Hello all Storm here with a new chapter! Here we'll be seeing Naruto, Haku, and Shizune heading to the Land of Hot Water and discussing everything they know about the bandits and murders, along with making some new allies along the way. So, without further ado.
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After three days of traveling, Naruto, Haku, and Shizune were close to reaching the Land of Hot Water. Though they were currently stopped at a town for the night, to rest and go over the information they've been collecting on their targets. With the three sitting at a booth, in a mostly empty bar, looking over everything they had.
"So, from what we know and heard, there are three leaders for the bandits in the Land of Hot Water, Suika a Missing-Nin from Takigakure, Hōki a weapons maker from Takumi Village and acting as a Ninja, and Aoi Rokusho a Missing-Nin from both Konoha and Ame." Shizune said, with Haku nodding in agreement, while Naruto was intrigued at the latter information.
"Aoi defected from Ame?" Naruto asked, given in the alternate timeline, Aoi was still a Ninja of Ame when he encountered him with Sakura, Sasuke, and Idate.
"Yes, he defected after being sent on a mission to the Land of Hot Water and never returned. It seems that he decided to join up with bandits, either thinking it was a better profession in doing what he wanted, with no one to tell him what to do, or he encountered someone stronger than him and he defected for his own self-preservation." Replied Shizune, aware that Aoi's loyalty was only to himself.
With Naruto nodded in agreement, since it isn't really shocking or surprising news that Aoi would have defected from Amegakure, knowing the guy was a coward and a leech. Given after he got Idate to steal the Raijin no Ken for him, he joined Ame to escape the Hunter-Nin that were sent after him. Along with believing that the sword made him invincible, but when that belief is shattered, he shows his true colors.
So, it wouldn't be that surprising, if Aoi did defect from Amegakure, if he believed he could get a better deal or was saving his own skin.
'Well, at least I'll get the chance to take back the Raijin.' Thought Naruto, wanting to reclaim the blade and return it to Tsunade, given it was her grand-uncle's weapon, so she'd be the rightful owner.
Plus, he wasn't going to let something like the Raijin stay with someone like Aoi Rokusho, who didn't deserve nor even knew how to use it.
"Yeah. But for all three of them to be working together and leading bandits, something else has to be going on. Not only with the increased bandit activity, but also the ruthless and bloody murders that are going on." Said Naruto, knowing those three were never in the Land of Hot Water in the alternate future, yet now they were and were working together.
"Agreed, given the fact in recent years, Takumi Village has become bitter against the Hidden Villages, believing they aren't grateful for the weapons they used to make, when the villages began making their own. Yet, now one of their own is working alongside Missing-Nin and bandits, possibly even having Takumi Village supply them with unique weapons as well." Shizune stated, aware of the fact that Takumi Village hated all Ninja, whether they were affiliated with Hidden Villages or not, especially ones from the Five Great Nations.
"The only one that seems to really fit in with the group is Suika, given after he defected from Taki, he became a bandit himself. Along with being known for his apathetic and brutal nature, uncaring for anyone's lives and willing to kill anyone that gets in his way." Added Haku, knowing about plenty of Missing-Nin from Zabuza, who made sure to keep track of any, who'd have decent enough bounties that they could collect, or potential recruits to fight against Yagura.
Naruto and Shizune nodded at her words, knowing Suika was the only one who fit in with bandits, while Aoi and Hōki were the odd ones out. So they knew something bigger was going on, than just an increase in bandit activity and bloody murders.
"Excuse me, are you three talking about the bandits in the Land of Hot Water?" Someone asked, getting the threes attention, only to see Tayuya and Kin standing in front of their booth.
'Should've known that Orochimaru would send someone.' Naruto thought, knowing there would be a chance of Orochimaru sending some of his followers to watch him.
Given Kabuto's Ninja Info Cards and Orochimaru likely knowing who his parents are, the Snake Sannin would become curious of the fact he suddenly abandons Konoha. Only to then be found traveling with Tsunade and Shizune, along with even being trained by them as well. And that would be unexpected enough to make him curious enough to figure out why.
"Yeah, we were, as we're going to investigate and deal with them. Why do you two want to know?" Naruto asked, already knowing why, but decided to see what their cover was going to be.
"Why the fuck do you think we'd wanna know, shithead? We're going to deal with them ourselves." Retorted Tayuya, while rolling her eyes.
"Sorry about my friend, she doesn't really have a filter for what she says. But we are actually heading to the Land of Hot Water for the same reason that you three are." Kin said hastily, not wanting to give a bad first impression.
"Oh really? And what village are you from?" Questioned Shizune.
