Hello all Storm here with a new chapter! Here we'll be getting a timeskip from when Naruto met Haku and she joined him, Satsuki, and Mikoto. Along with getting a look at some other places to see how things have changed since their departure. So, without further ado.
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"Has there been any luck in locating the Kyūbi Jinchūriki?" Questioned Konan as she and Pein looked at "Madara" when he appeared in the telltale swirling distortion.
"Unfortunately, it would seem the Kyūbi Jinchūriki and my remaining clansmen are proving more tricky to locate than I originally believed." "Madara" replied, having had no luck in locating Naruto, Satsuki, or Mikoto since they left Konoha, making Konan and Pein frown at hearing this.
"It's already been almost five years. Even if the Uchiha Clan can no longer pose a threat to our plans, even if we ultimately lost Itachi as an asset. Our plan will be meaningless if we can't seal away the Kyūbi." Pein said, not liking that they've failed to locate the Kyūbi Jinchūriki in five years, having vanished from Konoha along with Itachi's mother and sister.
They had tried locating them after learning of them fleeing Konoha after the Uchiha Massacre, only for them to fail in locating them. The Akatsuki having done their best to locate the Jinchūriki, but so far have come up empty handed, something neither Pein nor Konan liked, given how long it's taking to find them.
"Relax Nagato, Konan, I'm having Zetsu searching for them. There were also the reports of them being seen in the Land of Water for a time, until they disappeared again. I can only guess they're keeping their heads down and remaining out of sight, making it so even Zetsu, along with Sasori's and Orochimaru's respective spy networks, are having trouble finding where they're hiding. But rest assured, they can't hide forever. Eventually, they'll reveal themselves and then we will be ready to track them down and capture the Kyūbi Jinchūriki." "Madara" said, seeing how annoying the difficulty in finding them is, especially after all this time, but also knowing they won't stay hidden forever and will reveal themselves eventually.
"Plus, from what Zetsu has told me, it seems Konoha has recruited a child containing a fragment of the Kyūbi's Chakra sealed within him. So, if it comes down to it, he will serve as a suitable substitute for our plans." Added "Madara", having made sure to have a backup plan in case they failed to locate Naruto, with Konan and Pein frowning at this.
"Will it be enough to power the statue?" Questioned Konan, since a fragment of the fox's Chakra wouldn't guarantee to be enough for the Gedō Mazō.
"If it's not, then it's even better that they're also attempting to revive the Gold & Silver Brothers with the Edo Tensei, in order to transfer their portions of the Kyūbi's Chakra into the boy, Sora is his name, to give him access to more of the Bijū's Chakra. And from what my spies have heard, the Sandaime is having Jiraiya working in creating an Artificial Kyūbi from the Chakra fragments possessed by all three. So, no matter what, we'll have a Kyūbi to seal within the statue, no matter if it's the original or an artificial one." "Madara" replied, only to see neither looked convinced at this plan, despite his own confidence.
"And what of the real Kyūbi's Jinchūriki? Five years have already passed since his disappearance with the two Uchiha. There's no telling how powerful him and Satsuki Uchiha could have grown as Ninja, in that amount of time. What happens if they do reveal themselves and are capable of controlling the Bijū themselves?" Pein said, knowing that with how long they've been in hiding, both children could have grown immensely as Ninja, especially when they're being trained by a Ninja of Mikoto Uchiha's caliber.
There was a reason that the Uchiha Clan felt an arranged marriage between her and Fugaku Uchiha would be beneficial. Something that was proven true with the birth of Itachi Uchiha, who was regarded as one of the strongest Uchiha alive at the time, alongside Shisui Uchiha. Perhaps even strong enough to give most of their Akatsuki's members a challenge, if not surpass them by now, if he hadn't died.
"Agreed. The fact the Jinchūriki was able to kill Itachi with his Hyōton, something he awakened at that very moment, and has also likely taken great strides in mastering, given their time in the Land of Water. Combined with his heritage, he could become a very dangerous threat to the Akatsuki. Perhaps even a threat that can rival you, Madara." Konan added, seeing how dangerous both Naruto and Satsuki could have become already, and how dangerous they'll be as they grow, train, and gain experience.
"Yes, I haven't forgotten. But it seems you both have forgotten that young Naruto caught Itachi off guard with the Hyōton, as how was he to know that the boy was also descended from the Yuki Clan. Nor would he have expected him to awaken the Mangekyō Sharingan as well, breaking through his Tsukuyomi, stunning him long enough to be left open and killed." Reminded "Madara", aware that Naruto must have awakened his own Mangekyō Sharingan in order to break free of Itachi's Tsukuyomi.
