Hello all Storm here with a new chapter! Yep two chapters at once, as they were originally one really long chapter before being split into two. And here we'll be getting a big timeskip and seeing how far Kushina's come in her training, as well as the reputation she's since built for herself. So, without further ado.
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The Third Shinobi World War had come as a surprise to very few individuals, with nearly everyone having known the inevitable chance of it happening.
Having originally started out as just skirmishes with smaller nations breaking out, the prolonged conflict eventually evolved into an all-out war. And for the first time since the First Shinobi World War, all of the Five Great Nations were taking part in it. With Kumo now taking part, after rebuilding the losses they suffered from the First Shinobi World War. Having stayed out of the Second Shinobi World War and continuing to build their forces during peace times. Allowing them to attack with greater strength, even more so with them now having a Perfect Jinchūriki.
But even so, several people could see the war was soon turning into one of attrition as even with the few Ninja the villages could muster up with potential, they were still few. With many villages sending out children fresh from the Academy onto the battlefield.
This lead to many villages and nations hiring Mercenary Ninja, allowing them to save their own Ninja from taking on too dangerous missions. And potentially robbing their enemies of hiring them, should they be killed on missions.
While within a Mercenary Bar, several Mercenary Ninja were eagerly taking missions sent to them, many of them wanting to earn the money being offered or make names for themselves. Missing how several of the more experienced Ninja were shaking their heads or smirking at the competition, all of them knowing they won't be surviving long.
If there's one thing all Mercenary Ninja's could agree on, it's that they loved war. Not only for the amount of missions they're sent, but it helps purge the weaklings from their ranks. With only the strongest, smartest, and most experienced being able to survive and earn even bigger rewards after the competition is wiped out, while the villages and nations get more desperate for better help.
Allowing them to reap the benefits, both during and after the war, with the villages Ninja wiping each other out, making it so they're still sending missions to mercenaries. At least until they build up their forces again while the new wave of fodder comes in during the "times of peace", at least until the next inevitable war happens and the cycle repeats itself.
'None of them really even know what they're walking into. Most of them are little more than children playing dress up, yet they think they can call themselves Ninja. It's pathetic.' Thought one Mercenary Ninja, sitting in a booth in a corner of the bar.
The Ninja was a Kunoichi, with her face and most of her body being hidden by her clothing. With her attire consisting of black Ninja sandals, skin-tight black pants, as well as a dark turquoise, strapless Kunoichi dress that went down to her midthigh, with black sleeves attached that covered her from her neck down to the top of her breasts and her arms. While over this, she wore a black hooded cloak with the hood pulled up. Along with a dark turquoise facemask that covered her lower face, while over the upper part of her face was a black Kitsune mask with a blue line going down the center and forming a circle on the forehead, blue marking going through and under the eyes, and silver swirling designs on the ears.
While leaning against the booth beside the Kunoichi was a sheathed katana blade.
The Kunoichi glanced around at the rookie mercenaries as they took any missions available, uncaring or ignorant of the dangers for anyone involved and the high chance they'll end up dead. Before her attention turned to a scroll being dropped in front of her.
"You just got a mission, they were asking for you, personally." Said the bartender, making the Kunoichi raise a brow behind her mask before grabbing the scroll and opening it.
"Details." The Kunoichi said while reading over the scroll and find out where she's going.
"A seaside stronghold in the Land of Tea is being held by Konoha, just off the coast of the Land of Water. Kirigakure wants it torn down and impossible to be set up, again. It's got around maybe a hundred Ninja currently stationed there, nothing special from what I've heard. But it's the ones in charge that are the real threat, the current Ino-Shika-Cho Trio are in charge of the stronghold." The bartender said, only for the Kunoichi to have already gotten up and grabbed her sword.
"Just tell the client to have my money ready." Said the Kunoichi, uncaring how many Ninja there were or who was in charge, only eager for the chance to kill a lot of Konoha Ninja.
*Timeskip-One Day*
"Wind Style: Sword of the Wind Count!" The Kunoichi said, swinging her sword and releasing a sharp wave of compressed air, slicing through dozens of Konoha Ninja.
With the Kunoichi then stabbing her sword into the ground and made a handsign.
"Water Style: Water Dragon Triple Step Jutsu!" Said the Kunoichi, with the ocean water swirling up into the air and forming three serpentine water dragons that roared before crashing down on the Ninja.
"Earth Style: Mud Wall!" Said several Ninja going through handsigns before slamming their hands on the ground, creating multiple stone walls that rose up blocking the water dragons.
