The Fox and The Tiger
As Time Goes By
For the village now covered entirely in snow and even more falling, Kumo was silent. As common as this type of weather was, it still managed to keep many in. Cold always did that to people. Unless that was a common thing all year, all the time in some place, it would always shut many things down. For the ninja though, things always were moving. There was no stoppage, missions had to be carried out and training needed to be done. For Kumo, fighting in the snow, cold or rain was common and rather advantageous.
Where villages like Iwa, Konoha, or Suna didn't really get much of that and were less accustomed to such climates. So Kiri and Kumo always had that "home field" advantage. Unlike Kiri though, Kumo had stretches of land that faced heat and dryness, so they could always send ninja for training in such areas. All the bases in a sense were covered.
As such there was six ninja coming back from a mission. Led by Darui, Yugito, Rin, Samui, Omoi and Karui all went on a mission together. They were sent to a border location that was between them and a neutral land. Rumors had it that several scouts from Iwa was crossing over, so they had been sent to investigate said rumors. Nothing came up but it was becoming more often that the borders were being crossed and tested.
Kumo already was very high on security, but with the recent attack on Naruto who was targeted and the fact the village had been infiltrated, again was an attempt at uncovering Naruto kept the village on edge. There was one enemy that remained elusive and then the other nations becoming testy. Still, they weren't of the great five for nothing, and soon enough, all threats would be eliminated.
"So, any word from Naruto?" Karui said as the group continued moving northeast.
"No. Only the updates that B sends." Yugito said and pushed further ahead to be in front and away.
"What? Something I said?"
"No. But perhaps it is that Naruto has not sent any letters. Or maybe it is that it's just that time of-"
"Shut up you idiot! You were likely right with the first guess." Karui said smacking the back of Omoi's head.
"Hey, it can be the other. You girls get weird during such times."
"Omoi...shut up."
He shook his head with a sigh and looked back ahead to Yugito. She wasn't happy and he sighed again. "Anyways...I don't know why she would be too upset. Sure they're dating now...but like, this is always how he's been."
Darui was listening to the conversation about his reclusive student and was curious as to where it would go. Afterall for the way Naruto acted, he understood that said kid did care deeply for those around him. It was just a very odd way that it got shown. Still, people needed to be told what it was that someone felt. It was confirmation, you could show or elude to it all you want but it is something else to be outwardly said and confirmed. From his understanding, Naruto didn't exactly say much about his feelings and as such left a lot in the air about it and would lead to questions.
"The main thing is though, that until recently, we all could beat him. Now...not so much." Rin said.
"I mean...what if he always held back? He did so during the Chunin Exams and afterwards. What if it goes back further? Were we ever better than him?" Samui said as she jumped to be beside Omoi, in the spot Yugito had left vacant.
"Hell, we all took him on when we got back. We barely even managed to land a blow...all of us combined and it was effortless for him."
"That is a bit of an exaggeration Karui. None of us were serious, yeah he evaded us but no one was really out to get him."
"Bottom line, Omoi, he's always been different. He's stuck around with us thus far yes...but we always had been superior until that last year or so in the academy. Now that he no doubt will become even stronger when he returns but...will we be enough for him to still stay? He may deem us as too weak and uninteresting to be around." Karui said and looked down. Omoi sighed for what felt the thousandth time and looked ahead to see that Yugito was also looking down rather than holding her head up.
"She can't be thinking like them, can she?" Moving the lollipop back and forth, he looked back at Karui. "He isn't like that."
"How do you know? Oh great 'Speaker of Naruto' how do you know? He sure as hell hasn't told us anything, what has he told you?"
"'Speaker of Naruto'?"
"You always speak on his behalf! You're his voice! So yeah, 'Speaker of Naruto' seems rather fitting."
Omoi raised an eyebrow at Karui and tilt his head a bit. "Why are you getting mad at me?"
"You side with him in everything. Always jumping to his defense in any situation. So it becomes frustrating to see all the time when he potentially doesn't even give a damn!"
"Guys...this is Naruto we're talking about. What really brought into question his feelings? The lack of letters, or the insecurities of our own strength?" Omoi said and stopped running. Eventually bringing everyone to a stop. "Look, you guys all gotta calm down. Naruto is if one thing, honest."
"Seriously...the one that tricks as many as possible all the time is honest." Samui said placing a hand on her hip. "I'm not leaning on either side, but you need a better selling point than that."
"It's true. Look, if he says something to you straight up, he means it. He wouldn't waste his breath otherwise. Besides, by now you all know the manipulations was a coping mechanism, don't think that is solely who he is."
Samui frowned and looked down for a moment before looking up at him. "And what if you were his biggest, perhaps greatest manipulation of them all? From the very beginning, he could have let you think you two were close...maybe even saying things like you were his first friend or first person he opened up to, things to butter you up and feel a bond that he never truly held for you. All so that at any moment, you are the word of reason on his behalf, his biggest defender...his biggest source of amusement."
"When she talks like that, you seem like quite the puppet." Karui said and stared into Omoi's eyes.
"Guys let's relax for a moment ok? Maybe this is getting blown out of proportion." Rin said raising his hands.
"Oh shut up!" Said Karui as she crossed her arms.
Omoi looked over to Yugito who still said nothing this whole time. It was driving him crazy how she just would stand by as Naruto was being questioned like this. Did she not care? "He wouldn't do that."
"How do you know?" Karui said. "Did he promise? You know promises are easy to say and not mean. It's so easy to say that he means what he says blah blah blah, but how do you truly know?"
Darui sighed and rubbed the back of his neck. "This is so dull, let's get moving guys. I do have things I want to do when we return but to do that, we actually have to return..."
Saying nothing, they all got on the move, Omoi didn't move for a moment until Darui placed his hand on his shoulder. Running alongside the Jonin, Omoi was still so very confused on the behavior of his friends. It made no sense to him. Naruto was their friend and yet, they act as though he never felt that way. Even made it out like it was all some grand scheme...all for his amusement.
Getting back into the village, the first stop was the Raikage's office so as to report the mission. Darui gave the report and as they were about to leave, Ay stopped them.
"Something wrong boss?"
"Not quite. Here." Ay tossed a scroll to Darui who caught it and was confused. Opening it he noticed what it was and nodded. "I see. Guys don't leave yet."
"Why? What is it?" Rin said.
Looking at them each one by one, Darui smiled. "Letter from Naruto. It's addressed to everyone...well those present that is."
"What?" Karui said in disbelief.
"Yeah, so here goes..." he said and cleared his throat to begin reading.
-Naruto's Letter-
Hey there guys...or whatever. I don't exactly know the way to start one of these, you already know it's me...I think.
Either way, I'm sure you're all doing well. I'd hope so at least. Anyways, Lord B said I should probably write, something about it being a nice thing to do as a friend, however he didn't say it quite like that. I'll leave that to your imagination. In all honesty I didn't plan to write, didn't think it would take this long. That and well...I've never done this sort of thing so it's pretty new.
Umm, training has been alright. Being worked to the ground everyday, but I haven't made that much progress in what we came here for...I knew it'd be hard but...
I did make great strides in a couple other things though. It's also given me opportunity to think about a few things for you all. So check it, attached to this letter is a set of seals. One for each of you. To make it simple I'll have the seals integrated to your name so that you get the right one since none of you except maybe Darui-sensei can read seals.
So first, Karui, in your seal you'll find a jutsu and a new sword style. The technique is from an old clan member of mine, so use it well. As for the jutsu, I assume that you are in need of a strong mid ranged attack so you'll see that the lightning dragon will be useful. If you master this jutsu, then mastering just about any lightning jutsu barring S rank is achievable.
Rin, I think you need more diversity. Get started on the first steps of manipulating water chakra. There's a few jutsu there for you when you complete that, and if needed, I'm sure Darui-sensei will be glad to help you.