"But I also understand your concern. After all, with the heritage of three powerful clans, Naruto Uzumaki could very well indeed rival myself and Hashirama." "Madara" said.
'After all, I did use to be the runt of the Uchiha Clan, only to be able to challenge Minato-sensei.' Thought Obito, knowing more than anyone of the growth rate and seemingly limitless potential of the Uchiha Clan.
It had only taken a few years training with the real Madara and being implanted with Hashirama's cells, before he was capable of keeping up with his, now late, teacher. While Naruto was descended from the Uzumaki, Uchiha, and Yūki Clans; even without being a Jinchūriki, he truly did have the potential to rival Madara and Hashirama.
"For the time being though, Sora is our primary target for sealing away the Kyūbi. But you are more than welcome to see it that Naruto is dealt with, should you find opportunity." Said Obito, preferring to focus on the target they'll be more likely to locate and capture, than the one that could potentially be able to kill anyone they send after him.
"And what about Kushina Uzumaki, she also possesses half of the Kyūbi inside her. Should we attempt to locate her as well, just in case?" Zetsu asked as he rose up from the floor.
"Our attempts to find Kushina have proven unfruitful, having found no sign of her when we've combed through Uzushiogakure. Given the fact she was raised there for a good portion of her life, combined with her knowledge of Fūinjutsu, it's not surprising we've failed to find her as well." Replied Obito, aware that trying to find Kushina in Uzushio would be like trying to find a needle in a village-sized haystack.
That's not even counting that with how long she's been awake, Kushina's also likely regained her former strength after being in a coma for so long, perhaps even surpassed it by this point. And Obito honestly wasn't sure if he'd stand a chance against her, not unless they brough the full wrath of the Akatsuki down on her. And even then, there's no guarantee they'd be able to capture her alive, or without suffering major casualties.
"Even still, we are aware of where she is hiding. It would be better to launch a full-scale attack on Uzushio, forcing her out of hiding to be captured until it's time to extract the Kyūbi from her." Stated Pein, preferring if they went with the genuine Kyūbi, even if it's only half, rather than risk sealing an artificially created one into the Gedō Mazō.
"Do that, and the only thing you'll get is most of our organization being wiped out, with no guarantee that she'd live or allow herself to be captured. Don't forget Nagato, everything the Yondaime Hokage knew about Fūinjutsu, he learned from her. Tell me how confrontation between us and an Uzumaki Fūinjutsu Master would end?" Obito retorted, aware that it'd only end in a massive failure and blow to the Akatsuki.
As despite being able to give his former teacher enough trouble to stall him, Minato was ultimately able to gain the advantage and break down how his Kamui worked. If it hadn't been for the Kyūbi attacking Konoha, then Obito knew he could have very well died that night.
"Which all goes back to the boy in Konoha." Konan stated with a frown.
"Correct. Whether you two like it or not, Sora is our best choice, especially since we need to capture and seal the Kyūbi last." Said Obito before nodding at Zetsu as the two departed, knowing the conversation was over.
*Land of Iron*
Meanwhile, within the snow-covered Land of Iron, Naruto, Satsuki, and Haku were currently in the middle of a special type of training, with all three of them currently in their underwear. This being an advanced training exercise for the Hyōton, allowing the users to become more use to the cold, along with getting better at manipulating snow and ice. With it also doubling as a training exercise for the Fire Affinity, which is why Satsuki was taking part in the training. As it helps convert Chakra into Fire Chakra and circulate throughout one's body to keep them warm, which also helps strengthen their Fire Ninjutsu when outside of the cold.
Though while they've made great strides in the exercise, it wasn't easy for them to focus. Given that Naruto and Satsuki were both twelve, going on thirteen, and Haku was fifteen, meaning all three of them were in the middle of puberty, along with all the hormones coming from it.
Making it difficult for Naruto to ignore how attractive Satsuki and Haku looked with their developing figures, along with their surprisingly large breasts. With Satsuki having a low C-cup and Haku having a high CC-cup, not helped further when they first started stretching and bending over, further showing off their figures. While the girls couldn't help but notice Naruto's own physique, seeing his muscles on full view for them to admire.
"It's uh…it's getting pretty late, m-maybe we should head back now." Naruto stated, given they'd already been out here training for the entire day, with them having learned to tell the time despite the constant snow and clouds.
Plus, he wasn't sure how much longer he could last seeing Satsuki and Haku in nothing, but their underwear.
"Y-yeah, it is getting late and Kaa-san will come after us, if we don't get home." Replied Satsuki, also finding it difficult to not look at Naruto.