Grabbing her sword again, the Kunoichi sheathed it while channeling Chakra into the blade before drawing and swinging it through the air, releasing crescent-shaped wave of Chakra that easily sliced with the Mud Walls and all the Ninja on the other side. The Kunoichi scoffing as the walls fell apart, revealing the bodies sliced in halves before she began going through handsigns.
"I was hoping to at least get some entertainment, but so far, none of you are proving to be worth my time. And your leaders haven't shown up yet, so I'm just gonna end this rather than continue wasting my time. Now, Typhoon-" Said the Kunoichi, prepared to unleash one of her strongest Jutsu and reduce everything around her to ruins.
"Mind Body Disturbance Jutsu!"
But before she could finish her handsigns, she suddenly felt her body freeze up and become unresponsive.
"Partial Multi-Size Jutsu!"
The Kunoichi then grunted in pain when a massive fist slammed into her, sending her crashing into the wall of the stronghold. Getting up, she prepared to attack, only to find herself once again unable to move. Before seeing the ones who attacked her, Inoichi Yamanaka, Chōza Akimichi, and Shikaku Nara, the latter she could see had his shadow extended towards her.
"And Shadow Possession Jutsu, success." Shikaku said as he stood alongside his teammates.
"Sorry if we're late, we had to deal with some ships from Kirigakure." Said Chōza as his fist shrunk down.
"But if you're so eager to face us, we're here now." Inoichi added with a handsign ready to enter her mind if she tried anything or take control of her body again.
"Though don't get upset if you end up regretting that decision." Said Shikaku while holding his arm out, the Kunoichi unable to resist doing the same and unwillingly drop her sword.
"Anyone ever tell you three, you talk too much. Fire Style: Hiding in Ash Jutsu!" the Kunoichi said unleashing a cloud of Chakra-laced burning ash at the trio, surprising them that she could still use a Jutsu.
Before they all quickly jumped away, with Shikaku's Shadow Possession Jutsu breaking, allowing the Kunoichi to roll and grab her sword before it hit the ground. Channeling Chakra into it, the Kunoichi began swinging it, unleashing multiple waves of Chakra at the three.
"Multi-Size Jutsu!" Said Chōza making a handsign and began growing much larger until he was the size of the building, blocking the Chakra waves with his body, grunting when they were able to cut through his armor.
"Thanks for giving me a bigger target. Fire Style: Fire Dragon Flame Bullet!" The Kunoichi said, making a handsign before unleashing a large amount of flames that took the shape of three dragons that rushed towards Chōza from the left, right, and front.
"Chōza! Mind Body Switch Jutsu!" Inoichi said, making a handsign at Chōza before projecting his consciousness into him, the Akimichi Clan Head letting his teammate take control.
"Water Style: Water Formation Wall!" Said "Chōza" going through handsigns, with the surrounding water rising up forming a massive wall of water blocking the fire dragons.
"Thanks for leaving your body defenseless!" Said the Kunoichi, rushing at Inoichi's now helpless body to take him out, only for it to suddenly jump up and block her sword with a kunai.
"Just because his minds not there, doesn't make him defenseless." Shikaku said while controlling Inoichi's body, before jumping back when the Kunoichi pulled out a kunai and tried stabbing him.
The Kunoichi was then forced to turn around, channeling a large amount of Chakra into her sword making it extend and form an axe made of Chakra. Grunting as she used it to block a strike from "Chōza's" enlarged bo-staff.
"Release!" Said "Chōza" as Inoichi's consciousness returned to his own body, with Chōza then instantly jumping up into the air.
"Multi-Size Jutsu!" Chōza said as his body suddenly inflated into a giant ball form, with his head, arms, and legs being pulled into his now round body.
"Human Bullet Tank!" Said Chōza spinning around before rushing back towards the ground, with the Kunoichi quickly jumping out the way to avoid being crushed, with Chōza still rolling after her once he hit the ground.
"Wind Style: Flower Scattering Dance!" the Kunoichi said making a handsign and creating a cyclone of flower petals she directed to crash into Chōza, with the Akimichi still pushing against the powerful winds.
"Mind Body Disturbance Jutsu!" Said Inoichi making a handsign and taking control of the Kunoichi's body, much to her annoyance.
"Fire Style: Hid-" Said the Kunoichi about to unleash another cloud of ash to go with her Flower Scattering Dance and incinerate Chōza, only to gagging when she felt something start wrapping around her body and up to her throat.
"Shadow Strangulation Jutsu." Shikaku said with his shadow extending towards the Kunoichi, snaking up her leg and body to her neck and began choking her, keeping her from saying anything.
While the Mind Body Disturbance forced her to unwilling to move her body, cancelling her Jutsu and allowing Chōza to crash right into her. The Kunoichi grunted at the impact as she was being crushed and smashed into the ground, before managing to use a Substitution Jutsu to escape. Gasping for air for a moment as she was freed from the Shadow Strangulation, before going through handsigns when she saw Chōza rushing her again.