Samui, honestly you're pretty rough. Silent...but you're pretty well rounded from everything I've seen. You should start channeling lightning into your tanto. Not in the same way that Omoi does with his katana, it'll be different because I want you to maintain its flow. Combine that with your agility and you'll be even more of a problem. Go to Omoi for the beginning steps, he's got it pretty down.
Omoi, knowing you, you're probably having trouble with finding yourself some jutsu. If you want to go the lightning route, I have the same layout as I did for Karui for you if you want. However, if you're interested, I think fire might be a good element for you. A friend showed me a couple jutsu, I've left them for you to look at.
Darui-sensei, I've been continuing to try to get that jutsu you showed me down. It's been a little frustrating but I'm sure I'll get it soon enough. On top of that, I was considering another jutsu with it, I'd like to run it by you sometime.
Lord Raikage, thank you for everything. Progress is slow, I'm sorry about that. I know Lord B has kept you updated. The seal, it's almost done and I'll begin tests soon. I hope it works, I'll be sure to send you the results. As for the other things you had for me, it's steady.
And lastly but certainly the best...Fredo!
Haha I sure I hope I got you...Yugito. It's been brought to my attention that not only haven't I been a good friend to everyone by not writing but, I've been a bad uh...boyfriend. Again...Lord B talked to me about it, in his weird way but I understood...I think. However there were some things that I didn't quite get that I'm not going to write in this in case of it being read aloud like I suspect. Anyways, there's a couple things. One, please don't destroy my fridge again. I'd really quite like to eat things other than seafood when I get back. You have access to my library as you know, but now I have made a new section organized for you. I was thinking, I know you can use the fire and lightning elements, but I'd like you to start learning wind. There are ideas I've had for your unique flames, as well as those claws of yours. I'll send some more of what I have in mind over time as you progress...or at least as I think you've progressed. I would normally be questioning things but it's you. I know you'll do just fine.
So yeah you guys, have at it. I look forward to seeing how you have improved once I get back. And...I'll try to write more, I promise.
Take care
Naruto
-Letter End-
Darui looked up from the scroll and saw the look of shame on just about all of them. Ay noticed it as well and looked to Darui. "What is it?"
Before Darui said anything, the one to speak was Yugito. "They all began speculating Naruto's true feelings about everyone. Then made it out that Omoi was the biggest fool out of it."
Omoi was surprised to hear her finally speak. She was silent the entire trip. "You didn't say anything though. You made me think you were siding with them."
Looking at Omoi, she shook her head. "I react wrong a lot. Even do terrible in saying all the right things at times...but I don't doubt his loyalty to us and the village. If out of all things, his loyalty has always been the one thing we should never question. Caring goes hand and hand with loyalty since he has to care in order to be loyal...now, that doesn't mean that it hurts when it feels to be ignored or feel forgotten. So it was more of a thing that B sent letters and updates, yet he wasn't."
Omoi nodded and looked at the others who were feeling really bad. "Don't worry about apologizing guys, it's fine. In a way, you're right. I know him differently than you, all of you. He is my best friend, as I am his. I told you he cared for everybody in his own way. I hope you can start to see it now since as you can see, even though he isn't around he still wants to help out. Giving us jutsu and techniques to learn, no doubt there's more on the way as time progresses."
"He's one amusing kid! I wonder how he'd be with a squad of his own..." A, said and leaned back in his chair.
"Hmm." Bringing his hand to his chin, Darui nodded. "He is a Jonin now so it is very possible to see."
"Say what? But he's still so young!" Karui said.
"Hey, I was a little younger than he when I first became Jonin. Times were a little different but still, not something we haven't seen before." Darui said with a chuckle.
"If theythink him leading a team is surprising at this age, Iwonder how the council will feel about my true plans for Naruto. His friends' subsequent reactions should be quite funny as well...I'llbesure to tell him with them present. Still I need to figure out how to word it so that there are no arguments, I'd hate to have a divided group." A, thought as he turned around in the seat to look out the window. Standing and walking to said window that touched floor to ceiling, he crossed his arms. "Darui, give them their tools that Naruto's sent. You're all dismissed but Darui report back in three hours, I'm holding a meeting."
"Yes boss. Is this with the other Jonin? Should I retrieve any?"
"No. We're going to summon the council."
"Really? But boss, there are very rare situations for summoning the council and seeing as how we aren't in or on the cusp of war...that means-"
"Just be here in three hours." A, said without turning. This got confused looks from everyone else but Darui just nodded.
"As you wish boss."
-Konoha-
"Kakashi, we need to know your stance on the kyubi being in Kumo." Danzo said, his visible eye was shut as he sat two seats away from Kakashi, next to Hiruzen.
"Danzo, there is nothing that could be done. To do so would be an act of war. Even if we did things through request, it could lead to nothing good." Hiruzen said and sighed knowing it wouldn't be enough to convince the man.
"Don't you see how weak we look? The other villages will begin plotting out our downfall. It's only a matter of time. Especially throwing in our latest showing in the Chunin Exams, it isn't looking good!" Opening his eye to look at Kakashi he leaned forward a bit. "So Kakashi, I ask again-"
"Don't speak to me like I'm just a Jonin, or an anbu under your command once more. I'm Hokage, be sure to remember that." He said eying Danzo from eye to eye. Although not being a fan of the honorifics and stuff, that was mostly to those close to him. The main thing though was that he needed to make sure Danzo understood the situation and that there would be no submitting to anyone.
"Very well, Lord Hokage. I still want to know, what is your stance on the Kyubi?"
Closing his eyes, Kakashi looked down to the table. "As of right now, nothing. The kyubi is lost." Danzo was about to speak but Kakashi looked up straight at him. "The village isn't ready for war...yet."
"You plan to take Konoha into war?" Inoichi Yamanaka said. He sat four seats down on the left of Kakashi, after Koharu.
"Not quite. I have began acquiring assets to help out should it come though."
"Like what?" Shikaku said.
"Danzo is very right. We don't only look weak...we are weak. For so long we never needed the Kyubi's power to fight for the village. Problem is, the power we once held is gone and I'm not talking about the biju. The Uchiha clan, despite all its controversy was by far our most powerful clan and its been wiped out almost six years ago. The Senju clan died out even far prior. Two big contributors to our power. Still, we have the Hyuga, Nara, Yamanaka, and other clans around this table, but let's get real here. Despite these clans none of our ninja are anywhere near the level as they were in the last war. Our clans and academy haven't produced top tier ninja like before..."
"You can't be serious, we've got prodigies still. Neji is one of them, he's got the potential to become one of the best users of our Kekkei Genkai ever." Hiashi Hyuga said. He sat on the right of Kakashi, about five seats down.
"He was beaten by a genin of Kumo."
"He beat the other two easily and that brat has the Kyubi." Koharu said.
"He didn't utilize that power until facing the one tailed Jinchuriki of the sand. And it was without that very power that he actually beat said Jinchuriki. He beat Neji and every other opponent without ever needing to tap into that power."
"Speaking of that Naruto, what would be the plan?" Chouza said.
"He's still only a Genin-"
"Actually Homura, he's a Jonin now. Fresh yes, but I'd say he's deserving. From the time I got to speak with him, he has a great power of his own."
"What do you know about him?" Shikaku said looking at Kakashi.
"Naruto from what I was able to see and from what I watched as well as what he and everyone else says is that despite the skill we saw, it only scratches the surface of his true capabilities. He held back, but I wouldn't say it was all by choice."
"What does that mean?" Tsume Inuzuka said but Kakashi looked right at Inoichi.
"The mind..."
Nodding to Inoichi, Kakashi continued. "His mind holds him back. If he ever truly and really, I should say when he truly solves his mental blocks and problems, there is no doubt in my mind that nothing short of a perfect plan and truly perfect team of the most powerful ninja we can get together could take him down. He's still broken, but I watched first hand the flashes he displayed when it all came together. He was a different person at the end of that fight with Gaara...that is the person I would fear."
"Why?" Koharu said.
"Because I felt like I saw my sensei in that moment."
