The Leaf
A familiar sight was ahead, another dusty road. Two people were walking down it, one was a menacing figure. Broad shoulders and stood over six feet in height. A beige cloak draped his body covering most of it with a pale straw hat on top of his head. Short black hair sweeped at his shoulders with every step. Next to him was what seemed like a child in stature. His wavy red hair was in a half ponytail and long enough to lay on his clavicle. Black shinobi pants were tucked into his matching sandals. Over his torso was a chainmail half sleeve and covered in a long sleeve maroon cloak that ended mid-way to his shins.
"Naruto, we are making camp. We will discuss the future when you are finished." The beige cloaked figure spoke with a tone of finality. Offering no argument from the red haired figure now known as Naruto. Wordlessly they walked off into the woods. Kakuzu the giant cloaked figure kicked down a tree to sit on while his student went to gather tinder for a fire. He had much to discuss. The cracking of twigs alerted Kakuzu of Naruto returning. The child formed a simple tent of sticks and with a small flame that seemed to dance in his palm as he lit the bundle on fire. With the glow of fire slowly growing he made his way to a large rock that was to the left of Kakuzu.
"Naruto, why are we in Hi no Kuni?" The man rumbled out, his voice just as deep as you would expect. A flat tone was heard over the crackling of sticks.
"We are hunting Kiyomu Fukuda for Konohagakure. With the recent Uchiha Massacre they are low on manpower and are willing to pay more to keep secrets out of enemy hands." Naruto answered tonelessly, his violet eyes never leaving the fire. The white's of his eyes seemed to have a tinge of pink. A side effect of Kakuzu saving him. A grunt was the confirmation of his idea.
"Good. War is coming and it will tear this land apart. First the skirmishes will test Konohagakure defenses. Iwakgure is eager for revenge for whatKonoha no Kiiroi Senkō did to them. Kumogakure wants to prove they are the strongest and is willing to pay blood to prove it. Sunagakure and Kirigakure, while having impotent offensive capabilities, excel in defensive fighting. They will remain neutral until provoked and even then, they will not fight past their borders." The ancient man spoke his wisdom, he lived for war. War brought men and women who didn't want to fight. That would lead to missing ninja, and that leads to more money in his pocket.
"Doesn't Konoha have an alliance with Suna? That would deter any attack from Iwa or Kumo." Naruto questioned, now actually looking at the green-eyed man.
"Shinobi alliances are fickle things. All they really prevent is an open attack, but even Konoha sometimes sabotages missions from Suna to gain clients and vice versa. But you have a point, Suna would deter any single country from attacking." Kakuzu spoke out while emphasizing the word 'single'. Naruto's eyes became a little wider with the realization. Kakuzu kept talking either not seeing or not caring his student was starting to understand.
"Kumo and Iwa have a good enough reason to have a joint invasion force to burn Konoha and its precious trees to the ground. Then even Suna would in all likelihood leave Konoha for the wolves. Why tie yourself down with a crippled teammate against two major countries that would invade you next if you were to fight with Konoha." Pausing to let it sink in, this was of course a teachable moment. A deep throaty cough signaled that Kakuzu would continue.
"This would also provide ample opportunity for Kumo and Iwa to spy on each other. Then when the time comes." The green eyed man left it at that, knowing his student understood. This world was a messy, bloody one but he knew how to take advantage of the chaos and thrive. He glanced at his protege. Sometimes he couldn't tell what his student was thinking but he decided to tell Naruto the second reason why they were here.
"Naruto, you know of the village I hail from?" Kakuzu seemingly asked out of nowhere. Kakuzu was not so talkative but Naruto could guess he was in a good mood with war coming.
"You are from Takigakure, from the slash on your headband I can only assume you are a missing-nin." A hint of sarcasm was heard from the red-haired boy. Kakuzu ignored his sarcasm and started his monologue.
"Before I defected I was the greatest shinobi in Taki. The jinchuriki at the time was still but a boy and I, a master of the Jiongu. One of our prized kinjutsu, only behind the village's Eiyu no Mizu. Then I was given a death sentence. The elder's who were lost in their lust for power sent me on a assination mission." Kakuzu had to pause to regain his temper. The backlash he received for his failure infuriated him beyond belief. Naruto who was listening with rapt attention saw no reason to defect so far. Assasnation missions occurred all the time, they were pro-
"I was sent to kill Hashirama Senju, The Shodai Hokage."
A proverbial bomb was dropped. Narutos eye's widened beyond belief. The man in front of him was sent to kill The Shodai Hokage AND LIVED TO TELL THE TALE. Naruto's mind was a flurry of things, his plans for the future had to be changed with this information. For the maelstrom that was Naruto's brain, only one thing came out of his mouth.
