A Sage's Mission
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"Speaking"
"Thinking/ conversation with Tailed beast/Sacred Gear within mind Scape."
"Tailed Beast/Sacred gear Dragon speaking."
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Chapter 3: Escape to Kyoto.
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All they can see is the rubble of what was once a great fortress, with what seems to be an epicentre for whatever caused its destruction.
Well, great would be subjective, depending on one's view.
Raphtalia was trying to hide it, but it was obvious.
This was the one place she didn't want to go back to.
But before they could leave, they need to check for anything and everything worth taking.
"Hinata keep a lookout for anything suspicious, Konohamaru create some clones, scour the rubble, if it looks important or useful and not nailed down then take it."
Hinata jumped up on a large pile of rock and stone to get the best vantage point for her Byakugan.
Konohamaru quickly created 20 clones and got to rummaging for valuables.
"Now to see how she's doing."
"Are you going to be okay?" Putting his hand on Raphtalia's shoulder to get her attention.
Only for her to jump back from him, her tail tensing up.
It took her a couple of seconds to realise who was talking to her.
"...I'm not sure? I don't know?..." Her mind was all over the place. No doubt remembering what she went through here.
Naruto just rubbed the back of his head.
He wasn't sure what he could say to her right now.
They need to leave as soon as they can, that much is certain.
"I know this is hard, but do you know where Rizevim would keep anything important?"
"It would be in his study" She points to something behind Naruto
He turns to see only rubble, so much for that idea.
"Do you know another room that might be intact?" Even if it was his dining room, you never know what you might find.
"The only other room I know about would be my...cell..." Her eyes were strained when she said that, the mere thought of that place haunts her.
"Never mind, forget I asked" Naruto should have seen that coming.
But Raphtalia just walked away, she was going somewhere, and he followed.
They come upon a stairway leading underground.
Raphtalia just stared at the dark filled stairway, like she was having an inner conflict.
Only to back away.
She was shaking.
"I can't do it, I can't go back down there." She kept shaking her head while keeping her eyes closed, fear rooted her in place.
Naruto just walked in front of her.
"Then we won't, only when you're ready will we go down there." Raphtalia will need to face this one day.
But that day's not today.
"Hey, guys! Come back here!" Guess Konohamaru found something.
Before going back, Naruto secretly put a Hiraishin mark down near the stairway.
They will return here at some point.
"This was all that I could find." Which wasn't much.
Dusty old tomes, some books that are half-burned and various other bits of junk, something for the archives but nothing that's helpful to them right now.
Except for one thing that caught Naruto's eye.
It was a banner, but the logo on it was familiar.
He's seen that logo on those magical blue coloured circles that Rizevim created when they fought.
"That's the sigil for the Lucifer house." Raphtalia noticed what Naruto was staring at.
"How come his circles had the same look?"
"A Devil's magical circle is based off their family's sigil, their clan's sigil."
Well, he knows what to look for when it comes to finding a Lucifer.
"Alright, I'll seal everything up, then we'll get moving."
Naruto sealed up all the items that his student found into a scroll design to house unimportant objects. Afterwards, he jumped up to Hinata's perch.
"What do you think?"
"The epicentre suggests that whatever happened here came from inside the castle."
"His own doing?" He destroyed his own castle "Why?"
"Maybe he was trying to destroy the stones, stop us from coming over."
Naruto wasn't convinced "If he did, it was a pretty poor job, and he wouldn't need to blow up his own home to do it." They can be moved and still work afterwards.
Then Hinata had a theory.
"What if he wasn't working alone, we know they used the stones to get to our world. We assumed he made them, what if he was given them instead."
"You think he came back here and his partner or boss got pissed at him and lashed out?" That still wouldn't explain why the stones were left here, did the Devils assume that they couldn't use them.
No, that's not it either.
There's something they're just not seeing right now. But considering the lack of, well anything of the castle left standing. Any evidence to help shed light on this has been lost, for now.
It's best they got on with the mission.
"Hinata, can you see where the Devils live from here?" The Devils might be their only way out of this place.
"A few miles north of here, I see a large amount of Demonic power in that direction."
North it is then.
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They've been walking for nearly half an hour now, but they're in Devil territory right now, so stealth needs to be a priority.
Plus Naruto wanted to take in as much of the Underworld as possible.
According to Raphtalia the Underworld has no ocean, only landmass with very few spots for rivers and lakes. Meaning there's a lot less vegetation with only a few parts of the Underworld that have it natural, the rest they had to get from the human world.
Which would explain why this land is so barren, nothing but wasteland as far as the eyes could see. Cracks and chasms and few dead trees, there's no sign of life.
He really was beginning to miss the lush green forests of the Land of Fire right now, and Konohamaru agreed "This place is a dump, why would anyone want to live here?"
"I heard that the Underworld was a bit more like the human world back before the war."
If this place is so barren, then that could mean.
"We might be walking across a former battleground right now." How many dead could be below their feet?
Guess they just happen to appear in the more morbid areas of the Underworld.
It's at this time that Hinata voices her concern.
"So what is our plan?"
"Honestly, it all depends on the Devils".
"We know that the Devils must have some way to travel between both the Underworld and the human world. So that will have to be our way out."
"And if they don't have..."
What's that?
A rumble could be heard.
It's getting louder.
The ground is shaking.
No, the ground is splitting.
They're not alone out here.
"Hinata!"
"Right!"
Hinata used her eyes to look around. There was nothing in the sky or on the ground level.
Then what about underground?
She could see it, and it looks like a giant worm.
It's coming right for them.
"It's some kind of giant worm! It's coming from underground!"
But just as she warms them, the ground gives way, and a massive creature comes travelling up into the air, the rest of this creature was still underground.
Towering above them was a giant brown worm at around the height of eighteen meters with arms at the sides of its head. Its arms look like that of a praying mantis. It had a few patches of blue coloured skin on some points of its body.
As it opened its mouth, a long glowing blue tentacle-like tongue spewed out.
Coming right at them.
"Scatter!" If they bunch up, it could hit them all at once.
They all jumped in separate directions to avoid its attack, but it quickly turned and charged at Konohamaru.
Before he could react, it was able to wrap its tongue around his leg.
"Hey get off me!" It started pulling him towards it, ready to devour him.
