Previous Translations: Yorokobi - Pleasure/Delight/Joy
Yokubo - Desire/Lust
Kajo - Excess
Shifuku no Kurushimi - Blissful Throes/Blissful Suffering
Tatakainouta - Song of Battle
Zeitakuna Kutsu - Luxurious Torment
Hentai-ryu: Erokenho - Pervert Style: Erotic Fist Art
Konton - Chaos
Kanzen - Perfect
Henka - Change
Harakainokeru - Dispel
Aka-en - Red Flame
Aoi-en - Blue Flame
Kiiro-en - Yellow Flame
Orenji-en - Orange Flame
Tankoshoku-en - Pink Flame
Maho - Magic
Chishiki - Knowledge
Unmei - Fate
Nozomu - Hope
Hoho no Chenja - honestly this one is a mess, but roughly means Changer of Ways
Ryuketsu - Bloodshed
Chikara - Strength
Meiyo - Honor
Budo - Martial Arts
Ikari - Rage
Jumon - Incantation
Himitsu no Sewanin - Secret Caretaker(Keeper of Secrets)
Sento - Combat
Same no On'na - Shark-Woman
Maebure - Harbinger
Shibari no Ashikase - Binding Fetters
Kanpeki - Perfection
Reikan - the closest English word would be Inspiration, but it specifically refers to 'a divine creative impulse'
Sekkyo-sha - Preacher
Aijin - Lover
Kaen Hosha-ki - Flame Radiator (Flamer of Tzeentch)
Himeiwoageru - Which Screams (Screamer of Tzeentch)
Shikkan - Disease
Ai - Love
Zetsubo - Despair
Mi Haito - Undivided/Not Divided
Shibo - Aspiring
Koki - Exalted
Chakra no Bato - Coruscating Chakra/Chakra of Coruscation
Gyokai - Industry
In case someone somehow doesn't know, Hi - Fire
Don'yoku - Greed/Avarice
Yokuatsu - Tyranny/Oppression
Yami no Chichi - Father of Darkness/Dark Father
Raimeiton - Thunder Release, what Naruto has decided to name his mix of wind and lightning chakra
Shuryoju - Hunting Beasts (same word for plural or singular), an alternate name for Fiends of Slaanesh, best word I could find for them
Konton no Omo - Lord of Chaos
Kemonojin - a very jank way of translating Beastmen into Japanese, basically would mean Animal-Human
Gyumao - Ox Demon King
Eiyu - Hero
Gyumahime - Ox Demon Princess
Kajomahime - Excessive Demon Princess
Renkinjutsu - Alchemy
Tsunade wasn't sure what to make of the news, "Naruto defeated Han?" she asked and received nods, "The Gobi Jinchuriki, going all out?" she clarified.
Han winced, "No need to rub it in," he commented, right hand resting lazily in his kimono top, "Kokuo underestimated that blade of his and earned a mortal wound, been sulking ever since." he commented.
"Kokuo? Is that the Gobi's name?" Tsunade asked, surprised at the news as she never considered the ancient Chakra no Bakemono of legend had names. She knew her grandfather had gifted the Gobi and Yonbi to Iwa, but not much else about them except that one was either a giant horse or a Kaima and the other was apparently a monkey king.
"Yeah, the reason I can even use Futton in the first place, let alone Kairiki Muso." Han answered with a nod, figuring if his enemy already knew his Jinchuriki status, then they'd figure that out eventually anyway.
Sakura was curious, "How does that Kairiki Muso thing work?" she asked straight away.
"Steam powered taijutsu with Futton chakra." Han explained shortly, refusing to go into details beyond that on it. Sakura frowned as she considered that, she couldn't help compare it to the taijutsu Tsunade taught her and Ino.
"My magnificent self kept up with it using Raimeiton chakra nagashi!" Naruto bragged proudly, eagerly and blatantly seeking more praise for his actions.
"I'm pretty sure your kenjutsu isn't normal." Sasuke spoke up, "If anything, it's impressive he kept up with your sword." he added.
"What?" Jiraiya asked, he knew Naruto's kenjutsu had gotten fast but he didn't understand why Sasuke would put it on such a pedestal.