"Agreed, M-Mikoto can b-be rather scary when she wants to be." Haku added, relieved they'll be going back as well.
The three went over and grabbed their clothes before getting dressed, with Naruto wearing black boots, black pants tucked into his boots, two white belts which he normally carries his sword with, a pale blue sleeveless shirt, and a black cloak-like jacket with a white collar; with the Uchiha Clan Symbol on the back, as well as the Yuki Clan Symbol and the Uzumaki Clan Symbol on the chest.
Haku was wearing a skintight, long-sleeved black bodysuit, black sandals that went partway up her calves, a light, icy blue open vest with a cloth hanging down between her legs with the Yūki Clan symbol, a matching blue sash wrapped around her right thigh, opera-length black fingerless gloves with blue designs.
And Satsuki was wearing a black and red bodysuit that was black along her inner legs, her abdomen, and the underside of her breasts, red on the outside of her thighs, her hips and sides, the sides of her breasts, and her upper chest, a black sash wrapped around her waist along with a black waist cape with the Uchiha symbol on it, detached black sleeves attached to fingerless black gloves, and multiple red straps wrapped around her forearms.
Once all three were dressed, they made their way back to the Uchiha Clan Compound, which they made sure to unseal it in a more barren and out of the way part of the country. With them soon arriving at the Clan Head House, where they met Mikoto who was just finishing up dinner, with the woman smiling at the three.
"You three are just in time, I was about to come get you for dinner. How did your training go?" Mikoto asked as they began setting the table before they sat down and began eating.
"It went pretty good. I've gotten really used to the cold now, so it doesn't even bother me anymore." Replied Satsuki, having stopped feeling the cold with how far she's come in manipulating her Fire Chakra.
"Yeah, we've actually reached the point where we can generate blue flames with our Fire Style Ninjutsu. Also, Haku-chan and I are getting better at manipulating the ice and snow; we've even started reaching the point, where we're able to create ice without needing to use Handsigns or jutsu." Naruto said, with Haku nodding in agreement, since they've made great strides in improving their Hyōton.
"That's really great you three, but don't forget to rest and relax every once in a while. Since while training and improving yourselves is good at the level you're all at, it doesn't hurt to take breaks." Said Mikoto, smiling proudly at how far they've come, both from training under her, on their own, and when they were able to go on missions to earn real experience.
And after five years, Mikoto could safely say all three of them were now at Elite Jōnin-to-low-Kage levels. The Uchiha Matriarch having made sure all three of her children, having come to see Haku as another daughter, were prepared and ready for anything and anyone they encountered.
"It'll also be good, given we'll be leaving the Land of Iron soon, so it's good you three have come far in your training here." Mikoto added since they've already been here for six months and it was close to them needing to leave.
"Will be locating Tsunade once we leave?" Questioned Naruto, since after they leave the Land of Iron they needed to find Tsunade so she could transplant his father's eyes into him, with her being the only Medic-Ninja skilled enough to do so and make sure he wasn't unable to see as his eyes healed.
While the only reason they've waited this long to find her, was due to the fact that Naruto's been using Shadow Clones in order to train his Mangekyō Sharingan. Allowing him to still train in the abilities it granted him, without fear of his eyesight deteriorating at a faster rate.
"Yes, but we'll also be taking more missions as well, ones that are more open than the ones we're used to." Replied Mikoto, since they've been taking missions, not only to give the three actual experience, but also as a form of income, with the missions being ones that couldn't be traced back to them.
"Does…that mean we'll be revealing ourselves soon?" Haku asked with some worry and hesitance, knowing that all of them will most likely have targets on their backs when they reveal themselves and their abilities.
"Yes, I know you three are hesitant about revealing ourselves, given it means we'll be getting a lot of attention. But we can't keep hiding forever, and it'll give you three chances to experience and see more of the world." Mikoto answered, given neither of the three have been able to do much besides interact with each other, train, and go on missions as a means to stay under the radar, not to mention setting up the compound in places that people barely visit to further avoid being found.
"And what if something happens? What if we're attacked or constantly hunted?" Questioned Satsuki, unable to deny she had some fear of losing her family again like during the Uchiha Massacre, not wanting to lose anyone again.
"Don't worry Satsuki-chan, nothing will happen to any of us. Besides, you three are stronger than most Ninja and by revealing ourselves, you'll only get more chances to grow and become even stronger. So, there's nothing to worry about, since we can handle anyone that comes after us." Assured Mikoto, knowing the four of them were stronger than most Ninja already, with only a handful being around that could give them trouble.