Naruto had to think fast.
He called out to his student.
"Fill its mouth with ash!"
Konohamaru quickly caught on to what his sensei had in mind, flashing a grin and quickly weaved the signs needed.
"Fire Style: Burning Ash!"
Just as he neared its mouth, Konohamaru let out a massive cloud of flammable ash into the worm's mouth, quickly filling its stomach.
It clearly didn't like the taste as it started tossing and turning.
This gave Raphtalia the opportunity needed to free Konohamaru.
Leaping into the air, she pulls her out her ninjatō and sliced clean through its tongue.
With him freed Naruto and Hinata could make their move.
Both jumped into the air, high above the worm's mouth.
"Fire Style: Great Fire Ball Jutsu!"
"8 Trigrams: Air Palm!"
Naruto shoots a massive fireball right at the worm's mouth while Hinata's air palm pushes the fireball faster towards it. The air and chakra from the palm strike fuels the fire, increasing its effectiveness.
As the attack collides with the worm, the ash ignites.
The explosion from the combined Ninjutsus shrouded the worm with fire and smoke
The whole upper body of the worm erupted into pieces of meat and guts.
If it wasn't for the temperature of the fire, evaporating the creature's blood.
It would have literally been raining blood.
The smoke cleared, revealing only a stump from where the worm's head used to be. Its body was able to stay upright for a few seconds.
Before it begins tumbling down.
Smashing and cracking the ground beneath its dead body, shaking the earth beneath their feet.
Naruto, Hinata and Raphtalia are no worse for wear from that encounter, besides the smell.
But Konohamaru was having none of it.
"Hey! How come it only went for me?" First time in the Underworld and nearly gets eaten by a worm.
"Well, at least you didn't get swallowed by it," Naruto remembers a time during the Chunin Exams at the forest of death with a certain snake.
He sweat drops at that memory, luckily no one was there to see it happen.
"I saw the whole thing." Kurama couldn't help but laugh at Naruto's bad luck.
"Shut it furball!"
Naruto ignored Kurama's next retort and walked towards the dead creature to get a better look at its remains.
"What did we just kill Raphtalia?" The only thing he could compare it to was a summoning.
"I think this is a Thresher Maw." There were many kinds of creatures that were used as a fighting force during the Great War, and quite a few have survived to this day. "Apparently they're fiercely territorial worms that eat just about anything they come across, nothings off the menu for them."
"It could have been eating the remains of the people that fought in the Great War" Hinata was wondering if this was a battleground. Why couldn't she see that many skeletons?
"Let's pick up the pace before we encounter anything else that's hungry" This short battle was anything but quiet. Better leave before someone or thing comes looking.
They need to avoid fighting as much as possible until they escape this place.
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The rest of the journey went smoothly, only seeing a few birds and such. Nothing that looked like it was going to be a threat.
"It should be right over that hill." They're close now and whatever they see when they cross that hill. Will decided if and how they can escape the Underworld.
The team approached the top, each of them getting low to avoid being seen.
Across the way from them was a city that looked like a civilian establishment. Walls and towers for protection but nothing that would indicate that this is a military complex or that they have an army on standby.
Hinata could confirm this by the amount of Demonic power that was in each Devil. They all had it, but most of them have such low amounts that it was clear they have not trained in its use.
This means if they get spotted, there are only a few hundred soldiers for them to deal with.
From here, they had a perfect view of the whole city to see if they have some way out for them to use.
Hinata was checking every corner of the city. There has to be some form of transportation.
She could see carts, Devils flying but nothing that indicates dimensional travel.
If they only travel by using a personal transportation technique, then this will be complicated.
Hinata was so focused on the Devils, seeing if they would teleport or not. She failed to see what Naruto saw outside the city's walls.
"Are those train tracks?"
Everyone turned to what Naruto was looking at. Indeed train tracks are leading out of the city, but they end about a few seconds out.
Could it be ongoing construction?
She needed to confirm this by following the train tracks to the source.
Her search leads to an active train station with both cargo and passengers boarding and exiting various trains.
"They are, and they have a working train station." But how would that even work without finished tracks?
Trains are new to the Shinobi world, but with the new alliance, both travel and trade routes have been set up between Nations, using trains as a means of transportation.
They need to wait and see how the trains work.
After a few minutes of waiting a magical circle appeared at the end of one of the tracks, a train come out of this circle and stop at the station, Hinata could see Devils exiting the train.
"It must be a combination of both trains and a transportation technique" But why waste time with trains, to begin with. Why don't they just transport themselves from place to place?
Guess Devils really like trains.
"Then that's our way out right there." Naruto could not hold back his grin, this could work.
It's time for a plan, but they need to get inside the city undetected.
Easy.
"Here Hinata, take this." Naruto hands his Hiraishin kunai over to her "Throw this to a location inside the city where no one will see it." Hinata will be able to see which spots would be devoid of Devils.
"After that, we will make our way towards the train station and no matter what, don't get spotted." This could all go out the window if the Devils see them and they get their faces plastered over wanted posters or something.
It would make the whole peace talks idea difficult if the Devil faction started hunting them.
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The Devils were patrolling the walls, each one of them content with their posting. Nothing ever really happens here anyway.
A boring posting and yet a relaxing one as well.
They were so relaxed that they failed to notice a kunai fly right by them.
If they did notice something, it was probably just the wind.
The kunai sailed over the city all the while the Devils remained unaware.
Just before the kunai stuck the side of a building, Naruto and his friends instantly appeared, holding the kunai to prevent any sound from giving them away.
They have infiltrated the city. Now it's the hard part.
"Okay, we need to get across the city and find out which of those trains gets us out of here." If they only go between locations in the Underworld, then this was a waste of time.
"We know that they can't sense chakra, but they can sense your spiritual energy Raphtalia." According to Raphtalia, Devils can sense spiritual energy which means they might even be able to sense physical energy, but not chakra. What the Shinobi create when they infuse these two energies together.
Lady Tsunade theorised that chakra might be masking their spiritual and physical energies to the Devils, like if someone was hiding underwater.
But Raphtalia didn't look worried about it.
"I can use illusion magic to conceal myself, both from sight and sense as long as I keep my distance." That's pretty handy.
The military patrols would be the only ones that have any chance of noticing her.
A small chance, but it's there.
