Disclaimer: I do not own the Naruto Franchise that belongs solely to Masashi Kishimoto; I do not own Heaven's lost Property, High School DxD or any other Anime I borrow themes from. The only thing I claim is my OC's and original Story Plot.
Author's Note (A/N): Hey guys I'm back yet again with another fantastic chapter and this one ups the stakes from the previous one. Each chapter outshines the last as Naruto sets out to save his family from the evil Four War Gods. Revelations and lore are exposed in this chapter along with a surprising betrayal of a traitor who gets revealed as all opposing forces converge on Hōrai Island for a climactic battle that will be felt for years to come. Will the Four War Gods meet their end soon or will they continue to live on to be a force to be reckoned with in the future.
My birthday is coming up in a few days guys! I hope to have the final chapter of this mini arch out on my birthday just like every year in which I post a very special chapter of significant importance. This is going to be so much fun.
So sit back, relax, and enjoy!
Chapter 69
Hōrai Island Part 4: Sacrifice to the Cauldron of Resonance
It was time. Over the course of the night Naruto had a long conversation with the Nine Tails who eventually and reluctantly agreed to heal his wounds completely and restore his chakra reserves. In addition to this Naruto himself replenished his Yōki reserves by as much as possible bringing him up to his maximum potential without Eva or the girls attached to him. Every ounce of power he currently held within him was solely his maximum potential and his alone. In his mind Naruto knew he was going to need everything he had if he was going to attempt this suicide rescue mission. But nothing else mattered. He was going to rescue his family or die trying, there were no other possible alternatives and none that he would willingly accept. He had to see their faces… even if it was for one last time.
"Asagi… everyone. Thank you for trusting me." Naruto thanked as he looked at the group of orphans around him. Their acceptance meant a lot to him… much more than they would probably realize. "You're welcome Naruto… I don't know what it is, but I feel as if I can place my trust in you. You promised to save us all and I can't help but believe it." Asagi stated with a small smile which brought one to Naruto's face as well. Taking a deep breath Naruto looked out the window of the administration building.
"It's going to be difficult… if not impossible for me to pull this off. But nothing is going to stop me from finding my girls." Naruto promised as he turned to the group with a fire in his eyes. Nothing was going to stop him from finding his family and that was final. Closing his eyes Naruto stretched out his senses and felt the signal from his previously placed Resonance Beacon. He was going to find that underground bunker once again and search the entire facility. "I have no doubt you'll find some way to pull it off but what will we do while you're attempting this?" Asagi questioned with a concerned look on her face that matched the looks the others were giving him.
It was a reasonable question and one Naruto spent the night contemplating as he absolutely refused to put the group of orphans in danger with his suicide mission. They would have to stay here under the protection of the age-old wards that protect the ruins of the Hidden Whirlpool Village. "I want you guys to stay here. I won't be able to fight and protect you all at the same time." Naruto explained which brought understanding yet sour looks to the children's faces as they knew deep down they'd only get in the way of Naruto's mission. All of them combined had barely any power whatsoever. "Asagi, you said last night that there are other cells of refugees hiding out in different locations around the island, right?" Naruto inquired as he wanted to be aware of every variable in their dire situation. The blue haired half demon girl nodded in confirmation to this as Naruto narrowed his eyes in contemplation.
"Are any of them strong?" Naruto probed as his line of thinking became known to the others as Dai spoke up instead. "I know what you're thinking… the answer is yes there are some strong demons and a few humans on the island but if they had a chance at killing those bastards then we wouldn't be in this situation right now." Dai sneered as he slammed his aggravated fist into a nearby wall. There have been a few revolts over the years by a few of the stronger refugees on the island and it always ended up with them dead. "Our dad was pretty tough in his own right and he thought he could take on the Four War Gods… he was killed right in front of us three years ago and then they killed our mother right after that just for the fun of it and to teach us a lesson. She was a human civilian whose been on this island since she was a preteen like you. Getting pregnant with us was even an accident between our parents but she could never bare the thought of getting rid of us…" Roku sobbed as he fell to his knees in anguish with Asagi and Ai naturally going over to him to comfort the distraught boy.
Naruto felt a piece of his soul die in his body at hearing the sheer amount of anguish within Roku's voice who was reliving painful memories of his parents who died way before their time in a brutal fashion. "Roku… Dai… I'm so sorry." Naruto whispered as he dropped to a knee and brought the crying younger boy into his embrace. "I can never take the place of your family… I can never be your father and I would never try, but you must understand why I must do this. I won't let my children grow up in this world without parents the same way I did… I won't sit back and do nothing like a coward when people are suffering. I know that a rescue team of my comrades must be on the way to save us but I'm not a damsel in distress that needs to be saved. I could never forgive myself… much less face my children if I sat back and didn't lift a finger to save them." Naruto said as the orphans listened in with pain in their hearts. Most of them were shedding silent tears as they each relived some of their most painful memories.
"I don't presume to speak on his behalf… but if I had to imagine then I think that was what your father was feeling in his heart when he chose to fight because he knew what it meant to be a man and a father… he died a hero whether it may seem like that or not to you." Naruto comforted as Roku broke and buried his head into Naruto's chest. Dai walked over and embraced Naruto as well with the blond haired Uzumaki trying his best not to cry a torrent of tears as well. The sheer amount of anguish being released by these children as they let out all of their pent of trauma and fears tore at Naruto's soul without a shred of mercy.
"My mother was killed two years ago, she was a priestess who failed the Four War Gods in a task… and I never knew my father." Shion spoke with tears leaking out of his eyes. He was a pacifist by nature and he adopted that outlook from his mother, but her death caused him to lose all confidence and courage in himself. Naruto's heart hitched at hearing this while Asagi went next. "My father was a high-ranking ninja of the village. My mother told me he was one of the few survivors of a massive invasion that destroyed the Hidden Whirlpool Village. He wasn't an Uzumaki and he had no way of contacting the outside world since the island cut itself off from the rest of the world. He formed an underground resistance group with the few remaining shinobi and fighters on the island and tried to kill the Four War Gods. He died in the same battle that killed Roku and Dai's mom and dad. He died before my mother could tell him she was pregnant with my little sister… then to make an example out of the resistance they killed her and left me alive." Asagi confessed which caused the air in Naruto's lungs to leave him. It was horrific to hear the backstories of these orphans.
He had no words of comfort anymore as the children used him as their confessional. "My mother was sent into the underground dungeons where she was tortured regularly by some of the henchmen working for the Four War Gods. One day she became pregnant with me… and I… don't… know who my father is." Moegi confessed in a broken and emotionless tone that caused Naruto to start dry heaving. Getting up Naruto went to the window and threw up out of the opening until his dry heaving stopped. He understood perfectly what Moegi was trying to insinuate with her confession and the thought that the emotionless girl was the byproduct of such a horrendous act such as "that", completely tore out Naruto's heart and crushed it right in front of him. "As for little Ai here… we've never met her parents before… she came from a different group where they said her parents died trying to scout a path through the water away from the island. That group couldn't properly take care of her, so they gave her to us." Asagi revealed as now Naruto was openly crying in anguish as he wrapped his arms around Moegi with Ai climbing into his lap. Everyone else huddled around the blond-haired boy as Moegi let out silent ghost like tears. She didn't utter a sound, but she buried her face deep into Naruto's chest and he had no intentions of letting go.
It took Naruto a very long while, but he finally gained back his voice to address the group of battered and truly abused orphans and when he did his voice was filled with such a fire of cold blooded righteous fury and resolve that it vibrated the very souls of the children who heard it.
"Saying I'm sorry for what has happened to you all will never be enough… no number of apologies can fix the damage done to you all. But I can promise you one thing… a promise of a lifetime on my very own life. The Four War Gods will die today." Naruto said as his eyes glowed red with a vertical black slit elongating his pupil. Naruto could feel a rumbling deep within his subconscious as the Nine Tails stirred in rage at what Naruto could only guess it heard. If even the greatest Tailed Beast was crying out in outrage against the atrocities these demons committed for their own sick amusement, then Naruto was silently contemplating on releasing his seal if only to know that those demons could never survive the great fox spirit's wrath.
Mt. Hōrai – Hōrai Island
"Lord Ryūra we were unable to find the boy all night… we suspect he's hiding out within the old ruins of the village. As you know we can't enter or stay for long. The warding's and sigils still in place are to strong even for you." Kurruk updated as the mummy peered up at the Dragon Daiyōkai who was sitting with his two other brothers Kyōra and Jūra in a dark cave at the very summit of the tallest mountain on the island which is appropriately called Mt. Hōrai. The cavernous cave was massive with a sacred relic situated in the center of the room.
