Upload Date: 11/14/2022

Disclaimer: Obligatory statement that these characters are not and will not be mine.

Chapter 10 – Request

September 22, 1677

Hinata,

I hope your return to Konoha was swift. I know that you departed Kiri a few weeks ago and wanted to wait until you were settled before I wrote to you. I am sure the scandal your kidnapping caused kept you quite busy with Granny Fifth and your family. I have little doubt that you handled it with ease though, seeing as you are an expert in dealing with politicians and the like.

I am currently traveling towards Kumo on business. The sights are wondrous here. If Kiri is a tropical paradise, Kumo is a cloudier one, against the ocean like Kiri, but much colder. There are large mountains with little grass that are hidden by clouds. It is a hard-to-reach land, but the hot springs are worth the trip. When you one day make it to the Land of Lightning, I know you will enjoy the scenery.

I pray Neji has a speedy recovery. Sakura let me know that he has almost completely healed, though his leg still gives him some trouble. Let me know if you need anything from me. I cannot offer much, but you have my support and trust so feel free request anything you may need.

Until next time.

Naruto

He read over his letter again and clenched his jaw. Was it too impersonal? He did not want to pry into her life any more than a friend should. And it was not like he and Hinata were close anyway. This was a measure to ensure her safety, that was all.

He repeated it to himself until he somewhat believed it and then sealed the letter and placed it in his pocket. He would deliver it via messenger toad as soon as he was able. Meanwhile…

His men were shouting outside, the rain coming down more harshly as he went above deck. It had been sunset not thirty minutes ago and now it was pitch black, the lightning illuminating the sea every so often.

Idate whistled down from the crow's nest and shouted down that they were close.

"Land ahoy!"

His men leapt into action, slowing down their ship so that they would be able to dock in the most dangerous island Kumo had to offer. Turtle Island.

The harsh spikes rose menacingly from the dark island and Naruto kept his face stern as he ordered his men to steady his ship, barely managing to dock in one of the less dangerous areas of the island, the harsh waves crashing steadily as the rain fell.

Once docked all of the crew launched themselves to secure the ship, pulling the ship into the shallower waters and tying her down.

Their experience at docking in terrible weather and the lightning strikes that illuminated the area made it possible for them to finish in record time. Jugo and Utakata stayed behind to look after the ship as they were the most capable to handle if anything went wrong.

Naruto was drenched, but trudged on into the forest lighting a special flame upon a piece of wood that did not extinguish with the heavy rain, a courtesy gift from his teammate. His crew was close behind him, carrying several more torches behind them, that illuminated the broken path in front of them.

Eventually they came across a covering in the forest in which a dark, large stone home was built. The guards outside opened the door and Naruto and his crew rushed in, the front room dark as they shook their wet clothing.

A man was leaning against a wall at the back of the room, his clothes bright even against the pitch black of the night.

Lord Bee grinned, the smile bright in the relatively dark room and Naruto could not help but grin at seeing the older man.

With a loud bellow of laughter Lord Bee embraced Naruto in a tight embrace. "Been far too long friend."

"Far too long." Naruto agreed, patting him on the back, "I brought you some treasures from my travels."

"Ah," Bee crooned, gazing over the heavy bags that were dropped to the ground by Idate and Gurren. "So you have. Let us save business for after dinner. I suppose you all are hungry?"

The men yelled in agreement and they headed into the small dining area where Naruto's shipmates began serving themselves, yelling over one another as they served themselves the warm stew that Bee's servants had prepared for them.

The rain pelted harshly against the ceiling and the small windows allowed Naruto to glance and see that the rain was not stopping anytime soon, the wind blowing tree limbs and leaves in the immediate vicinity.

The crew and Lord Bee's guards ate and laughed as they talked of previous adventures, the alcohol loosening their lips and settling most of them to sleep in the small room.

Eventually the rain stopped and the wind lessened to a whisper.

Naruto stepped away from his men in silence, nodding towards Sai and Gurren to be on guard as he followed Bee into the main hallway.

"It's quite a shipment this time." Bee spoke, his voice rhythmic with his Kumo accent, smoking a cigar as he looked back over the bags that Naruto had opened. "I seem to remember hearing about a Hyuuga ship being attacked. I thought Kiri pirates had gotten to them first though."

"They did," Naruto chuckled, retying the bags, "I just happened to run into them."

Lord Bee laughed as he blew a smoke ring into the air. "These are a beauty. They will be of great use to the outlying districts."

"I assume you and Yugito are headed there soon?"

