Hello all Storm here with a new chapter and a Merry Christmas to everyone! Here we'll be getting more of a look at Naruto's soldiers, who they are, and how she recruited some of them. So, without further ado.
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Having left Pohuai Stronghold and starting their way along the Earth Kingdom's coast, everyone could currently be found on the top deck the following day. With today being the first Chi-Blocking Lesson that Ty Lee was going to be giving them.
While Azula glanced around at the other soldiers, spotting Kurotsuchi, Chōji, Ino, and Haku, along with several other soldiers she's taken notice of.
One was a fairly tall woman with fair skin, pupiless brown eyes, and green hair that she tied in a bun on top of her head with a hair needle running through it and one short and long strands of hair with orange tips framing each side of her face. Along with being one of the few not wearing armor, instead wearing a sleeveless, backless top, short tight pants, with two lapels on the front and the back, an obi around her waist, as well as purple arm-warmers which extend up to her shoulders, bandages around her tights and ankles, and black sandals. Along with a black headband with the Fire Nation emblem on it.
This was Pakura, a skilled Firebender that Azula learned specialized in absorbing the heat out of objects and even people, as well as evaporating the moisture in their bodies.
Another was a girl who has long reddish-brown hair, lightly tanned skin, and blue eyes. With her wearing a cyan-blue gi with a cream-colored vest over it, blue shorts, dark arm-and-leg-bands, and brown sandals.
This was Amaru a Waterbender and Healer under Naruto, though she was a capable at fighting, even incorporating the use of poisons in her bending, she preferred healing than fighting.
A third soldier was a young man with pale skin, short, unkempt, black hair, black eyes and a relatively broad nose and well-defined eyelashes, that were turns upwards at each end. With him wearing the standard Fire Army armor.
This was Shisui Uchiha, another skilled Firebender and swordsman, along with having a more laidback and humble attitude despite his talent.
A fourth was a very tall, muscular young man with fair skin, spiky orange hair, and red-orange eyes. With him only wearing black pants and a long red cape with the Fire Nation emblem that covered his entire body.
This was Jūgo, an Earthbender with an unusually calm disposition, though Azula's heard that he becomes an entirely different person in battle, turning into a complete monster when needed.
Next were two non-benders Azula hadn't originally given much thought to, given they weren't benders until she heard more about them.
The first being Kiba Inuzuka, who specialized in tracking targets along with utilizing metal claws on his gauntlets and boots. Even having metal fangs created to put in his mouth, allowing him to fight like a wild animal.
And the second was Shikamaru Nara, who was possibly the laziest person Azula's ever seen, having seen him falling asleep during meetings and even laying around on the ship, simply staring up at the sky. The only reason she hasn't tried anything against him for such behavior was because he's under Naruto's command. And the fact that he's also apparently Naruto's top strategist, a claim she found skeptical until Naruto let her look over several plans Shikamaru had created. All of which detailing different potential scenarios that could happen during their mission.
With Azula having looked them all over in disbelief, having sat with her father during a few war meeting, so she knew a little about the planning put into the moves and strategies the Fire Nation makes. But Shikamaru seemed to take it a step further and thought over ever possible scenario that could happen and made a plan for it. Then made a backup plan in case it failed and another backup plan in case that one failed. Leaving the Fire Princess stunned that anyone could be that smart, but also left him be after seeing proof of his abilities.
Though everyone's attention turned to the front of the ship when Ty Lee appeared flipping through the air past them, before landing in front of everyone with a bright smile on her face.
"Hello everyone! My name's Ty Lee, and I'll be your Chi-Blocking Instructor!" Ty Lee said with a bow before standing up straight.
"Now then, for everyone who doesn't know, Chi-Blocking is an ancient technique that's practiced in secret, given how it can leave benders helpless by temporarily taking their bending. It's not something widely known by those who practice it. It focuses on delivering quick jabs and punches to opponents pressure points, with them being fast enough to not give enemies a chance to dodge or retaliate. The strikes can be delivered with your fingers and knuckles, as well as pressing down hard enough, which requires a good amount of strength in your fingers to effectively chi-block your opponent. It's also possible to use your feet, but that requires good flexibility and accuracy, otherwise it'd just be a regular kick." Ty Lee explained while looking around at everyone to make sure they were paying attention.
"Though Chi-Blocking is able to block a bender's Chi and even leave them paralyzed, which also makes it effective against non-benders to paralyze their limbs. The attacks can also be light enough, so they can still move but are unable to bend, while the strongest attacks will block their Chi, paralyze them, and leave them feel pain afterwards. However, while it's a useful skill, it's not perfect since if opponents are aware you can Chi-Block them, then they'll be able to anticipate it by adapting to avoid getting struck or make sure to keep you at a distance with their bending, if they have it. Strong enough armor also makes Chi-Blocking useless, since you'd be unable to hit their pressure points. So, if you're fighting an opponent that knows you can Chi-Block, you'll need to find a way to get in close enough to strike, as well as remove the armor they're wearing if they're wearing any." Said Ty Lee, wanting to make sure they knew the strengths and weaknesses of Chi-Blocking, so they didn't think it was all-powerful or anything to use.
"Now then, I'll need a volunteer to give you all a demonstration of Chi-Blocking and where to strike your opponents." Ty Lee said, knowing she'd need someone to volunteer to help her demonstrate Chi-Blocking, at least until they got a proper training dummy to practice on.
With no one looking eager at the chance to be Chi-Blocked, even if it's just a demonstration, none of them wanted to experience being cut off from their being or paralyzed.
"I'll do it." Naruto said, stepping forward, much to the shock Ty Lee, Mai and the Yuyan Archers, while no one else looked surprised that he'd volunteered.
