Ch 20 Protect the Waterfall Village!

Time for Taki to take center stage. Hopefully y'all like how I do things this chapter. As always I do not own Naruto but at least I have this. And I'll probably take some time to do a rewrite before moving onto Part II. Hopefully y'all are enjoying the rewrite & I'll be able to start the timeskip part soon. As always enjoy & I don't own Naruto though I do own my OC & 2 noodle cats.

-night 1 day's travel from Taki-

As the team set up for their last night of travel before reaching Taki the general mood was far better than it had been on the first night. While she never said anything else after catching Naruto and Hinata Anko nonetheless was happy with her team. "It's a good thing Stu...Hinata talked to him. I'm not cut out for that kind of soft touch with stuff like this. But she did good too bad he's too dense to realize why she did it." Smiling at how close her team had become Anko finishes preparing their dinner for the night with peppermint tea alongside yakitori with soy or teriyaki on the side alongside a large portion of rice balls with either more chicken or jam inside.

Telling Naruto to leave his clones as guards while the group eats Anko smiles again at her team. After a few moments though she notices Shino seems to be unusually focused. "Hey Goggles what's the matter? Did you have a hot date in Konoha or something?" Shaking his head Shino holds up his palm revealing his kikaichu seem riled up as are various other insects that have settled amongst them. "It's unusual for wild insects to act like this. Why do I say that? It is because my hive says they have noticed the beetles and other insects of this area are agitated. But strangely we are not the cause of it." Unnoticed by the others Shibuki briefly goes pale as he knows what could be affecting the local insects.

For a moment he briefly considers telling them of Taki's greatest shame and weapon but decides against it. "Please be safe Fū-chan..." While Hinata and Naruto shrug their shoulders and decide to put the issue to the back of their mind Shino continues to wonder why even as the team prepares to sleep. Taking one last look around the campsite Anko nods to the clones she sees around the area before summoning a few smaller snakes. "Help Blondie's clones and me keep the camp safe. Something strange may be going on in Taki." Bowing to their summoner the snakes soon disappear into the grass before joining the clones guarding the camp. Walking back to the center Anko briefly wonders about how this mission could, and likely will, go wrong tomorrow.

As the night goes on the genin and their sensei take their turns watching over the campsite before the sun rises again. Watching her genin wake up Anko smiles on the inside at how quickly they proceed to break down the camp and prepare their breakfast. Looking around she notices that Naruto seems to have drawn the lot to prepare their breakfast and isn't surprised to see him using clones and seals to make it. To her amusement though she quickly realizes the original isn't with them as she hears the multiple Naruto grumbling about lazy originals. Slightly boosting her senses with chakra she hears what sounds like two Naruto's moving back to the camp with something in tow. Turning to the sound she's greeted with the site of him carrying a rather large gutted fish along with numerous eggs from wild birds.

Quickly taking over a area of his ad hoc kitchen Naruto and his clones begin cutting the fish apart while others begin using the eggs. Almost immediately it's clear Naruto isn't cooking a standard mission meal as the smell spreads across the former campsite. Surprised at the boy's skill she can only chuckle as he prepares what looks like soup with a healthy amount of wild fish and greens with a large side of leftover rice and tamagoyaki. Even Shibuki seems surprised at the effort, and chakra, put into their meal. The moment the food is done Naruto begins handing it out while his clones dispel themselves one by one across the area. Wincing a bit as the clones from the night begin to pop Naruto holds his forehead while holding his own food with his off hand and chains while he begins to pale.

Seeing this Hinata slowly puts down her food before hesitantly rising and channeling chakra into her palms. Much to the other's surprise they begin to glow with a faint green light showing it to be a medical jutsu. "Na-Naruto-kun if you'd like I can help with th-that." Unable to verbally respond due to the pain he's going through Naruto nonetheless nods. Almost as soon as Hinata's hands begin to slowly sweep across his head Naruto's skin begins regaining it's color and his breathing slows down.

Having an idea of what may have just occurred Anko nonetheless has to be sure given their mission. "Naruto what just happened?" Looking up at his teacher, unintentionally bringing his forehead to rest against Hinata's palms, Naruto gives her a pained smile. "I forgot...I had clones that...had been out since las...last night's dinner. The...The memory feedback from them was mor...more than I expected."

Pinching the bridge of her nose Anko momentarily considers hitting the blonde for his obvious lapse. "You moron..." Laughing a bit at himself Naruto nonetheless seems to be recovering quickly as Hinata pulls her hands back in a daze. Unbeknownst to any of the shinobi present within Naruto's seal the Kyubi takes notice of the bluenette and how her chakra felt. "She's his descendant..." Putting his head down the beast returns to his sleep even as the Team resumes moving towards Taki with their client. Only somewhat noticing the world through his container the fox smiles slightly as he recognizes the area and which of his sibling's lived there.

Hours later as the team arrives at the spot Shibuki marked for them on the map they're surprised to see a small group of Academy age children present. When the children ask if Shibuki can help them clean up the village's exterior he sighs and shakes his head. For a moment the kids begin to whine and beg seeing as they know he'd usually jump at the chance. Turning to the Konoha team to shrug he realizes something and looks back between his village's kids and them.

