Seals of Fate
Any important announcements? Not really, sorry about taking so long. Started this on 3/24/2021(According to document creation date) and finally got it done on 6/6/2021. I was going to do far more this chapter but I realized I was unable to do so without further delaying the chapter and so I decided to split what would have been this chapter into multiple chapters, expect 2 more. Sorry.
Special Thanks to RaNK001 for Beta-ing this chapter. Thanks for doing a job for me that you reached out to have me do for you. Though unfortunately, because this chapter was beta'd we no longer die like men, at least for this chapter. RaNK helped a lot with revising my roadmap for Seals so extra thanks as well. Helps that our ideas and opinions on Naruto overlap pretty well. Go check out his fic Guardian of the Tailed Beasts and give it some love, I can attest that it is a great fic and if you are a fan of Hektols' New Chance then you will love RaNK's Guardian of the Tailed Beasts.
I decided to accelerate one of my plans for the future here. A little way of saying sorry for how long it took to get a chapter done.
Also wanted to just go ahead and state that anyone familiar with Yet Again are probably aware of one of that fic's twist(not really a twist, we know about it almost from the start), being set up here and it was being set up here for some time. I had been planning it for sometime and was very frustrated when I read Yet Again for the first time and found that the plot point I wanted to use had already been done. But that frustration also drove me to take inspiration, if the last chapter hadn't already clued you in (*Cough*Kazehira*Cough*) then it will be explained in a few chapters outright.
Next, I used the Term *Inheritors* for Naruto, Hinata, Sasuke, Hashirama, and Madara to show how I view the Senju/Uzumaki and Uchiha Feud and the reincarnation plot from canon. Simply put, those characters are not reincarnations, not in the literal sense anyways. All members of the Moon Otsutsuki, Hyuga, Senju, Uzumaki, Uchiha, etc. inherit the chakra of their progenitors but a select few inherit the chakra more strongly than anyone else. And those select few carry on the wills and ideals of their progenitors, just with their own take and spin on them and reach the highest potential their bloodlines can acheive. Hinata does indeed have the potential to hold the Tenseigan, but without the component that she is missing in this fic she will likely never develop it on her own, contrasting Toneri who also holds potential but is missing so many proper components that if he is able to force the evolution by gaining the proper component, his body is never meant to hold it and thus the moment he is strained properly he will lose all progress made. Madara may need to steal Hashirama's DNA to develop Wood Release and awaken the Rinnegan, but he has enough of the proper components to maintain it and make it truly his even if the birth of it is somewhat unnatural.
In response to reviewer ayshi2016: that is a good guess to Tobi's identity but it's not correct. Its close and does hit upon some of Tobi's origin here. The voices he heard in his head were a bit of a clue. Some light will be shed upon it soon. And I know I haven't been the most successful in terms of ship developing and fluffy moments, but I will be developing scenes that help fill that. I just have been focused on the overall plot's development.
Missed opportunity: I wish I had Minato pass the Toad Contract onto Obito. I mean I can add it in, either as a retcon or have it offered to him seeing as he is responsible for one means of retrieving Naruto and Hinata should they get captured and is Minato's preferred successor and the one who took on Minato's art entirely and Obito does want to uphold Minato's legacy. Maybe Jiraiya can pass it down during one of the timeskips we experienced. Thoughts?
Third, sorry it took so long. Work was hell back in April. Got swapped over to a 2-2-3 schedule working 12 hour shifts. Wouldn't be too bad except for a whole bunch of things. And May and the first week of June wasn't much better. My grandmother's stroke from the beginning of last month was determined to not be a stroke despite being almost textbook in symptoms but was due to Dehydration. Then Last Week, her Alzheimer's decided to kick it up and now her dementia has progressed rapidly. I had hope she could come back but it looks to not be the case now.
Anyways, enough of that shit: ON WITH THE SHOW!
Enjoy the chapter.
Chapter 15
A Moment of Rest
Naruto grunted as he looked around in the place he didn't recognize. But at the same time did.
It took a moment to understand how and then it made sense. Rin had always been teaching Hinata, Fu, and himself how to meditate and learn to one day enter the Biju's seal by their own power.
The process of learning how to do that was probably why he was able to stay as sane and focused as he had.
'So what happened? I remember Hinata cutting off that bastard's head. Then the shadow bastard tried strangling us, then those other guys showed up. Then all of us beat the shadow bastard into the mud with jutsu. Then they restrained him. And then…what happened?' Naruto wondered. That was where his memory cut off. He hoped nothing bad happened.
'Man, though. Hinata can be terrifying when she wants to. Never thought she would be able to cut someone's head off with her nails. And we still need to talk about the waterfall a few days ago.' Naruto thought with a mild blush on his cheeks. 'Dammit, I keep noticing so many things about her that I used to not care about. Is… is this what a crush is? Nah, it can't be… Or might it? Geez this is so frustrating. It was already getting bad after she hugged me during the Test, but then the waterfall happened and now I can't get her out of my head. Anko-sensei made us get the waters cleared out yesterday…or what was yesterday, or earlier I guess, plus how long I've been snoozing. '
Naruto really began taking in his surroundings, a dark sewer or aqueduct with murky water and a slight state of disrepair to its appearance. But there was a hot and moist quality to the air with a general feeling of wariness coming out of the pit of the Blonde's stomach.
As he moved towards what he believed to be the source, the overwhelming feeling in the air became stronger. Naruto knew this had to be the right way.
What began catching him off guard however, was the feeling that he was being read like a book or a scroll by whatever was creating this aura.
His thoughts turned to the moment he remembered losing control, the sheer hatred he felt for that white haired bastard whose head Hinata removed from his shoulders in her own rage. But his mind also danced over to the name that was mentioned about who they were doing it for: Toneri. The name alone with what little he knew made Naruto hate him already. The fucking bastard wanted his best friend taken away from her home, and away from Naruto, and brought to him. Something told Naruto that there would be a reckoning in the future, and when it came Naruto would be at Hinata's side ready to help her weather out the storm that would follow.
The feeling in the air around the Uzumaki changed, there was still a tangible feeling of…Malice as Naruto had just realized…Malice and Hate, Hate towards not only Naruto himself but who he represented, but it seemed the feeling of being read had not been his imagination and was closer to the truth then he thought.
The Malice seemed to be giving way to a feeling of sympathy towards the reason behind his rage and a begrudging respect towards it as well that may have been somewhat backhanded.
But there was the undeniable beckoning that was present: Yes, come closer, mortal.
Naruto found himself at the core of the mental representation of his seal's workings, a giant cage situated in a large sanctum like cistern of the sewer. And within the cage stood the half scowling and half smirking evilly form of the Kyubi.
So, my jailor has finally graced me with his presence? How…quaint. The massive fox waxed on dramatically, almost like he was trying to instill a sense of…something, Intimidation perhaps…inside the blonde.
"You think I wanted to come here right after what just happened? I'd much rather make sure my friends and the others are alright and to make sure that I didn't hurt them before coming here! Why am I even here anyways?" Naruto demanded, ignoring whatever mind game the fox was attempting.
The Fox rolled his eyes but humored the jinchuriki: You were knocked unconscious by that non-hostile Shadow Twister after you lost what little control you had and attacked him. No…before you ask, I didn't take control in that moment nor did I manipulate you to attack him. What drew you to attack him was most likely you tapping into one of my abilities in that moment and misinterpreting what you divined from my unique sensory. He reeks of Self-Hatred, you most likely detected that and decided to attack him based on what your, small and at the moment feral, mind interpreted as the cause of his emotion. Other than that…the only reasonable explanation is that you went by instinct and attacked the largest perceived threat to both yourself and those you cared about.