"He's…he's not serious is he?" Mai asked, looking at Azula, not believing he'd volunteer to be used to demonstrate Chi-Blocking.
"Mai, I've only known him for a few days and talked with him even fewer times. And what I've seen so far, yes he's serious." Replied Azula, not knowing much about Naruto, but from she's seen and learned ever since this mission began he would do something like this.
"Um are…are you sure Naruto? If you don't want to volunteer I'll understand." Ty Lee said, hesitant at the idea of Chi-Blocking the whiskered Firebender, only for Naruto to smile reassuringly at her.
"It's alright Ty Lee, really. But if it helps, you don't actually need to Chi-Block me outside of lessons where you need to. Besides, I trust you." Said Naruto, surprising the brunette before she smiled and nodded.
"Okay, if you're sure, and thank you Naruto. Though um…you'll actually need to…take off your armor…and shirt, since I need to show where to accurately hit on the body." Said Ty Lee while blushing lightly at needing him to take off his clothes.
With Naruto being surprised at this before nodding as he began removing his armor, getting all the female soldiers to look at him eagerly, much to Azula's annoyance.
"Remember who he's marrying!" Azula said in annoyance at how they were looking at her fiancé.
"You aren't married yet Princess and we aren't wasting the chance for a free show." Replied June, while looking at Naruto, eager to see him without most of his clothes, making the Fire Princess growl lowly.
"Lighten up sweetheart, and enjoy the view like the rest of us." Kurotsuchi added, grinning in excitement as Naruto took off his shirt, leaving him in just his pants and boots.
"Anything else you need me to do?" Naruto asked, looking at Ty Lee, who was looking at him with wide eyes and a bright blush on her face.
"Uuuhhh…" Ty Lee said, feeling her mind go blank for a moment as she only looked at his muscular body, torn between cursing Azula for being engaged to him and wanting to know if she'd be willing to share.
'I'll show them how flexible I really am.' Thought Ty Lee with her eyes glazing over for a moment.
"Ty Lee!" Said Azula, narrowing her eyes at her friend upon seeing how she's basically drooling over Naruto, while snapping the Chi-Blocker out of her increasingly mature thoughts.
"R-ri-right! Th-th-th-that's perfect Naruto! J-ju-just stand right there!" Said Ty Lee, embarrassed at her behavior and what she was thinking.
"Now um…everyone pay close attention to see where to strike an opponent's pressure points, as you'll need to be extremely precise otherwise they won't work. And…um…" Ty Lee said, trailing off when she looked at Neji and Hanabi, remembering that they're blind and couldn't actually see.
"Don't stop on our account, we'll be able to see everything just fine." Said Hanabi, knowing Ty Lee stopped because of them.
"While we can't see like the rest of you, we can hear and feel the vibrations around us, giving us a form of echolocation similar to bats, which also provides a view of our entire surroundings, rather than just what's in front of us. We'll be able to still "see" where to strike." Neji said, surprising and amazing several soldiers at how they could still see everything around them.
"Oh, well that's good. Alright then, once more pay attention to where I strike. And remember, be fast and precise." Said Ty Lee before she began going through the motions of her Chi-Blocking, giving gentle taps to each of Naruto's pressure points, not hard enough to do anything but enough to show where they were.
With everyone working to mimic her movements, imagining someone standing in front of them to strike their pressure points. Azula and Mai having the easiest time copying the movements from all the time they've spent with Ty Lee, giving them a better understanding of Chi-Blocking. While the Yuyan Archers were also starting to get the hang of it, given being quick and precise was part of their training, along with having perfect accuracy.
"Think we'd be able to use Chi-Blocking with our bows and arrows if we strike an opponent's pressure points?" Tenten said, looking at Neji and Hanabi, along with the other Archers who had similar thoughts on if they'd be able to do such a thing.
"It may be a possibility, but I'm unsure if our regular arrows would be able to work the same as a jab to a pressure point." Replied Neji, with his cousin nodding in agreement.
"Agreed. Though it may be possible if we used blunted arrows or different arrowheads to simply impact rather than pierce." Hanabi added, with the Archers thinking it over along with the idea of using different kinds of arrows that could be used to chi-block opponents.
'Hmm, not a bad idea. Wonder if I could do the same with my whip.' Thought June, intrigued at the idea of using her whip to strike her opponents pressure points to paralyze them, giving her another method of incapacitating and capturing targets.
Mai also had similar thoughts about being able to use her knives to chi-block opponents, knowing she'd be able to hit their pressure points with her accuracy.
'Let's see how dangerous you are without your bending and being full of knives.' Mai thought darkly, imagining using such a method on the Avatar to leave him helpless and take her time getting revenge on him.
After giving a few more demonstrations of where to strike, Ty Lee turned back to everyone, clapping her hands together with a smile.
"Alright, I think that's enough of a demonstration, now to put it into practice. Everyone get into groups to practice Chi-Blocking each other, you're free to hold back from actually Chi-Blocking, but make sure you still try to use some strength." Said Ty Lee, with everyone nodding as they got into groups.
*Later*
Everyone continued practicing Chi-Blocking for a few hours, making good progress in learning the fighting style, with Neji and Hanabi also proving to have a talent for it. With the lesson soon coming to an end as everyone moved onto more independent training.
"I gotta say Aura Girl, you certainly make for an effective teacher." June stated as she trained with Naruto, Azula, Ty Lee, and Mai, actually impressed with the acrobat's lesson.
"Hehehehe, thanks. I was actually pretty nervous about teaching so many people, but I just pretended like it was another show I was putting on and it came naturally." Replied Ty Lee with a smile, glad the first lesson went so well.