"I finally saw it with kiiro-en." Sasuke explained with a gesture to his golden eye, "I have no idea what the hell I saw, but it wasn't bunshin and he still managed to cut three distinct places simultaneously. After witnissing it with Sharingan and the ability to see a few seconds into the future I have determined that the only way to avoid that kenjutsu is to make the terrain difficult since he needs good footing, or just don't be in range of his blades, which you may have noticed can be long." he finished with a gesture to the sheathed nodachi, "Aoki shut the fuck up I don't know what a dimensional refraction is and I doubt anyone else does." he added out loud to a voice none of them could hear, "Stop trying to explain it you sound insane." he grumbled with finality at the voice in his head.
Jiraiya was not quite sure what to make of that, since he didn't understand what a dimensional refraction would actually be, "Okay, sounds like Naruto-kun did something that shouldn't be physically possible." he assumed, "Moving on, what do we do about Kusa?" he asked seriously.
"We're going to help them, right?" Naruto asked, he was only wondering how they were going to help, "Did they seem to need supplies? We didn't stay long enough to see what their food stocks are like." he pointed out.
At the signal of the Hokage, Anbu moved to escort Han from the office, he presumed he was being taken to a cell to await a meeting with someone from Konoha's Torture and Interrogation corps.
"Iwa was raiding farms already, they really went all out as the aggressors this time." Tsunade muttered, "I can't afford to send you lot back to Kusa right now, Jiraiya is needed for other missions and I've already assembled a team to assist the new fort your team helped build in Mokuno-gai." she explained, "For now, your team are the only ones who know where Takigakure no Sato is, Kakashi-san will be receiving a mission to back up patrols in that area with a team of ninso when he returns so I need you three to check in on Takigakure, help them if needed, and rendezvous with your fellow Konton Gundan when Kakashi-san arrives with them." she ordered.
Jiraiya frowned but nodded in understanding, he was still the best chance at finding Orochimaru, and he still needed to uncover what Akatsuki were up to, plus with Han in the village it would be a good idea for the Fuinjutsu master to remain relatively close by just in case. With Naruto being one of Akatsuki's known targets, it was a bad idea to send him to the same front multiple times during open war like they were currently engaged in.
Haku frowned, "My orders, Hokage-sama?" he asked politely.
"You'll be part of the back up." Tsunade answered.
Naruto frowned, "Can we have Hinata-chan?" he asked.
"Also part of your reinforcements." Tsunade answered, her eye twitching at the constant questioning of her orders.
Naruto insisted on assuring his harem he was fine, so Sasuke and Sakura waited near the gate, seeing Shino and Shikamaru were actually on gate guarding duty surprisingly, "I took it because it seems easy, and Shino-san is pretty good at it." the lazy Nara commented when questioned.
Shino adjusted his round shades, "My kikaichu make this job particularly easy." he said simply, his voice slightly distorted by the rebreather mask he still had to wear. Sasuke thought the job seemed boring, but he supposed it needed to be done and he was just glad he wasn't on that mission. Patrols could be boring but at least things sometimes happened on patrols.
Genkei still carried Sakura's broken shield, but it was obvious that something had happened to sap it of it's true power. The kunoichi still kept it because, Daemon or not, it was a useful piece of metal to block with. The fact she mostly had the Imp using it on foot may have something to do with it, but having shuriken bounce off it during a cavalry charge was at least a little satisfying.
Iruka had run into Naruto and decided to see his old students off at the gate, "You three have changed more than anyone." he couldn't help but comment, even Kiba, Hinata, and Shino had less physical alterations done to them, but also he could see they'd grown a lot too, "I hope you kids continue to grow." he offered by way of luck, it was the best he could hope for them if they were going to war.
Naruto grinned, "No need for hope, don't worry, we're built different." he laughed as he moved to lead his team ahead, Sasuke rolled his eyes but fell into step without a word and Sakura followed his lead after a slight glare at the blonde for taking charge so readily. Maemi followed close to Naruto and Genkei followed behind Sakura. The kote of the kunoichi covered it, but Iruka wondered what the deal was with the tattoo on her left arm, he decided to ask later as for all he knew it was some kind of jutsu.
