The Konoha shinobi found a small red eyed child with purple hair wrapped in the bundle that Sasuke had retrieved, and upon questioning him Haku had been disturbed to learn just how similar the relationship between Raiga and Ranmaru was to the one Haku had once shared with Zabuza. From the pained look on Naruto's face when the small boy asked them to kill him the blonde noticed the similarities too.
The blonde Uzumaki refused to have the boy killed, and he was instead tied up with a seal placed to suppress his chakra, "We'll come save you after we deal with the rest of the Kurosuki family." Naruto promised before the Konoha ninja returned to their mission.
Sakura was clearly trying not to blush or show how much she enjoyed Sasuke helping her walk as Naruto leaned on Haku as the team returned to the village. Neji stopped them, "The Kurosuki family has left a trap," he warned, "orders?" he asked, turning to the chunin.
"You three take them out, Haku and I will help these two towards the village while you deal with them." Sasuke ordered and the three genin of Team Gai rushed off to deal with the threat. The remaining Kurosuki thugs were no match for them even in their tired state and they knocked out their adversaries before the trap was even sprung.
Karashi was with the villages and he looked strangely frightened as the seven Konoha shinobi approached, likely because the miners were all glaring daggers at him, the ninja arrived just as he was trying to reason with them.
"Please understand, if I didn't go along with that plan, the Kurosuki family would have killed me!" Karashi insisted fearfully, holding his hands up in surrender as the miners pulled out hammers and other tools.
One of them brandished a hammer at the young man, "How about in place of them, I crack your skull open with this hammer!?" he threatened angrily, the other village folk voicing their agreements as they surrounded the terrified man.
Lee leaped between the villagers and Karashi, "Please strike me instead!" he asked with a deep bow, confusing the miners, "It is partially my responsibility that Karashi-san mistakenly believed that power is everything." the genin explained.
Karashi tried to agree but the miners were still mad at him, "Quiet you!" one of them yelled at the young man who flinched away from the reprimand.
"Karashi-san is still inexperienced, but he is capable of making curry that can save lives." Lee insisted, "Please allow him to atone by making curry with Sansho-baachan, I swear if he goes astray again I shall punish him with my fists!" the bowl cut genin promised. The miners seemed uncertain but they agreed to let Lee and Sansho deal with Karashi.
"Well that's one thing dealt with." Neji spoke up, "Now that boy, Ranmaru." he said and the ninja took Karashi with them to where they'd left Ranmaru.
Ranmaru was still inconsolable, and insisted that his life was over. He even told them that losing Raiga was like losing his body. Haku felt bad for the small boy, remembering his own sorrow over Zabuza seemingly discarding him. The boy looked to the blonde who saved him, remembering how the Uzumaki had given him new purpose and still denied that he was a tool.
"Screw that!" Naruto exclaimed, "Being used by someone else isn't living." he insisted as he started untying the boy, "I'll be your body until you can walk on your own," he continued, surprising the other ninja and Karashi when he picked the small boy up to ride on his back and Haku still found himself surprised by how selfless the blonde could be, Sakura was just amazed her teammate already had the strength to manage that and hoped Sasuke didn't insist she should be able to move on her own, "but you're coming with us and eating Sansho-baachan's curry of life until you're strong enough to move on your own!"
Lee smiled at the display and words, and even Sasuke gave a small smirk, but everyone else looked a bit disturbed, "That curry, wouldn't it damage his body?" Tenten asked and Haku agreed silently but didn't want to verbalize it.
"Naruto-san, you and Sasuke-san could barely eat it, right?" Neji asked, remembering how the boys had barely powered through their dish in the odd competition they'd had with each other.
Naruto just grinned, "Maybe at first, but the more I ate the more each bite filled me with energy!" he insisted. Sasuke tried not to show his surprise as the others wondered just what kind of stomachs Naruto and Lee actually had.
Ranmaru was surprised as well but frowned, "Please, let me see Raiga first?" he begged, the others glanced at each other but Naruto nodded.
After taking Ranmaru to see Raiga one last time, where Neji used his Byakugan to confirm that the man was indeed dead, and Haku felt another wave of nausea that he fought down at that knowledge, the Konoha ninja returned to the Curry of Life Shop. Sansho was happy to see her son, but punished him with a curry spicier than anything else, Naruto and Lee both still wanted to eat it and Sasuke wondered if the blondes affinity for the spicy food was related to his Uzumaki healing factor or the kitsune. The Uchiha decided he was better off not knowing.