"Well if you keep at it like this, I'm sure you could start teaching your own classes of Chi-Blocking to have more people start learning it." Naruto said, knowing a lot of non-benders and even benders would want to learn Chi-Blocking with how useful it is, while Ty Lee looked at him in surprise.
"You think I could teach classes?" Ty Lee asked, not sure what to think of that, since teaching soldiers Chi-Blocking was one thing, but actively teaching classes on it is another.
"Yeah, I mean only if you wanted to. Since you are a really talented teacher Ty Lee, so I'm sure you'd be great at showing and training others." Replied Naruto, making Ty Lee smile.
"Though if you don't mind me asking, where did you learn Chi-Blocking from anyway?" Naruto asked, curious about how Ty Lee learned Chi-Blocking since as far as he knew, there were no Chi-Blocking Masters in the Fire Nation, knowing if there they'd have joined the military and taught the soldiers.
"I…I actually learned from some books my family owns, I'm part of one of the noble families and was one of seven identical sisters, and I do mean identical. It…it made it difficult to stand out, when you're part of a matching set, so we all decided to have a talent only we specialized in and the others stayed away from it, I chose acrobatics. But I still felt like I was part of a matching set, always competing for attention and feeling neglected, so I also learned Chi-Blocking. Something none of my sisters knew and it did help that I finally had something that was really my own, but not a lot." Said Ty Lee before looking down, having always hated being part of a matching set with her sisters, having the same hairstyle, the same clothes, the same…everything, nothing that was really her own.
Before she looked up and smiled at Azula and Mai.
"That is until I attended the Royal Fire Academy for Girls, where I got to meet Azula and Mai, and…they only saw Ty Lee. They didn't see one part of a matching set, they only saw me and I was so happy we became friends, because now I really had something that was my own and people that saw me for me." Ty Lee said while smiling at her friends.
"Please don't get all mushy on us, there's only so much sickening sweetness I can handle before throwing up." Mai said dully, though had a slight smile on her face.
"Yes, please don't. You were simply not as annoying as the rest of the annoying brats sent there, as well as having actual talent." Azula said while looking away to hide the small smile.
"I love you girls too." Ty Lee said happily.
"Well, even if you have six identical sisters Ty Lee, you definitely aren't part of a matching set. You're very unique from what I've seen, you care a lot about your friends, enough to leave your life at the circus behind. You don't hesitate to help them or jump to their defense, you're really strong and brave, and you're not afraid to be yourself. I don't think I'd have any problem picking you out of a thousand identical sisters because there's only one Ty Lee." Naruto said, smiling at the acrobat, who looked at him in surprise before smiling brightly and hugged him tightly.
"Aaaaaah! You are so sweet, Azula's so lucky to get to marry you! Smart, kind, strong, and handsome." Ty Lee said with her tone turning flirtatious along with a matching smile, giggling when she heard the Fire Princess growl lowly and flipped away from the whiskered Firebender.
"Uuhh, thanks Ty Lee and she's lucky to have you and Mai as friends. Speaking of which, where did you learn to use knives Mai? Were you…taught by someone?" Questioned Naruto, unsure if she'd be willing to talk about her life after what happened to her parents.
"No, I taught myself out of boredom." Mai replied, surprising Naruto at how she learned knife-throwing.
"You taught yourself to throw knives…out of boredom?" Naruto said, with the ravenette nodding.
"Uh-huh, I threw them at my bedroom wall to entertain myself and eventually got a lot better at it by learning to aim at more difficult targets and how to ricochet them off the walls. That part helped a lot, as it let me just bounce them around my room and back into my hand, saving me the trouble of getting up to grab them." Said Mai, before flicking out one of her knives and throwing it on the ship deck, ricocheting off to hit the railing and flying straight into Mai's waiting hand.
"Wow, that's definitely impressive, you taught yourself all that without a teacher. But…why though?" Naruto asked, wondering why she'd choose to learn knife-throwing out of boredom rather than something else.
"Well I guess if we're sharing stories, I was a rich only child who got anything I wanted as long as I behaved and sat still, while not speaking unless spoken to. So I stayed the perfect little girl, did everything I was told and kept my thoughts and opinions to myself, never acting out or caring about expressing myself. But…that eventually got boring, so I taught myself to use knives since they were interesting and helped me deal with the boredom. Then I attended the Royal Fire Academy for Girls, met these two and I've had a headache ever since." Mai said boredly, though was noticeably tense when talking about her childhood since it made her think of her parents.
"Well…I'm sure we're all glad you chose learning to use knives as a hobby, since it means you got to join us." Said Naruto while smiling at Mai, who merely shrugged before stumbling when Ty Lee wrapped an arm around her.
"Yeah! And we wouldn't have any other way, having you with us! Since now we have more opportunities to get you to smile!" Said Ty Lee, making the knife-thrower look at her annoyance, though not really as she patted the acrobat on the back.
"Aaaaah, you're hurting my feelings Foxy. Focusing so much on them but you haven't asked me anything." June said in mock hurt, with Naruto rolling his eyes at her, having learned her games when they worked together before.
"How did you two meet, anyway?" Azula asked with narrowed eyes.
"I met June while on a mission to deal with some rebels causing trouble with supply lines, using guerrilla tactics and Earthbending, making it difficult to locate where they were hiding. So I hired June to help track them down." Replied Naruto, with the bounty hunter nodding with a smirk.
"It also helped they had some decent bounties on their head, so I'd be getting paid even more than usual, plus getting Foxy as company. Since most guys are either dumb enough to try flirting with me, ogling me, or run the moment they realize I can kick their asses. But Foxy here was the perfect gentleman, Nyla even took a liking to him." Said June, while Naruto simply shrugged and nodded.