"You don't mean-"
"Yes. I mean I saw our fourth Hokage. I saw Minato Namikaze, there is just one thing stopping him from reaching that full potential of his and once that happens, we will have a huge threat that may become near unbeatable."
"How can you be so sure that he'll ever overcome his problems?" Inoichi said. "He'd had quite a lot of trauma so young. Those things don't just go away at the snap of a finger. The mind is complicated and it could seem like he's fine, but in reality he could be mere moments from a relapse and be right back at square one. He could be fine one moment and snap the next, it never truly just goes away."
"He has great people around him. They hold his foundation so he may rise. They believe him capable to one day become the Raikage and I believe it."
Danzo raised an eyebrow. "So take those key people out...the brat will crumble...I will ensure we find these certain individuals out." He thought and smirked ever so slightly. Kakashi was a rather good spy, even if he wasn't exactly doing so to gain an edge. Or maybe he did for insurance.
"Him being Raikage? You're talking nonsense!" Koharu said and crossed her arms. "There's absolutely no way he would!"
"He did create a Spacetime jutsu...what more could he do? At this point, if he's doing that type of jutsu now, then it's easy to assume that even more devastating or complex jutsu can be done either now or later. Could he become a Kage? I don't know. He has become a threat in the field though. If he's encountered, we would need to be cautious." Homura said. He was the other elder like Koharu and Danzo that got removed from being advisors in favor of Shikaku and Hiruzen being the chosen two. He sat next to Shikaku who sat next to Kakashi like Hiruzen. The advisors being closest to the Hokage, followed by what would have been the Jonin Commander but that was still Shikaku. So Inoichi, head of the Torture, Interrogation and Intelligence division, sat beside the advisors.
"Exactly, whether or not he becomes Raikage, he's still dangerous." Kakashi said.
"That's not even factoring the kyubi should he be backed into a corner..." Shibi Aburame said.
"So about those assets?" Tsume said. She spoke in a tone that would make you think she cheered or shouted in a gleeful way but it held no joy. The meeting was just becoming a downer.
"So I've reinstated Jiraiya of the sannin to the active roster. He's currently on mission to retrieve another asset...Tsunade Senju."
"You think someone who does nothing but drink and gamble will be of any military use?" Danzo said.
"Who knows." Kakashi said shrugging nonchalantly. "Her name means a lot though. On top of that, I plan to utilize her medical expertise to totally revamp our medical department. With her head of the hospital and medicine, things will be better. I plan to instate her proposal of combat medics within our teams. Her theoretical statistics on survival rates could come in handy. So for the most part, even if she isn't as good a fighter anymore, her knowledge is where we gain the most. We will have to change and evolve if we wish to remain among the great five. It will take time...but starting now will only get us where we need to be sooner than if we wait. That would only lead to our downfall."
"Very well, you have our support." Shibi said and everyone around the table began voicing their support.
"Maybe Kakashi may not be such a bad Hokage...still itisn't good enough." Danzo leaned back in his seat and awaited the end of the meeting.
Once they were dismissed, Kakashi slumped in his seat. Hiruzen chuckled and pat the man's shoulder. "These meetings sure are something else."
"They indeed are. It only gets worse if worry ever arises. You'll do great though, Kakashi. I have no doubts."
Once they left the office, Kakashi looked at the stack of papers that already formed and sighed. "Could a Chidori through the stack solve it?"
-Underground Root Base-
Danzo entered through a catwalk and was greeted by two blank masked operatives. They were his root anbu and followed his every command without question. Everything as Danzo said was to the betterment of the leaf. They were the roots to support the great tree that is Konoha.
With that belief, they never questioned Danzo. Willing to die for the sake of the mission. Death only ensured the village's survival. Being caught meant making it vulnerable. Better to be dead in that regard. So if a mission was potentially unsuccessful, suicide was the likely outcome. Die honorably rather than cause dishonor in failure...at least thats what Danzo instilled. Yet that would still cause failure, right? Something that no one really thinks about.
He was great at bringing out talent though, it's why is forces were so dangerous. That and they practically welcome death with open arms. Those who don't fear death tend to be more dangerous. Then again, arguments could be very well made for the opposite but you don't see anyone in his organization raise said argument.
"Is he here?"
"Hai, Lord Danzo. He's in the study."
Danzo nodded and walked past the two. His pace was quicker than that of when he was out. He held his cane and walked without it, not hindered in the slightest. When going into the study, he noticed not only Orochimaru there, who was reading through some notes but also Kabuto.
"Ah, Lord Danzo has arrived."
"I am aware." Orochimaru said without looking up. Kabuto pushed his glasses up and stepped back into a corner to await orders.
"Orochimaru. Are the preparations made?"
"Yes yes. These tests had little success rates as you recall. Only one had lived, I've made modifications and the subjects tested did live...be warned though, they were animals and not human."
"Good enough. Also about my-"
"This will for sure enhance your eye more than it is already. A shame...you never did get that one Uchiha's. A power like that and everything would have been far easier." Orochimaru looked up and wore his usual smile.
Danzo said nothing. Thinking back to that day still always angered him. Everything had been so perfectly planned out and yet, it still didn't matter. "By the way, Kakashi had some decent information on the kyubi brat."
"Oh? Do tell."
"For one, we may be approaching this all wrong. Other than taking him on alone, if we crush those that care for him and in turn he cares about as well, we may just accomplish what we want without dealing with his demonic chakra."
Orochimaru nodded and placed some papers in front of Danzo. "I see...get me some descriptions, I'll see what I can do."
"These are what you have in mind? How'd you get some of this?"
"Danzo, you've worked with me long enough to not worry about such things. Still, there is risk to these. Wind won't be too much a problem, I believe your own affinity to that nature should keep you safe. As for the others, based on the jutsu an old friend used, we would need special sets of criteria to be met...I've modified things but this will be far more painful than anything you've experienced."
-Kumo-
Yugito reread her section of the letter as she sat on Naruto's couch. She sighed and leaned back while closing her eyes. "For that I think I'll mess with more than just the fridge."
"Any idea on what he's got in mind for you?"
"Not a clue. It's pretty boring lately though."
"Yeah. That's how it is though. My kitsune always made things interesting. His holder has that quality."
"He's still aggravating."
"Look how far he's come. Even you. You two are very different from how you started. You are a big reason to his change."
"I don't know about that. Omoi has probably had the largest impact in his life."
"One would assume."
Yugito raised an eyebrow but said nothing. What else was there? Omoi was the clear cut, biggest impact.
-Kumo War Room-
There was a lot of chatter in a large room that had a large round table. In the center there was a world map, and there was a total of 11 seats. One was unoccupied, while all the other 10 were filled and talking amongst themselves. There were many questions going around, the most prominent being the reason as to why they all were gathered. The council was not really used often, and even less so now.
It was then that the double doors opened loudly and in stepped three people. A, the Raikage led the trio, behind him were two people by his shoulders. One was B, the other was Darui. Moving around the large room and going all the way to the far side where he'd face the doors, A took his seat that had been empty. Darui and B both stood behind him, at the shoulders still.
"Thank you, council members for coming on such short notice. I know you have plenty of questions but hold them until I've gone through everything."
He received a nod from each of the council members and looked around the room. Making a hand motion, Mabui had come and brought some documents to him. She gave him a nod that he returned as an unspoken conversation. Glancing to B, he received another nod and he himself gave a nod to Darui so that the young man would relax.
"Alright, first off let's talk about the acquiring of the Wave alliance. I'm sure you've all heard the rumors, it is true, Naruto set it all up. Running the numbers it is rather mutually balanced, but we should expect income to be up 10% annually starting next year. We can discuss potential future projects and allocations for such money at a later time. Moving on, development of our two young Jinchuriki have been steady and well. I'm sure you've seen such results."
A man with blonde hair and gray eyes, a gray cloak like top over a tan long-sleeved shirt and gray pants began to speak. "Lord Raikage I will be honest, I had always doubted your actions and use of the nine tails...you've proven me wrong, and I apologize."