The Konoha team made good time once Sakura summoned a Flesh Hound for Genkei to ride, the Malice being the slowest link in the chain clearly grated on the heavily armored Imp but he took solace that he was probably still sturdiest even with a Bubo around and Maemi having access to that strange pink chakra Naruto had. Sakura felt she was getting used to the weight of her heavier weapon, but could still barely keep up with the rest of her team, even her Daemonic hound had trouble keeping up with them on foot.
She guessed ninja were faster than most Daemons, but Naruto and Sasuke seemed to have access to some particularly fast ones and she guessed Maemi was just enhanced by Naruto's absurdly powerful chakra since apparently she wasn't supposed to be useful in combat like Genkei but pulled it off using Naruto's chakra anyway. So far Furies and Hounds were the fastest things Sakura could summon, and Naruto had an unprecedented three contracts while Sasuke seemed curious about getting a second one.
Considering how much it drained her just using kuchiyose to call Daemons the young kunoichi wondered if it was even worth it, even if whatever she learned to call cost less chakra it would probably be weaker than her Daemons and bunshin would be a less chakra intensive distraction. Although she supposed Sasuke and Naruto could spare the chakra to become an army each waiting to happen, the blonde practically already was actually, he'd even proven so since he still had chakra to spare after demonstrating it at a regimental level.
The journey into Taki's lands was a peaceful one, Iwa's advance apparently slowed by their efforts brought some pride to the three young ninja, and Naruto didn't hear any violence in the direction patrols against Oto were nor did he hear particularly large bakemono roaring a challenge so nothing happened on the journey. Once they got close to the waterfalls that hid the village itself however they were stopped by Taki shinobi, who were understandably concerned by the trio of heavily armed shinobi who barely looked human coming at their supposedly hidden village.
"We've been here before, my magnificent self even tasted your Eiyu no Mizu once!" Naruto bragged with a laugh, and there was only one outsider who had ever survived that which explained who he was to them well enough, "We're here to check up on you and see if Shibuki-san needs help." he explained more seriously.
The two Taki chunin exchanged a glance but nodded and motioned for the Konoha shinobi and their Imps to follow them into the village, taking them straight to Shibuki's office, "You three?" he asked, surprised by their arrival, "I see, I suppose we've tried to keep quiet, we've got a terrain advantage and they don't know where we are right now, but Oto has started pressing on our borders with bakemono as well." he explained quickly, "As it stands we may have to use the Eiyu no Mizu again." he muttered darkly.
"Just let Naruto drink it," Sasuke suggested, "it's not like it'll kill him, probably." he added with a shrug at the offended looks he received from the Taki jonin guarding their shinobigashira.
"He's out of line, but he's got a point." Maemi piped up, not wanting to waste a valuable weapon, "It should be saved for a real emergency though." she added quickly, not wanting to earn any ire on herself or master.
Shibuki sighed, "I am not letting you drink our relic again, it's bad enough you kids know where our hidden village is but I'm grateful you've managed to avoid leaking the knowledge." he said, "I hear you ninso are adept at killing the bakemono that come from Oto no Kuni, so if you can go assist our eastern patrols with anything they're having trouble with I can focus our defenses on dealing with Iwa shinobi trying to get through to Hi no Kuni." he offered.
Naruto nodded with a grin, "No problem y'know!" he bragged proudly with a thumbs up.
Sasuke was still thinking about the encounter with Itachi, he'd tried not to as to avoid Aoki eavesdropping on his thoughts but he couldn't help it. He hadn't mentioned it to anyone, how was he supposed to say Itachi told him that Madara was alive? Aoki thought it sounded a bit absurd, but had no explanation for the purpose behind such a lie besides to cause confusion and uncertainty. Yet the only purpose behind it seemed to be egging Sasuke on, encouraging the younger Uchiha to become a challenge to match him.
Sasuke probably never would have even noticed it if he hadn't trained his mind with Aoki, but it just raised further questions. For a moment he realized what people meant by ignorance being bliss, when he hadn't known there was a puzzle he'd just been angry at Itachi, now he was angry and confused. There were too many things he didn't know to reach an accurate confusion, and Itachi seemed to be intentionally complicating things to confuse him.
