Chapter 4
Konan was not expecting the intruder to look like this. She sensed him as his signature climbed over Ame's walls and was playfully stalking these children. She has seen some strange things with the Akatsuki. But this certainly was something that made her feel like Orochimaru had let loose one of his experiments to spy on them. She went forward with her interrogation after the hybrid confirmed it once was human. Making sure to keep it yes or no questions, since it could only roar, growl, or purr his responses.
"If you were once human, do you by chance know the White Snake Sage, Orochimaru?" Konan asked.
Naruto growled at the mention of that pedophile as he nodded his head.
"Was it he that turned you into this?"
The Indoraptor shook his head. Getting Konan and the children curiouser and curiouser.
"Then you were turned into this by some other mad scientist like Orochimaru?" he nodded back in response.
"Is this scientist still alive?" she pondered if this new threat may endanger the Elemental Nations if someone could create a hybrid that had Biju chakra mixed in their system. She was relieved when her answer came with the shake of the head.
The Indoraptor knew Dr. Wu was still alive in the other world. But he had a feeling that the geneticist may end up dead sooner or later to how chaotic most of his creations have been. Like the Indoraptor's predecessors, Indominus Rex and Experiment E750, the Scorpius Rex.(A/N: Spoilers for those that have not seen Season 3 of Camp Cretaceous)
"Are you from a clan?" Konan questioned. Thinking that he must come from a special clan if someone could think to experiment with such like Orochimaru.
This time Naruto gave more than just head motion. He decided to show his kekkei genkai, to hide his true clanship so it would not relate Naruto Uzumaki that was still considered missing to the Elemental Nations at large. After bobbing his head, the Indoraptor stood on his hind legs to show his true height while having bones poke put from his chest and having an Ankylosaurus like bone club at the end of his tail.
Kohaku and Hanzo had stars in their eyes at seeing such a cool bloodline that would make Naruto an ultimate monster tank if he could create bone armor plating to cover all his body. Kita was a little freaked by this as she huddled behind Konan's coat. Konan comforted the child before voicing her deduction.
"So you are one of the last of the Kaguya Clan. I had thought you all become extinct after the Kiri Civil War. Especially with the last known powerful Dead-Bone Pulse user to have perished under Orochimaru's command three years ago. Do you have control over your bestial tendencies and your chakra control?" Naruto nodded both times for the last two. Especially now that Sasuke was dead and no longer around to taunt or harm his precious people.
"Then that would mean you can use the Transformation Jutsu to look more human, correct?" that last one had the Indoraptor to facefault. Having forgotten two of the three basics of the Academy.
He wanted to turn himself more human without having to use the Transformation Technique which was only a short-term solution. However, he could not fault that perhaps he should have tried doing when his mother and Karin were training with him, but the Shadow Clones were more invaluable in helping him master his chakra much faster. It seemed now looked like a good time to test it out.
Gathering his chakra, a large plume of smoke covers the Indoraptor. Once the smoke clears it reveals a more human looking version of Naruto, only much older with orange spiked hair and no whisker marks to keep his identity a secret. He stood 5ft 7in and was wearing black form fitting long sleeve jacket and pants that had his signature Indoraptor yellow stripe and wearing combat boots that had the raptor toe claws. His eyes were still slit orange/yellow as he gave a shark like grin that would make a member of the Swordsman of the Mists proud.
The only thing that made him stand out more was his dinosaur tail that poked out from behind his back. But that is not what had Konan trembling in bewilderment. Seeing the orange spiked hair made her see her old teammate and friend, Yahiko, before his body was taken over by Nagato who uses it as his main Pain persona. She was pulled out of her surprise when Naruto coughed into his human hand with short black claws to try and see if he could talk again.
"Raagh…Aiee…I…I am human again. Though kind of. I was really hoping to get better with my chakra so I could turn myself human and my other form at will. This should please Kaa-chan. Thank you, Tenshi-chan." Naruto thanked Konan as the kids started to now encroach him with questions and compliments as Naruto smiled. Having to be accepted by these children for both his human and dinosaur forms.
Seeing Naruto with the kids made her think of Yahiko was to her and Nagato when they were little. She was always complimented by the citizens of Ame of being a beautiful angel, but hearing Naruto call her that made her blush a little. Yet that blush went away to question this man again to know his name and purpose here.
"Thank you for the compliment, Kaguya-san. However, I still wish to know your name and why you are here?" Konan was back to her emotionless origami mode.
Naruto patted the kids on the head as he beckoned them to get behind him. With Kita holding his tail like a child holding a parent's hand. "You are right, Tenshi-chan. But if I am sharing my name, can I hear yours first?"
"It's Konan."