Naruto frowned: "Why would I attack him like that? He helped us…" Naruto said trailing off.
Kurama frowned: It links to his emotions that I…you…*sigh*WE sensed from him. Regret, an emotion both positive and negative. A meeting point, if you will, between the two spectrums. He regrets much and what I…*SIGH* WE identified from him, I'm getting real tired of this, indicates he has betrayed allies on his superiors' orders before and holds regret. Your mind in that moment could have drawn a conclusion to attack that…thing…for fear that he would betray you and your friends.
Naruto sighed: "I guess that makes sense. Why did you call him a 'thing'?"
Kurama's expression became unreadable to the blonde: he may be a man, but he's also something more. He's old. Possibly as old as I am, but in a different way. Most likely a soul from a long gone era. And definitely not of this world.
Naruto scratched his head and shrugged: "O…kay." Naruto shifted around a bit before he smiled: "Thanks for helping me protect my friends."
Kurama scoffed: I could care less about one Uchiha bastard and the little harlot my sister is sealed in. My reasons for helping are my own.
Naruto blinked: "The hell is a harlot?"
Kurama groaned: Went from the intelligent but condescending Mito, to that stubborn and loud brat Kushina, and now to this idiot as my jailor. Life has such a sense of humor. Naruto stared blankly and pointedly at the fox for the barb about his intelligence but the Kyubi ignored it and humored the boy: A harlot is a term for a woman who sells herself. More modern terms would be prostitute and slut. You can thank Kushina for me knowing that last one.
And that set Naruto off: "OI! DON'T REFER TO MY FRIENDS LIKE THAT! ESPECIALLY HINATA! SHE HAS DONE NOTHING TO DESERVE THAT BULLSHIT! YOU BETTER BE GLAD THAT THERE'S A SEAL BETWEEN US OR I'D KICK YOUR ASS, DATEBAYO, ASSHOLE! AND YOU HAD BEEN WORKING WITH ME!"
The fox's expression became a touch angry: Don't mistake my good mood for being cooperative or, in anyway, as being the result of actual benevolence. My reasons are my own. Though…I must say that my dear little sister's prison and the Uchiha look awfully familiar, like I have seen their parents before in my time in Kushina. Perhaps even in one of those small moments where her defenses cracked enough that I could pull free from the restraints I was under within her and take control.
Naruto frowned at the blatant lack of anything resembling some form of desire to know anything about them other than what the Fox considered to be what he wanted to know: "Their names are Hinata and Sasuke, and Aunt Hitomi and Aunt Mikoto were on my Mom's team."
The fox outright grinned with pure malice deforming the expression. Now I remember. The pathetic teacher they had was incapacitated and the three were woefully prepared for any other fights. They encountered one however and despite what impressive feats they could bring to bear in their exhaustion, they were unable to claim victory or drive off their foe. Kushina, in her desperation, began drawing my power through the Keyhole that her precious Minato had created in her seal for her to use. Exhaustion had weakened both her body and mind and she had to draw more and more of my power before she lost control upon forming a fifth tail of my chakra. My binds weakened and I was able to boost her into the Version Two state where I could freely manipulate her and form a sixth tail. At the time we were in agreement to destroy the enemy she was facing together, I could see all his heart held and found it to be everything I hate your kind for. We destroyed the bastard and I began suppressing her mind to sow the seeds of her giving into despair and freeing me to reap vengeance. The perfect way to do that was to destroy the siblings by choice she had and to dice apart the Senju bitch that had become a sort of mother figure for all three of the girls. Even just one would have had Kushina hating herself and the other two hating her and rejecting her for what she was, leaving her either despaired enough to try suicide by any method including releasing me, or with enough weaknesses in her guard that another incident could happen and provide me another opportunity to either break free or add more fuel to her despair. But no matter how hard I swung my claws nor moved to sever flesh from bone, the two girls avoided my blows. They were able to begin pulling Kushina's mind back to the surface from the miasma of my hate that I had forced her under in. I pushed as much of my strength as I could and was able to corner the two but instead of trying to flee my blow they stood their ground. The moment of triumph was in my grasp, only to be snatched away just as quickly as it had been given to me. Kushina managed to resurface and hold back my blow to prevent me from rending her team into runny viscera, and the struggle of our stalemate became evident to those who were my prey and they began begging Kushina to win and come back to not only them but everyone waiting for her and every word of love and encouragement pushed me back until my influence had been removed and my bindings had been re-secured. But for a moment I was loose and held freedom in my grasp. If your mother had been an even the slightest bit weaker, none of you would exist and I would be free!
Naruto stared for a moment motionlessly at the fox before he just breathed out: "Are you done?"
The Kyubi blinked and stared for a moment: …What?
"Are you done shoveling that whole load of Bullshit? It feels like you're just trying to make me hate you so you can hate me back in a feedback loop." Naruto declared with half opened eyes filled with boredom.
The Kyubi was infuriated: I don't need you to hate me to hate you!
Naruto yawned: "Bullshit. You're looking for a reason to be mad. I've seen it too much around me. So why did you help me and what are you really after?"
Now the Kyubi was silent for a moment, almost contemplating the kid's question: …True Hate is born of True Love. Love and Hate are two sides of the same coin. I have seen powerful hates become the strongest of loves and the most sickeningly sweet of loves become all-consuming hates. The truest of hates are for those we know intimately well. So well that we know everything about them and it drives us so sick that we struggle not to puke at the very thought of them, that the mere thought riles every last cell in your body into an intensely burning rage, and that it takes every last bit of our self-control to keep from slashing their throat wide open and mauling them to pieces just by being in their presence. You love that girl, maybe or maybe not romantically, but there is love there. The very idea that she was going to be taken away birthed a powerful hatred from that love that called out to me and demanded for power, and I obliged. I obliged to your need for strength to strike down the opponents that stood against you to protect her. At one time, I would have done the same to protect any of my siblings and the few who earned my trust. Before that bastard began ruining everything. As for what I want…I want to be free and to be left alone.
Naruto stared down the massive 'demon' before his face broke out into a vulpine grin and he spoke: "Thanks for telling the truth. I think I see what you are now."
And what am I? An evil to be contained?! A weapon to be used?!
Naruto shook his head: "No, you're not evil. Angry and hateful, no doubt, but not evil. Besides you admitted you just wanted to be left alone, I don't think an evil being that was like you would be content to be left alone. You're just like me. You want to be acknowledged for what you are and what you can do. You want to change the world and make it better, or at least you did before you lost your way and made the legend of the Kyubi no Yoko, just like I want to do."
Kurama just stared before he just snorted: Leave.
Naruto just waved him off: "Fine. But I'll be back. And one of these days I'll break that hate of yours, YOU CAN COUNT ON IT! It's a promise of a lifetime! And my nindo is to never go back on my word."
Kurama sighed as he was left alone once more: Ashura…Durga… He acts so much like both of you…Is he the next inheritor of your will? The last one was that accursed Hashirama, the only one of your inheritors to be able to use Wood Release. The irony.
Naruto woke up in what was clearly an inn room.
He quietly got up and put on his sandals before leaving.
The boy went out and looked around before he decided to take a walk to clear his head.
There was a nice hill overlooking the village that Naruto sat down on looked up at the full moon.