The young Uchiha shook the thoughts off as they approached swamp land, spotting a pair of Taki shinobi, one of whom was injured. Naruto crossed the distance without warning, alarming both of them as he inspected the injured one, "Smells like venom, maybe, sickly whatever it is so probably toxic." he mused with a frown.
"Caustic is more like it." The injured shinobi hissed in pain, "Fuckin' burns." he managed to explain, hoping that Naruto was there to help and guessing some kind of medical ability from the swift scent based analysis.
Naruto frowned, "Hm, this is bad, you're probably gonna die." he confessed with terrible bedside manner, his way of saying he had no idea how to fix the damage dealt. The two Taki shinobi looked alarmed and offended.
"He might be able to make it back to Taki for other iryonin with a specialty in this sort of thing to have a look at with a combat drug in his system." Maemi pointed out helpfully, prompting Naruto to offer the wounded man a white tablet that was accepted and taken with a drink of water.
"What did this?" Sasuke asked, wanting information on what they were fighting. He pulled out a hyorogan just in case, whatever wounded the man could be close.
"A group of snakes, at least four I think," The uninjured Taki ninja answered, "killed the rest of our patrol, we barely escaped with our lives." he explained, "They're using the swamp as cover, but they're big so they can't leave the deep parts without giving themselves away. I think they can hold their breath for a long time though, that or they're better at hiding than I thought, or amphibious." he guessed.
"Knowing Orochimaru it could be any combination of the three." Sasuke complained with a sigh, activating his Sharingan and scanning the distant tree line for any wildlife. He saw some insects mostly, but toads and an alligator as well indicating whatever the snakes were hadn't disturbed anything where the shinobi currently were just yet. Naruto being completely relaxed also helped since the blonde had practically passive precognition if Sasuke understood the Tatakainouta correctly.
Speaking of the young blonde, as soon as the Taki ninja were gone he stepped out onto the swamp, water walking with his chakra as he unsheathed his nodachi, his grin told his team that he heard something coming and the Uchiha supposed the serpents must have followed the Taki shinobi, likely the scent of blood from the wounded one. Maemi took the scabbard for Naruto and moved to stand by Sasuke, mostly to have someone between her and Sakura or Genkei or the Flesh Hound.
"Four enemies should give us all something to do at least." Sakura mused as she readied her oversized axe and glanced around for what the blonde was detecting, Sasuke just shrugged and readied his naginata as his Sharingan spotted the alligator across the swamp move to hide from something. Then it came crashing through the tree line with a roar, two more following behind it and when the fourth reared up as it followed the Konoha ninja realized they were slightly mistaken.
This monster was one reptilian creature with multiple heads, each head was a massive serpent with an almost salamander look to the heads besides the fanged maw with far more teeth than any normal venomous snake, "It smells toxic..." Naruto warned, his grin disappearing as the smell even made him feel slightly ill. The first head darted at the blonde, who swiftly dodged and decapitated the striking head.
Sasuke was glad the blonde still had the strength to manage that, because whatever smell Naruto was talking about made his knees feel weak, Aoki grumbled something about Nurgle's influence being involved in the creation of this particular Kemono no Konton. Then he saw the neck of the creature whip back, split into two and grow two new heads, giving the monster five total, "Oh fuck that." he groaned as Aoki informed him that fire usually worked against regeneration like that.
As the Katon specialist, Sasuke supposed that halting it's regeneration should fall to him, but he wasn't sure he could manage it, "Don't keep cutting it!" Sakura snapped as the blonde continued to parry and hold his ground against the advancing toxic swamp monster, but the Uchiha could see he was avoiding decapitation now, although it still regenerated at an alarmingly high speed.
"My magnificent self needs to get closer to destroy it!" Naruto snapped right back.
"Oh come off it you have plenty of long range jutsu!" Sasuke snapped as he hopped back and flapped his wings to get some distance and breath some hopefully fresher air, "That thing, it's breath, blood, saliva, they're all ridiculously virulent, just pull back!" he insisted at the prideful young blonde as Sakura moved to follow his lead. Genkei and Maemi were immune, but the Malice followed his master as the Muse waited for hers.