"Dude you're old." A log was tossed at Naruto who knew to dodge after a comment such as that. His teacher had thin patience as it is, especially when he is mad. A few heavy breaths later, the story continued.
"I attacked him at our border when he was crossing to meet the Kazekage in Suna. It wasn't even close. We re-shaped mountains and carved canyons out of the earth but I was not a match for the first Shinobi no Kami. At the height of his power he could tame even the greatest of bijuu, I fought with every trick, every angle and yet I fell so woefully short." Naruto could barely wrap his head around how the man in front of him was talking. For all his life he knew the man, if nothing else was arrogant and greedy.
"I returned to Taki humbled and injured but new's of my failure spread. I was met with scorn and hate from shinobi and civilians alike. They attempted to put me into a cell but I refused to be locked away and killed like some dog. I slaughtered the personal guards and ripped the elders' hearts out. I left full of rage and burnt down the water they collected from the 'great' tree for centuries. To this day, they haven't recovered from the hell I gave them." And there it was, that cocky look in his eye again. Naruto learned a valuable lesson today. Kakuzu was much stronger than he thought.
"Sleep. Tomorrow we will hunt." With that Naruto found two trees and set up his hammock, it was better than sleeping on the ground.
The morning went by fast, rations were unsealed and the fire was put out. It autumn in fire country. Naruto knew the routine by now, Kakuzu would pick a target for him to hunt. The redhead would start looking for information in nearby towns and with any luck they would have it. Now depending on if he was wanted dead or alive that would change the strategy but most of the time it didn't matter as long as their body was brought in.
"Naruto, your target is a C-rank named Ama Fudon. Specializes in long range Ration jutsu. They want him dead or alive. You can have the bounty, I have my own target." Nothing else was said, the two separated to stalk their prey.
Naruto went to a nearby town, it wasn't bustling but the streets were crowded enough that you could bump into someone fairly easily. Ama had a lithe build with short, unkempt grey hair and a scar that ran along from his right ear to the corner of his mouth. Now that really didn't matter if you could use a Henge to change your face and hide your features but that wasn't what the young Uzumaki was looking for. He was looking for someone nervous, walking too fast or looking down with a face and head covering. The man himself was new to addition to the bingo book and Ama probably knew it. That made weaker men nervous and Naruto would pounce on it. A few hours passed before he was sure he saw it. A couple of men almost fit the description but after a closer look they were not him. So he waited, Kakuzu taught him how to blend in, and walk pace with the crowd. Don't act like you're looking for someone and a smile diffuses almost any situation. This trick only worked for Naruto since the Jingou left his face unmarked. Then finally when the red-haired child was enjoying his ramen he saw him. A slight shimmer was over the right side of his face and the facial features matched. He now had buzzed black hair and was walking a little two fast to be normal around this town. Naruto confirmed his target was in town so his plan was about to begin.
First you don't pounce immediately, the longer your prey stays wound up the deeper they relax. That would make ambushing him or her easier. Second, you wait for them to leave town. Don't want any other shinobi poaching your bounty. Naruto put the money on the counter and walked to the woods outside the exit of town. He would set up camp just in case Ama decided to leave as well as not wanting to pay for a room. Patience was key here, Naruto would have to wait for the perfect moment.
A week later
The sun has just set past the horizon, leaves began to change color and flutter to the ground. Fall would soon be upon Hi no Kuni but for now the air was still warm enough to warrant just a chained shirt and overcoat. Our favorite red haired child was crouching in a tree watching Ama leave town. The man was holed up in his hotel for most of the day and only leaving for food and one night at the bar. Naruto was tempted to attack him right after he left the bar but it was too crowded for a clean getaway. So now was the time, when the lighting specialist set up camp he would strike.
A few hours later Ama took a sharp left into the woods, started a fire and set up traps around the clearing he stopped in. The clearing was clustered, a few boulders already took up a lot of the cramped space. The lithe man seemed to relax while at the hotel, so an easy ambush would not happen tonight. So instead Naruto decided to wind him up as much as he could. Silently the child removed his maroon cloak, sealing it away. Naruto made his way to the ground, and formed a single hand seal. Out of his back a black creature slunked onto the ground, then it stood up. It stood around roughly seven feet in height, it was hunched over so its true height was likely a little taller. It's razor sharp claws and golden wolf mask made it look like a werewolf. Equally golden chains warped around its neck, wrists and feet several times but seemed to wrap the rest of his body in random ways. While it may look restricted these chains proved to be of no hindrance when it stalked off into the woods around its prey. Naruto then made another hand seal, the golden mask and chain seemed to grow dimmer as well as the chains grew a tad bit smaller. The black threads that made up the construct seemed to grow more wild and covered up its chains a little bit. Naruto readied himself, the show was about to begin.
