'Thoughts' "Speaking" Author's Notes "Bijuu Speaking" "Telepathic Talking"
=Chapter 25: Inside Konoha... again...=
=Two days later: Konoha ANBU Prison=
In the deep, dark caverns of Konoha ANBU Prison, it had the feel of an abandoned city. Pale lights barely glowed, illuminating the prisoners there. One cloaked figure was tied with rapid seal patterns placed all over them. Multiple tags were stuck across the body, with chains wrapped around the cloak. The eyes were blindfolded and this person was monitored by ANBU every second.
This was Uzumaki-Namikaze Naruto, heir to the lost village of Uzushiogakure, should've been heir to Konohagakure, Jinchuriki of the Kyuubi (as noted by most) and finally, leader of the Orange Flames of the Sun. And they were stuck. In Konoha. The village they despised.
=Naruto's Mindscape=
The water seemed to flow faster through the mind as Naruto continued kicking themselves in the shin and chatting mindlessly to their furry companion. Another onlooker merely chuckled as they watched their descendant continue to complain about their predicament.
"Stupid, stupid, stupid, stupid Konoha! Stupid Danzo! If it wasn't about the few here that I still care about, I would've blown this place to smithereens! Why couldn't they have seen my power against the Otsutsuki, then they'd be scared alright!"
"Naruto-" warned Kurama, getting annoyed by his Jinchuriki's ranting.
"Not to mention that I've lost all forms of contact with my team, now they're probably thinking about a plan without me!"
"Naruto-" Now the other person in his mind started to get irritated.
"And then there's the trouble of a Yamanaka invasion of my mind and what's more is that-"
"UZUMAKI NARUTO! Stop complaining already and don't tell me you've forgotten about this already!" Naruto immediately stopped his ranting and looked next to Kurama where the background shifted into some sort of infinitely going plain and a hue of colours stretching into the distance.
"Honestly, I don't get how you can forget this. Bijuu telepathy link." A rhinoceros beetle with six wings and a long tail formed, it's Jinchuriki forming in front of it. "I mean I would've come here earlier but there's a few problems here at Myoboku that needed tending to."
"Like what?"
"Like Danzo! Hiraishin! ANBU!"
"What she means is that they've somehow found the land of the roads and somehow learnt the Hiraishin, which their leader probably forced them to learn some prototype of."
"Thanks for repeating what I said, Chomei."
"At least Naruto-sama could understand it."
"Alright Horse, or should I say Fuu, what's your plan? I'm stuck here in ANBU prison and I don't want to completely burn this place as some people here actually care."
"Simple. What do you think's going to happen? We're going to break you out."
=Hokage's Mansion, Rooftop=
Danzo stood atop the tower, looking over his 'majestic' 'village' and watched as the crowds gathered beneath awaiting his words. He could see his ANBU make sure no trouble was happening. The Hokage Mountain stood behind him as it cast its shadow down. Now was the time.
"Citizens of Konoha. I have gathered you all to announce that we have successfully captured the leader of the Orange Flames of the Sun, Naruto. They are no more of a threat to us and the rest of the organisation shall fall afterwards."
"Naruto-sama has returned!" called out one random person as the crowd erupted into cheers. The only son of the Yondaime and saviour of the village and returned to them, and in their eyes, it was amazing.
Danzo internally smiled that he had won the crowds over to him. Now if he could make Naruto one of his ninja, then Konoha would be almighty. If that didn't work, they could always extract the Kyuubi.
"This calls for celebration!" cheered another citizen as the crowds dispersed with happiness. A few newly-found Jonin merely watched from the shadows, their senseis standing nearby. They all spread out, planning to meet later that night to discuss something. There were the few that disagreed with Danzo's motives but had no choice, gone.
"ANBU." One of the guards kneeled right beside their leader as Danzo gave their command. "Triple village security. Restrain Naruto. Make sure he does not escape."
And with that, Danzo walked back down into the tower as ANBU swarmed the village and the sensing barrier extended further outwards.
=Konoha ANBU Prison=
Chains clanked as ANBU handed them over, their shifts complete. The other prisoners in the cells stirred as lights flickered barely into life, creating a gloomy glow. Food trays were pushed into the cells where the prisoners scrambled for their food.
No one else knew of this horrible treatment down here as no prisoner ever escaped alive. Nobody knew of this location, reserved for the most cruel of criminals. Reserved for the most dangerous.