To the concern of Naruto and Haku, Ranmaru didn't want to eat even though he was assured it was only mild. They couldn't force him however, and could only let the frail boy rest for now. Haku didn't blame the young boy as he didn't feel like eating either, which clearly bothered Naruto.
Lee began teaching Karashi how to train his body when the beginnings of a storm because apparent. The Konoha ninja all worked to help Sansho cut down nearby trees and prepare for the storm. Sakura had recovered enough to help too, although she would have pretended otherwise if Sasuke had fussed over her at all, but once her life wasn't in danger he was as aloof as ever, much to her disappointment.
"Sakura, Tenten," Neji spoke up, "Karashi and Ranmaru have been inside for a while, we should be fine out here, could you two check on them?" he asked, and Sakura was a little disappointed the Hyuga was showing more concern for her recovering body than her own teammate but agreed and went with Tenten.
The two kunoichi were concerned that neither Karashi or Ranmaru were nearby and started tracking them. When they found them near Raiga's corpse, both on the ground they were concerned. Then a lightning bolt struck Raiga and he seemed to rise from the grave.
"We have to stop him." Tenten said with determination, Sakura frowned as she wasn't fully recovered and wanted to regroup with the others first, but she agreed with the other girl with a determined nod.
Raiga blocked their hail of shuriken and kunai with his Kiba as they descended the cliff face, Tenten pulled a kusari-fundo from one of her scrolls and threw it at the swordsman, striking the ground with one weighted end and attempting to wrap the chain around the man.
Sakura leaped to a throw weapons from a different angle but Raiga released Raiton chakra to half the projectiles, Sakura and Tenten wondered what kind of chakra this guy had as the genin dropped her chain to avoid being shocked. Raiga grabbed the chain, channeled his Raiton chakra into it, and struck Tenten with it, knocking the girl flying with a cry of pain before he turned on Sakura.
The pink haired girl was nervous, she tried to think but she didn't know many ninjutsu and her Doton no Jutsu were useless against her opponent, and she cursed herself for not opening the fight with a genjutsu to support Tenten. Sakura glared, trying not to feel weak but the fact she was wounded still and couldn't stand up to this swordsman was obvious.
"You guys are the comrades of that brat, right?" Raiga asked, narrowing his eyes at Sakura who was more braced to dodge and go on the full defensive than fight back, "Hey, I'm not too smart, but why the hell is Ranmaru like that?" the man asked suddenly as Tenten pulled herself to her feet, "Was it you!?"
Sakura risked a glance at Ranmaru and frowned, "I don't get why he's like that either." she answered carefully, "However you were dead, which means he must have given you his life force somehow." she wasn't sure how pinning the blame on him would go, but she hoped the guilt might distract him.
Raiga seemed surprised, "Ranmaru did-?" he cut himself off with a scowl, "So if they hadn't brought me to the brink of death," he growled, "Ranmaru and I would be together forever!?"
Sakura and Tenten braced themselves as Raiga raised his blades and lightning struck him before arcing off of him towards them, they both dodged but realized what a dangerous situation they were in, "Sakura-san!" Tenten called out, "You're still recovering, go get the others!" she requested as she pulled out a wooden staff, figuring a non-conductive weapon would be her best chance as long as she fought defensively.
The chunin frowned, not wanting to leave a genin to fight one of the Kiri no Shinobigatana Shichinin Shu even if the genin was technically older than her, but she couldn't deny the truth of the other kunoichi's words, "I'll be back soon!" Sakura promised as she used shunshin to escape.
Sakura rushed back to Sansho's shop as fast as she could, "Guys!" she called out as she got close, getting the attention of the other shinobi, "Ranmaru-kun somehow revived Raiga!" she warned when she saw she had their attention, "Tenten-san gave me a chance to escape but-" she trailed off, uncertain how to finish.
"Where?" Naruto asked, his eye hard, Haku was relieved that he hadn't killed but horrified that his inability to kill might lead to Tenten dying instead.
"Right where his body was." Sakura answered and the other ninja were gone in an instant, leaving the pink haired chunin struggling to keep up.
