The Truth of the Path We Chose
A strange thing happened that morning, Hinata was running late. So late in fact that Kurenai wanted to go see if the girl was alright. Naruto, however, was adamant that she would be there soon. Despite his bravado Naruto paced anxiously back and forth stopping every now and then to look at the entrance to the training grounds before continuing to pace. Shino had once again brought his travel chess set and was in the middle of an intense match against Kurenai. "She's here!" Naruto shouted rushing to the entrance. Sure enough Hinata appeared a moment later and made a beeline towards Naruto. The two genin whispered quietly to one another before Naruto collapsed to the ground guffawing in laughter. Shino and Kurenai exchanged a look before moving forward to see what was going on.
"What are you two up to?" Kurenai asked. Naruto, having regained his feet and breath dashed towards Shino and shoved something in his face. In response Shino snorted and covered his mouth trying to contain his laughter.
"Yes we did it, we got Shino to laugh!" Naruto shouted turning back towards Hinata.
"That does not count as I was not ready," Shino said composing himself and adjusting his glasses.
"Y-you laughed Shino," Hinata said high fiving Naruto.
"Yeah we'll take it."
"A-hem," Kurenai cleared her throat getting the attention of her students. She held her hand out towards Naruto ready to confiscate whatever Hinata had given him. Ziren seemed to be taking a more cavalier approach to Naruto's pranking but as a Konoha shinobi he would need to learn better. She was a bit disconcerted, though, as Naruto approached her with a photo in his hand. He had an expression on his face that reminded her of her old family cat when it broke the rules but knew it wasn't going to get in trouble for it. That's not what disconcerted her, oh no, it was the fact that Hinata was sporting the exact same expression. She looked at the picture in her hand and had to use every bit of her shinobi training to not double over laughing. The photo showed a number of the Hyῡga elders, including the head of the clan Hiashi himself, kneeling in a line performing some sort of morning meeting. Their backs were straight, their expression stoic, they projected an air of dignity and elegance. Or they would if not for the fact that all their clothing were various shades of bright, eye-bleeding orange.
"As…'giggle'…shinobi of the leaf…'giggle'…one…must…sorry I just can't," Kurenai finally caved in and laughed so hard she started crying. It was obvious from their expressions and the way the men held themselves that they were trying to continue business as usual but were absolutely livid about their wardrobe.
"Isn't it great?" Naruto asked. "I was just going to sneak in some red socks and turn their clothes pink. Hinata was the one who thought up the awesome idea to use orange dye." Naruto said wrapping his arm around Hinata's shoulder.
"N-no it w-was just a-a though, it w-wasn't that c-cool," Hinata said timidly pushing her fingers together.
"Of course it was, the prank wouldn't have been nearly as funny without it."
"A-ha! I knew it!" A voice broke the team out of their revelry as an elder Hyῡga, still in her orange clothing mind you, came stomping into the clearing. "I knew a failure like you was responsible for what happened! Wait until your father finds out!" The older woman shouted. Hinata started trembling at the thought of what her father would say. She then felt Naruto inject some of his chakra from the arm he still had around her shoulder disrupting her chakra flow. The elder Hyῡga faded, the genjutsu broken.
"Low blow Kurenai-sensei, low blow," Naruto scolded Kurenai.
"Sorry, sorry. I had to get us back on track somehow," Kurenai said trying to get her breathing back under control. She wasn't the only one though, Hinata was on the verge of hyperventilating.
"Sorry Hinata," Kurenai apologized.
"I-I'm f-fine," Hinata said sitting down for a moment.
"Anyway distractions aside I have some good news for the three of you. Today we will be taking our first C-rank mission."
"Really!?" Naruto brightened at the idea of getting back on the open road.
"That is indeed good news as D-rank missions have become increasingly tedious to complete as of late." Shino added.
"Y-yeah," Hinata added extricating herself from Naruto's grasp.
"Well what are you waiting for? Let's go see the Hokage!"
Team Eight filed into the Hokage's office as Hiruzen finished reading over a scroll he had in his hand. "Good morning Team Eight." Hiruzen greeted them with a smile.
"Morning Gramps." Naruto shouted as per usual. "Come on," Naruto whispered to Hinata nudging her with his elbow.
"M-morning G-g-g-gramps," Hinata whispered her face the color of a strawberry. The sound of Kurenai's palm slamming into her face was loud enough that Hiruzen's secretary outside the office jumped at the sound. The Hokage laughed at the spectacle of a respectable jonin like Kurenai acting in such a way in front of her Kage.
"Well Shino are you going to call me gramps too?"
"No Lord Hokage I never will, despite Naruto's insistence that I do." The Aburame replied.
"Naruto you and Hinata can call me that but no one else. I do have a reputation to maintain after all."
"You got it Gramps!" Naruto beamed.
"Now Naruto do you know what happened in the Hyῡga compound this morning that caused such a stir?"
"Why are you asking me? Hinata's a Hyῡga, wouldn't she know more than me?" Naruto pointed out to the aging man.
"I'm sure she does," Hiruzen said looking at Hinata who promptly averted her eyes. "But this seem like the sort of thing that you would be inordinately informed about." Hiruzen said raising an eyebrow.
"I really don't know what you're talking about," Naruto said shrugging.
"Uh-huh and what would Ziren say when I tell him after he completes his mission?" Naruto just stood there frozen in place for a minute not moving or giving any indication that he heard the Hokage.
"Tell you what," Naruto said sidling up to Hiruzen's desk. "Don't tell Sensei about today and you can keep this." Naruto said sliding a photograph towards Hiruzen. The aging shinobi picked the picture up and studied it for a moment. He tried, unsuccessfully, to cover up a chuckle with a cough before turning to the boy next to him.