"We'll stick to the alleyways, Raphtalia just do what we do." If it was just them, then the rooftops would have worked. But with Raphtalia here and flying Devils about. They need to take it slow as she hasn't been trained for stealth-like they have.
"I'll repeat it, no matter what, the Devils cannot see us."
"Why? How bad would it be if we're seen?" Konohamaru knew that no one in this city could stand up to them. Hell numbers won't matter because two of them are masters of the Shadow Clone Jutsu.
Naruto could tell what he meant, but Konohamaru didn't quite see the position they are in right now.
"One day, we'll have a proper talk with the Devil faction. But only on our or even terms; otherwise, they might use our situation to their advantage" Naruto needed to make sure they all understood the ramifications.
"If they learn that we can't leave the Underworld, they could block all exits and try to force us to do things for them if we want to leave, like join a peerage for example" Naruto doubted that the Devils wouldn't take advantage of the position they are in for their own benefit. For all he knows, these very same Devils could be a part of the attack.
Hinata also decided to help iron out the details.
"The Devils have no idea we followed them here and the longer we remain hidden. The more we can learn and prepare for them before our existence is discovered" They have no power in this world and they need to change that.
"Which is why the first faction ever to see us must be the Yokai, an alliance with them as our way into this world can go along way for our cause" And if worse comes to worst. If a fight breaks out between the Devils and the Shinobi, then the Yokai's knowledge of the Devils will help.
But Naruto will do everything he can to prevent such a war from happening.
"Let's move, stay quiet and stay out of sight."
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This city had some interesting architecture, and these designs are unheard of to them.
But if Naruto could explain how Devils build things, he could summarise it in 3 words
'Massive but Overdone'
The houses were all pretty big to the point that you would wonder if they could make use of all that space and a lot of buildings had such a grandiose design.
That at first you would be amazed, he was at first.
Then you would be bored of seeing the same style over and over.
It's like they are all trying to one-up the next-door neighbour or something. To Naruto, it just seemed that this city has no real soul or presence of its own; everything felt fake.
"Hey Kurama, you think they are all compensating for something?" Naruto was able to prevent himself from laughing at his own joke and getting his whole team exposed.
"It's just like when we first met them, they all seem to have an abnormal amount of pride" Kurama just snorted at the Devil's sense of pride "But I don't know what they could possibly be proud of" Kurama has seen nothing that would be worth talking about. Compared to what he has seen in his life, they are still nothing but a distraction in his eyes.
"Maybe, but these Devils seem pretty human in how they live" The Devils here can't be compared to the ones that invaded his home. Going out to eat, buying clothes or just doing the day to day stuff.
If you ignore the obvious, it all seemed pretty normal.
"Perhaps but these Devils are not the ones that we need to be concerned about" He's right in some sense, but the people will always be important.
"The ones who orchestrated and led the attack as well as the current heads of their government, they are the ones we should focus on."
"Well here's hoping that they listen to reason when the time comes." That talk will make or break everything.
They took their time to cross the city to avoid getting noticed. Luckily the Devils remained oblivious, and Raphtalia could keep up, she is still worried about being close to Devils again. Still, the prospect of getting to Kyoto must be pushing her past her fears, for now.
"You hanging in there?"
"Yea, let's just get out of here as quickly as possible."
Hopefully, she will be able to keep it together.
They eventually made it to the train station and took cover on top of some rooftops overlooking it.
It housed quite the number of trains, but it appears that most are already in use right now.
There's a tower overlooking the whole place.
It's not a lookout tower, but some kind of control tower, the speakers that hang off of it and the announcements are a dead giveaway.
Now how to do this?
"We need to figure out which trains going where, the only ones we care about are the ones leaving the Underworld." Nothing else mattered.
Naruto then opened his bag and gave them each an earpiece.
"We are going to split up for this part. Raphtalia I need you to stay with Hinata and watch her back, Hinata you're on lookout duty let us where and how many Devils there are. If they are coming our way or something has happened, let us know" Naruto then turned to his student.
"Konohamaru, see that tower over there" He pointed at the control tower within the station.
"I see it."
"You need to sneak in there and found out which train can take us to where we need to go, Raphtalia will tell you what to look for." It doesn't have to be Kyoto itself, if it's in the human world, then that's good enough.
Naruto had to give points to Konohamaru. He didn't waver at this task; his face showed nothing but determination.
"I'll get it done. You watch." Konohamaru has never been on a real mission with his sensei before, he can't let him down.
Naruto smiled at his students resolve. "While you're doing that I'll get as close to the trains as I can. When you find out which one we need, I'll slip aboard and teleport us all in"
He then turned to both Hinata and Raphtalia "Then it's smooth sailing" They could do this, they will do this.
"Raphtalia be ready to talk to Konohamaru when he gets into the tower, you will need to be fast on what locations can work." It hinged on Raphtalia, picking out the right train for them.
"You can count on me." She didn't want to be here anymore than she had too and her new friends are counting on her.
"Everyone ready, once we start, we are committed to this plan." Either they are all on board, or none of them are.
Getting nods all around, its time.
Naruto then held out his hand for a high five. Hinata and Konohamaru did so immediately. Then Raphtalia followed after noticing that they all did it, she couldn't help but be a bit confused on the high five like there was something to it.
"Fortune favours the bold."
"Or foolish."
"Thanks for the vote of confidence."
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Konohamaru made his way towards the tower.
Luckily, Hinata was able to keep track of all the Devils around the station, making it a bit easier when he moved from position to position.
Devil, that name and this whole situation was still bizarre to him.
When he accepted this S rank mission and was told all about what happened a few days ago. On top of what they're doing and where they are right now.
Konohamaru was slowly starting to realise just how big of a deal this mission is.
He was just excited to go on his first S rank mission and fight alongside his sensei. Going to a new world made it even better, to see and do things no other Shinobi has before.
But the more Naruto talked about this, the more he realised that while this may be cool. It was something that the whole Shinobi world, not just Konoha, was counting on them to get right.
He couldn't screw up, and he had to do everything perfectly. Naruto could have brought anyone else, but instead, he brought him, his student.
But while he was pondering on this, he failed to hear Hinata warning him.
"Konohamaru listen to me! Move left behind the boxes a Devil is about to turn a corner in your direction."
