Chapter Ten: Upgrading the Seal
Sarutobi frowned as he sat in his office, the window closed and curtains drawn while he viewed the crystal orb sitting on his desk. He tapped the top of the orb, sending a small flare of chakra. "Reset." He commanded simply, even though he didn't need to.
(Immediately before the Assault on the Bandits)
"Remember to wait for my signal." Kakashi said firmly. "I'll throw up a kunai and have a paper bomb explode to signal you three to move in after I have cleared as many as I could."
He nodded when they all gave sounds of agreement.
"Alright Team. Move!" Kakashi commanded, leaping into the air with a quick application of Chakra to his feet. He soared high, and with a sweeping motion he threw several kunai mixed with shuriken. He flew through the hand seals to multiply them, creating a massive wave that tore through the roaming bandits and guards. Several went flying from the overwhelming force behind the sheer amount of metal projectiles.
"Okay, we just have to wait-" Ryouken was about to get ready to jump when Naruto moved from the tree with a burst of speed.
"Damnit Naruto!" Akane shouted, jumping after him when she was able to react from a momentarily stunned state. Ryouken followed her closely.
Naruto moved to above a large grouping of the bandits who were about to scramble towards Kakashi, drawing his fist back with a loud yell before hitting the ground. His chakra flared, forcing the air to ripple and wave while sending many of the bandits flying away. He grinned at his Team as they landed next to him.
"You're an idiot..." Akane muttered as she and Ryouken took up a defensive position around their blond-team mate, drawing their kunai. She noted that the men Naruto blew away were all still alive, just dazed from the shockwave.
"What?" Was Naruto's reply.
"Incoming." Ryouken stated, throwing one of his kunai and piercing the head of a bandit with the sharp blade.
Akane shook her head and also began to work on defending and deflecting the random attacks that were coming from pissed off bandits. Around that time, a paper bomb went off in the air.
...
"I thought you said there were only a hundred or so!" Naruto shouted.
(Present time)
Sarutobi sighed. Naruto acted rashly and defied Kakashi's order, I'll need to have a talk with the boy about insubordination, however despite that they all performed admirably. He thought while shaking his head from the start of the encounter.
Although it is interesting to hear that Akane is a Sensor, and her Affinity for Katon is so high... He rewatched her solo fight against the group of bandits, humming. Kenjutsu, and how did she come to have a Tantō, let alone two, and hide them so well? More things to have a talk about when Kakashi gets here. He looked at his clock, seeing the time. It was almost seven in the morning.
Then he looked back at the orb to watch Ryouken's fight. He's a different card altogether. I knew the Tatsujin Clan heavily favor Taijutsu, but I never saw any reports of them using their Jutsu in combat. Now I know why... The Shadow and Light techniques he uses are dangerous. He hovered his hand over the orb, allowing it to zoom in to where Ryouken began to attempt restraining Naruto's enraged state. Combination Ninjutsu is difficult to manage, and I am correct about this. The strain on his body is great, almost as if he was opening one of the Eight Inner Gates. I know he said his eyes are part of why he can use them, but even then he doesn't seem to have the practice to put them into full combat potential. He rewound the clip, to where Ryouken summoned the spears of shadow. Those spears have the hallmarks of an absolute defense, but the amount of hand seals required makes the technique useless against another Shinobi who won't wait for him to complete them. Not to mention the buildup of chakra was almost not fast enough to react to the sudden charge... He'll need to be told to not rile up his opponents, no matter how they speak to him.
Turning the recording forward, Sarutobi watched as Naruto was moving with quick and rapid strikes through the bandits, grappling and throwing them while also attacking their vulnerable locations. Compared to the two, he is less established it seems. Just the basic Academy Ninjutsu, and usage of Shadow Clones. However out of the entire class he was in, his Taijutsu is on par with mid-Chunin level Shinobi. The speed of fighting Itachi and Shisui probably helped him refine his movements to be able to contend with them, and Kakashi's report of his attacks containing a lot of power make me believe he is using a crude method similar to Tsunade-chan's Monster Strength. However... He splayed his fingers out and focused on his chakra, freezing the image on Naruto's feet. Traces of Kyuubi Youki are present. Jiraiya was right, the seal was weakening. I didn't catch it before...