"Why don't we send in the little human girl to retrieve the boy… put her to some actual use." Kyōra suggested with a bemused smile as he panned his gaze over to a peculiar girl that was very familiar. The girl had short shaggy burgundy colored hair and a defensive scowl on her face. Dressed in a dark brown sleeveless shirt and standard black shinobi pants, typical shinobi white bandages covered her arms and legs with a dark blue scar tied around her neck. Draped over her body a simple yet effective cloak meant to hide her more subtler movements. This girl was none other than Fuki Kawata of Team 6 led by Anko herself. The look on her face said it all that she didn't want to be here at all and with several fresh yet slightly healed over bruises complimented this fact steadily.
"That could work…" Kurruk started as the young girl flinched when the red sickly eyes of her handler fell upon her. The wraps that surround his face only left openings for his decayed eye sockets that had his sickly yellow sclera and red eyes to gaze out at the world and any that he despises. His bandages began to float in the air while some encircled her lean body but Ryūra's voice interrupts Kurruk's intentions. "I have a better idea… one that should prove very entertaining." The Dragon Daiyōkai spoke up as his two brothers turned to him in curiosity. "Why don't we prepare a sacrifice for the Cauldron to consume. We need it opened anyways and being an Uzumaki he's the only one capable of entering without harm. The turmoil on his face when one of those refugees get sacrificed will be satisfying. We all know he won't be able to resist trying to save whomever it is." Ryūra suggested which brought cruel smirks to Jūra's and Kyōra's faces as they both chuckled in amusement.
"Not to bad… either way it goes it should prove very entertaining indeed." Kyōra agreed as Jūra sat back and propped his arms behind his head in a lax nature. The smirk on his face was the only answer anyone needed to know that he was fully onboard with this idea.
"Come forth child… the Cauldron of Resonance calls to you… let your soul be consumed by its fire." Ryūra enchanted as his dark stormy blue eyes glowed in power. Jūra's and Kyōra's began to illuminate as well as an interesting reaction began to happen back at the ruins of the old village.
With Naruto
"I'm off now guys… once I'm gone I want you all to gather the other cells on the island and bring them back here. It's the safest place for you guys for the time being and if a rescue party does come it will be the first place they look." Naruto instructed as he wiped a stray tear from Moegi's eyes. Little Ai was attached to his leg like a vice grip but after gently prying the aquatic girl off of him he grouped the children together. "Please be careful Naruto… I don't want to lose you too so soon after becoming friends." Asagi said with a gentle yet vulnerable tone of voice that spoke volumes to how she and by proxy the rest of the orphans were feeling. Naruto's neutral face grew warm as he placed a hand on the oldest girl's shoulder.
"Normally I would promise the person who told me this that I would be careful and that I would come back… but I won't be so cruel as to do that to you." Naruto began as the group felt pain clench at their hearts. "My children need me… you guys need me… this entire island needs someone to stand up and fight… and even if my family wasn't imprisoned here I would still fight for this place… and not because this is supposedly my ancestral home but because it is the right thing to do. I've already done this once for a country I didn't even know… I stood up to fight for them to show them hero's really do exist and I'm more than willing to do it again." Naruto preached as his voice carried is feelings to the group who couldn't help but look at the older boy in awe. Naruto's mind was filled with thoughts of Inari and the Land of Waves as he thought of what it meant to be seen as a hero.
"Even if I don't come back… I can promise you this." Naruto started as he looked into each other their eyes who didn't dare look away. "My family… including you and the rest of the island will be free from the Four War Gods… and no one else will ever suffer from them ever again." Naruto promised with a fire in his eyes that lit a candle of hope within each of their hearts. This tender moment was instantly broken however when a searing pain burned at the backs of everyone present.
'Come little one… come to the crimson flames…' A whisper like voice spoke up within Asagi's mind as a semi dull look entered her eyes. "It's the Cauldron of Resonance. It's calling to me." Asagi mumbled as she began leaving the room. "Asagi wait! It has to be a trap!" Naruto called out as he attempted to reach for the girl, but she struggled out of his grip. "The Cauldron needs a sacrifice. The Four War Gods use the Cauldron to regain some of their original powers and if I don't do it they'll just ask one of the others to do it. Or maybe even one of the other cells." Asagi countered as Naruto processed this information.
"I'm coming with you… this is a trap made to lure me out, I want the rest of you guys to stay here." Naruto ordered as he immediately realized what was happening. They couldn't get to him while he was still in the ruins, so they wanted to lure him out with a bait he couldn't refuse. The refugees were hostages and pawns that they could use, and they knew that he wouldn't hesitate to rescue one if it came down to it. 'Damn them.' Naruto cursed as he realized they placed him in checkmate. As long as the curse mark on Asagi's back was active she would continuously seek out the source so asking her to stay with the others was out of the question and trying to restrain her wouldn't help the stress the children were already feeling.
The others protested naturally, but Naruto eventually managed to put his foot down to quell the situation going on. He was a shinobi, he needed to be able to be flexible and adaptable to new situations. Leaving the shack with Asagi Naruto placed extra seals around the area to create a protective barrier for the children. He placed the thin malnourished girl on his back as they traveled across the village up into the hills were Naruto noticed that the place was quite picturesque as from their vantage point the two kids could see the entire island which as Naruto earlier suspected was in the massive shape of a large crescent. A beautiful lake could be seen at the base of where the ruins of the whirlpool village was with the smaller lakeside village that Naruto met the orphans in just right on the water's edge.
Continuing their journey Naruto broke through the rolling hills to come across a large beautiful open plain filled with vegetation and fauna that invoked an air of tranquility within Naruto. Pass these plains was a thick forest filled with strange trees and foliage that Naruto's never seen before. Strange sentient creatures that looked like walking mushrooms dotted the forest as Naruto passed through with thousands of mysterious glowing green fireflies and other native animals and insects catching his eye. Never before would Naruto ever think such things were possible but being on this magical island was seriously changing his perspectives on what he considered normal. "This place is called Ilex Forest… it's one of the most beautiful places on the entire island. It's home to millions of little creatures and animals both natural and supernatural in nature as well as delicious fruits from the trees." Asagi explained as they passed by the living breathing walking mushroom like creatures that gazed at them with innocent curiosity in their eyes that entranced Naruto with a burning inner childlike wonder.
After nearly twenty minutes of traversing through the plains and forested areas Naruto happened upon a massive crater dug out in a valley at the base of Mt. Hōrai. The crater was massive in size as the mountain range stretched around the circumference of the particularly deep trench that joined the two largest mountains on the island together. "Asagi what happened here? This crater isn't natural… it was man made." Naruto whispered as a stirring within his subconscious signaled to Naruto that the Nine Tails also had feelings about this visage.
"I don't know… my mother told me a huge creature caused this damage… it shot off a huge bomb that destroyed what used to be a small village here." Asagi mumbled as she looked around the area with somber eyes. She didn't like to come around this area of the island. Ilex Forest was usually as far as she was willing to go as this desolate area was one of the many reminders on the island that served to remind the residence that their former home was destroyed. 'A large creature shot off a huge bomb…? Could it be a Tailed Beast?' Naruto theorized as he recalled the very recent memory of him and Sōkyoku fighting off Shukaku the One Tailed Sand Spirit. Shukaku used a technique called the Tailed Beast Ball and the explosion that followed theoretically could have caused a crater like this. The stirring of the Nine Tails in the back of his mind also added to his theory.
This left a pit in Naruto's stomach as he conjured up wild theory on what could have happened during the downfall of the Hidden Whirlpool Village. If on the off chance that a Tailed Beast was involved in the attack, then that meant the island was sieged by one of the Five Great Nations. That left a cold feeling in Naruto's heart as that was the worst-case scenario. 'Just what happened on this island?' Naruto silently thought as he pressed onwards across the deep crater up to a premade trail that appeared to head all the way up to the very summit of the mountain. Since it was premade and looked very manicured even with the decade and a half worth of decay meant that this was a heavily trafficked area when the village used to be standing.
"Let's go."