"Nothing strong enough!" Naruto insisted as he stepped towards his advancing opponent breathlessly with a wide swing that halted the strike of three different heads before he hopped over two more with a spin but landed with a stumble and a cough, "It's sturdy!" he insisted as he leaped towards the main body, outstretched his left hand and formed the largest Rasengan he could manage, even poured Hoshi chakra into it for good measure.
The result was not instant, first there was a grinding sound, then a screech of pain from the monster before it's flesh tore as the Rasengan expanded in size. Every serpentine head was torn from the main body as it was shredded. Naruto stood at the epicenter struggling to breathe as he staggered away from the toxic fumes given off by the blood. Sasuke pulled out a rebreather and put it on before leaping to inspect the kill.
Seeing it was starting to regenerate again the Uchiha palmed a kunai and activated a runic array on the blade before tossing it, the small metal blade creating a fiery blast as it impacted with the immobile target and seared the wound shut with shrapnel letting some of the virulent blood run from the destroyed body of the beast. Sasuke decided that could be useful and checked his supplies, deciding it was best to tip some arrows he rarely ever got to use with them since they were his longest range weapon and the further the projectile was from him the better.
"Well, that went remarkably well." Naruto said with some slight sarcasm, but his smirk indicated he was proud of himself for his display.
"How are you even alive?" Sakura asked bluntly as Sasuke returned his quiver of arrows to a scroll with basic Fuinjutsu.
"Built different." Naruto answered automatically.
Tsunade wasn't sure why Nagi would be back now of all times, surely he knew there was a war going on and it was dangerous to travel or test the tempers of ninja, but there he sat across from her to hand a signed warrant for Naruto's arrest. Tsunade's eye twitched at the insult, technically speaking it was a summons to a trial, but it was still officially a warrant as it was not the kind of summons that could be refused.
Tsunade double checked the signature before placing the warrant down and steeping her fingers, "Naruto Uzumaki is not in the village right now." she informed with faux calm, "When he returns, he will be made aware of this trial and we'll come and have a chat." she said dangerously, wondering if the courtier would even understand the thinly veiled threat.
Nagi seemed nervous, as if he sensed the danger in the air, but he nodded, "Very well, I suppose it's unrealistic to expect him to be in the village watching his slaves consistently." the young man mused as he stood up and left.
As soon as he was gone Tsunade turned to Shizune, "Change of plans, I'm sending you to help Naruto-kun's team as well, warn him, HInata-chan, Haku-kun, and Maemi that he'll have a trial." she ordered quickly, keen to stack the deck in favor of the blonde, "I'll speak with Karin-chan and the spoils of war." she grumbled as she stood up.
Naruto, Sasuke, Sakura, and the two Imps that weren't grafted to Juin walked back into Takigakure to learn that the man who had been bitten died and the other even needed medical treatment still, so the two chunin and their genin teammate were offered a check up while they waited for Shibuki. They'd accepted, and Sasuke was glad to find he was fine, already recovering on his own to a degree.
Sakura was apparently fine, but the iryonin checking her over was confused, "Well, aside from the high temperature and the fact I have no idea how your blood actually works, I think you're okay?" she guessed, giving the pink haired kunoichi a slightly uncertain clean bill of health.
Naruto's iryonin was similarly confused, "Your right lung was collapsing from the toxins but it already recovered and restart by itself while I was performing the diagnostic." he revealed and Naruto coughed into a tissue, "Somehow, you're fine." he added dryly as the blonde tossed the tissue filled with toxic material in a waste basket, "What the fuck are you?" he asked with a raised eyebrow.
Naruto shrugged, "Kajomahime." he answered bluntly, deciding if Slaanesh was going to make him into a new kind of yokai then he'd be called that.
"Okay well why do you have six horns?" The iryoninja asked with a raised eyebrow, anything with that many protrusions was usually a bakemono of some kind.
"They're a crown," Naruto answered, "these natural weapons that act as a helmet symbolize divine right to rule." he asserted with authority that took the iryonin by surprise.