He swirled his fingers, replacing the image with the one when Naruto charged at Kakashi during the bell test. Then he froze it at the moment Naruto moved, viewing the latent chakra in the air through the divination provided through the Telescope Recording Technique. Yeah, even here. Its Youki is present in after-sight. Yet he never once showed the knowledge of the Kyuubi inside of him... Troubling indeed. And from this, I now understand what Tenma meant in his letter to me about Ryouken's 'burden'. He has a Bijuu... Of some kind. What could it be? After all, the Nine are all accounted for in some level between the Great Villages, and Takigakure.
As if to distract him from his thoughts, a knock sounded at the door, and Sarutobi ceased his technique to gestured to the door to have an ANBU open it.
"You requested my presence this morning Hokage-sama?" Kakashi asked while he entered the room, a single hand in his pocket while reading his Icha Icha book.
The Hokage nodded. "Take a seat." He gestured to the chair in front of him, and when Kakashi was sitting he resumed speaking. "How are your students doing?"
Kakashi hesitated briefly before putting his book away. "I don't know..."
"You didn't go see them after I sent you home last night?" Sarutobi asked, watching his Jonin shake his head. "You should have... But it hasn't been very long I suppose." He pulled out a few documents. "I have the medical report for Akane. She'll make a full recovery according to our Head Healer, and until she is recovered she is to not take any missions beyond low intensity D-Ranks like organizing a filing cabinet. She woke up last night asking if Naruto was alright as well."
Kakashi sighed. "How was he?" He asked softly.
"Still comatose. The Five Elements Seal did a number on his body since the Shiki Fujin is an Eight Trigram Style. Jiraiya-kun will be working with your other student to restore the Seal." Sarutobi almost groaned at the look of confusion on Kakashi's face. "Kakashi, you're slacking... But they are your first Genin Team."
"Sorry..."
"But you are learning. Ryouken apparently knows the basics and fundamentals behind Fuinjutsu. So Jiraiya-kun will be having him help as a learning opportunity." When he got a nod from Kakashi, he continued to speak. "As for the other things I need to talk to you about. Kakashi, Naruto defied your orders to wait for you, and started attacking the bandits before you gave your order."
"He what?" Kakashi asked with shock, his one visible eye widening.
"You heard me since you don't have the excuse of being old like me." Sarutobi moved his hand to the crystal ball and, through manipulating the chakra in the orb, rewound the image of the battle to when Naruto jumped into the fray. "He didn't wait for your signal. I suggest you have a talk with him about respecting orders from his superiors, before Falcon-san hears about it."
"Yes Hokage-sama... I'll talk to Naruto."
"Good. As for Ryouken, he has access to Jutsu we cannot fathom right now. I want you to find out what he is capable of, but let him know that any Clan Secrets he has not shown to us yet won't be asked for. And tell him he needs to work on his defensive jutsu." Sarutobi flicked his fingers at the crystal ball to direct it to show what he means with the Shadow Spears. "There are too many flaws to allow to be kept in the future."
Kakashi nodded. "I'll be sure to inform the boy."
"And as for Akane... She is proving to be a strange case."
"How so?" Kakashi asked, only for the Hokage to direct his attention to the crystal orb once again. The Jonin stared in shock and amazement as Akane used her Tanto and was moving around with quick explosive bursts of speed. "... How the..."
"Exactly. I understand the Katon Affinity from your report to me and her own admission of her chakra wanting to mould that way. But the Kenjutsu is inexplainable as far as I can tell."