At the end, ANBU watched as the final prisoner was allowed to have some sustenance. Nothing more than a bowl of rice and miso soup. They ate it carefully and backed off, the chains tightening around the cloak. ANBU once again applied some more paper tags on the boy as they went back to meditation.
"Yamanaka-san, Nara-san, please come this way," said one of Danzo's ANBU, having some emotion. They were almost done with their training. Behind them came Inoichi and Shikaku, state-of-the-art Jonin ninja. The ANBU motioned for them into the cage and the two sat down in front of the boy on chairs they had brought in.
Shikaku brought out a scroll, signed with Danzo's emblem and read over it again and muttering under his breath. "So Naruto." Naruto looked up from their stone bed and brushed some dust off of their cloak. "You know what's happening don't you?" Naruto nodded.
"You know I won't just let you have access to my mind. After all, many dangers lurk there. I'm sure both of you will have heard Yamanaka Fuu's report."
"Troublesome." Shikaku places their hand on Inoichi's shoulder as they placed their own right hand around the forehead of Naruto.
"Psycho Mind Transmission!"
=Naruto's Mindscape=
"What an odd mind," commented Inoichi as they wandered through the sewer-like mind. They took the same path Fuu had took, following the pipes and water. "Any clue of where the memories could be?"
"Follow the water, that's what the report said."
"That's not all is it?"
"Beware of the fox, however, I don't think we need to. You feel it too right?"
"Absence of the fox's chakra. I will never forget that feeling. It should be coursing through this mind right now. These chakra pipes obviously lead to places around the body."
The two wandered to where the water led and found themselves standing on top of a waterfall. They jumped down, fearing nothing and found themselves surrounded by a dozen corridors.
"I've never seen such a mind like this. Never in my entire life."
"So you're finally here, huh?"
"Where's the fox?" questioned Shikaku. They needed to get the threat out of the way.
"His name is Kurama and by your question, you feel an absence of Kurama's chakra. That's because I won't let you take him. The seal is locked, what do you think? I've modified it so there's no way some petty emotionless ninja are getting him.
"Same thing goes with unlocking the seal. In theory, I could leave it unlocked and just let you guys be destroyed by the massive chakra output at the cost of my life. There's so much you don't know about me that it might just be better to give up."
And with that, Naruto rushed back to where the pipes led with a small clanking sound echoing. Shikaku and Inoichi almost tensed up at the subtle but malicious feeling chakra racing back through the pipes.
"We're getting distracted. Inoichi, can you find the memories?"
"Well, there's one thing I want to try out." Inoichi waded through the water until standing right next to the waterfall. They held out their hand and walked through it and called out it being safe. Shikaku walked through and the two stood in front of a large gate with the Uzumaki symbol upon it.
"Seal, just as I suspected. I've never seen this type before so we'll have to do some research into this."
"Let's report to Danzo. Release!"
=Konoha ANBU Prison=
"That was quick, wasn't it?" commented Naruto as the prison doors slammed shut on him. The Jonin left as ANBU watched him like hawks once more. Naruto was waiting for when the time was right. For when, they'd finally start the process that should've happened later. To take down Danzo's reign over Konoha, once and for all.
=Mount Myoboku=
"Aka, it's time for your first test."
"Like what? Seeing behind the Genjutsu they placed on themselves?" yawned the new Orange Flame as they looked back over the mushroom wall. "Done that. It's part of my training!"
"Fine then," said Dog as she once again looked at the small headquarters the ANBU were setting up. "Meet up in the main room about half an hour from now. It's time to see how much you've grown, also because it's time."
"You're kidding, right?"
"You brought this upon yourself." And with that, Dog disappeared with into paper to go elsewhere once more, the young Orange Flame wandering around the village once more trying to find out what to do.
"You kidding? They don't think I know? I mean, it's literally the talk of the toads but I guess it's revenge on Danzo. Thought they could take over our land there after they would finish off Naruto and the like but how deranged can you be?"
Aka watched on top of a statue as the new toads played beneath him, reminiscing the time before they would be put into action. They'd become loyal to someone and be a war machine. The endless cycle of war and hatred.
However, this where the Orange Flames were different. They were taking out the causes of pain and suffering, striving for peace. And Danzo was next on the hit list. He brought out a kunai and sharpened it against the top of the statue before heading into the mountain where his Snake was waiting with the Dog and Horse.
"Just Snake-san here?"
"Infiltration is one of my specialities!"
"You two, concentrate. Now as you may know already, Naruto has a few people he wants to keep safe. Your mission will be to-"
"Let me guess, protect them?"
"Yes and no. You see, we're also running into a little bit of problem."