Ama heard the woods shift around him, the wind would leave a slight whistle when it would warp around the trees. Then he heard a snap and slight thudding to the right of him. His trap was set off, the steel of the kunai glinting in the smoldering flames.
'Was it set wrong?'
'Did an animal set it off?'
A million questions filled his head in a second, then again he heard it. The distinct sound of ninja wire snapping. He zeroed in on the sound in a second, straining his eyes to search the dark forest around him. Catching nothing but shadows that danced on the ground. The light did not dare to penetrate the darkness around him. A branch landed right in front of him. His eyes widened, this was the stick he stuck an explosion tag on. Someone was stalking him, and they were good. His final trap disabled and running through his veins was pure adrenaline. Fight or Flight. Stay or run.
He has made up his mind.
He bolted in the direction of the town which he came from. To get the police to help him. He heard the cracking of sticks and that was all the indication that something was on him. A bound beast charged him. The creature swung at him but Ama managed to duck into its guard. With a strong haymaker he swung at its wolf-like face. His fist was met with a resounding hardness that only managed to push the wolfish creature back a foot or two.
"Doton: Taju Doryuheki" Walls surrounded him from all sides except in front of Ama. The black threaded creature swung at him and four wind blades carved through the air at him he attempted to jump over them but was caught in the foot. Cutting his foot clean in two down the middle, still attached to his leg the blood flowed like a flooded river. A scream tore through the trees around him before he felt a hand grip the back of his neck. Then he was yanked back until he was abruptly stopped. Ama whipped out a kunai in an attempt to stab the man or creature behind him. Mid swing his wrist was grabbed and cleanly snapped, his hand dangled usually now. Ama willed his body forward, skin ripping away from where the attacker's hand was placed. He was free, he took off a few feet and turned around. A child was staring at him but he didn't falter.
He went to go through with a jutsu but he was slowed by his broken wrist. He wasn't fast enough. The red haired child's forearm detached from his wrist and shot toward Ama's non-injured hand. He snapped his fingers so he couldn't use any jutsu, then he felt something come from his stomach. Sharpened black thread portureded from his stomach, he couldn't account for both the beast and the kid. This was over, the bounty on his head was worth more than anything he had. He closed his eyes and waited for death, the village wanted him dead and now he would be.
Naruto saw this. The man in front of him accepted his death. Maybe he was tired from running, the stress compounding every day he wasn't captured. Naruto unleashed a tanto from his side and readied himself. He would not give any pity by saying anything to the man in front of him. He looked away and swung his tanto, cleanly decapitating his opponent. Naruto did not enjoy doing this, it wasn't worth it for him. The money wasn't and couldn't equal a human life but this was a dog eat dog world. Naruto was also fighting for something more than money.
"I want to sleep, Geiru. Return." Naruto commanded the beast and the werewolf removed its claws out of the man and was absorbed into the child. The body and head were sealed into a scroll. Walking out of the forest, early rays of dawn peaked through the canopy. Naruto sighed.
"I really want to sleep, a shower would be nice too." He said to himself. It was the only thing he would say for the next couple days. He was taking the body to a bounty office a couple miles away from town after he was done resting at a different hotel than the man he killed. It didn't feel right.
The building was a plain beige with an almost flat roof. He knocked on the door and the slot in it opened up. The man said nothing, but Naruto knew what to say.
"Ama Fudon, C-Rank. Bounty for Konoha. Trees fall but the world stands on its corpse." Naruto spoke low so nobody could hear him except the man behind the door. He wasn't safe yet. Kakuzu told him of deals going south when they got to the door. He heard several clicks, clacks and with a creak the solid steel door swung open to reveal a plain room. There were several autopsy tables, some of them occupied with people but only one had someone he recognized. Actually two people he recognized. They wore long black coats adorned with red clouds.
"Itachi Uchiha, Kisame Hoshigaki. I've heard that your services are for hire." The child asked the imposing figures with little to no emotion. The raven haired man gave nothing away in his charcoal eyes while Kisame gave him a shark-like grin. Naruto walked forward with a purpose.
A few hours later the red head walked out of the plain building. He decided to head to the nearest town. Naruto knew Kakuzu would find him in the next few days, he always did. A few days later Naruto was right, while eating at a ramen stand a green eyed man sat down next to him.
"We are heading out tonight. We will head to the lumber town. It is two days from here. Your training will continue there." The masked man stated, not elaborating on anything else. Naruto gave an almost nonexistent nod.