"Water Style: Great Waterfall Jutsu!" Said the Kunoichi, jumping up into the air just in case to avoid being grabbed by Shikaku's shadow again.
With the ocean swirling around before a massive vortex shot up and rushed towards Chōza, the Akimichi being unable to dodge the vortex as it crashed into him and sent him flying back. While the Kunoichi landed on top of the water, knowing she'd be able to avoid the Nara Clan Head here, with no shadow for him to grab and keep out of range of Inoichi's attempts to control her body.
"Are you alright Chōza?" Inoichi asked glancing at his teammate as he got up from the ground and shook his head.
"Yeah, I'm alright." Said Chōza standing up.
"Good, then let's get ready and end this! Formation E!" Shikaku said, Chōza and Inoichi nodding, with Shikaku crouching down on the ground while Inoichi got behind him and put his hand on the Nara's head and closed his eyes, while Chōza made a handsign.
"Shadow Clutch Jutsu!" Said Shikaku extending his shadow and connecting it to Chōza's own.
"Human Bullet Jutsu!" Chōza said with his body expanding out again while his limbs were pulled inside.
"Human Bullet Yo-Yo!" Said the Ino-Shika-Cho Trio, before Chōza launched himself straight at the Kunoichi.
"Water Style: Water Beast!" The Kunoichi said making a handsign with the water rising up underneath her, forming a gigantic wolf-like beast that charged at Chōza.
With the Kunoichi jumping up into the air at the last minute when they collided, creating a clone as she did so before they both went through handsigns.
"Fire Style: Intelligent Hard Work!" Said the Kunoichi, unleashing a small fireball at Chōza.
"Wind Style: Pressure Damage!" The clone said, releasing a highly compressed and dense blast of wind.
With the two Jutsu triggering a massive firestorm the moment they hit each other, that engulfed Chōza. Only for the Kunoichi to see Chōza be yanked away from the fire by Shikaku's shadow. Before he was then sent flying straight at her, making her quickly use a Substitution Jutsu to avoid being crushed.
Reappearing on the ground, the Kunoichi rushed at Shikaku and Inoichi, knowing they wouldn't be able to do anything with their combined Jutsu. Grabbing her sword, the Kunoichi blitzed past the two Clan Heads while slowly sheathing her sword while the two hit the ground dead. Before her eyes widened when Inoichi and Shikaku were replaced by a pair of sliced logs.
'They switched places while I was distracted!' Thought the Kunoichi, having been unable to see them move while using her Jutsu and focused on Chōza coming at her.
She was then unable to help but cry out when Chōza's massive ball form slammed down right on top of her, before it was lifted up and slammed down again.
"Think that'll be enough to get her?" Inoichi said from his and Shikaku's new position, having moved to where they wouldn't be in the open.
"You still sense her Chakra?" Replied Shikaku, narrowing his eyes as he had Chōza slam down on the Kunoichi repeatedly, knowing they had to make sure she's dead.
"Yes, but it's growing fai-wait, it just suddenly changed. It's…" Inoichi said, sensing the Kunoichi's Chakra Signature change before his eyes snapped open when Chōza slammed down one more time, only to be launched straight up into the air by a violent explosion.
"An exploding clone?!" Said Shikaku in surprise, before gagging in pain when the Kunoichi stabbed her sword through his and Inoichi's backs.
"Yeah, and looks like I got you two, instead." The Kunoichi stated, having switched places with a clone after seeing they used a Substitution to hide themselves.
Before she suddenly found her body frozen again while Shikaku and Inoichi faded from view, making her curse that it was a Genjutsu.
"No, we still have you. Shadow Possession Jutsu, success." Shikaku said, appearing behind the Kunoichi along with Inoichi, while Chōza landed on the ground and shrunk back down to his normal size.
"Oh, I'm gonna enjoy killing you annoyances." Said the Kunoichi through gritted teeth as she tried breaking the Jutsu, making Shikaku grunt and channel more Chakra to keep control.
"Inoichi, do it now!" Said Shikaku, not sure how much longer he could hold her, feeling how much Chakra she's beginning to build up to break free.
"Right! Mind Body Switch Jutsu!" Inoichi said, projecting his consciousness into the Kunoichi to take control and find out everything she knew.
'I win.' Thought the Kunoichi, smirking wickedly from beneath her mask, knowing that would be their last mistake.
Not a moment later, Inoichi suddenly returned to his body screaming in complete horror and agony, with blood leaking out of his eyes, ears, and nose. The sight shocking Shikaku and Chōza, before it turning into horror when their teammate fell to the ground, dead.