'heh, looks just as nice as it was that night I found Hinata under the waterfall.' Naruto thought with a blush coming to his face.
Images of the girl flashed in his head. In every last one of them, the dark night's lighting contrasted nicely with a certain Hyuga girl's pale skin and the shine of the water and full moon.
Pale skin bereft of any clothing and covered in both sweat and moisture from the waterfall, a face filled with excitement and joy, and the body moving with grace and elegance across the waters in a dance that hypnotized the Blonde.
He had noticed her state of undress at first but then the dance had drawn him in, captivated his attention, and only let go when she came to a definitive stop.
Naruto could only think of the word beautiful to describe everything about that moment. The scenery, the dance, and Hinata.
Then he realized she was naked again and slowly tried to creep away as Hinata left the water and went to the shore towards a pile that Naruto assumed was her clothes and a towel.
'The hell is wrong with you?! Hinata's your friend! Stop pulling Ero-Sennin's shit, dammit!'
He remembered the thought going through his head, but it distracted him and that distraction cost him any chance of getting away unnoticed went out the window.
The expression of pure humiliation on Hinata's face when she saw Naruto and realized he had been watching her was seared into his mind. The shame of what he had done was already crushing, that took it and made it a thousand times worse.
Naruto really wanted to talk with Hinata about how he felt. He had the feeling that neither had been entirely honest when Anko had them talk the night of the second day.
Hinata had said that whatever happened was embarrassing and an accident and they should just move on and not let it affect their friendship. And Naruto agreed because he didn't want to lose her over this.
The only thing he felt he said that day when the two Jinchuriki were forced to talk was that he was sorry about what happened. Thankfully, Hinata had accepted his apology and apologized for her own ill-tempered reaction.
Naruto accepted it but pretty much told her that her yelling at him was earned. And he probably would have deserved the fireball she almost shot at him after she realized what he had done.
But they had managed to mend the gap that had developed in their friendship, and that pleased the blonde ninja greatly.
But it didn't change the fact that every time Naruto saw or thought of Hinata now, the images of that night flashed into his head and brought up the strange feelings in his chest and the need to be with her and he just wanted to talk with her about it.
Part of him just wanted relief from the suffocating pressure, another was scared to what it might entail, and the rest didn't know what to do.
Naruto shook his head in defeat as he realized that such a decision wasn't one that could just be made and carried out.
Instead he focused on a sensation that was nagging at him. He noticed it when he was in the fox's cell, but dismissed it as just stress or being in his tenant's presence.
He focused on that nagging sensation and was shocked as almost a new layer of perception reached out and began pouring information into his mind. It took a moment to fully comprehend but Naruto eventually managed: he had developed a form of Sensory.
'Remember the lecture. Not everyone can have the same fine detail perception or range, but everyone can learn how to sense to some degree. Particularly strong elemental affinities can detect certain sensations. Absurdly strong Lightning affinities can detect the very electrical impulses in our brains and nervous systems, incredibly strong Water affinities can find opponents using the water in the blood, overwhelmingly powerful Wind Affinities can detect the very disturbances someone makes in the air by breathing, Earth Affinities when developed right can be used to detect vibrations along the ground no matter how small, and outstandingly powerful Fire affinities can detect the heat of bodies. To sense, focus on trying to expand your senses.'
As he focused, he felt a new sense of perception sweep out and survey his surroundings.
He remembered the lessons and description Obito gave about chakra sensing and determined that this wasn't anything like it. Something similar maybe but not chakra sensing.
Thinking about the lecture that was relevant to Naruto now made Naruto concede that another lecture he had gotten from Obito was also relevant.
'When we get back, I'm going to try it again with the seal training. What was I thinking? Obito-nii was trying to teach it and I couldn't care at the moment.' Naruto thought bitterly. Obito had meant it both as broadening Naruto's skillset and a way for the two adopted brothers to bond and Naruto found he couldn't care about it. How much of yesterday could have been avoided with the right seal usage.
Thankfully Obito wouldn't be too much of a dick over it. Maybe some playful ribbing and then he would be glad to restart it.
Naruto smiled with that thought in mind as he began trying to understand his sensory ability.
He focused on the signals he could detect within his limited range and found that they felt like…emotions. Dark ones.
And if he focused on one he could divine what the emotion was and what the cause behind it was.
He felt the hatred that some felt for Gato during his brief reign of terror. The sadness from those who lost loved ones. The anger and rage that burned at the short man for his crimes. The delight that blood had been spilt and the short monster had been punished.
He felt something beyond his range, something he couldn't determine what it was but whatever it was, it was making him nauseous.
Naruto focused closer and found a new signal. Frustration, anger at one's self for perceived self-weakness, and disgust for what they saw within.
This signature was close. And getting closer, it was probably almost behind him.
Naruto shut off the unique sensory and turned around and found himself smiling bitter sweetly. Happy in response to who it was, (for who else had those beautiful light lavender orbs?) but bitter and sad in realization that he was detecting her pain. Naruto spoke calmly and reassuringly: "Hey Hinata. Having trouble sleeping too?"
*Earlier*
Hinata found herself back in the moment she removed that man's head from his shoulders.
One good eye and one ruined eye snarling viciously in surprise, anger, and hate.
She heard her voice even though she had made no effort to move her mouth "DIE!" The Hyuga screamed in feral rage and bloodlust as she swung the claws on her right hand and severed the skin, muscles, and other viscera that held the head to the chest.
She didn't know what to expect, all her rage had been focused on ending the threat to her and Naruto, as well Sasuke and Anko.
But the way the severed heads' lips contorted from rage and surprise, to sincerely if a bit back handed joy and gratitude after it had been severed. And the voice sounded from the dying lips again, though now she was sure that with the damage done there was no way it could have produced sounds, "Thank you for assisting my escape."
Hinata could feel the bile begin to climb up her throat as if it were memory, the burning of her throat and the horrid taste coming to mind easily. The ache of her stomach begin to forcefully contract.
Before she could begin to move or minimize any mess she made or dream of once again puking out lunch, Hinata jolted awake.
Awake probably wasn't the best term.
She felt awake, yet not awake at the same time.
Hinata felt the dampness against her.
This place was strange and alien yet familiar.
Hinata was half lowered in the watery floor, yet when she raised her head out and attempted to wipe away the moisture, there was nothing, it felt dry as a bone.
She lowered her hand into the water and definitely felt water but when she removed it, it was dry as could be.
Hinata lifted herself to her feet and looked around in front of her, this place appeared to be a sewer with pipes and tunnels everywhere.
There was an aura in the air. The air felt permeated with chakra and that chakra felt hateful and angry, yet calm in a resigned sort of way.
Bitter and sad, but wanting to forgive and heal.
Wanting to reach out and open up.
Yet scared of what might happen and gaining more heartbreak and anger.
Hinata began noticing that the pipes were snaking to something behind her when she noticed that there was some kind of blue light behind her.
And then she heard it.
*Yawn* Guess that cat nap is over. It is about time you regained mental awareness, little one.
Hinata went wide eyed as she heard the sounds of something massive breathing.
The Shy Hyuga turned around slowly and was met by the sight of a mass of blue colored flames shaped like a cat with a Green Eye on one side and a Yellow Eye on another.
And two massive flaming tails raised up and waived lazily before lowering and curling around the Monster Cat.