"You're the best bounty hunter I've ever met, so I was interested to learn more about you and how you became as skilled as you are." Naruto said honestly, having wanted to know how June got so skilled as a bounty hunter and mercenary.
"How did you become a bounty hunter?" Questioned Ty Lee curiously.
"I was born into the profession and was trained by my dad; he was a bounty hunter too. We traveled all over the Earth Kingdom, helping me get familiar with the land and was taught how to track, fight and locate bounties. That's how I met Nyla, he was a reward from a rare animal collector after my dad completed a bounty for them, and we've been together ever since. While making sure to become even better, once Nyla and I went out on our own." June said with a pleased smirk at her success as a bounty hunter/mercenary.
"But I'll admit, it does get pretty boring when you're the best at what you do, that is until Foxy came along and helped spice things up. All the time you came knocking, it was always something new and interesting. And unlike the rest of my clients, he's not afraid getting his hands dirty rather than leaving all the work to me, making it even more interesting. I even started being generous and offered a discount every now and then for my services. And of course my offer will be standing whenever you're ready, Foxy~." June said slyly with a wink, making Naruto blush and look away.
"What offer?" Azula demanded, feeling her annoyance and jealousy spike.
"That instead of money, we'd have hot, steamy sex after completing a job together." June said bluntly with Naruto's blush growing, while Ty Lee's and Mai's eyes widened in shock at what she just said, as Azula's face turned red in anger and embarrassment.
"J-Ju-June, y-yo-you really d-d-don't need t-t-to offer th-th-tha-that, I-I s-si-simply d-d-didn't w-w-want t-to-to l-le-le-lea-leave y-yo-you to do e-ev-everything." Said Naruto, having believed June only made that offer as repayment for his help on the jobs they went on together.
"You're so sweet, Foxy. But I haven't made that offer to anyone, but you. Besides, the more refusals I get from you, the more I want to just tie you up." June said shamelessly, making Ty Lee and Mai blush while looking at her in disbelief, while Azula growled at June.
"You will do no such thing, you harlot! He is a future Prince of the Fire Nation and consort of the next Fire Lord! He will have no time to waste on such…deviant behavior!" Azula said, grabbing Naruto's arm and pulling him towards, with the bounty hunters smirk growing.
"Oh lighten up Princess, you can't get angry when Foxy has so many other girls and women wanting him, you saw how they were looking at him during training. Hell, Aura Girl there was practically drooling. I'd say get used to the idea of having competition." June said, with Ty Lee quickly looking away with a bright blush on her face while Azula scowled.
"A Princess of the Fire Nation does not share her fiancé nor does she worry about things like "competition"! Not that I see any in you!" Retorted Azula, June merely crossing her arms under her bust pushing it up.
"Sorry what was that? I couldn't hear you over the sound of a little girl throwing a tantrum." Said June tauntingly, making the younger ravenette growl at her.
"Come on, there's no need for you both to fight. I think you're both amazing comrades, so try to get along." Naruto said, getting between Azula and June before they could try fighting, before looking at the Fire Princess.
"Also, wouldn't you technically be Fire Lady rather than Fire Lord?" Questioned Naruto to try and change the subject, with Azula scoffing and crossing her arms.
"Of course not, I will succeed my father and be named Fire Lord as the title isn't exclusive to male rulers, unlike the title of "Lord". Whether it's a man or a woman, they would be known as the Fire Lord, while their spouse would be given the title "Lord" or "Lady"." Azula said, looking forward to the day she's named Fire Lord, intending to be better than her father, grandfather and great-grandfather ever were.
"Huh, learn something new every day. And I'm sure you'll be an amazing Fire Lord one day, Azula." Naruto said, smiling at his fiancée, who smirked proudly.
"I already knew that, but your praise is noted. At least I'll know I'll have a powerful general ruling by my side. And…having you both there, as well, will help." Said Azula while looking at Naruto before turning to Ty Lee and Mai, wanting them to be with her once she takes the throne.
Her words surprising both girls, before smiling. A small one in Mai's case, at seeing she really did want to start over and be real friends. The two also wishing to be there to help Azula whenever she needed them.
*Later*
Eventually, Naruto had called an end to the training with the soldiers all going to the mess hall for lunch, with Haku, Ino, Kurotsuchi, Pakura and Amaru sitting at a table together. Before looking up when they saw Naruto approaching. None of them surprised at his appearance, having learned that Naruto tended to eat with the soldiers rather than in private like most commanding officers, seeing it as a chance to bond more with them.
"Something you needed, General?" Pakura asked, with Naruto shaking his head as he sat down.
"No, I just wanted to see how you three were doing, after Omashu." Naruto said while looking at Haku, Kurotsuchi, and Ino, who all shrugged.
"We're fine, still pissed at what those bastards did and that that bastard Yung for daring to call us traitors. When it was his actions that lead to the death of all those people, including the very King he swore to serve and tried saving." Kurotsuchi replied, having wished to melt them in lava for their execution, but knew it was more personal for Mai to be the one to do it.
"Yeah, the same with that Water Tribe girl, who seemed to think we were brainwashed or something." Haku said with a frown.
"She's probably from the Southern Water Tribe, they definitely have a lot of reason to hate us." Ino stated, with Haku nodding in agreement.
"Don't take it personally or hold it against her, the South Pole suffered more than most during this war and they have plenty of reasons to not trust anyone from the Fire Nation." Naruto said before looking at Pakura and Amaru.
"And I want to apologize for not bringing you both and the others with us. I didn't think things would turn out the way they did, if I had known…well I probably would have brought none of you, so no one would have died." Added Naruto, knowing if he'd known what would happen he would have ensured everyone stayed on the ship so they wouldn't die.