"Inoichi!" Chōza said in shock and horror at seeing him suddenly die.
"You're dead now!" The Kunoichi said flaring her Chakra and breaking free from the Shadow Possession Jutsu.
With Shikaku not being able to react in time as she rushed past him with her sword drawn, the Nara Clan Heads head slowly sliding off his body and hitting the ground.
"And now for you!" Said the Kunoichi, turning and swinging her sword at Chōza, unleashing a large wave of Chakra at him.
Though Chōza managed to recover enough to raise his bo-staff to block the Chakra wave, only for it slice right through the staff. The Akimichi Clan Head crying out as he was thrown back as the wave sliced through him.
'No choice!' Thought Chōza making a handsign as his body began slimming down and his Chakra flared around him as he converted his calories into Chakra.
"Butterfly Chōza Mode!" Chōza said as he stood up, with his Chakra flaring out behind him in the shape of butterfly wings.
"So this is the famed Butterfly Mode, I've heard about. Well then…let's see how many wings I get to rip off before you stop flying." Said the Kunoichi, aiming her sword at Chōza, making him scowl.
"You'll pay for what you've done!" Yelled Chōza before rushing her with shocking speed.
Channeling Chakra into her sword, the Kunoichi formed a large axe of Chakra and used it was a shield, blocking Chōza's punch, though grunted as she was sent skidding back. Before she spun around and went to bury the Chakra axe into his back, only to be blown back when he flapped his wings, releasing powerful gusts of Chakra.
"Fire Style: Fox Fire!" Said the Kunoichi going through handsigns while creating ten blue fireballs she launched at Chōza, with the Akimichi propelling himself to the side with his wing dodging them.
"You're done for!" Chōza said blitzing the Kunoichi, appearing at her side and thrusting his fist through her chest.
Only for the Kunoichi to explode into water, with the water suddenly latching onto Chōza and wrapping around him.
"Water Style: Water Binding." Said the Kunoichi, emerging from underwater before drawing her sword.
"And now, Wind Style: Great Task of the Dragon!" The Kunoichi said swing her sword, unleashing a large wave of Chakra that soon formed a tornado that slammed down on top of Chōza.
"This will finish you off! Fire Style: Running Fire!" Said the Kunoichi, releasing a stream of fire she manipulated to run across the ground towards the tornado.
With the tornado being ignited into a massive vortex of flames, making the Kunoichi smirk knowing that Chōza will be incinerated.
'Hopefully the head will survive at least.' The Kunoichi, only to be a little surprised when she heard Chōza give a loud shout and release powerful gusts of Chakra that blew away the flames, but showed he didn't escape unscathed.
"The only one finished, is you!" Chōza shouted as he focused the Chakra from his wings into his fist, covering it in a dense coat of Chakra.
"Butterfly Bullet Bombing!" Said Chōza launching himself at the Kunoichi, while putting every ounce of Chakra he had into his Jutsu, intent to finish her off with the attack.
While the Kunoichi watched him charge towards her, smirking behind her mask before holding her arms out, not making any attempt to dodge. Chōza gave a shout as he slammed his fist straight into her chest, sending the Kunoichi flying through the air and crashing through dozens of trees. Until she soon came to a stop when she crashed into a stone cliffside.
The sight making Chōza sigh in relief before he fell to the ground, panting tiredly while feeling completely drained from using Butterfly Mode and Butterfly Bullet Bombing.
'But…at least I avenged everyone.' Chōza thought, feeling relieved he avenged his friends and allies that were killed.
"Well…that's it, isn't it."
Chōza froze as his eyes widened in shock and horror, before he slowly looked towards where the Kunoichi was. Only for his horror to grow at seeing her walking towards him, tossing the destroyed trees aside like they were twigs and Chakra swirling around her.
"I must say, the Ino-Shika-Cho Trios teamwork is just as strong as I heard. If it was anyone else, I'm sure you all would have succeeded and survived. Unfortunately for you, there aren't many like me, even less that can do this." Said the Kunoichi, with Chōza's shock growing as well as the wings of his Butterfly Mode appeared behind her.
Before they then changed to now looking more feather-like in appearance, like the wings of an angel. Along with being a darker blue color, similar to sapphires.
Even more shocking was she didn't seem to be suffering from any of the negative side-effects, instead looking perfectly fine, even better than before.
"H-ho-how…" Chōza muttered only for his eyes to widen as the pieces slowly began falling into place.
"F-Fu-Fu-Fūinjutsu…that's how. That's how you could use my Butterfly Mode, you used a seal to absorb the Chakra from it in my Butterfly Bullet Bombing and recreate it…using just your Chakra." Said Chōza, with the Kunoichi smirking at him.
