About an hour or so after the mission had started, Sengo picked up a strange piece of metal from inside the cart and started fiddling with it during the trip.
Eventually, he used a Jutsu that lit a fire on his fingertip that started to melt the metal to make it more pliable. Sengo started bending the metal to make it straight. He seemed to be working on the tip of a blade, and was already forming the correct shape. But he seemed to be unhappy about it, and restarted by melting the same metal again.
'Was it not to his liking, it looks fine to me.' Naruto thought as he watched. For the next couple hours, the same process was repeated. Just by watching, you could be entranced by the smoothness of his actions.
But Naruto saw something different. Metals were naturally very reactive to the Raiton part of Ryouton, allowing him to see every part of a metal object. This was the initial reason his mom didn't use swords. The two could see every fault within a sword, showing its weak points and such. That made them not want to use them as much.
Even though Naruto could see the faults in his sword, he still chose to use one, because unlike his mom who used the taijutsu techniques of their family, he had chosen the kenjutsu techniques.
But when he looked at Sengo's sword tips, he saw countless faults. Dents where there should be none. Deep but narrow nicks along the blade side that would make the blade break of it tried to stab something. All of these things that would make the blade unsuitable for battle could be seen with Naruto's Ryouton.
'Even though he's a Masamune, his blade work is shit.' These were Naruto's thoughts as he watched on with his eyes closed.
"Damn it! Nothing is right! Why doesn't it just work the way it's supposed to. I've done everything right, but nothing works." Sengo had the first outburst of many. Looking over the metal he had been working on for the past few hours in distain.
Naruto's ears had always been sensitive, but even more so after he became blind. Due to that, he winced slightly at the volume of the boy in front of him. "Please be quiet." Although Naruto was the one asking, his tone was just as rude and informal as normal.
Sengo threw the metal at Naruto in anger. Of course, since he saw Naruto's eyes being closed, he thought that he would be able to hit the unaware blond. Instead of nailing the boy on the head, it was caught and seemingly examined.
"Hey! What're you doing!? Give that back!" Still angry, Sengo tried jumping at Naruto, that fact that he could somehow even see being put to the back of his mind.
"How is it so broken before its even been used." Naruto threw the metal back to Sengo, who fumbled a bit before catching it. "It's almost like you've never worked on a blade before."
"I've worked on blades before! Wait... how were you even able to see back when I threw this at you? Your eyes were closed." Finally remembering that Naruto had been able to tell that something was coming at him.
Naruto sighed. "Well I—" before he could finish his sentence, he stopped talking and exited the moving cart. After a bit, the two vehicles stopped and Naruto caught up to them. But he went to the coach his mother was in.
The two exchanged no words, and instead just needed at each other.
The blond exited the coach and stood in between it and the cart. He used a quick series of hand signs before he said. "Ryouton: Funryū." He stuck his hands up in the air, and multiple lightning orbs shot out and went to different locations.
Shouts could be heard from every direction the orbs went to, before Naruto put his hands back down and hopped onto the cart. "We can go again driver."
The man at the front nodded and continued on as if nothing had happened, but Sengo on the other hand. "What the fuck was that?! And you didn't even answer my question from earlier!"
"Those two are basically the question. As for your first one, I can see even though I'm blind due to my Kekkei Genkai known as Ryouton. For the second one, my Ryouton works by permeating an area with Raiton and Fūton chakra, allowing me to sense and technically see everything within that area. The chakra is in a mist sort of form, invisible to most sensors and Dōjutsu, excluding the Byakugan, but even then it is only seen as a very fine mist. Because the air has my Raiton and Fūton natured chakra in it, I'm able to guide Jutsu of those two natures with extreme precision within my area."
Sengo put his hand to his chin, stroking it. "Hm... I see. Wait, you're blind?!"
"Yes, I have been for a large portion of my life." A soft chicle escaped his lips, and his expression changed slightly. "It was due to an incident that happened when I was younger, but that's all in the past now."
"I'm sorry if I offended you." He sincerely apologized for the first time, catching the blond off guard.