"Shibuki, no need to apologize. I took a risk that I know more people even doubted, I commend you for having been vocal about it!"
The man nodded and looked over some of his own papers. "On the subject, could you tell us about Naruto's training?"
"Yes, B, has graced us with his presence today but will be leaving immediately after this. I'll let him explain." Ay gestured to B and he spoke seriously rather than rapping.
"The kid is getting stronger each day. The nine tailed chakra has proven to be difficult to control. Even more so than any of the other tailed beasts. I estimate that this will go on for another two years potentially, but I have yet to say this...I don't doubt that he has his own ideas on the timeline."
"You said he is getting stronger every day. Please explain." Another council member said. She had a blue and white dress that ended at the upper thigh with a gray under shirt and tight pants. She had brown hair and green eyes, also was the youngest council member being twenty four.
"We spar all the time and he's learned very quickly, each time we fight he is better than the previous times. For the chakra, that has to take time, so he always will improve the more its used. There's also a jutsu that he's been working on, one me and big bro have only faced once."
"What would that be?" The woman asked as she had gained an interest.
"Actually, before we get into that, we have something else to discuss. This is the real reason why I have summoned you all here today." He said and everyone sat straight, and gave their complete attention to Ay. Even the members of bolt that stood guard within the room were curious. "I wanted to have an open discussion about Naruto becoming Raikage."
There was silence and glances going around the room to one another. It was the woman Mai who spoke up first. Youngest and boldest one could say...but in reality it was just that she was still very new to the council and was more outgoing. "Like in what? Ten years?"
Ay laughed out and slammed his right fist on the table. He shook his head and looked at all of them. "No, I mean like when he comes back."
"What?!" The entire council more or less said.
"You can't be serious! He'll be only what? Fifteen when he returns...if what lord B says is true! He'd be like the youngest Kage ever! No way he could do it!" Another man said, he was on the older side, being about 49 and wore traditional robes that were a beige. His name was Renne.
Mai bit her lip and went to speak but had stopped herself. Ay had noticed and told her to go ahead and speak her mind. Nodding she took a breathe and looked among the other members who all were around or over forty. "From what I've seen, he's definitely a different person...maybe we shouldn't try judging things by age...like when I was first made a member of the council, I was and am still very young...for the most part it was looked down upon but I do believe that younger people can have some good ideas and make good leaders..."
There were some murmurs and eventually it was a forty two year old man named Hanma who wore the same robes as Renne, only brown. "Yes that can be true at times but...this is being Raikage! Can this boy really do it? He's surely grown from how he was before, yes...but does that make him ready to take up the mantle as our Raikage? Then there's the question of his strength. He's beaten the Jinchuriki of the one tails, but they were both only in the Chunin Exams. Could he be strong enough to fill the role? I'm sorry, but I don't think he can!"
"You just doubt him because of his being so young! If we look at the facts, he's shown the diplomatic capability and has shown great potential!" Mai said and the two stood up about to continue arguing.
Shibuki cleared his throat and crossed his arms. "Relax, we should first hear out what Lord Raikage has to say, before we make our conclusions. The boy has proved me and my thoughts on him wrong, I'd like to actually listen as to what Lord Raikage has before making my decision unlike before."
The two sat down and looked to Ay who was surprised that it calmed down. He was expecting a far longer debate but accepted it nonetheless. "He is still very raw. He has all the potential and shown some of it. I'm sure we all can agree, he naturally does lead well and has a knack for creating favorable outcomes, not only in combat but with potential partners. Most of that is because he's genuine and upfront. So there's that, his power, I have no doubts he will be strong enough to eclipse me. Here's a seal he's been working on." He passed around a document that was given to him and it detailed a barrier.
"This...he's really made this?" Mai said.
"Yes. He's been working on it since the first infiltration of his home. He plans to create this barrier to surround the village so that there will never be anyone to enter the village without anyone knowing again. There's been promising progress and I am sure it will be completed by the time he comes back."
"As impressive as this barrier is, how does this assure us of his power?" Renne said still not fully convinced.
"Well, he knows the Rasengan. A jutsu made by his father. There's also the jutsu that my brother was talking about. Naruto will be the fastest ninja in the world."
"Aren't you the fastest?" Mai said and got a nod.
"He will know the teleportation jutsu used by the fourth Hokage. The Hiraishin jutsu. That jutsu alone makes him a threat that is not easy to fight."
There were once again murmurs going around the table about the news. "Are you serious?" Shibuki said and leaned on the table. "With a jutsu like that..."
"Yes he would become very powerful and nearly unbeatable but...he's still so young. I've seen his mission reports, although they are so high in such short time...can we say that's enough? Truly?" Renne said and was rubbing his goatee.
"Then that's good that your worries are still only his age. I have a solution!" Everyone looked back at Ay and he smiled. "I will have a bit of a limit as to his full power as Raikage. He will assume the position, but will still go through me with some of his plans. He will also utilize this council and for a few years, he will be this way. So that he can be acclimated to the position and be given time to grow."
Mai nodded and looked around the table and noticed that people were beginning to be won over. "So Naruto will be Raikage upon his return, but won't have the full control over the village?"
"Pretty much. He will still be able to do what he feels is right, only he'll be held in check in a sense by me and you all. So that way nothing bad happens by mistake and it can be a smooth transition for him."
-One And A Half Years Later-
"It is time we get moving on our plans. The locations of the Jinchurikis must be known and the expectations of what we'll be facing. Remember, you can not kill the Jinchuriki. Just test them, then flee." A man with orange hair and purple eyes that had rings within them said. He wore a cloak that was black with red clouds.
"And of the Kyubi? Rumors have it that he's been missing. Along with the Hachibi, the two have been gone for two years now." A tall man said, he had black hair and blueish gray skin that made him be shark-like...among other things.
"There's nothing we can do about that until they return from wherever hidden location they are. For now, scouting out the targets we know of is all we can do. Then the acquiring of the tailed beasts can begin."
-Kumo-
Yugito looked up from the ground as she was hunched over panting. Sweat ran down her face as Darui stood across from her. She wore a navy blue shirt and bandaged her wrists until about an inch from her elbows, gray sweats, a red cloth tied around her waist as well as her hair now being past her mid back. She now pushed her bangs behind her ears rather than framing her face due to length and had it go into being part of her ponytail. There was also the Jonin vest that she wore with the strap going over the right shoulder, unlike the men where it went over the left.
"You've come along well. There's definitely a difference from now to when you first became a Jonin last year." Darui said and wiped his forehead.
With a nod, Yugito stood up and moved a strand of hair back as it had gotten in her face. "Yeah, I've still got a ways to go. I heard that the barrier was completed."
"It's the only update given sadly. Didn't say when they'd return still."
"I'm not expecting to hear about that anymore. Rather whenever word is given then I'll think on it. I got tired of the anticipation."
Darui chuckled and brought his right hand to his neck. "You're really quite impatient. Figured that'd lessen by now."
"Hmph whatever. The only student of yours with patience is Naruto and I'd say he has too much!" She said crossing her arms.
"Uh huh...I wouldn't say you can ever have 'too much' patience." He lowered his hand and turned to the right. In the distance was the sun setting, before that though was a collection of peaks and one that stood taller over all of them. That being where the Raikage was. "Boss has big plans for Naruto and his return."
Yugito looked over at him and furrowed her brows. A slight narrowing of her eyes and she tilt her chin up. "Oh yeah? What would they be?"
Darui laughed and shook his head. "Don't know...guess we'll see."
Her eyes narrowed even more but she turned away and dropped her arms. "I'm going home."
"To your home, or back to Naruto's place?"
She glared back at him and kept walking. "Goodnight sensei!"
Looking around, he noticed three dark figures blur away and he narrowed his eyes. "How long were they there? I never even sensedtheir presence..."
Yugito went through the streets, headed to her apartment when she noticed Rin and waved. He made his way over to her and she placed her hand on her hip. "Look at that, you finally made Jonin. We were beginning to wonder if you ever would make that jump!"