Itachi Uchiha's POV
'A chakra signal is being broadcasted from this area.' The S – Rank criminal noted to himself as his powerful Sharingan spun slowly in his eye sockets while scanning the area until a small chakra source made its presence known to him. Reaching the area with quick movements Itachi found a very well-hidden steel door inset inside an alcove at the bottom of a steep hill. Stretching his hand out Itachi traced over a small Fūinjutsu symbol tattooed on to an indiscriminate rock well out of the way by the door. 'This is a Resonance Beacon… and it's given off Naruto's unique chakra signature. He must have planted it here to warn us in advanced if a rescue party showed up. Smart boy.' Itachi mused as he took a look at the floating orbiting sky islands high up in the air around him with the tiniest glimmer of awe shining through his apathetic and monotonous eyes. 'The crow I sent back to the mainland should pick up Master Jiraiya and his squad when they arrive. It won't be long now before we get reinforcements.' Itachi reassured himself as he slipped into the underground bunker without an ounce of sound
Using his years as an ANBU Captain and extended period of time as a world class criminal Itachi put all of his experience to use as he transformed into a flock of black crows and flew down the many corridors scanning each and every room with a quickness that would leave others green with envy. Coming across a used room a collection of the black crows reformed into Itachi's visage while the rest continued forward. "Naruto's chakra is heaviest here." Itachi mumbled as he peered into the room and saw the copious amounts of dried up blood on the floor and walls. A broken collar attached to a rusted chain was situated in the dried-up puddle of blood with rubble and bricks from a hole in the ceiling littering the ground.
"This is a torture room… and he managed to escape." Itachi surmised with his eyes narrowing in disgust. As a former ANBU agent he had to torture captured enemies in these kinds of rooms all the time and he did not enjoy it contrary to the infamous reputation he built for himself. Leaving the cell Itachi ventured deeper into the catacombs until he picked up on another energy signature and this one was very powerful. In fact, it was two equally powerful signatures shining like a beacon within the facility. Racing to the room as quickly as possible Itachi peered inside to see Eva on the floor at the center of a powerful magic seal having what appeared to be a blue stone extracted from her. An air of exhaustion surrounded her as her body's veins were heavily pronounced across her body with an agonizing expression of pain on her face.
'Evangeline… she's the size of a regular human girl… and that stone on her stomach is radiating an immense amount of power. The crystal is a massive converter that changes divine grace into Yōki and all of that is stored within Evangeline's body to use. Incredible.' Itachi analyzed as his powerful Sharingan just like with certain members of the Hyūga Clan and their Byakugan can see different energy types that aren't chakra based. His Sharingan was one of the strongest in the entire Uchiha Clan. 'I haven't seen her or Naruto in so long… not to mention Sasuke…' Itachi mourned as he steeled his nerves and flared his chakra.
Sensing the spike in chakra Lilith turned her head to the door just as the Akatsuki member made his move. 'Genjutsu: Crow Ephemera.' Itachi thought as he pointed his finger straight at the door as his favorite illusion took effect. A flock of black crows seeped through the door into the room which caught the Summer Fairy's attention immediately. The flock served to be nothing more than a distraction as half of them turned into spinning shuriken that zeroed in on the ash blacked haired Fairy who growled in annoyance. Sweeping her hand out blood red flames lashed out into the air to combat this threat but when the shuriken passed through her flames Lilith knew this was no ordinary attack. Floating out of the way of what she perceived to be real shuriken Lilith's body froze in paralysis. The little fairy saw her skin start to peel off as the face of Evangeline started to overlap on hers.
'Genjutsu… the art of illusions that these pathetic little ninja like to use. How annoying.' Lilith sneered within her mind as she flared her powerful Yōki around her body and unleashed a small pulse of power that cleared her mind of the foreign chakra invading her brain. Genjutsu didn't necessarily affect a person's chakra network like many believed. It targets the brain by injecting the owners chakra into their target to influence the five senses. By disrupting your chakra, you send pulses to the chakra nodes wrapped around your brain that can expel the foreign energy. But other forms of energy can work too if used correctly.
Coming too Lilith looked up to see Eva's limp body wrapped up securely in Itachi's nondescript cloak to cover her modesty. He didn't want to wear his traditional Akatsuki cloak and reveal his identity prematurely. "Who are you human?" Lilith asked as Itachi remained as quiet as a mouse. Seeing her prize within Itachi's grasp lit a fire of rage within Lilith's heart as she flared her monstrous Yōki for Itachi to feel. The S – Rank criminal felt the power vibrating through his bones which impressed him immensely as he knew that the tiny little demon had more energy inside of her than he could ever hold.
Making his way to the door in a visible attempt to escape Itachi watched as the powerful Fairy charged up a powerful attack. "Yōjutsu: Bloody Ambrosia!" Seeing the blood red colored flames coming at him Itachi formed one single hand sign one handed and faced the attack head on. "Fire Style: Fire Ball Jutsu!" A massive orange colored fireball shot out of Itachi's mouth that clashed with the blood colored flower shaped flames with the sound of a raging inferno roaring to life and echoing off the walls of the hallways in the bunker.
Itachi's Fire Ninjutsu was one of the most refined in the history of the Uchiha Clan with his prowess and power in their sacred techniques being compared to the likes of his father and Madara Uchiha in the past but even his fire was no match for the supernatural hellfire from the underworld. It was subtle but Itachi could see his fire starting to be encroached upon by Lilith's superior flames which was fine by Itachi who was using the roaring wall of flames as cover for his final maneuver.
Disrupting the two attacks with a powerful burst of Yōki Lilith glared down at Itachi who stood in the entrance way noticeably without Eva wrapped up in his arms. "Where is the child?! What have you done with her?!" Lilith demanded as she produced orbs of fire around her in preparation for her offense. She was very tempted to kill the human man in front of her, but she also recognized that he had a substantial amount of chakra within him. It wasn't anything overly impressive but the look in his eyes indicated to the powerful Fairy that his skill was extremely advanced. "I've sent her away so that we can fight in earnest. You needn't concern yourself with the girl any longer." Itachi murmured as the harsh glare on Lilith's face increased tenfold.
"How dare you… the audacity of you creatures never cease to infuriate me! I'll just kill you and be done with it then." Lilith's reaction was what Itachi wanted as he charged forward to tempt the woman in attacking him. "Yōjutsu: Bloody Hydrangea!" These orbs of fire shaped like flowers shot off at Itachi with immense speed. Sharingan spinning in reaction to this the traitorous Uchiha dodged all of these fireballs with finesse befitting his incredible skill and notoriety before Body Flickering right in front of Lilith who was preparing another barrage of fireballs. His apathetic eyes started into Lilith's sickly amber eyes as a ghost of a smile appeared on the young adults face. "Boom." One single word uttered by Itachi and Lilith's world exploded around her in a monstrous explosion.
BOOM!
The entire room and section of the bunker imploded with monstrous force that collapsed the room Lilith was in burying the tiny fairy alive as well as destroying several of the corridors and rooms in the surrounding area. On the surface of the island a massive sinkhole formed on the ground that caved into a massive crater. 'Exploding Shadow Clone Jutsu.' Itachi thought who was long gone from the room with Evangeline wrapped up securely in his cloak. The Akatsuki member was back on the surface of the island where Naruto left his marker. The steel door was closed behind him as he looked out to a few hundred yards away to see the sinkhole forming in the ground along with the roaring explosion and tremors vibrating the surrounding area. 'Maybe adding extra paper bombs to the Exploding Clone was a bit excessive.' Itachi privately thought to himself as he felt a piece of his chakra approaching the island fast. 'My crow is returning with the rescue team.' Itachi noted as he began his trip to the ruins of the Hidden Whirlpool Village. If Naruto were to escape, then that would be the first place to check.
Rescue Team – Land of Fire's Coast
Miles away back on the main continent of the Elemental Nations Jiraiya and his rescue team reached the coast of the Land of Fire where they could see out to the ocean for miles around. "We've checked the entire area in a 10-mile radius. He's nowhere to be found." Balalaika commented as she kept her senses primed and on high alert for Naruto or anything within their vicinity, but so far nothing was around them for miles. Jiraiya heard the mob bosses words but his eyes were focused in on a small dot growing closer on the horizon that was fast approaching. "I know… it's come to my attention that Naruto is not anywhere on the continent. My informant has told me that Naruto was taken to an island far off the coast of the mainland." Jiraiya explained as he read over a small message he received earlier in the morning. Itachi's message was short and to the point that he traveled to what he suspected was the old Land of Whirlpools. This revelation nearly caused the old Sannin to have a heart attack. That was the last place he would ever expect them to take Naruto.
"You and your informants… you vast spy network never ceases to amaze me Lord Jiraiya." Balalaika joked with a sultry look on her face as she stood next to the Toad Sage. Shoko was off on Jiraiya's other side with a solemn and expressionless look on her face. She wasn't hysterical anymore, but she settled on a very quiet demeanor to hold herself in check. "What now master…?" Shoko said in a whisper like voice as she stared out at the ocean with an unreadable expression. Jiraiya knew he was going to regret this but he knew he had to reveal his information.