Hinata whispered awe-struck: "Nibi no Bakeneko…"
The cat's mouth curved into a cat smile and the Biju spoke: My, am I that awe inspiring? That you are left speechless just at the sight of me? Guess a cat really did get your tongue.
Hinata just stared for a moment before a snort made its way out and Hinata desperately tried not to laugh but eventually the pearls of laughter made its way out of her lips.
Nibi never lost her grin and continued: Were you in that much need of a little good natured humor or do you happen to really like puns? Cause even I will admit that one was a little reaching and quite a bit gauche.
Hinata wiped tears off her eyes and sighed: "Forgive me, Nibi-san. I needed the laugh…especially after what happened."
The Monster Cat shrugged, which looked odd considering its body type and laying down position. You needed it. I figured it wouldn't be good for you to try and mouscle…er, I didn't mean the pun that time, Muscle your way through and bury your feelings. The cat noticed her jinchuriki's blush from how she had been laughing and the watched as the girl shook slightly trying desperately not to laugh and the cat's grin widened as she moved to speak. Though I believe some quality time with that precious Naruto-kun of yours would help a lot more…
The Nibi trailed off and watched with amusement as Hinata's face began burning with the heat of both embarrassment and love.
Hinata had definitely understood the implication, and the connection they shared allowed the Biju to feel the girl's heat. Seems the girl's mind had run wild with the implications.
Hinata's expression shifted from shock to somewhat spaced out.
Hinata almost lost herself in those thoughts Nibi had provoked when she realized that she was within the seal and shook back to the slightly shifting form of the Nibi.
The cat was laughing at her!
"Th-tha…That wasn't nice." The girl managed to sputter out.
All is fair in love and war. "You don't…How could…do Biju even feel love?!" Emotionally, yes. Romantically or sexually, no. Which is what you're definitely felling right now. "How do you even know that!?" Oh your memories was an interesting read for me when I woke up. Especially the fantasies and the dreams…
Any semblance of composure was lost as Hinata's embarrassment took hold and her blush began spreading beyond her face.
Matatabi decided to end the girl's suffering: Relax, I am merely messing with you. Though your attachment to my elder brother's Jinchuriki was easy to notice.
Hinata's blush began receding but she nodded, not trusting her voice at the moment.
The cat laughed slightly: How about we try this again? Allow me to introduce myself, I am called Matatabi. Please do keep that to yourself and those you trust absolutely.
The words the cat said were simple but Hinata could sense the gravitas that Matatabi had placed in the statement, as if saying without putting it in to words, I'm trusting you, don't betray it.
Hinata got to her feet and bowed: "Hello Matatabi-san, My name is Hyuga Hinata. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance."
Matatabi smirked lazily: Likewise Hinata-chan. So polite and proper, but also self-repressive it seems. That won't do. I'll have to teach you to break out of that. I guess I got spoiled on the fact that Yugito-chan was already an expressive and outspoken soul. Don't worry, I am merely joking (for the most part), you are fine.
Matatabi would have continued but noticed the fear in Hinata, fear not from being in the presence of the Nibi but from the dreams.
You're scared to sleep aren't you? Hinata nodded somberly.
Come closer. Hinata walked close to the seal and found a dry spot at the gate of the seal in front of the Nibi before sitting down.
Hinata felt the warmth of the cat's flames on her back as sleep just about took her again.
One of the Nibi's tails slipped through the bars and wrapped around Hinata's front almost like a warm blanket. Soft and warm despite appearing to be entirely made of flames and looking like they should be licking at her skin and clothes and leaving burns and nasty ones at that.
The other side of the tail curled around back through the bars and moved around to support the Hyuga's back on something other than the bars of the cage.
Hinata almost drifted away in the comfort before she noticed the slight flow of chakra into her from the tail and asked: "Matatabi-san, what are you doing?"
I learned in one of my previous host that my chakra's property of soothing pain doesn't just apply to physical pain, but mental as well. I can help keep the nightmares at bay for a while, but some will still happen regardless. You have to conquer it, though no one said you have to do it alone.
Hinata's lips curled into a slight smile as her eyes began to shut: "Thank you…Mata…tabi…-chan." and then she drifted off.
You may not be Yugito, but you are you. And I never said I had to be the one you got help from.
Matatabi smiled as Hinata's mind began to dream, of happier times and hopefully of happy times to come.
Time lost meaning as Hinata slept peacefully, at least until another nightmare came.
Hinata had been thankful that Matatabi had drawn her into the seal before the nightmares could truly begin assaulting her mind and kept them away long enough for her to rest until now.
Hinata woke up with the urge to throw up rising. The bile in her stomach churned and she could feel the foreboding sensation of it trying to begin rising into her throat but a comforting warmth flowed through her chakra network and focused on her stomach and soon the urge was suppressed and the feeling went away.
Hinata questioned what had happened for a moment before a soft meow that echoed inside her head caught her attention and brought a smile to her lips: 'Thank you, Matatabi-chan.'
The warmth she felt from the seal had her casting a grateful smile to her newly met acquaintance, one she had all her life but only just now met.
Hinata knew she had been heard. The almost preening purr cemented it.
Hinata tried to return to sleep but found herself incapable of doing so.
Hinata grabbed her sandals and began walking about rather aimlessly.
She was really just trying to clear her head.
Need someone to talk to? 'Well I do have some questions, if you wouldn't mind Matatabi-chan?' Ask away. I have my own questions so we'll trade off. You start. 'Okay. Why do Rin-san, Fu-san, Naruto-kun, and myself have trouble sleeping close to and on full moons? Naruto-kun especially.' It is because of our origin. A fear of what we were born from, and a fear that a madman may try to use us to do once more. 'What could it be?' Unless we believe it may come to pass that someone is attempting to recreate Jyubi, the reason is best left forgotten. Leave that inquiry behind, if I tell what I know of the story, you will be more wanting for sleep than you already are. 'Okay. What do you want to ask?' How about Naji…Naje…Neje…Neji, what is his problem with you? 'Neji is angry and rightfully so over the mistreatment and marginalization of the Branch House within the Hyuga.' ….that explains his problem with your clan but not with you.
She felt something pull her to the outskirts of the village and decided to follow it.
'the moon looks nice tonight. Just like that night I was dancing under the waterfall….before Naruto-kun saw me. I feel so embarrassed and yet… so excited that he saw me. Ugh, so confusing. We agreed to leave it behind us and not let it hurt our friendship but I just can't get it out of my head.'
Hinata's frustration gave way to anger at herself for being weak: 'I had to rely on Matatabi-chan's chakra to get out of that fight. If I hadn't had her, I would have lost.' You knew nothing about your opponent while your opponent knew some about you. You were at information disadvantage. I believe that all three of you could have won if you had more information on your opponents going into the bout.
Hinata conceded that to her tenant, but her thoughts turned to something else: 'I killed a man by cutting his head with my fingernails…what kind of freak, no what kind of monster does that?' You were running on a high created by adrenaline and rage that was furthered by my chakra and were fighting to keep yourself from being captured and taken away from everyone you love! You have nothing to be ashamed of there! I'm more at blame than you! Even if I try not to act on my hate, it does not mean my hate does not exist! It means I try my best not to act on it! The corruption exists in my chakra and that corruption fosters your dark side, everything you try to hide away and every fear and insecurity as well as repressed thoughts and emotions!
Matatabi's words help break some of Hinata's rapidly darkening self-perception, but didn't stop it.
Hinata was so distracted that she didn't even notice the person in front of her: "Hey Hinata. Having trouble sleeping too?"