"You know Naruto this can be considered a form of bribe." Hiruzen said shooting a pointed look over at the blonde Jinchῡriki. "Bribing anybody in government, much less a Kage, is a serious crime and can be…what was I talking about?" The Hokage asked slipping the photo into his inner breast pocket. "Bah senility! You forget so much in your old age. Oh well I'm sure that whatever I was talking about wasn't that important." Hiruzen finished with a conspiratorial wink aimed at Naruto. "Anyway I'm sure you want to get on with your day. Now I have a few more interesting D-ranks."
"Actually Lord Hokage I wished to request a C-rank mission for my team." Kurenai said interrupting the Hokage.
"Really now?" Hiruzen asked one hand in his D-rank mission drawer.
"Yes, I believe that my team is more than ready for it. Plus I think that it would be prudent if my team left Konoha for a while."
"Yes I think that is a wise decision. Now what C-ranks do I have?" Hiruzen mused as he pulled out another folder filled with papers. Let's see…boring…boring…not time sensitive…don't want to inflict that on you…hmm it's the second Wednesday of the month isn't it?" Hiruzen asked pulling out a second folder.
"Lord Hokage?" Kurenai asked perplexed.
"Everything seems to be in order. Let's see if my clock is running on time," Hiruzen said to no one in particular as he looked over at his clock his finger hovering over the intercom button. He seemed to be counting the seconds when "Send him in," Hiruzen said into the speaker.
"Thank you Lord Hokage," answered his secretary.
"Top of the morning Lord Sarutobi!" A voice roared through the small office as the door was thrown open. In strode a fit man in his forties wearing nice, practical clothing and very neatly trimmed facial hair with his black hair done into a long pony tail. "Oh I'm sorry I didn't know that you were in a meeting. I'll wait outside till you're finished, again my apologies." The man said bowing to Kurenai.
"It's alright Mr. Takaki this is Team Eight the genin team assigned to you." Hiruzen said waving away the man's concerns.
"You've really streamlined the procedure, I haven't even paid yet." The now identified Mr. Takaki smiled walking up to the Hokage's desk.
"You value more than anyone I know. I in fact have set my clocks by when you arrive, I rarely find them off when I do." Hiruzen smiled pulling out multiple pieces of paper.
"Am I really that predictable? Well not that routine is always a bad thing." Mr. Takaki said stroking his beard.
"Just sign here. And for payment?" Hiruzen asked handing a pen to the man.
"Just bill it to my account as always. Now who will I be traveling with?" Mr. Takaki asked whipping back towards the team.
"This is Team Eight led by Kurenai Yῡhi. Team Eight this is Nobuo Takaki, he's a merchant who represents a conglomeration of business men and women located throughout The Land of Fire and beyond. He's requested a genin team to escort him to Tade every two months for the past, what is it twenty years now?"
"Twenty-two, but who's counting. It's an honor to meet you Kurenai Yῡhi, the Genjutsu Mistress of Konoha." Mr. Takaki introduced himself to Kurenai shaking her hand enthusiastically.
"A pleasure to meet you as well. And I see my reputation proceeds me if even a civilian knows that title." Kurenai responded rubbing her shoulder.
"I, ah, keep up to date on the current Bingo Book, for purely professional reasons of course." Mr. Takaki coughed into his hand turning slightly red under his beard. "And who are you?" Mr. Takaki asked moving to Hinata.
"H-Hinata Hyῡga,"
"A pleasure Hinata." The poor girl was also subjected to Mr. Takaki's enthusiastic handshake. "You'll actually be the twelfth Hyῡga I'll have traveled with. I find your clan incredibly fascinating."
"Th-thanks," Hinata whispered.
"Let's see, sunglasses indoors, a trench coat despite the warm weather, you must be an Aburame." Mr. Takaki said grabbing Shino's hand.
"Indeed, I am Shino Aburame," Shino introduced himself trying to keep his sunglasses on his face during the body shaking greeting.
"This'll make fifteen Aburame then."
"Um do you keep track of all genin you travel with?" Kurenai asked.
"He does actually, it's one of his hobbies." Hiruzen answered.
"I like to think of it as a form of history keeping. Seeing how different people raise their children to be shinobi and how those ways change over time, it's quite interesting. And you young lad?" Mr. Takaki asked moving onto Naruto.
"Naruto Uzumaki!" Naruto shouted matching enthusiasm for enthusiasm.
"Really!? I've only ever traveled with one other Uzumaki before."
"Really!? Who?" Naruto asked his face brightening at the prospect of hearing about his family.
"I'm sorry to interrupt but I'm afraid that I do have things that I must do, and I'm sure that you have a schedule to keep." Hiruzen interrupted clearing his throat.
"Ah of course, my apologies Lord Sarutobi. Now please meet me in front of the gate in about an hour and we'll set off." Mr. Takaki said. "We'll go over more details then. Pack for at least a week probably longer just in case. Now if you'll excuse me I have a few last minute errands to run."
"You heard him team go get ready."
"Yes Kurenai-sensei!"
Hinata rushed through the streets towards the front gate. She had packed up her travel pack as quickly as possible since the atmosphere in the Hyῡga compound was still tense. Of course that meant most of her own clothes were orange, not that she minded she quite liked orange. "Hey Hinata!" Hinata heard Naruto's voice calling out to her. She turned towards him and had to do a double take. Instead of his normal orange jumpsuit Naruto was wearing an outfit made from some sort of soft black material that had slight grey camouflage accents. He also had a hood that could be brought over his head to hide his blonde hair. A backpack and his sword slung over his shoulder. "What?" Naruto asked seeing Hinata's confused expression.
"W-what's with y-your clothes?"
"Oh this, well Sensei said I'm not allowed to wear my jumpsuit on missions outside of the village so he got me this. What do you think?" Naruto finished explaining while he struck a pose to show off for Hinata.
"I-it looks g-good," Hinata said blushing. This caused Naruto to blush in turn as he rubbed the back of his head
"Thanks." There was an awkward moment between the two before Naruto came up with an idea of how to continue the conversation. "Are you excited about the mission?" Naruto asked.