"The island in question is believed to be Hōrai Island…" Jiraiya said slowly as most of the shinobi present gasped in shock. "Hōrai Island…!" Shoko gasped as true emotions bloomed on her face while Balalaika and Karasuba both wore equally shocked expressions as well. "Impossible…" Karasuba whispered as she met the eyes of Shoko who looked like she may have another panic attack.
"Hōrai Island? What is that?" Fū questioned as Hinata looked towards Shoko who placed a hand on the side of her head. "Hōrai Island, otherwise known as the Land of Whirlpools was the old ancestral homeland of the famous Uzumaki Clan and the long-time allies of the Hidden Leaf since it's creation." Jiraiya explained in a solemn voice as Hinata immediately picked up on the tense atmosphere that Jiraiya's revelation caused. "What happened to them?" Fū questioned hesitantly as she too could pick up on the change in mood.
Kakashi and Guy bowed their heads in shame as they knew the reason why… it was the entire reason why they spent their entire childhood fighting in a bloody war that took the lives of many of their closest friends. Anko felt the same as she lost quite a few friends that she knew as well. It was a bloody conflict that gave rise to heroes but indiscriminately took far too many innocents on all sides of the war. "Why don't you ask these two for the answer young lady." Shoko whispered as she looked directly at Balalaika and Karasuba who wore unreadable expressions but from Balalaika you could see the tiniest glimmer of regret.
"The red spiral swirl that is on all of our uniforms is the symbol of the Uzumaki Clan and even the spiral shape of the Hidden Leaf Symbol comes from them. We've worn it since long ago as a way to honor the deep connections our two villages share with each other as it was the Uzumaki Clan and the Hidden Whirlpool Village that helped build the Hidden Leaf well over 60 years ago. While the Leaf was the first to formally establish a Hidden Village, the Uzumaki Clan had long since set down roots in their homeland while the rest of the world was still in the Warring States Era where the shinobi clans were nomadic and freely roamed the land." Kakashi explained to Hinata and the others who didn't learn much about this back in the academy.
"They were destroyed, weren't they?" Hinata questioned as she connected the dots together based on the way everyone was both speaking and acting. Her ability to read people as an Hyūga also helped in this regard but it wasn't really that hard to figure out. "Yes… by the combined forces of the Hidden Cloud, Hidden Stone, and Hidden Mist villages and I was there on day zero when the invasion happened. I was one of the very few survivors to make it off the island at the end of the day. This invasion lead to the Hidden Leaf declaring war on all three villages which kicked off the Third Shinobi World War with the Hidden Sand joining us in this two verses three fight." Shoko whispered as tears fell down her face, yet a bemused tired smile complemented this visage.
"That's all in the past now… right now we know what we must do in order to rescue Naruto, we must keep our priorities straight." Jiraiya cut in as he didn't want Shoko or the others getting distracted by their emotions. That small dot out over the ocean grew a lot bigger as it revealed itself to be one of Itachi's black crows. "Everyone we are going to cross the ocean over to the island in a quick manner so form a group." Jiraiya ordered as he summoned a special toad called a Diving Toad that was the size of the regular species.
The time for talking was over everyone realized as the small toad lashed out with its tongue and grabbed a hold of each group member one at a time before swallowing them whole which shocked most present who were not used to Jiraiya's more unique Toad related techniques. Once everyone was inside Jiraiya entered last after which the crow picked the toad up in its talons before crossing back over the sea for nearly half an hour. The crow eventually reached the island where it dropped the toad off at the recently destroyed bunker.
Exiting the small little toad, the group reacclimated themselves to the wide open. "Are those floating islands?" Karin gasped in shock as she stared up at the vivid and very much real floating islands orbiting Hōrai Island. "Yes… this is the only place on the entire planet in which these islands can exist. They are tied to Hōrai Island as a whole. They're beautiful around sun set…" Shoko whispered as she stepped foot on these sacred lands for the first time in well over a decade in a half. It was almost too much for the woman to handle as she remembered visiting the island as a young girl with Kushina who would show her around to all of her favorite places. "I never thought I'd see this place again either if it helps…" Karasuba idly commented but the death glare she received from Shoko and Jiraiya shut her up.
"This place feels so warm and strange… like I've known this place all my life." Karin mumbled as a warmth filled her heart with a familial feeling as she looked around the strange land that should have felt foreign to her yet in the deepest parts of her mind everything around her had an air of familiarity to it.
Hearing this Balalaika focused in on Karin who squeaked once the very tall woman towered over her. "How foolish of me not to see it last night… you're an Uzumaki my child. Your vivid red hair is a dead give away and your reaction to this island is proof enough." The leader of Hotel Moscow stated with an exasperated expression on her face as she was surprised by her lack of foresight in identifying Karin as a Uzumaki. Her physical appearance and even the unique feel of her chakra should have rung warning bells within her mind. Balalaika has met enough Uzumaki to know what one would look like. Karin flinched at this admission since when she was still growing up under the care of her mother the loving and kind older woman would always teach her daughter to never use their last name or to tell it to anyone. It would only bring disaster and pain if a person were to find out about her last name and origins.
Hinata gasped at this as she thought over what this could mean for Karin which she soon put into words. "Then does that mean Karin and Naruto are related?" This question was posed for the group and Kakashi was the one to answer the young Hyūga. "Yes… but without knowing who Karin's mother was related to will make it difficult to determine just how closely they're related… but we can say with certainty that Naruto and Karin are both related." Kakashi confirmed as Karin had a serious look of contemplation on her face as the realization that she had family out there for the first time in a very long time nearly overwhelmed to poor girl and learning about it in such a significant place such as the ancestral homeland of her people only added to this surreal feeling. After her mother died Karin thought she was the last Uzumaki. Meeting Naruto in the forest of death and learning that his last name was Uzumaki sent Karin for a loop. It was one of the main reasons why she chose to seek him out and help both him and Team 8 out in the test. She wanted to know if him sharing her last name was a fluke or not. She desperately needed to know for her own piece of mind.
"Hinata… can you see where Naruto and the others are?" Anko asked to change the topic away from the tense subject going on. The team couldn't afford to get distracted when time was of the essence. Nodding her head to this suggestion Hinata concentrated her chakra which she could now feel a divine essence to and activated her enhanced Byakugan. Her golden hued eyes came to life as the young Hyūga took a look around the area while letting her 360-degree field of vision expand over the large expanse of the island. The very first thing Hinata's eyes picked up on was the very familiar bright sun like source of divine energy from Iris who was below ground in an underground chamber near their location.
Divine grace from Iris's body was like an attractant now to Hinata who now had a small sample of the same energy coursing through her body. Iris was like a bright sun to Hinata now who was having to take a few seconds to acclimate to this new feeling of having her vision trying to deviate and autofocus in on Iris's form instead of universally focusing in on her entire surroundings. Magnetism would be a word Hinata would use to describe the sensation her vision was experiencing right now as her eyes naturally swayed off to the side to look in Iris's direction.
But while Hinata was somewhat distracted by her newfound polarizing effect to her crushes daughter it didn't stop her from noticing a small group of individuals leaving on the opposite end of the bunker and one of those individuals just so happened to be Chaos. She was in what appeared to be shackles with two woman dragging her along following a tall blond-haired man with large black feathery angel wings sprouting out of his back.
"CHAOS!" Hinata shouted involuntarily as she took stock in the little Angeloids appearance and she was busted up with injuries scattered across her body and a vacant look in her eyes. The poor girl was in disarray with her beautiful long flowing hair in dishevel along with exposed parts of her inner circuits opened to the world to see with her synthetic skin ripped and destroyed in many places. Anguish was built up in Hinata's heart as she saw how terrible the young child looked and felt like and it tore her to pieces to see the dead look in the lovable psychotic girls eyes. Chaos needed to be saved and it needed to happen now.
The others were surprised by this as Hinata had a near hysterical look in her eyes as she looked off towards the coast of the island in a different direction compared to everyone else. "Hinata what is it?" Anko immediately called as the others crowded around her in concern. "Iris is chained up in a cell on the other end of this underground facility away from that sinkhole. She's being guarded by a few demons while every other person I can see is rushing towards the sinkhole. A fairy is buried beneath the rubble… but Chaos… she's being dragged away by three people with large black wings growing out of their back and Chaos is in terrible shape." Hinata explained as she looked like she wanted to rush to Chaos's location haphazardly.