"Ha ha, very funny. Just so you know, I chose not to be tested the last go around."
"You were too scared?"
"Far from it. I had other things to worry about, I knew there was no time limit so I decided to put it off."
"Whatever helps you sleep at night." She began to walk away from him when he kicked her inner knee and stood over her. Grabbing her by the neck he chuckled.
"See, if I can get to you this easy, what's to say a true enemy won't? Don't have Naruto here to protect you from that anymore."
"What are you trying to say?"
"Without him, you have weakened. You used to be at the top, the most ferocious...you've lost your touch." He released her and backed off. "Maybe instead of trying to make fun of me on deciding to be promoted later, you should regain that level you once held. I'm sure even Karui or Omoi could beat you now."
As he walked away, she glared at him. Something was off, be wasn't acting like himself. Despite her mocking him, that should have played out far differently. Rin didn't just attack like that over something so small. Before it was only to Naruto as a means to fight off an insecurity and deal with his own turmoil. This was different entirely. Rubbing her throat with her right hand, she stood up and shook her head.
"I might be looking into it too much...perhaps he's just being a dick. They know I'mstrongerthan all of them, hell I even beat Naruto in most fights we do hand to hand, so what is with this disrespect?"
"People tend to forget one's strength when another seems to be further ahead. Don't dwell too hard on that, the more worrisome thing is that boy's chakra."
"What do you mean?"
"I don't know. Something about it is malevolent."
Raising her eyebrow, she looked back at Rin who was still in view before he turned a corner. Heading to her apartment she noticed a few drunks around and sighed. This was something she liked more about Naruto's house, he had no neighbors.
When she was in her apartment, she looked around the dark place with a slight frown. It was never a place that looked welcoming, it didn't feel like a home. Even though Naruto had no windows or natural light, his place still managed to give the welcoming and warm feeling. In a way, it was maybe her own fault that it seemed this way. Back then it was about pricing, now she could easily afford better, yet never got around to moving.
Moving through the apartment, she undid the vest and tossed it aside at the moment towards her room. Reaching to her right, she pulled water out of the fridge and turned left to go to her room. When she bent over to get her vest, her right ear twitched and she glanced to the right, into her room.
"KITTEN, MOVE!"
Diving and rolling into a flip directly ahead of her, she noticed a snake hit the wall. It was a dark black and shimmered purple. Her eyes narrowed as it was not a snake found in the land of lightning.
The snake turned to her and went to strike once more. She watched it come and tried to take a step back but hit a closet door. Staring back at the snake she watched it closely and about a foot before it could hit her, she reached out and caught it just behind its jaw.
"Now where did you come from?" She said and squeezed its life away. Setting it into a bag to take to Ay later, she sat down on her bed.
"It had similar chakra to the one I felt in Rin."
"So he could have been poisoned? It's an interesting one since itdidn't show itself likenormal ones."
"Perhaps there's a different use to this but you should warn the others."
Laying down she looked at the ceiling. "So much drama lately and he's missed it all. He's going to be pretty jealous...if he even feels jealousy."
"Oh he most definitely does. Potentially even more than anyone else...only he's got great control over his body language and the mask that he wears."
"What makes you so sure?"
"I am able to communicate with his tailed beast...and I know his tailed beast very, very well."
Yugito rolled over and sighed deeply. She was tapping a finger on the bed before sitting up and walking out of the room. Taking out some papers and a pen, she began writing out messages and sent them off through a bird. It would reach their destination within minutes. Waiting potentially risked the safety of the others, the question now was why this was happening and who else could be at risk other than just them.
-Konoha-
"Come in."
Kakashi glanced up from reading a paper to see Hiruzen slowly make his way in. He held his pipe and was smoking. The old man sat down in front of Kakashi and took a deep breath. Kakashi waited patiently as Hiruzen looked off into space. "There's something we need to discuss."
"That being?"
"Two really...connected actually." Kakashi raised an eyebrow but said nothing. "They both involve Naruto."
"Uh huh...what about him?" He set the paper down and sent his full attention to Hiruzen.
"These things I'm about to tell you, they happened two years ago."
"Why have you waited this long? What happened?"
Hiruzen closed his eyes and sighed. "What I say never leaves this room." He opened his eyes and looked Kakashi in the eye. "I spoke with Itachi. I needed to know his connection with young Naruto...he saw through my intentions and when I asked about loyalties, or even the risk of Sasuke being caught up within the middle, he made clear that Konoha would not gain his aid and he'd stay clear, even going as far as to threaten me and the council should something happen to Sasuke...his loyalty isn't with us, more like with Sasuke's safety and apparently Naruto."
Kakashi nodded then closed his visible eye. "I see...now what do you mean by no longer loyal to Konoha. As far as I'm aware, he's been declared rogue since the massacre."
"I can't say. Just know that Itachi may be an enemy if we make Naruto one."
Kakashi clenched his fists. Apparently not everything was as it had seemed with Itachi. It angered him, saddened him. Itachi was a student under him within the anbu, and although the time was short, he taught and learned a lot with the Uchiha. If something was wrong, he wanted to find the discrepancy so that he can uncover the truth of his supposed treacherous subordinate. Calming himself, Kakashi opened his eye and looked at Hiruzen.
"What is the other thing?"
"I took steps to try to make sure we aren't on their bad side..."
"How did you do that?"
"I gave Naruto a few things during the finals. I handed the Raikage a scroll that held the jutsu of Minato...it was to give us insurance that we may form an alliance."
"You handed the Hiraishin and Rasengan to them? They're technically an enemy still. This was a bad call! Despite mine and Naruto's friendship, that is not enough to be sure that this was good. How do you know they won't try teaching these jutsu to anyone?"
Hiruzen nodded and looked to the picture of Minato in the room. Beside it to the left was the himself, then Tobirama and Hashirama beside him. "He's an honorable man...one Minato even respected. He'll give Naruto the choice of its use, and besides, I suspect only Naruto is capable of using the Hiraishin...as for Rasengan, I'm not so sure what will be done. I have the plan to release the Rasengan to our top tier shinobi...if you accept. As of right now you and Jiraiya are the only users of the jutsu, I don't know if Naruto has mastered or began learning it yet."
"To remedy this release of such powerful jutsu, you want to try to teach one of them to our elite? That's the solution? That may not even help! It's not just any other jutsu that anybody can just do...if we did this, the only one who may get it the fastest would be Asuma since he has both powerful chakra and great control. Even so...Jiraiya took three months to learn it, it took me a little less but who knows how long it takes anybody else."
"It's why we'd start very soon, tomorrow even."
Kakashi sighed and looked away for a moment before returning his gaze. "Even if we did this...a clash would never end in our favor. Naruto has far more chakra than any of us...the more chakra you put into the jutsu, the stronger it is. Thats the difference between Rasengan and my Chidori, at least one of them. Chidori is set in its strength, the next level up is Raikiri but that jutsu is also set."
"It still gives a chance to put up defense. Since the Rasengan would burst through nearly anything that gets put up."
With a sigh and nod, Kakashi shook his head. "Fine but this was a dumb gamble. Let's just hope it doesn't haunt us."
"There still is no guarantee that Naruto masters the Hiraishin...but don't worry. I just wanted to let you know."
Kakashi rubbed his forehead and heard another knock. "Great...what now." Granting entry, he noticed Jiraiya enter and behind him was Tsunade. "Ah, welcome Lady Tsunade. I'm-"
"Kakashi Hatake...I know. Your father was the only ninja stronger than us...aside from sensei at the time." Tsunade said and Kakashi nodded. "He'd be proud of you...still I'm glad to not have been approached for the position, it truly is a fool's gamble."
Kakashi said nothing and looked to Jiraiya. "Took you two years."
"I told you, she wouldn't be willing." He said crossing his arms.
"Then what brought you to come?"
Tsunade glared at Jiraiya before turning to Kakashi. "A few things. He mentioned you had plans for me but not as a fighter so I got curious. On top of that, my debts were to be paid off with bonuses of 10,000 a month for my gambling."