Hinata jumped slightly as she noticed wat she missed: "N-Naruto-kun…I…uh." Hinata stuttered before she stopped and took a breath and tried again: "I had some nightmares and I needed to clear my head."
Naruto laughed: "I know that feeling, had some of those before. Well, at least it is a nice night for a walk. Moon looks really nice tonight."
Hinata laughed and nodded, she noticed that Naruto was sitting on a log looking up at the sky and noticed there was room for one more and thanked kami as she was motioned over to that spot on the log next to him.
Hinata sat down but her movement had caused her hand to brush against Naruto's.
The blonde look at the spot where their skin had come in contact with one another's and mumbled: "So soft…"
Hinata's eyes widened a hair and she stuttered out: "W-what?" not believing what Naruto might have just said.
Naruto flinched and tried to play off what he said but in the end gave up and admitted what he meant: "Your skin felt so soft."
Hinata blushed while Naruto continued: "Y'know, it's a little amazing to me how you're so small and soft and cute while at the same time you're probably one of the most deadly people I know."
Hinata didn't know how to respond but her mind latched on to one word in the awkwardly handed out compliment and her blushing grew deeper: "C-cute? Y-you think I'm cute?" Hinata stammered out with hope.
Naruto then realized that he had said that and sighed: 'Crap, I just keep digging myself deeper today.' "Yeah, I honestly do."
Hinata stared for any signs of lying from Naruto but only found complete sincerity which made her heart start beating a little quicker: 'Maybe there is hope!'
Naruto found her reactions a bit odd but just shrugged.
Hinata couldn't quite get the words out of her mouth to try and further probe Naruto but he spoke up: "Say, Hinata, is something bothering you?"
Hinata was a bit taken back by that sudden question that she didn't know how to respond, 'How did he know?' He has known you for quite some time, the two of you are undoubtedly precious to one another. He probably knows enough to pick up on your tells. And, he may have developed one of my elder brother's abilities. Matatabi answered cryptically. 'Doesn't matter. I need to deal with this on my own. Work through the pain and guilt on my own.'
Hinata shook her head: "N-no, I'm fine." She tried to make it sound true but she was unable to. She was a member of the Hyuga, the strongest clan in the Leaf. She had to be able to deal with this on her own strength. She couldn't rely on others for everything. She had to deal with something as simple as the nightmares and guilt and everything else.
Naruto didn't believe her in the slightest. His face said everything but also communicated…hurt. And that pain made Hinata feel worse than she already did.
Naruto looked down cast and mumbled: "I thought you trusted me…" "I do! But I need to handle this on my own! Not have someone else shoulder my burden because I'm too weak to do it myself!"
The words had just slipped right out of Hinata's mouth and it made Naruto confused: "Why do you need to suffer alone and make it last longer rather than get someone else's help and get through it quick and without as much hurt?"
"I can't rely on you and Sasuke for everything. I had to rely on you two so much in the academy. What does it say about my strength as a Hyuga if I have to rely on others to get anywhere? What does it say about my strength if I had to rely on the Nibi to defeat that monster? Just how weak am I?" Hinata mumbled.
"It says that you weren't ready to handle everything on your own just yet. It says you have people to trust in when things are bad. And having to trust in them isn't weakness, it's a strength of its own. I had to rely on the Kyubi to stand a chance against that shadow asshole. Does it mean I'm weak?" Naruto stated calmly.
Hinata went wide eyed about the insinuation and nearly shouted: "No! That man was a monster who was trying to kill you! You and Sasuke hadn't fought anyone as bloodthirsty as him, and you hadn't had the experience that man had been through. You two did the best you could. You did the best you could Naruto-kun, you just needed the Kyubi to turn the tide."
Naruto looked her dead in the eye: "Then why are you going off about yourself being weak for having to do the same? He was fighting to capture you. He had to hold back, my opponent didn't."
Hinata couldn't respond and tried to deflect: "…what kind of monster slashes a man's head off with her nails?"
"Someone, not something, who knows that the bastard she was fighting was looking to take her away from everyone she knew. We both knew we would be killing when we chose to be ninja. That doesn't make us monsters unless we start actively seeking to kill as many people as we can, and stop seeing others as people and just more things to enjoy killing." Naruto responded
"Maybe it would have been for the best if they took…" Hinata started but was interrupted. "Don't you fucking dare finish that…" Naruto almost snarled.
Hinata was caught off guard by the change of demeanor from Naruto and the harsh language that Naruto usually tried to keep tame around her. "No one would have missed…" "I would have. I would have felt like a piece of me was torn away." Naruto retorted while not understanding where that sentiment was coming from. But he continued: "and your family, well maybe not Neji but fuck him, would be worried sick. We'd be fighting tooth and nail to find you and get you back home. Away from whatever creep that Netori bastard is."
Hinata felt the tears begin to well up in her eyes at the unspoken 'why do you think so little of us?' Hinata lunged towards Naruto and hugged tightly as the floodgates flew open and the sobbing started.
Naruto, as much of a hugger he was, was caught off guard by Hinata's sudden hug, even compared to the one she gave him during the True Genin Exam.
Naruto slowly and gently wrapped his arms around the crying girl and just talked softly, remembering all the times Rin had done it for him: "Just let it all out."
Hinata kept crying and then eventually calmed down.
Naruto smiled and spoke: "Feeling better?" "Hmm-hmm." Hinata hummed in affirmation.
Hinata's mind refused to leave one comment and she had to dig deeper. "You really think I'm cute?"
Naruto responded: "Hell yeah I do."
Hinata spoke: "I-I always looked so plain next to other girls."
Naruto spoke before his mind really had a chance to think: "I think they look plain compared to you."
Both teens went wide eyed at Naruto's statement but Naruto just sighed before he soldiered on: "Look, I know we agreed to leave behind that night at the waterfall, but I can't. I can't get it out of my head. I thought you looked beautiful! Like what a kami would look like. And ever since that I can't help but just think about you. It got to the point where I can't think about my life without you being in it in the future. What caused me to go off and start taking the Kyubi's power was the idea that you might be taken away from me."
Hinata was stunned and Naruto almost took it for her being put off by what he said until she gave her response: "I can't imagine my life without you in it either. What drove me to draw on Nibi's power and kill that…thing…was him telling me that you were going to be killed. That was unacceptable to me. I can't live in a world without you in it. And I was embarrassed when I realized that you had seen me that night, but part of me was glad at the same time. My insistence to leave it behind was partly out of confusion, I didn't understand how I could feel embarrassed yet pleased over what you had seen. But, what you said, it gives me so much more happiness about that moment. I'll always feels embarrassment over it, but that moment will hold a special place for me for now and maybe even so much more one day."
Naruto started blushing as deeply as Hinata as he started scratching the back of his head.
Hinata was impressed with her confidence in this moment and decided to ride it out a little further: "W-when we get back home…"
Naruto looked straight at Hinata and her desire to get this out started to quaver but Hinata held firm as best she could: "…W-would you co-consider going out with me?"
Naruto's heart stopped as Hinata shut her eyes tight and prayed that when she opened them that he wouldn't reject her.
"Y-yeah. I think I'd like that." Naruto said after a moment's hesitation.
Hinata opened her eyes as tears of joy came out. "Thank you."
Hinata wrapped an arm around Naruto's back. A gesture that he returned with an arm around hers.
