used to be so comfortable with where they were strength-wise." He sighed and took another drag out his cigarette although longer and much deeper than the last.

"But now with Sakura working full time at the hospital, Sasuke with the Uchiha police and appearing alongside his father within council meetings, and finally with Naruto gone no doubt only getting stronger, my brats are striving to catch up. It's amazing right," he raised an eyebrow at the Sannin. "Amazing what a little jealousy and admiration can do right?"

Tsunade rolled her eyes at Asuma's useless rambling and turned away from him stepping outside the tiny circle of flickering light that rained down on them from the streetlight. She didn't have time for this, she was supposed to have a meeting with Hiashi over an hour ago… "If that's all you wanted to say then goodbye Asuma. Sakura is a great ninja, don't bother telling me how much she's inspired your kids. Tell her yourself she'd appreciate it more so than me. I've got to go now. Shizune is probably getting eaten alive by those damned Hyuga's." She waved her bottle of sake over her head and walked further into Konoha's eerily dark and quiet streets.

"I know that your clan's heir, Ken Senju is the biological son of the Fire Daimyo's daughter. I plan on informing Minato-sama tomorrow."

Tsunade stopped walking, "Why are you just now choosing to inform him? It's been years since that rude brat left…?"

"He's attacked and killed the former co-leader of the Nadeshiko village. I promised myself that I wouldn't inform anyone of his familial connection to the Fire Daimyo, but I can't do that anymore now that he's killed a high ranking ally of ours. He's a danger to the Fire Daimyo that I believe Minato-sama needs to be prepared for." He said with his cigarette lifted comfortably next to his lips.

Tsunade's shoulders slumped downwards along with her arms; her liquor bottle that was raised in the air now hung limply in her hands. "…Oh, okay… That must be what Hiashi wanted to speak about. Tell Minato, I don't care what happens to Ken, I gave him all the help I could possibly give him." And just like that she walked further into the street with her head hung low and face flushed red from the cheap liquor Asuma bought for her.

She had a lot to think about now.

Asuma raised his cigarette to his mouth and closed his eyes, letting the smoke vapor flow throughout his mind and body. 'When I decided not to kill you and your father Ken, even when I was ordered to. It helped me find my Will of fire, but sorry kid you're all on your own now. I can't defend or condone the actions of a ruthless murderer,' he threw his cigarette on the ground and stepped on it extinguishing its flame.

He walked in the opposite direction that Tsunade went in also with his shoulder's slumped dejectedly.

XxLine BreakxX

Asuma didn't know how, but he somehow arrived outside the apartment of his not-so-secret girlfriend and fellow sensei. His hand hovered above the doors oak wood frame lowering and pulling back right before it knocked.

He stood straighter and washed his face free of all of the sadness that was just previously on it when the door opened. He came face to face with Hinata of all people. His eyes softened in concern seeing how devasted and red her pale lavender eyes were.

She rushed right past him and descended the stairs out of sight before he could grab her.

"Hinata!" he called out to the darkness with his hand stretched out to where she ran.

"Auma?"

He turned around and scratched the back of his neck upon seeing Kurenai's frown and crossed arms. "What's wrong with Hinata? Is the Anbu corps too much for her? I heard that she's been progressing well by Yugao," he quickened his scratching when Kurenai's frown deepened.

"No… boy trouble," she grumbled with her eyes drifting to where her student was just standing.

"Would you believe me if I said that I'm dealing with some stuff regarding her crush too?" he asked.

Kurenai made an unimpressed look and widened the door gesturing for him to come inside. "I would, you look just as bad as poor Hinata-chan looked. Three years… The kid does nothing for three whole years, and just when she was about to assume that he was dead he shows back up and kills some random village leader."

Asuma nodded and stepped inside her apartment, following her to the couch after she closed the door. "Must be tearing her up, they were really close weren't they?" he asked taking a seat next to her.