On the way there they ran into Karashi who cowered when he saw them, "Where's Tenten?" Sakura asked and Karashi looked away. Haku felt his stomach drop and Naruto ran past the young man without another look at him, the other ninja following close behind.
Sakura grimaced but followed after a moment, determined to keep up even if it killed her.
Raiga was waiting for them, "None of you get a funeral." he said angrily, "I'm offering your corpses up to Ranmaru!" he declared, raising his blades to act as a lightning rod. Sasuke activated his Sharingan and Raijin no Ken.
Naruto pulled a scroll out of his flak vest and pulled his katana from it, glaring at Raiga as he did, "Naruto-san," Neji spoke up, his Byakugan active already, "There is Raiton chakra everywhere, Sasuke-san's weapon may be able to stand up to those blades of his, but for the rest of us, using weapons would only put us at risk." he warned.
Naruto put the scroll away but not the sword, "I'll be fine," he said, raising his forehead protector, "I'm pretty pissed at that guy right now y'know." he explained and Sasuke noticed that while his teammates right eye was closed, his whisker marks had deepened and the Sharingan tomoe had turned jagged and spun around a slit pupil, "Sasuke, protect Sakura and the genin." he ordered, surprising the Uchiha.
Haku frowned, he didn't like being included with the genin, "You want to fight me alone?" Raiga asked, giving the blonde a confused glare, "Fine, it doesn't matter the order, I'll-" he began as it rained around them.
Naruto shifted the scabbard of his sword to rest between the crooks of his elbows and created eleven kage bunshin, then six Naruto used shunshin as the other six ran through different sets of hand seals. Raiga reacted swiftly, calling down a lightning strike on himself before directing it at the six who came at him with shunshin, five of them dispelled and one screamed in pain.
Haku's eyes widened in horror but the bunshin didn't disappear, a Suidan and a Toppa shot at Raiga from two different angles, both attacks were destroyed by the Kiba and lightning arced towards the bunshin who used the jutsu. Another four had made chidori and flicked their swords from their scabbard, running at Raiga only for the lightning to blast them into smoke too.
While Raiga was dealing with the other bunshin Naruto had made another and was forming a Rasengan, holding his still sheathed blade by the scabbard in his left hand before dashing at the man.
Haku couldn't stand by, he realized he hadn't been given an order and made a hand seal, forming mirrors in the air before using them to enhance his speed, biting his thumbs and running through hand seals as he zigzagged through the mirrors, narrowly avoiding lightning before using kuchiyose to allow Naruto to appear right behind Raiga.
Naruto didn't reprimand Haku and swung his Rasengan without a word, the swordsman was startled by the move and narrowly brought his blades into a cross to block the swirling orb of chakra. The Rasengan drilled against the legendary swords but was soon destroyed, knocking Naruto's right arm back with a burst of electricity. The blonde winced but twisted his body, putting his thumb against the guard of his katana to hold it in the scabbard as he struck at the blade in Raiga's left hand before swiping the blade in his right hand with the wooden scabbard, then he flicked the blade from it's sheath with his thumb, grabbed the handle with his right hand and threw the scabbard back as he swung the blade at his opponent.
Raiga was startled but managed to step back and avoid most of the blade, but it still struck and sliced from his chin up to his cheek. Naruto twisted the blade, grabbed the bottom of the handle with his other hand, and stepped forward into a downward slash.
Raiga blocked the katana blade by crossing Kiba again, electrifying the blonde. Naruto grit his teeth but didn't scream, he pulled the sword back and thrust. Raiga parried with his left hand blade and moved to swing at the blonde boy's neck with his right hand blade but senbon struck his arms and he glanced in surprise at Haku.
Naruto swung, the blade was hard for him to wield but he'd practiced with it and Haku had given what instruction he could, with the Sharingan assisting his predictive abilities and Haku backing him up his sword caught Raiga's right elbow and disarmed the man literally.
Naruto swung again and winced as Raiga blocked, Haku caught the other falling weapon the man had been disarmed of and swung it, forcing the man to adjust his block to catch his own blade. Before Raiga could disarm Haku however Naruto swung again and the one armed shinobi became a no armed shinobi.