"You didn't. I haven't been offended in a long time."
"...Oh."
An awkward silence permeated the air between the two teens. Enough to the point that Sengo went back to working on his sword tip, and for Naruto to expand the range of his Ryouton to cover a larger portion of the trees around them on the path.
"Driver-san, how many days does it usually take for someone reach the border of Tetsu no Kuni?" Naruto talked to the driver, as they had been going for more than 7 hours.
"Normally 2. Were planning on stopping soon and having a rest until tomorrow."
"Okay, feel free to take a rest whenever." Although what he said sounded polite, Naruto just wanted them to stop so they could take care of a few nuisances that were following them.
They traveled a bit more, until the sun started to set. When they stopped, they went into the forest a bit until they found a clearing where they settled down and took out some tents.
"Zennyo, Otohime, did you guys notice it too?" Naruto called over his two friends, but left his mom alone. She had told them that she would only step in during missions if she was needed for a strong opponent.
Otohime started taking out her scroll and unsealed her bow. "Yeah, they all seem to be pretty strong. How many are there really?"
Zennyo stepped in now. "With my limited sensory abilities, I sense about 4."
"Kirigakure no Jutsu!" (Hidden Mist Jutsu) All of a sudden an unknown voice was heard from the forest and the air was filled with a thick mist that made it impossible to see more than a meter in front of you.
"They're attacking earlier than I expected. Stay close to me, I can still see them with my Ryouton." The team got into a three man Manji formation with their backs to each other after surrounding Sengo. "Sengo, stay here and don't move. They're after you."
The blade smith nodded stood in place, too scared to move. In an attempt to scare or kill the kids, a large wave of KI came at them with almost full force. Team 11 didn't seem to care too much, but Sengo in the middle started suffocating.
"Shit! Naruto, the client isn't gonna be able to hold out much longer." Zennyo now unsealed his weapon. It was a large single bladed Yari made with chakra metal.
"Huddle closer guys, I'm going to use something kaa-chan taught me recently." This was overheard by their attackers, who were clearly from Kiri based on the Jutsu they had just used.
"Ha! This kid thinks that something his kaa-chan taught him will help him beat us! No one mocks the Kurosuki Family like that and gets away with it!"
Ignoring their words, Naruto release the Jutsu. "Ryouton: Hasai Atsuryoku." (Realm Release: Crushing Pressure) As he finished, a large pressure overwhelmed the area around him. The cart, coach, and people around Naruto were left unaffected, but everything else started getting pushed the the floor. The trees bent inwards, and many shouts of pain were heard as people fell from the trees.
Even though it was very powerful, it only lasted 5 or so seconds before it was released, leaving Naruto to pant with beads of sweat coming down his face. "Using it on such a large area is...too much for me. Sorry guys." The upside was that the KI in the air disappeared, letting Sengo breathe once again.
"Thanks Naruto, it's my turn now."
"Otohime, one enemy directly at your 11." Naruto pointed out the direction of one of the enemies, as both Otohime and Zennyo still couldn't see. "As for you Zennyo, there's a guy with a sword a few meters in front of you, you should be able to see him once you approach. I'll try to hold of the two guys in front of me for now."
"Raiga-san, let's hurry and take out the kid. He seems to be the only one who could hinder our plans." One of the two in front of Naruto rushed forward with only his fist, in an attempt to hit Naruto.
He eventually unsealed his sword, and used the sheath to hit away the fist before kicking his stomach. His sword was still sheathed, so he got into an Iaidō stance. "Heikōton Kenjutsu: Yō Zanshu." (Equilibrium Release Swordsmanship: Yang Beheading.) His body became cloaked in white light and red lightning swirled around him. He then rushed forward at a pretty high speed and drew his sword, trying to cut at the man's head.
Just as his white, red lightning cloaked sword was about to connect with the man's neck, the man named Raiga stepped in with his twin sword. But they looked familiar to Naruto. Then it dawned on him, the Kiba blades from Kiri.