Kurenai sighed and ran her hands threw her black hair, "Yeah. So close that her father approved of marrying her off to the boy. I at first thought it was just for a political move, but he began caring for her as a father should. She idolizes the boy."

"Let me guess, our little Senju heir was responsible for opening his eyes to how he was treating her."

"Yeah, and for inspiring her to further her skills as a shinobi in hopes of one day finding him." The genjutsu specialist added on and leaned against his shoulder. "Do you want to know what she asked me Asuma?" she inquired.

Having his interest piqued Asuma responded hesitantly. "W-what did she ask you?"

"If she should follow her heart and go after him… I of course said no," Kurenai exclaimed quickly. "To not never consider such traitorous thoughts again." She sighed gloomily. "You smell like smoke Asuma…"

He ignored her comment about his smell and hugged her closer to him. He smiled when she didn't resist despite claiming that he smelt, "And then our little heiress stormed out only to be greeted by me?"

She nodded mutely.

Asuma said the only thing that came to mind, "How troublesome." He came here to take a breather from the morbid thoughts that he was having about Ken Senju, but they somehow followed him here. But… He looked down at Kurenai, he just now realized it, but she looked just as bad as he and Hinata looked.

"If there's anything you want to talk about I don't mind since it's you."

XxLine BreakxX

-Land of Water-

Karin disliked the Land of Water… It was her first time entering the country, but so far it was just like how she was taught it would be like back in the academy. Damp, dark, and crawling with bugs and other creatures hidden within the thick fog that draped ominously everywhere.

She shuddered and gripped the hand that she was borrowing for comfort when the water beneath her sandaled feet swayed as multiple large critters passed by. What made everything worse was that she couldn't see through the dirty murky water.

Ken who noticed that she was feeling uncomfortable squeezed her hand back and smiled at her.

"How much further are we going to have to go-" she froze feeling two chakra networks approach her and Ken, both from below.

"Ken!" She shouted quickly, but based off how Ken's eyes were already narrowed at the water below them, he too knew about the upcoming danger.

"Watch out Karin."

She was forcefully moved to the side just as the water where she was just standing exploded outwards. She blinked when a torrent of water didn't spray out from beneath Ken. Lowering her gaze down into the murky water she was stunned when she saw a cracked white and red mask floating beneath Ken's foot.

Blood flowed from the person's most likely broken nose and mixed into the cloudy water- She wondered if he died from the vicious stump Ken gave them but didn't question it any further because of the masked ninja standing where she just was with a sword drawn and pointed at them.

"I hope that wasn't you two trying to be serious?" Ken mocked.

The masked ninja didn't say anything- at least until three more ninjas, also masked, landed on top of the water right next to him. "He is new," the ninja who had attempted to assassinate Karin pointed to his unconscious comrade drifting beneath Ken's foot.

Ken and Karin shared skeptical looks.

"Yeah, yeah, whatever," Ken replied not believing a word he just said. "What do you mist ninja's want with us?" he asked while tapping his foot atop the man's masked face.

"Ken-kun," Karin pulled on the cloak that she had let him wear, "these guys are Hunter Ninjas. Some of the very best ninjas Kirigakure has to offer. You can tell by their mask and outfits."

She sweatdropped but didn't complain when Ken's brows shot up in surprise before he affectionately patted her head.

"Wow, Karin you're pretty smart. But are you sure these guys are among Kiri's best? Even you a non-combatant ninja has more chakra then these chumps."

Her sweatdrop grew larger when she felt all of the Hunter-Nin's chakra swell in anger.

'Well… I don't really disagree with Ken, these guys don't even hold a candle to us chakra wise, but I am an Uzumaki and he is him, after all.'

"Enough, Die!"

She was snapped from her thoughts when one of the Hunter Nin's seemingly had enough of Ken's indifference and dashed forward with a snarl. Appearing in front of Ken within just a second of his sprint, the Mist Nin found himself entangled and wrapped in thick dark green strands of seaweed and other marine plants added in the mix.