"I'd be fine with us revealing ourselves, since we'll be looking out for each other." Naruto stated, with Satsuki and Haku soon nodding in agreement, knowing they'll look after each other and take down anyone that cones after them.
With this making Mikoto smile, before they resumed eating.
Once they finished eating, the group sealed away the compound before Satsuki summoned a large hawk, having found the Hawk Summoning Contract during one their missions and took it for herself. With the four climbing onto it, before the hawk took flight away from the Land of Iron.
*Hokage's Office*
'This year's Genin Teams are looking to be promising ones.' Sarutobi thought, looking over the recent progress reports for three newest Genin Teams.
Team Ten consisting of Shino Aburame, Chōji Akimichi, and Ino Yamanaka under Asuma Sarutobi; Team Eight consisting of Hinata Hyūga, Kiba Inuzuka, and Sai, a former ROOT Trainee that'd been spared from Kushina's massacre, under Kurenai Yūhi; and Team Seven consisting of Shikamaru Nara, Sakura Haruno, and Sora under Kakashi Hatake.
So far, it looks like Teams Ten and Eight are coming along nicely in working together and growing stronger under their respective teachers. Unfortunately, the same couldn't be said about Team Seven, something that made the Hokage sigh with each new report he got from the team.
'The three of them all have their own strengths, but those strengths also come with setbacks.' Hiruzen thought since the report was the same as the rest of the ones he's gotten.
Shikamaru, while intelligent and possessing a great Chakra Control and mastery of his Clan's Shadow Ninjutsu, he was also lazy and had zero drive to train. With it not happening that, with how he considers everything "troublesome" and having a mother like Yoshino Nara, he can come off as sexist. Which can put him into conflict with Sakura at times.
The thought of the Nara Matriarch made Hiruzen shudder, given how she could give even Tsunade and Kushina a run for their money with her temper, along with having a tendency to be rather strict and stern when pushing her son and husband to do something.
'Even to this day, it baffles me that she used be a famous Swimsuit Model, with a streak of being the cover girl 21 times.' Hiruzen thought, planning to give his copies to Konohamaru when he comes to age, given how those magazines are highly valuable collectors' items now, and Asuma has his own collection.
While with Sakura, ironically enough, she was the good one on the team, making many efforts to grow as a Kunoichi and to get along with her teammates. Unfortunately, the latter is a bit of a hassle, though she's been able to get along with Shikamaru at times, despite how his laziness and lack of tact can set her off.
'The real problem though, is Sora himself.' Thought Hiruzen, sighing again as his thoughts turned to the pseudo-Jinchūriki.
Sora was a problem child, to put it simply, with how he was treated poorly by the Fire Monks due to him having a portion of the Kyūbi's Chakra sealed inside him. Before he was then pawned off to Konoha, given they needed a Jinchūriki with the loss of Naruto and Kushina.
With Sora acting cold and hostile to everyone around him, even going out of his way to provoke people into attacking, just so he can fight them. Especially since the entire reason he was sent to Konoha was clear as day, they needed another weapon after losing their first two, with him being the "lucky" replacement. But despite these traits, he's shown to be a promising Shinobi, already having a mastery over his Wind Affinity, rivaling even his son's, and being able to go into the One-Tailed Cloak.
Unfortunately though, his lack of love for both his team and Konoha as a whole made him a flight risk, meaning if it came down to it, they'd need to find an Uzumaki survivor and extract the Kyūbi's Chakra from Sora, and put it in them.
'I can only hope it doesn't come to that; I truly hope so.' Hiruzen thought, hoping it doesn't come to that, not wanting to kill a child and condemn another.
Especially with how much Asuma cares about Sora, given he's the son of his former comrade and fellow Twelve Guardian Ninja member Kazuma. Who Asuma had been forced to kill him after he attempted to assassinate the Fire Daimyō and wanted to make up for it, by looking after his son.
Though despite how he may not want to, the Hokage might not have a choice in the end, not if Sora does anything to endanger the village.
Finally there was Kakashi, who while a great Shinobi and leader in the Anbu Black Ops, he had zero experience when it came to training Genin. Which is shown with how hands off he is with his team and focusing more on teamwork than their individual abilities.
'Perhaps I could see about Anko becoming a co-sensei, she'd be able to motivate Shikamaru to start training more, whether he wants to or not. She'd have plenty to teach Sakura and help her reach her potential as a Kunoichi. And perhaps even connect with Sora, due to their similar circumstances.' Sarutobi thought, knowing Anko has been wanting to have her own students, this could be a good test run for her to see how she'd do as a Jōnin Sensei.