"Very good. Yes it is Fūinjutsu, a seal of my own creation that lets me absorb the Chakra of certain techniques, allowing my body and Chakra Network to break down how they work, then recreate them. And for those like your Butterfly Mode that require sacrificing calories, I can just use my own Chakra to do it." Revealed the Kunoichi, while Chōza looked at her in dawning realization and horror.
"To…to have that level of skill in Fūinjutsu and that much Chakra to use such techniques…you…you're from that clan. You…the Midnight Vixen…you're an Uzumaki?!" Chōza said in complete horror that one of the deadliest Mercenary Ninja in the world was from the Uzumaki Clan.
With Vixen staying silent for a moment before pulling down her hood, revealing incredibly long bright red hair that went down to her hips, further confirming Chōza's theory.
"Why are you doing this?! Why would you attack Konoha Ninja?! Our villages were allies!" Said Chōza, not believing or understanding why an Uzumaki would help attack Konoha, only for the Midnight Vixen to scoff.
"Konoha Ninja are nothing but traitors." Vixen stated before holding up her fist channeling the Chakra from her wings into it, surrounding it in a coat of Chakra.
"Now die. Angelic Bullet Bombing!" Said Vixen while speeding towards Chōza, the Akimichi Clan Head desperately trying to get up to dodge or keep fighting.
Only for his body to be unresponsive with all the calories he used up earlier, with Chōza only being able to cry out in pure agony as the Midnight Vixen slammed her fist into his chest. Feeling every single one of his bones shatter on contact and his organs beginning bursting. Before Chōza's body was sent crashing right into the wall of the stronghold and falling to the ground, dead.
Going over to Chōza, the Vixen swung her sword decapitating him and sealing his head away, before going over and doing the same to Shikaku's and Inoichi's heads. Along with seeing if there were any other Ninja of note, taking their heads as well.
Once that was done, the Vixen applied an Explosive Seal all along the stronghold, detonating them when she was far enough away. Consuming the stronghold in a massive explosion, along with incinerating all of the bodies left behind.
*Later*
With her mission completed, the Vixen headed to meet with her client and receive her payment for taking out the stronghold. Not needing to wait long before the client arrived, with the Kunoichi recognizing as the Byakugan Killer Ao. The only person to ever succeed in killing a Hyūga from the Main Family and take one of their Byakugan for himself.
"I take it that the stronghold has been dealt with." Ao stated, with the Vixen unsealing Shikaku's head and showing the Hunter-Nin.
"I also have the other heads of the trio if you want more proof." Said the Vixen, with Ao narrowing his eyes at the head, before nodding.
"That won't be necessary, this is indeed Shikaku Nara, so I can guess Inoichi Yamanaka and Chōza Akimichi are deceased as well. Here is your payment." Said Ao as he pulled out a scroll and handed it to her, which the Vixen took while resealing the head.
"Pleasure doing business, let me know if you need any more Konoha Ninja dead." Vixen replied before vanishing from sight, making Ao frown before he left as well to return to Kiri.
*Later*
*Land of Whirlpools-First Settlement*
Reappearing within one of the buildings of the first settlement, which had been converted into a residential area. The Midnight Vixen removed her cloak and Kitsune mask, while removing her lower facemask as well. Revealing Kushina, herself, was the Midnight Vixen, not that anyone else was aware of the fact.
'Destroying one of Konoha's strongholds, killing three of their Clan Heads and depriving them of any future heirs, which will no-doubtfully throw the clans they hail from into chaos, and cashing in the bounties for their heads. Today was certainly productive.' Kushina thought, pleased at what she accomplished today.
Before the redhead stripped out of her Kunoichi Dress revealing her crimson, sheer fabric lingerie with matching lace, with that being removed as well. Kushina sighing at stripping down to her natural state, having taken to enjoy moving around in the nude in her home after living on her own for so long.
'And when you look this good, who wouldn't want to see it every day.' Thought Kushina with a smirk as she looked at her reflection, admiring how she's grown into one of the most beautiful Kunoichi in the Elemental Nations.
Having smooth, mile long legs, a perfect heart-shaped ass that'd make men and women stop to stare, a smooth and shaven snatch, and her large DD-cup breasts. With her entire body being perfectly tone and showing hints of muscle and the strength she had.
'I love being an Uzumaki.' Kushina thought giving her ass a spank and watching it bounce, knowing with her powerful lifeforce, she'll still look good and young no matter how old she gets.
Before the mercenary headed to the bathroom to take a shower, turning on the water and letting out a quiet moan as the hot water hit her body.