Haku pulled the stolen half of Kiba back as Naruto grabbed the other half with his left hand before they both stabbed Raiga in either side of the chest, electricity arcing off the blades and into the one who had wielded them until that point. The man screamed, his last thoughts of failing Ranmaru before his charred corpse fell.
Naruto panted and Haku really felt like he might be sick, but when Naruto started to fall Haku caught him as the other ninja jumped to them.
"Typical," Sasuke spoke up, "I get a cool lightning sword, so you just had to have one too huh?" the Uchiha asked with a smirk that indicated he was just trying to lighten the mood. Haku didn't really appreciate it but Naruto chuckled weakly.
The six ninja returned and were surprised to be met by Tenten on the way back to the Curry Shop, along with Ranmaru, Karashi, and Sansho.
Ranmaru frowned when he saw Haku and Naruto were each holding one of the blades that made up Kiba, "So, Raiga-san is actually-?" he trailed off, looking between the older boy supporting the younger boy and the blonde shinobi leaning against the dark haired ninja.
"I'm sorry." Haku said truthfully, eyes downcast. He truly hadn't wanted to kill, but he had refused to let Naruto die.
Ranmaru asked to hold a funeral for Raiga, no one objected to his wish. Apparently Tenten had convinced the boy to live for himself finally, but he was still sad he hadn't been able to save Raiga and stop the man from doing bad things. The small boy had decided to atone by assisting Sansho in making curry and the old woman had been happy to take him in.
Kakashi wasn't sure what to make of the mission report regarding the Kurosuki Family Removal. The gold mine in Kawa no Kuni had been saved, but the mission had apparently been quite the melancholy one. At least the mission hadn't actually increased in rank this time, although Raiga had apparently had the assistance of a Kekkei Genkai of unknown origin that had completed negated both of the other kinds of dojutsu on the mission so he still counted that as part of the curse.
Haku had one half of the legendary Kiba wrapped in bandages and hanging from his sash while the other one was hanging from an orange sash Naruto had acquired on the way home. Given the design Kakashi assumed Haku had picked it out for him, that or the blonde wanted one that matched what Haku already wore.
The Hokage knew this could potentially cause an incident with Kirigakure no Sato, but also they'd lost all seven of their legendary swords anyway so as far as he was concerned Naruto and Haku could keep the blades.
There was one thing bothering the Kage known as Sharingan Kakashi about the report, "Sasuke-kun," he began, unsure how to phrase this, "why did you allow Naruto-kun to fight an A rank enemy by himself?
Sasuke just shrugged, "Naruto asked me to watch over Sakura and the genin, considering Raiga targeted Haku while he was down before and Naruto did some weird super shunshin but still took the hit I assumed it would be better if I was ready to defend them with Raijin no Ken," he explained, Haku didn't look happy about being reminded that Naruto had taken an electric stab wound for him again, "besides Haku helped him."
Kakashi looked skeptical, "Super shunshin?" he asked, bringing up the other detail that was strange as Naruto grinned like the cat that caught the canary.
Sasuke shrugged again, "I don't know, he did the seal of confrontation and moved instantly," he explained, "I'm pretty sure it was faster than shunshin, whatever he did my Sharingan couldn't keep up or copy it." he added, sounding annoyed by the last part.
Kakashi's eye widened in realization before narrowing at the grinning blonde who had put both arms behind his head as if to mime relaxing on a bed while standing up, "You figured it out already?" the Godaime asked, impressed and surprised.
Haku figured out what they were talking about, "Naruto-kun studied the three pronged kunai you gave him all week, whenever he wasn't doing physical training. Before the mission he asked me to hold onto it for luck." he explained, Sasuke, Sakura, and the genin were just confused.
Naruto looked pleased with himself, "I'm pretty awesome, right?" he bragged happily.
Kakashi was bewildered, "Well," he began, "credit where credit is due, you managed to learn an S rank jutsu in a week without instruction. A jutsu that the Nidaime Hokage invented and, until now, the Yondaime Hokage was the only other person to figure it out." he explained, earning wide eyed looks from everyone else in the room, "Hiraishin no Jutsu is quite feared, for good reason." he finished.
Naruto chuckled, "Yeah I can see why, I couldn't figure it out at first at all, then I figured out the formula is like a signature." he explained, "I still don't fully get it if I'm honest, but I was able to figure out my personal formula and put it on the kunai you gave me."
