Patronus Maximus

Chapter XLIX: Dissension

Nasu, Tochigi Prefecture

Kanto region, Honshu, Japan

The mountainous region that houses the city of Nasu is unique like many cities in Japan. Over time, it has gained fame for many of the natural hot spring establishments and ski resorts. The same can be said for the inhabitants as they are enjoying the approaching fall. Though it was strange for some of meteorologists residing in the city.

One of said professionals was studying the weather conditions in the outskirts of the city. She could see the city's lights in the distance, but it did not hinder the conditions of being able to see the night sky. Or she would if it weren't for the snow clouds above.

"Damn weather conditions!" She cried out as snow continued to fall everywhere.

The woman had stayed in the ski resort nearby for the past two weeks. Her data was written by the second both digitally and manually. Particularly the last two days she was working hard as the data didn't make sense yet it provided a grand challenge for her. If she can solve it, she might change her field forever.

Bbzz-bbzz-bbzz-bbzz

"Not now."

Bbzz-bbzz-bbzz-bbzz

The woman continued to work despite the constant vibration in her pocket.

Bbzz-bbzz-bbzz-bbzz

Then after the twelfth round of ignoring the calls, the woman answered her phone after bringing it out of the pocket. "Hello," she answered a bit irritably. Her phone sandwiched between her ear and shoulder as she continued working.

-Masane, where are you?-

"I'm working; I told you this."

-So, you're not on your way home.-

"No, I'm not… not yet."

-Oh Hikari.-

"This scientific data can change everything, Yasuke. Look, I'll be back home in three days."

-It's Jinsuke's birthday, Hikari.-

Her left hand stopped writing, but the digital data continued with Hikari. She let out a disappointed sigh at herself, closing her eyes. "I-I uh… I thought it was next week."

-Hikari, I reminded you three days ago.-

"Can I talk to him?"

-I just tucked him to bed.-

"I'll come home tomorrow by plane," Hikari said, gripping the phone.

-Actually I don't think so. Hikari… I think we need to take a break.-

"What are you saying?"

-I'm saying that there's more room in your life from now on.-

"Yasuke, please. We-" Hikari stuttered nervously. "Let's talk about this."

-We've been talking, Hikari, but you haven't been listening. Good-bye.-

Hikari gasped before panting heavily. She cursed while kicking snow around, frustrated at herself. Her marriage was in the rocks because of her spending excessively amount of time in her work. Yasuke had been the mediator between her and Jinsuke as their relations had been soured as a result.

Now Yasuke's patience had reached its end as well.

The meteorologist was so deep in her grief that she didn't even feel it. She spat out blood before falling into the snow. The weather turned into a storm as a blizzard blew over the body. As darkness rapidly took over, Hikari's vision spotted the last image she will ever see: scarlet eyes. Not her husband. Not her child. Piercing deep bloody scarlet eyes.

"Jinsuke…"

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(One Week Later)

The Uzumaki Clan came to the city for one reason. And one reason only. Vacation tour in the country of Japan. Saeko won an all-expense paid vacation plan three days before. Saeko, Kuroka, and the Tailed Beasts-particularly the yokai-looking ones-convinced Naruto that the twins should experience their mothers' native country even though it is in a different dimension(s). Their trip first started in Tokyo and moved northward to their current city. Then they will continue to Hokkaido and stay for a couple of days in Sapporo. Afterwards the clan will move southbound through the western states all the way to Kagoshima, Kyushu.

And best of all, it was winter in the northern prefectures. That means cold snow storms, warm udon and ramen, and best of all, the kotatsu. To top it off, the establishment they are staying at a ryokan, a traditional inn that houses one of Japan's natural onsen. This means wearing comfortable yukata and bathing in the rejuvenating waters from Japan's resources.

"So, this is a ryokan," Lara mused while slightly shivering from the intense cold. Why? She endured colds in Siberia while being shot at by Trinity. This should be a breeze and yet it is not. "I've always wanted to go to one when I was a little girl."

Saeko, Naruto, and Kuroka loved the onsen from their experiences in their home dimensions. As for people from other nations, Rhea and Medusa, this would be quite a treat. For kids, it is an absolute adventure.

"Mommy, daddy, let's go in!" The twins excitedly yelled as they ran to the entrance, only to be stopped by their mother.

Saeko gave her offspring a smile. "Kids, we must show respect here. Understand?" She was set on raising her children in their native culture and heritage.

"Yes mommy," Masaki and Ashla replied sweetly.

The other mothers chuckled as the clan entered the ryokan. They took off their shoes and put on the geta, Japanese sandals for the inn, before being greeted by two employees. "Welcome to the Ashihara Ryokan. I am Tomomo," The woman introduced herself, bowing alongside the man next to her.

"And I am Masashi."

"Everyone together," The clan greeted back as they bowed back. "We are the Uzumaki family." Saeko introduced as their group was listed as such when she won the package.

"Please follow us."

The couple gave a tour of the inn to their latest guests. The building was three-stories tall with the signature arch. The first floor has the entrance, game room connected to the main room and hallway with several paintings of portraits and Japan's scenic landscapes such as Mount Fuji or Fujiyama. In the back of the ryokan was the signature hot springs they visited for. The kitchen is built on the other side from the game room for easy.

The second and third floors are the rooms for guests, whether single or large groups like the Uzumaki Clan. The futon, Japanese-style bed, is prepared for the guests by the staff when it is nighttime. Breakfast and dinner are served at specific times for the guests to eat and enjoy to their stomachs' content.

"And here we are."

Ending the tour at the third floor in the east side, the owners, Masashi and Tomomo, opened the fusuma and allowed the clan to enter in what would be the largest room in a ryokan ever. It was big enough to fit twenty people and have plenty of space for fifteen more.

"Whoa," said the clansmen except the older set of twins.

"Dinner will be ready at 4:00 P.M." Tomomo informed serenely.

Masashi continued the woman's words. "If you need anything, please do not hesitate to ask us or our staff. We hope you enjoy your stay."

"Thank you," Naruto replied respectfully and bowed slightly to the owners. "Saeko, you didn't mention the package included a room like this."

"The people never said anything like this," Saeko answered, a little stunned by their room.

Lara took off her geta and felt the immense comfort immediately from the legendary tatami floors. It wasn't just here, but also from Takamagahara's homes for the gods. "What should we go first?" She asked in general.

"I saw a candy shop on our way here," Kuroka replied gleefully. "Let's go there." Fujimai yawned against her back in one orange obi to use as a baby sling. "See, Fujimai wants to go too."

"Way to use your child to cure your sweet tooth, Kuroka," Rhea remarked lowly, also carrying her daughter in a green cloth as a sling. "Hagumi would appreciate some takoyaki."

The talk of food brought the excited twins to run to their father, "Daddy, can we eat?"

"… Only if you two give me half of your food," Naruto cheekily stated.

"No~" Ashla and Masaki replied sing-song, causing their father to mock-gasp in pain.

"Such answer!"

Medusa chuckled when Ashla and Masako jumped onto Naruto, having him to catch them in his arms. "I'd like to see the local landmarks."

"Me as well," Lara inputted excitedly.

So, two groups formed at this point: Medusa, Saeko, and Lara as landmark sightseers while Naruto, Rhea, and Kuroka as the food entourage. With that established and their rendezvous known, the clan embarked on their respective journeys in the town.

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The three women walked through on the snowy sidewalks until they reached the local museum. It turned out to be one that house the history of cannabis usage in Japan. And it was closed because of the cold weather.

"This is not good," Medusa whimpered disappointingly. "Sorry about this, girls. Maybe we should have went with the others."

Lara and Saeko gave the Greek woman reassuring pats on both of her shoulders. "We should head back to the ryokan and wait for them."

"We could do that or…" Saeko trailed off as she pointed towards one of the peaks near Mount Nasu.

"You want us to hike to one of the Nasu Five Peaks?" asked Lara incredulously.

Mount Nasu is one of the 100 Famous Japanese Mountains. The mountain group has five peaks ranging over 1000 meters high and they are known collectively as the Nasu Five Peaks. The tallest peak ranged at 1,916.8 meters or 6,289 ft tall while the lowest is at 1,589 meters.