"How far is Konoha from there? Maybe someone will actually take your bounty." Naruto said tonelessly but Kakuzu could tell it was dripping with sarcasm. The giant of man decided he would actually humor the boy.
"It would be a day's run from the town and I would love for anyone to take the bounty off of my head." Kakuzu snorted back, he had a right to be arrogant after all. For as old and notorious as the legendary bounty hunter is, the price on his head wasn't all that high compared to other S-rank missing nin. He was so good at his job most countries did not put a bounty on him for fear of him not hunting down the countries missing nin. The only countries that have bounties on Kakuzu are, of course, Taki and wildey enough Shimogakure. When asked about it the stoic man only says, 'Bad soup'. Leaving Naruto to eventually find out on his own one day.
The hours ticked by and the sun eventually sunk past the horizon. Trees glinted in the rays decorating the ground with dancing shadows. Kakuzu and Naruto left the small town as the night life started to pick up.
"Why money?" The red haired child said out loud. Kakuzu merely looked down at him and didn't say anything. Naruto huffed and decided to ask again, just more directly.
"Why do you cling onto money like it's your source of life? Isn't there more to li-" Naruto was cut off by a hand latching onto his throat and lifting him off the ground.
"Listen to me Boy" he tightened his hand while he hissed the words through his teeth. " The time that I cared about anything but money has long since passed. I have grown too strong to be swayed by such things as love, peace or any of that nonsense. Power and money run the world and I have both in spades. You should know well enough that the strong eat the weak." With that he dropped the frightened child on the ground and kept walking. Naruto stumbled on the ground and watched his guardian's back. He made up his mind.
Two days later the duo arrived at the town right before sunset. They got a hotel with separate rooms. Kakuzu told Naruto they would start training at first light so rest early. Naruto nodded his head and slipped inside his room. This would be the last time Naruto would willingly see Kakuzu. Around three in the morning Naruto sneaked outside his room and met two familiar people.
"Akatsuki, your mission starts now let's go. I'll pay you when I get to the leaf." Naruto whispered to the men. They started tree hopping as soon as they got out of the town. It was a day trip to the village but Naruto hoped he could cut that down by a good chunk. Then all of his thoughts came to a screeching halt.
"I thought Leader-sama wanted to keep tabs on me but that doesn't seem to be the case. What are your intentions Naruto?" A deep voice bounced off the trees then he was in front of him, his green eyes glaring into his very existence. Naruto thought he was going to die but a blur came in and blocked his hand with a bandaged sword.
"Now, letting our client get hurt would be… bad for business." The shark-like man spoke for the first time that night. His sharpened teeth showed.
A small figure stepped beside him and decided to put his own input in.
"Leader-sama also tasked us to keep watch of you and bring you in if needed. Since your teaching adventure is over you can come with us now." The raven haired man flared his blood red eyes for extra emphasis. A throaty laugh exploded from the masked man, it was coarse and seemed unused for decades.
"Pray to whatever god you believe in, Boy. That you are strong enough to kill me next time we meet. You have a debt to pay and I will take back what I gave you. Guard the boy till his money runs dry. I will kill him if you don't do your job." Without another word he walked away into the dense forest. The air seemed to get a little less dense and Naruto could breathe. He didn't even realize he fell on the ground and on weak knees he stood again.
"Let's go." Was all the child said not trusting his voice anymore. He was hopelessly outmatched by Kakuzu. Naruto needed strength and hopefully where he was going he would gain enough to protect himself.
Twelve hours of tree jumping later they could see it. The great walls of Konohagakure were in sight. Naruto has made it. They stopped short of the gate since he was with two S-rank missing ninja, one of which was actually from the village they just arrived at. Naruto handed them an envelope of all the cash he had acquired over the years of being with Kakuzu.
"Pleasure doing business with ya Gaki. Get strong, quick. Kakuzu isn't a man that gives out false promises." With a simple nod from Itachi the duo left while walking at a leisurely place. He turned around and started walking toward the gate. When he got there he was suddenly surrounded by men in animal masks. A man with what Naruto assumed was a crow mask spoke.
"Come with us." This left no room for debate, cuffed, chakra sealed. Naruto was blinded and quickly dragged somewhere. What a start to his new life.
Doton: Taju Doryuheki- Using a pre-existing source of earth it allows the user to create multiple walls of earth, further fortifying their defence, so that even while the outer walls are destroyed the inner ones are still left intact. The walls can also be curved inward to block escape from above.
Inspiration for Naruto's jingou creature is Megumi Divine Dog: Totality. Its element I hope was pretty obvoius.I appreciate everyone reading this story if you are curious about Stitches of the Damned will be up soon. I am almost done with the chapter. Stay groovy peace out .