"It seems we have an interesting one here!Karashi, stand back." Raiga pushed Naruto back, who kept his sword unsheathed. His body was still cloaked in the white Yang chakra and red lightning as he ran forward again.
"Heikōton Kenjutsu: Natsu no Kenbu." (Equilibrium Release Swordsmanship: Sword Dance of Summer) The young blond started his attack. A horizontal slash to the midsection that was blocked by Raiga. As he felt the swords clank, he slid his sword down the Kiba and did a diagonal slash from Raiga's left shoulder to his hip. This time it was blocked the hilt of one of the Kiba. Many attacks like this ensued, leading to Raiga having a few shallow cuts on his arms and midsection.
But the most damage was done to Naruto. Halfway through their small scuffle, Raiga got a hold of Naruto's patterns and countered. The two often clashed swords, but the Kiba weren't a part of the Seven Swords of the Mist for nothing. They were just fine while Naruto's sword was cracked and cut deeply in many area's. And his body wasn't much better, Raiga had the skills to back up his swords, leading to Naruto having deep cuts along his arms and legs.
"I'll admit it kid, you're pretty good, but not good enough." The other man with Raiga had been out of the fight for a while, know that if he tried to step in he would most likely get severely injured or die.
Naruto saw with his Ryouton that Otohime had just finished up her fight with the other guy and was perched up in a tree near them with her bow. Due to the mist clearing up slightly she could see Raiga from where she was. Otohime formed an arrow out of water and knocked it onto her bow and shot it straight at Raiga.
It was about to hit when. "Raiga-san, to your left!" The voice of a young child could be heard from behind Raiga that helped him dodge the fatal arrow.
"Who said that?" Otohime jumped down from the tree and walked up next to Naruto.
"I think it came from the lump on his back. It felt it earlier, but though that it was a backpack or something. We better be more careful unless we want to kill that kid. Zennyo, protect the client."
"Why do I always get stuck with the boring jobs!" Although he agreed, he still was pissed about having to be left behind while his teammates fought Raiga.
"I think it's time for us to use our Stigmata for the first time, Otohime."
"Yeah, he is pretty powerful." The Stigmata mark on her shoulder glowed trough her Haori as she sprinted forward.
Naruto kept pace with her and said. "Heikōton Kenjutsu: Kyojin Gyakusatsu." (Equilibrium Release Swordsmanship: Titan Slaughter.) Naruto's Katana became cloaked in more Yang chakra to the point it looked somewhat like Cloud's Buster Sword, while keeping the lightness of a Katana. So that he didn't hurt Otohime, he took the lead and went down low.
"Suiton: Mizu no Yazirusi." (Water Style: Water Arrows) Otohime jumped up and created 4 arrows of water on her bow before shooting them of at the straps of the bay on Raiga's back.
"Raiga-san, there's 4 more arrows coming at you." The boy on Raiga's back alerted him to the arrows, making him jump back while dodging both the arrows and Naruto's strike and accidentally fall into their trap.
Before Raiga could react an invisible force from behind cut the straps on the bag holding the boy and took him away from Raiga.
"Ranmaru!" Raiga shouted out to his partner as he was taken away. "Ikazuchi no Kiba!" (Fangs of Lightning) He held the Kiba up in the air as large lightning bolts came from them and entered the atmosphere. The clouds turned grey and it started to rain.
Naruto stayed alert, and soon saw a lightning bolt 20 or so meters above him. This was the disadvantage of Ryouton. The dome shape of sensory area was useful for a close range fight, but it was also the biggest weakness. Projectiles that came from outside the dome could be deadly, he would have a very limited time to dodge, and there is no seeing beyond the dome. All of this can make him susceptible to snipers. 20 meters may seem like a lot, but the truth is that a natural lightning bolt moves at 97,000 meters per second, due to this being fully chakra rather than just being an actual lightning bolt induced by chakra, this moved at a third of the speed of a real lightning bolt, making it massively slower. Even though all of that was in his favor, the lightning bolt still moved at around 26,000 meters per second, just over 20 meters.