"Hey Anko-san how would you and your team like the earn a bit extra? I normally would help these kids but I have to return to the village. I can offer you a slightly increased D-rank pay on top of the C-rank pay you four will get." Turning to her genin she notices none seem opposed to it so she looks back to Shibuki and nods. "Of course Shibuki-san my genin would be honored to help clean up a ally's village."

Rolling his eyes at his sensei's way of accepting such a easy mission Naruto quickly forms a dozen clones. "Alright boys. Anko-sensei wants us to clean up some trash. Get to it." For just a moment in a dozen identical heads the thought of strangling one person comes to the forefront before it fades and they all sigh. Nodding at the same time the clones quickly set about the work their ever so lazy creator had made them to do. As this is happening Anko and the rest of Naruto's team roll their eyes at his casual use of such a high level jutsu. Joining the clones in cleaning up the area, even as they sullenly glare at their creator, the Team quickly falls into a simple routine.

For a few moments the group relaxed even as they work given the unspoken presence of Taki nin in the area. But soon the silence is broken as a exhausted hawk lands before their sensei bearing a scroll. Crushing the momentary spike of worry at the sight of one of the village's hawks Anko takes the scroll before motioning for the hawk to return. Despite her team's unspoken questions she quickly opens and reads the scroll before sighing. "The Hokage has a mission for me out here. Apparently they received word of a base of my former sensei being nearby and that unknown shinobi were seen using it. I have to join a team composed of some friends from Anbu in clearing it. I want you three to stay here and wait for my return. Got it?"

Not even allowing them the chance to ask to join her Anko shunshins away as the hawk takes flight once more. Stamping a foot in frustration Naruto slowly gets back to work but creates a few clones to watch the area. After another hour of work the team finally relaxes against a tree with the last bit of trash picked up and sealed away. Dispelling a few clones at a time Naruto sighs and rubs his forehead as their memories begin to flood back into him. As the clones continue to disappear the team hears a low growling coming from amongst them. Giggling a bit Hinata turns to look at Naruto who's holding his stomach and telling it to shut up. "Na-Naruto-kun are you hungry?" Nodding he sighs before looking up and breathing in deeply. "There's a ramen stand near here...Let's go!"

Jumping up Naruto grabs Hinata and Shino's hands pulling them along much to Shibuki and the children's amusement. Running around the curve of the woods before them he sees a small stand similar to Ichiraku's facing a waterfall. With his stomach growling loud enough to be heard by everyone nearby the young Uzumaki drags his friends in. Seeing and hearing the group coming the man behind the counter can only smile when he sees the three Konoha genin enter followed by bowing when Shibuki enters. "Welcome to Waterfall Ramen. How can I help you?" Shaking his head Shibuki at the unasked question he can only chuckle as Naruto proceeds to order a astonishing amount of ramen for himself. "I see. And would that be all for you three?"

Shaking his head Shino says the man is mistaken. "Our friend here ordered all that ramen for himself. He has quite an appetite for it to say the least. If you have any I would like to have a salad with winter melon." Looking to Hinata she orders a single bowl of miso ramen like Naruto's while blushing a bit. "Alright so one salad with winter melon and nine bowls of miso ramen with extra pork belly. Right?" Nodding the three genin talk happily amongst themselves and to Shibuki as the chef prepares their food. "So Naruto-san, I've heard the dreams of your friends here. But what would you like to do?" Taking a quick sip from his canteen Naruto smiles up at the usually nervous village head. "I'm gonna be the next Hokage. And the best Clan Head the Uzumaki have ever had!"

Laughing at bit at Naruto's excited attitude Shibuki smiles before he sighs. "From the head of one village to the hopeful Kage of another just remember that your family and clan will still need your guidance even after you become Kage. Ok?" Nodding solemnly Naruto thanks the young Village Head before he and his friends begin to quickly eat their meal. Watching the three talk and joke with the stand's owner Shibuki can't help but smile as he is shown once more that they truly do care for each other. Suddenly though the talking ceases as they all hear the scream of a woman who comes running through the waterfall.

Rushing to her side the quartet quickly are surrounded by dozens of clones as Naruto prepares to fight. Holding the woman Shibuki frantically asks her what's going on as he recognizes her as one of his village's civilians. "Shi...Shibuki-sama the village...The Village is under attack by Ame nin led...led by Suien.." Falling unconscious Shibuki momentarily freezes as he finally notices the cuts across the woman's arms and back. It's only when Hinata pries the woman from his arms and begins to treat her that he begins to shake in fear. For what seems like an eternity to Shibuki he can only hear the sound of the waterfall as if it's all around him. It's only when Naruto physically begins to shake him and ask what they should do that he snaps out of his fear induced stupor and responds quietly. "It's pointless...Suien was my sensei...We can't beat him..."