"We're Ronin, we aren't affiliated with any village and simply take missions, wherever we can." Replied Kin, giving their cover for why they'd be going to the Land of Hot Water and how to join their group.
'Bullshit.' Naruto, Shizune, and Haku thought together, seeing through the lie, especially with Naruto's memories of the future.
With Haku having also been brought in the loop, given Naruto was sure that she could now be fully trusted with the knowledge. Something that had shaken the Hyōton user, learning she died and then was resurrected to fight in a war, not to mention the threats out there. But was at least glad that she died protecting Zabuza, and then learning what he did afterwards. Along with being happy with the trust they were giving her, by telling her all this, even better that Naruto said he'd tell Zabuza as well, when they met back up after the mission.
"Well in that case, since we're all going to the same place and have the same purpose, why not travel together. It'd certainly save time and give us a better chance at completing the mission, as quickly as possible." Naruto suggested, surprising Kin and Tayuya at the offer, knowing that'd make their mission much easier than trying to convince them to let them join.
"Agreed, given it seems that more is going on than just increased bandit activity, and these murders." Added Haku.
"I guess. But don't think that you can cheat us out of the reward, when we're done dealing with the fuckers and who ever else we have to kill." Tayuya warned as she and Kin sat down with them.
"Of course. We'll be heading for the Land of Hot Water in the morning." Replied Shizune, before looking at Naruto and Shizune.
The three silently agreeing to let the two travel with them, knowing that it's good to keep your friends close and your enemies closer.
'Now let's see if they'll stay enemies or become friends.' Thought Naruto, glancing the two, knowing what would await them and would like the chance to save them from those fates, while gaining two valuable allies.
*Timeskip-One Day*
The next morning, the trio, with the new additions of Tayuya and Kin, had set off for the Land of Hot Water. With them having arrived not too long ago and were now heading to meet with the client in Yugakure, so they can get the information they have on the bandits and murders.
Before they soon began hearing the sounds of fighting coming from the forest, making the five trade looks before running off to where the fighting was coming from. Knowing if it was some of the bandits, then this was their chance to deal with some of them and potentially interrogate one to gather more information.
With them soon arriving in a clearing where they did see bandits fighting against four people, seeing it was Team Ten fighting the bandits. Something that surprised Naruto seeing Team Ten, and not the one he saw in the alternate future.
'What are Sakura and Kiba doing here? Where are Choji and Ino?' Naruto thought, knowing they were supposed to be on Team Seven and Eight respectively, not with Shikamaru on Team Ten under Asuma.
Though Naruto quickly pushed those thoughts aside, when he saw that while they were fighting the bandits, they weren't making much progress and were in fact having trouble. Before his eyes widened at seeing how some bandits were drawing symbols on the ground in blood, which either injured or made Team Ten collapse in pain.
'That's like the jutsu that Hidan knows!' Thought Naruto, recognizing the Jutsu from what he heard and seen about Hidan, only being thankful that none of the bandits took on the black and white skeleton appearance the Akatsuki member does, when he uses his Curse Technique.
But he wasn't going to take any chances of any of these bandits knowing it, and letting any of them die.
With the group jumping forward and revealing themselves, Naruto creating four Shadow Clones and had them quickly grab Asuma, Shikamaru, Sakura, and Kiba to get them out of the way.
"Poison Mist!" Shizune said, expelling a large cloud of purple mist towards the bandits, while Naruto went through handsigns.
"Wind Style: Great Breakthrough!" Said Naruto, releasing a powerful gust of wind, causing the Poison Mist to cover a larger area, and kill more bandits.
With also then having the added effect of clearing the poison away, allowing them to see how many bandits were left to deal with, and leave them safe from the poison touching them. The bandits seeing the new group that had arrived and charged at them, seeing they were a bigger threat than the Konoha Ninja.
Only for several of them to stumble or be hit by senbon from Kin, as she activated her Bell Ring Genjutsu, disorienting several of the bandits from the ringing bells.
"You know what I love most about sound-based Genjutsu? No one realizes just how deadly it can be, until it's too late." Kin stated with a smirk, while pulling out several senbon and throwing them into the necks of multiple bandits.
"Demonic Flute: Phantom Sound Chains." Said Tayuya, pulling out her flute and playing her Genjutsu, trapping several bandits found themselves unable to move, before being horrified, as they saw their flesh melting away from their bones in the illusion.
"Water Style: Water Bullet Jutsu!" Naruto said, releasing a blast of water at five bandits, with Haku going through handsigns.
"Thousand Flying Water Needles of Death." Said Haku, using the water from Naruto to create her water needles and send them flying in numerous directions to the surrounding bandits.