Having just realised Hinata was talking to him, he quickly looked up to see a Devil coming around the corner. But he managed to side jump behind cover before the Devil turned to look where he was.
He stayed quiet as the Devil made his way to him, he didn't move a muscle, and he held his breath.
Soon the Devil was standing right in front of him looking at a clipboard, going over luggage checks or something.
Konohamaru froze, he was too close to transform into an object. He silent begins hoping that the Devil won't look to his right.
What was only a few second felt like a lifetime to him? The Devil was just standing there, only a few feet from him. But luckily for him, the Devil started walking again until he was out of sight.
Konohamaru breathed out a sigh of relief and rubbed some sweat off his face. He let that happen because he didn't keep his focus and nearly ruined everything for them.
"Head in the game, get your head in the game!"
He can hate himself later.
Right now Naruto is waiting on him.
With more help from Hinata, Konohamaru was able to get towards the tower safely. But the main entrance was a no go, too many guards at such a small door.
He needs to find another way.
There are no windows at the lower levels so he couldn't get in that way.
He asks Hinata if there is a vent he could use, but they too are only near the top.
The only thing he could think of was running up the side of the tower, but he would be seen.
He needs a disguise.
Then he remembers some on the animals they came across before they reached the city. Among them were some birds.
They looked like pigeons but were inflated for some reason, like a balloon.
It will have to do.
Ducking out of sight so no one would see the smoke. He used the transformation technique to turn into the small bird.
While he won't be able to fly, he can just walk up the tower.
Emitting chakra at the bottom of his feet, or talons now, he starts walking up the side of the tower.
Just as he hopes no one was paying him any attention. Those too far away could not see him, and those who are close enough ignored him.
Some even called him a flying rodent, comparing him to a disease-ridden rat.
But being below their notice also works for him.
As he made his way to the top, he found an open-air vent for him to slip into.
He will keep the disguise just in case he gets spotted, also makes it easier to move around in this tight space.
He came across an opening to the control room and from his position in the vent. He could see several names and numbers popping up on some big screen, it reminded him of his TV just a whole lot bigger.
"I'm in the control tower; I see a bunch of names and numbers, so what I'm I looking for?" Konohamaru whispered, making sure they won't hear him.
Raphtalia responded to him. "Do you see names such as Japan, Honshu or Kyoto?"
Wait are those towns or nations?
"If not, try looking for other names like the United Kingdom, America or Europe."
Konohamaru squinted, carefully looking for any of those names. Worse come to worse he will just look for 'Human World'.
Then he saw what they are looking for.
"I see Honshu, does that work for us?"
"Yes it does, that's the main island of Japan, and that's where Kyoto is located."
"Awesome, it says platform number seven, and it's scheduled to leave in the next 20 minutes."
This time Naruto answered.
"Good work Konohamaru, you too Raphtalia I'll make my way there. Hold your positions for just a moment, and we'll see each other on that train."
It's all up to Naruto now.
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Naruto was both happy and worried about Konohamaru as this was a dangerous task to entrust to him.
He had faith in him pulling through, but Konohamaru has always set the bar high for himself. Comparing himself to Naruto all the time and while that's understandable, with both of them being teacher and student.
The experience difference is vast, so Naruto hopes he won't push himself too far.
Konohamaru was nearly caught out by a Devil for some reason.
He will need to talk with him about that later.
But for now, he needs to get to platform seven and get adored that train before it leaves.
Getting past these Devils was almost too easy for him, none of them could ever hope to see him at the speeds and distance he covered.
He only slowed down or stopped when he overheard something.
Like what these two Devils are talking about right now, whatever it is, it sounds important.
"I'm telling you she has no chance. First, she's outnumbered, and second, he has way more experience than her."
"Maybe, but her peerage is made up of several promising pieces, three of them are Sacred Gear users."
"Sacred Gears? I know I've heard that before?" That word sounds so familiar.
"You have, that Devil Rizevim assumed you had one when you handed him his ass."
"Something to ask about later, I guess." That Devil said three Sacred Gears, so how many of these things are out there.
"Just watch, in ten days the Rating Game will begin and then we'll have our answer on who's stronger, the Gremory or the Phoenix."
"Raphtalia what's a Rating Game?" This sounded important to these Devils; maybe Naruto should be aware of it.
"It's some kind of competition between High-Class Devils and their peerages. It's so popular that it can affect their whole standing in the Underworld" So it's a pretty big deal to them.
"I know it's based on the game chess just like the Evil pieces are."
"Thanks." It almost sounds like a game or a sport.
After that little tidbit of knowledge, Naruto was able to make it to the train.
The body of the train was a crimson red while the roof and bottom are black. The first several carriages were dedicated to passengers, filled with Devils and high-class furniture and a whole lot of wine. The ones further down looked to be housing cargo.
That can work.
A few Devil workers are carrying boxes, suitcases and various other items. Naruto waited for the Devil at the door to head back for the last suitcase.
With his back now turned Naruto sneaked in and jumped up, sticking to the roof of the train, spreading his arms and legs out in an X shape, Naruto was practically lying upside-down on a ceiling.
The Devil was right below him bringing in the last suitcase, blissfully unaware of who was above him and walked out none the wiser.
He waited until the train was just about to leave before falling down. Then teleported his teammates to him, they instantly appeared in front of him.
They opened their eyes to see the inside of a train carriage dedicated to cargo.
The train started its engines and is going down the tracks.
"Good work guys, once we go through we'll just jump out." Didn't really matter if they were high in the sky, Shinobi could fall from really high heights, and if he needed to, Naruto could just fly them down.
The train started shaking from side to side, clearly showing it's picked up its speed.
Naruto could feel the magical circle open up in front of the train, being on the receiving end of them has made it easier for him to sense them. Once they go through they should be home free.
Just like that, the train passed and disappeared through the circle along with our Shinobi and Yokai.
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They all looked out the window to see if they are indeed out the Underworld.
Well, they're definitely out of the Underworld.
But they also knew that this isn't the human world either.
The sky was an even darker purple, but it was like moving colours or water with an oil spill, very strange to look at.
Kurama surmised that this transportation technique was not instantaneous; they must be travelling through a dimension that's between both the human world and the Underworld.
Oh well doesn't really matter, they will just wait till they get to the other side.