Naruto's reflexes kicked in and he changed. "Heikōton: In Shunshin!" (Equilibrium Release: Yin Shunshin) The white cloaking his body turned black and the once red lightning became blue. His figure then blurred from sight and appeared a few meters away from where the lightning bolt was. "Many more bolts came at the boy, but due to his change in form he was able to dodge them. Otohime was hiding away, knowing that all she could do was snipe at Raiga from afar to stop him.
"Damned brat, stop running!" Raiga was starting to get really pissed. As a result he changed Jutsu. "Raigeki no Yoroi!" Lightning came down from the clouds and struck the Kiba before flowing over Raiga and cloaking his body. "You want a match of speed, let's see how you deal with this!"
The two swordsman rushed at each other with their swords ready. They stared close quarters combat mostly equal. Naruto first used the hilt of his sword to deflect one of the Kiba and used his left hand to deliver a fast punch to Raiga's stomach. Due to the severe decrease in his physical strength and durability, he ended up nearly breaking one of his fingers and dealt almost no damage to Raiga.
Raiga on the other hand used the other Kiba to make a cut along Naruto's midsection. Blood poured out like a fountain, forcing the young blond to jump back and regain his bearings. That wasn't on Raiga's agenda though. Not giving Naruto a second to breathe, he jumped forward with both Kiba, ready to strike and kill Naruto.
"Bye kid." The swords were brought down, only to be blocked by Katana Naruto had. But this was its breaking point. The weapon shattered like glass, and the blocked impact sent Naruto flying backwards into the coach his mother resided in and make a large dent in the metal.
"Damn, I'm running out of chakra. I know I can't kill him because I'm too weak, but if i do that..." Naruto stood up once again. "Raiton: Dantōdai!" (Lightning Style: Guillotine)
With Zennyo
Currently Zennyo was in a bad mood. He had been delegated to baby sitting the client while Naruto got to be in a kick ass fight with the leader of the Kurashuki Family or what we they were called.
While he was protecting the client, the man who was with Raiga earlier approached him with an earth gauntlet on his fist.
"Doton: Kengan no Jutsu!" (Earth Style: Stone Fist Jutsu) Zennyo got into his fighting stance and used the staff part of his Yari to block the fist. "Hehe, you really think you can compete with me kid. I've Raiga-san backing me up." Karashi than tried kicking Zennyo, only to fail when Zennyo intercepted it wit one of his own.
"Why are you bragging. Based on your chakra signature, you must have only become a ninja recently."
"It's because I've got Raiga backing me. That bratty fried of yours and his girlfriend stand no chance."
Instead of replying, Zennyo started to laugh. "I wish! Those two seem to deny everything even though the signs that they like each other are there!" Not entertaining Karashi any more, Zennyo pushed him back and made his feet slide through the dirt. Next he ran forward with his Yari and jumped into the air. "Fūton: Setsudan Kaze!" (Wind Style: Cutting Wind) He swung his Yari down and a large blue blade of wind struck Karashi's chest, knocking him back and making a deep cut in his chest.
"Doton: Doryūheki!" (Earth Style: Mud Wall) He soon regained his bearings and was able to erects wall to hide behind. That was when Naruto came flying past them, soon slamming into the coach. "It seems your little friends are having trouble with Raiga. It'll all be over soon."
Ignoring his provocations yet again, Zennyo discarded his Yari. "Fūton: Sorate!" (Wind Style: Sky's Hand) As he said that, Fūton chakra shaped like a saber surrounded his hand. It was the same width as his hand and turquoise in color. He ran forward quickly as the Stigmata on his shoulder began to glow. "Shinkūken." (Vacuum Blade)
He used his right arm in a horizontal slash, cutting the wall in front of Karashi clean in half. Karashi just barely managed to dodge. "I guess it's finally time I finish this. Fighting you like this was fun for a bit, but you're leagues below me when it come to power. I've been wanting to try one of the geezer's techniques, and you seem like the perfect test subject." Zennyo brought his right arm up, and before anyone could even process it, the wind blade was embedded into the floor.