As the two sat peacefully admiring the moon in each other's company, a shadow moved by "Welcome to the world of love kids…so confusing at times yet so very much thrilling, where something can feel so wrong and yet so right at the same time. Where something can be absolutely humiliating if done to you by anyone else becomes exciting, liberating, and satisfying when done to you by that special someone."
The two kids started looking around confused, while the shadow ran off: 'aw shit thought transmission was active.'
Xxx
Naruto and Hinata found their way back to the Inn room about 15 minutes later to find a strange bearded man standing with two others that they didn't recognize. Well, Hinata vaguely recognized the bearded man and one of the other two.
It almost looked like Hideki and the bearded man were playing some kind of shogi game
The bearded man spoke: "Well look who we have here, White Eyes and the Little Bastard who fisted me, Hyuga Hinata and Uzumaki Naruto. Not meant how that phrasing sounds and no hard feelings."
Hinata blinked as she realized the man was indeed the shadow twister, and Naruto realized it as well. "Yeah, sorry about punching through your stomach. I wasn't feeling myself, y'know."
Hisashi waived them off, "Ehh, you're fine. I've been reduced to dust particles and still came out feeling fine. Uh, relatively speaking. I felt like shit for five days after it."
Hinata spoke: "I-I don't remember you having quite the uh…"
Hisashi smirked: "Disheveled and untamed appearance?"
Hinata nodded "yes."
Hisashi shrugged: "I stepped out for a while last night and didn't get back till about fifteen minutes ago. During that time I got lost at sea for about 5 hours, and that was how I ended up with this mess. Haven't had a chance to shave the beard and get my hair cut down to respectable or, in my case tolerable, length."
The two jinchuriki shared a look: "I don't think that has anything to do with that."
Hisashi went serious: "It's the truth, I tells ya! Anytime I get lost at sea, I end up with this mess in minutes. What I get for even thinking about trying to walk over water like a certain carpenter during a raging storm with massive tidal waves. My dumbass deserved it."
Anko made her presence as well as everyone else's known: "He told us the exact same thing. As little sense as what he saying makes, believe it or not it's probably the most coherent thing we have heard from him since he got here. Though I don't know how he knew our names or yours. And he never shared how much we owe him for the inn."
Hisashi's tanned complexion paled as his eyes shrank: "I….I,um…shit….this….you see….uh."
Hideki shook his head: "Dammit man. You almost got their names and didn't have to dig your way out of a hole. I'm not saving your drunk ass."
Hisashi went angry: "SHUT IT TUNDRA CRAWLER!"
Hideki shrugged before taking a swig of some drink in a tall glass bottle: "Sure thing, dessert dweller." Both sounded like slurs but there was a complete lack of aggression and venom behind the words.
'These guys are weird.' Was the general consensus.
Hisashi spoke: "You don't owe me anything, the people around here are throwing us anything we want. Don't know why and really need to find out. Anyways, I tried to tough it out, but uh, I got a little lost with how bad the wind and rain and waves were getting sooo I summoned one of my Animated Constructs, that makes no sense to you, it's a set of constructs that I can make or summon based on any living or sentient being that gets devoured by my shadows, I have about five: three oversized humanoids of varying sizes, Flint who holds a lot of sentimental value to me and my go to for when shit hits the fan, and a whale that tried to eat my men. Blubbery fucking bastard, serves you right for trying to eat my men you fucking dick. Anyways I summoned the whale, found an island, and landed there to wait until the storm passed enough for me to figure out where the hell I was and how the hell to get back. The storm passed after a few hours and I was able to figure out where I was, I was about 600 kilometers south of here, and I thought that the island wasn't that big so I didn't unsummon my whale…"
Hideki slumped into his chair: "No…You didn't do it again…"
Naomi's eyes started to glow red as her skin began glowing a light red or orange like a convective heating element: "Don't say it."
Hisashi started laughing awkwardly: "BUT I ended up misplacing my whale and spent 15 minutes wondering about the island muttering 'Where did I park my whale?' followed by an hour of me running around the island screaming: 'WHERE THE HELL DID I PARK MY WHALE?!' That was nerve wracking."
Hideki screamed as he placed his head in his hands: "ARE YOU SHITTING ME, IT HAPPENED AGAIN!? Dear god man, I have lost track of how many times you lose an actual whale or anything vaguely whale shaped or themed."
This conversation or reprimand went silent when Naomi silently went over to Hisashi and hugged him.
Hisashi froze like a deer realizing it had been spotted: "Why do I feel like I'm about to get yelled at by my mom? It's even more concerning considering that I never had a mother figure growing up and my own died not too long after I was born."
Naomi ignored that and spoke: "Hisa, please just be quiet for a moment. You're the dumbest smartass I ever met and that's saying something because you met my friends and some of them are so smart yet so completely idiotic just like you. But I wouldn't want you changed, because if you were any other way then it wouldn't be the man I fell in love with."
Hisashi face went blank: "Wow, that's really touching. But that's not very reassuring cause I feel like a child about to get spanked."
Naomi let go and responded: "It's because of this…"
Hisashi had a moment to mumble: "This what? OH SHIT!" Before he got slapped by Naomi who put all her strength in and his head twisted a complete 360 degrees with the skin tearing open with his body slumping as blood came out of the torn skin.
A sight that was sickening, even to the hardened ninjas due to how sudden it was.
But then the purple energy arced and pulled the body back together and Hisashi proved he was still alive: "FUCK DID THAT…actually I feel better, I had a crick in my neck and that actually solved it. Thanks dear!"
Naomi smirked before returning to her spot in the room, near an opened window.
Hisashi picked back up his thoughts: "Anyways, right now we're playing a game of chess, it's like shogi, to figure out who gets to escort Kazehira back to Argos Central to stand trial and tell Mr. Alvrick what happened. I got a man down, really I'm four men down with one injured and Yomi-Hime unconscious and then my little brother and his girl off who only knows where but they aren't hurt, who needs to go back to the Central as well so she can be under observation so her condition doesn't get worse and our emergency precautions don't end up fucking her in the ass and Yomi-Hime definitely is going so we're trying to figure out who else goes with Ol' Black and Gold eyes, that's who we nicknamed Yomi-Hime at Naomi's suggestion and it's another nickname, and Ty, our girl who's down. I would settle it with a game of cards but-" "THAT MOTHERFUCKER CHEATS JUST BY TOUCHING THE FUCKING DECK!" "-Mikhail, shit I meant Hideki, Hideki is convinced I can cheat at cards just by putting my hands on the deck of cards."
Hideki grumbled: "And this motherfucker seems to be predicting my every move like I'm an open book that he's reading!"
Hisashi went wide eyed as a look of manic glee came upon his face: "EHEHEHHEAHAHAHAHAHA! THAT'S BECAUSE I'M INSIDE YOUR HEAD, BITCH!"
Hideki looked at him blankly: "Prove it."
Hisashi's grin almost became too wide for his face: "You're going to make me to give a number between 1-20, 30-70, and 100-289,568. The three numbers would 17, 69(heh), and 187,237. You would be humming the lyrics of Escape from the City during this and be in the middle of the chorus. Then you would be remembering a skirmish that you and your sister fought during the Epsilon Incursion incident which I was also there during and was the event that traumatized me so bad and had me get so drunk that I didn't remember the next few week and ended up impregnating your sister. You would be picturing me doing that hopping squat dance that I can never remember the name of. I would be humming Friendship and Teamwork from Lemmings during it. Then you remember that LOZ1R Seed we ran where we went to slam Peters with a pork joke because dialogue randomization had one group of joke lines added in and then he turned it into an even bigger roasting of himself. Then that horrible FF4FE Seed we decided to run where Plague Horror got placed in the Elements' spot and we had to fight him to complete the seed. You're…" As Hisashi spoke, Hideki's face went from blank to increasingly more disturbed and horrified.