To the shock of all those present Naruto not so gently flicks Shibuki in the forehead forcing him to look back up at him. "Shibuki your village is under attack. And they need their leader and we can help you. Now lead us to the village already." Nodding he rises and asks Hinata to take care of the woman and any others who flee the village. Numbly walking out towards the waterfall he barely notices Naruto and Shino following right behind him. Drawing his tanto Naruto nods to Shino as he draws two kunai out while his insects begin to crawl out from his jacket and sleeves. Stopping before the waterfall Shibuki runs through a quick set of handsigns before pulsing his chakra. From just before them a doorway pushes just past the waterfall before opening. Revealing a dry and cool tunnel that seems to run downwards into the rock face. Walking forward the trio are silent and wary as the doorway closes behind them.

After a few moments of walking down the tunnel slowly begins to rise again before opening up into a hidden crater with a massive tree covering it's top. Awestruck for a moment Naruto and Shino have to shake their heads to regain their focus as they see smoke rising over the hidden village. Looking out across the village the three can easily see fighting still taking place all over with the fiercest fighting taking place at the base of the tree. "Shibuki-sama what should we do? We don't know this village so please give us an order." Turning to Shino the young head nods before looking back towards his village considering where he can see fights occurring. "Suien was one of our best Jonin before his defection. I believe his goal is the Hero's Water. We need to secure that but we also need to get the civilians out."

Releasing more of his kikaichū Shino steps forward with a small grin visible as he looks at Naruto and Shibuki. "I will handle helping the civilians. Why you ask? Because my jutsu are best suited for it while Naruto-san's are more suited to combat." Nodding to his friend Shino takes off towards the nearest group of houses while Shibuki leads Naruto towards the village center. "The Hero's Water is hidden within the tree itself. We need to get it before Suien can otherwise we're doomed." Creating a dozen clones to escort them Naruto nods while mentally preparing himself for the fight. "What exactly is the Hero's Water, Shibuki?" Taking a moment to check the nearby area for potential enemies he points towards the massive tree ahead.

"Once a century that tree creates the Hero Water within a cavern deep within itself. We don't know why it does so but we do know those who drink it can experience up to a tenfold explosion to their chakra reserves. The problem is such a massive boost ultimately kills the user as their body is unable to handle the strain. Our village, and the clan that founded it before, has protected the water and it is our last ditch weapon if we are ever invaded..." Nodding Naruto motions for a few of his clones to distract a few Ame nin they see near the tree. "So we have to go in and take the water? Alright give me a moment I've got a few seals that can help keep them off our backs." Quickly pulling a scroll from his left thigh holder Naruto removed four seals and wraps them around kunai handles. "You don't have anything in there besides the water right?" Shaking his head Shibuki grows a bit worried as he recognizes part of the seal as the basis for a improved explosive tag.

"No...But try to not destroy the tree. It provides us with more than just the Water and is crucial to our continued existence." Nodding Naruto mentally judges just how much chakra to pump into the tags before igniting them as almost foxlike smile grows on his face. "Got it Shibuki-san...On my mark we book it for door." Nodding the older shinobi prepares himself before Naruto launches the first kunai near a group of Ame nin. Just before the tag detonates it lands right in their path. Unable to react in time most the nin are blasted back into the surrounding homes with severe injuries. The rest are left dazed giving Naruto and Shibuki time to run across the street and into the tree. Quickly opening the door Shibuki takes the lead while Naruto leaves multiple barriers behind them. "We have to move quickly if Suien gets the Hero Water no one in the village will be able stop him."

Nodding the young Uzumaki continues to watch warily as they move further into the tree. After a few moments of walking the two enter a small opening deep within the tree that seems almost heavy with chakra. To Naruto the room feels almost like what Kaito-nii or Anko-sensei can do only magnified many times. But deep within the young jinchuriki the Kyubbi takes notice of the particular feel of the chakra before chuckling. "So we're in her home. I was right." Going back to his sleep the biju nonetheless noticed that her chakra seemed rather faded in the area. Back outside Naruto nervously watched the room while Shibuki gathered the small amount of seemingly normal water into a clay jar coated in small seals. After putting a stopper in the bottle Shibuki leads Naruto out the tree via a different route.

The first thing they both notice is that the sound of fighting seems to have shifted from the village center to it's edge and that the center is now abandoned. Cautiously working their way towards Shibuki's residence they come upon a small fight between a lone Taki nin and three Ame nin. While the Taki nin is obviously more skilled and likely a experienced Chunin or Jonin the two easily can tell he's exhausted and slowly falling. "Shibuki we need to help him." For the first time though Shibuki freezes up as memories of his father run through his mind. Lost in his own mind he doesn't even notice Naruto continue speaking before he moves slightly away and counts down. Unable to move or stop the boy he only watches as Naruto rushes forward with his chains out.

Catching the enemy nin by surprise Naruto manages to ensnare one causing lines of seals to spread across his body. As the other two turn to face the lone genin the exhausted Taki rushes one as he is distracted and stabs him with his bloodied kunai. Before he can eliminate the other one though the Ame nin manages to dodge his strike and knock Naruto back. Stunned as he believed Shibuki had followed him Naruto narrows his eyes when he sees the village head cowering back where they started. "You've gotta be kidding me!? He's a coward but he's the VILLAGE HEAD!?" Grumbling to himself Naruto rolls to dodge a strike and gets back up with his blade held in both hands. "Well if he's not gonna fight guess I'll have to do it myself."