"A-actually I'm kinda nervous," Hinata said fidgeting with her fingers. "I've n-never been outside th-the village."
"Really? Aw man you're going to love it, there are so many cool things out there to see. Like the sunrise over the desert sands or nighttime on the high seas, the stars are so bright out there. What about you Shino have you ever been outside the village?" Naruto asked turning towards the corner. One that Shino hadn't even rounded yet.
"You need to not do that, it is very disconcerting," Shino said shaking his head. "To answer your question yes I have been outside the village on a few occasions, mostly to visit my maternal grandparents. However I have not seen a sunrise over desert sands or the nighttime sky from the sea."
"Man you guys are really missing out. Hey Kurenai-sensei are we going to be in either of those places?" Naruto asked a moment before Kurenai rounded the corner.
"You and Ziren should really stop doing that," Kurenai said.
"Indeed I have informed him of the same thing." Shino added.
"Ah good you're all here!" Mr. Takaki yelled walking up to the team. "Where we going?" Naruto asked excitedly.
"Well Naruto, can I call you Naruto?" Naruto nodded. "We are going to be traveling to Tade stopping along the way in roadside inns. We'll stay in the city for a few days as I complete a few business deals and negotiations. You will then escort me to the border where I have arranged a team from Tanigakure to escort me on the next step of my trip."
"W-wow you really h-have this p-planned out," Hinata said.
"Of course, I've been doing this longer than you've been alive." Mr. Takaki said proudly. "Well if there's nothing else why don't we head out and discuss the rest as we walk."
"All right!" Naruto shouted rushing out the gate.
"Wait Naruto! Dang it," Kurenai said face palming.
"He's an enthusiastic one isn't he," Mr. Takaki laughed.
The tense atmosphere surrounding the house was thick enough to cut with a kunai. Ziren swept his gaze across the area surrounding the property while he extended his senses. He felt a faint chakra inside that spat and guttered, that must be Kakashi. He could also feel two chakra signatures moving through the trees to get behind him however one of the chakra signatures wasn't human, Kiba and Akamaru then. Two more on the second floor, genin level, Sakura and Sasuke. Plus a few civilian sources inside. Slowly Ziren reached into one of his hidden pockets. The animosity in the air tripled as Ziren could feel weapons being drawn. Slowly, ever so slowly, Ziren pulled out his Konoha headband which he had hidden in order to get into the country. Instantly there was a feeling of relief in the air as Ziren felt the two chakra signatures behind him started to approach. "Who are you?" Kiba asked keeping his arms at the ready.
"I am Ziren Adair, jonin of Konoha. I have been ordered to assist Team Seven in their mission. Take me to Kakashi Hatake." Ziren ordered.
"Right this way," Kiba nodded heading towards the house.
Inside Ziren saw the civilians that he had sensed, a child, what looked like his young mother, and an old man who smelled strongly of booze, who Ziren assumed to be the bridge builder Tazuna. The trio watched Ziren warily as he was led upstairs. At the top Ziren saw a girl with bubblegum pink hair and a boy with jet black hair. They stepped aside as Ziren was ushered into a dark room where Kakashi was lying in bed. "You're the back-up?" Kakashi coughed out.
"I am, my name is Ziren Adair. I was the only one who could get into the nation quickly enough to make a difference." Kakashi nodded as Sakura walked in and helped him sit up. Ziren got a good look at the wounds Kakashi had gained in his fight against Zabuza. There seemed to be a large cut from his shoulder down to his pectoral that was heavily bandaged. The only other thing he could see were minor nicks and bruises.
"He caught me by surprise and I didn't realize the extent of the damage until after the adrenaline wore off." Kakashi said when he saw Ziren examining him. Ziren sat down and motioned the other two genin into the room.
"The first thing I need to discuss with you is whether we continue this mission or not. The Hokage has given me authority to veto this mission if I deem it necessary. However before I make that decision I want to hear from you and your team," Ziren said taking in the whole of Team Seven.
"We have to help them!" Kiba was the first to speak up. "We saw how these people are living, its terrible and we can do something about it."
"What about you two?"
"I agree with Kiba we need to help these people."
"Hn."
"I think the real question that needs to be answered is whether you think you can beat Zabuza Momochi in battle." Kakashi said when it was obvious that Sasuke wasn't going to offer more than a grunt.
"In a straight up battle I would give myself maybe a fifty-fifty shot at winning." Ziren said leaning back and folding his arms.
"Kakashi-sensei possesses the Sharingan and wasn't able to obtain a clear cut victory over him. What exactly do you think you can do that he couldn't?" Sasuke spoke up shooting Kakashi a death glare when he mentioned the Sharingan.
"First of all show some respect to your elders, boy," Ziren shot back already disliking the gloomy child. "Second I did my homework. Zabuza is one of the most skilled users of the Hidden Mist Jutsu, that technique alone would nullify Kakshi's advantage and giving Zabuza a rather larger one since Kakashi relies on his eye. What I'm trying to say is that Zabuza's fighting technique is antithetical to Kakashi's."
"And you won't have the same trouble?" Sasuke asked dubiously.
"Kid, I'm the best god damn sensor you will ever meet. My techniques and jutsus can easily counter any that Zabuza has, which leaves the deciding factor to sword-play. And I like to think that my skills in that area are more than good enough." Sasuke in response just grunted and turned away. "Fifty-fifty's not good enough to make me risk my team like that," Kakashi said. "Well of course. When faced with a fair fight there is only one thing we can do." Ziren said confidently.
"What's that?" Sakura asked.
"We cheat of course, I wouldn't have come out without a plan."
"What do you have in mind?" Kakashi asked sitting up straighter.
"I managed to buy us some extra time, hopefully enough to allow us three things. First traps. We know where we'll be fighting and a rough estimate of when they'll show up. This is a huge boon and it gives us the ability to structure the battle field to our advantage. Second we'll have more time to train you three into some semblance of teamwork."
"I'll need to leave that to you while I can't leave this bed," Kakashi supplied.