"We can call Naruto to pick us up," Saeko reasoned confidently. "I always wanted to climb up all of Japan's mountains."

"It's too cold here."

"And it's winter."

Sound arguments from the European descendants and the fact that the temperature just dropped sharply all of the sudden just reinforced them.

"All right, all right. We can go when the weather gets better."

Saeko, Lara, and Medusa made their way back to the inn, but find themselves slowed down by the snow turning into a blizzard. The orange-haired of the trio noticed the nearest building due to her memory. "Follow me." She grabbed both their hands and led them to the building, feeling the contrasting warmth.

"Thank God for heat and fire," Saeko shuddered as she wiped off the snow from her shoulders.

Lara did the same as well wiping off some that got in with her hair. "Where did you take us in, Medusa?" She asked her friend.

"Police station."

In front of them was a waiting room that held fellow fleeing refugees from the blizzard. Uniformed police officers and suited detectives were hurriedly filled the hallways. The trio gained attention from the males upon their entry as their beauty and lush hairs made them stand out.

Some of the not-so-subtle wolf whistles was silenced by the envious glares of their female coworkers. One did approach the trio and offered them small blankets. She greeted them with a small bow and informed them the situation. "I'm Officer Yamamoto. If you ladies will stay here and fill these forms, we will help you as soon as possible."

"What are they for?" asked Saeko.

"To help us to bring you to your homes or hotel you are staying."

Lara spoke but in Japanese as well, "We're staying at the Ashihara Ryokan."

"Oh, you're staying there," The tone of Yamamoto's voice was off-putting as she sounded scared? "Well, we'll arrange for you to be on the first transport as soon as possible."

"It's… It's fine. We can wait. Are the phones working? We can call our friends."

Officer Yamamoto nodded and left the trio rather in a hurry, confusing them before they chose a spot to stand to wait. "Just in case, let's call the inn and see if the others made it safely." Medusa said a little worried about their mutual loved ones.

"The weather probably messed with the cell tower, but it's worth a try," Saeko put in the number and placed her phone against her ear. Static and death tone met her ears. "Nothing."

"Guess we're stuck here until the blizzard clears up," Lara pouted at their current situation. "The onsen sounds pretty good right now." Medusa and Saeko grunted their agreement. They had no choice but to wait until everything calms down. "Oh wait, send them a text. Maybe that'll work."

Around the corner down the hallway, Officer Yamamoto was talking with a suited man before their gazes focused on the latest arrivals.

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(One Hour Later)

Ashihara Ryokan

The blizzard continued to be strong and forced all the townspeople to remain in their homes. The other group of Uzumaki had already returned to the inn when the blizzard hit the town. Naruto was worried and wanted to go out, but his kids didn't want him to go. Kurama reminded him that the girls are more than capable of defending themselves. Still, this doesn't mean he cannot be worried about them.

"Dear, you're going to get white hair if you keep pacing around like that," Rhea said while breast-feeding Hagumi.

Nearby were the napping Masaki and Ashla after they crashed from the sugar of their bountiful candy. They only had three pieces and lights out for them. Lightweights. "No, I won't because I'm immortal." Naruto answered childishly while slightly bouncing his knees. Fujimai in his arms had just started to calm down. "It's okay, sweetie, it's okay. Daddy's here."

"Fou~"

The tiny squirrel-like familiar popped out of the back of his shirt and laid down on Naruto's head, blinking at the nekomata child. Fujimai's teary eyes noticed the creature and blinked back before smiling at Fou. She laughed sweetly and her tiny hands reached out for Fou but stopped short. Fou squeaked before climbing down next to Fujimai and nestled against her cheek.

"Aw~" Naruto and Kuroka said in unison, struck by the cuteness of the display in front of them. "Hubby, take a picture of this."

"My hands are full right now. You take the picture." Quickly heeding that, Kuroka reached into Naruto's phone and took several pictures of the moment. "Got them." Kuroka let out a long 'aw' and showed a particular one. "Hubby, look at this one."

Naruto did and he looked like he was struck by an arrow of cuteness. "K-Kawaii (So cute)!"

"Fou!" Fou tapped Naruto's chest incessantly, apparently irritated by the camera.

"Kuroka, I think that's enough," The mother of Fujimai pouted, but that quickly changed in favor of getting her daughter in her arms. Fou remained on Naruto via his left shoulder. "Hubby, can I go back to normal?"

"Kuroka, you know the rules: out in public, you must be in human form," Naruto reiterated to his wife. Kuroka pouted in response, "Babe, I know you don't like it, but this is for everyone's safety." He gently rubbed the now-sleeping Fujimai's head. "Especially her."

Seeing her daughter yawn against her bosom, Kuroka smiled and nodded as she understood. "Anything for her." She then made a segue. "Why couldn't the turtles come again?"

"Oh, they're here," Naruto answered nonchalantly, his finger gently caressing the happy Hagumi's cheek. "They insisted on training in their 'cultural homeland' as Leo said."

Her ears perking at his words, Rhea turned at her husband, "Weren't you supposed to be training with Leone during this week?"

"Oh, was I?" asked Naruto coyly. "Sorry, you guys but even I need a break once and a while. May the gods be with you!"

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(Meanwhile)

Training Hall, Inari's Temple

Takamagahara

The gods were with them all right. Well, one actually. And she is pissed. So, Leone decided to take it out on the four kappa Naruto sent in his stead. Apparently, they are extra-dimensional mutant, talking turtles and Naruto's disciples in Ninjutsu.

"You four are sorry excuses of yokai I've ever met!"

The inside of the training hall sustained numerous, smoking spots. In them are the turtles splayed out like starfishes.

"Get up!"

The turtles were excited at first to be in the realm of the Shinto gods where Naruto trains underneath one of them. Then it turned into horror seconds later. Lastly, it became a fight for survival.

A yell of determination came from one of the craters as Rafael grunted audibly, shakily gripping his dual sai. "Come on, I'm ready for round two!"

"As a… as a warrior of…" Leo strained loudly while standing up, "Bushido…" His shaky arms lifted the blades, stepping into a stance, "I will answer the challenge!"

The other brothers on the other hand chose the opposite direction i.e. escaping with their lives. "Monsters," Donny whimpered, wincing in pain.

"Sensei, why?" Michael asked in vain.

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Police Station, Nasu

Toshigi Prefecture, Kanto, Japan

The storm had finally ceased, but the aftermath left the people a greater challenge. "We're stuck." Medusa stated in monotone. Ten feet of thick snow blanketed not only the station, but also the surrounding ten blocks. Doors were sealed shut by the weight of the snow. Activated heaters worked full-time to combat the increasing cold temperatures.

Luckily cell phone service and Internet towers returned to working order, allowing the people inside the station to receive developing news. The local news weather reported the storm that just passed was strange and that residents must stay indoors while public services work to clear the streets.

"We should call the others now; let them know we're safe," Lara reiterated once more. "I bet Naruto's worried."

Saeko waved off her concern, "Knowing Kurama, he probably reminded him of our capabilities." She trained extensively in kenjutsu, the Kosaka Style and daily sparring with Medusa (her fellow disciple). Lara has been through hell and back, honing her skills with the bow and martial prowess against Trinity. "Should we find a spot and call him here to take us back?"

"Definitely," replied Medusa and Lara in unison. They do not want to wait any longer in the cold station.

Saeko spoke to the uniformed officer in the front desk for the bathroom and followed his direction. After a minute or so, a text pinged in Lara and Medusa's phones. Both girls each waited twenty seconds to leave for the bathroom to avoid drawing more attention to themselves. The trio reunited in the bathroom and Saeko gave the all-clear when she double-checked the stalls for any stragglers.

Lara did the honors and pulled back her right sleeve to show her tattoo in kanji. Except the tattoo was the marker for the Hiraishin no Jutsu. It was agreed amongst the adults that the Hiraishin no Jutsu marker would be placed on their persons in case Naruto's aid became necessary depending on the circumstances. The ladies gave him a real earful on grounds of privacy and personal space, but they understood that that times he placed the markers was during their lives in danger.