"Time to rest a bit."
But Hinata kept her Byakugan active even when Naruto had a clone at each door keeping a lookout.
She insisted, and Naruto couldn't budge her, people thought that he was stubborn.
"How did you teleport us here?" Naruto just said he would and left it at that. Raphtalia didn't understand how they just appeared here without any kind of setup, she knew about the kunai, that's how they got into the city.
But they were holding onto him when he did that.
Naruto coughed into his hand and had a sheepish look. He forgot that while Hinata and Konohamaru would understand, she wouldn't, he hasn't explained it to her.
He held up his kunai for her to see "See this Kunai, it's not so much the blade, but what's on the hilt that got you here." He pointed at the seal on the handle of the kunai.
"It's called Hiraishin or Flying Raijin Jutsu, whichever you prefer. This mark is a type of seal that allows me to teleport myself, objects or other people to any marks I have placed down. But the people or things I want to teleport have to be connected to me or a Hiraishin mark in some way, such as physical contact or chakra."
"But how were we connected?"
"Remember the high five," Naruto said with a cheeky smile.
She did, but how would that make a difference?
"I gave each of you a tiny amount of my Chakra if you give someone else your chakra and then infuse it; your chakra resonates and links up with all the other pieces of chakra you gave to others."
"With that, you're connected to the chakra that's inside them. That's why I was able to teleport you to me using Hiraishin" Like he said before, as long as your connected either physical or by chakra, then others can teleport with you.
"Most teleportation powers I've heard about are used for just travel, but this ability sounds like it can have battle applications" Throw the kunai and teleport to it, place a mark on a person,. You can decide where they can and can't go in a fight or just teleport to and from them at will. Give hundreds or thousands of people just a slither of chakra, and you can teleport them too, even if your away from them or can't see them.
She could only think that this technique is amazing. How do you keep up with someone who can instantly teleport, at will and without warning?
"Who created this technique?"
"That would be the second Hokage, Tobirama Senju, he invented a lot of Jutsus in his time and helped set the foundations for Konoha. But the real master of this technique is the Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze, one of the best Shinobi there ever was."
"Sounds like you knew him personally."
"Well...he was my father." Naruto had a small smile on his face, remembering who his father is and how much Naruto admired him.
"Was?... I see...he lost him, like how I might have lost..." Her parents are most likely dead, but she didn't know for sure.
"I'm sorry for bringing it up."
"It's fine, I may not have got to know him as much as I wanted to, but I know enough, he was an amazing father and Hokage" How different could his life have been, if his father and mother didn't die that day.
Deciding to change the subject from dads to the current situation, Naruto asked a question.
"Any idea how long this will take?" It was just an open question, more or less, to pass the time.
"No."
"No."
"Nope."
"Figures." Naruto had a small giggle at the obvious answers.
"Naruto." Raphtalia was able to get back his attention.
"Got another question for me, Raphtalia?" Will it be about his mother this time.
"Ummm yes, why did you ask about the Rating Games earlier?" It didn't sound like it, but she didn't expect that question. She never mentioned them back at the hospital.
Naruto just shrugged his shoulders "I overheard two Devils going on about it, sounded like two clans are going head to head in ten days or something."
"Wonder what that's about?"
"Meh" Again he just shrugged his shoulders. It didn't really matter to him if two Devils wanted to beat the crap out of each other for bragging rights.
It was then that Naruto clicked his fingers as he just remembered something else from that debate.
"Raphtalia do you know what a Sacred Gear is? Both those Devils and Rizevim mentioned them"
"It's a bit hard to explain." They have a long history.
"Sacred Gears were created by..."
Just then the train comes to a halt, knocking both Raphtalia and Konohamaru down. But Naruto and Hinata were able to keep their balance and stay upright.
The train has just stopped.
But the question is why?
Naruto looked out the window to see if they made it to the human world. No, the sky was still that weird purple.
Are they at some kind of checkpoint?
"Naruto, the Devils on the train, look alert and seem to be checking each passenger car." Hinata could see active Devils both in front and behind them.
"Have they noticed us?" There are no cameras in here, and they haven't made any noise.
Hang on that magical circle might have a security feature of some kind and dedicated them.
This is a problem.
If the Devils see them, then this could ruin the whole mission. They couldn't kill them or that could set off a war itself if and when every Devil learns about the Shinobi world.
"We need to get this train going again." If Kurama is right about this transportation technique, then they just need to get it moving.
"The Devils will reach us in about thirty seconds." Hinata made sure to keep track of them.
"Hinata I want you on point, use your Gentle Fist to knock out each Devil you come across quickly and cleanly." They may not have chakra points, but they did have organs and nerves endings she could hit.
The Gentle Fist style only really did internal damage to someone. No matter how much you train or how powerful you are your organs will never get stronger. More efficient, but never stronger, they will always be fragile.
Barely any surface damage or impact, but devastating organ and nerve damage, that's how it got the name, Gentle Fist.
"I'll follow behind you throwing down both flash and smoke bombs to blind them as we go from passenger car to passenger car." Both of these bombs will not affect her Byakugan.
"Konohamaru you're on rear-guard if they are about to come from behind throw both flash and smoke bombs. If need be, set fire to the space behind us to slow them down but under no circumstance do we kill."
Hinata then got in front with Naruto behind her, bombs in hand ready to make their move.
Just as the Devils approached the door leading to them, Naruto throws the bombs.
"Let's do this".
.
The first few minutes into the train journey were peaceful ones. This was simply going to be a quick and easy journey to Japan.
But just as the train neared the exit, they got a call from the station back home. Apparently, something tripped the transportation circle.
Four unknowns made their way onto the train. At first, they just believed that some bugs or animals got on board. But the report indicated that the size of these unknowns could be around the same size as them.
So they needed to check the whole train for stowaways.
The passenger cars were fine with only Devils that had boarding passes and such.
This just left the cargo area for them to search.
But just as they opened the door to the cargo area, a bright flash of light blinded them. Smoke also covered the entire car; they couldn't see nor hear anything.
Then one by one, each Devil felt a shaped pain in their stomach almost like something just stabbed them in the gut. Those that were able to look down could make out a hand but nothing more.
It didn't take long for the Devils to lose consciousness.