"Yes. The capitol can only do so much and the feudal lords are corrupt as usual. She and I do what we can in those areas near the borders."

"I wish you well."

Bee laughed. "Instead of wishing for me you should spend some time lying low. Everyone knows about the merciless Fox who goes around stealing from and killing corrupt merchants and pirates. It will not be long now until every country is sending ninja after you."

Naruto could not help but smile as he pondered that for an instant. There were plenty of men he had on his side in the neighboring countries. He had Haku and Zabuza in Kiri, Bee and Motoi in Kumo, Sasuke and his old sensei in the Land of Fire and countless others from small villages and territories…

There were many people who would suffer if he was ever captured. If someone found out his identity, it would not take long for them to discover his associates as well even if he refused to speak a word.

"They can send all the ninja they want; they won't catch me that easily." He paused and looked up at the elder man, still smoking. "You should think about yourself as well. If they catch you-"

Bee only shook his head as he finished smoking his cigar, letting it go out as he crossed his arms over his chest. "Being the brother of a Kage has its advantages you know. I at least will not be put to death like you."

He paused a bit, as he adjusted his dark glasses before grinning at Naruto.

"Still, try not to get caught lad."

Tsunade drummed her fingers on her desk, the wood almost cracking beneath her fingertips as she exuded more strength that she had planned.

As long last a knock sounded at the door and she commanded them to come in, straightening herself as he walked in.

Shizune led him inside and bowed at them both before walking out leaving them both alone.

Kakashi did not waste a moment. "You wanted to see me?"

"I trust you know that there have been many more incidents recently of robberies at sea. Some of them have been attributed to low-level pirates, those that are easily handled by ninja of the neighboring lands…" Tsunade paused, her brown eyes hardening, "However, there's one known as the Fox that has managed to attract quite a large level of attention."

Kakashi's face remained impassive.

"Whoever this individual is has been targeting rich merchants, some of them from the Land of Fire. He cannot keep making a mockery of our village."

"He is crafty, that is for sure. Will you set up a team to hunt him down?"

"Well, he has a sizeable bounty," Tsunade grinned. "A bounty like that will do our village some good."

"And you would like me to be a part of this team." He concluded, uncrossing his arms. "Very well."

"It's a priority for our village, but I would like you to wait until the next month."

"Why?"

Tsunade's silence and the way she kept her head downward facing were enough for him to realize and a cold chill went up his spine.

"The treaty with the Stone-"

"It has been ratified again. We have another ten years before they decide if they want to do battle with us or not."

Kakashi remained in silence, considering before asking, "Is it time for him to come home?"

"It is."

"Will you tell him?"

Tsunade bit her lip. "We must. It has been long enough."

"You realize that he may disappear again."

Tsunade chuckled bitterly, pulling out a piece of official parchment to write her mission directive. "He probably will. The fool has not changed at all. Deep down he is probably still as reckless and impulsive as when he was younger."

Kakashi crossed his hands over his chest, the green ninja vest he wore the only mark of color among his otherwise dark clothes. "There's little about him that I can predict, but he will likely hate us for keeping this from him."

Tsunade pushed the parchment towards him and leaned back in her chair, keeping her eyes towards the ceiling as she heard Kakashi sign the directive.

"Perhaps."

Hanabi looked over the tray full of letters addressed to the Hyuuga family before a toad jumped in front of her and retrieved a letter from its throat.

It took everything in her not to immediately scream at the sudden animal just appearing before her, right in the main hall of her home, and it was only because of her Hyuuga upbringing that she realized it was a summoning animal.

Wholly disgusted at the toad's way of delivering messages Hanabi hesitated before grabbing it and noticed that it had a crude seal on it, the writing mostly legible, but messy and addressed to her sister. She carefully plucked the letter and tucked it into her dress before going up the stairs to her sister's dormitory, noticing that the toad disappeared.

Hinata was writing in her journal and Hanabi smiled devilishly to herself as she walked in quietly, so quietly in fact, that Hinata did not realize Hanabi was next to her until she spoke.

"What are you writing sister?"

Hinata was startled and she closed her journal quickly, causing Hanabi to childishly giggle.

"Hanabi! That was most inappropriate."

"You have good eyes sister. How come you did not see me approach?"

"I was…distracted."

"Ah," Hanabi muttered, nonchalantly as she fanned herself with the letter she had brought up. "Then I suppose this letter addressed to you is also a distraction?"