As she was about to swipe her thumb down, the door opened from behind them. "Oh, hello, ladies." It was Officer Yamamoto. "Pleasant to see you three again." Lara pulled down her sleeve to hide the marker. "Good choice since tattoos are frowned upon here. Are you three yakuza?"

Lara shook her head as Saeko spoke to the female officer, "We were just fixing each other's makeup." Medusa and Lara sweat-dropped at the poor lie.

"I see." Yamamoto went to the sink and washed her hands. "We hope we can send you all on your way soon." She bid them good-bye and left the trio behind.

With a collective sigh of relief, Saeko and Medusa motioned Lara to call their personal teleporter. She pulled back her sleeve and had a finger above the marker when the lights suddenly shut off. As if that wasn't enough to halt Lara, a scream of anguish did. They swiftly moved out of the bathroom and instantly met the bewildering, intense cold from outside.

The entrance was forced open by the heavy snow. Officers were directing citizens to the second floor as the first floor is now compromised. An elderly woman was being gently pulled out of the snow bank after both citizens and officers dug enough of the element away. She must have been the one who screamed moments ago.

Sharing glances after everything was okay, the women were about to go back into the bathroom when Yamamoto called out to them. "You three, come with us! It is not safe here anymore."

"…On our way," Saeko reluctantly answered as she, Lara, and Medusa walked with Officer Yamamoto to the second floor. "This is not our day."

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Ashihara Ryokan

Fujimai cooed as her father smooched her cheeks, causing something spectacular to occur in the moment. "Whoop, her ears are out again." Naruto stated the obvious. Well, obvious to the clan. "Fujimai." She and her cat ears perked up while staring at him with her beautiful eyes. "Boop." He tapped her little nose and away went the cat ears.

It was a week-and-a-half ago that Fujimai began to exhibit her Nekomata features. 'Finally' was Kuroka's statement on the moment. She began to teach her daughter to control her transformation for whenever they leave the Homestead. Of course, since she's an infant, it would be rather difficult for her at times. So Kuroka and Naruto discovered a habit for Kuroka that aids her to keep control. Whenever they tickled her nose, Fujimai would transform between human and Nekomata.

"Say 'dada'." Fujimai tilted her head and adorably blinked at Naruto, "Come on~ Say 'dada' so I can win the bet~" Naruto sang to his daughter before his left ear was yanked ever slightly. "Ow-ow-ow-ow!"

Amidst the laughing faces of Fujimai and now Hagumi, a seemingly innocently Rhea emitted a frightening aura as she slightly pulled Naruto's ear. "Sweetie, are you and Kuroka actually using your child in a bet?" Fujimai and Hagumi continued to laugh while their father sweated bullets. "Looks like I'll have to teach you both lessons in parenthood."

"P-please don't," Naruto whimpered back.

"I think I will~"

"Again, please don't."

"I will~"

That was when Kuroka came back into the room after using the bathroom. She immediately froze in place when Rhea's gaze focused on her and a scared, sweating Naruto mouthed 'run' to her. Kuroka couldn't since the now-materialized and dog-sized Matatabi ensnared the woman's pelvis with her twin-tails.

"I agree with Rhea. You two need lessons in parenthood."

"But we are good parents!"

"Gyuki, hold Hagumi for me please." Rhea said pleasantly as a dog-sized Gyuki materialized out of Naruto's body and carried Hagumi with a tentacle. Matatabi released her grip and gently took Fujimai from Naruto's arms as they joined their siblings to the side. "Now, parenthood begins when the mother and father have intercourse."

"This is nice," Matatabi said casually.

"Watching our Jinchuriki and his wife get scolded by the other wife?" Gyuki replied while teasing Hagumi with a tentacle tip, her hands reaching for it.

"Well… that and said Jinchuriki is taking a break from all that hero stuff and training."

The ox-like Tailed Beast hummed in response while his tails curled in though. "All of this is good for the clan." Though he is not sure about the turtles' role as substitute training dummies for Leone. Gyuki chuckled when Hagumi laughed with her arms. "You like that, don't you, Hagumi? Wait until you learn my ninjutsu style."

"You're not going to teach her rhyming, are you?" A curious and hopeful Matatabi asked her sibling.

"No, no, no, of course not," Gyuki answered while looking away almost bashful.

The bakeneko-like Nibi blankly stared at the eight-tailed ox. Even Fujimai didn't look convinced as she shared her godmother's expression. "We don't believe you. Right, Fujimai?" She asked playfully, her flaming tails curling around Fujimai. Despite that, they are not actually emitting heat. "Yes, as Nekomatas, we must show our power with pride and precision."

Fujimai cooed cutely as she smiled at her tailed beast relative.

"Got it?"

Both Tailed Beasts and their godchildren looked to find a duo of pale and drained Naruto and Kuroka. A happy Rhea hummed casually as if nothing happened. "It's almost dinner time. Perhaps we should go downstairs. What do the two of you think?" She asked excitedly in baby-talk. Her daughters—she sees Fujimai and the older twins as her children—squealed in agreement with their arms waving up and down.

Meanwhile, worry didn't plague just Naruto, but his oldest partner since birth. In the seal, Kurama hummed in thought. "It's not for Lara, Saeko, and Medusa to go this long without contact."

"Should I teleport to their location?" Naruto thought after snapping out of his terrified stupor.

"Send a clone in your stead."

"I was going to do that anyway."

"Sure, you were."

"I was too!"

"Just make the clone!"

Naruto was about to do it when his twins-or quadruplets in this case—started bawling. He, his wives, and the godparents including a recently-materialized Kurama rushed to soothe the children, paying no attention to the outside.

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(Meanwhile)

The Streets of Nasu

Although most people were able to get to safety in their homes or workplaces that have heaters, some unfortunately met the opposite. Three coworkers from a corporation were running in the snowstorm as they gasp loudly against the pounding cold wind. Their luck was lousy as almost all the stores, hotels, and other establishment were closed. Even if there were people inside, they wouldn't let them in as they claimed…

"'No more space,' hah! They just wouldn't give up the heat!"

"Yuki, less whining and more running while searching for an open place!"

"Ha! You want to fight?!"

"Stop it, both of you!" The last person in the trio was a woman and she wore a skirt, which means extra cold for her. "Let's just find a place to keep warm until the storm passes."

"Where, Izayoi?!"

"Anywhere!"

"Guys, look up ahead!" Karito shouted with his finger pointing upward. Yuki and Izayoi quickly looked where he pointed, finding a standing torii through the blanket of snow. "That means there's a shrine up there and—"

"Warmth!"

The trio, with renewed vigor, ran up the stone stairs and to the entrance of the shrine. They stood stiffly and bowed while saying, "Please allow us refuge in your establishment!" There was no verbal answer, but the fusuma parted to let them inside. "Thank you very much!"

"Oh, thank God for warmth!" Izayoi declared in relief.

The shuddering Yuki and Karito nodded as they started to get warm. It was a good four minutes when they realized that the cold did not leave them. Then they felt sick while coughing ferociously as the air became difficult for them to inhale. Something was wrong here. Very wrong here.

There is no fire. No priests or priestesses. No signs of Shinto materials or omamori.

"Guys, I don't think we should be here," Karito gasped after speaking. Even talking drains him. "Let's get out of here."

No response came from behind him. A sense of dread filled the man as he gathered a keener insight at his surroundings. Why he didn't take a closer look, Karito will regret it in the afterlife.

A row of red pupil-less eyes lit within the darkness before they pounced on him. He screamed out a soundless cry as his body was being torn apart by lightless monsters. Karito caught glimpses of his coworkers, Yuki and Izayoi, dogpiled by the unseen masses. The thing he saw was Yuki's face scratched by nails and Izayoi being taken away by something taller than them.

"Gods, help us!"

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Police Station, Nasu

The emergency services, specifically the fire department, had just arrived and assisted the uniformed officers into shoveling the snow. Their plan is to carve a pathway from the entrance to connect to the streets, which was recently cleared by a snowplow. Three of them were being used to clear out the rest of the city's roads and eventually the major highways and roads.

At least that was thirty minutes ago. The residents and detectives in the upper floors were concerned by the lack of updates. As if to make things worse, the weather turned into a snowstorm once more. The temperature got colder, forcing the police to turn a small area of the room as a bonfire. The fuel is old and unused paperwork from forty years ago.