The captain of the train was watching the cameras to keep up to date on the search. But every few seconds a blinding light and smoke blocked his camera view. Then after a while, it clears revealing only knocked out Devils.
It's at this point he knew that they had stowaways. They might be trying to take hostages or something, and from watching the cameras, he could tell that whoever they are, their heading in his direction.
They will reach him soon.
He quickly locked the door and placed a protection spell on it to hold them back.
He needs to contact the station for help. It would not take long for reinforcements to arrive and deal with these intruders.
He picked up a radio and was about to call for help. But then he heard something break apart, the door to his car was destroyed. His protection spell did absolutely nothing to buy him time.
"Who are Aaaa!" Again a massive bright light blinded him too, his ears are ringing.
Then he felt his gut clench up as he lost his ability to breath. Then just like almost every other Devil on the train, he too lost consciousness.
His body was quickly moved out of the head train car and moved to the passenger one.
"Lock that door Konohamaru." Naruto and the rest of them manage to get to the front of the train without being seen. Now they need to get it moving again.
It was then that Naruto came to a realisation. "I have no idea how to drive this thing." He was hoping for a simple stop and go button, was that too much to ask for.
So when in doubt, just start pressing and pulling random buttons and levers.
"Ummm Naruto, are you sure you know what you're doing?" Hinata had a slight drop of sweat going down her face when she saw what he is doing.
"Hinata, please." He turned his head to give her a strained smile "I have no idea."
Raphtalia just facepalmed at that answer. He can be a bit too reckless.
Naruto just kept going on trying to find the button or lever that lets them go forward.
He was starting to get pissed at the lack of results and started contemplating punching the machine.
Then he heard someone talking...On the radio.
"Hello, driver what happened you cut off communication."
Oh crap.
Without really thinking, Naruto picked up the radio to try and talk his way out of this.
"Umm, everything's under control situation normal." Hinata, Raphtalia and Konohamaru froze in shock when they saw what Naruto was doing.
Or trying to do.
"What happened?"
"Had a slight mechanical malfunction but um...everything's perfectly alright now we fine...were all fine...here now thank you, how are you?" Naruto then flinched at his own question "Why did I ask him that?"
"We're sending a squad." No, no, no.
"Negative, negative we have a small fire here now give us a few minutes to lock it down, largely very dangerous." At this point, Naruto is just talking out his ass.
"Who is this? What's your train driver number?"
Naruto answer to that was a simple one.
He smashed the console.
"Boring conversation anyway, guys we're gonna have..."
Just then the train started to move again, hang on that worked.
Naruto and his team were all looking around in disbelief at this fact, and Naruto went from shocked to ecstatic.
"See Hinata. I told you I knew what I was doing."
"But you said..."
"That I knew what I was doing your right, thank you."
"I..."
"Konohamaru destroy the cable connecting us to the rest of the train." No need to take any bagged with then.
"Sweet." Konohamaru always liked blowing things up.
He opened the door and made sure that no Devils were there to see him. He then creates a shadow clone, and together they form a Rasengan.
He shoved it into the cables between both carts destroying what was connecting them.
The train headed towards the exit while the rest of it was left behind, back in the void. There was no worry as the Devil before said they would send a squad to rescue them.
Then they all looked in front of them to see another magical circle a few seconds away.
They're home free.
.
Clouds and a clear blue sky are the first things they saw when they went through that magical circle.
The sky is the same colour as the sky back home.
Naruto knew it, he could just feel it.
They made it to the human world.
They escaped the Underworld.
Raphtalia looked the happiest as she looked out the window.
She looked down, and that's when her smile got even bigger.
"It's Japan, we made it!" He's half expecting her to jump up and down right now.
"So this is Japan?" It's a rather small island, but this is where the Yokai live.
Here and a place called China.
"Alright team this is our stop, get ready to jump."
Naruto then pulled out some paper bombs and planted them around the train. They need to cover their escape.
"Wait! Jump? But were so high up!" Raphtalia didn't seem to like that idea.
"So, we jump from high heights all the time."
"Well, I don't!"
Naruto just started rubbing the back of his head. He has no choice.
"Fine, I'll carry you."
Raphtalia started blushing.
"You'll what?"
"Don't worry about it, we'll be fine."
"I disagree."
"Why?"
Raphtalia just kept getting more embarrassed and red. She didn't want to say to him that she never been carried by a guy before; her dad doesn't count.
Naruto didn't know what to say to her, so he did the next best thing.
He set off the paper bombs.
"Oh would you look at that, the paper bombs are gonna go off any second now, seems we can't wait around any more." Naruto just appeared in front of Raphtalia and scooped her up into his arms.
"Wait!" she just noticed that she in his arms.
"Sorry, can't wait." Naruto and his friends start running towards the door.
"See you all down there!"
They all jumped out and skydived down towards Japan. All the while, Raphtalia held onto Naruto for dear life. Wrapping her arms around his neck while she kept her eyes closed. She made sure she couldn't look down.
Above them, the train exploded in a ball of fire. Any physical evidence of them has now been successfully erased. Even if the Devils figured out that humans and a Youkai did this, they wouldn't be able to trace into them.
How could they, three of them don't even exist here?
Falling past the clouds as ground-level became clearer.
He was able to see some cities in the distance.
One of them must be Kyoto.
They all landed safely on the ground using chakra to stick the landing. Naruto was the last to land as he had to slow his descent for Raphtalia.
Once they got their bearings, Hinata and Konohamaru quickly secured the area.
While Naruto tried to calm Raphtalia down.
He could not tell if she was angry, embarrassed or scared. She just would not look at him or answer him.
"I'm sorry."
No answer.
"Moving on."
"Well guys we made it out, we'll start making our way to Kyoto now, but we'll meet them tomorrow morning" If the Devils follow them here then they need to gain some distance. A few hours travel and they should be able to lose them.
"Raphtalia please lead the way." She started walking but again, she didn't answer him.
Won't even acknowledge him.
"Am I in the dog house or something?"
.
This was more like it.
Nice clear blue sky, green forest with normal animals and vegetation.
No giant worms coming out the ground.
Why couldn't the Underworld be more like this?
They were still sticking to the forests in case the Devils are pursuing them, didn't need to start a fight in the middle of human territory.
Or Yokai territory.