Slightly bending his knees Naruto begins to circle around his opponent while blocking or dodging his strikes while trying to see a pattern. After a few moments of reacting he suddenly blitzes forward knocking the man's kunai away with a upwards slash that manages to cut into his jacket somewhat. Forced on the backfoot the Ame nin is unable to draw another kunai as he's forced to dodge multiple quick slashes from Naruto. For a few moments the man worries he's gonna lose to some leaf brat before he smirks slightly noticing a seemingly slight pattern to the boy's strikes. Ceasing his backpedaling the Ame nin deflects Naruto's slash up and to his left before quickly drawing a second kunai and rushing forward. It's at this moment he see's the larger smirk upon Naruto's face before he feels multiple pairs of arms grab him from behind. Looking back he notices the area has multiple copies of the one he's fighting all wearing the same cocky smirk. "DON'T UNDERESTIMATE ME YOU BRAT!"

Slashing down he dispels the clones holding him still before rushing blindly at the one before him. It's only then he notices the swirling ball of chakra in Naruto's left hand while he holds his tanto in a reverse grip with his left. "Rasengan!" Unable to dodge in time the man can only scream as he feels the chakra tear first through his armored jacket and then into his abdomen. As the jutsu comes undone the man is sent flying back into nearby rubble knocking him unconscious giving a clone the perfect chance to place a series of seals upon his chest and arms.

Nodding to the original the clone dispels alongside many of the others while Naruto turns on Shibuki. "What the hell was that Shibuki-san?" Flinching at the usually bright boy's tone Shibuki refuses to look up at him or even his own shinobi. Grabbing the trembling village head Naruto forces him to look at him and to Shibuki's shock Naruto's eyes briefly flash blood red as he stares up at him. "I said what the hell was that? Your the village head! How could you just freeze up like that!?" Shaking Shibuki he continues to rant at him before they hear groaning from behind. Turning Naruto notices the Taki nin seems to be waking up and trying to rise. Releasing Shibuki he helps the man sit up before handing him a spare canteen of water and a blood replenishing pill. "Suien...He's going after the villagers...They're in the cav.."

Before he can finish his statement the man faints as his injuries and chakra exhaustion catch up to him forcing him back into unconsciousness leading Naruto to catch him as he falls backwards. Slowly putting the man down Naruto wordlessly creates four shadow clones to pick up the man. "Find Hinata-chan or Shino and get this man some help." Nodding the clones immediately but gently lift the man before taking off away from the sound of fighting. Looking back at Shibuki Naruto's eyes are filled with a mixture of disappointment and anger at how he froze up instead of helping defend his own village.

"What was he talking about? Where is your traitor heading? And why?" Wordlessly Shibuki points at area of the village near the central lake where the woods stand. "There is a cave system over there. It's where we evacuate our civilians and students if the village is breached. Suien knows this and likely wants to take them hostage." For a moment it seems like Naruto is going to respond before he suddenly looks up and in the direction his clones left. "They took out my clones...And I think they have my friends..."

Realizing what that means Shibuki begins to tremble even more before they hear a harsh voice echoing across the village demanding he handover the Hero's Water. Recognizing the voice Shibuki's shaking only grows worse as the memory of his father's death and those of the last are brought to the front of his mind oncemore. Growing increasingly angry Naruto roughly pulls Shibuki to his feet and shakes him forcing him to come out of his memories and focus on him. "We need to save your people. You can't hand over that Water and I refuse to leave my friends to die. Let's go!"

Roughly dragging Shibuki back towards the tree Naruto nevertheless wonders how he can save Shino and Hinata while also saving the Taki villagers. Within a few short minutes the two are perched within a natural walkway far up the tree looking down at the captured villagers, Naruto's friends, and the remaining Ame nin led by Suien. They're forced to watch as the Ame nin restrain each of the kids they saw earlier alongside Shino, Hinata, and multiple Taki nin and civilians. "Shibuki come out right now! You know my patience won't last forever. And if I don't get what I want I'll start killing these hostages one by one!"

Shaking again Shibuki pulls out a photo with a much younger him standing next to his father before the village center. Explaining to Naruto just why he must protect the Hero's Water he also tells of it's cost to those who use it. Eventually Suien grabs a little and holds a kunai to her throat much to the dismay of the villagers and Naruto's teammates. "We need to do something..." Racking his brain Naruto stares down the tree before looking back at Shibuki. "I don't know exactly what happened. But it sounds to me like your father was a great man."

Looking up Shibuki can barely keep himself from shouting at Naruto as he questions how he could know that or his father. "You have twenty seconds Shibuki or I'll slit this girls throat." Looking down once more at Suien Naruto slowly draws his tanto as chains come out his left arm. "I know he was willing to sacrifice his life to save his village. That's not something an ordinary man would do."As Naruto leans out Suien below bellows that Shibuki has ten seconds while he questions what Naruto is doing. "To risk everything like that. That's a Hero. Your old man was my kinda guy!" Jumping down Naruto channels his chakra into his tanto causing it to glow green and the shinobi below to look up. "Futon: Wind Blade Barrage!"