The other ninja in the room could barely believe what they were hearing, "I thought you were the dead last?" Neji spoke up, feeling just a little bit lied to.
"Academy grades are bullshit." Sasuke answered for the blonde, "You should know that by now with Lee." he added and the bowl cut genin beamed, cheeks pink at the vague praise.
"Naruto-kun still needs to work on his chakra control," Haku spoke up, "but thanks to his chakra reserves he can practice ninjutsu to the point that most would suffer chakra exhaustion and then keep practicing."
Kakashi remembered that the hyperactive blonde had managed to learn the Kage Bunshin no Jutsu within an hour while half the village was looking for him, "He also just seems to have a talent for ninjutsu." the Godaime Hokage mused as he pulled out the pay slips for the mission before dismissing the ninja.
When they got home Naruto had taken first shower, at Haku's insistence, and Karin noticed the hole that went through the flak vest and mesh undershirt, "What the heck is this?" the red eyed girl asked in concern and the boy with the Hyoton Kekkei Genkai sighed.
"Naruto-kun got stabbed on our mission." Haku answered, not wanting to talk about the why or how that had happened at all.
Kin noticed where the holes were and raised an eye, "Through the lung?" she asked, "He seemed fine though." the kunoichi mused, confused.
"Uzumaki are sturdy." Haku answered with a shrug, not sure how else to put it.
"We aren't that sturdy, did your team have an iryonin?" Karin pointed out, curious.
"No," Haku answered with a frown as the shower stopped running, "I think the demon's chakra enhances the Uzumaki healing factor, it seems to affect the Sharingan that Sasuke-san gave him in some way too." he explained.
"Haku-chan! Shower's free y'know!" Naruto called out on his way to his room and Karin wondered why the two didn't share the shower with everything else they did together but decided not to bring it up. Haku stood and went to go have his own shower.
"Kin-san," Karin said as she removed the scrolls from Naruto's flak vest, "would you go and request a new flak vest for Naruto-nii at the tower. I'd prefer he not go into battle with a hole in his armor and knowing him he'll be rushing head first into another mission as soon as he's allowed." the red haired girl asked the black haired girl, Kin just shrugged and left to do as she was asked.
Haku couldn't sleep, he kept his eyes closed until he was certain Naruto was asleep for the sake of the blonde but sat up carefully when he was certain the Uzumaki was actually asleep. The brown eyed boy worried he'd woken Naruto for a moment when his movements pulled the blankets down but neither eye of the blonde opened and his breathing remained steady.
The vassal looked over Naruto's face, noticing that there wasn't even a scar over the left eye of the chunin despite it having been gouged out with a kunai. Haku unbuttoned the pajama shirt of the boy he loved and inspected the right side of his chest, looking at where the skin was slightly lighter in the two places Naruto had been stabbed for him.
The dark haired boy looked at the first, the fist sized hole of slightly paler flesh and gently traced it with his finger, surprised that it wasn't even scar tissue like one would expect. His finger traced lower, the stab wound was similarly not scar tissue despite the web of lightened flesh around the smaller patch of lighter skin indicating the wound had also been an electrical burn.
"Haku-chan," Naruto spoke up and the older boy startled, feeling like he'd been caught doing something wrong, "what are you doing?" the blonde asked, only his right eye was open and he looked confused.
"I suppose I'm admiring your body," Haku decided on, hiding the real reason behind a half truth that made the blonde young teen blush, "reminding myself that you're alive, that your heart still beats." the older teen added, placing his palm on the other boy's bare chest as he lay back down, resting his head in the crook of the smaller teen's shoulder.
Naruto frowned, "Of course I'm alive." he said as if he hadn't been stabbed in the lung with an electrified blade.
Haku frowned, "Naruto-kun, when I saw you get stabbed I froze." he confessed, "When you were coughing up blood in my arms I thought I was going to lose you." he added, closing his eyes, "Please don't scare me like that anymore?" he requested as he moved his arm to drape it across the blonde.
Naruto wrapped his right arm around the older boy's shoulders, not sure if he actually could promise that, "I'll try," he said, "I'll get stronger and try not to get hurt like that again, but I won't let you get hurt either." he promised as he rested his cheek against the top of Haku's head and pulled the blanket back up over them, "My body can withstand it, and I was wearing armor." he excused.