"She never displayed that during any of our training sessions..." Kakashi watched as the red-head resealed her weapons as they reformed back into her Qipao. "That is probably some high level Fuinjutsu actually sir."
"Indeed... Something we can have Jiraiya look into. Although..." Sarutobi pulled out a Bingo Book and set it on the table. "Some of our answers might be in here."
"What do you mean?"
Flipping the book open, Sarutobi turned the pages to one that looked worn with constant perusal.
Kakashi leaned forward and read the page out loud. "Muteki... No Clan or surname listed. Says he is at least Jonin level in comparison to the Kumo and Kiri agents who have fought him and survived. A-Rank... What does this mean?" He decided to ask.
"Stop reading and look at his picture."
Kakashi frowned, and looked at the picture attached to the book. A tall man was seen, their profile turned away from the camera. Their head was turned just enough to glare at the photographer, and revealed bright red eyes captured in stillframe. They had red hair as well, and a muscular frame. However, the thing Kakashi noticed the most was the shape of the person's visible ear. "I... I see. They must be related to Akane somehow. The hair and eye color could mean different things, but the shape of the ears..."
"Quite possible."
"Wait... Why is this page so worn out?" Kakashi asked next.
Sarutobi smiled and leaned back in his chair. "It's a copy of the Bingo Book that Akane happened to have on her when she was brought to the hospital. The surgeon happened to find it and send it to me, the girl will get it back when she is recovered enough to leave the hospital."
"I see... This is also not one of our Bingo Books." Kakashi realized.
"Correct. I had the head medic also check the records... Akane Koga was not born in Konoha, but was left with a guardian sometime when she was nine. So, for now we will shelve the matter Kakashi. If she decides to explain anything to you, that is of her own prerogative."
(With Ryouken)
Sitting in the hospital room that Akane and Naruto were in, with a single curtain divider between their beds, Ryouken looked somewhat pale. They both could have died... Just like her... He wiped a few tears from his eyes, leaning back into the wall he was against while hugging his knees tighter.
I'll say this once more pup. You are not at fault for her death. Nor would you have been with the deaths of your Team. The Kyuubi would've kept its container perfectly fine if Naruto was struck with the Cleaver however. Your red-headed crush- Hey! - didn't know this, so she tried to save his life.
Ryouken almost hung his head, except it just rested against his knee. I... I can't...
You can't wait pup?
I can't lose them... Ryouken said softly, and sank into his mindscape to stand before the large wolf who was lying down and staring at him. "I couldn't keep them far enough to not feel this way... So now... I have to do everything I can to protect them."
Banrai hummed. "So you are opening your shell I see."
"Only for them... And Sensei. No one else..."
"As good of a thing as any. Now... I believe you should check back in the world to see if that white-haired old man has returned."
Nodding, Ryouken closed his eyes and pulled himself back, opening them to see he was still sitting where he was before. Moving to stand, he looked around quietly.
Seeing no one, he sighed and went over to Naruto's bed and checked on the unconscious blond. He pulled the shirt up and checked on the Seal one last time, noting once again its faded and grayed out appearance. Something damaged the Seal... But my biggest question is what... Looking around one final time, Ryouken activated his Meiangan and began the process of slowing down the time around him. Through amplifying my brain's ability to sense and react to photons... He thought to himself. I can adjust my perception of time. Light is a perfect medium for many things. Once he felt time was slowed down enough, he concentrated his will upon stepping forward while remaining perfectly stationary.
And diverged himself of his body, and directed his spirit into Naruto's Seal.
Ryouken looked around the state of the sewers that was Naruto's Mindscape, and frowned. There were several cracks through the pipes he didn't remember, and he could hear the sound of flowing water further down which signaled the beginnings of a full on breach. He almost died for sure. He then walked down the path, until he came upon the cage which held the Kyuubi. And almost gasped in shock.