Though while most of the bandits were being taken out by their Jutsu and weapons, some of them managed to slip by and rush towards them. With Shizune, Haku, Kin, and Tayuya jumping back, given they were better suited to fight at long-to-mid-range. While Naruto rushed the bandits, while pulling out a kunai to block a sword slash from one of the bandits, twisting the blade to stab into another bandits head. Before using the first bandits shock to cut his throat with his kunai, before throwing it into a third bandits chest.
Sensing another bandit charging him from behind, Naruto ducked under their strike, before grabbing their arm and flipping them over his shoulder and onto the ground. With the Uzumaki then stabbing another kunai into the bandits head before using the body as shield from two bandits, attempting to attack from both sides, only to hit the corpse of their ally. Leaving them open for Naruto to grab their weapons and then stab them into the others chest.
While Naruto was dealing with the bandits up close, the girls provided him support from a distance. With the bandits numbers beginning to dwindle with each passing moment, something they began realizing as the remaining bandits turned tail to escape. Only to find their path blocked by multiple ice mirrors, appearing in front of them, each of them having Haku's reflection.
"Ice Style: Demonic Mirroring Ice Crystals." Haku said, before releasing a hail of senbon on the bandits, leaving them trapped between her attack and the others.
Before long, all the bandits were dead, with only being left alive.
"Stop, that's enough!" Naruto said, stopping the others before they could kill the bandit, approaching the lone survivor with the others joining him, while ready for any tricks.
"You have two choices, either tell us everything you know about the remaining bandits and the murders happening here, or you can die with rest of your allies." Said Naruto, wanting to see if they could get any information out of this guy.
Though when the bandit suddenly started laughing madly, Naruto was immediately on edge and motioned the girls to back away. With him being thankful for this decision as the bandit looked up with mad grin and glowing red eyes.
"You worthless heretics! You believe this will stop us, you can't, no one can stop what's coming! We'll kill you all and sacrifice you to our lord, to bathe in your blood and hear your screams of agony for eternity!" Shouted the bandit, before tearing open his shirt revealing a Suicide Seal underneath, making Naruto's eyes widen before he hastily jumped back as well.
"You'll all die soon enough; I only regret not being there to hear your screams! But I go now to meet my master, all hail Jashin-sama! Hail High Priest Freed!" The bandit screamed before the seal activated, causing the bandit to begin swelling up like a balloon.
Before he soon exploded in a shower of blood and fire, with the Ninja seeing that anything the blood touched began melting away. Making them thankful that they were able to get out of range, before the seal went off.
"…Well…that was fucked up. What the hell was that psycho blabbering on about, anyway?" Tayuya asked.
"Something that just made this mission a lot harder." Stated Naruto, knowing if these bandits were affiliated with the Jashin Cult, it just made this mission much harder, especially of this "High Priest Freed" had the same immortality as Hidan and could be even more dangerous.
Meanwhile, as this happened, Team Ten was shocked and amazed at the groups appearance, especially when they recognized Naruto and seeing how much stronger he'd become since the Academy. With Asuma being stunned at the fact Naruto was traveling with a member of the Yuki Clan, Tsunade's Apprentice, and two Kunoichi specializing in sound-based Jutsu. Along with being impressed at how far he's grown as a Shinobi, compared to what he heard he was like in the Academy.
"Ahem. I don't mean to interrupt, but I wanted to thank you all for the intervention. I wasn't sure how much longer we would have lasted, if you didn't show up when you did." Asuma said, getting the groups attention, glad they arrived when they did.
Given from what he saw of these bandits, they weren't normal and were definitely more dangerous than they believed, especially with those strange Jutsu they used when drawing those symbols on the ground in blood. Something that worried Asuma, as they seemed to just cause sudden injuries or pain to be inflicted on him and his students.
"It's no problem, you were lucky we were on our way to Yugakure to meet our client to begin with, when we heard you all fighting." Replied Shizune.
"Naruto?! What the hell are you doing here?! Why aren't you back in Konoha?!" Questioned Kiba, wondering what Naruto was doing here in the Land of Hot Water, when he should be back in Konoha.
"And how did you get that strong?! And where did you learn all those Jutsu?!" Sakura said in disbelief, remembering how he was the deadlast that couldn't even make a single Clone, yet now he's suddenly able to make real clones that could grab people and knows several Elemental Ninjutsu.
"Honestly, you couldn't stay the same. You just had to become even more troublesome. Troublesome blondes." Muttered Shikamaru with a sigh, seeing Naruto's new strength as more troublesome than he was before.
'Guess the old man decided not to make my departure public.' Naruto thought, given he is a Jinchūriki, so it'd make sense that they'd want to keep his departure a secret.