"Good I won't go easy on you three." Ziren said to the three young shinobi.
"Come on we'll handle anything you can throw at us easy, right Akamaru?" the little dog barked in agreement.
"The third thing is that you have time to recover some." Ziren said bringing everyone back around to the topic at hand.
"Even with Sakura's help I don't think I'll be at my peak anytime soon," Kakashi lamented
"You don't need to be, I'll fight Zabuza first and focus all my power on him. This means that I'll have to leave his partner to you three. Think you can handle him?" Ziren asked looking towards the genin.
"Leave it to us!" Kiba shouted punching his chest.
"Uh y-yeah," Sakura added more nervously, Sasuke just stood quietly in the corner.
"Most likely Gatō will send some thugs to attack this house when we're busy with Zabuza. You protect the civilians down stairs from them and after come aid me. Hopefully at that point I'll have weakened Zabuza enough that we can gang up on him." Ziren finished. Kakashi and the rest of Team Seven considered the swordsman's words pondering their chances.
"Very well begin putting you plan into action we will all do our part. Isn't that right everyone?"
"Yeah let's do it!"
"Ruff!"
"Y-yeah."
"Hn."
"Before we break can you four tell me about the civilians downstairs?" Ziren asked.
Ziren walked downstairs followed by the mobile members of Team Seven into the sitting area. "Um excuse me Mr. Shinobi?" Ziren turned and found the young woman, Tsunami was her name Ziren thought to himself thinking back to his briefing a few minutes earlier.
"The name's Ziren Adair," Ziren introduced himself.
"A-are you going to help us?" She asked. "I'll do everything in power to," Ziren replied.
"It doesn't matter." Ziren turned towards the boy he had seen earlier.
"What?"
"It doesn't matter. The big guy upstairs couldn't save us what do you think you're going to be able to do?" the boy said glaring at Ziren.
"Everything that I can. I have more than a few tricks up my sleeve." Ziren said crouching in front of the boy and pulling out a bag of gummy bears. "Want one?" In response the child knocked the bag out of Ziren's hands and ran out of the room.
"Inari!" Tsunami shouted after the boy. "I'm so sorry about him he's had it rough lately," She tried to explain.
"Don't worry about it. Kids are just like that," Ziren said picking up his candy.
"So you're the cavalry huh?" Ziren heard the sentence slurred behind him. He turned and was greeted with the foul stench of cheap booze.
"You must be Tazuna," Ziren said taking a step back.
"You think you can take that Zabuza guy when your buddy couldn't?"
"I have a few ideas. That reminds me I need the blueprints to your bridge as well as your expertise."
"Oh what for?"
"We're going to booby trap the bridge."
"What with like explosions?"
"Yes, although I have also brought some much more subtle weapons and traps we can use."
"Wait, wait, wait, wait. That bridge is a symbol of my people's solidarity against Gatō, and you want to blow it up!?"
"If necessary yes."
"I'm a bridge builder not a bridge demolisher. I'm not going to do anything to harm it. Do it yourself, isn't that why I paid you?" Tazuna said incredulously. What happened next took him by such surprise that he lost his grip on his sake bottle. Ziren had picked the old man up and slammed him against the wall. All three genin jumped at the sudden violence and Tsunami gasped covering her mouth with her hands.
"Look here you sniveling, drunken excuse for a man! If I wanted I could take every Shinobi in this house and just leave. But I don't want to, know why? Because I want to help you. I want to help Wave but I can't help you if you can't help yourself. Is that the kind of face you want to show your daughter, your grandson? You have the opportunity to actually make a difference, a positive change in the world and instead you decide to drink and leave it to other people, pathetic. You have two options; you can help us to potentially destroy the bridge, giving you the chance to build another one, or you can wallow in your self-loathing and apathy. But if you're going to do that go somewhere else I don't have time to waste on you." Ziren finally finished dropping the man to the ground.
"When people talk about you what are they going to say? Was he a drunken piss poor excuse of a human being or was he a bridge-builder?" Tazuna wobbled to his feet still disoriented, he looked down at the half-empty bottle of sake on the floor then to his daughter. He felt ashamed, Inari and Tsunami were hurting and he hid inside a bottle. If he could help then he would.
"I'll get the blueprints."
"Good we have a lot of work to do," Ziren said as he felt Inari's chakra signature run upstairs.
"Whelp we're here," Mr. Takaki announced flourishing his hand towards a small roadside inn. The setting sun warning the group that night was fast approaching.
"Th-thank goodness," Hinata sighed. "I-I don't kn-know how much l-longer I could w-walk."
"I'm sorry Hinata," Naruto said putting his hand on her shoulder. "But it's going to only get worse tomorrow when your muscles get sore." That piece of information not only made Hinata's shoulders slump but to also made Shino sigh in defeat.
"How is it you seem unaffected by our journey?" the Aburame asked.
"I traveled around the continent with Sensei for eight years remember."
"You were a traveler?" Mr. Takaki asked, having been quiet most of the journey as Kurenai ran her team through formation drills the entire trip, which he found absolutely fascinating.
"Yep Sensei and I traveled all over the land before joining Konoha." Naruto answered.
"How intriguing, would you mind if I asked you a few questions about your travels?" Mr. Takaki asked enthusiastically.
"Sorry to interrupt you two but can we get to the inn and sit down some?" Kurenai interrupted the two men.
"Ah yes of course my apologies. Worry not I am good friends with the owner and he will give us the best of the best!" Mr. Takaki announced as he led the tired shinobi towards food and rest.
"Ah that was delicious," Naruto sighed slumping in his seat.
"Indeed the food was excellently prepared and cooked to perfection," Shino agreed. Hinata nodded in agreement, her mouth still filled with a bit of chicken. "I hope this does not come across as crass but I was wondering how you were unaffected by our journey today despite your age?" Shino asked the older merchant.
"Shino if you have to ask if something is rude or crass then it probably is," Kurenai pointed out.