Kakashi was surprised to see Shizune rushing to catch up with him, Haku, and team Kurenai. Ino and Shikamaru were following the younger jonin as she waved them down with Anbu signs he recognized. He wasn't quite expecting what she had to say though, "Naruto-kun is under arrest for slave trading."
"What!?" Hinata asked furiously, Kiba just raised an eyebrow as Shino adjusted his shades.
"It's just an accusation, we need to warn him and get him back in time for some trial." Shizune explained with a sigh, "I don't think it'll hold, with Tsunade-sama and Jiraiya vouching for Naruto-kun, plus his value as a shinobi will outweigh whatever that stringy courtier has to say." she continued quickly.
Hinata frowned, "Oh, him again." she groused, "Naruto-kun will be fine, I think, even our slaves are barely treated as such." she pointed out, "Haku-kun, Kin-chan, and even Tayuya-chan should collaborate with us." she said and 'Yukimaru' nodded plainly, mostly keeping quiet because he wasn't supposed to be Haku when the mask was on.
"What about Hanako-chan?" Shizune asked, recalling that the medical ward of the Uzumaki was still less than pleased with her current situation. Hinata wasn't sure how to respond to that, which was an answer in itself.
"Well, you and Tsunade-sama might be enough to vouch against the charges, at least regarding Hanako's medical condition." Kakashi pointed out as they continued towards Taki's lands, "The question is, what evidence do they have that makes them confident enough for a trial?" he wondered, to his knowledge only a few ninja actually even knew the blonde had technically bought Haku illegally. He was pretty sure Zabuza wasn't going to be a witness for the prosecution, which left a handful of Konoha shinobi that Kakashi didn't know very well.
That was more witnesses than he liked, and of them none were actually present, he wasn't even sure if Shizune actually knew the truth of that now that he thought about it. It was possible she'd learned as much from Tsunade but there was no way to be certain without speaking of it so he decided they were best to continue as if his student had done nothing illegal for now.
"If they're accusing Naruto-kun they're accusing me." Hinata pointed out, still fuming over the news, she knew the charges weren't technically false but she was confident there was no evidence and Haku wouldn't betray them, "I'm pushing for that courtier to commit harakiri." she added coldly, the mention of forcing a man to perform ritual suicide startling Kurenai, but given the seriousness of the charges she couldn't blame the younger kunoichi for responding with such venom.
Naruto was surprised to hear about the charges, "We're busy with war stuff though." he pointed out, "Tell the politicians to wait."
Kakashi sighed and shook his head, "I wish, politics is almost always like this." he responded, "You should be fine as long as you don't accidentally confess to something you didn't do and remember that you did nothing wrong." he said pointedly, at the blank look he received he glanced to Maemi who nodded in understanding.
Naruto scowled, "We only killed a bakemono from Oto, Shibuki still needs our help." he pointed out.
Shizune nodded, "That's why additional back up was sent." she explained, "It's best not to keep Daimyo-sama waiting for too long, once you're back in Konoha Tsunade-sama should be going with you." she clarified the details.
Naruto grit his teeth, wondering how someone supposed to rule a nation could make such a blunder in the middle of open war. He knew it arrogant to think so but he was confident he was powerful enough that this should be viewed as sabotage, which clicked in his brain that the Daimyo for some reason was sabotaging Konoha in a war against Iwa and Oto. He kept the thought to himself as he took some deep breaths to calm himself, the horned blonde decided to have a chat with his accusers and the man who was supposed to rule over the land he lived on.
Sasuke glanced between who they were losing and who they were gaining, Hinata and Haku going back with Naruto left them with Ino, Shikamaru, Kiba, Shino, and Kakashi for back up since Shizune was apparently taking the blonde back, "I have half a mind to kill this courtier myself." the Uchiha grumbled under his breath, no one bothered to admonish him.
Shibuki hadn't heard the conversation, so he was surprised to see a number of their reinforcements returning already, "Trouble on the other fronts?" he asked and Kakashi simply nodded, is was true in a way, "A pity, Fu wanted to see Naruto again." the head of Taki commented with a sigh, "No matter, can't afford those luxuries in war and our scouts spotted some Iwa forces on their way to a nearby ravine." he informed.