"What kind?"
"Well, Bird and Hare haven't returned yet. So your first mission will be to find them, then infiltrate Konoha."
"And this is assuming they aren't captured, right?"
"I'd tag along but this place won't run with the threat looming over us. You can take the toad portal there. Dismissed."
=Konoha ANBU Prison=
Naruto remained silent as his captors handed over the chains to one another in another shift, the 'refreshed' ANBU guarding their prisoner. He could hear footsteps walking down the hallway as the other prisoners gasped and moved to the back of their cells as more footsteps followed.
"ANBU. I expect that he will not escape when we are entering the mindscape." Danzo. Naruto remained emotionless as the doors creaked open once more and chakra seals flared into life again. Another precaution.
"Getting paranoid are you... Danzo?" taunted Naruto as he watched three figures stride in.
"You will address me as Hokage-sama all of the time, boy. Inoichi, lead me to this blockade at once. Control over the mind is control over this boy's powers."
"Yes sir," replied Inoichi, sighing inside at how bad this would go. "Please grab onto my shoulder, you too, Shikaku."
The Nara grumbled did the procedure once more as Inoichi linked themselves up with Naruto's mind. "Don't try anything Naruto."
"Oh, I won't be trying anything at all."
The three Konoha ninja felt themselves being dragged, as well as slightly blacking out with the world in front of them disappearing and being replaced. They could hear one last sentence before they had completed transfer.
"It's the gang that will."
=Naruto's Mindscape=
"Here it is sire," called out Inoichi as they stepped through the waterfall once more. This mindscape never seemed to make the Yamanaka bored as they could see intricate lines of chakra and so many places reaching elsewhere. "We could always force ourselves through at the risk of weakening the body and removing memories."
Shikaku took a book out of his pouch, skimmed over the lines, and gave it to their leader to read. "I assume you've got a plan, Hokage-sama?"
Danzo walked forward and placed his right hand on the centre seal marking, with his finger tips igniting with chakra. A small hum emanated from it as the clanking of metal echoed throughout the mind. Doors shut and the water previously covering the passage was closed off. Chakra permeated the air with gates cutting and locking into the ground.
"Having fun?"
The team of three looked behind them and saw Naruto standing on water, no ripple of any kinda spreading from his location.
"What have you done?"
"Oh I've done nothing at all. To be fair, I've never seen something like this happen before. I'm quite interested in this myself."
"How about you make this easier for yourself and unlock this?" Shikaku pointed to the gate standing before them as Naruto simply chuckled in response.
"Reaching the ultimatum already? I don't think you were quick to pounce, Nara Shikaku. You're saying I need to unlock this or you're going to force yourself in and divert damage to the rest of my body? I'm going to have to pass on that one."
At that second, malicious chakra spread out through the pipes with killer intent flooding the mind. It disappeared as quickly as it came but sent chills up the minds of Inoichi and Shikaku.
"If you want to stay safe, I'd advise you not to go in there." Naruto pointed to the gate with most pipes leading from it and ran deep inside of it, the ninja looking back at the seal.
"I recommend getting Ibiki here. Looks like this isn't something we can do from the inside."
"Nonsense." His fingertips lit up again, this time activating his eye under the bandages. He looked down at the floor at a certain space and did a set on one-handed seals, slamming his fist into the ground where the water splashed.
More clanking sounds could be heard as the seal ever-so slightly loosened with something only visible to keen eyes.
"This will take too long," Danzo paused before scowling internally. "Bring in Ibiki."
=Elsewhere, later that day=
"I always wished for him to come back, but not in this way," commented Sakura as the group arrived. Jonin senseis, the esteemed Konoha 10. All had been promoted to Jonin, a dream that lasted quickly but then was blinked out with the arrival of Naruto.
"He's... different and seems much than before, that's definitely for sure," mentioned Neji, remembering seeing the figure being escorted by ANBU. "My Byakugan saw that he was emitting sheer power, from his... source."
Everyone knew what he meant. Kyuubi. However, there were rumours that it had a name, Kurama, although this was unconfirmed to the public. They had no real proof about anything, it was all a mystery to them.
"The Orange Flames is a bigger threat than we think. Gai, you think Dragon of the Orange Flames was holding back?"
"Definitely, and I admire their youthfulness!" replied Gai to Kurenai as Kakashi turned another page in his book.
"If I know anything, they're going to launch an attack on Konoha to get Naruto back," said Kakashi offhandedly like this was no big deal. "Danzo knows this, you've seen the rising numbers of ANBU recently right? That's him preparing for invasion."