Naomi cut in: "Alright Hisa, cut the Bullshit. There is no way all of that is right. Right, Mikhail?" the squad medic and everyone else looked over to Mikhail/Hideki to find him with a hysterical look in his eyes as he shakily reached for the glass bottle, pulled out a knife, raised the bottle to lips and put a hole in the side of the bottle where the air pocket was and began chugging the liquid.
By the time he finished, Mikhail's face was burning red and he was panting: "Son of a bitch! He is inside my head." "HEHEHAHAHHAA! IT'S MY HEAD NOW!"
Hideki looked back at the game board and trying desperately to find a move that could surprise and break Hisashi's read. 'My Promethian Foresight isn't gonna help. I have to break this loop on my own.' Hideki grabbed one of the horse shaped pieces on his side of the board, but then he noticed the one thing that could truly throw Hisashi for a loop, the path fate hadn't laid out and the one thing that would piss Hisashi off more than anything. "I concede."
Hisashi started sputtering and making faces as he tried to regain composure: "You concede?! But that wasn't what I wanted!"
Hideki's eyes hardened: "I know. Fuck you asshole."
"AARAARRRGGHGHHHHHHHG!"
Hisashi's sputtering intensified and then what sounded like words came out of his mouth but the ninja recognized none of it. Naomi looked on with wide eyes and a nod of respect: "Well Mikhail, looks like you did it. You broke his read and triggered a breakdown. He's struggling to figure out what language he's supposed to be speaking."
Anko walked up to the two Jinchuriki and spoke quietly enough for them alone to hear her: "looks like you guys got somethings ironed out, like I asked you to and you ignored the other day."
Both Jinchuriki looked ashamed as Anko pat their shoulders: "Cheer up, I'm not mad. Just make sure that whenever you talk after this is over that you are honest and get everything cleared up. It's a good step towards a healthy intimate relationship."
Both looked at her surprised and looking for an answer but Anko just smiled and slinked away.
Hisashi calmed down and started speaking proper Japanese once more: "Well played you son of a bitch. Shake?"
Hideki nodded: "Shake." The two reached out to shake hands and once Hisashi clasped Hideki's hand, a distinct electrical noise could be heard and Hisashi appeared to be shocked. "FUCK!" Make that was now in the middle of being shocked.
Mikhail released the grip and showed the palm of his hand which had a device: "Got to love the old joy buzzer. How did that feel?"
Hisashi shivered: "Crazy. Like a party in my pants."
Hideki snorted: "Sounds bout like the third or fourth worst party ever."
Hisashi grinned: "OHO! You're not familiar with my pants, friend!"
"SNRK" the snorting sound echoed from multiple immature ninja who barely held in the laughter at the joke.
"Walked Straight into that one." Mikhail mumbled before a groggy voice cut in: "Yeah some things never change."
The voice of Kazehira. "I've been awake for a minute at least." The traitorous shadow stated after everyone began staring at him murderously.
"joy." The entire room responded flatly.
Hisashi spoke first: "I deal with you in a few minutes. If I remember. First," he made a gesture and two tendrils of shadows manifested off his shadow and sharpened before immediately moving to his face and moving cleanly and removing the facial hair from his face, "Getting rid of this goddamn beard. Scratchy-ass mess. Second," the tendrils snapped to and sliced cleanly through the disheveled mess of hair on top of his head and had his hair down to the length he had it at yesterday before he left. Then his hand moved to a white mug before time slowed down for Naruto and colors distorted as the world ground to a slow paced gait.
Naruto wondered aloud: "What the hell is this?"
Only to get his answer from Hideki: "It's called Time Compression, your time progression is sped up while everything else is slowed down. Not exactly indicative but if people don't understand what it's doing by name alone then you have an edge. Anyways, I extended the effect to you. Name's Koryo Hideki."
Naruto eyed him suspiciously: "And what do you want?" "Some help." "Yeah, not interested."
Hideki sighed: "I need help pulling a prank on Hisashi."
That got Naruto's interest: "Why me?" "He'll see me coming and trying to pull something a mile away. He won't be expecting it from you. We'll pull it right now. Swap his mug with this," Hideki said while holding out an identical mug, "then give it about a minute and enjoy the show."
Naruto grinned widely as he did as asked and swapped the mugs before he returned to his spot and the compression ended.
Everyone blinked but dismissed it except for Anko, Naomi, and Hisashi.
Hisashi shrugged before downed his entire drink: "…my coffee tasted funny." He said in a small voice before his eyes turned to Mikhail: "Well played you son of a bitch."
"What are-" someone began before being cut off by Hisashi's eyes going wide and focused as he began screaming.
Naomi picked up Hisashi's cup and took a sniff of the cup as Hideki began giggling his ass off: "Klatchian coffee. He's not hurt, just going through withdrawal all at once. This stuff is strong and kicks the body into high gear that causes alcohol to be filtered out quick, but the stronger dosages can risk sobering the drinker up too much. And that's exactly what just happened cause he was given the strongest legal mix and about 325.31 mL of it."
It took half an hour and an entire bottle of booze to calm the man down.
Though his unique condition and the damage he caused himself while trying to calm down made for excellent practice for Hinata.
Anko decided now was the time to get her team out of this madness: "Sorry to bail, but we have a mission to complete. C'MON TEAM 7!"
Zabuza spoke up: "Uh, yeah, we got to get moving as well soon." Though it seemed he wouldn't be able to escape at the same time as Anko and her team.
The genin nodded and followed and Sasuke just about screamed once they were out of that inn room: "Thank kami, I don't know how much more of that I could take. You and Hinata were lucky, you didn't have to sit through the first half of it."
Naruto looked at him quizzically: "That bad?"
Sasuke's eyes gained a far off look that answered both Naruto's spoken question and Hinata's unspoken one.
Hinata decided to ask: "Anko-sensei, are we actually completing our mission or w-were you just trying to get out of that room?"
Anko and Sasuke both picked up on the noticeable lack of stuttering from the Hyuga and both nodded and smirked with some satisfaction before Anko spoke: "Honestly: a bit of both. I did some asking around about Tazuna and found out where he lives. He doesn't start working on the bridge for a few hours and then works until Lunch, takes a brief break, and then works until pretty late in the evening. We're gonna deliver the supplies and then start training. We aren't leaving while Jashinist and Jinpachi are in the area. Neither's Zabuza. We got allies and a shared goal. Jinpachi's going to be out of commission for about 4 day after he got bit by that snake of mine with maybe a day after that. One of my shadow snakes was able to get a good bite in on him, with how his performance flagged after I got the bite in, I'd say he was somewhat resistant to Snake Venoms, and that resistance translated over to Ryuichi Cave snake venom techniques. I hit him with one of my strongest venoms and he was able to keep going for a while."
Naruto spoke up: "Hey, why didn't you hit him with your strongest?"