Naruto was clearly livid, Hinata didn't blame him since she was fuming too, and Haku understood the seriousness of the situation, but both they and Shizune realized they'd never actually seen Naruto maintain an angry mindset for long. Internally the blonde was trying to set aside his rage and wrath, and Maemi could tell he was having difficulty. Naruto hadn't considered it, but ever since he stole the Kuchiyose no Jutsu and met Slaanesh his life had been good.
This courtier, Nagi, he hadn't actually met the man but he'd caused more irritation for the young blonde than any enemy or monster ever had, the closest besides this was when he found he couldn't tame the golden furred lion on the border with Kaminari no Kuni. He'd managed to mostly avoid killing those he didn't want to kill, the Raito on his back the only reminder of the one time he'd been sad to defeat an enemy.
The fact that Naruto had enjoyed every other fight he'd ever been in besides those two didn't seem odd or strange to the young blonde, enjoying violence at this point seemed downright normal. What confused and angered him was why someone who was supposed to be close allies, to the point of being under the same national allegiance, was causing problems for him was infuriatingly confusing. In his mind, Naruto was already next Hokage, it was no empty boast like it had been before he'd become a ninja, he could acknowledge that and see how far he'd come, so someone from the court of the Daimyo of Hi no Kuni standing in his way on anything seemed like treason to him.
However, Naruto kept these thoughts to himself, letting his resentment of the Daimyo and his court fester as he traveled silently, "I just need to say I was captured in battle right?" Haku asked nervously, not sure entirely what the story should be.
"It'll be a strange issue, you're not actually a nukenin like Hanako was." Shizune pointed out, "Our best bet is keeping it as honest as possible, but if this courtier is trying to curry favor with the Mizu no Kuni court or foster relations over there then that could backfire if he convinces Daimyo-sama it's wise to return you two to your homeland." she explained.
Haku shuddered, "I wouldn't mind returning to Zabuza-san, but I suspect they'd have me captured by Kirigakure Oinin if that's their goal." he pointed out morosely. Naruto grit his teeth at the conversation, his scowl intensifying as his hatred for men he hadn't even met rose.
Hinata shook her head, "Absolutely not, you're ours." she insisted, "Naruto-kun and I won't let them take or hurt any of you." she promised, given the criminal histories of all the slaves it was an understandable concern that none of them could truly go free and would be in danger if forced from the protection of Konoha's budding Uzumaki clan. Shizune worried that such a thing might actually be a point the prosecutor would go for, she had no idea for certain what kind of evidence or arguments would be brought up but a warrant like Naruto's wasn't issued for fun.
Karin wasn't happy to hear about the trial, "I can't even go, can I?" she asked, uncertain about her current status regarding Kusa.
"Given Naruto's actions in Kusa recently, you might be fine actually." Tsunade confessed, "It would be a risk, but I don't think Kusa's remaining forces will mind you showing up with Naruto-kun in public, if they remember you at all by now." she pointed out.
Kin plucked her koto lazily, "I guess I need to go?" she assumed, "I was pretty much the first one he captured, but what are they expecting to hear anyway?" she wondered.
Tayuya shrugged, "Probably that we've been well behaved if we want to stick around and keep fucking each other I guess." she assumed crassly, "Or, is good behavior weird shit to them? We've kind of got a really good deal with Naruto-kun so I didn't even think about it." she mused.
Kin nodded, "Yeah, I feel a lot more free than when I worked for Orochimaru honestly, but I don't know how some stuffy nobles will take that." she responded, referring to the courtiers derisively. Given the situation no one blamed her.
Isaribi was frowning thoughtfully, "I forgot you two are supposed to be slaves." she muttered, blushing slightly in embarrassment. Kin rolled her eyes as Tayuya snorted at the purple haired young woman.