Hinata's eyes shot up and Hanabi grinned as she tossed her the letter which Hinata immediately took. She scanned the envelope and a soft smile crossed her face.

"Is it from that man?" Hanabi asked, and Hinata blushed red.

I suppose that means I am correct, Hanabi mused.

"He helped me a great deal, Hanabi." Hinata spoke, her voice steady even as her heart was pounding through her chest.

Hanabi pursed her lips in distrust. "He seemed like a fool when he lived here."

"He's grown up quite a bit." Hinata murmured amusement in her tone. "His ambitions have pushed him far."

The phrasing was strange, but Hanabi chose not to comment further as she glared disapprovingly at the letter.

"Do you…" she trailed off as her sister's face fell, the heavy burden she was carrying evident even though she had no uttered anything out loud.

Glancing at the door, Hanabi turned to close it and walked back to where her sister was sitting, sat on her bed, and grabbed her hands as she looked into her sister's eyes, the slightest brightness covering them.

"Sister…do you still have feelings for him?" She whispered, not daring herself to raise her voice, fearing that someone…anyone would overhear her.

Hinata swallowed hard and met her sister's eyes as she felt them water.

Hanabi had realized Hinata's feelings for him shortly after he had left and saw her happiness dim. She had seen her struggle against her father's words and her harsh reality of being clan heir.

But perhaps those struggles were meager to the ones she faced now because now she was burdened with a heavy cross, one that would bleed if she tried to move it.

"Yes."

Hanabi's eyes widened in shock as she saw Hinata's tears spill over, a look of defeat present that almost made her eyes water as she held her sister's hands.

"I thought it was nothing." Hinata whispered, her voice sinking into despair as her voice became lower. "I thought that I had just infatuated myself with the memory of him, but when I saw him again…" she shuddered as she began to breathe heavily, "When I saw him again it all came back even stronger than before." She confessed, her shoulders sinking.

"Does he feel the same-"

"He has chosen not to love." Hinata contended, matter-of-factly. "And I have been chosen to marry."

"You choose not to fight?" Hanabi cried incredulously and Hinata narrowed her eyes as she shushed her sister.

"If there was something to fight for, I would find the strength, but there is nothing there, Hanabi. There is nothing there." Hinata repeated, hollow and empty as the words sunk in.

There was nothing there.

A pleasing friendship.

A warm smile.

A comforting hand.

But not love. Love was not something she had from him. She would not torture herself with what-ifs.

"You're resigning yourself to hell then." Hanabi uttered, looking upon her sister's sunken shoulders.

"You misunderstand. I have been chosen to marry, but I will not make it so easy for Father to give me away." Hinata spoke, voice rising as her nerves settled and she lifted her head.

There was something new there. A few months ago, her sister had been surviving, living each day as if it were one more unbearable obstacle to overcome.

Now there was ferocity there that made her eyes brimmer with confidence and strength. Was it him? Was it that man that had caused this difference? Had he said something to her to instill her to fight?

She looked unyielding.

Hanabi told her sister as much and Hinata only shook her head as she wiped her tears away.

Hanabi took one last glance at the letter.

"Be sure to tell him to deliver it to you personally next time. I would rather not be the first Hyuuga his toad encounters." She muttered with disgust.

With an embrace towards her elder sister, Hanabi departed Hinata's room and Hinata sighed.

Unyielding. It was yet another instance of her being in shock at how others viewed her.

She had not changed because of him. He had made her change for herself. It was quite possibly the most wondrous thing anyone had ever done for her.

Perhaps she would have had a tolerable life if she had kept on being submissive, obedient, and silent. But that was not what she wanted. It was never what she wanted. And meeting him again and seeing his eyes and him yelling at her to stop lying to herself had been enough for her to fight for herself.

Content with herself she pried open the letter and allowed herself to smile as she read over Naruto's words.

September 25, 1677

Dear Naruto,

The trip back to Konoha went well, thank you. Kiri sent guards with us on the ship and they arranged carriages for us as soon as we arrived to the Land of Fire. Lady Tsunade and several other members of her team questioned Sakura and I separately and together. The townsfolk have been quite supportive and many families have sent my father and Sakura's family their thoughts and gifts as we recover from our plight. I appreciate your faith in my political savviness, but I have kept myself out of the public eye at least for the time being.

Kumo sounds wondrous! I would love to visit there one day soon. The scenery does sound mystically beautiful. Hiding away in a mountain surrounded by clouds sounds like something out of a fairy tale. I know you are visiting there on business, but try to enjoy yourself in the scenery and amenities that land offers.