"Fallen Angels… what are they doing here? It's incredibly rare for beings like that to come to our world." Balalaika commented as Jiraiya and Shoko both had concerned frowns on their faces. This concerned Jiraiya in particular as he ran into two Angeloids a few weeks prior along with Naruto who were after Chaos and nearly succeeded in blowing up the town of Midway to accomplish this feat. If they currently had Chaos within their possession, then they needed to get her back immediately.
"Alright listen up and hurry. Anko take you and the girls down into the catacombs to rescue Iris from her prison cell. Between the five of you it should be easy to get in and get out. Don't head over to where the sink hole is at all cost. Get Iris and get back to the surface as quick as you can. The rest of us will intercept the group of Fallen Angels as they will prove to be a big threat. Once we retrieve both girls I want you kids to get to the coast and seek refuge inside of my dive toad. In the meantime, we will get Naruto and Eva and meet you there, the level of battle we are about to participate in is absolutely no place for children and Genin level shinobi." Jiraiya ordered in his deep serious voice that sent shivers down everyone's spine. This was the Legendary Sannin completely in his element ready to go into battle. "… and before you complain don't bother I don't want any contesting to my orders. Get the girls and go." Jiraiya added in as Hinata partially had her mouth open as she strongly wanted to voice her opinion on finding Naruto as well, but she knew not to press her luck with the powerful sage. "Yes sir." Hinata mumbled as Jiraiya nodded in sympathy and understanding. Before Jiraiya could speak again Balalaika spoke up with a grin aimed at Hinata. "Remember girl… stick to your convictions and keep in mind you don't have my permission to die out here." The mob boss stated in her own unique way of encouragement. The indigo haired heiress didn't quite know how to process this bizarre statement, but she meekly nodded all the same which was all Balalaika wanted to see if the grin that got larger on her face was any indication.
"Scatter!" Jiraiya ordered as the adults rocketed off from their positions within the blink of an eye leaving Anko in charge of the small squad of girls. "Let's go!" It didn't take the all-female squad long to reach Iris's cell were with a stunning display of teamwork Hinata was able to seamlessly work with Fū and Karin who she's only just met to take down two of the four ogre demons protecting Iris's cell. Anko dispatched one all on her own with a constriction of poisonous snakes that quickly killed the monster with fast acting poison. Aria dispatched one on her own as well while calling upon her previous experience with being partnered with Toiret the Ogre Demon to take advantage of their species weaknesses which resulted with Aria killing her opponent first.
Rescuing Iris was a simple task as Hinata sent a burst of her chakra into the shock collar around Iris's neck letting the girl free. "Hinata! Aria! Anko!" Iris like any child jumped into Hinata's awaiting arms with small tears leaking out of her eyes. The princess was in pretty rough shape herself with cuts and tears in her clothes and sweat pouring off of her… her injuries that she suffered at the hands of Ryūra healed almost immediately after she got them due to her divine body that even the collars could barely contain. But the sheer amount of exhaustion that she was feeling couldn't be remedied easily as the girl nearly collapsed the moment she got up.
"Iris are you okay… how come you didn't break free on your own?" Hinata asked as she picked Iris's extremely light body up into her arms. Hinata had no intentions of letting the little girl go as she nearly crushed the tiny girl within her grasp. Her heart was hammering in her chest as she nuzzled her face against Iris's sweaty and exhausted one but the love that Hinata was trying to convey was easily reaching Iris who buried her face in Hinata's budding chest. "I knew you'd find me Hina…" Iris mumbled as Hinata cued in contentment at finally rescuing one of the girls. "I've missed you so much… I was worried for all of you." Hinata admitted as she looked Iris over with her Byakugan to see she was low on grace. Iris smiled a tired yet coy smile as she saw Hinata's new eyes in person.
"I see you've discovered my gift for you. How do you like it?" Iris weakly giggled as the squad carried her out of her cell room and back to the surface in record time. All the while Hinata kept her Byakugan active to be the eyes for her teammates incase danger was around. The little fairy that was trapped beneath the rubble was beginning to stir and the amount of Yōki that she had within her body was staggering to Hinata as not even Jūra who she see saw back in the Land of Waves had anywhere near the same amount of power.
"I feel different now… I can see all kinds of energy signatures and things I would have never thought possible and I'm subconsciously being drawn to you constantly while my eyes are active. You did this to me when you saved my life back in the Chūnin Exams. Why?" Hinata admitted as Iris let out another weak giggle but Hinata noticed a green tint coming to the little girls eyes. "Because I knew you'd find us… I needed you guys to find us…" Iris mumbled as she saw realization come to Hinata's eyes.
"You planned this… you knew that all of this was going to happen!" Hinata exclaimed as the others looked at Iris in shock and mortification. "Iris! We were terrified for you all! How could you have known about this and not warn anybody!?" Hinata reprimanded in surprising amounts of anger that stopped the group in its tracks. Iris closed her eyes in shame but didn't keep them closed for long. As her eyes opened everyone could see the powerful emerald colored eyes staring back at them. A burning feeling surged throughout Hinata's body as she experienced the same sensation Naruto typically gets whenever Sōkyoku takes over.
["I understand why you feel this way Hinata but know that everything I do for Naruto is for his own good. He would have never discovered this place or the significance it will hold for him in the future if events did not play out the way they did."] Sōkyoku announced with her deeper voice that was accentuated by her rich and vibrant accent that had an attractive allure to it that the girls couldn't deny. But that notion was put to the side in the face of Iris's radical change of personality.
"Iris…?" Anko had an alarmed look on her face as she stared down at Iris in Hinata's arms as the glowing green orbs staring back at her were incredibly intimidating to say the least. ["Not quite my dear but continuing to call me Iris will do just fine."] Sōkyoku commented in a coy tone as Hinata slowly put Iris down in caution and concern. "You're the being Naruto could never tell me about aren't you… you're the real Iris." Hinata realized as Naruto once told her that Iris wasn't who she said she was. The one that they were all used to and familiar with was nothing more than an avatar that interacts with the world on Sōkyoku's behalf.
["Indeed… and I know you have many questions for me but what's most important right now is to find my father and get the refugees to safety."] Sōkyoku instructed as she was easily able to sense out the lifeforms of every single being on the entire island with it being second nature to the supreme deity that controlled life itself. "There are civilians on this island?!" Anko asked in shock as this piece of information changes everything about their mission. They would need to rescue those individuals as well. ["Yes, and they will be caught in the crossfire if we are not careful. Naruto is currently up at the top of Mount Hōrai at its summit while Evangeline is at the old ruins of the Hidden Whirlpool Village. We'll need to move swiftly if we are to protect everyone."] Sōkyoku encouraged with a tone that commanded respect and authority. The sheer amount of determination and certainty within her voice was something that couldn't be denied. The Phoenix Goddess was a natural born inspiration and leader.
"Then that is where we will go… we'll save everyone while Master Jiraiya and the others get Chaos. If they can hold off those demons, then it will give us the chance to sneak by and rescue everyone." Hinata announced with a level of certainty in her voice that stunned those around her. The Hyūga heiress wasn't going to sit quietly by while her closest friend and family was in danger. "Hinata! Those weren't our orders! We have…" Anko began to counteract as she was responsible for the safety of this squad but the determined glare in Hinata's eyes stopped her in her tracks.
"I'm sorry Anko sensei but I will not stand by while those that I care about are in danger. I couldn't do much before today but thanks to Iris's intervention I'm now in a position where I'm not useless or a liability. I have the strength to actually do something and no matter how small it is I will do it. I have to go and save Naruto and Eva because if our roles were reversed they would do the same for me!" Hinata countered with the tiniest sparkles of tears in her eyes as her heart was overflowing with the notion of saving the two individuals that meant the world to her. She would stop at nothing to go save them even if it meant disobeying her direct orders.
["Impressive… your resolve continues to grow day by day. Those who have the fires of selfless courage burning in their hearts are always champions who achieve so much in life. I understand you may not like this Anko, but Naruto is going to need all of us in this endeavor. Everyone has a part to play in this unfortunate story I've brought before you and you must fulfill it."] Sōkyoku passionately complimented to Hinata before switching her tone to a more melancholic and slightly weary tone that spoke volumes to the amount of stress on the primordial beings conscience.
"What do you mean you brought this on us my lady?" Aria asked in concern as the ancient deity turned to her vassal with a tired smile. ["This fight is only the beginning. It will give young Naruto a taste for what's to come. The real battle one day will shake this world to its core and I must make him ready… by any means necessary."] Sōkyoku admitted with remorse in her tone but a deep seeded fire was in her eyes as she looked at everyone present. This was something that had to be done no matter what. The future depended on it… especially with her arch nemesis eventually coming.