It was getting close to night time, and everyone could use a rest, Naruto decided they would make camp here.
Shadow clones guarded the perimeter while they all sat around a small campfire. Cooking some fish, they caught at a small pond.
"We can definitely say that our first day here was an exciting one." Appearing in a new world, fighting a giant worm, sneaking into a Devil city and hijacking a train.
Well maybe in Naruto crazy life this was just another Tuesday.
Hinata could agree "It was an experience, and that was my first train ride."
"Mine too." First time riding and stealing a train for him as well.
They all shared a bit of a laugh at this crazy day. Except for Raphtalia, she just stayed quiet.
She stood up from her seat, getting everyone's attention.
She bowed to them.
"Thank you for getting me here." She's not home just yet, but not only did they get her back to her world, but they also got her out of the Underworld too.
Naruto, Hinata and Konohamaru just smiled at her.
"No, thank you, if not for you we would not have known which train to take." Raphtalia may have forgotten that she was also a part of the reason they could escape the Underworld.
Raphtalia nodded at him and sat back down to eat her fish.
For the first time in a while, she felt truly happy. She hasn't been able to just sit down and eat with friends for such a long time, or enjoy herself even if it's for only a little bit.
She's missed stuff like this.
"Naruto, when I get you to Kyoto, what happens then?" The reason they brought her was to get her home and get to Kyoto. What happens when both tasks have been completed?
Before answering Naruto swallowed his food "Well, we begin our talk with your leader Yasaka if she is everything you said she is then some kind of agreement or alliance might work."
"Ow...ok." Raphtalia looked a little sad at his answer. Maybe she would just be forgotten about after they get to Kyoto.
"For you Raphtalia, well it's your choice."
She looked up to see their faces looking at her with understanding.
"You can stay with us as a member of the team or go with your people."
"You would let me stay with you?"
"We're friends, comrades and a team and we would love it if you stayed as a member of this team. But we know that you must be missing home, if you want to stay with them we won't hold it against you or anything ya'know."
These people are so different.
They are Shinobi, trained killers and soldiers fighting for their people, nation and world.
Yet they show such kindness to someone they have only known for about five days, three of them were her sleeping in a hospital bed.
She's starting to wonder if Angels would show this level of compassion.
But the question still stands.
Would she stay, or would she go home?
The fact that she is asking this question to herself is shocking her.
Did she trust them this much already?
She could not explain it, but it felt right being here with them. Maybe it was because she felt like she owed them. Or is it for some other reason?
"Can I hold off on deciding for now, please?"
"Of course, take all the time you need."
"Thank you." She suddenly felt exhaustion wash over her, Couldn't stop herself from yawning.
"It has been a long day so, Hinata, Raphtalia get some sleep, me and Konohamaru will take first watch." Raphtalia has had a stressful day. Hinata has been using her eyes a lot. Those two need more rest than anyone.
Hinata scooted up next to him and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek, nothing daring but it was still a small enjoyable moment.
"Good night Naruto."
"Good night, Hinata." Today doesn't feel so stressful anymore.
The girls quickly fell asleep in their tents, leaving the space just for the guys.
"Konohamaru whats with the long face?" You can't hide it from him.
"I'm fine, nothing to worry about."
"No, you're not."
"But I..."
"Konohamaru, what's up?"
Konohamaru looked a little depressed about something, and it's best to get it out the way when it's just the two of them.
"I could have done better today."
"Really, why do you think that?"
"I let that worm get a hold of me, and Raphtalia had to save me, then I nearly get spotted by a Devil until Hinata saves me."
"So this is where he's going, huh."
"You brought me on such an important mission, and I nearly screwed up twice." It was really getting to him "I just don't want to let you down."
Naruto just shook his head and sat right next to him.
"First off, I nearly screwed up with the radio, and FYI, we all got jumped by that worm." He's not fair on himself.
"Besides you were able to get into the tower and help figured out which train we needed, don't act like you don't bring anything to the mission."
Then Naruto placed his hand onto of Konohamarus head "On my first S rank mission, I made mistakes too." It was meant to be C rank, but then Zabuza showed up, and now they're in an S rank mission.
"No matter what mission we go on, we are going to make mistakes, some small, some big. But what matters is our ability to adapt to the situation and never give up."
"Well, are you going to give up?" Naruto just held a big grin at him.
Konohamarus looked back up, grinning right back at him.
"No, I won't give up or ever go back on my word."
"Because...?" Naruto was still grinning
"That my ninja way!"
They shared a fist bump. They will never give up no matter what gets thrown at them.
Bring it on the world. The Shinobi are here.
.
Konohamaru went to sleep not long after. Naruto didn't mind really, with the amount of stamina he has he could stay up for days if need be.
Not that he ever wanted to, he enjoyed a nice long sleep.
But this peace and quiet was something he needed. To think over how his talk with Yasaka could go.
What he should and shouldn't say.
He knows that he can't tell her they are from another world, not yet at least.
He needs to earn her trust, but so does she.
Also, he's hoping to figure out why the Yokai energy feels like chakra if it was missing important parts.
"Tomorrow we are going to meet another nine-tailed fox. I don't know if I should be excited or scared."
"And why do you think that?"
"Kurama, how did our first introduction go?"
"..."
"And every other interaction for the next several years."
"..."
"You tried to kill me, and I treated you like a monster."
"If you want, I could keep trying."
"Or, we could just settle it with another chakra tug of war."
"You lost last time."
"I won the time before that so we're even!"
"Ha! You had Kushina's help, so it doesn't count."
"It so does count!"
"Keep telling yourself that."
"..."
"In all seriousness, how do you think we should play this meeting?"
"Keep my name out of it. I don't want anyone knowing about me or my brothers and sisters yet."
Make sense, if people learned about Kurama and the other Bijuu, how powerful they are. Kurama alone has the power to turn the world to ash.
As they are right now, they might get a bunch of people coming after them for all kinds of reasons. The Yokai might even think Naruto is Yasaka's long lost cousin or something and Kurama is her father.
"There's also this Youjutsu they have, and from the way the racoon talked about it, it sounds like a derivative of both Genjutsu and Ninjutsu combined."
"Youjutsu huh, well if it's like Genjutsu I won't be any good at it. Then again, Raphtalia mentioned that Senjutsu exists here too." But it's rare here as well.