"Konan. Thank you, Konan-chan. I am Kyu, short for Kyuryu, because I was born during a great misfortune in my village. That misfortune had me separate from my Kaa-chan who was believed to be dead but found me after I escaped my captor who turned me into a hybrid. She was the first person to see me as a person after I was changed. Kaa-chan has been helping me recover and learn to control my abilities before we headed to Water Country to restart our clan now that the Bloodline Civil War is over. Especially with the more bloodthirsty members of my clan not around to make a fuss for the rest of Kiri." Naruto explained.
"Then why is it that you are here and not heading east?" Konan pointed out.
Naruto rubbed the back of his head before sheepishly replying. "I was still under the assumption that I did not have enough chakra control to change myself human, so I was wandering in my beast form, which was dubbed the Indoraptor, to keep my Kaa-chan safe from a distance while we traveled through Fire Country. However, I got distracted by a snake fish that I just wanted to eat as I followed it upriver to the outskirts of your Hidden Village."
It was after he said that his stomach started growling again. Requiring more food to help recover his lost energy that is currently being drained by his transformation. He was not the only one as the orphan's tummy's also began roaring in agreement to the hunger that they were all feeling. To the surprise of them, Konan gave a smile at the situation.
"You have answered my questions, Kyu-san. As a reward allow me to treat you to some food after we leave this fallen district. This is no place for children to practice their ninja training and strangers to wander." Konan scolded the trio who preferred to stare at the ground that started to get wet again as it started to rain in Ame.
"We're sorry, angel-sama. Um, dragon-sama?" Kita cutely looked up to Naruto with pleading eyes.
"Yes, little one?"
"C-Can I ride on your back? I want to see how the world looks from your eyes. Even though I am trying to practice my Wind Jutsu and battle fans to help me learn how to fly like Lady Tenshi." Kita pouts at not being as skilled or graceful as Konan.
Naruto smiles before he picks the twelve-year-old up and onto his shoulders that Kita could now see things just a little above Kyu and Konan who were almost the same height. Even with it raining. Kita was having fun while Hanzo and Kohaku followed behind them as they went the marketplace to grab some food. Konan sent a paper clone to inform Lord Pain and be her stand in as the Akatsuki were about to soon deliberate on whether they should begin the gathering of Biju now or wait for the Kyuubi jinchuriki to make an appearance again after the he vanished in the Valley of the End.
Scene Change
"How long has it been since we gathered like this?" wondered aloud one of the ten projections of the Akatsuki that were being projected under Pain's Tower.
"Three years since the time Itachi and you failed to take the Nine-Tails, Kisame." Said the projection of hunchback form of Sasori.
"Hey now partner. There is no need to get upset. After all they had to deal with one of the Sage of the Leaf before it brought more attention to our group then what was needed. Speaking of the Nine-Tails, has there been any word on what happened to that little runt?" Deidara asked Zetsu, the snoop of the Akatsuki.
"After the failed Konoha invasion of Sound and Sand, Sasuke Uchiha tried to make a run for Orochimaru, but was stopped by the jinchuriki. Unfortunately, the battle they had in the Valley of the End was so destructive that we only saw the aftermath. The jinchuriki had vanished while the Uchiha was unconsciously returned to Konoha. Jiraiya has had no success in finding him for the last three years. Which means the one called Naruto Uzumaki is deeply hidden or dead." Zetsu informed them.
"However, there has been talk that an Uzumaki has returned and was last seen traveling around Fire Country and was heading east beyond the borders."
"Do you know the name of this Uzumaki?" Konan's paper clone asked the plant man.
"Its none other then the Red Death of Konoha, the former princess of Uzu. Kushina Uzumaki. Having somehow been brought back from death after she was supposedly killed during the Kyuubi attack many years ago."
Hearing Kushina's name had a lot of hidden reactions among the ten. Konan was surprised to hear that another Uzumaki lived like Nagato and the missing Naruto. Nagato wondered if this Uzumaki was related to his long-deceased mother, Fuso. Tobi, aka Obito, was in turmoil that he may have another ghost of his past that he would need to put down before he can revive Rin and remake the world. Itachi was confused at the friend of his mother Mikoto would be seen wandering the Elemental Nations and not staying in Konoha.
"Do you know why she is wandering the nations instead of recuperating in the Leaf?" Itachi asked.
"From what we could gather, she is heartbroken at how poorly Konoha treated the jinchuriki who was revealed weeks ago that he was the son of Kushina and the Fourth Hokage. There is also news that she fought and killed Danzo Shimura who tried to take the Hokage seat with the backing of Root and the last loyal Uchiha. Sadly, your brother died while trying to force the kunoichi to rebreed the Uchiha Clan and using an awakened Mangenkyo Sharingan to prove his superiority. Talk about self-esteem." The white side of Zetsu snarked as everyone was silent at this other news.