"W- What!" the Hunter Ninja struggled to say as he attempted to lower his blade down at Ken who was still looking at Karin.

"Halt Ken Senju of the Hidden Leaf! I have questions for you!?" the most talkative out of the Hunter-Nin's commanded.

"I don't feel like fighting people weaker than me right now so do you mind," Ken flicked the struggling ninja's mask causing a crack to form along the polished white and red mask. The ninja's head hurled back before his struggling stopped and his head dropped down limply; unconscious.

"I don't care about what you four…" he looked down at the ninja floating beneath him. "Five," he corrected and continued. "Want with me, but the moment you rose your swords and tried to kill Karin I lost my willingness to listen. Follow us and I'll kill you."

As he turned his back to the Hunter-Nin's the seaweed holding the ninja up dropped back into the murky water with a loud splash. The Hunter-Nin drifted atop the water's surface bumping into the other knocked out ninja's body.

"There should be some land up ahead somewhere considering they found us." Ken smiled at Karin to which she nervously nodded and turned around to glance at the group of Hunter Ninjas. They were fishing out their knocked out members from the water, and after they retrieved them- All but the Hunter ninja who had attacked her left.

He looked right towards her and then Ken when the Senju turned around to see what she was looking at.

"He's not doing anything is he, Karin?" Ken asked letting go of her hand and taking a step towards the ninja.

Karin frowned, based on the Hunter Ninja's chakra he didn't seem to hold any bloodlust or ill intent, unlike her protective harem member.

"No Ken, I think he seriously has something that he want's to say to us." She grabbed his hand and forced his fingers open to slip her hand back in. Squeezing it when he grunted and glared at the approaching Hunter-Ninja she rolled her eyes at his stubbornness and focused back on the Hunter Ninja.

"Didn't I say that I would kill you if you followed us? Are you dumb or something?"

The Hunter Ninja ignored Ken's threats and locked eyes with Karin seeing her as the more reasonable one out of the two. "I apologize for attacking you earlier, I assumed that you were a deadly criminal like this young man here," he pointed at the still glaring Senju. "I am willing to allow you two continue to roam around since our country doesn't officially have a bounty against him. But I must ask why it is that you're in the Land of Water?"

"Willing…? Allow?" Ken repeated, "Come on Karin, we don't need his permission to continue looking for Haku."

Beneath his mask, the Hunter Ninja's eyes widened and then narrowed sharply. His shift in expression might've been missed by the two, but his chakra was not.

It suddenly became hostile.

"You better control that chakra before you regret it," Ken grabbed the Hunter-Nin by his collar and dragged him towards him. Glaring into the ninja's masks eyeholes, he pushed him back not finding fighting him to be worth it. "Karin, we're leaving."

Karin blushed at Ken's demanding tone and nodded swiftly. She tightened her hold on Ken's hand; she wanted to get on land ASAP, but one thing was confusing her. Why did the Hunter Ninja get so angry when Ken mentioned Haku's name? And why was his chakra so sad right now?

Fueled by her curiosity she turned around, letting go of Ken's hand and marched towards the Hunter Ninja.

"Karin, what's the big deal?"

She ignored Ken's complaint and stopped right in front of the Mist ninja. "You were going to ask if we knew where Haku-kun is right?" She asked glaring at the ninja.

He perked up and slowly nodded his head.

"We don't know where he is, but I have a question of my own. And if you don't answer it, then Ken-kun will be more than willing to squeeze it out of you." She grinned and moved aside so that the Hunter Ninja could see Ken's menacing scowl.

"I… I thought you were… just a normal girl who got wrapped up in all of this, but your actually evil just like him!" the Mist ninja pointed at her and then to Ken.

Karin shrugged uncaringly, "I don't care about what you or anybody else calls me but answer this. What did Haku do to provoke such a hostile response from you?"