'Mmmmm, it feels so good to relax after a good day.' Thought Kushina, contently while lathering up and washing her body, moaning softly as she paid special attention to her breasts and crotch.
As she cleaned herself, Kushina couldn't help but think about everything that's happened in the past nine years since she escaped Konoha and discovered the truth of what happened to her clan.
She had trained herself to death, taking full advantage of her healing factor, lifeforce, powerful stamina and endurance. Pushing herself to the point she couldn't move anymore and would collapse after days, even weeks' worth of training. Having mastered her clan's Fūinjutsu to the highest level and still kept practicing it, while creating her own seals.
Kushina had also mastered Kenjutsu, even leaving to travel to the Land of Iron to train with the Samurai, as even the Kage can't deny it'd be foolish for any Ninja to challenge the Samurai. Learning Iaidō, how to channel Chakra into her sword and shape it into different weapons, and launch waves of Chakra strong enough to cut through stone like paper. Being able to safely say she's now a Swordmaster, along with having forged her own blade, making it even stronger with various seals.
She'd also improved her Taijutsu as well for the times she needs to fight unarmed, as well as gained a decent foothold in Genjutsu and Medical Ninjutsu despite her Chakra Reserves. Though she could still sometimes get tricked by Genjutsu if she wasn't paying attention for them or don't expect her enemies to use them. While she'd learned and developed a devastating arsenal of Ninjutsu, mastering dozens to the point that she just needed to make a single handsign to perform them. Letting her take full advantage of her massive Chakra Reserves and increased her Chakra Control to refine how she uses it, only using the necessary amount in her attacks.
But Kushina's greatest accomplishment was having mastery over the Kyūbi's Chakra.
The two having been able to reach an understanding through their shared distaste for Konoha and the modern Shinobi System as a whole. Making Kushina one of the few individuals that can say she's a Perfect Jinchūriki. While the Kyūbi granted her access to its Fire Affinity and boosted her Wind Affinity even higher, giving her access to the Taiton. A highly advanced form of Wind Style that can cause complete devastation to the user's surroundings, decimating everything around them.
Safe to say, Kushina knew she was easily a High Kage Level Kunoichi.
'Shame, I don't really go all out.' Kushina thought, having never really fought someone that she felt required her full strength, along with wanting to keep some of her aces secret until the time was right or she needed to reveal them.
But even if she didn't use her full strength, what she has shown she can do made her a very popular Kunoichi to hire, as well as an expensive one. But still less than the cost of the war effort the Hidden Villages and the nations they were residing in were funding. And as she's proven time and time again, she was worth the cost no matter what the mission was.
Especially with how wartimes can great increase the growth rate for Ninja. Making it so even newly minted Genin can fight at the level of a Jōnin, while most actual Jōnin would already be Kage level.
"It doesn't matter how strong someone is, if they're outnumbered and their opponents have better teamwork than they can handle. Like what happened, today." Said Kyūbi, making Kushina frown and nod in agreement.
'I know. They were a lot better coordinated than I anticipated, with Inoichi and Shikaku constantly controlling my body or restricting my movements. Not to mention Shikaku thinking three steps ahead, as well as Chōza's physical power.' Thought Kushina, knowing she got lucky today in being able to kill them.
"Yes, you were lucky. If that foolish human didn't send his mind into you, you'd likely be dead or captured." Kyūbi stated, given when Inoichi tried entering Kushina's mind, it only brought him straight to the Bijū's lair.
Where the fox proceeded to tear apart Inoichi's consciousness piece by piece, relishing in the humans screams and agony before expelling what was left back into his body.
'I know. It's just a reminder that even with how strong I am, I need to get stronger.' Kushina thought, as while she had them beat in raw power and skill, their teamwork more than made up for it.
"Good, don't forget that. And you'll need to get stronger now more than ever. With those three dead, it won't be long before everyone starts coming after you, and they won't be holding back." Said Kyūbi, making the Uzumaki nod again, knowing it was right.
While she's killed plenty of Ninja from all sides, the Ino-Shika-Cho Trio were now her most notable kills on Konoha's side to-date. Meaning that they and the other nations will definitely be bringing out the big guns against her, now. She wouldn't even be surprised if they'll soon start thinking she's too effective as a Mercenary Ninja and want her dead. Which is another reason she stole Chōza's Butterfly Mode and converted it into her new Sapphire Angel Mode.
While the Kyūbi's Chakra was more than enough to crush Chōza, the added power up will be more than needed.
'Yeah, everyone will be wanting me either to officially join their side or to kill me before I become even stronger…' Kushina thought as she finished her shower and got out.
Drying herself off, Kushina went to her room and pulled out a new set of lingerie, with it being a black pair of red lace panties and a matching sheer fabric black nightie with red lace that hid her breasts. Before slipping on a nightgown as well.