Knowing that was probably the best he'd get Haku didn't press for more as the two fell asleep in each others arms.
"Sasuke-kun, do you want to spar with me?" Sakura asked when she found him training a couple of days after they returned from Kawa no Kuni.
The Uchiha had been ready to ignore her date request when he stopped in the middle of his shurikenjutsu kata as her actual request registered. He was surprised, he knew she was taking training more seriously and hadn't asked him on a date in a while so she wasn't as annoying anymore, but he knew she still had a crush on him from the looks she kept giving him.
"You want to spar?" Sasuke asked, making sure his ears weren't playing tricks on him and Sakura nodded. He raised an eyebrow at her, "Well, alright then." he agreed, taking a loose stance that would allow him to shift into any of the other stances he'd copied.
Sakura took the academy basic stance but she was better at covering her openings at least. Sasuke decided to let his teammate open and it took her a moment but she palmed a trio of shuriken and tossed them at him, he saw them coming even without his Sharingan active and palmed a kunai in his right hand and moved aside, knocking two towards the third as he stepped around the grouping.
Sasuke tossed the kunai at the pink haired chunin, aiming to graze her leg. Sakura dived to the side and used shunshin to come at him, the Uchiha twisted and crouched, slammed his elbow into her stomach as she appeared then swept her legs.
Sakura hit the ground winded, having expected to last at least a little bit longer than that. Sasuke tried not to be disappointed as he moved to help her up. Suddenly the pink haired kunoichi scowled and grabbed his offered hand and threw him to the ground. Sasuke was taken by surprise and the two grappled for a moment but with a twist the Uchiha reversed it and had his opponent pinned under him.
"Damn it, how am I supposed to keep up with you?" Sakura asked as her teammate got up off her and dusted himself off.
"Train more?" Sasuke suggested, surprised but happy that the girl was taking being a ninja more seriously. His answer just had her pouting as she pulled herself up to her knees.
"Can I train with you?" Sakura asked hopefully. The Uchiha raised an eyebrow, considering it, but he wanted to get stronger himself not help his teammate play catch up.
"Fine," Sasuke decided, not wanting to discourage the girl since she was finally taking her training seriously, "just try to keep up and don't interfere with my own training." he stipulated and the girl stood up, nodding her head emphatically with an expression that indicated she hadn't actually expected him to say yes.
Tsunade checked on Kimimaro again, his condition was getting better when she finally figured out what was wrong. His Kekkei Genkai made his bones denser and cut off the production of his blood cells in the bone marrow by messing with the circulation of his bone marrow. She hadn't even been sure how to treat it at first but had eventually managed to force his bones to produce the blood cells and push it into his blood stream.
The Kaguya hadn't been pleased to find out he was basically killing himself the whole time and had relaxed his Shikotsumyaku, allowing the circulation of his bone marrow to return to normal levels. Studying his illness and figuring out how to treat it had advanced her own skills some but the Sannin still wasn't sure what to do about the boy himself.
Since he was recovering they couldn't keep him hospitalized, but he also didn't react to any kind of mental torture and had the willpower to shake off the Yamanaka clan hijutsu. To top it off he'd likely never bend under physical torture either. Basically Konoha had no way to get information out of him and he was a prisoner forever because as soon as he was fully recovered Orochimaru would probably try to get him back or send him orders.
Worse, the Shikotsumyaku meant he was always armed, so they'd have to keep him down with chakra suppressant seals. Despite his health recovering the boy seemed as melancholy as ever and made no indication he intended on doing anything, let alone escape, but he was a shinobi so that could be an act.
Tsunade left him a glass of water and some medicine, not bothering with small talk as she left the Kaguya under guard to speak with Kakashi about what should be done in regards to the boy. Jiraiya had avoided answering the question and Kakashi had been on an indefinite 'wait and see' phase that couldn't last forever.
"Orochimaru took over Ta no Kuni," Jiraiya began, surprising Kakashi and Tsunade, "apparently the place is called Oto no Kuni now." he explained. The other two ninja in the Hokage's office were concerned by this, especially the Hokage himself, "The daimyo himself is still a figure head, but it explains how Otogakure no Sato managed to establish itself, worse as a minor and young ninja village it's location is still hidden, I've only been able to find outposts and safe houses."