"Aw don't worry about it Ms. Yῡhi frankness can be a breath of fresh air when you regularly deal with people of high standing and noble blood. But back to your question, did you know that I graduated from the Konoha Ninja Academy?" Mr. Takaki asked looking smug.
"R-really? Then w-why aren't you a n-ninja?" Hinata asked.
"Well I graduated the academy but failed the True Genin Test. My father didn't want me to be a ninja in the first place and had told me up front that I would only have the one chance. Once I failed I started training to take over the family business."
"Do you regret it?" Shino asked.
"Not pursuing the path of the ninja?" Mr. Takaki mumbled contemplating his answer. "I've thought about it from time to time, and no I don't. I'm content with my life and am quite happy travelling and interacting with other shinobi and seeing the world. But to bring the discussion back around to your original question I've been keeping myself fit using techniques I learned in the academy. Especially shuriken throwing, I was the best in my class. Plus it makes a great party trick." Mr. Takaki finished.
"You have a great deal of admiration for shinobi," Shino said.
"Yes I do. You protect us, aid us, and allow us to live in peace. Respect is the least I can give you," Mr. Takaki explained. "I try my best to remember every shinobi I meet, to carry on their memory."
"Um Mr. Takaki you said you remember all shinobi you travel with?" Naruto asked nervously.
"Indeed I did," Mr. Takaki replied.
"Well you said you once traveled with another Uzumaki and I was wondering if you could tell me about him?" Naruto asked pushing the leftovers on his plate around with his fork.
"Ah I imagine you haven't met too many of your kin," Mr. Takaki said before seeing Naruto's downcast expression and quickly continuing with his answer. "Well let's see what I can remember about her, she was a her not a him. What was her name? It started with a K, Ka…Ki…Ko…Ku…Ku…Kushina! That was her name Kushina Uzumaki."
"Kushina Uzumaki," Naruto mumbled to himself turning the name over in his mind.
"Yes Kushina, she was an interesting one. Very bright and energetic, much like you actually, probably an Uzumaki thing. They called her the uh…what was it…ah yes the "Red-Hot Habanero" it was a very fitting nickname," Mr. Takaki said with a smile.
"I know you want to hear more Naruto but we have a long day and an early start so why don't we continue tomorrow," Kurenai interjected. "You three go to bed first, I'll take first watch." Naruto looked dejected but nodded in agreement.
"I believe that I'll join you I'm also quite tired." Mr. Takaki yawned getting up from the table.
"Good night," Kurenai said waving to the four as they went to their rooms.
"K-Kurenai-sensei s-someone is w-watching us," Hinata whispered after activating her Byakugan to scan the surrounding area.
"Who?" Kurenai asked giving a hand signal telling the others to act casual.
"I-I don't know. H-he's got b-binoculars and he j-just talked to someone else. W-wait the other m-man just r-ran off," Hinata reported.
"My guess is that those two would be scouts for the bandits in the area," Mr. Takaki said off-handedly.
"You should probably sound more concerned than you do," Shino said adjusting his glasses.
"Is there a way around?" Kurenai asked Mr. Takaki.
"The Jinzango Pass would take us around but would add another day to our journey. I'm with Mr. Takaki on this, nothing to worry about," Naruto answered.
"Naruto if we can avoid a fight we should," Kurenai chided her student.
"No he's right," Mr. Takaki said coming to Naruto's defense. "These bandits have been in this area for years they know how to pick their targets. I'm surrounded by four highly trained shinobi, unless my backpack contained my weight in gold they won't attack. And my backpack isn't nearly big enough."
"And you're sure of that, to the point you'll risk your life?" Kurenai asked incredulously.
"Considering how many times I've traveled this road and have never been attacked? Yes, yes I am," Mr. Takaki stated confidently.
"Even if that's the case Hinata keep track of our surroundings, Shino send out your Kikaichῡ to scout for us, and Naruto keep your senses peeled," Kurenai ordered her students.
"Roger!" The three yelled moving to do what their commanded ordered them to do.
"The g-guy who ran off just r-released a h-hawk messenger," Hinata reported.
"Good keep track of him."
An hour later the team was still being watched but the bandits were still keeping their distance and seemed to only be watching them because that's just what they did. "The hawks returned," Hinata informed her team.
"Keep track of it," Kurenai ordered. However the Hawk's return didn't seem to change anything, for a time. More bandits showed up and conversed with the original two before leaving again.
"Th-there's three people up a-ahead with a b-broken cart in the m-middle of the r-road," Hinata reported.
"Really, they're going with that cliché?" Naruto wondered out loud.
"A-also more people are s-surrounding us."
"What was that about not getting attacked?" Kurenai asked looking over at Mr. Takaki.
"I-I swear I've never been attacked on this road before," Takaki said starting to sweat. "If I thought there was a threat I would've informed Lord Sarutobi about it immediately."
"Calm down Mr. Takaki This is still covered under a C-rank mission. Hinata how does the way behind us look?" Kurenai asked Hinata.
"Th-they're getting b-behind us."
"So it seems that we can't avoid a fight then."
"What's the plan Kurenai-sensei?" Naruto asked as his hand moved towards his sword.
"First of all act natural, and put your hand down! They don't know we're onto them yet which gives us the element of surprise. How did that saying go? 'A trapper's trap can easily trap the trapper'. We use their ignorance to our advantage. Shino send out your insects, quietly, to take out any snipers. Naruto I want you on point, think you can handle the three next to the cart?" Naruto closed his eyes and expanded his senses.
"They don't seem to have more chakra than an average civilian, I should be able to handle them." Naruto answered.
"Good, Hinata I want you to focus on protecting Mr. Takaki, do not leave his side!"
"R-right!"