Itachi did not show it but he was trembling in anger that his little brother had died and could no longer be the planned redeemer of the Uchiha. But also at how stupid Sasuke was in trying to force himself upon the widow of the Fourth Hokage and the friend of their mother. Konan and Nagato were surprised that Danzo is no more. Now the two leaders responsible for Yahiko's death are gone.
"Be that as it may, we still have much work to do. Konan, I would like you to find Kushina Uzumaki to see if she knows more on the Nine-Tails whereabouts. Deidara, Sasori, you are to infiltrate the Hidden Village of Sand and retrieve the holder of the Ichibi. Once we have successfully siphoned the One-Tail into the Gedo Statue we will continue our hunt for the rest of the Biju that are within our radar." Pain ordered as the projections faded away.
Tobi sent a look to Pain before he too faded. It was then Nagato turned to Konan to see why she had a clone appear in their important meeting. "Did you find what was that powerful chakra that had entered my domain?"
"I did. It was a member of the Kaguya Clan that had escaped experimentation that destroyed the scientist and his research. He has been morphed into Biju hybrid in the form of a draconic beast called and Indoraptor. Only with the help of his remaining clansmen has he been regaining his humanity. I have fed him and several orphans that he has befriended and has shown known ill intent towards them or to Ame." Konan informed Pain.
"Do you know which of Tailed-Beasts resonates with the hybrid?" The Rinnegan God wondered, if only to use the hybrid for the plan if capturing one the Tailed-Beasts proves ineffective.
"From what I could sense, his chakra is strong, if not stronger than the Seven or Eight-Tails. But I'm not certain if his power will bloom that it could be a substitute for the Kyuubi if the Uzumaki doesn't know or possess anything related to it." Said Konan.
"No matter. I have learned of another holder of the power of the Nine-Tails hidden within the Fire Temple. See if you can convince the Kaguya or the Uzumaki to join our cause for peace." Nagato instructs her.
"Surely Kushina Uzumaki would not be so against her own family. You are of her blood Nagato." Konan assures him.
"I am more than just an Uzumaki, Konan. I am God." Pain affirmed.
Causing Konan to wither at that. Before she too fades and releases her clone jutsu to inform the real Konan of her new mission.
Scene Change
Konan had finished enjoying her favorite food of flame-broiled fish with the children watching in awe as Kyu continue to chow down on his sixth big bowl of ramen. She worried if Kyu would get suspicious if she asked him here and now to join the Akatsuki. She then thought of joining Kyu on his trip to Kiri so that she could find the Uzumaki with the Kaguya's help and ask them both the chance at joining them to world peace. That would work.
"Kyu?" Konan got Naruto's attention after he finished eating the last of his meal. The patronage of the restraint gladly serving these poor souls that were blessed by the angel's mercy.
"Hm, what's up Konan-chan?" Naruto gave his full attention.
"I just received word from my god that I need to travel to Kiri to search for a family member of his. Would it be alright if I escorted you to the Land of the Hidden Mists to find this person and extend this invitation?" she asks.
Naruto knew that since she was a member of the Akatsuki there was more to this than meets the eye. However, he felt indebted to her at sparing both him and the kids and serving them a real meal. He just needed to convince her to have the trio come along as well to help them get away from their troubles for a time.
"I will gladly enjoy your company on our trip to Kiri. However, I have a few conditions. One, allow Kita, Hanzo, and Kohaku to us on your mission. It will be their first C-Rank escort mission to prove that they are great upcoming ninja for the Rain Village."
Konan did not want to endanger the children, but she saw that Kita was putting up her most powerful puppy-eyed jutsu while Hanzo and Kohaku were kneeling in a praying manner. Begging to come along. She gave in and nodded her head much to the joy of Naruto and the kids.
"And the second?" Konan wondered.
"It would be best if you do not wear your Akatsuki clothing. Fire Country is on high alert on your organization after Orochimaru's previous alignment with you and the surprise visit of Itachi and the wielder of legendary Samehada to Konoha earlier. Do you have something else you could wear?" Naruto tells her.
Konan understands this as she closes her eyes much to Naruto and the Ame Trio's confusion. Her Akatsuki robe was transformed into origami butterflies that dispersed and flew away. Revealing Konan to be wearing a skimpy skintight zipper blue robe and pants that drew her impressive, curved figure and showed her unblemished arms, back, toes, and pierced bellybutton area that complimented with her orange nail polish and beautiful amber/orange eyes. Naruto, Hanzo, and Kohaku were agape at how beautiful the Angel of Rain looked with Kita having stars in her eyes.