Kakashi raised an eyebrow. "Hey, you said at any costs." Jiraiya said waving his hands.
"Riiiight...well I do have plans for you. Looking back at some old files, I want to put to action your plans for combat medics. I'd like for you to head the hospital and medicine departments."
Tsunade's eyes widened slightly. "Are you serious? You want to use my plans? You read through my research and proposals?" She bit her lip and looked away. "If only he'd or someone thought like him before...maybe they'd still be alive."
Kakashi nodded and took out a document. "Mine and your signature puts it all into action. I'd like you to take a seat in the council. As head of these departments I want you close to me so you'll be seated as an advisor. As for your other benefits...seeing as Jiraiya was the one to make such dumb promises, he'll take care of the bill and the payment of your bonus each month."
Tsunade smirked and gave a nod to Kakashi. She was beginning to like the man. Jiraiya though, his face paled, and he was shocked to the point he couldn't even speak to refute. Here he thought he'd been clever to bring her back. Now it all backfired and he was made a fool.
"Sounds good to me. When do we start?"
-Kumo-
The next day after the message was sent around, it became apparent to Yugito that the others had yet to come across any type of snake like she saw. This was something that confused her even more. Just her and potentially Rin came across the threat. Her mind was spinning trying to figure it out, the others were looking at her while her back faced them.
"The only thing we have in common I this is that we're on the same team as Naruto. It could be possible that maybe Naruto's also targeted since he was attacked already before..."
"Yeah, true. But I thought that the island was a total true secret. That only the Raikage and any Jinchuriki would know." Samui said.
Yugito nodded, still not facing them. "That's true. I know B never would give it up, and I never speak of it...so Naruto's safe. Just, me and Rin, it makes no sense."
"Hmm, well let's look back at all the facts. This all started with Naruto right? Wasn't the first thing an actual infiltration of the village, just to get to Naruto?" Samui said bringing her hand to her chin. Her left was supporting her right elbow just beneath her chest.
"Right. At that time at Naruto's house we had...oh. Huh, I guess it is easy to know we were close. Then Rin, you'd assume because we're in the same team and teams are usually very close. But why this now? It all started with Naruto...perhaps they could be going a different way."
"Targeting those close to him since attacking just him hasn't proven as easy. That and his whereabouts are currently unknown." Omoi said and put the lollipop in his mouth. "Question becomes, who is trying to do this? What is their problem with Naruto? Lastly, what if this was not only just attack you, but get the knowledge of who you'd contact...in other words, not just you and Rin as his team, but everyone within Naruto's circle."
Yugito turned around and frowned. "Then they're watching...they knew...if I was attacked I'd warn 'you'. Now you really might be in danger."
Karui shook her head at Yugito. "Relax, it's fine. We're stronger together!"
"Well, you guys can't just go home now...these snakes easily got into my place. I'm no sealing master like Naruto, but there was a barrier of sorts. If it didn't even be affected, you will definitely be easy to get to."
Samui tilt her head with a nod and placed her hands on her hips. "Could get us anywhere really."
"Yes...however there is one place that would be harder than any other." Yugito said, crossing her arms and looking a bit. Off in the distance was a peak, shorter only to the Raikage's peak.
Omoi noticed her gaze and raised his eyebrows. "Are you sure that would be fine?"
"Well if it could keep him in, it could keep it out."
"What? What could? Keep who in?" Karui said with a louder tone.
"Naruto's house will be where you all and I'll stay."
"Why his house?" Samui said not really understanding. She'd gone there once and aside from it being entirely integrated into the mountain, nothing really seemed to be all that special.
"The reason, is because of the purpose to the place he lives. Naruto's made a lot of new things within no doubt, but that mountain is special." Omoi noticed Karui and Samui both looking at him with questioning looks, taking out the lollipop, he crossed his arms while still holding it in his right hand. "It was to contain Naruto should he show signs of losing control. A prison." Putting the lollipop back in his mouth, he sighed.
"A prison? And he willingly lives in a place meant to keep him hostage? Why? When did he find that out?" Karui said.
"Pretty early on. When I don't know but back in the academy, when he took me there for the first time, Naruto was already aware of its purpose and the code for such occasion. FS9T, referencing the Nine Tails Failsafe. He'd be locked in and unable to get out. The probable reason he was totally fine with it is probably in what he told me that day. He failed the training given to him by Lord Raikage and Lord B, control over the chakra proved unsuccessful for him. I assume he saw himself a threat that needed the place to not only keep others safe, but maybe even make him feel safe from himself."
"Say things like that, he sounds psychotic." Karui said shaking her head.
Omoi chuckled and nodded slightly. "One could think. But we know otherwise, he's our friend. It will be safe there but it also makes where we are that much easier to know. Since we'd be all together."
"Everything comes with risk...our biggest question comes into what we do about Rin." Yugito said and began leading them to Naruto's place.
"What do you mean?" Samui said.
"Like me he must have been attacked, only he was bitten. I don't know what is happening but Matatabi sensed a malevolent chakra in him that matched with the snake."
"Did something happen?"
"Sort of. He attacked me sort of but when he spoke it was with malice, only it was more towards Naruto than me."
"That's very odd. I would assume it makes him agitated but to not hold more of that aggression to someone other than the one he's attacking is strange."
Yugito agreed and continued walking on. "I doubt we ourselves will find something but, we have to try. Naruto has many seals and jutsu within his library, it's larger than our own. There's also the stuff he researches himself, maybe we can find something that might help explain what's going on."
Samui grabbed Yugito's shoulder, stopping her. "Even if we do that, what can we do? None of can use seals, he's only just begun teaching you! We should go to Lord Raikage with this. He would be able to figure it out!"
"We can't just go to him with speculation or some half baked hunch. The more we can uncover, the better help he could provide."
"Yugito, this is mad! This isn't something we can do. This is above us!"
"We aren't doing anything! All we're doing is reading up on if Naruto holds any idea of what could be happening. If we get even the slightest inkling, it helps the Raikage help our friend more efficiently! I know we can't do anything ourselves, but we still can do our part to help."
Samui said nothing and nodded slowly. "Alright, we'll do it your way."
-June 15th (Five and a half Months Later)-
Nya ran down the streets and turned corners sharply as she dodge pedestrians. Often bumping into a few or entirely shoving them away, gaining several shouts and shaking fists. That didn't matter to her though as she was determined to reach her destination. Still...a normal walk would be fine but this was something that had total utmost urgency...if you asked her at least.
Jumping up the steps to a peak, she knocked loudly on the stone door. Pounding it as though she planned to break the door down. After a few moments of such knocking, the door swung open and Yugito was glaring down at the shorter girl.
"What?" She said with a burning fire in her eye.
"Have you heard?" Nya said as if she wasn't just ferociously beating the door a second ago.
"Heard what?"
"They're returning today. In ten minutes in fact!" Nya said, turning to run off when Yugito grabbed the back of her collar, stopping her from running.
"They, they who?"
"Lords B and Naruto! Now let's go! Everyone's gathering for their welcome!"
Yugito released her and nodded. "We'll be down in a few minutes." Shutting the door, Yugito called out and said the news.
When they arrived at the gates, everyone was gathered. It brought Yugito back to when they all returned from the Chunin Exams back then. Ay stood there at the front with Darui who was like a right hand man to the kage. She was grouped with the others awaiting the arrival, from her sight, there was only one person missing that she knew anyways.
The entire crowd heard the sounds of somebody beat boxing and rapping aloud, knowing exactly who it was, cheers and applause were given. It wasn't long until B popped up into view, coming up and the cheers only escalated. He stopped, just before the entrance and even became silent.
It was then that Naruto slowly stepped out from behind the tall man and stood beside him to his right. His arms were crossed and he looked towards the sky. The wind shook his hair as he stood unmoving. He glanced down towards them all and they looked into his bright blue eyes that hadn't been seen for nearly two and a half years. He grew quite a bit now, carried himself differently from years prior. Still, the mostly white with a shining gold trimming for his upper body, contrasted by the dark greys and blacks of his lower.