"Okay you three this is going to be your first real battle. These men will not show you mercy, they will not hesitate to hurt or kill you, and they won't give you time to breath. But you are highly trained and highly skilled, you are ready." Kurenai said prepping her team for their first real combat. Hinata was almost shaking and gulped audibly. Shino was his usual indifferent self, save perhaps a stiffness in his movements. And Naruto was, well he seemed unusually calm given the situation. Takaki was sweating bullets and was taking deep breaths. "Leave all the men behind us to me I'll take care of them. You can do this I have faith in your abilities."
"Hey!" one of the three men standing in front of the broken cart shouted waving to the five travelers approaching. "Sorry about this. Say any of you know anything about fixing a broken axel?" He asked.
"I do," Naruto answered moving ahead of his group.
"Thanks you're a life saver," the man thanked Naruto while giving a subtle hand signal to his comrades hidden in the underbrush.
"What happened?" Naruto asked.
"We seemed to have run over a rock and it bent the axel is there any-" He was interrupted in his lie when Naruto used a trick Ziren taught him and produced a kunai from a hidden pocket in his sleeve and threw it at the man. The bandit managed to avoid being impaled when he noticed the piece of paper attached to the knife. "Shit! Hit the dirt!" He shouted throwing himself to the ground as the cart exploded.
his ears were ringing but he had enough awareness to climb to his knees and draw his hidden dagger in time to block Naruto's attacks, even though he blocked the attack he was still in a bad position for leverage. Naruto's sword scraped along the shorter weapons blade before he pulled back and brought his sword down in a powerful overhead swing. The man had to brace the flat of his dagger to block the attack without being overpowered. Naruto kicked with his leg burying his foot into the man's solar plexus knocking the breath out of him and sending him crashing to the ground. At this point the other bandits had regained his feet and advanced on Naruto short sword at the ready.
Naruto dodged and parried the short sword wielders assault trying to find an opening, however the man was bigger and had a greater reach forcing Naruto to focus fully on his defense. The bandit continually pushed Naruto back towards his ally who had managed to avoid the explosion but had lost his chain weapon. The weaponless man waited for an opening created by his companion and when he saw it lunged forward attempting to grapple the young boy. Naruto had sensed the man behind him since he started blocking sword strikes and ducked down and threw himself back between the assailant's legs while grabbing a handful of dirt. His sword lashed out cutting deep into the back of the man's thighs sending him pitching forward. Naruto capitalized on this by using the collapsing bandit as a springboard to leap at the short sword wielder. The bandit was backpedaling from his lamed companion when Naruto leapt off the man's back throwing dirt into his eyes. The bandit reeled back and Naruto took advantage of his unbalance slashing his sword diagonally across the man's chest. Naruto let the man fall to the ground and moved towards the bandit he had kicked earlier. Having finally managed to stabilize his breathing he reached towards his dagger lying not too far away. He grabbed it at the same time that Naruto stepped on the flat of the blade preventing the bandit from picking it up. Naruto held his sword in a reverse grip and plunged it downward.
"I don't know about this James."
"So you've said Jim, a dozen times," James said hoisting the crossbow in his hand and adjusting himself on the branch he was crouched on. He peered through the foliage to the "broken" cart that was blocking the path.
"All I'm saying is that this isn't what we normally do," Jim continued complaining.
"We're attacking travelers as they move along the road. How is this any different than the usual?" James asked exasperatedly.
"Not the set-up, the target. One merchant, four Leaf ninja. When was the last time we dealt with these odds?" Jim gesticulated towards the road.
"Boss' orders, if you don't like it then tell him not me," James said rubbing the bridge of his nose.
"I'm concerned not suicidal."
"Shut it here they come," James whispered harshly as the band of travelers approached the cart. "Hey!" Their comrade shouted towards the shinobi.
"Sorry about this. Say any of you know anything about fixing a broken axel?"
"I do," The blonde haired kid said approaching the cart.
"Thanks you're a life saver," the man said as he gave the signal. Jim and James both readied their crossbows and aimed them at the older female who they assumed was the leader.
BOOM!
The wagon exploded violently causing both men to almost lose their balance on the tree branch as they flinched back. Jim watched as the boy who had volunteered to help was fighting his comrades and hurriedly positioned his crossbow to fire. "Ahh! Help! Help!" Jim heard James shout to his side. Jim was horrified to discover that his friend was covered in head to toe in bugs. Jim waved his crossbow around trying to figure out how to help him when he heard the sound of metal slicing the air as a kunai hit his crossbow string, cutting it. With the tension in the string being released it whipped out and scored a deep cut across Jim's forearm causing him to drop the weapon. Then a weight slammed into his back from above causing him to lose his balance and fall to the forest floor the weight still on his back.
"Your placements and stratagems were predictable," Jim heard a flat monotonous voice come from his back as he felt a kunai press into the back of his neck.
As the wagon exploded five bandits rushed out of the underbrush towards Shino, Hinata, and Mr. Takaki two on the right three on the left. In a surprise twist Takaki pulled out a handful of shuriken and sent them whirling towards one of the bandits on his right. Despite the fact said bandit was wearing leather armor and managed to get his arm in front of his face in time, all the shuriken found their mark burying themselves deep into the attackers flesh. The second bandit swung his club in a powerful overhead swing that smashed into Shino's head, crumpling his body, which promptly exploded into a swarm of Kikaichῡ that latched onto the bandit's body and began seeking any exposed flesh they could find. Hinata entered her battle stance, eye veins bulging, and prepared to meet her enemies in battle.
Time seemed to slow down as Hinata's thoughts began racing in the pre-battle adrenaline rush. 'I can't do this, I'm not ready for battle.' The self-deprecating thought ran through Hinata's head as she struggled to control her breathing. The first bandit managed to reach her and prepared his sword for battle. That's when Hinata saw it. The slight shifting of feet, the near minuscule twisting of the body, and the placement of his hands allowed Hinata to know exactly where the sword's arc would start and stop. The training and sparring with Naruto had given Hinata a slight insight into the intricacies of swordplay. She leaned to the side and could feel the air displaced by the swing wash over her face. The swordsman twisted and brought his word back up to continue his attack on the genin.