And if the worst did happen, then he could have Anko take Sakura as an apprentice, while Shikamaru would either be Kakashi's apprentice or placed somewhere where his own talents would be of better use.
'A team that could potentially be the strongest, and yet it seems more like a disaster in the making.' Thought Sarutobi letting out a sigh, wondering if the team would have had a better chance if it contained different members.
This line of thought making the Sandaime's mind drift to the Uchiha Massacre; the disappearance of Naruto, Satsuki, and Mikoto; and Kushina awakening from her coma, before defecting from the village after killing Homura, Koharu, and Danzō. While Jiraiya has had no luck in locating any of them, as if they've all simply vanished into thin air.
'Strange, one moment you're on top of the world and the next you're just struggling to keep up an image of strength.' Hiruzen thought, knowing that despite the illusion they've been presenting, Konoha was no longer the strongest Hidden Village, due to all the losses they've suffered in recent years.
With the death of Hiei, the loss of Minato and the deaths of numerous Ninja during the Kyūbi Attack, then with the Uchiha Massacre and the loss of their Jinchūriki. In all honesty, Kumogakure is now likely the strongest Hidden Village in the Elemental Nations, given how they never truly demilitarized and had two Perfect Jinchūriki that could fully unleash their Bijū.
Which wasn't helped by the fact that Konoha was still technically at war with Kumo, which was why they attempted to form a peace treaty with them, to avoid any attack from them. Only for it to just be a plot to acquire the Byakugan, which ultimately lead to the death of Hizashi Hyūga, since Konoha wasn't in the state to enter an open war with Kumo.
'And if the reports are true, then Iwa is starting to get bolder and have begun building up their forces again, after Minato nearly wiped them out.' Sarutobi thought, letting out another sigh, since that's just another problem to the ever growing list.
If he were to rank the Hidden Villages; then Kumo would be at the top, Konoha and Iwa are fighting for second, then Suna, and Kiri in last due to the civil war they're currently in at the moment.
'The balance of power is shifting; it won't be long before the other villages began seeing it as well and that Konoha isn't as strong as we once were. And when that time comes, then the Fourth Shinobi World War will be on the horizon.' Thought the Hokage, wishing it wasn't true, but he had to accept that he may have to lead his village through another war, one they likely won't be coming out on top of this time.
The Sandaime was pulled from his grim musing when he saw Team Nine enter his office
"Team Nine here for another mission Hokage-sama!" Said Gai with a good guy pose.
"Ah good. I actually just received a new Mission Request, it's a C-Rank, so it shouldn't be too difficult for you to accomplish. Your mission is to escort the Bridge Builder Tazuna back to his home in the Land of Waves." Hiruzen replied, handing Gai the Mission Scroll, knowing it shouldn't take them long to complete the mission.
*With Naruto, Satsuki, and Haku*
Meanwhile, Naruto, Haku, and Satsuki were inside a Bounty Hunter/Mercenary Pub looking at the Mission Board to see what was available.
"How about this one." Haku suggested, pulling a request off the board, with Naruto and Satsuki looking at it.
"It's an assassination request, a rival company wants someone to take out Gatō of the Gatō Company, so they can claim his assets for themselves." Said Satsuki, reading the request and seeing what it was about.
"That sounds simple enough, and a good start to revealing ourselves. Plus, there should be a decent reward for a mission like this." Naruto said, Satsuki and Haku nodding in agreement, before taking the flier and exiting the pub to meet up with Mikoto and show her what mission they chose.
So, what did you think, good. Yep we get a look at the Akatsuki and they've been searching for Naruto, only to come up empty handed, along with how Orochimaru is still a member due to Itachi not joining and forcing him to leave. We also see that Sora has been taken to Konoha to act as their Jinchūriki in place of Naruto and Kushina, the latter of whom has been in Uzushio and hiding away from the Akatsuki while recovering her strength. Then we get a look at Naruto, Satsuki, and Haku seeing how the three have grown and what kind of training they're doing, along with how they've stayed under the radar, but know they'll be revealing themselves soon. Next we see Konoha and the new Rookie Nine Teams, with Team Seven now being made up of Sora, Shikamaru, and Sakura, all having their own problems which the Hokage has to accept the chance of having to deal with Sora, but hoping to fix it. Along with how Konoha isn't at the top anymore but is keeping up the illusion of strength, with the Hokage also accepting the chance of the Fourth Shinobi World War happening, before Team Nine arrives and are sent to the Land of Waves. Finally we see Naruto, Satsuki, and Haku are also going to the Land of Waves to assassinate Gatō. So, review if you liked go away if you didn't.
Storm out