The gate was open, almost completely ripped away. All that remained was the half-torn 'tag' which showed the state of the internal Seal itself, and deep within was the Kyuubi which almost looked asleep. Curled in one of its many tails, was Naruto. He's unconscious... Even in here. As is the Kyuubi. He blinked and shook his head as his eyes drooped and almost closed. I can even feel as if my mind is trying to pass out... I cannot let that happen here. And then promptly left the Seal to return to his own body.
Sitting down in a chair, Ryouken frowned again as he rubbed his right eye. The everpresent burning sensation of using his eyes was annoying. According to the Clan Archive our eyes shouldn't fade and lose their light... I think. But damn isn't it annoying... He reached into his pocket to put on his sunglasses again once he noticed the sunlight was starting to filter into the room with more intensity due to the sunrise. With a soft sigh, he relaxed somewhat in thought. The Kyuubi held Naruto... Almost protectively. The last thing I remember from the time I was in their Seal was their incessant bickering... What is causing this?
He almost jumped out of his seat when he heard something slam, and getting up while reaching for a kunai he stopped once he saw who it was sitting against the windowsill.
"Morning kid." Jiraiya said, nodding his head, and looked back at Naruto. "Are you ready to work? We have to fix his Seal soon... I can do it, but this will be your first experience of actually working on a seal of this level."
Taking a breath, Ryouken nodded. "Yes... I'm ready. But I have a suggestion."
"Hmm?" Jiraiya hummed.
"I have access to a scroll containing the application methods and theories behind putting on a seal called 'Amatsukyojin Kensei Kakuho'. It was developed in Nazogakure."
Jiraiya raised his eyebrows, letting them almost disappear into his horned forehead protector, marked with the kanji for 'Oil'. "Interesting... Show me the scroll and I'll decide kid."
Nodding, Ryouken opened a hidden pocket inside of his jacket and with a small puff of smoke escaping, pulled out a scroll to toss it to the Sannin.
Catching it with ease, Jiraiya slipped off of the window in order to open and read the contents of the scroll.
After several minutes, Jiraiya nodded with a smile. "A good looking seal. It can definitely be used as part of the upgrading and restoring the Seal on Naruto. In fact, it looks like they can synergize well enough." Standing, he walked over to Ryouken and offered him his hand. "I understand the length you just took. Nazo has always been enigmatic with what they have, but have never hesitated to help Konoha when it came down to the gritty. Thank you."
"It is a pleasure Jiraiya-sama." Ryouken took Jiraiya's hand, and they shook firmly.
Immediately afterwards, the two moved to where Naruto was laying down on the bed. Jiraiya then pulled out a set of ink and brushes, and began to draw along the faded Shiki Fujin with smooth, precise brush strokes. "Show me the Seal Array again kid." He said after a few minutes of work sketching across the Shiki Fujin.
(The next day)
"So... Was the Seal a success?" Sarutobi asked while puffing on his pipe, sitting next to Naruto's bed. Jiraiya sat nearby as well, the hospital room they were in housing just the three of them.
"Yeah. I'm surprised how easy it was, but I think the Nazogakure Scientists planned for that Seal to integrate with any others it might need to just in case things went wrong." Jiraiya rubbed the back of his head. "And Ryouken isn't a slouch... He learned fast from just watching and assisting as I directed."
Sarutobi nodded his head, glancing back at Naruto who slept peacefully. "That is good then."
"Agreed. I think he'll wake up later in the day." Jiraiya said. "But for now, let's just let him rest. He deserves it."
Sorry for the delay everyone. I had an incredibly bad month of April. One I don't really wanna talk about, but I'm back. I hope this Chapter is enjoyable... I had to re-read this a few times to remember how I wanted to take it after shelving for long enough it took to get back into the sway of things. I wanted to do more with this, but I also didn't... Want to force anything. It's a weird mix of filler, and my new plotline for the series. As always, I would appreciate a Review my friends. Enjoy.
~VeloranDarkfyre