Lara, Saeko, and Medusa along with other able-bodied people were busy helping the officers to gather the paperwork and sea. And yet something was odd. Saeko noticed that the men, officer and civilian, were slowly disappearing. She whispered her concern with the others and they became more alert. Something was clearly happening.

"Mommy, I'm cold and hungry." One of the kids said to his mother. The fire helps, but there is not really food. Snack can alleviate the hunger, but only temporarily.

Saeko wanted to help, but nature has called her. "Girls, I'll be right back. I need to use the bathroom this time."

"You want us to go with you?" Medusa whispered and received a head shake. "You sure?"

"I'll be fine." Saeko assured her sister-wife before leaving for the second floor's bathroom. She found it and entered one of the five stalls, proceeding to do lady business. Minutes later, the bathroom door opened and shuffling alerted Saeko to peek through the small gap between her door and stall. "You've got to be kidding me."

Yamamoto sat on the sink, her legs spread apart for the man kissing her heatedly. From the suit, he was a detective. One hand ferociously groped a breast while the other snuck through her skirt. "God, Yamamoto!" He gasped, breathing after breaking the kiss. "I always thought you were this meek, shy girl, but you are something else!"

"…It was just an act," Yamamoto answered hotly, her cheeks blushing red. "There's just something about *gasp*-" She was cut off when her 'meal' found her soft spot. "-so enriching when you men find out my other side~"

"My God, I feel like I'm in an AV," Saeko rolled her eyes while watching the scene.

"You are surprisingly plump." The detective observed after unbuttoning Yamamoto's blouse.

"You have no idea how men I caused to fall for me."

"I'm getting a clear picture now."

"Me too." Saeko thought again while Yamamoto and her man resumed kissing. As she exhaled, white mist escaped from her lips. "My breath?" In fact, the room has gotten colder, much more so than outside of the station. Saeko resisted warming her arms in fear of being discovered. "It feels like the winter."

"Hey, you feel cold in here?"

Yamamoto shook her head. "No, but there is one way I can warm you up." She smiled lustfully while taking off her underwear and licking her lips.

"I do like this method." He stumbled through taking his pants, clearly excited to take part of her flesh.

Behind the stall, Saeko waited for the inevitable grunts from the man. Why they think women like hearing them shout their actions is beyond her. She heard one male moan and that was it. No shouts. No gasps from Yamamoto. No sounds of sex in the moments that passed. Saeko started to shake from the intense cold and held her breath to avoid being detected. She looked through the gap and her eyes widened at the sight before her.

The man who was about to get lucky turned out to be the opposite. Why? He was frozen solid as an ice sculptor. As for Yamamoto, a bored and unsatisfied expression was left on her face. "Tch, lowly human." She flicked her finger against the man's forehead, causing his body to tip over. It shattered like glass as red shards shattered throughout the floor.

"My God, what is she?" Saeko thought as Yamamoto put back on her underwear and fixed her uniform.

"So little humans, so little time."

"I need to tell the others."

"That purple-haired bitch and those foreigners… something's clearly different about them. I cannot wait to find out how exactly."

Saeko watched her leave through the mirror and exhaled in relief. "We have to get out of here." She looked back up and met Yamamoto's ice-blue eyes staring right at her.

"I see you~" Yamamoto teased in sing-song. Her arm morphed into a spear before thrusting it through the stall door with blistering speed. "A hidden closet pervert I see. The oni is going to have fun with you." Her eyes widened in anguish before she coughed out black blood. "W-what?"

Her eyes glanced downward and found a sword of this land penetrating her stomach. She felt something unnatural from the blade as it and the stomach area began to burn before frantically falling backwards. Yamamoto winced when she placed her hands on the wound, only for them to burn as well.

"It's as if the wound is contagious when I touch it!"

The blade was pulled in before he bathroom door opened, revealing an unwounded and alive Saeko. She glanced at the sword in her hands and felt its power coursing through her. Thing is that she didn't summon it. "Did Dojikiri sense danger and saved me?" She wondered that this may have to do with its status as the greatest of Japan's Goken (Five Treasured Swords).

They can be considered as holy swords compared to other weapons in the world.

"That blade… what are you?" whimpered Yamamoto as she continued to bleed. Then her legs started to frost "You're human, aren't you?!" She winced upon feeling the aura from the sword in Saeko's hands. "It's holy but no mere human can wield it."

"You mentioned oni." Saeko pointed the tip of her sword close to Yamamoto's throat. "You're a yokai. Are you targeting us?" She asked steely, her eyes narrowed as her other side. "It's been a very long time since I felt like this." Not since she found love with Naruto and for their children's sake, she kept it under wraps. "Tell me." She stabbed the ice woman's shoulder, speeding up the frosting process. "Or don't. It's your choice."

"Ha! You're just dinner for us!" Yamamoto's face distorted with her mouth's edges being slit. "No one is safe!" Her yell was cut off as Saeko stabbed her head with the tip of Dojikiri Yasutsuna.

"And that includes my family," Saeko pulled back and flourished the blade to get rid of the blood. As soon as she sheathed it, the weapon disappeared from her hands. "No one threatens my family," She declared steely before running out of the bathroom. As she did, Saeko met a wall in front of her. "This wasn't here before."

Dojikiri reappeared in her hands once more and she drew it before cutting through the wall. Saeko wasn't ready for the wall to groan in pain nor having eyes that opened after the fact. Another yokai? First Yamamoto, and now this? She continued to run to the area where the others are and made it.

Only to find four unnaturally-looking concrete walls forming a perimeter around them if the muffle screams are to go anything by. Saeko move to attack two of the walls with one strike while the remaining were blown apart from two different arrows. The terrified residents were shielded by the readied archers in the clan: Lara and Medusa.

"Saeko, are you okay?" asked Medusa concernedly, her crimson bow gleaning despite there was no light.

"I'm fine."

Lara lowered her bow after determining there were no hostiles for the moment. "We need to get out of here now. Should we call him?"

"Not in front of the people," Medusa whispered back. "Use the smoke bomb."

It became standard procedure for the clansmen to have smoke bombs on their persons. Said materials can help in battle, for escape, or in this case, to fill the room for summoning. They did the latter. "What the hell?! Where'd this smoke come from?!" A moment passed but the majority of the people saw yellow lightning-like flash in the room. "Is it one of those yokai?!"

The smoke eventually cleared, allowing the officers and citizens to see a costumed individual in the room. Some of the kids present gasped in awe. "Patronus!"

"Hello, everyone! Are all of you safe?" Naruto asked concernedly. Thankfully, he was fast enough to put on his costume after appearing when Medusa told him to change on the spot. No one could see the sweat of nervousness on his cheek. "Man, that was so close. A text message beforehand would've helped."

"P-Patronus! H-How are you here?!"

Patronus faced the querying inspector, "The Hero Association noticed the strange weather pattern over your town. I was nearby the area when I got the call." He lied effortlessly. "Kurama, remind me to call All Might when we're done with this."

"But how did you get here?"

"The Hero Association just used its teleportation system to bring me here, though it was supposed to bring me outside instead of here. Guess the techies need to work on it." A half-truth here. As a solution to send aid across the country in areas lacking a hero or in terms of emergencies. "Let's get out of here first, then you can fill me in." Patronus walked across the room to a wall. "Quick question: is this building insured?"

"Yeah, why?"

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(Thirty Minutes Later)

Ashihara Ryokan

"Did you really have to pulverize the wall?"

"I didn't pulverize the wall," Naruto corrected Saeko. "I used wind chakra to make a nice, clean cut in the wall and got everyone out safely. What's the issue?"

"You made the chief of the station cry," the women answered blankly.

"Shh! The kids are asleep." Naruto told them. Their bundles of joy are sleeping in the farther corner. "Besides the Hero Association can pay it off if the insurance company doesn't."

"Naruto…"

"Okay, okay, I'll use the conventional method next time." Naruto pouted while Kuroka patted his head. "It's been a while since I used wind chakra." Outside of training that is. Kuroka saw this as the opportunity to pull Naruto's head into her bosom: the famous boob pillow. "Mmm… thanks, babe."