"He… killed many of my friends and comrades. Five full Hunter-Nin squads," he sighed out. "It all happened so fast. Faster than any of us could have reacted to." His fist was shaking, and his gaze was focused on the water below.

"Too bad," Ken said promptly, "Haku won't kill without good reason anymore. So why did he attack you and your friends," he spat out "Friends," skeptically.

"Yeah, why though? Haku-kun is so nice to everyone?" Karin asked with a concerned scowl.

The Hunter-Nin sighed and after an uncomfortably long moment of silence, fixated his masked gaze on Ken and Karin. "We… Well not me but more accurately, other Hunter Ninja's were in the process of capturing our village's Jinchuriki; an infamous missing ninja named Utakata who's been on the run since the Bloody Mist Era," he said in a troubling voice. "When out of the blue your friend Haku, Last of the Yuki clan protected and fled away with him killing each of the Hunter Nin's alongside that monster."

"Jinchuriki…" Karin gulped and snuck a glance at Ken.

A memory of Gaara staring him down in the middle of the night back in Konoha came to Ken's mind. So, there were others like Gaara out there…

"What are Jinchuriki's?" Ken asked wanting to finally know what it meant. All he knew about them was that Gaara was one and it seems that his Mokuton was extremely effective against them. How and why though remained a mystery to him.

The Hunter Nin remained quiet, staring at Ken. Mentally questioning if he should bother answering the young missing nin's question.

"Ken I don't think we should-" Karin was cut off by the sudden arrival of over twenty chakra signatures, each approaching the three of them from all directions.

"It seems my stalling is up," the Hunter Ninja voiced. "You're quite the sensor to be able to sense my fellow Hunter Nin's girl," he complimented Karin's sensory ability. "As for your question Ken Senju, Jinchuriki's are weapons for war, numbering Nine in total at a given time."

Ken gulped not liking where this was going. Haku was with such a weapon…

"Humans with the uncanny ability to call upon the power of one of the nine Bijus that's been sealed inside of them. That's what Jinchuriki's are." The Hunter Ninja finished his explanation just as his comrade's landed atop the water next to him, Karin, and Ken.

"Ken Senju," one of the newly arrived Hunter Nin's took a step forward. "Lady Mizukage-sama has ordered us to escort you to Kirigakure (The Hidden Mist Village). Refusal isn't an option." Each of the Hunter Nin's withdrew their swords and pointed them at the Senju Heir.

Seeing a glint come and go in Ken's eyes the Hunter Nin who had stalled for back up raised his hand halting his slowly advancing comrades. If Ken was being serious with his threat he made earlier; which he was absolutely sure the violent kid was; he was certain that many, if not all of them would lose their lives.

"Ken come with us peacefully don't spill the blood of these men who are only doing their jobs when you don't have to." He pleaded Ken, not wanting to witness another massacre of his fellow Kiri soldiers.

Ken's glare faltered hearing the shinobi's plea. If he killed these innocent men then he would be no better than his skeeving grandfather… 'Its not like they're trying to kill me right now I guess.'

Karin beamed a cheerful smile and hugged Ken when he crossed his arms and grumbled, "Alright, enough of the begging. I won't fight them." He might've been colder and less forgiving, but he was still the same Ken who had helped her all those years ago, and that pleased her immensely.

"She might know something about Haku and this Utakata guy," she added on causing him to nod and wrap one arm around her.

Ken loosened up his violently flaring chakra and allowed for the Hunter-Ninja's to encircle him and Karin. 'The Mizukage…' he wondered to himself trying to sketch a picture of the woman. 'I wonder if she's anything like Minato?' he began walking forward alongside his redhead friend when their escorts began walking forward.'

End

An: Short chapter today. Are these 3k-4k word updates better than the long 6k-8k chapters? Hope you liked the update let me know where you think this Arc is about to go. Thanks Rakuzai for the Asuma idea :D