"Orochimaru really is proving himself to be a Kage level threat." Tsunade grumbled, this wasn't even what she'd wanted to discuss but the threat of her former teammate couldn't be ignored.
Kakashi considered the information, "Due to the small size of the village and Orochimaru's betrayal of the Kazekage it's unlikely any other village will work with him, even Iwagakure are unlikely to want to meet with him." he pointed out.
"While you're right about that, he has been gathering up small independant ninja clans, as well as collecting anyone with a strange or interesting power, plus his own experiments are as fruitful as they are unethical." Jiraiya explained, "Even a small force of shinobi enhanced by those Juin of his are likely to be an issue for the village, to my understanding four of them were his elite bodyguard in the fight against Sarutobi-sensei and they were using a Fuinjutsu the Anbu couldn't get through."
Kakashi frowned under his mask, "If he manages to trap one of us," he began, not wanting to say what he was thinking.
"Then Jiraiya would be the only one who would have a chance." Tsunade finished, thinking of her own phobia, "Worse, we've already got one of his loyal ninja in the village with a Juin on them." she pointed out, steering the discussion towards Kimimaro.
"I've been thinking about that," Jiraiya said and Tsunade raised an eyebrow at him, "that kid has some issues, but Naruto got him to open up, and he commented on the similarities between our old teammate and my new student too." he explained and the buxom iryonin narrowed her eyes at her teammate.
"What are you suggesting?" Kakashi asked, not liking the blonde Jinchuriki being compared to the twisted traitor either and making his disapproval known with the look in his eye.
Jiraiya frowned, noting their displeasure but it wasn't like he was happy about the similarities either, "I'm thinking that Kin girl has been awfully well behaved." he said, letting the other two connect the dots.
"In case you forgot, Anko Mitarashi still suffers from pain from Orochimaru's Juin," Tsunade began with a scowl, "and he can apparently cause that pain at will!" she spat, "If that's built into the Juin by default then all turning him to our side will do is make another ninja that Orochimaru can torture at will!" she exclaimed, clearly against the idea.
Kakashi nodded in agreement with Tsunade, he didn't want to disparage Anko's efforts but the fact was the Juin was an issue, "Unless you've found a way to remove the Juin, which I'm sure Mitarashi-san would love to hear about, then it probably isn't a great idea to try turning one of Orochimaru's most loyal followers against him." he pointed out.
Jiraiya shrugged, "I still can't remove it, but being to examine a complete version of the Juin and recognizing the senjutsu inherent to it gives some ideas." he answered, "If he was cooperative and gave us information it might even go faster." he added slyly.
Kakashi sighed, "Naruto-kun won't go for it if he knows, but he's a surprising one." he pointed out, "Let them talk more, he's a kind boy so maybe he'll be able to do something. So far he's converted a few away from dark paths, maybe he can do it again?" the Hokage suggested, deciding to let the blonde try.
"Why am I talking to that guy again?" Naruto asked Jiraiya as they approached the hospital, both of his vassals coming along this time.
"For that matter, why am I here?" Kin asked, trying not to show how terrified she was to be seeing Kimimaro after having defected to Konoha.
Jiraiya decided to be honest but not too honest, "You're a good influence." he told Naruto, "You need to get over your fear of anything related to Orochimaru." he added towards Kin, "You don't actually need to come, but I'm not going to bother trying to keep you from following Naruto like the love struck teen you are." he finished and Haku, the subject of that comment blushed and glared.
Kin didn't look happy but didn't try to run and Naruto just shrugged, still not sure he got it but deciding to talk with the white haired guy again. The blonde had been informed that the older white haired teen was named Kimimaro Kaguya.
The teen in question was still in hospital, and while he was looking better physically he was still pale and his expression still betrayed how much he really didn't care at all, "Oi, Kimimaro," Naruto began with a wave as they entered, "still think Orochimaru is the best?" he asked and the older boy glared.
Kimimaro's glare passed to Kin and the girl hid behind Naruto, "Orochimaru-sama is the greatest," he said, "I see that one has selfishly decided her own life is more valuable than Orochimaru-sama's goals." he accused with venom.
Naruto raised an eyebrow, "Why shouldn't she? You should always value your own life, and you should only care about people who value your life too." he argued.
