Chapter 12.
Hello everyone and here is the next update. I hope you all enjoy it and continue to leave comments to show your thoughts.
"Do you think we can rely on this geezer of yours Naruto?" said the raven with a raised eyebrow. "Yes, he is a bit weird, but he is trustworthy. At least I think he is hehe."He rubbed the back of his head with a sheepish expression. The duo sighed but accepted the blondes judgment. "Since your part is done, we will finish up on our end." Amane nodded, she informed the duo of some of the shifts but still required more time. Chusei said he was able to get into a game later with one of the guards. "Alright, we'll meet up later". Chusei said before walking off followed by the raven and blonde.
Later:
"Ah, so you made it brat." The blonde was ticked at the remark but didn't respond to the jab as he needed to be focused. "Alright old man what do want?" He laughed at how he avoided the jab and the remark. "I will be creating a counter seal for the marks. Why I require you is my hands are no longer still as they formerly were. Therefore, you're my spare set of hands."The blonde made an ah sound."The issue is I don't know seals that well."Naruto informed the geezer."Hmm, I expected well, for now, I will instruct you in the basics and have you practice."He told the blonde before walking to the other side of the room and pulling out some paper and ink. Gesturing to a pillow next to him to begin the lesson.
"So how do we start?" The blonde asked curiously after sitting down next to the man. "Good question, we'll have you do calligraphy." This confused Naruto. "Umm, how does doing caligraphy help with seals." This remark ending with a chop to the head. "Itai," he said while clutching his head and glaring at the man. "Making seals is a complicated art that requires precision and a steady hand. Thus, calligraphy is the best way to practice without blowing us up."This had the blonde deadpan at him."Don't worry about that right now just get to practice."With a sigh and began writing down words under the gaze of Mako.
Week later:
To say politely the practice was undoubtedly hell would be a considerable understatement. Every time he messed up even in the slightest way. He received a comedic chop to the head and redemanded. To be honest, the man was a crazy perfectionist. Naruto found caligraphy to be easy and fun after a few smacks here and there. Taking breaks every so often the old man would eagerly tell him some incredible stories of his adventures and remarkable things he'd seen and Naruto would do the same. He learned more about the geezers home and was a place called Uzu. As well as some sights there and the wildlife, Mako was surprisingly a florist who also enjoyed animal watching. It subtly reminded him of Ino and Shikamaru. He quickly became close to the geezer as if he were family. (dun dun dun) Also telling him some of the elaborate pranks he typically did in his old village to the Anbu and the monument.
"Hmm...you're improved tremendously." Mako said as he carefully examined the paper."Now comes the easy part, drawing the seal matrix. The hard part is finding a way out. I do hope you've thought up a good plan to get out?"He inquired. The blonde replied promptly with a nod. "We'll pick this up tomorrow then. Brat. Geezer."They said with a quick chuckle.
Finding both Chusei and Amane sitting outside by a tree. He quickly went over to them to inform them of his progress. "I finished the geezers training and it should be finished tomorrow." He said with a sigh of relief. "Chusei and I are ready." She informed the blonde. "So when do leave?" He inquired eagerly. "At night around midnight while everyone is asleep and the guards are idle." The blonde and the raven nodded and set off to their cells for the day.
"So today's the day brat". Mako said with a sad smile. "Yeah, we're finally getting out of here. Why don't you come with us?"Mako was quiet for a minute."Sigh. I'm old, my days of adventure and action are done. You, on the other hand, still have much to do."He said while placing a hand on his shoulder."Over here is the blueprint of the counter seal. With the lesson, this shouldn't take long."
Getting to work it took less than an hour for Naruto to make three seals for him and his team. He spent the rest of the time with the geezer while he had the chance. "It's been fun gramps but I got to go." The old man shook his hand. "Before you go have this." Quickly making his way to a shelf, he pulled out an old book. Handing it to the blonde who gained a puzzled look. "This is my seal book. All of the seals I've researched or found and a map of my old home."The blonde eyes were wide.
"I can't take this!" Trying to hand it back only for the mako to shake his head. "No, it's yours now. I will do much better in your hands then some old coot."He chuckled a little."Besides I've recognized you as my disciple cant have you sully my legacy."The blonde sighed and accepted the book and smiled at the man."I promise to uphold your legacy and make it one of legend." he said while giving him a thumb up."See that you do he hehe. The time has come, go I will pray for your success."With one last handshake, the blonde set off.