Anko responded: "the stronger venoms I can make by pumping chakra mixtures to my shadow snakes require larger chakra quantities to produce equivalent amount than my weaker venoms. My strongest venom takes a big ass chunk of my chakra to produce a pretty small amount. Guaranteed kill against anything without a pre-prepped resistance or a properly made anti-venin. Didn't use it cause I didn't know if Jinpachi was the only contender I was going to have to throw down with. But we're getting off topic, we complete the mission then start training. Whatever time we've got we are going to be using to the fullest. Those four days I know we have I'm going to be beating your asses into the ground so that whatever comes when Jinpachi comes back you can handle it better than you did Kazehira or Loptr. Hell, I'd like to get you guys strong enough that if those assholes managed to try again you'll just chew 'em up and spit them right out. Individually and quicker than you did, make Kazehira go through another hissy fit before Hisashi showed up to trap him, and Knock Their Asses Out! AND cut off Loptr's head again if you need to."
Anko had meant it as proving a point but also remembered yesterday when Hinata got queasy every time it was mentioned and was pleasantly…Surprised didn't work…shown that it was no longer the case.
Though all three genin did gulp slightly when Anko faced them with a blank face and her pupiless amber eyes hardened and trained on them as she stated her next sentence.
"I need to make sure you three get back alive. You three are probably going to be hating me these next few days but when we get home and everything you gained got you through, you will thank me. I'm going to be working you hard, you won't be dragging yourselves into bed and too tired to get up in the morning. If anything happens and you're like that then you won't be able to truly put in an effort and fight back."
The group shuddered but nodded with hardened eyes.
Naruto had the bright idea to ask a question: "So what's the training plan?"
"You familiar with Maito Gai kid?"
Naruto swore: "Oh Shit!"
End Chapter
Finally I finished this monster.
I sped up the NaruHina get together as an apology for how long this chapter took and how this arc will be extended. I'm going to take a few days off from writing and take it easy before I kick into gear to get the next chapter done.
I was going to wait until the Third Exam training period to get them together but I decided to speed it up. Also I have never seen Hinata be the one to suck it up and ask Naruto out. Decided to Thanos it. She hasn't confessed she's in love with Naruto, Hinata has only confessed that she feels for him the same way he does for her. That will come later.
And Hinata's dance has already occurred. That's my personal favorite scene from the Part 1 filler season.
I know it may be a little unoriginal to have other jonin-sensei borrow Gai's Training technique, but Gai's idea of training the body's muscles to match chakra boosted performance on pure muscle power alone is a great idea. The resulting increase in overall performance would be tremendous and could be stacked with Chakra enhancement for greater performance. I kinda think of it like one detail for Jennifer Walters/She-Hulk, her She-Hulk form was a pure power increase but they discovered that the Hulk variant of the Gamma Mutation was exponential based on the capabilities of the mutant's human form. Jennifer takes advantage of her ability to control her transformations somewhat and remains in her unpowered form for a period while she begins undergoing various types of training. The end result was her She-Hulk form gained a monstrous boost of strength that almost put her on the same strength level as her cousin Bruce Banner in his Green Hulk/Savage Hulk form whilst fully retaining her intelligence and mind.
Two Major references were given this chapter. The various affinities and how strong ones could be used for sensing is a collection of references. Lightning Affinity sensing Electrical impulses in the body was primarily meant as a reference to cr4zypt's Legacy where Naruto's primary affinity is Lightning and at first they believe his sensing is standard chakra sensing before discovering that he really senses the electrical impulses of the nervous system. Wind Affinity sensing breathing is a reference to JoJo's Bizarre Adventure Part 5: Vento Aureo (Golden Wind), specifically to Narancia and his stand Aerosmith/Li'l Bomber which has a radar ability called the CO2 Scope which can detect the CO2 emissions from breathing in a radius around the Stand, which fails when they are trying to find the Boss following his fight with Risotto Nero due to his Stand Metallica/ Metalix stripping all the iron out of Diavolo's blood so he isn't emitting CO2. By the time Team Bucciarati could detect his CO2 again as he has killed a civilian and performed an impromptu Blood Transfusion to restart his body's breathing, it's too late as Diavolo has reverted back to Doppio and disappeared into the masses. That same ability gets Narancia on Diavolo's threats to kill immediately list following the body swap from Silver Chariot Requiem using its Soul Swap as it could be used to track positions during King Crimson's time skips and determine whose body is holding Diavolo due to Diavolo's dual soul nature swapping him into a new body being shared with someone else, with the reveal that he's nearby and possibly in a body with a member of the team with him killing Narancia by impaling him on some decorative bars that he turns into spikes. Earth Affinity and Water Affinity sensing are Avatar the Last Airbender references. Water Affinity sensing the water in the blood is kinda a reference to the mechanic behind the concept of blood bending which utilizes the water in the blood to manipulate the human body and can only be done by an absurdly strong and skilled water bender or a more average master of Water Bending during a Full Moon which boosts the power of Water Bending (and serves as the reverse of what happens to Water bending during a lunar eclipse, shut off entirely. Fire Benders are strongest during the day time and in the summer months with their bending being boosted to absolutely absurd levels during the 100 year visit of Sozin's Comet but is cut off during the Solar Eclipse and holds the Lightning Bending variation and the method for a Fire Bender redirecting an enemy Fire Bender's lightning is based on Water Benders taking control of an enemy Water Benders attacks and redirecting them) and was how the variant was introduced. Earth Affinity sensing vibrations is a reference to Toph and Badger Moles. Badger Moles are a species that hold the honor of being the origin of the Modern Earth Bending style. Multiple animals are the basis for the modern bending styles with Sky Bison serving for Air Benders and Dragons for Fire Benders while the Moon itself and the twin spirits of Moon and Tide, Push and Pull, being the basis for Modern Water Bending. Badger Moles are naturally blind but their sense of touch is enhance as a result and further augmented by their bending capabilities which allows them to see the vibrations of the earth. Toph learns how to as well when she was young and with her learning how the Badger Moles bend by spending time with them she becomes one of the most powerful Earth Benders ever seen. The other reference is Where did I park my Whale? Where the hell Did I park my Whale?! Which is a reference once again to Let's Racing Time. This one to their first Final Fantasy 4 Free Enterprise race. Everything Hisashi said in his proving he was in Mikhail/Hideki's head was a reference with the pork joke being a reference to Let's Racing Time LoZ1R the Trolliest Seed. One dialogue was swapped into 'Gannon, the other white meat.' Which was a reference to a pork selling point at one time and one racer talked to the Host RazanirTheOrc (Orcs are typically pig monsters if you didn't know) and asked if he was offended by that line and Raz said he was amused by it which prompted the racer to jokingly call Raz a cannibal and I'm not repeating Raz's response so as to not offend people who might get offended if taken the wrong way. There are two other references of note: (felt like a party in my pants. Sounds like the third or fourth worst party. OHO! You're not familiar with my pants friend) is a reference to Let's Racing Time yet again, their original Super Mario World Race this time; and Klatchian coffee which is to Discworld and it does exactly what I showed.
I was going to do an Omake here where I did my take on the Waterfall scene but I couldn't get it to where I was happy about it and so I decided to scrap it for this chapter and have it in the next when I could get it where I was happy with it and have it Beta'd to ensure sanity. The Omake was scrapped at 6:25 PM 6/6/2021. Final grammar check commenced and upload will soon follow.
So what did you guys think? Leave a review and give me your input. Constructive criticism helps the process.
Next Time: Gato's fate revealed, training, some backstory for Team Zabuza, and a taste of what's to come. (Hopefully)
Well that's all I got so I must be heading on.
Until Next Time:
Stay Safe and Stay Healthy!
SEE YA LATER!