"It is far more righteous to be selfless," Kimimaro began and Jiraiya was surprised at that mindset, not that he disagreed but coming from a servant of the twisted snake it was strange, "Orochimaru-sama values me, but I would never expect him to value my life more than his goals." he said with determination.
Naruto frowned, "What the hell are his goals anyway?" he asked, curious as to what could possibly inspire such loyalty.
"Immortality," Kimimaro answered, "to defeat death so that none should suffer loss." his words surprised Jiraiya but the blonde seemed angry, "Much like yourself in fact." the white haired teen finished with a pointed look at the Uzumaki.
"Bullshit!" Naruto swore, glaring at the Kaguya, "Orochimaru killed the old man, he forced this entire village to feel loss! The old man was a father, a grandfather, a leader, and a sensei! People cared about him and they were forced to mourn his death early because that snake killed him!" he accused angrily.
"Old man?" Kimimaro asked, raising an eyebrow, "If you mean the Sandaime Hokage then Orochimaru-sama was acting on revenge against one who stood in the way of his goals." the teen answered, still certain of himself.
"Orochimaru's goals included torturing innocent people, experimenting on them, and killing anyone who got in his way." Jiraiya spoke up, "That's not compassion for those who have lost their loved ones like he did, that's him being terrified of death." he explained.
Kimimaro glared at Jiraiya, but before he could answer another spoke up, "Naruto-kun is far more compassionate," Haku said, "he doesn't fear death for himself, only those he cares about." the dark haired teen explained.
Naruto seemed confused by those words, "Well, of course I'm scared of dying," he corrected, "and I don't blame Orochimaru for being scared of death either," he continued which earned the full attention of Kimimaro, "but he definitely lied to you. If he actually cared about the loss of others he wouldn't have attacked the village like he did, if he actually only wanted revenge he would have only gone after the old man, and if the old man did anything to be deserving of that revenge he should have made the old man make it up to him, not just kill him and be done with it."
Jiraiya decided not to speak as Kimimaro absorbed the words, wondering where the discussion would go, "They're telling the truth and you know it." Kin spoke up, to their surprise, "How many died because of that Juin he put on them?" she asked, trying not to waver under the glare of the older ninja, "Sure we were all orphans that he took in and gave power and it might be selfish to be scared for my own safety but if I'd made bonds with someone would it be selfish to be scared for them too?"
"Enough!" Kimimaro snarled at Kin who flinched back behind the blonde, "Orochimaru-sama took those who had no purpose and gave it to them!" he snapped.
Kin shivered, "Yeah well," she managed to stutter, "Naruto-sama gave Haku-san purpose and never risked his life, I may not be all that strong but instead of leaving me to die he gave me purpose too and he doesn't expect me to die for his goals." she insisted, although the fact she was hiding behind the shorter ninja didn't help her case.
"Well then," Kimimaro said, turning his nose up at Kin, "what purpose are you granting that trash, Naruto Uzumaki?" he asked, deciding to pick apart the argument rather than dismiss it outright, something Jiraiya thought was interesting at least.
Naruto scowled and looked down, he wanted to say he didn't decide on anyone else's purpose, that it wasn't his place, that everyone had to find their own purpose. But the argument had gotten him thinking too, and he knew that as his vassal she was technically supposed to serve him even if he didn't like it.
Kimimaro waited for the blonde to consider it, but assumed the younger boy had no answer from his silence, "Her purpose is to live," Naruto began as he crossed his arms and closed his eye, "for herself and the village. Even if she owes her life to me all that means is that I want her to get strong and use that strength to protect those who can't help themselves, to form bonds with others and be there for them." he continued as he lifted his head, "No one should have to be alone." he finished with a firm nod.
Jiraiya was as impressed as he was proud, not having expected that of the boy and he found it difficult to keep the proud smile off his face. Haku made no attempt to hide his smile and Kin just looked surprised, the kunoichi decided she definitely had a better master with the blonde.
Kimimaro was stunned, and after a few moments of silence he averted his gaze, seeming conflicted. He hated that he had no response, he hated that the blonde was shaking his faith in Orochimaru, and he hated himself for allowing his faith to be shaken. When he remained silent Jiraiya took the other three young ninja from the room, leaving Kimimaro to think.