For a moment, they wondered if there was some sort of problem. B was silent, and Naruto didn't seem to acknowledge their presence. He looked amongst the crowd slowly, never lingering any eye contact for long, skipping over the group of his friends and looking straight to the Raikage. B was slowly balling his fists and it looked like he was about ready to fight.
In a rapid, swift motion, B threw his right fist into the air. "YEAH! We're back Kumo!"
Naruto smirked while slightly shaking his head. Closing his eyes and slowly opening them he waved to the crowd.
After a brief moment of confusion, several members of the crowd jumped into the air and cheered. Praises and welcomes were said, mostly to B but also to Naruto. B was by far the most popular person in the village, maybe even the land.
"Hm, took you two quite a while. I trust you've accomplished that which you sought out." Ay said when Naruto and B stood in front of him.
"Yes, Lord Raikage. I've learned a lot, and mastered nearly all that I wanted to." Naruto said in a bit of a deeper voice than he had before. His voice was confident, body open.
"Nearly?"
"Although I can use the Jinchuriki's cloak as Lord B and Yugito...Kurama told me of a power that I am not yet ready to wield. So as of now, I have mastered all that I could." Naruto took out a scroll and reached out to hand it to Ay. "And for the barrier, this is its completed formula. With your permission, I'd like to begin the application process for it."
"Yes, there will be a time for that. There's a lot we must discuss. We will also need to see the results of your training, so tomorrow be ready to show it. For now though, settle in and catch up with everyone!"
Naruto nodded and turned to B. He bowed respectfully to the man only to have B grab his shoulder and pull him back up. He raised an eyebrow as B extended his fist to him. "We bump fists, to really show our respect. The connection of fists connects eachother. Yo." Naruto slowly brought his fist up and connected it to B's who pressed against him to bump it. "Now I've acknowledged you as an equal! Yeah!"
"Alright B, lets go. There's something I need to tell you." Ay said and turned away. He was followed by Darui and B, the crowd slowly followed suit as Naruto wasn't a showy guy like B was. So there was no entertainment with just standing around. Naruto faced the gate, the group of his friends behind him.
After a minute of silence he looked up towards the sky a bit and took a breath. "Been a while, eh?"
"You've yet to look at us, why?" Yugito said finally annoyed.
Naruto laughed a bit and crossed his arms. "Call it a joke. Anyways, it all becomes real when I look at you guys."
"What do you mean?" Karui said not understanding at all what was being said. Hell, even the others didn't really get it.
"It's been a long time. It seemed like a blur, for me at least. So much happened, we were constantly working and training...time just kind of slipped away. So seeing you guys, makes it all real that the time did go, and that I was away." He sighed and looked down. "Like always."
There was understanding in what he said. For one reason or another, Naruto was always gone and away. Missing a lot, over time small things add up, soon enough you look back and see that you really know nothing about what's gone on. Missed out on a lot of moments. Every once in a while he was there but it isn't the same as everybody else that was always around.
Yugito walked up to Naruto and placed her arms around him, draping them up and over his shoulders going around his neck as she rest her head on his right side. "You need to stop being so hard on yourself. You have to do what you need to. That's what's different about you, you always step up and do what must be done despite what you may actually feel. It's not something that just anybody could do..."
Naruto slowly nodded and brought his right hand up to rest it on her upper right arm. "You're too kind..." he stepped away from her and turned around to face them finally. "I hope you guys have improved as well." Smirks spread on their faces as they began to get ready. He stopped though and looked around. "Where's Rin?"
All eyes went down and he got suspicious. Samui took a breath. "Guess it was dumb to think that you wouldn't notice or something."
"What's happened?" Naruto said and looked amongst them. No one seemed to want to speak up, drawing a sigh from him. "Hello? Have y'all gone mute?"
Omoi looked up at him and moved his lollipop to his right side. "While you were gone, there were a few attempted attacks on everyone of us. The first two were Rin and Yugito...then it spread to us."
"Attacks...from who?"
He shrugged. "We don't know. Some sort of snake has been the method though. Yugito has killed one, when it first tried to get her but since then, they vanish before death."
Naruto looked back at Yugito and she seemed to shrink under his gaze. Looking back at the others he closed his eyes. "So Rin?"
Samui took one step forward. "Wasn't successful like Yugito. It's been assumed he was bitten but...it's done something else entirely. Rather than be a poison to kill it has done something that we don't understand at all."
Naruto nodded and opened his eyes. "So where is he then?"
"We've alerted Lord Raikage but without having him in custody, then there's not much but speculation to be done. Part of it is that they and we were still just trying to figure out what the goal of this poison is, since if it's some sort of agent thing, then maybe it'll kill him instantly if it's found out...that's a theory though."
"Alright then. See you around, I've got some work to do."
"That's it? You don't need anything else at all?" Karui said.
"From the sounds of it, there isn't much else you can tell me. I still have other things to prepare as well. I've just got back, plenty to do. Meet up with you guys tonight." He began to walk off but turned slightly back. "And Yugito, we have to talk."
He then left as they all stood still. Not moving, they acted as children who were just scolded. "Is it just me, or is he angry at us?" Karui said.
"Not you, me." Yugito said shaking her head.
"Why's that?"
"Kept him in the dark during the letters...thought he shouldn't be thinking about it while he was busy training with the nine tails. I knew it would drive him mad to know any of us were facing danger, even more so if he knew about Rin. So I treated things as if nothing was going on."
"Surely he's got to understand that." Samui said, "It's not like that decision was made to keep him out. I got why, he isn't stupid not to."
"Has nothing to do with that. He just wants to take care of everybody." Omoi said and began to walk away.
"What will he do if he can't?"
Stopping, Omoi turned around to Samui and shook his head. "Let's not think about that...not only because he doesn't like the possibility of losing anyone but also from the fact that over these two and a half years, he was kept in the dark. He'd probably always think about the fact that maybe he could have done something had he known or were around." His head went down as he sighed. "It would be a terrible feeling to have...for anyone."
Naruto walked around his house, noticing that the other rooms and couch had been used. He folded up several of the blankets and sheets that were just on the floor or around. Reaching out, his bag appeared and he set it on his bed before leaving to the library. It was a mess.
A big majority of everything was off shelves and sprawled out. He shook his head with a scoff as he looked through several of the notes they made. Nothing, it was all worthless, especially because they had no idea what they were searching for. At this point it would be better to find a needle in a haystack. At least in that scenario, you know what it is that you're looking for.
He clenched his fist while holding the piece of paper and threw it across the room. "Had you told me...I could have led you to a better place!" Turning around, he glared at Yugito.
"I get it if you're mad at me...but don't add then to it, it was my decision."
"Which was stupid! You never were going to find anything within this library."
"We had to-"
"Try? Yeah, right...I say that because I'm the one who set this all up, remember? It is my library, you weren't going to find anything because everything I have on curses and the like or not in this place."
Yugito frowned and understood. "But, you may have something?"
He shrugged and turned away to walk off to a further end of the library. "I don't know. It depends on if it's derived off of anything made prior." Sighing and turning back to Yugito he channeled chakra into his hand, glowing a slight blue. "Otherwise no, if it was created entirely new by someone on their own. At that point only looking through his blood would we know."
She watched as he turned back away and walked up to the wall. He raised his slightly glowing hand on the wall and she saw as the wall glowed white before it opened up revealing a dimly lit room that she didn't know was there before. Following him in, the door shut behind them and the lighting grew to become more visible.
"Woah...I didn't know about any of this..." There were not only scrolls, books and papers but testing tubes and vials. Empty at the moment but there was plenty.
"Never asked, then again I never really thought I'd use any of it. Curse seals and the like are not what I like. It can become inhumane easily and in the wrong hands...it is truly a sinister use of seals."
"What could they do?"