Based off of instinct, Karashi had been able to move out of the way in time for only his left arm to be hit. When the technique hit his arm, a vacuum like suction helped tear it off. It had been torn off from the shoulder and Karashi was screaming like a little girl.
"Spare me! Please, I'll leave the Kurosaki Family, anything's! So please don't kill me!" The man who had been mocking him so openly earlier, was now begging shamelessly to be spared.
"Fine, just leave the Kuro whatever family and don't show your face near us again. Next time I see you," His face hardened as he glared at Karashi. "I really will kill you."
With Naruto
"Raiton: Dantōdai!" (Lightning Style: Guillotine) The blade of Naruto's sword was gone, and all that was left was a small part of the blade near the hilt. Nevertheless, the blond stood up and walked slowly past Zennyo. Al the while a pure Yin chakra blade was being extended from the hilt of the broken sword.
Due to him only having a tiny bit of chakra left, his Yin chakra cloak receded up until his right arm and both legs. "I'll at least make him retreat with this. In a final burst of speed, Naruto shot forward and swung his sword down diagonally. Due to the sheer speed that Naruto traveled at, Raiga couldn't even see him move. It hit him square on the chest, creating a huge gash and forcing him to fly backwards through the air.
Behind him was Otohime. She had her in the air palm up, and on top was a 10 meter long water arrow that was spinning like a drill. She used her hand like she was throwing a ball which shot the arrow forward. The long but still thin arrow pierced through Raiga's abdomen and stopped him due to the opposite force hitting him. It soon went back into normal water that didn't have shape, and fell to the ground. But the damage was already done.
"Damn kids, I'll come back soon enough. You're never gonna be safe!" Raiga just barely managed to stand up with his lightning armor still active and run off.
Once he was out of sight, Naruto fell back and fainted. Blood dripped from his forehead and there was a cut on his cheek. His arms looked almost shredded and his midsection had stab holes with blood coming out. As for his legs, they were fine and just had a few very shallow cuts.
Otohime rushed over. "N!" She caught him before he hit the ground and worsened his injuries. "Zennyo, get your sorry ass over here and help me carry N back to the coach."
The siblings were able to carry Naruto into the coach where he was laid on the seat with his head on his mother's lap.
"He really went overboard this time. I didn't step in because of his pride. Anyways, we'll deal with this later." The same monotonous voice she used made it seem like there was no concern, but if one knew her they could detect it in her voice.
Soon the twins went and got Sengo from where they had hidden him in the cart and brought him to the coach. Everyone being soaked due to the rain the occurred halfway through their fight made the ride uncomfortable, but not unbearable.
As for Ranmaru, he was sent to Morigakure on the cart, with a letter that had strict instructions to treat him well and bring him to Ryūjin.
"What did you mean it would step on his pride Ryoko-sensei?" Otohime dint understand that side of Naruto at all. Because of his apparent indifference to everything, pride seemed like something he rarely felt.
A deep exhale came from Ryoko. "Think about it like this. Me and N-kun's clan, the Hitoshi, have extremely high control over our Yin and Yang chakra. Yin is associated with evil and spiritual power, while Yang is good natured and physical power. The emotions and personality one has is affected by the exact balance of Yin and Yang chakra in their bodies. The Hitoshi have control over the balance, meaning their emotions should fluctuate with the balance they choose. To combat the constant emotional imbalance, we Hitoshi subconsciously hide large portions of emotions away so that we don't go crazy whenever we change the balance. But hiding away your emotions means that when they are released they come in large bursts of it, more than a normal person's emotions would be. This leads them to all have extremely high pride, I myself have a lot of pride, and if someone damages it slightly, it hurts more than you would think."
"If I were to damage his pride for something he believed he could've gotten out of himself, then his buildup of negative emotions might come pouring out. Including a small amount of them from his past. For now, let's just head to the Tetsu no Kuni, when we get there we should be able to perform first aid."