Forced to jump back most of Suien's nin are surprised anyone arrived to rescue the kids before they begin to laugh at Naruto. Only one of them notices that Naruto's attack easily drove them all away from most the hostages and Naruto's teammates despite his young age. "This one was with Shibuki. I'm sure we could beat his location out of him easily enough." Advancing on Naruto the three Ame nin are surprised when he blitzes past them to knock the girl from Suien's hands before he can stab her. Taking a kunai to the back in exchange Naruto coughs up a small amount of blood as Suien and the Ame trio laugh at him. "Naruto-kun no!" Very quickly it becomes clear that Naruto's injury is serious as he can't stop the three as they begin to beat on him for daring to stand up to them. "What kind of hero are you now?" As the three continue to beat on Naruto and insult Shibuki he thinks back to what Naruto said and what his father said before that last battle.

"I've had enough!" Picking the girl back up Suien draws another kunai out before looking up again. Before any of his men can react a torrent of water comes down from the tree and lands before them. "What the.." Suddenly the torrent clears enough for Shibuki to become visible as he forms the final seal. "Suiton: Waterfall Vortex Jutsu!" Blasted back and cut by the water the three ca only stare bruefly before they fall unconscious at the sight of Shibuki standing beofre them with a visible shroud of chakra covering him. "Let them go Suien."

Laughing Suien points at the young villge head directing the rest of the Ame nin to attack all at once. "Suiton: Water Dragon Jutsu!" Before any of his men can even come close though Shibuki's jutsu tears through them sending many flying before it smashes back into the lake behind Shibuki. "So you've drank some of the water...But you must know you can't beat me even with it." Holding a hand out as a blade of water seems to form in it Shibuki glares at his former sensei. "We'll see about that." Forming his own sword out of water Suien can only laugh at his former student as the two begin to clash in earnest. "The water may have increased your chakra but you're still the same pathetic kid you were then! You've left yourself wide open!"

Slashing at Shibuki's chest Suien is surprised when he manages to block the strike and push him back slightly. "You can't win Suien. By now the rest of the village's forces will have returned and are clearing out your men. Even if you kill me now you won't escape." Glaring at his former student Suien knocks his blade up and away before stabbing him in the gut much to the horror of those watching. "Shibuki-sama!" As the restrained villagers and shinobi call out to their leader he begs his body to move even as blood stains the ground under him and tears run down his face.

"Poor poor Shibuki. What would your father think of you now? Even with the Hero's Water you couldn't protect a single person." Flipping him over Suien opens his bloodstained jacket and pulls out the Hero's Water container. "You haven't changed a bit Shibuki. You're still the same old coward who couldn't master anything" Pulling the cap out with his teeth Suien takes a large drink and all within the village can feel his chakra explode in response to the Hero's Water. Laughing he holds the bottle up and realizing that the power to make one above the Kage is in such a simple thing. "You should be honored Shibuki. You'll be the first demonstration of how strong your former teacher has become."

Before Suien can say another word though a volley of shuriken strikes the chakra around him causing him to look and watch as Naruto stands up. Coughing a bit he glares at Suien even in his injured state refusing to back down. "Don't you ever shut up? It's always the same for creeps like you. You think just cause you say that makes it so. I'm gonna make you eat those words." Running forward Naruto forms the cross seal while smirking as Shibuki weakly cheers him on. "Let's see how you like this! Shadow Clone Jutsu!" Around Naruto four clones appear in bursts of smoke and join him in a simultaneous kick from all sides. But to his shock every single one is stopped by the chakra around Suien while he laughs. "You little brat. It doesn't matter how many times you copy yourself. Five times zero is still ZERO!" Backhanding the clones Suien laughs as every single one is instantly dispelled while he rushes Naruto almost too fast for him to see. Punching Naruto hard enough to send him flying into the tree behind him Suien once more disappears as Naruto pulls himself out of the crater he's made in the tree's bark. Looking down he realizes Suien is no longer standing where he once was.

"Where'd he go?" Hearing a branch snapping above he's shocked to see Suien dropping down upon him and is unable to respond as he launches him into the lake below hard enough for water to nearly reach the branches. Laughing even as the bubbles below begin to fade Suien doesn't notice Shibuki stumbling and freeing both Hinata and Shino by cutting the wire restraining them. "There's no...no need for us all to die here. Take the kids and run." Shaking his arms a bit Shino shakes his head even as Hinata begins to tend to Shibuki's injury. "I can not do that. Why you wonder? Because my teammate will not run. And I must support him." To Shibuki's astonishment Shino seems to disappear as a massive flood of insects come pouring out of his jacket. Reappearing on the branch below Suien Shino throws a volley of shuriken that all fly around the man causing him to laugh at the genin's sad attack. "What was that? You didn't even come close to me!" Laughing at the seemingly pathetic genin he misses the small smirk on Shino's face as he looks up at Suien. "That was just a distraction." Looking down at Shino the older nin snarls before he turns quickly hearing movement behind him. Turning very quickly he's unable to stop Naruto from sending him flying with a chakra enhanced kick to his chest.