"You know that wouldn't have worked. Even if you ordered us all to stay on the ship, we would have ignored the order and followed you anyway. The only difference is we all would have been there rather than just a few of us." Amaru said while shaking her head.
"Agreed. You may be fine risking only your life, sir. But the rest of us aren't going to just stand by and do nothing if you're at risk. You know it, we know it, everyone else knows it, you're just too stubborn to accept help." Said Pakura, with the other girls nodding in agreement, knowing the High General tended to be rather reckless if it meant saving lives.
"Yes, unfortunately, I'm aware of how disobedient you all can be. Which makes me glad to have such loyalty from you all." Naruto said, smiling at the girls, which they returned before he got up and went to some of the other tables.
With Tenten and Hanabi soon coming over to sit with the other female soldiers, looking at them before looking over at Naruto, who was now sitting and laughing with some of the guys.
"I don't get it. What exactly is the appeal with him?" Tenten asked while looking at the other soldiers, having seen the way they all looked at the whiskered Firebender, how everyone looked at him.
"Same. Sure he's a powerful Firebender, a high-ranking officer, seems to have a good personality, and is loyal to those that follow him. But what do you all see in him that makes you ready to die for him?" Questioned Hanabi while "looking" around at the girls.
While they've heard of Naruto and his accomplishments, after what happened with Admiral Zhao, it left a sour taste in the Yuyan Archers mouths at being under the command of any high-ranking officer. None of them liking the idea of just being used as regular soldiers, when they were meant to remain unseen and take out high-profile targets and enemies.
"It's understandable, we've heard it all before by those that don't know the General. But he's done more than earn our loyalty and we make sure to return it every day." Ino said, with Tenten and Hanabi looking at her.
"…How exactly did he recruit any of you to begin? Three of you are Waterbenders and you're an Earthbender. She's at least a Firebender, but what about the rest of you?" Tenten asked while pointing to Ino, Haku and Amaru, then Kurotsuchi, and finally Pakura.
The female soldiers all traded looks, smiling slightly as they remembered as they remembered how and why they joined Naruto.
"The funny thing is, I was originally just a trainer for new recruits, despite being a skilled Firebender and more than capable of being promoted to a higher rank or joining the regular ground forces, I didn't. I honestly wasn't interested in leading my own team or forces, and I certainly wasn't going to serve under a commanding officer that only cared about results or sacrificing innocent people. Naruto had actually been one of the recruits I trained and he got my attention with his different style of Firebending and his attitude. Though I figured he'd end up being like the rest of the soldiers, simply following orders and not caring who gets hurt. But I kept an eye on him when he joined the Fire Army, watching more closely as he began rising through the ranks and I learned about his…unique methods. How he chose to try peaceful solutions rather than resorting to fighting, only doing so as a last resort when every other option failed. That's when I met him again and started getting to know Naruto, his beliefs, ideals and desire to end the war by uniting the Four Nations rather than simply rule over them. At first I thought he was pretty naïve for thinking like that, but I kept hearing more about his successes and victories and…I started to believe in him. Then, when the time came and he was given the rank of general, I didn't hesitate to join him." Pakura said with a smile, happy to have found someone different from the rest of the Fire Army, someone who earned her loyalty through his actions rather than status or power.
"I was actually born in the Fire Nation, my mother was a Waterbender and figured hiding in the Fire Nation would be the perfect place, hiding in plain sight among those hunting Waterbenders. She married a native and eventually had me, and for a time we were happy…until I awakened my bending. I showed it to my mother, but she forbid me from ever using it, scolding me for doing it. But…my father had seen the whole thing and alerted the authorities about us, they came to take us away and my mother…she tried fighting them, only to be killed in front of me. I was nearly killed as well, but my bending saved me, reacting to my emotions and I…I killed the Firebenders and my father. Then I just…I just ran as far as I could, I didn't leave the Fire Nation though, I moved to a new town on a different island and pretended to be a non-bender. I never wanted to use my bending again, especially for violence, but I also wanted to help people so I trained as a healer using herbs and medicine, with some subtle use of my bending to better help and heal people. Then one day, Naruto showed up, having heard about a supposed "miracle" worker in my village and found me, he was even able to figure out I was a Waterbender. But rather than try attack me, he only wanted to sit down and talk, I was wary at first and didn't trust him, even more so when he left. I was almost ready to pack up and run, but then he came back the next day, alone and again just wanted to talk. Eventually I opened up and started talking to him, even telling him about what happened to my family and he…comforted me, swearing he wouldn't tell anyone about my bending and continue visiting me. And he did, he visited whenever he could, telling me about the missions he's been on, venting about decisions he didn't agree with, while also helping me care for patients and gather supplies. Then he soon asked me to join him and…I said yes, I learned how to fight with my bending from him, learning that my bending wasn't something to be feared, but embraced and controlled." Haku said with her own smile, saddened at talking about her past, but also happy at how much better it became after meeting Naruto.
"I'm not from the South Pole or the North Pole, I'm actually from a place called The Foggy Swamp. Part of a tribe of Waterbenders that migrated there centuries ago, to the point where we didn't think there were other Waterbenders. We had our own unique style of bending and are able to manipulate plants by bending the water inside them. We also protected our home from anyone that tries attacking, including the times the Fire Nation tried getting control of it and were repelled, I was among those that helped repel them. Until Naruto showed up one day to investigate The Swamp and what was keeping the Fire Army out, only to end up getting lost. I found him wandering The Swamp and almost got rid of him, only for me and my comrades to easily be dispatched by him. But rather than killing us or taking us a prisoner, he apologized and went on his way after treating our injuries. It was then, that I realized he was different than the other Firebenders that showed up. So, I started following him around the swamp, observing him until…he learned something important. That's when he called me out, learning I was following him and after some time together, he asked me to join him and I did. It helped that I always wanted to leave The Swamp when I was older, to see the world and collect new flowers." Said Ino, smiling at remembering how Naruto learned the same lesson most of her tribe learned, that they were all connected, that they were part of the same tree.