Neji has recovered well. He was taken to the hospital here in the Leaf so that Lady Tsunade could view him herself and he is walking a little better now, but he retains a slight limp that causes him pain. Lady Tsunade encouraged him to walk everyday wherever he can in order to lessen the discomfort.

I thank you for your prayers and well wishes. My only request is that you take care of yourself at sea. You may be strong, but you are not invulnerable. I pray that your crew members stay safe as well.

Also, perhaps next time…if you would not mind instructing your toad to deliver to me directly? Hanabi was not a fan of retrieving the message this time around.

Until next time.

Hinata

Naruto read over the letter in silence, the toad who had brought it to him just sitting in the dirt tilting its head slightly.

Eventually a small smile crossed his face and he nodded at the toad who disappeared in a poof.

The penmanship was impeccable and she had taken the time to write him with expensive paper, the kind that must be rare even to her.

How silly that she thought of spending that sort of time and effort on letters like these, he mused, the smile growing wider.

Silly, but he enjoyed that somewhere deep in his being.

They were still on Turtle Island, preparing for departure, loading food and Kumo weapons when a familiar bird landed on Naruto's ship on the quarterdeck.

Sai took notice of it and reached for the bird, untying the message from its leg. The outer covering held the official seal of Konoha and he paused. This was an official mission.

Without a second look he took the fine parchment and walked towards Naruto who was lying lazily on the rails near the head of the ship.

"Captain. Konoha has sent a message for you."

Naruto sighed and grabbed the letter, his skin touching the official seal of his Hokage and he opened it quickly, assuming that it would be a mission.

He skimmed over the letter, his eyes narrowing as Sai curiously watched over him, face impassive and aloof as usual.

Naruto grunted as he crumbled the letter in his hands, the weight of it feeling like lead in his fingertips.

"Something wrong?"

"Nothing." Naruto bit back, a little harsher than he intended. Sai however, either did not care or did not seem to notice as he nodded and raised an eyebrow, awaiting his captain's orders.

He had received requests like these occasionally, sometimes from Iruka sensei, and other times from Granny Tsunade, whenever she included a mission for him to accomplish. They would write that his presence was missed and that he should return home.

He took their lackluster requests in jest however, and did not bother to write back that now was not a good time, or that he was far too busy with his business.

A lie of course. A lie that his Hokage and sensei knew about.

He did not return to Konoha because of his secret as a pirate, that was partly the truth.

The other reason was because of the stares and whispers. Since he was young, he had heard them, villagers cursing his presence out loud or under their breath if they had an ounce of shame.

It took him twelve years to understand why. And even though the hate had dimmed when he became a ninja and was out of the village more often, there were lingering traces of it everywhere he went.

It was hypocritical he mused, his search for peace elsewhere when his own homeland detested him.

Which made this request all the stranger.

This was the first time she had ever officially commanded him to return. It was also the first time that Kakashi had signed as a witness on the request as well, bringing Naruto a heavy dread that he could not shake off.

The request itself was simple. It read like a standard mission directive only much shorter and with a listed deadline.

They wanted him back in Konoha by the end of the first week in October.

Was it because they had found out about his activities? Were they planning on using their connection to him as an advantage to catch him by surprise? Surely not, if they had they would have sent ninja after them as a true criminal.

No, he reassured himself, steadying his breath. His identity was still a secret. He wore a mask and disguised his appearance. His identity was safe. If Konoha had found out about his identity as the Fox then they would have alerted the other lands as well. They would not be able to deal with him on their own.

So then, what exactly did Granny want to talk to him about? What information were her and Kakashi Sensei going to give him?

"Captain?" Sai inquired, breaking Naruto out of his reverie and he steeled his eyes on his subordinate, a cold glare on him as Sai remained waiting patiently.

Curiosity prickled at his senses and he looked at his crew, briefly wondering who would be able to accompany him on their trip inland.

"As soon as we have finished loading, tell the men to steer west. We are heading to Konoha."

Author's Note: A mysterious summons by Lady Fifth and Kakashi forces Naruto's curiosity to steer him towards Konoha. What could this information be? I'm sure many of you can probably guess, but I'd sure like to hear your theories. 😊

Just as a note, while I am not a historian, I am trying to make this as accurate as possible, but I will ask that you suspend disbelief with certain areas if they seem strange or out of place. 😊

Thanks so much for the lovely reception on the last chapter! I'm so happy that Neji's awakening and their return to Konoha was so warmly received.