Landing atop the lake below he glares up at the two as they rush to meet him. "Let's do it Shino! Shuriken Shadow Clone Jutsu!" Launching a few shuriken Naruto soon creates more creating a veritable barrage all on his own while Shino's insects move forward over the water. Quickly lifting his hands Suien causes the water below to rise even as Naruto finishes the signs for another jutsu. "Futon: Great Breakthrough!" With their speed increased Naruto's shuriken easily slice through Suien's quick defense but fail to pierce through the chakra around him. Closing the distance between them Naruto attempts to place chakra dampening seals upon Suien only to be sent flying across the lake with a single punch. "This is getting annoying! I wouldn't be so confident if I was you."

Staring across the water he can't help but get even angrier as the boy stares back at him with the same expression. "You are the one being overconfident." Stepping forward Suien glares at the Aburame and nearly questions him. "The strength you gain from that water is a false one. Look at you you are already breathing quite heavily. How much longer can you last?" Yelling in anger for the boy to be quiet Suien closes the distance between them before kicking Shino in the center of his chest. But to his amazement instead of being launched away Shino seems to fall apart revealing it to have been a Insect Clone as the real one rises and kicks Suien in the back though he's backhanded away without moving him. "He shouldn't be alive! The Hero's Water effects must be fading already...I need more!" Opening the bottle once more Suien drinks deep from it causing his chakra to once more explode and even begin pushing the water away as he laughs. "So boy what do you think of me now!?"

"Not much." Turning around he's stunned as he sees Naruto rise out of the crater he was in with red chakra beginning to visibly swirl around him. "You called Shibuki weak. And a coward. But at least he stood and fought. He defended his village! Even though he knew he didn't stand a chance. That is what real courage is all about. And you have none of it! You abandoned your village! You get your courage from a bottle! You think I'm scared of you? Gutless coward! I'll show you how scared I am" Rushing forward as the red chakra seems to coat him much like Suien's Naruto manages to block one of his strikes but is launched away by a follow up though he manages to stay standing. Jumping back Suien doesn't notice Shino rising and forming his own hand signs as he sees the bottle holding the Hero's Water is exposed. "Now. Doton: Rock Shuriken Jutsu!" Turning at the sound of Shino's voice Suien is unable to react in time as one of the shuriken shatter the bottle holding the rest of the Hero's Water. Yelling in anger at his plan being wasted Suien jumps up and away swearing he'll kill them all one day.

Still covered in his own chakra shroud Naruto quickly jumps up at Suien with his chains out though instead of their usual golden color they are a deep red almost the color of blood with just golden streaks running through them. "Let's do this! Multi Shadow Clone Jutsu!" All around Naruto first dozens then hundreds of clones, each with their own chakra shroud, form as Suien begins to fall back down towards them. "You think you can stop me punk!" To his shock though his own chakra soon begins to fade as the blows from Naruto and his clones just keep coming before it fianlly fades entirely. "Take this!" As his last clone dispels Naruto uses the last boost it gave him to punch Suien with as much force as he can into the water below. As he's sent flying Suien raves that it can't end like this before seeing a massive shape below in the water. To the shock of all watching a massive and familiar snake erupts from the water with Anko upon it's head before it bites down on Suien and swallows him whole.

Looking down at her genin Anko smirks as Naruto lands and stumbles before he looks up at her and gives her a thumbs up. "About time you showed up Anko-sensei. I thought you'd miss all the fun." Laughing at Naruto's attitude even as he collapses in exhaustion Anko dispels her summon and lands lightly atop the water before walking towards him and the others. "Sorry I didn't come earlier the snake's old base wasn't filled with his men but we did find something nearby it." Tossing a headband to Shibuki much to his shock it's one he didn't expect to see. "There wasn't a body there but we did find evidence of a fight and a few bloodstains. I believe that's one of yours though?" Nodding dumbly Shibuki looks up towards the sky before he falls unconscious saying one name. "Fu-chan..."

-Night outside Taki-

Within a small copse of trees a young mint haired girl cries and looks up into the sky as she thinks of the day. "Why do they hate me? I've never done anything and neither have you Chomei..." Within the girl a gentle giant does her best to console her from within her seal. "They're scared Fu-chan. They have been since me and the others first made our presences known. I wish it were different though...Get some rest you're going to need it. My Hive will keep watch and wake you if anyone comes nearby." Wiping her tears Fu wordlessly nods before gently lying down amongst the remains of the gear she'd taken for the trap they'd called a mission. All around the girl beetles and insects of different types seem to surround her and watch the surrounding forrest almost like guard dogs for their master. Sniffling even as she falls asleep Fu thinks back to how the day had started.