Tsunade sighed, "Alright, look, this is serious. Jiraiya and I will try to help and our word should carry enough weight with the Daimyo but you still need to show Naruto-kun hasn't broken any laws." she warned, "Once he returns with the others we'll go to the capital to deal with these accusations." she informed, "If nothing attacks them on the trip back from Takigakure then they should be back by this evening, I'll push our luck and say we go tomorrow to give you all time to get your stories straight." she promised before turning to leave, still having work to do besides.
True to the Hokage's guess, Shizune returned with Naruto, Maemi, Hinata, and Haku that evening. Upon being told they'd leave in the morning they returned home to see Karin, Kin, Tayuya, and Isaribi waiting for them. The purple haired young woman in particular looked morose, "So, are we taking Hanako?" Karin asked hesitantly.
"I don't mind staying behind to watch the bitch." Tayuya spoke up, "A Daimyo's court doesn't sound fucking fun..." she added, no one could argue that the foul mouthed kunoichi was probably not a good match for where they were forced to go.
Naruto continued to frown as he reclined with his kiseru, fiddling with it rather than packing and lighting it, "This smells like a trap..." he muttered.
"Us vouching for your good treatment of us and that you captured us legitimately is probably a good idea though." Kin pointed out, "I agree Hanako and Tayuya-chan should stay behind, but Haku-kun and I might be needed for testimony."
Hinata nodded in agreement, "I think Isaribi-chan shouldn't need to come, but her, Karin-chan, and myself are also good witnesses to help you, Naruto-kun." she tried to assure the clearly irate blonde. Isaribi didn't really want to go, but she nodded hesitantly in agreement.
Haku could see the horned blonde head of the house was still troubled, "I can assure you I'll collaborate with whatever story we decide on for how I was captured," he promised, "I may miss Zabuza-san but-"
"It's okay, my magnificent self already knows Zabuza wants you to manipulate me into helping his future Kirigakure no Sato." Naruto interrupted, surprising everyone but Maemi with that revelation, "It's fine, my magnificent self already decided to support him in the future." he explained with a shrug, "However, this Nagi, that bastard is trying to throw everything off, trying to take away what belongs to my magnificent self." he snapped possessively, "Tayuya-chan, you may not like a Daimyo's court, but my magnificent self has come to a decision. Those bastard nobles need a show of force to be convinced." he insisted, "Go inform Hanako-chan." he ordered Kin.
The girls and Haku were all surprised by Naruto's attitude towards the situation, the normally cheerful and happy young blonde was as serious as he was upset about the situation. Kin set down her koto and moved to obey, Tayuya frowned as well since she really didn't think she'd be able to hold her tongue in front of a bunch of stuffy nobility she didn't respect, but the thought that she was willing to try for Naruto halted her.
The Muse inside her Juin giggled, stating that it was only natural to feel such towards someone she slept with semi-regularly. Tayuya was still embarrassed by that, despite everything, but figured she might as well do what she could to help continue her currently comfortable life. In a way she knew she was getting off with a slap on the wrist, she'd helped kill the Sandaime Hokage, Kusagakure's last Shinobigashira, and the Yondaime Kazekage, but her punishment was a cushioned life as one of Naruto's harem girls, it stung her pride at worst and she sometimes even felt a little guilty about it, but usually spent too much time enjoying herself to care.
Hanako was already in pajamas and looked less than amused to be called out, Hinata quickly explained the situation and she seemed surprised, "Shit," she muttered succinctly, "they'll probably want to ship me back to Chigiri to be executed." she realized, going pale at the thought. She didn't like being a ward but the thought of dying to escape definitely was not acceptable to the former nukenin.
"We won't let that happen." Naruto insisted firmly, "Even if my magnificent self has to," he began, hesitating slightly, "even if there needs to be a change in regime." he muttered darkly, Maemi expected it but not so soon and she wasn't certain of how well it would be taken. A civil war within Hi no Kuni would likely spell the end of the nation, but the Imp didn't care about that, only if her master could succeed at such a goal.
Hinata was visibly horrified at the implication but held her tongue, Tayuya however smirked, "Now you're talking my fucking language." she praised, Hanako was surprised but wasn't sure if she fully believed the resolve was genuine. Kin and Haku exchanged a nervous glance, Isaribi was confused and scared of what might happen the following day.