And given at this point in time, the majority of the villagers couldn't give less of a damn about him, they probably haven't even noticed he's left.
"I left after failing the Graduation, since if I couldn't be a Ninja of Konoha, then I could at least be an unofficial one outside the village. Since I would be able to help it better, by going where Konoha Ninja normally couldn't." Naruto replied with a shrug.
"And what about how strong you've gotten? You couldn't even do the Clone Jutsu in the Academy, now you're able to make some other kind of clone that can interact with people." Sakura said, narrowing her eyes at him.
"That's thanks to my new teachers that I've met since leaving. These are actually two of them, Shizune Katō and Haku Yuki, I've also been learning from their own teachers as well, Tsunade Senju and Zabuza Momochi. I've also been traveling with them as well since meeting all of them." Revealed Naruto, while internally reveling in the shocked expressions on their faces, at learning that he's training under such people; one of the Sannin, Tsunade Senju, and the Demon of the Mist, Zabuza Momochi.
'Damn, no wonder the kid's gotten so strong, if he's got two powerful Ninja like them training him, along with their own students as well. I'm just surprised Tsunade-sama agreed to train him, let alone let him live, after claiming to be her illegitimate son.' Asuma thought, while also noting that he'll need to tell his father about this.
But given who Naruto's traveling with and how much he's grown in just a few months, then he's probably more than capable of taking care of himself.
"Well, that's certainly impressive. And by the looks of it, you all are here for the same reason we are. The Hokage sent us to investigate the rising bandit activity and the murders going on around here, I'm guessing that's what you all are here for, as well." Stated Asuma, with the five of them nodding.
"That's right, like Shizune said, we were just on our way to Yugakure to meet our client, when we heard the fighting and intervened. But given what we've seen these bandits are capable of, it may be better if we all worked together to deal with them. Since this seems more dangerous than any of us could have predicted." Naruto replied, Asuma nodding in agreement.
"Yeah, if these bandits are capable of giving us trouble, then there leaders may be even stronger. So, joining together is the best thing to do." Asuma said, something they all could agree with, before they continued on their way to Yugakure.
*Later*
It wasn't long before they arrived in Yugakure and went to meet with their client to find out more information, along with sharing what they already know. Something that shocked the client, when the Ninja told them about the bandits they encountered and what they were capable of.
"They were using Curse Jutsu?" The client asked, hoping he misheard, given how much more dangerous this would be if it was true.
"That's right, they were drawing symbols on the ground in blood, while the last bandit, before they activated a Suicide Seal, mentioned both Jashin and someone called High Priest Freed. So, whatever's happening, it involves the Jashin Cult." Replied Naruto.
"Not only that, but we also learned that at least two Missing-Nin are involved, Aoi Rokusho and Suika, along with a Ninja from Takumi Village, who's likely supplying the bandits weapons." Haku added, shocking the client along with Team Ten, since this was news for them as well.
"This is even worse than I predicted. Bandits and murders are one thing, but for them to be part of the Jashin Cult. Are you sure they were members of the cult?" The client asked.
"Who else could they be, if they've mentioned Jashin and have access to Curse Jutsu?" Said Naruto, with the client pulling out several reports on the murders.
"Because in the investigation with the murders, there have also been cases that the victims had been raped as well, beforehand. And while we don't have much knowledge on the Jashin Cult; what we do know, comes from a former Yugakure Ninja that was a member of it. And one thing he was utterly serious about, was that the crime of rape is considered a sin in the Cult of Jashin. Any member who committed such an act was given the worst punishment that could be bestowed onto them." The client explained, surprising the Ninja, along with angering them at what else has been happening, with some also being shaken by this news.
"If that's the case, then it's probably not the Jashin Cult itself, but a Rogue Sect of it." Stated Asuma, knowing that could be even more dangerous, as they wouldn't be bound to the same teaching as the main cult and will freely twist it, however they pleased.
All of them seeing just how much more difficult this mission has become.
*Unknown Location*
Meanwhile, within the hideout of the Rogue Jashin Cult Sect, High Priest Freed was meeting with his three generals, Suika, Aoi, and Hōki.
"Well, what're the numbers of our growing Acolytes?!" Demanded Freed, looking at Aoi and Suika, the two who lead the bandits and recruited Acolytes, wanting to know how many new members they've recruited.
"We've managed to recruit an additional fifty Acolytes." Replied Aoi with a smirk.
"It would have been more, but I made sure the weakling were weeded out, leaving only the strongest." Suika added, having forced the recruits to fight each other to the death to see which of them had the stomach to join and were willing to kill anyone that got in their way.