-that morning near Taki's border with Iwa-

As Fu jumps from tree to tree with her temporary team she grows increasingly nervous at how close they're getting to the border. "Umm excuse me...Aren't we getting a little.." Before she can say another word the Chunin before her looks back sharply at her narrowing her eyes and almost daring her to say more. "Fu-chan it might be a good idea to be wary of your "team." I don't like the looks they're giving you." Nodding Fu stays quiet but slowly releases more of her chakra into the air around them to attract the surrounding insects. "This is good enough." Suddenly stopping the Chunin turnss around and draws a kunai on Fu while she hears the sounds of the others drawing their own.

"It's time we ended you bug. We won't let you attack the village like the Sand Demon did the Leaf!" Frantically jumping up Fu nonethless gets a cut on her left thigh as one of the shinobi behind her throws his kunai. On reflex she uses the substitution jutsu as more kunai and shuriken are thrown her way with lethal intent. Hiding in the woods a few dozen yards from her former teammates Fu's mind races as she thinks of what's going on. Knowing one may be a sensor she begins to backtrack towards the village hoping against everything that she hasn't been betrayed by all of them.

Within a few moments it's clear she is being hunted as the insects around her warn of incoming shinobi. "I need to lose them..." Breathing deep Fu turns in midair facing the direction they're coming from before breathing out a fine white powder. "Hiden: Hiding in Scale Powder Jutsu!" As the forrest behind her is filled with the fine powder it catches the light from the sun creating a intense blinding cover that shields her from her pursuers.

As the shouts of pain and annoyance fill the woods Fu takes a risk and heads north-east in a bid to hopefully lose her pursuers before doubling back towards the village later. For hours it seems like her ploy worked but soon she notices the area around her has grown unusually quiet as she stops to drink from her canteen. Looking around she notices multiple shadowy figures moving her way from both her left and front. Resigning herself for a fight Fu quickly puts a palm on the scroll on her back unsealing a unusually heavy kama blade and a single kunai with a explosive tag wrapped around it's handle.

Once more releasing the fine powder into the woods to her left Fu quickly activates the tag before launching it into the powder. Rushing for the shadows directly ahead of her she's still buffeted as the tag and powder create a explosion far in excess of what was expected. Ignoring the screams of pain Fu comes to blows with her first enemy a Chunin she'd seen a few times before wielding two blades of water that he uses to block her kama. "Just give up and die Skeeter! No one in the village will care that you're gone. And we'll finally be free of that demon within you!"

"She's not a demon! And I won't just lay down and die!" Kicking the first man away Fu is left open as another manages to strike her with multiple shuriken across her abdomen and right leg. Bleeding from the new injuries and the one she got earlier Fu stumbles a bit before a fine layer of red chakra seems to bubble up from her skin closing most the wounds that seem to steam as they shut. "DIE DEMON!" From both sides two Taki nin rush at her with lengthened kunai aimed at her liver and her left kidney. Dropping down Fu manages to dodge each strike while releasing more of the white powder from all over her body. "No."

Disappearing as the powder catches the light of the sun again Fu once more uses the substitution jutsu to get out of the ambush only to see a older Jonin appear before her almost immediately. Before she can even blink the man manages to stab her in her gut with a kunai and twists the blade as she stumbles in shock. "Just die already." To his shock and horror though the girl grabs his wrist as more of the red chakra bubbles up from her skin. "I said...NO!" Blasting the man back with a explosion of chakra even as two two wings grow out from her lower back. Taking off into the sky Fu heads in the direction of the village once more though this time she leaves a trail of blood behind her.

For hours the young kunoichi flies only landing a few times to take a few deep breathes even as her reserves shrink more and more with each mile she flies. Fianlly the strain becomes too much and Fu crashes into clearing across from some seemingly abandoned buildings. As she struggles to rise she hears footsteps from behind and turns to see the Jonin once more standing before her. "You can't escape bug. We will kill you and then we will tell your precious Shibuki that you betrayed the village. No one but that fool will mis.." As the man takes another step towards her he suddenly stumbles as the sound of kunai piercing flesh echoes across the clearing. Falling face forward and not moving with multiple kunai in his back the man can only groan as three Ame nin walk out of the buildings behind him. "Well what do we have here some Taki nin. We can't let you know where we were based so why don't you just die from us." Struggling to rise Fu can only crawl backwards as the Ame nin gets closer and closer.

Just when it seems like he's going to kill her the same way he did the Taki Jonin a volley of shuriken strike the ground between the two. Very quickly it becomes apparent the Taki nin hunting Fu had caught up and were angry over the death of their comrade. Using the ensuing battle as cover Fu manages to stand and take off into the woods. As the sound of fighting slowly fades with distance she cries as she presses both hands on the wound she'd received. As the sun slowly goes down she manages to use a river to hide her trail as Chomei's chakra heals her. With the world fading in and out of focus she stumbles into a hidden clearing at the direction of her friend and collapses while crying her eyes out. As she slowly becomes aware of the world around her once more she isn't surprised to see hundreds, if not thousands, of beetles and other insects circling around her. "What...What is this place Chomei?" Pulling Fu back into her mind the Seven Tailed biju seems to be smiling sadly down at her jinchuriki. "This is the place I modeled your mindscape after. Long ago this was a place I lived before the Great Tree grew enough to support me once more." Releasing Fu back into the realworld the biju tells her to rest and that they will come up with plan in the morning.