"I was a travelling Healer, having learned it from my parents, who learned it from my grandparents, who had left the Southern Water Tribe just before the Fire Nation launched their raids on it, feeling they could do more to help people than staying in the South Pole. They helped people regardless of where they came from, beliefs that they passed on to me before I went off on my own to help people. I had actually met Naruto when he needed a Healer, after he and his men had been ambushed by some Earthbender rebels. I'd been in the area when I heard the end of the battle and went to help whoever was left, with Naruto being among them. He even saved my life when one Earthbender tried attacking me for helping the Firebenders, but Naruto took them out. After I was done healing everyone, he'd simply asked me to join him and I agreed, wanting to repay him for saving my life. But even after I did that, I chose to stay after learning more about him and felt I could do more good by staying than leaving." Amaru said, happy that she chose to stay.
"That just leaves me then. I'm from the colonies, my dad was an Earthbender and my mom was a Firebender, while I was born an Earthbender and pretty stubborn one. Though I was technically a Fire Nation citizen, I honestly never really cared for the Fire Nation or their war, being more connected with my Earth Kingdom heritage and I was never afraid to say it. Which definitely got me into a lot of trouble whenever I spoke out against the Fire Nation, until eventually I ended up running away to be free of it all and learn more about the Earth Kingdom. I travelled around and worked to train my bending, usually by taking part in underground Earthbending tournaments, getting my ass kicked a lot until I started getting better and began kicking more ass than getting mine kicked. I was happy at being free and doing what I want, but…I also missed my home and family. Eventually I decided to go back to see them and let them know I was fine, only…I learned my home had been attacked by an Earth Kingdom resistance cell that were trying to "liberate" their stolen land. Completely disregarding how the people there lived happily there and came to coexist, which in turn lead to them attacking the very people they were trying to "free", for their "betrayal" of the Earth Kingdom. Something, which lead to a lot of people died, including my parents. That's when I awakened my Lavabending, I was angry as the love and pride I had for my Earth Kingdom upbringing turned to hatred. For taking my family away in a liberation mission for people that didn't even want to be saved, all to satisfy their own ego. So…I started attacking the Earth Kingdom whenever I could, since there's not a lot anyone can do against waves of lava coming down on you. I didn't care who I hurt, only caring that they felt the same pain I did. My actions eventually got the attention of the Earth Kingdom Army and their allies, leading to them orchestrating an ambush to kill me, and they nearly did. Until Naruto showed up, this was back when he was just a Fire Army soldier, with him having been on a scouting mission at the time, and started helping me. We managed to take them all down before he took me in and helped me recover, with him even standing up to his superior officers and offered to take full responsibility for me. Eventually, we got to know each other, with him even helping to restore my shattered faith in my Earth Kingdom heritage. But at the same time, I no longer held it on the same pedestal that I once did. Before long, I was back on my feet and he didn't even need to ask me to join. I just wanted to stay by his side, eventually becoming one of the very first soldiers to serve under him once he was promoted to a Captain, Colonel and then later a High General." Said Kurotsuchi with a smirk, having not regretted joining Naruto and found it's been the best time of her life.
While Tenten and Hanabi looked at them all in shock and disbelief at learning how Naruto met them and earned their loyalty, but also how he helped them. Before they looked back at the High General in intrigue, part of them starting to understand how he could inspire such loyalty if he's bonded with all those under him in such a way.
"Okay…and you all like him?" Hanabi asked while turning back to the female soldiers, who all immediately nodded without hesitation.
"Oh yeah." Pakura replied.
"It's hard not to like him." Said Haku.
"Who wouldn't after getting to know him?" Amaru asked.
"Absolutely." Ino replied.
"You did see his body right?" Said Kurotsuchi.
The girls all looked at the Lavabender, who was grinning shamelessly at remembering the High General taking off most of his clothes.
"Don't give me those looks, you all were looking and fantasizing as much as I was." Kurotsuchi stated, making Pakura, Haku, Amaru, and Ino look away with blushes on their faces.
With the female Archers looking at them before turning to each other and shaking their heads, but would admit that working under Naruto may not be as bad as that brief time Zhao took control over the Yuyan Archers.
Meanwhile, Naruto soon left the mess hall, with it not going unnoticed with how all the female soldiers watched him leave. To the annoyance of several other male soldiers, with some being more annoyed than others.
"I may be loyal to the guy, but sometimes I just wanna beat him into the ground! I mean come on! How're the rest of us supposed to get any girls when he's hogging them all?!" Said Kiba in annoyance at how Naruto's able to get girls attention without even trying, before looking around at Shikamaru, Chōji, Jūgo, and Shisui.
"Come on, aren't the rest of you upset?! He's already engaged to the Princess of the Fire Nation, has that hot bounty hunter ready to jump him at any moment, now he's got the Princess's friends to spend time with! That's counting every other girl on this damn ship!" Kiba said, throwing his hands up in annoyance and envy.
"Give it a rest, Kiba. Honestly I don't know why you're so caught up with this, having that many girls chasing after you, that just sounds like a giant headache to me. Besides I got enough problems without a bunch of troublesome girls after me." Said Shikamaru while resting his head on the table, with Chōji nodding in agreement while eating his large pile of food.
"Shikamaru's right, I don't really see what the big deal is either." Chōji said, not caring either about how many girls like the High General.
"Of course you two wouldn't care! You're a lazy bastard and you'd only care about a girl if she was making you food!" Said Kiba before looking at Shisui and Jūgo.