"…That was impressive, Konan-chan! But wouldn't it been easier to just seal your cloak into a sealing scroll?" Naruto asked as he and the boys tried to hide their nosebleeds.
"I am naturally gifted with origami. I can change paper into whatever I want them to be like how you use your Transformation Jutsu. The only seal I need for paper is the explosive tags that can catch anyone off guard. Even without my cloak I've learned to never let myself be bothered by the rain." Said Konan.
"Alright then. Team Ame, this is your first C-rank mission! Konan-chan will be your supervisor and sensei while we travel to Kiri. Your job is to protect me, your client, while you escort me through Fire Country. Are you ready?" Naruto asked them.
"Hai!" they all shout with one voice.
Naruto and Konan smile at the young ninja at having their first out of country mission. They would make sure to teach them and strengthen their abilities to better defend the client and their home.
The only downside was when Konan would find out who Naruto really is once she meets his mother and cousin. Naruto only hoped that he could convince the beautiful angel that taking the Akatsuki's mission was not the right path to peace. And that they should spare the jinchuriki who most had no say in having the Biju sealed inside them or treated like super weapons for the Five Great Nations.
Naruto and the Ame team exited the eastern gate as they began the long trek to Kiri. Although Naruto had made the trip to Ame while in dino form with chakra boosted speed, he had no idea how long the trip would take with him and the others walking across the open roads of the Land of Fire. The secret Uzumaki only hoped that he could make it to Kiri before his mom decided to hunt him down. Unable to use the Toads or Dino Summons without raising suspicions to the faithful angel of Lord Pain.
Scene Change
For the past 24 hours Kushina was worried sick that something must have happened to her boy. Karin tried to take her mind off Naruto by getting themselves settled in their new residence while she comforted the mother that he would be back soon. Unfortunately, mother instincts were on high alert as she could no longer stand by and wait for Naruto to come back.
After training and eating lunch, Kushina summoned her sister pack as she explained the situation.
"My son has been gone for more than a day and I need to find him. How good are your tracking skills?" Kushina demanded.
"No, worries Alpha Red! Our tracking is the best par none!" Delta informed her.
"Especially now that we learned how to use this chakra power better with those Toads help. This will be a piece of cake!" boasted Echo.
"But what if Naruto was captured by poachers? They might suspect that there might be more of you with his beasty appearance. How can we keep the element of surprise, Dattebane!" Kushina worries.
"No problem Alpha. Our training in chakra has allowed is allow us to shapeshift into humanlike in appearance. Let's show her, sisters!" Charlie declared as the three velociraptors started to change right before the Uzumaki's eyes.
When the transformation was complete, three triplet kunoichi wielding dual blades stood before Kushina before all three kneeled in bowing respect with only their raptor tails sticking out from behind them. Waiting to receive their orders. Kushina was amazed and jealous at how good these girls looked. The coloration of their outfits and short hair helped Kushina differentiate between them.
Kushina quickly pulled out Naruto's personal pillow that he has been sleeping with until he ran off near Kiri. The dark green haired Delta took a several whiffs of the pillow with the tan haired Echo and light green Charlie following suit. After having got into her battle gear, Kushina unsheathed her katana that signaled the raptor girls to begin the hunt. With the Red-Hot Habanero keeping pace as they dashed through Kiri and proceeded to the bordering sea where all four were in diamond formation Water Walking, more like running, towards Naruto's last location. Delta in front, Charlie and Echo on the sides, and Kushina covering their back.
'Don't worry, Sochi! Mommy's Coming!'
Boom! Another chapter! I hope you enjoyed that as much as I did writing it. For those who are asking about the Ame trio, I just thought of making another Konohamaru Team with some characteristics from the Naruto series and other games/movies. Kita = 12-year-old Kitana from Mortal Kombat but with the hairstyle of Chihro from Spirited Away. Hanzo = brown haired grandson of Hanzo the Salamander(having the former Kage's apparel, but for one his age), not Hanzo from MK(but I can get him to say, 'Get Over Here!' We will see.) Kohaku = orange haired Konohamaru that I got the name from Haku in Spirited Away while wielding a kusarigama(Scythe with chains, I totally missed the name of the weapon until now).
I gave the dinosaurs/raptors more humanoid looks to make the story more interesting. Which are based on crazy-shark artwork from Deviantart) Jurassic Moe_ Indominus(Only this story has her have red eyes), Delta, Charlie, and Echo, etc.
I just turned 28 today and I am happy that the vaccine for Covid is still working. Life finds a way.
Stay Healthy and Stay Safe!