It'll be even worse as the nations will soon start realizing she's an Uzumaki, making the target on her back even bigger. The only good thing is that they haven't figured just who she is, yet. But even then, Kushina knew it'll be a matter of time.
'…And I'll happily wipe out anyone they send after me.' Thought Kushina as she smirked wickedly, not feeling scared or concerned.
Instead, only welcoming everything the nations and villages will throw at her, as being a Mercenary Ninja wasn't even about the money. With her clan's treasury and the money she's made so far, the redhead could easily afford to retire and go underground. The real purpose was about sending a message to the Hidden Villages on why they shouldn't cross the Uzumaki. While the thrill of all the powerful and challenging opponents that she'll be facing, will just being icing on the cake.
Before Kushina got into bed and went sleep, dreaming of making all her clans destroyers suffer and give them a real reason to be afraid.
*Land of Frost*
Meanwhile, within the Land of Frost, a snowstorm was raging over a large part of the country, right over a large battlefield. A battlefield that was filled with hundreds of frozen and blood corpses of Konoha Ninja and Kumo Ninja alike.
With one Ninja being unfortunate enough to still be alive, if barely, and was desperately crawling away. Far away from the…the monster that did this! Only for the Ninja to cry out, when a heeled boot stomped down on their back.
"And where do you think you're going, trash?" Said in a cold-and-icy-tone, making the Ninja whimper and fight back tears of despair, while shakily turning their head at their attacker.
They were a tall, beautiful and slender woman with pale porcelain skin, long, light blue hair and matching blue eyes. She wore a strange attire consisting of a white and black miniskirt, a black belt with a cross-shaped buckle, a white jacket with four buttons long black sleeves with buttons on the upper arms, two long black straps hanging from her back ending in large black wool objects, a black choker, a blue scarf on her neck and white high-heeled boots that went up to her thighs. She also has a tattoo on her chest right above her large E-cup breasts.
One would think the woman was an angel from her appearance. However, the bloodlust shining in her eyes and the evil smile adorning her face revealed the woman's true nature. As she had a rapier sword she's aimed at the Ninja, with the only thing they could see is a devil in human form, the same devil that caused all this.
Before the Ninja screamed again, when the woman grinded her heel in their back.
"You'd do well to answer me, trash! Where did you think you were going? Were you hoping to try and escape? To run away and save your pathetic life? If so, that doesn't just make a weakling, but a coward as well. And I do so despise such insignificant creatures." The woman said, her smile growing as she pushed her heel into the Ninja's back, making them screaming louder.
"Pl-pl-p-pl-pl-pl-ple-ple-please! M-me-me-me-mer-mer-mercy!" The Ninja cried, making the woman sneer in disgust.
"And now you're begging? The least you can do, is accept your end with some dignity. But I suppose such a thing is impossible. The weak always cling to the hope of surviving, rather than embracing their inevitable end. But if you wish to be free…" Said the woman before bending down and place her hand on the Ninja's back.
"…Then be free." The woman said wickedly as the Ninja gasped and gagged as they could feel their heart and lungs being frozen from the inside out.
Until the Ninja soon went limp, while the woman stood up and looked at the storm in the sky with a serene smile on her face as she held her arms out.
"This…this is the world I was meant to be born in. This was always meant to be my true home. The war, the death, the pain, the agony and despair, with so many weaklings to slaughter. It's everything I desired." Said Esdeath, realizing that the world she was originally born into wasn't her true home, it was this one.
"It's a shame, I would love to thank the fool who sent me here. Right before I gut them for making such a foolish mistake as challenging me." Esdeath said, thinking over how she ended up being sent to the Elemental Nations.
Originally, she'd been sent to subjugate and crush the Northern Tribes for being foolish enough to try and stand against the Empire. But it had honestly been a disappointing endeavor. Their so-called hero, Numa Seika, had easily been broken into becoming little more than her lap dog and happily licking her boots.
At least until she cracked his head open with her foot.
Everyone else had been crushed much faster than anyone would have expected, while she was able to entertain herself by burying four hundred thousand people alive in ice and snow. But, otherwise, it had been dreadfully boring. Being one of many times where Esdeath wished for an actual challenge.
Though before she could return to the Capital, she'd received a message from Honest about several Danger Beasts popping up and he wanted her to deal with them. Something Esdeath accepted, always eager to hunt down and slaughter Danger Beasts, especially if any of them prove to be a challenge.
Only to learn that it was just a large amount of Danger Beasts rather than any that would actually give her a challenge. Leading to Esdeath either freezing them solid or cutting them into pieces, disappointed once again at the lack of entertainment.