It took a minute but on the inside Anko herself was debating on what the right thing to do was. She wanted to save Naruto just as bad as everyone else, but she also didn't want anything to happen to her team. It was an impossible decision but, in the end, Anko chose her heart over her mind. "Ok… let's bust some heads." The wild torture specialist smirked as those around her adopted equally determined smiles in place. ['Yes… these children are truly selfless souls… which is why it pains me to know that I constantly hold their life in my hands… their destiny nothing more than the whispers and whims of my fickle heart. But it's all necessary for Naruto's future… to make him strong enough for what's to come.'] Sōkyoku mused through sad eyes as the group took off for Mt. Hōrai and the ruins of the old village. They were dead set on saving everyone they could, and nothing was going to get in the way of that.
Naruto's POV – Mt. Hōrai
Reaching the summit of Mt. Hōrai Naruto felt the pull of the curse mark on his back grow stronger while Asagi tensed up with embracing him. The pull for her must be even stronger considering the mark was calling her specifically. Proceeding through an obviously man-made tunnel Naruto kept his sense's on high alert with Asagi frozen lightly to his back so that he could have the use of his arms. It was a very strange sensation, but he could feel this energy source unlike anything he's ever felt in his life and it was drawing both children in just like the marks on their backs.
It went without saying that Naruto was using small teams of shadow clones to scout the area around the mountain for hidden traps and enemies but so far, he's come up with nothing. He was sure that this meant that the Four War Gods had no plans on impeding him from getting to their destination which further emphasized his hunch that this was a blatant trap. He wished that he could have done a bait and switch and used a shadow clone in place of Asagi but if the curse mark worked like a signal as Naruto suspected it did… then it would be pointless to try and trick the ones sending the signal if they have a telepathic connection.
Exiting the tunnel Naruto's breath was taken away at the ethereal and mysterious cavern that housed the strangest object he's ever seen in his life. The sacred relic in front of them is a massive deformed egg-shaped dome that also resembles a giant clay pot. The structure is supported by massive thick tree roots that entangle and surround the large relic in its protective embraces. A large stone staircase leads up to the gate of the decaying relic which is at least 30 feet tall. The massive object itself is situated on a large plateau that has thick tree roots and branches covering it and below it is a small lake of murky water that supports the massive tree roots springing up from its depths. The entire cave is carved out into the form of a coliseum like atrium that has square shaped cut out windows on multiple floors that would presumably hold rooms and look out verandas. A hole in the ceiling of the cave leaks in sunlight to the cave which is the only lighting available.
"What is this thing…?" Naruto whispered as he subconsciously walked up the broken and deformed steps of the entrance. Reaching the top Naruto looked around at the ancient site that hasn't been preserved or maintained in probably close to two decades. The Uzumaki native could only imagine how the place must have looked like when it was actually serviced by the Uzumaki Clan. Over the two imposing doors was an archway with archaic writing carved onto the surface of the wall that Naruto couldn't properly read.
"This is the Cauldron of Resonance… it's the sacred relic of Hōrai Island and the Uzumaki Clan." Asagi spoke as she could see the wonderment and curiosity swimming in Naruto's eyes. 'The Cauldron of Resonance… why do I feel such a strong connection to this relic. It's like standing next to a piece of my long-lost soul. The energy signature of this thing feels almost identical to my own… or like it's changing to mimic mine.' Naruto mused in silent awe as he stepped up to the gate and placed his hand on the stone surface and felt the hum of an overwhelming fountain of energy vibrating just beneath the surface of the object. It felt just like his own unique chakra source. 'Resonance… is that what it means… it's resonating with my energy because I'm close to it… but why does it also feel like Karin's chakra that I was able to sense back when I first met her? Could she be just like me?' Naruto questioned himself as there were so many questions that he had but the answers weren't coming to him. This was an overwhelming experience for the young shinobi.
"Asagi what do those words say over the archway?" Naruto asked as the younger girl looked up and with ease read all of the words without a hitch. "It's the spiritual song of the old Uzumaki Clan and the Cauldron itself. It's called the Song of the Spirit Sending." Asagi explained as Naruto added this to his chaotic thought process while spying to identical carvings on each side of the large gate. "Can you tell me the lyrics please." Naruto requested as he walked over to what turned out to be an extended portion of stone carved into a smooth orb sticking out of the wall that was about the size of a large ball. More than big enough for a human to place their hand on.
Father once said to me
Many moons ago
A demon hand will defend
Mother said one day
There is more that you must know
A mortal hand will sustain
Two hands together
Incomplete alone
Balance and union
And the gate will open
Go my children go
Go to crimson flames
To save our children
The lights of memory remain
Instead of simply telling Naruto the lyrics to the song Asagi decided to actually sing the real song instead while Naruto himself paused to listen in to the incredible singing voice of his newfound charge. Her voice was like that of an angel as Naruto felt a subconscious warm smile spread across his face involuntarily just from listening to the singing talent of the younger girl who rested her head against his shoulder after she had completed her task.
"That was beautiful Asagi… simply beautiful… but it's also a very sad song. The lyrics are telling these individuals to sacrifice themselves to this Cauldron." Naruto complimented which got a large embarrassed yet grateful blush to come to the blue haired girl's face. Seeing this Naruto chuckled as he gently messaged the girls cheek and rubbed her hair which caused the blush on her face to grow exponentially as she subconsciously snuggled in closer to Naruto who didn't mind in the slightest. These children were starved for affection and attention that was viciously snatched away from them after all of their parents were killed. Any amount of affection he could give them would go a long way to their rehabilitation.
"The lyrics are sad, but they are a part of the culture of our island. There were no graveyards on the island because the Uzumaki didn't believe in burying their dead. They would instead place them inside the Cauldron where their very souls would power it and transfer over to the rest of the island. The energy of the dead are what powers the Cauldron and the floating islands in the sky. It also powers the protective barriers that the Cauldron can erect to cloak the island and turn it invisible which effectively cuts it off from the rest of the world. The souls would then retain a small piece of their presence and turn into the glowing green fireflies that we saw on our way here." Asagi explained as Naruto gasped in shock as he recalled seeing thousands of those unique fireflies congregating around Ilex Forest and even in the ruins of the old village. Those were the souls of the past generations of the Uzumaki Clan. It was surreal to know that they all retained a presence within the physical realm despite having passed on long ago.
Placing his hand on the stone orb Naruto felt a tiny spark ignite his soul before he quickly took his hand away. "What was that?" Naruto stuttered in caution as another presence entered his mind for the briefest second that his hand was connected to the stone orb. "It's the soul of the Cauldron… it's actually alive and to open it the hand of a human and that of a supernatural creature must be place on each orb simultaneously." The ever helpful Asagi explained as Naruto looked to her with questions in his eyes. 'No way is it that simple right? Presumably this thing was made by the Uzumaki Clan.' Naruto thought incredulously in his head. The notion that it could be open by just anyone was too farfetched.
"It couldn't be that simple could it? What's the catch?" He wasn't buy that just any human and supernatural entity could open such a powerful relic. That's too easy and it could invite disaster if certain individuals with bad intentions snuck their way in here much like the Four War Gods. It couldn't be that simple.
"You're right… there's only a few ways to open it. A person carrying the royal blood of the ruling Uzumaki Clan has to be the human to place his hand on it… the other person could also be the High Priestess of the Uzumaki Clan who was our spiritual leader and the person who inaugurates and councils the leader of the Uzumaki who were granted the title Shī-ō. If those two put their hands on it, then the gate would open. Alternatively, the Priestess could open the gate all on her own since she has a deep spiritual connection to the Cauldron itself. The only other way is for the royal clan head to join together with a supernatural creature of his choosing and open the gate." The orphan girl explained to which Naruto nodded his head in acceptance to this. He wasn't sure that it would work but he wanted to give it a try.
"Asagi place your hand on the other orb and channel your Yōki into it since that's what you're most familiar with. I'll do the same but use my chakra instead." Naruto instructed as the girl briefly questioned Naruto on whether it would work or not. "I doubt it will work but we won't know if we don't try. There is something deep down in my soul that's telling me to open this gate. I don't know why but I have to find out." Naruto encouraged as a primal feeling to open the gates overtook him. He had to go through with this endeavor with all thoughts of the Four War Gods pushed to the back of his mind.