Finding his team by the tree he informed them the plan was a go. The trio acted normally as not to raise suspicion before heading to the cells for the night.
Nightime:
Midnight rolled around and by that time the other prisoners were asleep and the guards likely bored. Chusei quickly unlocked his cell and then the others before the trio went into the courtyard. "The only guards were on the wall looking out not in. The trio crept up to one of the towers. "Yawn...I wish something exciting would happen you know. Hey, I'm fine with boring this is an easy job."Two guards said while sitting at a table playing poker. Making hand signs Chusei informed two alone.
Creeping they knocked out the two in the room and jumped over the wall. They said nothing as they rushed into the forest away from the prison. After 5 minutes of running, they slowed to catch their breath. "We did it!" The blond exclaimed. "Naruto shut up they can still hear us." The raven whisper shouted at the blonde. "Agreed till we're farther away we sh-." Chusei was caught off by a rain of kunai.
"Well, well, well look what we have here." A man in uniform smiled at the trio in front of them. "You didn't think you'd a getaway." Behind 5 other guards appeared. "How?" Chusei asked. "well one of my guards noted his key missing. Not to mention your visits to the geezer. He informed while pointing to the blonde. "what, you think we wouldn't keep eyes on him. Since he could leave at any moment or cause a riot."Keeping his smile while the 5 circled the trio.
"You did well but not enough. Don't worry though you'll come to like solitary after a few years. Haha."The trio was on guard ready to fight their way out."Please, I'm a high-rank ex-jounin and these guys are mid ranks."He said while gesturing to the others."If you come quietly you won't be hurt but by all means struggle."
As they neared closer, the trio was about to form hand signs before an explosion went off flinging two of the 5 into trees. "what the hell!" The warden screamed scanning the treetops for the assailant. Quickly dodging more explosives, he and the others jumped to the other side of the clearing. "I'm sorry I can't let your hurt, my student." A voice said off to the right and stepping into the moonlight everyone saw it was Mako. "What are you doing here?! Mako smiled at the pissed warden. "As you know I can leave anytime, I wish. If you must know the blonde over here is my chosen student so I can't allow you to stop him."The warden growled and the others got ready.
"Naruto quickly I will hold them off while you escape." He said keeping his eyes on the guards. "But old man!" The blonde shouted. "No buts I can't let you fail here. You have a task to do, don't you? Besides you're carrying my legacy who else do I have to do it. He hehe."Not wasting time Chusei thanked the man and dragged Naruto off with him and Amane. "You think you can stop us?"The warden sneered at Mako."I might not, but I know I can hold you here."With that, they rushed to each other.
As the trio ran, they heard a loud explosion back the way they came. Naruto was silently praying for the old man's safety with the other two doing the same. They kept going till near exhaustion and a bit more to keep ahead. "I-i need rest." The blond slumped against a tree with the others following suit. "You think that the geezer will be okay?" Amane asked, and Naruto was looking down with a fist. "I don't know we can only pray for him". Chusei said softly. The decision to set camp there and took turns on watch till the morning.
Back in the clearing:
The area that had once been a clearing was now a crater with the nearby trees on fire. Looking around the warden and guards seemed to be dead or incapacitated. The old man laid on his back looking at the stars. 'So this is where it ends huh. I've lived a long life filled with adventure and excitement. If I regret one thing is seeing my home and family one more time. Though at least the legacy of the Uzumaki will continue strong from here. Naruto I wish you luck on your journey and will be looking out for you. So don't fail or else I will haunt you till the end of your days. Haha."He spurted out blood."Sigh. I'm so tired. Let me just close my eyes and rest for a bit. I've earned it.
As the words left his lips his eyes lost their light and his soul passing on. It soon starts to rain as the heavens wept.
Back in the camp with the trio Naruto was asleep but he was tossing and turning. He was having a dream.
In the dream, he saw Mako smiling at him and waiving. Naruto tried to run toward him but he was being held back by something as the old man was engulfed into the darkness. Overhearing one more thing before he lost sight of the man. "Keep strong fellow Uzumaki." Shooting up with tears in his eyes he didn't comprehend why but he felt sadness. "Old man." He said looking out to the sky. He pumped his fist to his chest as a silent oath to carry on.
Chapter end.