"Anything for my hubby~" Kuroka loved the jealous stares from the other ladies. Then she got serious, "Girls, what happened back there?" Lara, Medusa, and Saeko recounted their time from the arrival at the station to Naruto's short appearance in his hero persona. The details from Saeko was particularly fruitful, regarding the creatures that she encountered. "The wall and the ice creatures…"

"You know of them?" asked Medusa, anxious to know about their enemies.

Kuroka then gently placed Naruto's head on her lap as his body laid down comfortably. "Saeko would know this, and maybe Rhea since she's old." Cue the seemingly innocent death glare from the Titaness. "From what you three described, it sounded like this Yamamoto was a Yuki-onna and the wall with eyes must've been a Nurikabe."

The Yuki-onna translated to 'snow woman' and legends depict the yokai as a spirit who guides victims—usually men—back to its habitat. She then drains their life force through a kiss, but mostly sexual intercourse. After the deed, the victims are left hidden in the woods from civilization. There have been tales where the yokaidied instead due to their love for a victim.

As for the nurikabe, its name translates into 'plaster wall'. The spirit takes pleasure out of confusing wayward travelers in the wilderness or more famously in dwellings. According to both the legends and Kuroka, when encountering one, you can make it go away by touching the lower left corner in one's visage. However, if one upsets a nurikabe, the yokai pummels the victim until its arms of stone are dried in blood.

"At least that's how the stories go," Kuroka finished off with a wink.

"A yuki-onna and narikabe on the same day?" Lara pondered aloud. "What are the odds of encountering two yokai?"

Saeko hummed in thought. "Well, Japanese citizens probably mingle with yokai every day. They just didn't know it." She didn't know it too pre-zombie outbreak.

"But the strange thing is that the Yuki-onna stays in the mountains and haunt the huts," Kuroka mused aloud, "The same can be said for the Nurikabe too."

Seeing her devil/nekomata sister-wife ponder about this seriously, Rhea decided to remedy by saying, "Come now, everyone. We're supposed to be on vacation and relax."

"And we have Lara, Medusa, and Saeko to thank for that," Naruto finished proudly. "I've always known you girls were capable."

Medusa playfully pulled back as if she was taken aback, "Oh Naruto, you didn't have faith in us?" She cried behind her hand.

"Eh?"

The others played along with the former priestess. "Naruto, after all we went through together, you never believed in my abilities?" Lara asked hurtfully, turning away to conceal retrained laughter. "I guess I was wrong about you."

"What? Of course I believed—"

"I want a divorce," Saeko said blankly, eliciting an audible gawk from Naruto, "And I'm taking the kids with me." Naruto screamed soundless because he fainted on Kuroka's lap from shock. "For a prankster, he falls to them very easy."

Lara and Medusa shared chuckles. "He does know we were joking right?" asked Medusa after Naruto hasn't moved for a while.

"He knows, but I think Saeko's 'divorce' play was a bit shocking for him," Kuroka said pointedly at Saeko who chuckled somewhat nervously. "Well, I would never leave Hubby because he's mine forever and ever."

"He's ours," Rhea corrected sternly, gaining agreeable nods from the other women.

"I know; I'm just kidding."

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(The Next Day)

The Yuki-onna must've been responsible for the snow storm because most of the snow had been melted and the clouds dissipated. For the incident at the police station, Naruto informed the Hero Association and nearby police stations to assist. Sirens nearby depicted their arrival along with the H.A.'s helicopters.

Therefore, the Uzumaki Clan can continue enjoying their vacation. Two days in each city as predicated by the plan. After today, they would go straight to Sapporo, Hokkaido via airplane. Though some members were more than happy to relax, others were reluctant to let this situation go unsolved.

"The police and H.A. have this, girls." Naruto assured the reluctant trio. "Come on, let's enjoy and relax."

"It just doesn't feel right, Naruto. I'm surprised you of all people is not pursuing this." Saeko stated sternly.

"Sweetie, we're on vacation with the kids," Naruto remarked back. "Yesterday was an emergency that included you, Lara, Medusa, and citizens." Saeko hummed as he continued to speak, "Come on, this trip is about immersing the kids into our culture." Naruto and Saeko's cultures are—to their astonishment—exactly the same despite being from different dimensions. "I for one want to know more."

"… But still."

"If you'd like it, I can leave a clone here in the city when we leave tomorrow." Naruto suggested to his wife. "He'll report to me about their progress while we're relaxing on our trip."

"… Okay." Saeko reluctantly complied after hearing the reason. She shook her head when Ashla and Masaki ran into the room, hugging her legs. "Hi, my darlings~ Did you enjoy the onsen?" The twins nodded happily while Kuroka, Lara, Rhea, and Medusa entered the room, clearly reinvigorated by the famous bathing water. "All right, now it's your daddy's turn." She woke and bathed in the onsen earlier than the rest of them for peace and quiet.

"Yosh!" Naruto left the room after giving pecks on each of his loved one's cheeks. "Be back in ten minutes." The unfortunate part about this ryokan was that its baths separated into male and females i.e. no co-ed. Hence why they (the adults) went separately.

Once he undressed and washed himself with soap/cold water, Naruto entered the onsen waters and moaned as he relaxed deeper into the construct. "That's the good stuff."

"Is there a reason why you won't stay back and help the police with the incident?"

"We're on vacation, Kurama." Naruto reiterated once more. "You know I always want to spend time with my family. Plus, Japan is really something. It always reminds me of home." The ryokan, the countryside, and the culture that is. "Think I can buy property here?"

"You're a god, Naruto. You're probably loaded."

"Where exactly? I never saw that money."

"Did you ask Inari?"

"…No."

"Then there's your answer."

"Where would we live?"

"Miyagi?"

"Fukushima?"

"Kyushu?"

"Nagasaki?"

"The Ryuku Islands?"

"Tokyo?"

"Eh, too cliché."

"Yeah, why do so many manga take place in Tokyo?" Naruto wondered aloud. "Is it because the city is the capital?"

That's when Gyuki gave his input, "If history serves correctly, Kyoto was Japan's capital a long time go."

"I would write a manga centered in Kyoto." A pensive expression took over when his tenants snorted aloud. "What?" Naruto asked.

"You'd be horrible," Gyuki answered not-so-tactfully.

Kurama chuckled as he continued his brother's train of thought, "Not unlike that pervert of a sensei of yours."

"Ugh, don't remind me." Naruto's mind flashed briefly to the times of his training with the Pervy Sage. The countless nights of him having to peer-review Jiraiya's rough drafts. "You know, I think I prefer the countryside; away from pollution and enjoying nature around us."

"A hidden village?"

"Maybe." Naruto answered off-handedly. "One: it might be good for the kids' training if they choose to be shinobi." Some of his tenants grunted disapprovingly. "Hey, I'm not going to force my kids, got it?"

"You're the father," Kurama said sarcastically. "But we still think you are denying the crucial part of their heritage."

Naruto groaned loudly before choosing to sink lower into the waters, half of his face submerged. Minutes passed in his solitude until he called it quits. "Okay, I'm done." Naruto declared softly before leaving the onsen in his borrowed yukata. "Man, I love ryokans!" He walked out of the changing room and into the hallway. "Maybe we should open one someday in the village or in the States."

"That won't work!"Isobu countered strongly, visibly surprising his Jinchuriki. "The ryokan is unique in Japan and people must visit to appreciate its features and traits."

"Hmmm… I guess you have a point there, Isobu," Naruto said as he turned the corner, facing the hallway to his family's room. "Oh well, we have time to think on this later." His gait stopped when something bumped into him. "Huh?"

"Owie…"

After unceremoniously landing on the bottom in front of him was a young girl with brown hair tied in twin pig-tails. "Oh my bad, young one. I wasn't looking," Naruto apologized before taking a knee in front of her. "Are you okay?"

"Yui!" Her mother from the sounds of it as she turned the corner. "I thought I told you not to—" She saw her child on the floor and a stranger standing over her. "Oh my gosh!" The mother got closer to her daughter and checked for any wounds, which there were not. "Are you okay, Yui?"

"I'm fine, mama." Yui told her as she was helped up by the woman.