That is until some foolish coward wearing a cloak appeared and tried attacking her, before then using some kind of Teigu to teleport her away. The next thing Esdeath knew was that she had ended up in the Elemental Nations.
'And it's been the greatest year of my life.' Esdeath thought, sighing contently.
Having ended up appearing right in the middle of a battlefield being used by what she now knew where Iwa Ninja and Suna Ninja. And never one to waste an opportunity, Esdeath immediately got to work on slaughtering every last one of them. Leading to both sides calling a temporary truce to attack the much more immediate threat. Making it even better for Esdeath that they were now focusing entirely on her rather than each other.
And the best part, it was the best fight of her life!
They weren't just normal rebels, instead possessing a power called Chakra. Letting them manipulate the elements, walk on water and any surface, clone themselves, and so much more. It had been like fighting an army of Teigu users, with Esdeath loving every second of it.
A few of them even came close to injuring her!
But like all her opponents, Esdeath had slaughtered them all. Yet even so, she'd never felt more alive and set out to learn just where exactly she was, now. With it feeling like a dream to learn everything about the Elemental Nations that she could, about the very bloody and violent history it had. And that she happened to land here, during a war between all the nations.
Since then, Esdeath had been fighting any Ninja she came across, killing them all as she did so, with her being excited as they were soon being sent after her. With these Ninja being far stronger than most of the others she encountered, making the fights even better and more dangerous. Several of them having even gotten close to killing the bluenette.
Yet, each time, Esdeath emerged victorious and growing stronger than ever, now that she's finally going against opponents to test her limits and push past them. Pushing both herself and her Teigu to new levels that she didn't think were possible before. Only to now see that nothing was impossible for her to accomplish in this world.
Esdeath raised her hands into the air, with the storm around her slowly fading away as she absorbed the power she released to create it back into her. Shivering in pleasure as she felt her power grow even more. Before the general took her leave of the battlefield, leaving behind the frozen corpses of her latest victims.
'Hmmm, perhaps I might try my hand at falling in love in this world.' Esdeath thought, having considered trying her hand at love after returning to the Capital, perhaps she could find a partner here, as she certainly has no shortage of powerful individuals to choose from.
Shaking her head, the bluenette continued on her way, eager for when her next battle will arrive.
So, what did you think, good. Yep we're starting out during the Third Ninja War, nine years after the last chapter (making Kushina twenty-one, with her having been kidnapped when she was twelve), and see that while all the villages are taking part, they're still low on Ninja with great potential. Leading to them hiring Mercenary Ninja, who definitely love war with all the missions they get and weeding out the competition. With one popular, and expensive, Mercenary Ninja being the Midnight Vixen.
With us seeing the Vixen getting a mission to destroy a Konoha stronghold near the Land of Water, with it being lead by the current Ino-Shika-Cho Trio. While the other Ninja being nothing special and easily cutdown, until the Vixen runs into trouble against the Trio, having difficultly fighting them and their legendary teamwork. Before getting an opening when Inoichi makes the mistake of trying to enter her mind only to end up dead, with Shikaku soon following, leading to Chōza using Butterfly Mode to regain the advantage and tries finishing the Vixen off with Butterfly Bullet Bombing.
Only to see the Vixen absorb the Chakra of his Butterfly Mode and convert it into her own Sapphire Angel Mode, with Chōza realizing she's an Uzumaki before being killed by her Angelic Bullet Bombing. The Vixen then takes their heads and any other noteworthy Ninja before destroying the stronghold and meeting her client, revealed to be Ao who gives her, her payment.
Then we see the Vixen return to the first settlement and reveal she's actually Kushina, with her stripping down and showering, while going over all her training. Showing how far she's come and how much stronger she is, even reaching an understanding with the Kyūbi to work together, getting mastery over its Chakra. But also knows she still has a lot of work to do, given she can still be overwhelmed by those stronger than her or have superior teamwork.
And with her killing the Ino-Shika-Cho Trio, she'll have many coming after her head for killing three Clan Heads and depriving their clans of any future heirs. With Kushin welcoming those that'll come after her, eager to show the nations why they shouldn't cross an Uzumaki.
Finally we then see Esdeath herself in the Land of Frost after slaughtering hundreds of Konoha and Kumo Ninja, learning how she ended up in the Elemental Nations and what she's done since her arrival. Killing all those she can find and growing far stronger than ever before with the greater challenges she can face. Before she goes to find more Ninja to fight and kill, while wondering if she could try falling in love here. So, for those that like the story, thanks for your support. For those that don't or at least don't like the direction taken, you're more than welcomed to drop the story. But thanks for giving the story a chance anyway.
Storm out