"Before you say anything, keep in mind that I already have a girlfriend back home, and I am perfectly content with just one girl. Besides, saying that every girl on the ship is interested in him is kind of an overstatement, Shiho and Tamaki are two good examples of that." Shisui said, satisfied with only having one girlfriend, though knew he had his own share of admirers, while giving also giving Kiba some words of assurance.
"I don't have much interest in pursuing such a relationship." Jūgo stated, having never been interested in a relationship, being fine with just following Naruto's orders and enjoying spending time in nature with the animals when he could.
With the tracker only able to look at them in disbelief before slamming his head down on the table, groaning at how nonchalant they were. With Shisui having essentially killed any other arguments and comments that he could make on the matter.
*Later*
After lunch had ended, Naruto had returned to the top deck with Azula, Mai and Ty Lee to continue their training, while allowing everyone else the rest of the day off.
Though not long into the training, Naruto, Mai and Ty Lee stopped when they heard Azula gasp loudly, making them look at her. Only to see the Fire Princess looking at her hands in shock and horror, before she threw her fist out, with nothing happening.
"Azula?" Naruto said in concern as they went up to her, with Azula desperately throwing her fists out and kicking her legs, only for nothing to happen.
"It's gone, it's gone, it's gone, it's gone, it's gone, it's gone, it's gone, it's gone." Azula muttered repeatedly in horror as she began shaking.
"What's…gone?" Ty Lee asked while looking at the ravenette in worry.
"MY FIREBENDING!" Screamed Azula, making Ty Lee jump at her sudden shout.
"It's gone! My Firebending is gone! I can't even make smoke anymore! It's gone!" Azula yelled before falling to her knees while breathing heavily.
"I think…I think I'm going into shock…what…what is happening?! Why is it gone?!" Said Azula, feeling like her entire body is falling apart and shutting down.
"Hey!" Mai said, kneeling down and putting her hands on Azula's shoulder
"Hey, Azula look at me, alright. Close your eyes and just breathe, slowly. In and out, just relax and breathe." Said Mai while taking a few deep breaths herself, with Azula still shaking before Ty Lee knelt down and hugged her.
"Everything's alright Azula, everything's fine. We're here for you, you're safe." Ty Lee assured gently, while the Fire Princess slowly closed her eyes and began breathing deeply and slowly, like Mai instructed.
"It's…it's still gone…my fire…it's gone…" Azula said, feeling tears in her eyes that her Firebending was really gone now, not just weakened or fading, but entirely gone.
"It's gone, but not entirely. It's just…gone out for the moment." Naruto said, crouching down and grabbed Azula's hand, making her look at him.
"What…wh-what do you mean?" Questioned Azula, desperate and hopeful he could help her regain her bending.
"Your Firebending is still inside you, but it's gone out. Fire needs something to keep it going, it needs a drive. The same is true for Firebenders, we need a drive, something to keep us motivated and pushing forward, otherwise if we don't have a drive then our Inner Fire will go out." Explained Naruto, having learned this during his training.
"So I…I lost my motivation? But…but what was it?! How do I get it back?!" Azula said desperately, before Naruto wrapped an arm around her.
"That's something you need to figure out yourself, Azula. Just like you'll need to find something to reawaken your Inner Fire. But that doesn't mean you're helpless or alone right now, we're here to help you with anything you need." Naruto said, with Ty Lee and Mai nodding in agreement.
"Yeah! I'm already teaching you Chi-Blocking, I can also help you improve your acrobatics as well! You were already amazing when we were kids and I'm sure you've gotten even better, but that doesn't mean you still can't keep improving! And I'll help you do it!" Ty Lee said while smiling at her friend.
"And I can also help you learn to use knives and other throwing weapons. I mean, if I can learn to use them out of boredom, then you shouldn't have any problem mastering them in a few days." Added Mai, with Azula looking at her friends before turning to Naruto.
"And you? What could you teach me?" Questioned Azula, wondering what Naruto would be able to help her learn.
"I can teach you to use a weapon, I think a guandao would be good for you, a collapsible one so it'll be easier to carry around." Naruto replied, making the three look at him.
"You can use weapons?" Mai asked, not expecting him to use weapons.
"Yeah, though my main weapon is my gunbai and kusarigama, I've learned to use other types of weapons as well to have a wider variety to use should the situation call for a different weapon. I've even managed to train under Master Piandao to use a sword, when I was looking into non-bender combat." Said Naruto, much to their shock to learn he trained under Piandao, especially Azula, who was shocked and intrigued.
"You…trained under Piandao? How?" Azula asked since outside of her brother, she knew that Piandao has never taken another student, at least to her knowledge as she's now learned.
"I did and…I just knew there was so much I didn't know and wanted to learn. I didn't demand, brag, or believe I deserved to be trained by him. I didn't know anything about how to use a sword and fully expected him to refuse to train me, but he did and I learned everything I could from him, even crafting my own sword. Unfortunately, I lost it during a battle not long before I was reassigned to accompany you, so I've also been gathering materials to forge a new one. Since one of his lessons was that a sword must be an extension of one's self and that by forging my own, it helps create a deeper connection with the blade." Naruto replied, much to Azula's shock and intrigue before she managed to stand up.
"C-can we…can we get started on training now?" Azula asked, not wanting to feel helpless without her bending and hoped to start training immediately.
With Naruto, Ty Lee, and Mai nodding in agreement as the latter two began training Azula, while the High General left to get her a collapsible guandao.
*Later*
"Come on, work with me, Tom-Tom." Mai said as she held her brother and rocked him gently, trying to get him to go to sleep, only for Tom-Tom to keep being fussy.