Naruto nodded as they stood up on their feet, "I wasn't looking and bumped into her. Again, I'm sorry, Yui." He gave a small bow to her, which Yui and her mother responded in kind. "Enjoy the rest of your stay here."

"Thank you, mister." Yui said politely as she and her mother turned around to leave for their room, which happened to be two doors from his family's. It was down the hall and Naruto could have sworn that the mother sent him a wink before entering inside.

The Jinchuriki was off-putted by the gesture, "She is married, right?" He whispered to himself before walking the hallway. As Naruto passed the mom-daughter's room, the corner of his right eye caught something that he probably shouldn't have: a pair of fox ears protruding out of the girl's head much like Kuroka's cat ears.

"Yui, your ears are showing. Hide them!" The mother whispered harshly as Yui's fox ears went away. "We can't risk anyone finding out about us, especially the oni."

Naruto had already left and entered his room by the time Yui's mother checked the hallway for any eavesdroppers. "Those two are yokai? Kitsune from the looks of it. And this is the second time that oni are mentioned."

"Are you going to check it out?" Chomei asked this time, his older brothers choosing to sleep in this time. "You may be on vacation, Naruto, but I believe this at least calls for reconnaissance."

Naruto pondered about the choice in the matter. Even if he were to report this to the H.A. and authorities, they do not have any understanding of the supernatural world. His mind flashed back to yesterday's talk of Saeko's words. "Yokai are everywhere." Naruto said as it was fact. "Perhaps they have an idea of what is going on around here."

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(Three Hours Later)

Outskirts of Nasu

The people of Nasu were given the go-ahead from the H.A. and local authorities to resume their daily lives. Despite that, a majority of them refuse to leave their homes after hearing of the incident. If that wasn't enough, Patronus was in the area which meant something else was going on in the city.

"But why would the Savior of Boston be here?"

"Do you think it has to do with the murders?"

"If the Hero Association's presence means anything, then maybe we shouldn't be out here."

Yui and her mother walked past the huddle of gossiping men, slowly increasing their pace for the forest. News of the American hero in city only made the duo more anxious. The deeds in Boston earned him both revere and fear amongst the Japanese population, both human and yokai. Within the latter, rumors of Patronus exhibiting extraordinarily abilities not unlike the deities in their homeland spread like wildfire.

Yui's mother, Mitsuki, shuddered at the thought of meeting such an individual. Or the Quirk people. It was bad enough their kind had to worry about superheroes and villians, but most of Japan's human population possess powers as well. One night, a neighbor in their apartment complex used his abilities to bully almost everyone in said building. They escaped his sight through Mitsuki's Yojutsu (Demon Techniques) and left to avoid being discovered.

Her sister and brother-in-law informed her of a rendezvous location near Nasu where they would be safe from human eyes.

Mitsuki glanced over her shoulder to make sure that no one was following them. Once they reached the next high rise, both mother and daughter turned right into the dense forest that surrounds the city. A gentle breeze carried fallen leaves over the duo and covered their tracks. They moved almost deliberately behind them like someone was in control.

A sentry. Mitsuki could not see him or her, but this meant that they were on the right path so far. Yui suppressed a yawn as she tightly held her mother's hand. They eventually stopped in front of the base of a small mountain. Mitsuki lifted her right hand, the index finger ablaze with her demonic ki and moved it through the air with graceful precision. Yui gasped when small, white kanji appeared in front of them.

Her awe exacerbated by the kanji that emerged from the rock and matched Mitsuki's own. The kanji disappeared moments later and the rock started to come apart like jigsaw puzzles in front of them. A large pathway into darkness met them, making the youngest one nervous.

"It will be all right, kid." Yui and Mitsuki turned around to see a young man around the latter's age. He was as tall as the polite man back at the ryokan with scarlet red eyes and orange-reddish hair that fell to his shoulders and bangs that framed both sides of his face. "Do not fret, I am one of you." Before Mitsuki could ask, the man's ears turned into long fox ears: a kitsune. "Let us go in to avoid exposing the entrance."

They could not argue with that and the trio entered the passage. The clattering of rocks signaled the entrance now closed as darkness engulfed the new arrivals. Almost instantly the tunnel was lit by rows of torches ablaze in red fire. Yui and the adults continued their walk until they eventually reached the other side where something amazing laid before them.

The entire base of the mountain was hollowed out as it housed a grand city surrounded by the circlet of water. It looked like a small island from their position. A ray of sunlight lit up the entire settlement despite its origins at the peak as a medium circle. Shrubbery outlined near the water and the city, bearing different fruits native to Japan and other nations. Traditional Japanese establishments and houses formed the city with few modern elements.

As the new arrivals crossed over one of the ten bridges surrounding the city, they noticed the occupants was different. They were all yokai of all species.

"Mama, kitsune!" Yui exclaimed excitedly.

Izayoi shushed her daughter, but she shared the same excitement. They were now surrounded by yokai, happy with life. The third arrival watched groups of kids—kappa, tanuki, nekomata—run down the streets, laughing in joy. He almost smiled but stopped when a loud 'gong' rang throughout the city. The nearby yokai started to walk down the road and so did the arrivals.

They all merged with the congregation in the middle of a grand plaza. In front of said area was a pagoda, a tower of sorts for luxurious purposes. Despite the plaza's size, it was not enough to have everyone inside so there were plenty of attendees sitting on the rooftops of nearby buildings. Yokai with wings or flight remained afloat above the plaza and everyone else.

"What's going on, mommy?" asked Yui. Before Mitsuki could answer, they were ambushed by a warm embrace. One that was most welcomed by both members. "Auntie Miki!"

The third arrival watched mother and daughter hug their relative including her husband. It did not last very long as his and everyone's eyes were drawn to the top of the pagoda. Standing on top of the building was a man with long white hair and wore armor over his kimono. Black crow wings protruded from his back while his nose was unnaturally longer than a normal human's.

"Kaijobo is here?" Miki's husband asked in wonder.

The third arrival inspected the herald of their attention and concluded what everyone already knew or arrived to. "Tengu." Kurama pondered as he noticed more tengu float behind Kajibo. His lessons in mythology flashed through his millennia-old mind. "They stay behind him, not just as a show of respect but rank? And he's more human-like than the others." His eyes slightly narrowed. "He is a Daitengu (Great Heavenly Sentinel)."

Daitengu are rulers throughout in each of Japan's mountains. Their vassals are the tengu ranked lower than them and the yokai in the surrounding forests as well.

"As the leader of the Nasu mountains, he is among the Daiyokai." Someone in the crowd mentioned aloud.

The Daiyokai translates to either "Great Phantom" or "Great Demon." Miki and Mitsuki explained to Yui about these particular yokai. From birth, every yokai strive to be the most powerful of their kind. This ambition was sought-after in the Sengoku Period where survival of the fittest was determined the strong and the weak. After the Tokugawa Shogunate was established, the strongest yokai who survived the bloodshed with the humans and their own were deemed daiyokai and lived as rulers of certain areas or protectors in general.

"Mommy, are the Daitengu nice?" Yui asked her mother. "He looks kind of scary."

Her aunt Miki answered the question this time. "Yui, the Daitengu keep to themselves most of the time, but they aid yokai in need of help." She shifted her gaze of joy at their host. "Kaijobo is famous for housing numerous yokai during times of great strife and persecution."

"Daitengu and Daiyokai…" Kurama then asked aloud, "Excuse me…" Miki, Yui, and Mitsuki turned their attention on him, "I do not know much about everything, but are Daiyokai equal to the Amatsukami?" He blinked owlishly when nearby eyes glared intensely after saying 'amatsukami.' "Uh, did I say something wrong?"

"That word…"

"Huh?"

"Amatsukami is taboo to say in yokai grounds." An elderly kappa informed the secret Tailed Beast. He noticed the obliviousness in his eyes. "You clearly did not know about this. How old are you?"

"Kitsune live to 1000 years and I'm older than everyone. I don't want to give my age away, so I'll tweak it a little," Kurama then answered aloud, "500 years." A little he said. "But I was asleep in all that time."

"Something woke you up."

"Yes…" Kurama feigned surprise, both verbally and expressively.

The elderly kappa gestured his arm around, "That is why we are here, young one." He put his arm down. "Something is coming and the Daiyokai are wary of it."