"Good! I don't have time for shitty weaklings, slowing us down! Any of them that can't slit a little bastards throat would be lucky, if I didn't have their corpse raped and defiled! And what about you, when are our weapons going to be here?!" Freed said, looking at Hōki, who was supplying them with powerful and unique weapons, along with the rest of Takumi Village.
"I've just gotten word the last batch of weapons has been completed to your specifications, and they should be here within a Month's time." Hōki answered, knowing that while his village made the best weapons in the Elemental Nations, what Freed was asking for would take even them a long time to complete.
"They better be, or I'll find other uses for a bunch of fucking blacksmiths, that can't make my damn weapons! I want us ready to attack those shitty fucking Ninja Villages, in less than a decade!" Declared Freed, with the generals nodding in agreement.
Their plan being to wage an all out war against the Elemental Nations, recruiting new Acolytes and teaching them the Curse Jutsu to use on their enemies, while Takumi Village supplies them with weapons. Their plan was coming along slowly, but surely, with Freed wanting them ready in a few years, as he's eager to begin killing on a much bigger scale and finding better women to rape.
Though the four were interrupted, when a young boy rushed into the room.
The boy was rather large for his age, both in size and girth, while having short green hair, styled into a fauxhawk that was slicked back, pale skin, and dark blue eyes. While wearing pinstriped pants, a white button-up shirt with the top few left undone, and a black vest.
"What the fuck do you want Shojoji?!" Freed shouted, glaring at the boy, rather than killing anyone who'd interrupt his meetings.
The only reason he didn't, was that Shojoji was one of their most promising Acolytes, being selfish, callous, and indifferent to murder, rape, and torture. In fact, he takes things a step further and even eats the bodies of those he kills, going as far as adding condiments and believing himself beyond normal humanity. With it helping that he stole a Kinjutsu from the Akimichi Clan, the Corpse Clone Jutsu.
"We just got word that a camp of Acolytes was attacked. All of them were killed by Konoha Ninja and Ronin!" Shojoji revealed, something none of them were pleased to hear.
"Konoha is here?!" Demanded Hōki through gritted teeth, angered at learning one of the Five Great Nations was now interfering in Takumi Village's plans.
"Annoying fuckers should've stayed out of our business. We can't let ourselves be discovered, so you four are gonna go deal with these shitty Ninja and make sure they die no matter what. But any females in the group are to kept alive and brought to me." Freed ordered, with the four nodding at the orders, planning to ensure that these Ninja can't interfere in their plans, any more than they already have.
None of them being aware that someone much, much more dangerous would soon be arriving and would be after all their heads.
*Amegakure*
While unknown to everyone, within Amegakure, Pein was meeting with Kakuzu and an unnervingly quiet Hidan.
"Kakuzu, Hidan, I'm sending both of you to the Land of Hot Water. A team I sent there has been reported as dead, except for the leader, Aoi Rokusho, who has defected and joined with the growing bandits there. I'm spending you both to deal with him and if possible, collect the bounties of any other Missing-Nin there, as well." Said Pein, annoyed that that fool Aoi believed he could defect from Ame, like he did with Konoha, and not expect there to be repercussions.
"Understood Leader-sama. Let's go Hidan, and try not to mutilate any of our targets beyond recognition." Said Kakuzu, not wanting Hidan to destroy any of the bounties, they could get.
Only to be surprised, when Hidan simply walked past him without making a sound, something that slightly unnerved the miser from his normally loud partner. Coupled with the eerily calm expression that he had, Kakuzu couldn't help but feel that he's about to see a side of Hidan, he'd prefer to have never known existed.
So, what did you think, good. Yep we see Aoi has defected from Ame, surprising no one, with the trio also meeting with Tayuya and Kin who are using the cover of Ronins to join them, though they see through the lie but let them join as a means to keep their enemies close. Before they head to the Land of Hot Water the next day, where they encounter Team Ten fighting bandits who are using Curse Jutsu like Hidan, leading to them jumping in and managing to deal with the bandits, except one who uses a Suicide Seal but before revealing his affiliations to Jashin and someone known as High Priest Freed (from High School DxD), with them and Team Ten deciding to join forces to complete their shared goals. Finally we get a look at the Rogue Jashin Cult lead by Freed and his three generals Aoi, Suika, and Hōki, along with their plans before being interrupted by a young Shojoji (from Boruto) about what happened to the Acolyte camp, leading Freed to send them to deal with the Ninja while bringing the females back alive. None of them knowing that Kakuzu and Hidan are being sent to deal with Aoi for betraying Ame, while Hidan is coming for all their heads. So, review if you liked go away if you didn't.
Storm out