The knife-thrower having been trying to get him to go to sleep for an hour now after finishing her training with Azula, glad they were able to help her and keep her from breaking down over losing her Firebending. But now she's focused on trying to get Tom-Tom to go to sleep, which was proving harder than she thought.
'How did they even do this?!' Thought Mai, wondering how their parents managed to get Tom-Tom to behave, most of the time anyway.
Before she heard a knock at the door, making her sigh and go over to it, opening it to see Naruto standing outside her room.
"Did you need something?" Mai asked while rocking Tom-Tom in her other arm, making Naruto look at them with a raised brow.
"It can wait, did you want some help?" Naruto said upon seeing she was starting to look tired.
"If you can, please." Replied Mai, willing to accept any help if it'd get her brother to go to sleep.
Nodding, Naruto stepped into Mai's room, smiling down at Tom-Tom, who cooed and reached for the whiskered Firebender.
"Hey little guy, you remember me. Then I bet you remember this." Naruto said before creating three small flames that began spinning slowly over Tom-Tom, much to his amazement as he looked at the flames.
Seeing this Mai began rocking Tom-Tom and humming lowly, having heard her mother do that a few times to get him to relax. While Naruto slowly began dimming the flames until they were fully extinguished, with the ravenette being relieved as her brothers eyes slowly drifted closed.
Waiting a few moments to make sure he was fully asleep, Mai sighed in relief at seeing he was and put him down in his crib.
"Thank you." Mai said quietly, relieved he's finally asleep, with Naruto nodding in response.
"No problem, I'm glad I could help." Replied Naruto.
"Not just for that, but yesterday when you and Azula found him. I was ready to tear this entire ship apart to find him, but you both did and must've done more with how happy he was with both of you. So, thank you for that as well." Said Mai, having been happy and relieved they found her brother.
"That was all Azula actually, I only helped keep him calm, but don't tell her said that she's good with children." Naruto said with a smirk, which Mai returned before sitting down on her bed.
"I won't make any promises. Now, what did you need?" Mai asked, wanting to know why he came here, with Naruto sitting in a chair across from her.
"It's been a few days and I just wanted to ask…how are you feeling? And it's fine if you don't want to answer, but I wanted to see how you were doing, since I know it must not have been easy, what happened. I wouldn't really know, given I've been an orphan my entire life, but I'm sure it's not easy going through something like that." Said Naruto, having wanted to check on Mai after her parents deaths and see how she was doing.
With Mai tensing at the question and crossing her arms, looking away from the High General towards her sleeping brother.
"…I…it's…it's been hard, we honestly never really saw eye-to-eye on a lot of things, with how they wanted me to behave, how I did act, and their focus on my dad's political career. But…they were…they were still my parents and…despite it all…I did care about them…I just…wish I did a better job at showing it now." Mai said, feeling tears in her eyes before quickly wiping them away, before feeling Naruto put a hand on her shoulder.
"I'm sure they knew, and despite how they may have wanted you to act and behave, it was likely out of love and concern for you. Maybe they just simply didn't know how to be parents and did what they believed would help you succeed like they did, while still doing what they could to give you the best life they could give you. And it seems like they still let you have your freedom if they were willing to let you keep practicing with your knives and even letting you keep so many weapons on you. So, I'm sure they knew you loved them and they loved you and your brother." Naruto said while smiling reassuringly at her as Mai felt a few tears escape her eyes, which she wiped away.
"Y-yeah…yeah, I'm sure they did. Th-thank…thank y-you…I really needed to hear something like that." Said Mai, feeling a little better, but doubted the pain and hurt would go away any time soon.
"I'm glad I could help. And you know, our hunt will soon be moving more inland, we could travel to Chin Village, which will be hosting their Anti-Avatar Day Festival in a few days." Said Naruto, making the knife-thrower look at him in confusion.
"Anti-Avatar Day Festival?" Mai asked, having never heard of any place celebrating a day like that.
"It's only celebrated in Chin Village and is known as Avatar Day, held on the day Chin the Conqueror was killed by Avatar Kyoshi. It's basically the perfect day for anyone who hates the Avatar." Naruto explained.
Though he didn't really care for it, since he still respected the Avatar, even if he didn't care for certain reincarnations. But he's sure that Mai would enjoy celebrating Avatar Day, given her distaste for the Avatar now. Feeling it'd be a healthy way for her to channel those negative emotions.
"Huh, sounds like my new favorite holiday." Said Mai with a smirk and nodded, with Naruto nodding as well and stood up.
"I'll have us start heading towards Chin Village and finding a place for us to dock." Naruto replied, with the ravenette nodding in thanks.
With the whiskered blonde exiting the room as Mai laid down, closing her eyes and soon drifting off to sleep.
So, what did you think, good. Yep we see more of Naruto's soldiers, all of them being familiar faces, along with them beginning their Chi-Blocking training under Ty Lee, with Naruto volunteering to help her demonstrate Chi-Blocking, surprising those that don't know him while those that do aren't. Before we then see Naruto bonding more with Azula, Ty Lee, Mai, and June, along with learning how he recruited the female soldiers under him which get Tenten's and Hanabi's interest. Before we see that Azula's now lost her bending completely at her Inner Fire has gone out entirely, making her nearly have a panic attack but is helped by Ty Lee, Mai, and Naruto who offer to train her in non-bending skills so she isn't helpless, along with learning Naruto's trained under Piandao. Finally we see Naruto helping Mai put Tom-Tom to sleep before they grow closer, with Naruto then offering to make a stop at Chin Village for Avatar Day to help Mai channel her negative emotions in a healthy way. So, for those that like the story, thanks for your support. For those that don't or at least don't like the direction taken, you're more than welcomed to drop the story. But thanks for giving the story a chance anyway. And have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Storm out