"This is happening nationwide?" Kurama asked in astonishment. "There are havens like this in every one of Japan's mountains?"

"Seeing as you were asleep, you have much to learn aboutyokai culture." The kappa offered a gentle webbed hand. "This old man's name is Souichiro."

Kurama hesitated for a moment, but accepted it. "Kurama as I was called by my father."

"Kurama… a strong name." Souichiro mused with a 'hum'. "Your father must have great ambitions for you."

The Tailed Beast hummed before he and all the yokai faced the host of their gathering. "Yokai, welcome to the Nasu mountains! I know you have come far and wide from your homes, so please enjoy your accommodations after the meeting." It was so quiet that a pin can be heard. "Months ago, the Daiyokai felt a disturbance of great magnitude."

Kurama and the gathered crowd of yokai stood there as they listened to the daitengu. The Tailed Beast is about to learn more about Japan's yokai and the underlying issue that brought them to the mountains.

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(Meanwhile)

Streets of Nasu

Naruto walked through the streets, hoping to find clues about the incident a few days ago. So far, there haven't been any fruitful news. "I hope Kurama has better luck than me." He turned the corner and walked down a street before stopping in front of an ascending flight of stone steps. "What is that?"

The shinobi walked up the stairs and noticed a distinguishing feature of the temple in front of him. "The torii… it's broken." He observed aloud. The iconic feature of Shinto architecture and culture was broken in half. "Inari told me that the torii serves as a barrier to ward off yokai and other evil spirits." Even creatures from other mythologies are affected by the torii. "Was this an inside job or the work of something powerful?"

Naruto took three steps before it happened. A horde of grotesque creatures stood up from the ground. Their bodies withered, stomachs bloated ghastly with dull yellow glow, and lidless-eyes malevolently red as they stared at him. Ajar mouths drooled from their corners.

"Oh God… Are those Gaki?"

The Gaki are yokai that were once human before their deaths. It is said that upon their deaths, they are denied access to the afterlife for their nefarious deeds as humans. They are left with hollowed bodies and an insatiable hunger for flesh. Some legends depicted them as cannibals since they would eat even their own if it laid on the floor like a human corpse.

The horde of yokai snarled before they charged as one towards Naruto. They never made one step when a breeze of wind passed through them. Their bodies bled through the several slash marks that appeared moments later before separating into different pieces. The collective pool of blood expanded like a wave until it stopped shortly before Naruto's feet.

"Kaze no Ken (Blade of Wind)." An invisible blade of pure wind emanated from Naruto's knife-hand. The chakra flow dissipated as he lowered the limb. "Yokai in sacred grounds?" He glanced over his shoulder at the broken torii. "This definitely proves that structure's role as a barrier."

Naruto faced forward and walked to the main structure, opening the door. His nose was ambushed by the unbearable yet undeniable stench of rotting flesh. It took a moment for him to get used to the smell, but Naruto entered the room. Volumes of dried blood splattered across the floor, fusuma torn in half, all four walls cracked like spider-webs, and a pile of corpses towering above him.

"My God…" Naruto noticed deep indentations in the flooring. "These are big footprints." A trail led to the back of the temple, prompting him to follow after them. He walked the length outside of the temple building to the secondary, bigger plaza when he stopped his stride. "A rock?"

Said object was surrounded by the fambushi, the kind of oversized Shinto ribbons seen on sacred relics and temple. Naruto gulped audibly from the potent negative energy from the rock. "Intense ki." Then his ears caught something disturbing. A sickening grinding sound from the back near the boundary between temple perimeter and the trees.

A kami statue barely concealed the origin, but Naruto saw something unnatural out of its coverage. A long serpentine ghastly purple tail that swayed back and forth. The sickening grinding was joined by an eerily ghost-like neighing of a horse. Wind breezed over the god's body, unintentionally picking up his scent through the air.

The grinding stopped as its originator walked in sight, neighing ghostly when it caught Naruto in its sight. The yokai stood fifteen feet tall and wore partial, broken samurai armor in the chest-shoulder areas. It has the dual-horned head of a decaying horse and the body littered with open gaps filled with unnatural yellow glows. In its right hand is a long, saw-toothed cleaver drenched into dry and fresh blood.

"Oh my God…" Naruto thought as he recalled a section about this yokai. "The Mezuki."

Mezuki is an ancient yokai that appeared at the height of the Sengoku Period. According to legends, it was borne from the grudges of not only fallen soldiers, but their horses too. The Mezuki went on a decade-long rampage and hunted down discriminately upon soldiers and civilians in battlefields and villages, respectively. For its crimes in upsetting balance in the human world, King Enma, ruler of Hell, subjected the yokai to eternal punishment in Hell.

"Come to think of it, wasn't there another yokai under Enma's jurisdiction?"

His answer came in the form of thundering quakes in the ground. He felt them rapidly approaching his position and felt something heavy about to cut him in half. Debris and dust clouds scattered across the perimeter by the unknown force. The Mezuki snarled ghastly by the intruder.

A haunting snort responded back as the very force of it blew away the cloud, revealing the one responsible. It stood as tall as the Mezuki with dull brownish skin that is riddled in the same yellow glow. A dirty fambushi tied around its neck like an accessory. Its head is that of a mighty, undead bull with glowing horns. Like the Mezuki, it too wore broken samurai armor and the weapon of choice was a spiky, rusted kanabo.

"A Gozuki, huh?"

The counterpart to the Mezuki. Like the horse-headed yokai, the Gozuki was borne of malice and regret during its previous life. However, legends depict it as more savage and ferocious than Mezuki. Prior to being under King Enma's punishment, the Gozuki ventured from battlefield to battlefield for samurai victims.

Bewilderment held the Gozuki hostage as its blade was casually held in place by two fingers. Mezuki must've sensed him dangerous as it was already near Naruto and swung the cleaver at his legs. Naruto lifted and stomped his right foot onto the cleaver's flat side in one motion.

"Too straightforward, but you are fast." Naruto snapped the kanabo and the cleaver in half with his different limbs before thrusting out both fists at their separate targets. "Eaken (Air Fist)." Two powerful gusts of wind sent the two yokai soaring into the air. Naruto lowered his hands as he expected their non-return. The wind chakra already shredded them into pieces before the gusts reached its peak. "Now, what to do with you."

He spoke of the rock that seems to be responsible for the events in the city. If that wasn't enough, the fact that both Gozuki and Mezuki rematerialized on his flanks. And they had no damage from his ninjutsu whatsoever. However, wispy black-purple auras coated their bodies, which somehow got buffed in the torso area.

"I'd appreciate a fight, but I'm on vacation now," A sheathed Kogitsunemaru emerged from the portal that appeared in front of Naruto. "So, I'll be destroying this." He swiftly unsheathed and swipe through the aura-coated rock with Kogitsunemaru before the yokai could react. They let grunts of unregistered surprised when the rock was suddenly destroyed in front of their eyes.

Neither did Naruto expect a powerful shockwave that pushed them back. He flipped in the air and landed nicely on the ground while the yokai howled in anguish. The Ninja God saw remnants of the rock burned its glow, then crumpled into dust. It was for a moment, but the rock released incredibly potent dark ki. Potent to have pushed out the natural energy that rushed all over him as if it was returning to its rightful place.

"That's better." A relieved Naruto remarked after feeling natural energy around him. With no malice around, the god took his leave.

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(The Next Day)

On-Route Northward

The Uzumaki Clan sat on their transport, enjoying the air rushing in through the open windows. They chose a vehicle to enjoy Japan's beautiful environment better. Ashla and Masaki sang with their mother as she drove the car. The other adults couldn't as they did not have a license or experience with vehicles. Why would they though? Most of them have supernatural powers and perform the impossible.

Naruto was in the front passenger seat while Ashla and Masaki played in their car-seats mid-row as Lara sat between them. In the last row sat Kuroka and Rhea with their daughters in car-seats next to each other, sleeping soundly.

"And that's everything I learned."

Daiyokai exists and apparently are gathering all the yokai to the sanctuaries. Kurama got the information deep on yokai culture. Contrary to the misconception of ill-willed creatures, the yokai in general are separated into two categories. The first are the nigitama, or benevolent spirits, who live in peace among the humans. Even yokai whose legends depict them as flesh-eating monsters like the Yuki-onna and even some Oni have been nigitama.