The attack was also easily avoided as the man wasn't hiding his attacks choreography in the slightest. 'I can do this!' Hinata thought to herself as she went on the offensive. The man lunged at her sword leading. Hinata managed to slap the flat of the blade down and to the side leaving the bandit open. She lashed out with a chakra infused palm slamming it into the man's chest. Hinata could see the bandit's heart sputter and skip a beat as it was attacked by the foreign chakra causing the man to stumble back. Hinata capitalized on his imbalance by slamming her other palm into the same spot her last attack hit. The bandit's heart gave one last sputter before going quiet. The man had a look of utter confusion on his face before he collapsed to the ground, dead.
Before the enormity of what Hinata had just done could hit her the other two attackers moved to flank the girl brandishing spiked clubs. The two men looked identical and their movements were well coordinated for fighting together but because Hinata could see both at the same time she was able to avoid the worst of the attacks aimed at her. That being said she could only focus on defense in order to not be overrun. Finally a chance came when one of her attackers stumbled over the body of their comrade. Hinata turned towards the one still standing and struck his arm with a chakra laced finger causing his arm to fly out wildly leaving his chest vulnerable. Hinata struck once, her chakra boring a hole into one of his lungs. The man coughed, spewing blood down his front as Hinata pushed her advantage striking his chest again ripping a hole in a second lung. The man's stance was completely destroyed allowing Hinata to land three more easy blows that left the man on the ground drowning.
"AHHHH!" The anguish filled scream filled Hinata's ears as the bandit that had tripped over the body had risen to his feet and had witnessed the fate of his brother. He charged the Hyῡga bringing his war club down in an attempt to turn the genin's head into mush. Hinata spun around the attack and managed a palm strike to the man's back, but only one because the bandit twisted around smashed the back of his fist into Hinata's cheek sending the girl sprawling. Hinata rolled managing to avoid the next attack and flung a kunai knife at her attacker. The knife found its mark in the man's thigh causing him to flinch slightly, but only slightly as anger continued to fill the man. But the flinch it caused was enough time for Hinata to leap to her feet and resume her Gentle Fist stance. The bandit continued his berserker rage fueled charge at the heiress. The battle continued in this manner with the remaining twin throwing caution to the wind and Hinata landing weak strikes that he didn't give any mind. Though perhaps he should have because after the fifth jῡken strike to his chest the man's diaphragm seized up preventing it from performing the rhythmic movements necessary for breathing. He fell to his knees beating his chest in a vain attempt to restart his lungs. But it was pointless and he too collapsed to the ground felled by the Hyῡga's fearsome Gentle Fist style.
Eight large, well trained men surged from the underbrush as the wagon exploded. Their goal was the perceived jonin of the party and as such had committed all their best men to her elimination. Kurenai turned in time to get impaled by a spear through her gut by the leading attacker causing her to double over. The spearman smirked and started to pull his weapon out to attack again when Kurenai's hand lashed out grabbing the spear's shaft and pulled it in deeper as she slowly raised her head. In place of her eyes was hellfire. She opened her mouth wide, impossibly wide, revealing row upon row of serrated needles instead of teeth. She raised what had once been a normal hand but was now a cruel, twisted claw ready to rend the flesh of her victims. A screech escaped her mouth, a sound that no living creature should make that caused the blood of all present to freeze.
The bandits turned tail and fled screaming into the woods screaming hysterically about demons. The man closest to Kurenai was not as lucky. He laid on the ground a look of abject terror on his face as his hand grasped his chest. The Genjutsu Mistress dropped the spear she was holding and turned to see how here students were doing. Hinata had just dropped the last assailant as Naruto was moving towards her side. Shino had moved out of the canopy and was standing next to Mr. Takaki protectively. "Naruto you lead, Shino protect Mr. Takaki, Hinata find us a place to hide!" Kurenai shouted to her team.
"Hinata! HINATA!" Hinata's head snapped up bringing her attention away from the three bodies at her feet.
"W-what?' She asked the adrenaline high wearing off and her Byakugan deactivating.
"Use your Byakugan to find us a place to hide," Kurenai said moving towards the girl.
"R-right," She answered running through the hand signs to reactivate her dōjutsu. She had to perform the signs three times before she finally managed to activate her eyes. She took a moment to scan the surrounding area before she started running in one direction with Naruto, Shino, and Takaki close on her heels.
Kurenai walked up to the man Naruto had hamstrung and picked him up to face her. His face paled and he started hyperventilating. "Why did you attack us?" She hissed. Despite worrying about this outcome Mr. Takaki was right about one thing, they didn't make good enough targets to tempt these bandits. The money they carried would be of some worth but not enough to risk one's life over.
"Th-th-the b-b-b-bosses o-orders," The man spluttered as the scent of urine filled the air.
"Please don't eat me," He squeaked out. This confused Kurenai for a moment before she realized she still had her genjutsu active. She dismissed it at the same time she punched the man's throat breaking his trachea. He dropped to the ground gasping for air that wasn't going to come as she rushed off after her team.
They stopped outside a small cave whose entrance was partially covered by the underbrush as the sun began to set. Shino entered first to evict any insects living inside after Hinata had checked to make sure there wasn't anything bigger. "Okay Hinata I want you to-" was as far as Kurenai got before said girl covered her mouth and ran behind a nearby tree. The sound of retching came a moment later as Hinata doubled over and expelled the contents of her stomach. Naruto was at her side in an instant fussing over the heiress.
"I-I'm fine," she finally managed to get out, wiping the corner of her mouth. Naruto was not convinced, not because of the pool of vomit on the forest floor, but because of the haunted look in her eyes.
"The cave is clear," Shino said his voice cracking slightly on the last syllable. Kurenai conjured a shadow clone to stand watch before ushering everyone into the cave. It was a tight fit but no one complained.
"Is everyone alright?" Kurenai asked taking stock.
"Winded but I've been through worse," Mr. Takaki answered sinking to the ground.