Naruto sighed and looked at her. "A wide variety of things. Depends on what the goal is. Full control, death, you name it...there's normally a set of criteria that must be met for the ritual to take place...but if its met and put into snakes as you guys said, then it's far more dangerous. Since at that point, the criteria is already met and now it's just transferring of the curse."
"So...are they like generational things?"
"No. That's not what a curse seal is where its some force that spreads like that. They only affect the person it's applied to. Any child from said person is unaffected by the seal." He said and closed his eyes. "That's really all I know on the subject, I haven't studied into this type of work. Whoever did it, well they're very dangerous. Any idea on why you guys were beginning to be attacked in such a way?"
Yugito shook her head before thinking a moment and locking eyes with him. "When I first encountered Rin, he held a sort of aggression towards you. Maybe it's something connected to that?"
He nodded and opened a scroll to read. "To kill me, or to spy on me? Could it be the same people as before if then?"
"Not sure..." She wasn't really sure if he was really asking her or not but had done so anyways. He became silent while she stood there watching him read, it made her a little nervous as to if she was supposed to still be standing there or something. "Are...you going to be studying then?"
"That was the plan. I have only a little bit to do so. Tomorrow as you know I'm being tested, then applying the seals for my barrier will be done. These things will no doubt take time."
Yugito nodded and stepped closer to Naruto who still was reading and had reached for a book. "I hope you don't stay mad for too long...understand that I just thought-"
"I know...I get it and all...just I don't like not knowing about what's going on. It's part of why I've disliked my constant absences."
"You can't always control that."
He turned to face her and smiled a bit. "I am proud of you, reaching Jonin before the others. Once I've got settled after everything, we'll go celebrate."
She smiled and nodded before pausing since she was beginning to turn away. "I know I still haven't learned much of anything in seals but...maybe I can help with your research?"
Thinking for a moment he nodded. "Alright, start with these. Let me know if anything stands out or relates, even a little. It can help in narrowing things down."
-Next Day-
Naruto stood in front of A and in the room was Darui as well as B. Mabui had just entered and waved a hello to Naruto while handing a folder over to A. He seemed to read through it before nodding and looking up towards Naruto.
"Before we go over this folder, B has given me a detailed report on your training. I'm impressed, you've made great strides!"
"Thank you, I hope that I can continue to keep meeting your expectations and hopes."
"You already have and then some...there really is no telling how far you'll go. I just hope you're ready for what'sto come, we'll be there for you though so I know you'll be just fine." Ay thought and nodded. "I'd like you to show some of your improvements. I'll have you spar with Darui to see your progress, he hasn't been on mission for a week almost just for this."
With a bow, Naruto left the room followed by the others. They went to the training ground that was used during his time as a Genin and there was Yugito, Samui, Omoi, Karui, Nya, and Kira. It surprised him but he didn't show it. Stepping to the clearing that was always used, he had his back to Darui.
"Alright! As per the usual rules, anything goes barring lethal force! Begin when you're ready!" A shouted as he stood with B to his side. The others were behind them.
For about thirty seconds, it was silent and neither had moved. Naruto still had his back to Darui who had his hands relaxed at the sides. "It's been a while, hasn't it, Naruto?"
"It has." Taking a deep inhale through his nose and slowly opened his eyes as he turned to face Darui. Crossing his arms, he looked with a blank face at his opponent.
"Let's get the show on the road then." He began running to Naruto and vanished, reappearing behind him with a spinning kick to Naruto's head. Naruto ducked and spun around, leaning back to avoid the jab and leaning to the right to avoid the right punch. Bringing his left hand up, he blocked the kick and grabbed Darui's shin, spinning around he threw Darui into the air and jumped, appearing above Darui he kicked him in the stomach sending him crashing back down into the ground.
Upon impact with the ground, Darui burst in lightning revealing to have been a lightning clone. "You've gotten far better at Taijutsu, Naruto. Normally that sequence wouldn't have been so seemless for you."
"Hmph. Well when the person you spar against uses an absurd amount of swords all the time...it makes a normal fight easier in comparison." Naruto said and turned around to be stabbed by kunai that were thrown. He began to fall back before bursting in smoke to reveal a log.
"Hmmm, perhaps he has gotten stronger. He's never used Substitution before." Yugito said with a hand to her chin. The others laughed and looked back to Naruto and Darui.
When the two stepped into view of one another, Darui began running through handsigns and Naruto's eyes slightly widened but wasn't too noticeable. "Very well then." He said and began running through the same signs as fast as possible to catch up.
"Storm Release: Laser Circus!" Darui and Naruto said at the same time and from in front of their hands a blue orb appeared and from it hundreds of glowing, bright blue streams left said orbs towards the other person. Moving all around, trying to dodge and connect with the other in order to not let a single stream slip. In the end the crashes and mini blue bursts that signified a collision/explosion lit up training ground for fifteen seconds before dying down. The two were left unscathed.
"Beautiful..." Nya said summarizing their collective thoughts after witnessing the two jutsu clash. None of them but A and B had seen the jutsu before and it was a sight to behold.
"You've got great control over the jutsu, Naruto." Darui then grabbed his cleaver and it glowed blue before he began to do an overhead chop. "There's still so much that you have yet to scratch the surface of though."
Naruto narrowed his eyes, Darui was way too far to ever hope to connect with the blade. On top of that, it wasn't normal lightning chakra or any chakra that he was channeling. As it reached the apex, the same glowing blue stream left the end of the blade and Naruto frowned. "Oh." He watched the stream stretch far out, even beyond where he'd be and as it came down towards him. The stream came down with a crash and the ground burst into blue chakra that had lightning sparking.
For a moment while the chakra was bursting and lightning flashed around, there was a resounding silence since it didn't look too good. It only lasted for that moment though since when the chakra cleared, there was no sign of Naruto. From a small distance behind Darui, Naruto climbed out of the ground. Turning around, Darui looked and smirked.
"Figures. Where'd you get that one from?"
"B. That's a dangerous jutsu of yours. You're right, it does seem that I've only scratched the surface." Going into his pouch, he threw several kunai at Darui that had explosive tags that blew up where he was. He'd disappeared in a blur a distance away and right in front of Darui was tri-pronged kunai that had landed.
"Huh?" Another went flying by his head and Naruto appeared in front of Darui in a bright yellow flash, kicking him in the chest. Darui flew back and Naruto flashed to the kunai that had been thrown as Darui got next to it in air, kicking him down to the ground with a flip, Naruto kneeled and held the kunai ready to stab him in the head.
"Checkmate, Sensei." He helped Darui up and turned around to the others who ran up to them.
"What was that?" Karui nearly screamed out.
"That was awesome!" Nya said.
"So you have that same jutsu as Darui-sensei and some teleporting jutsu? What more is there?" Samui said with a hand on her hip.
"Nice, Naruto." Omoi said putting a new lollipop into his mouth.
"So why not do that from the start?" Yugito said shaking her head. "Seems rather pointless to do the rest if you could end it with that jutsu you used at the end."
Naruto looked at them all before deciding to only answer Yugito. "If I do that, then Lord Raikage and Sensei won't get a good gauge on my ability."
"So...the flashes, what is that then?" Samui said crossing her arms. Still very much wanting answers for his jutsus. "Before when you ran, there was a golden streak when you were at full speed. Just now it was just a flash when you appeared."
"What can you do with your new jutsu?"
"That's about it, Lord Raikage. So long as I have my mark, I can go there. That's about all I had in the scroll."
Ay nodded and looked to B. "You did well working with him. Although he didn't show any of the nine tails power, your report gave me all I'd need to know. Now, Naruto we have something to discuss, in fact everyone can hear this."
"So...you're not going to talk about what other jutsu you have? Or explain this one to us?" Samui said and everyone Naruto looked at her without saying anything again to look at Ay instead.
"You're going to be the Fifth Raikage, effective immediately!" He took out the folder from before.
Everyone's jaw dropped and their eyes widened. Naruto blinked a few times before cleaned out his ears. "Say what now?"