The other category is the one that scared the humans into thinking all yokai are the same: the aratama. They are spirits borne from grudges, malice, unrestrained wrath, and other negative emotions. There were cases that humans bearing these emotions before or after death whom became aratama themselves. The infamous examples are the Oni and other yokai of legends.

And there is talk of possible uprising against the humans in Japan.

Kurama recalled the tense atmosphere when this was brought up by a hostile yokai.

-(Flashback Begins)-

Hallowed City

Mount Nasu, Toshigi Region

"We should rise up!" The entire enclave of yokai looked above when the voice spoke out, belonging to a floating bear. "We should all rise up!"

One of the Karasu-Tengu brisked at him. "How dare you speak before Lord Kaijobo without permission?!"

"Let him speak…" Kaijobo said after raising his hand. "State your name, bear yokai."

"Kumakai is my name, Lord Daiyokai." The bear yokai replied respectfully before looking around, "My brothers and sisters, I think I speak for all of us when I say this: we are in trouble." Incensed chattering stirred the crowd. "For years we lived in seclusion from the humans, fearful for our lives."

Almost nobody disagreed with him except a few mumbles here and there.

"We were hunted down by exorcists until they ceased a century ago, but now we have another problem that is a greater threat to us: the Jintsuriki (God-Reaching Power)."

Kurama blinked when he heard that name. It is the one Naruto suggested to the Japanese government, Hero Association, and the Akatsuki's locality. He learned it from Saeko when she pointed that the term Jinchuriki and Jintsuriki sounded similar strongly as well their meaning. A poll was undertaken and it passed with little opposition, officially naming the mutants and people with Quirks as the Jintsuriki.

"So the Yokai are aware of current events," Kurama pondered in thought.

"Hold on here, Kumakai!" Eyes now focused on the person who stood up with her hands raised. A Yuki-onna. "It is presumptuous for you to assume you speak for everyone here." She did not flinch against the bear's slight narrow of his eyes. "The arrival of the Jintsuriki last year did stir our community, I admit that. But to presume they pose a greater threat to us is—"

"—Is plausible. Human history has shown they destroy anything that is not under their control or lack any understanding of it."

Another yokai made himself known, a humanoid Tanuki situated atop one of the roofs. "The bear brings up a valid point. I remember when these heroes and villains popped up years ago, I felt a new sense of dread. If I have to be honest, I fear for our kind's existence."

"I do not blame your spoken thoughts," Kurama interjected as he now entered the fray. "Years of being persecuted and feared by actions others performed is logical. However, time has moved on and so has the humans."

The Yuki-onna nodded, agreeing with the unknown Tailed Beast, "The stranger brings a point. Humans are now taking actions to preserve the Earth with technological and natural means. As for society, was not it too long ago that Jintsuriki, formerly known as the mutants, were persecuted by their own human colleagues and relatives? Were they not in the same boat as us?"

"And Japan's government made efforts to make sure the Jintsuriki have equal opportunities as their normal counterparts and the Quirks who too came to be classified in the same category."

Kumakai scoffed harshly, "Well, they sure haven't given us those opportunities."

"That's because you still hide in the shadows," Kurama countered back. "You feel that not one human is going to help us if we make ourselves known to the world." He sighed as he knew his partner would not like this without a heads-up. "But there is one because I met him and he is different."

"And who is this human?" asked Kumakai skeptically.

It wasn't Kurama, but the Yuki-onna who responded instead. "The one who made things possible for the Jintsuriki here in Japan and the island of Akatsuki. The one titled as the Savior of Boston globally." Eyes in the crowd including Kumakai widened when they realized whom she was speaking of. "The hero known as Patronus."

"You speak of the one who displays power equivalent to the kami." Kumakai countered strongly. "We cannot trust someone like that."

"But you are content with hiding in the shadows and diving into a war with the humans?"

The present yokai and even Kumakai were incensed when the word 'war' was spoken. "War? Whoever mentioned about war?"

"Think about it, Kumakai." Kurama remarked in a scolding tone. "If you rise up against humans, innocent humans I might add, they will retaliate with full force. The Hero Association's big guns will be involved. This will spark events from profiling to ultimately war between humans and yokai. A peaceful method does exist and Patronus is key to it."

Still adamant about his views, Kumakai opened his mouth to speak, but a great wind brushed over the entire crowd. It was Kaijobo who had summoned the wind. "The three of you voiced your concerns and they are valid, but this is a place of safety. Talks of uprising and violence against the humans are not permitted." Kumakai gritted his teeth. "This is unorthodox, but I will discuss these matters with the other Daitengu and Daiyokai."

-(Flashback Ends)-

"Whoa…" Naruto thought after seeing Kurama's thoughts. Their telepathic link got stronger to the point they can see each other's memories. "Both on the memories and our link. Hey Kurama, wasn't there something significant in Nasu?"

"Like what?"

He couldn't place it, but there was something about Nasu mentioned in Japan's mythology. Something about a resting place related to an object and a battle taken place in the fields long ago.

Saeko glanced at the thoughtful Naruto staring out the mountain-filled window. "Dear, thank you."

"About what?" A confused Naruto asked his wife.

"For checking out the yokai issue." Saeko answered knowingly, seeing Naruto flinch a little. "I bet Medusa and Lara are none too pleased about you doing this without us though. It seems you really didn't have faith in our abilities."

Both Lara and Medusa hummed with disappointment, lowering Naruto's confused spirit. "No more of the baddum-baddump from now on." Medusa said playfully.

"Medusa?"

"And no more 'Ninja Helps Archeologist' themes too."

Saeko shared a laugh when Naruto short-circuited from the playful despair with her friends. "Ninja Helps Archeologist?" She glanced at the mirror, seeing Lara's blushed cheeks. "His and my theme is 'Samurai Undressed'."

"Ours is 'Shinobi Dominated by Titaness," Rhea remarked playfully, blushing as well.

Kuroka raised a curious, playful eyebrow as she smirked mischievously, "'Nekomata Unplugged' is ours." The new mother inputted with a tongued smile.

All the ladies laughed together at the expense of the embarrassed shinobi. That is until Ashla asked them, "Mommies, what is unplugged and baddum-baddump mean?" All the women instantly turned pale as they realized about what was said in front of younglings.

"Uuuuuhhhhhh…" the ladies droned in unison.

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Plains of Nasu

The Shinto kami of hope's pondering was not unfounded, unbeknownst to him. The fields of present-day Nasu was, prior to urbanization, much larger than it is today. It was the fields where a great battle occurred. Not one of two armies fighting for land and glory, but one of humanity against a single opponent.

A Yokai. One of great power and sadistic might. Its strength was so great that almost all of the yokai in the country feared it, including the daiyokai. Yet despite it all, the yokai lost its life and forgotten, only remembered by the humans as a mere legend. Said legend depicted the remains in the plains for all to see. The yokai on the other hand knew it was real and feared a second coming.

A reckoning of sorts.

"I did not expect a god in these parts." A lone figure in cloak-like attire commented casually. "And the temple is ruined."

By 'ruined', the individual means that the temple is now occupied by the Hero Association. Its torii was rebuilt and the perimeter re-established albeit stronger. Exorcists had arrived and placed a barrier around the town thus his reason standing here.

He was unfazed when dark black energy emerged from the collection of stones in front of him. A disproportionately disfigured evil shadow snarled at him. "Calm down, you." He said to the creature. "This is only a brief setback." Another snarl blew his way. "The woman's body couldn't handle the process." Another forceful wind forced back the grasslands. "I have leads on another possible candidate; she's down south in Okinawa." The shadow snarled eerily one last time before retreating back inside its 'prison'. "Yes, yes, I will make sure she's a pretty one."

The cloaked man left the gravesite onto his next assignment. It was tedious as always, but the arrival of the unknown god peaked his interest at the least. He'd kept a close eye on all gods of Japan, but the one whose presence the man felt was different. And he doesn't like change. He must look into this during his assignment.

Nothing will stop what is coming.

Nothing…

…Nothing.

END OF CHAPTER