"I'm good," Naruto said shrugging off his pack.
"I will survive," Shino said adjusting glasses.
"Hinata? Hinata?!"
"Wha-what? Oh I-I'm fine j-just a s-scratch or t-two," Hinata replied distractedly.
"Okay," Kurenai replied looking at Hinata doubtfully. "We'll bed down here for tonight and continue our journey tomorrow is that acceptable Mr. Takaki?" Kurenai asked turning to the merchant.
"Yes, yes that's fine. I can explain away any tardiness to my associates." Kurenai nodded and sat with down letting her clone take first watch to allow her some time to rest and make sure her students were alright mentally and emotionally.
"How was your first real battle?" She asked after giving the others a couple minutes to settle in.
"More hectic than I had anticipated," Shino was the first to answer. Hinata looked distracted and quite possibly hadn't heard the question and Naruto just shrugged pulling out some of Ziren's gummy bears and handing them out.
"You seem unusually calm about this Naruto," Kurenai said watching her most unpredictable student. She knew Hinata would take killing someone the hardest of the three but had not expected Naruto to be handling himself this well or be this composed.
"Wasn't my first battle," Naruto shrugged prodding Hinata to eat some of his candy. Kurenai nodded in realization as she remembered that the blonde Jinchῡriki hadn't grown up within the safety of Konoha's walls and had already experienced the real world. "Have you already killed someone?" Kurenai asked genuinely curious.
"Happened when I was eight I think," Naruto nodded facing the group but still being closer than normal to Hinata. "Me and Sensei were traveling with a caravan when we were attacked by bandits. He was outnumbered and one of them was trying to sneak up on Sensei. Looking back Sensei was probably luring him into a trap but I didn't know that then. I took the hunting knife I had and ran up behind the guy and stabbed him in the back. Since then after starting my sword training in earnest I fought beside Sensei more often after that," Naruto finished.
"How did you cope?" Shino asked.
"At first I didn't. I was inc…incas…inci…inco…" Naruto said fishing for a word, he turned towards Hinata expectantly but she didn't seem ready to supply the word he was looking for any time soon.
"Inconsolable," Kurenai supplied in place of Hinata.
"Yeah inconsolable, I couldn't eat, couldn't sleep. But eventually Sensei helped me through it," Naruto said.
"Does taking another's life ever get easier?" Shino asked his emotionless façade crumbling.
"I asked Sensei that exact same question."
"What did he say?" The Aburame asked.
"Unfortunately, it does." Naruto said quoting Ziren word for word. Shino did not find the words comforting.
Naruto was sitting outside the cave, using his backpack as a cushion, keeping watch. Every now and then he would extend his senses to check on everything, so far it had been a quiet night. Naruto felt some disturbance in the cave and a moment later Hinata walked out and sat own next to him, drawing her knees up to her chest. "Couldn't sleep?" Naruto finally asked after a minute of silence. Hinata shook her head in answer but otherwise remained silent. "Wanna talk about it?" Hinata hid her face behind her knees for a moment before raising her head
"W-was it this b-bad for you w-when you first…?" Hinata couldn't finish her question.
"It was so bad that Sensei started sneaking me sleeping medicine just so that I wouldn't wake up screaming during the night."
"D-do you s-still see th-their faces?"
"Sometimes, Sensei taught me a way to meditate to help calm me down when that happens."
"C-can you t-teach me?"
"I'll try my best but the technique is supposed to work with others, and Sensei wouldn't want me to teach you those," Naruto said disappointedly.
"O-oh, thanks a-anyway though," Hinata said scooting closer in the hope that doing so would bring her some comfort.
"I know something that'll help," Naruto said rummaging through his pack. He pulled out a woolen blanket that at one time had been the same vibrant orange as his jumpsuit but was now faded with age and patched to the point it could almost be considered a quilt. "This is Lil' Ata," Naruto said as he took the blanket and wrapped it around Hinata making sure to tuck in the corners. "Sensei gave this to me when we first met. He wove a charm into it that'll protect you from ghosts and bad dreams," Naruto said beaming.
"G-ghosts?"
"Yeah, they're attracted by nightmare, but with this you'll be safe," Naruto said proudly. Hinata wrapped the heavily patched piece of cloth tighter around her inhaling its scent. It smelled of road dust and wood smoke. It smelled of stories swapped around a camp fire, of food cooked over an open flame, of nights spent under the stars mapping the constellations. Hinata inhaled again and fell further into the warmth conjured by the treasured item, further…further…further…
Kurenai was a little upset; Naruto was supposed to have woken her up to switch watches but hadn't. She moved outside ready to scold Naruto when all thoughts of being angry at the boy fled from her mind. Hinata, who had been tossing and turning the entire night until she eventually walked out, was fast asleep wrapped in a frayed orange blanket cuddled up to Naruto. "Sorry Kurenai-sensei," Naruto whispered. "I would've woken you up but I didn't want to disturb Hinata."
"That's fine," Kurenai whispered back. "Do mind keeping watch a little longer? I want to patrol a circuit around our campsite."
"Sure, I'll be fine. Hey is Shino alright?" Naruto asked worriedly.
"He's pretending to sleep but he's not a very good actor." Naruto nodded sadly trying to think of some way to help his other teammate. "He'll be fine. The academy teaches its students to handle death and killing. It just affects some more than others," Kurenai said giving Naruto a comforting pat on the head. "Even if you're a better actor than Shino that doesn't mean you need to hide it okay. You can rely on them for help too," Kurenai said causing Naruto's eyes to water.
"I-I know, but someone needs to be the support right?" Naruto said wiping his eyes on his sleeve.
"Even so, but often times relying on someone else not only helps you but them too. Remember that okay," Kurenai said straitening up.
"O-okay Kurenai-sensei," Naruto replied.
"I'm going to go on that patrol now, be sure to stay alert alright," Naruto nodded as Kurenai leapt into the trees and disappeared as silent as a shadow.