"Surely they can't be that strong to take us down?" Kiba's partner barked in agreement as they scratched Akamaru. "Sure the Akatsuki were strong but now they're gone!"
"We knew most of their powers beforehand and they never targeted Konoha directly. They only wanted Naruto's... companion. Sure Pein from the Akatsuki was able to level the village but remember this, Naruto was able to take them down after severely weakening them in eight-tailed form." Kakashi wasn't done and everyone could tell it.
"Who knows what their combined powers can measure up to. There was one Pein controlling six bodies, now there are twelve of them and assume they're on the same level of the Akatsuki. This is a bigger threat."
"Sensei, are you trying to make us feel weak?" questioned Sakura as she didn't want to hear anymore. This was too much information to take in at once.
"No, but let me get to the point. Danzo's going to have make us fight against them, as it is your responsibility as Jonin."
"So you're saying we need to hope they show mercy to us?! A bunch of random rogues that we're supposed to fight against that we don't know the power of? This is absolutely insane!" called out Ino in a burst of shock.
"Hinata, Neji, this question is for you. Have you ever heard of a dojutsu called... Tenseigan?"
Kakashi looked up from his book at this, not having seen the new dojutsu in the fight. "They had a dojutsu?"
The rest of the Konoha 10, most specifically the Hyuga, were startled at this since this was unheard of. How was this just found out? Surely they had a clan, right? How strong was the dojutsu?
"You felt it too, right Gai? They were holding back," mentioned Kurenai as more shivers went up their spines.
"Kurenai-sensei, how strong can someone be?"
The Genjutsu Mistress looked at her Hyuga pupil and pondered about it. "There was the legendary Shodaime Hokage with his Wood Style; Nidaime was unmatched in his jutsu and water manipulation; Sandaime was rumoured to be as strong as Shodaime in his prime; Yondaime..." Kurenai paused at that one and continued.
"He brought a total change to Nidaime-sama's Hiraishin, completely mastering it and bringing it up a level. He also invented," she paused again at the touchy subject. "...the Rasengan. He could take down armies on his own so there were many powerful people from Konoha with skills unmatched. You know all about Tsunade-sama and... we know nothing about Danzo. So to speak, people can be extremely strong."
They waited a while for the information to sink, the silence broken with Choji continuing to munch on his crisps like a typical Akimichi. Even the usually energetic Lee and Gai were silent until the elder one noticed that Kurenai had missed something.
"There's nothing to fear because I, Maito Gai, can unleash the power that shines with the power of even more than the strongest people combined!"
"Hai, Gai-sensei!" cried Lee going back to his energetic self.
"Who could forget the legendary Eight Gates Formation where your flames of youth can shine brighter and brighter in the fight for the future!" At this moment, tears were streaming out of his and Lee's eyes with the rest of the group watching in confusion.
"Who could, Gai-sensei?! The legendary technique where you sacrifice yourself for others! How youthful!"
"Lee!"
"Gai-sensei!" The rest of the group watched in horror as a genjutsu cast itself with an image of a beach with waves lapping behind the two energetic green ninja. The two continued to cry with tears of 'youthfulness' before a slam caught their attention.
Weapons were unleashed and the lights dimmed down. Dojutsu activated as they heard footsteps outside. The leaves rustled in the trees as the two Hyuga watched two separate chakra signatures darting around.
"Above us!"
The roof broke apart with splinters and boards being spread throughout the building they were in, the smoke climbing into the air. The Konoha ninja jumped back and waved the smoke away, revealing two cloaked figures standing in their midst.
"You've got some guts coming right here."
"Who said anything about attacking you?" called out the female voice with a sharp touch to it.
"Hello Konoha! Nice to see you! Now, if we're correct, which we probably are..." The younger voice stopped with a smile. "You're Naruto's friends aren't you?"
So... How'd I do? Good? Bad? Awful? Trash? Amazing? Tell me!
MERRY EARLY CHRISTMAS BY 3 DAYS!
Can anyone familiarise with me with staying up for one hour or even two in bed just trying to get to sleep except your brain's going insane with ideas? Looks like I've finally got it. Just a quick thing, this 'season' of the story is starting to build up for the finale but I'm just gonna take a break. It is the holidays after all.
Currently, I'm bored so I'm just going to say something that should make you hyped but if it doesn't, oh well. Edo-Tensei.
If you have any suggestions, let me know and I'll incorporate them if I like them!
And that's all for now!
See you later: Ja ne!