Doing as instructed Asagi placed her hand on the stone orb on her side of the gate with Naruto doing the same simultaneously. The stones glowed a purifying white as their hands sunk into the ethereal void inside the orbs. Grasping onto something Naruto and Asagi both pulled back only to see a handle attached to a chain emerge from the glowing stones. A click was heard as the chains became taunt. A massive rumbling was heard as the great gates of the Cauldron of Resonance began to open. The graveled sound of hard stone scrapping across stone sounded out in the cavern as the gates slid apart for the first time in a long time. The Four War Gods couldn't open the Cauldron on their own for obvious reasons so instead they would sacrifice their victims by tossing them into the murky lake below the cauldron that was filled with a fountain of its residual energy that can dissolve the soul of a person cast into it. Of course, the power that the demons receive from this method pales in comparison to what it could be by actually opening the gates, but that method was forever out of their reach.
Crimson red flames slithered out of the gates as a raging inferno could be seen swirling inside the large dome shaped cauldron. Naruto and Asagi where both mesmerized by this supernatural phenomena and as such they couldn't have been prepared for the sudden actions of the Four War Gods who made their presence known. "I knew this would be far more entertaining if I let you come here." Ryūra's voice sounded out in the cave which instantly caused Naruto to nearly have a heart attack. 'What's wrong with me! How could I have become so distracted as to forget all about the Four War Gods! I knew this was all a trap from the start, yet I totally zoned out.' Naruto panicked as he turned to see the Dragon Daiyōkai standing at the bottom of the stone staircase with an arrogant smirk on his face while his arms were crossed. "Asagi! RUN!" Naruto shouted as a blue aura immediately formed around him. "Double Accel!" Naruto exclaimed as he tried to rocket off from his position and grab the frail orphaned girl but before he could even take a single step, a pair of massive arms encircled around him pinning him in a vice grip like embrace that stopped his signature technique cold. The built up kinetic energy in his chakra cloak imploded in a violent discharge that cracked the concrete floor below them.
"Where do you think you're going boy!?" Jūra grinned viciously as Naruto's eyes widened in shock. "Jūra!" Turning to Asagi Naruto saw a person he never would have expected blocking the blue haired girl's path. "FUKI!" Naruto exclaimed in absolute shock as he saw his old classmate and current colleague standing in Asagi's way who backed up in fright. The Mummy Kurruk was standing further behind her near the top of the stone staircase with his lanky form blocking any chance at escape. "Long time no see rival." Fuki said with an inflection of sadness in her voice as Naruto's eyes widened in sheer disbelieve. "You were the masked girl I've fought all these years? The one from the raid on the casino and even on the night of our graduation? It's been you this entire time!" Naruto said weakly as he couldn't process the thought that a former classmate of his was the one who's been opposing him for the last 4 years ever since he started his investigation into the Ravagers Case that dealt with the disappearances of individuals from all over the Land of Fire.
"It has… I really wished you would have killed me instead on our graduation night." Fuki lamented with shame in her eyes as she watched the look of betrayal play out across Naruto's face. "You traitor! You've betrayed the Leaf and you attacked my friends!" Naruto yelled as he glared at Fuki with hatred in his eyes that caused the Hidden Leaf Kunoichi to flinch back with more shame etching itself onto her face. "The same curse mark that's on your back is also on mine for almost the same amount of time. Since I was seven years old I've been nothing more than a slave to the Four War Gods." Fuki explained as the same dull red glow of the claw marks could be seen radiating from her back.
"If you've been suffering all of this time then why didn't you come to me! You knew I had the mark, I was the only one who could have ever possibly understood you! I would have helped!" Naruto ranted as he saw the burgundy colored girl look away. "I wanted too. But my handler was always watching… they killed my parents and took me in because of a very unique Kekkei Genkai that I have called the Tamashī no Haisui (Soul Drain) that lets me drain the energy of any kind of being with just the simple touch of my hand and store it inside my body. They thought my skill was useful, so they marked me like they marked you and so many other victims in the case you investigated because they needed sacrifices for this thing to gain back their power." Fuki admitted as Naruto just simply looked on at her with shell shocked disbelieve in his eyes. "I reached out my hand to you in friendship all those years ago… the day we had our sparring match in the academy that sent us to the nurse's office. We shared the very first conversation with each other and I managed to get through to you for a brief moment… we could have been friends." Naruto shook with grieve and anger in his voice. The look he was giving Fuki was one that she couldn't bear to look at.
"You did more than enough for me Naruto and you tried your best… you did reach out your hand to me that day, but I didn't try my best to take it. I was a fool." Fuki retorted as she stared into the furious eyes of her classmate who had a look of betrayal staring back at her. "I'm a lost cause Naruto… I think it would be best if you didn't feel any pity or sympathy for me. I'm not someone you can save." The burgundy haired girl softly said as the gleeful and amused eyes of the demons looked on in pure delight at the sympathetic drama happening between the two humans. "I don't think so! You can't get out of your guilt that easily. You will take responsibility for your actions… my family and I were hunted down and preyed upon like animals by these bastards for six years and you will take responsibility for the part you had to play in this so don't think you can die so easily by my hands." Naruto growled out lowly with the most resolve he's ever shown in his voice. He wouldn't let her take the easy way out of her suffering by making him hate her so much that he'd kill her along with the Four War Gods. But the thing that hurt Fuki the most about Naruto's response was the hidden look of sympathy and sadness in the back of his eyes. Even with how betrayed he felt by her actions he still felt bad for her circumstances. She didn't deserve his sympathy and empathy. She wasn't worth it.
"Even if you say that Naruto… I'm still nothing but a slave to these demons… I always have been, and I always will be." Fuki lamented as she looked down in shame away from Naruto's piercing eyes. Ryūra chuckled in delight at the drama unfolding before him, it was music to his ears. "Rare humans like her are a commodity… it would have been a tragedy to let such usefulness go to waste." The demon admitted with Naruto gritting his teeth in response to this.
"We aren't toys and commodities to be used as you please you sick bastard!" Naruto roared as Fuki grabbed Asagi and restrained her with the younger girl not being able to resist at all with the disproportionate muscles from malnourishment hindering her in every physical way. "You are our play things… just like how I played with your daughter last night… Iris was it…? Yes, her screams were music to my ears." Ryūra blatantly admitted without a care in the world as he purposely worded his statement in such an ambiguous way that it could easily be left open to interpretation by an enraged father which was staring them all back in the face.
"What did you say…?" Naruto whispered as a nearly crazed look overtook his eyes… his breath came in ragged as his canines grew larger while his hair grew spikier. "You… you… touched my daughter… you hurt my DAUGHTER!" Naruto roared to the heavens as chakra exploded from his body like a supernova burning the newly replaced chest plate of Jūra's right off his body as the great demon was nearly blown off his feet from the sheer force of Naruto's wrath. "All of you are going to die today!" Naruto yelled as he started to struggle out of Jūra's grasp who would even admit that the surprising strength Naruto was demonstrating was even overpowering him. "She's surprisingly resilient that little spitfire, you should be proud. She took being stabbed by both a Demon Sword and Holy Sword and healed from it like a champ." Ryūra chuckled as he added fuel to the fire which only served to enrage Naruto further. "SHUT UP!"
"Yes, all of that anger is fine little man but maybe try saving the girl first before taking us on." Ryūra taunted as he nodded to Fuki who hesitated with Asagi in her arms. "Don't you touch her Fuki!" Naruto yelled as Jūra slammed him into the ground while Ryūra sneered at Fuki's hesitance. "Throw the girl into the Cauldron now child!" Ryūra growled as Fuki picked Asagi up who was trying her best to resist and stared Naruto in the eye. "I'm so sorry Naruto." With those words Fuki threw Asagi who screamed into the burning furnace with the blue eyes of Naruto enlarging to exaggerated proportions. "ASAGI!" Naruto screamed as he surged out a massive amount of chakra that vibrated the entire platform they were standing on.
"GET OFF OF ME!" Naruto roared as he pushed Jūra's hulking form off of his smaller body with a burst of strength that he's never displayed before. Jūra's hulking form was thrown through the air before slamming into the side of the great cauldron with a resounding crash and muffled groan of pain. Getting to his feet Naruto disappeared into a blur before jumping into the Cauldron after Asagi whose face showed a visage of terror that would be locked into Naruto's memory for the rest of his life.