-Present-

-Village Head's Office-

Holding the bloodstained headband Shibuki can't stop the tears from coming as he thinks the one he saw as a little sister is dead. "She...She can't be dead...She just can't be." As Anko and the others watch the man slowly break down they hear a commotion outside of the office growing closer causing each of them to prepare to fight. Suddenly the doors are thrown open and two bloodied Taki nin enter the office while leaning on each other. "Shibukai-sama...that Ske..", at this Shibuki looks up at the man with a hateful expression causing him to stop, "that girl betrayed us. She was given a mission with myself, Misaki, and the Jonin Michiya by the council but during the mission betrayed us for some Ame scum. She nearly killed us and Michiya was killed by the Ame scum in a ambush." For just a moment Shibuki nearly freezes before he shakes his head. "If what you say is true then...then Fu has become a missing nin. Put her in our Bingo Book and send word to our allies of her status. She is to be captured ALIVE and returned for her punishment here." Collapsing into himself Shibuki wordlessly dismisses the two to get medical help before looking sadly at the headband on his desk. "I don't believe them."

Looking up sharply at Shino even as his team does the same Shibuki nearly questions him before he see's a sole rhino beetle walking on the boys fingertip. "This beetle says the girl did not betray you. How do I know this? Because my clan has long developed the ability to understand not only our own hives but wild ones as well. It speaks of it's Queen being attacked without cause. Does this Fu person have some kind of insect based techniques like my clan?" Nodding the young village head looks at a picture on his desk of him at Fu's graduation.

"She does. I guess you'll find out soomer or later but Fu is the jinchuriki of the Nanabi.", pausing for a moment he expects to see disgust on their faces but is surprised when it's just sadness and strangely to him sympathy from Naruto, "It gives her a variety of abilities including the ability to communicate with beetles like that. But.." Sighing he doesn't know how to say the next part causing Naruto to smile sadly at him. "But she's hated by most the village isn't she?" Looking up at Naruto Shibuki nods before looking back down at her headband.

"You said you don't believe she's betrayed the village. She deserves better than this if he's lying about her." Nodding Anko says they will need to send a message to the Hokage first before they can accept formally. "We'll spend the night resting in the village. I'll send a message via my summons." Nodding Shibuki dismisses them before breaking down once more and crying for Fu. "If she didn't betray the village...It betrayed her. I may have to send my own message to the Hokage." Opening up his desk Shibuki pulls out a scroll and begins writing a message on it for the new Hokage. "Stay safe imouto.."

As the villlagers and Taki shinobi recover from the attack the word of Fu's betrayal spreads across it almost like wildfire. For many it proves their preconceived notions of the girl with only a few doubting the supposed events or being sad for the girl's supposed actions. For Naruto though much of the village reminds him of Konoha when he'd explore without his friends or family seeing nothing but hate for a girl that he doesn't know but sympathizes with. "My life could've been like this...If the Clan hadn't escaped the attack. I would've been alone just like this Fu girl was." Sighing a bit the young jinchuriki sits on the edge of their room's balcony looking up at the treetop far above them.

As Naruto sits and watches the world he feels a pull on his mind as the world around him fades. Looking up he's not surprised to see the gate that represents his seal holding the Kyūbi. From within the cage the fox stares down at Naruto and for once his eyes aren't filled with hate instead he's staring in surprise at the boy. "You don't hate the Nanabi? Why?" Surprised at the biju's question Naruto shrugs his shoulders before sitting down on a dry patch before the gate.

"Far as I've read the Nanabi never attacked people. It was kinda like you and avoided people unless attacked. Only difference is you managed to avoid the Shodaime longer than it did." For a moment the Kyūbi stares down at the boy before he begins to chuckle until the room they're in is shaking and the water coating the floor is whipped into a frenzy. "You Uzumakis are a strange lot boy. You see a being most fear and emphasize with it."

Shocked at the biju's actions and words Naruto doesn't even react when it sends him back to the real world suddenly. "You're a strange one too..." More feeling than seeing the Kyūbi rolls it's massive slitted eyes Naruto chuckles a bit before heading inside. To his surprise Anko is sitting reading a scroll with a growing smirk. "Godaime-sama has given us permission to aid in finding Fū. Get some sleep you three we're gonna have a busy day tomorrow I think.

I can assume you all can guess what's gonna happen next chapter. No jutsu used were oc so I don't believe I need to explain them here. BTW my reasoning for their betrayal goes like this. In canon it's said the village didn't even look for here after she was taken which tells me most of them hated her. Take that with this being set after the Exams, cause I needed to change the order lol, in which Konoha a major village was attacked by a biju would lead to even greater fear of them by the people of a minor one. Take that fear plus the hate and to me that's gonna lead to something happening. But they couldn't do it with Shibuki there cause he cared for the girl so they waited for when he would be gone.

Rewrite-4/13-4/14/2021