"And now we wait… he will return with the Sacred Jewel Box that has our power spheres." Kyōra purred as his form could be seen sitting on a ledge over the Cauldrons large gates. "Indeed. Only a Uzumaki with royal blood ties to the royal family can retrieve that accursed box. Once we have our powers back we'll kill him." Ryūra smiled a cruel smirk while a coughing groan from Jūra brought his brothers attention to him. "That's easier said than done… he better survive in there or else I'll kill him." The Tiger Daiyōkai grinned while wiping a trail of blood from his lip that he accidently bit from Naruto's surprising strength. Ryūra and Kyōra chuckled at their brothers misfortune as Fuki could be seen standing at the gate with a shamed look in her eyes. "I'm so sorry Naruto."
Jutsu Library
1.) Genjutsu: Crow Ephemera - This technique allows Itachi to put his opponent within a Genjutsu by using his finger as a medium. This induces the Genjutsu. When the technique is used crows flocked from Itachi and turned into shuriken after he performed the ram seal which bombards his enemies. Itachi then releases a signal that attempts to put his target to sleep. If the target resists the sleep command then they experience their bodies turning into any number of things. Most of the time it is of a person that the victim knows who then begins to torture the victim relentlessly and psychologically.
2.) Yōjutsu: Bloody Ambrosia - Lilith's signature technique that she falls back on due to personal preference. Summoning her magical glyph Lilith generates a massive fireball of blood red hell fire that burns hotter than normal fire. Lilith then launches the fireball that takes the shape of a sunflower that rapidly expands in diameter as it travels away from Lilith. The flames are so hot that it can instantly raise the natural temperature of the environment around it to unbearable levels while the illumination of the flames itself are bright enough to be spotted from great distances.
3.) Fire Style: Fire Ball Jutsu - The Hallmark Jutsu of the Land of Fire and the Hidden leaf Village and founded by the famous Uchiha Clan the Fire ball Jutsu is the go to fire style Jutsu as well as a right of passage in the Uchiha clan. The Jutsu spews forth a fireball from the mouth of the user and the size of the technique is depended on the amount of Chakra used by the user. The Jutsu is the gateway Jutsu to many other advanced and powerful fire style Jutsu.
4.) Yōjutsu: Bloody Hydrangea - A unique and versatile technique that allows Lilith to spawn a vast array of small fireballs that are uniquely detailed in the patterns of the beautiful Hydrangea flower that is uncommon in the world. These flaming orbs of super condensed Yōki when launched travel nearly at the speed of sound and can tear through the human body so quickly that the victim's body would combust in a delayed reaction. Like with many of Lilith's techniques these fireballs are extremely hot and raises the temperature in the immediate vicinity to tremendous temperatures.
5.) Body Flicker Jutsu - A high speed ninja technique that allows the user to travel at high speeds in short microbursts. Usually the technique is accompanied by a special effect that masks the movement of the user.
6.) Exploding Shadow Clone Jutsu - An advanced version of the Shadow Clone Jutsu that allows the user to create shadow clones that will explode either upon death or through voluntary detonation. It is caused by destabilizing the chakra core of the clone and then packing it full of excess chakra that the normal Shadow Clone Jutsu doesn't need.
7.) Double Acceleration - The first variant of Accelerating Turn that works the same way as the original. The user stores up kinetic energy in their body but the difference is at this point. The user separates the built-up energy into two separate pockets surrounded by a shell of the user's internal energy (Chakra, Yōki, etc.), the two bubbles of kinetic energy is pressed up against each other and concentrated at the user's feet, which in turn creates tremendous amounts of pressure on the body. Once released the added pressure results in a massive shockwave of kinetic energy that propels the user forwards at incredible speeds. The user then releases the second and final bubble of kinetic energy after the first gets depleted allowing them to speed back up again. Because of this there is a brief amount of lag in between each jump but the lag spike is so short that only experienced fighters would be able to notice or counter it.
Shī-ō (Sea King) - The Shī-ō which stands for "Sea King" is the royal leader of the Uzumaki Clan which is the Patriarch clan of the Hidden Whirlpool Village and is responsible for leading not only the entire clan but also being a central figure in the rest of the villages military. The current Shī-ō at the time of the founding of the Hidden Leaf Village and the formal establishment of the Hidden Village System was an elderly shinobi about 67 years old named Ashina Uzumaki who led his clan to be allied with the newly formed Leaf Village and its first leader Hashirama Senju the First Hokage. Ashina married off his niece Mito Uzumaki to Hashirama to form a blood tie and bond of loyalty between the two villages that would last for decades. The Hidden Leaf would incorporate the spiral pattern of the Uzumaki Clan symbol into their uniforms while also adopting it for the creation of their own village's symbol. Ashina would later go on to die during the Fall of Hōrai Island well into his advanced years alongside his grandson and his successor the current Shī-ō Arashi Uzumaki, the father to Kushina Uzumaki the princess of the Hidden Whirlpool Village who was slated to one day be the next Shī-ō.
Tamashī no Haisui (Soul Drain) - A unique and one of a kind Kekkei Genkai exclusive to Fuki that allows her to absorb the energy of any kind of energy type from any species she comes into direct skin contact with through her hands. She can store this energy inside of her body for short periods of time that boost her chakra reserves and also vastly increases her vitality, physical conditioning, and stamina. She most commonly employs the use of this ability through the use of her signature technique called [Drain Punch].
Author's Note (A/N): Hey guys this was an explosive chapter that like those previous are extremely dark with mature themes around every corner. One topic that I know will come up is Fuki's reveal in this chapter. The first thought many would have is that she was shoehorned into this chapter or that she is in no way connected at all. It may come off as a major plot hole but that is why I'll gladly explain myself.
Yes, Fuki's sudden reveal is jarring and I'll even personally admit that in the chapters leading up to this arc I didn't show much of her at all for a very long time. That was entirely my fault as I never found the appropriate place to add scenes for her in. At times I also forgot about her as I was distracted with the Chunin Exam finals and recreating them and the invasion. Not to mention the 1 month break arc. I do regret not flushing out her character in recent chapters but she was always planned for being added in this arc. It was the entire reason why I included her character and her teammates into the story in the first place. Otherwise I would have never used her character at all as she was nothing more than a minor background character from a flashback of Sakura's past.
On the other hand Fuki did receive significant exposure and character development in Part 1 of the story and towards the beginning of the current Part 2 during the Land of Waves Arc. I dropped many hints at the fact she was the mysterious masked girl who encountered Naruto many times over the years while he was growing up. Even some of you speculated in your reviews that you suspected it was Fuki all along. So I hope her involvement in this arc can be accepted. Another hint is in Part 2 of this mini arc where Anko mentions not being able to find Fuki after the invasion which indicates that she was missing since then.
Onto the next order of business. Itachi was awesome in this as he uses his clearly superior shinobi skills to rescue Evangeline from Lilith's grasp with finesse befitting his infamy. Fulfilling his part Itachi rescues Evangeline who still has her Aqua Stone but is unconscious and in serious pain. The extraction process in incredibly long as the stone is tied directly to Eva's soul making it incredibly difficult to pull out.
The backstories of the orphans were heartwrenching to read and even makes me feel anger towards my own evil characters that I write. They are not meant to have any redeemable qualities so you don't have to worry about Naruto using the Talk no Jutsu on them anytime soon. We get to see glimpses of the islands geography and beautiful scenery with its unique locations that each have a piece of lore to it that will be explored in the story to come.
The rescue party arrives on the island where a lot happens to the group. The others learn of Balalaika's and Karasuba's involvement with the downfall of the Land of Whirlpools and that Karin's heritage as a Uzumaki is revealed. Hinata gets some character development as she and the others meet Sōkyoku for the first time and the Primordial Goddess interacts with them while encouraging the group to rescue those on the island. Sōkyoku's apathy and past are as mysterious as ever as she shows remorse and melancholy at her involvement in the events that have been transpiring since the beginning of the story. The weight that she has to carry on her shoulders in connection to her past is unfathomable and it eats away at her consciousness and morals everyday. Hinata's personality will continue to develop and get more confident and assertive as time goes on as she experiences some proper character development to put her on par with Naruto and the others instead of how it went in the Manga where there was virtually no change from her between Part 1 and 2. As Naruto's best friend and love interest Hinata will keep pace with him in the category of character development when it is needed. I don't intend for her to be a wallflower or background character.
Next chapter is the climax guys and it's going to be a very long one to showcase everything that has happened up till now that has culminated in the fate of the Uzumaki family as a whole.
Next Chapter: Chapter 70 (Hōrai Island: Part 5) – The Uzumaki Rise Again
That's the end of Chapter 69 I sincerely hoped you enjoyed it.
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Published: 6/29/2018