"I'm gonna test it out." Naruto sat up and stopped all movement to draw in natural energy.
Seems pretty normal so far not much different from back home.
Wait what's this, is this, this feels like.
Hatred
Angry
Blood lust
Rage
Naruto could feel so many negative emotions embedded in nature itself.
Nature was screaming out against everything, and everyone like it wanted to kill or corrupt anybody nearby.
"What the hell is this?"
Naruto stopped drawing in nature energy to get his bearings.
"Kurama tell me you felt that?"
"I did, it seems nature is angry, and its hatred is spreading rapidly."
How did nature end up like this?
Nature energy back home never felt so twisted.
"Naruto, enter Sage Mode again, you'll be fine so just do it."
Naruto had full trust in Kurama ever since the Fourth Great Shinobi War.
So he did just that and starts drawing in nature energy again.
He wasn't caught off guard this time, and it didn't take long for him to enter Sage Mode.
The negative feelings are still there, but Naruto can ignore them pretty easily now that he saw them coming.
"You cured yourself of any darkness in your heart back at the Water Fall of Truth, and Kushina helped you deal with all your hatred."
"So that's why these negative emotions can't affect me, there's nothing for them to grip on to, no strings for them to tug." And Kurama's hatred back in the day made this feel like nothing in comparison.
But still.
Even after the many wars, they've had. Nature energy in the Shinobi world never had this kind of darkness.
This couldn't have been natural, something has scarred nature, and now it's pissed and wants payback.
"I can still use Sage Mode no problem; how did nature become this dark?" He has to find out why. This is something he can't ignore.
Naruto turned off Sage Mode and decided to go to sleep too. The clones will keep them safe.
He hopes that tomorrow will work out well for all their sakes.
.
On top of a mountain whose peak sits above the clouds.
A monkey covered in golden fur was having a smoke. He had a pair of black shades with a staff resting along his left shoulder.
He was resting in a sea of flowers.
Sun Wukong, the first and former Monkey King, now a Buddha. Was enjoying himself at his favourite spot and the view here is a beautiful thing.
But he was interrupted when he felt it. Yet it quickly disappeared after a few seconds. At first, he dismissed it as no one, other than him, has achieved it. Then it came back full fold, that's when he knew.
His senses are not lying to him here. This is indeed Sage Mode.
He tried to narrow it down, but it disappeared again.
He would not dismiss it this time. Sun Wukong was so sure that it was Sage Mode.
The power that made him known as 'The Great Victorious Fighting Buddha and the Great Sage Equalling Heaven' to think that someone else has this power, he generally believed he was the only one whosever discovered it.
He never told anyone else about this hidden power within nature.
Whoever this is, is somewhere in Japan, perhaps a Yokai under Lady Yasaka has achieved it.
Well, he knows what he intends to do.
He is going to find this individual.
But Sun Wukong was not the only one who sensed it.
.
At a shrine, along a stone wall in Kyoto, a black cat was very busy with her napping. She could be quite lazy when nothing interested her. But that's how it has been for the last few years.
Back then, the day where she had no other choice but to kill him. That basted of a 'master'. Ever since that day she's been on the run, branded a stray Devil for her action. There was only one place that was safe for her after what happened to the rest of her kind.
The Yokai faction of Japan and despite the diplomatic issues it would cause them, they took her in, even though she was only half Yokai now. Luckily for her, Lady Yasaka believed her story and treated her well.
When Devil diplomats came and demanded she be handed over to them, to answer for the crime of murder.
Lady Yasaka didn't budge.
But this also meant that it could be dangerous for her to leave the safety of Kyoto. She always considered herself a free cat, so being stuck here didn't sit right with her.
Sadly, even if she can use Senjutsu to hide herself from almost anyone, it didn't change that fact that nearly every Devil would try to kill her on sight.
Kuroka wasn't that bothered about Devils coming after her; she was an expert of Senjutsu so bring them on, only the big-name Devils and a few others of note are a threat to her.
No, what bothered her was the fact that her little sister was still with them.
She can't leave to rescue her, and even if she did, Shirone would probably believe the story that they say about her, that she is nothing but a monster who went insane with Senjutsu.
The day to day for her has been nothing but lazing about. Waiting for pretty much anything at this point. Personally, she hopes that Shirone would leave that peerage and come to her.
"Wishful thinking, nya."
She was just about to fall asleep when she felt a jolt go through her entire body. Almost like something just travel throughout nature had coursed through her.
"Is that Sun Wukong?" He is the only one to have a similar presence to this.
But then it disappeared.
It was so bizarre to her. The only one Kuroka could think of right now is the Monkey King. But she has felt his presence before, and this didn't feel like him exactly.
Then it came back, far more powerful than before. By having a second look at it, she was able to tell that this is not Sun Wukong.
Just as Kuroka was about to leave and try to find whoever this is, someone joined her side.
"About to go for a late-night stroll Kuroka?" Someone said in a very teasing tone, well she can't leave now.
"Maybe I was Lady Yasaka you never know what interesting things could be out there, nya."
"I'm already aware that something or someone has appeared in Japan" Yasaka could feel in through the Leyline, something new has shown up and is immensely powerful, how immensely she doesn't know.
But this new presence didn't feel like a threat. She could not put her finger on it, but it was almost like the Leyline was trying to tell her that whoever it is means no harm to them.
The Leyline running through Kyoto has some sort of connection to nature. She couldn't use this connection to utilise Senjutsu. But she can communicate or hear nature in some way.
The small amount of Nature energy that connected with this individual seemed different like it couldn't affect this person with its hatred.
"I could go and find out for you?" Kuroka wanted to find whoever this is and to step a few feet out of Kyoto. It's not like she would then take a chance and make a break for it.
"I'm afraid not Kuroka, I know you wish to be able to leave here but you know why you can't." It pained Yasaka to keep Kuroka here as if she was their prisoner. But she knew if Kuroka left, she would immediately try to get her sister back no matter the consequences.
If the Devils find out that Kuroka is no longer within their borders, they may take a chance and come after her. In their eyes, she is still an SS-Class Stray Devil.
Yasaka decided to go back home "With any luck, this individual will come to us, now please stay here and behave yourself Kuroka." Yasaka then turned back-round at her, looked right into her eye "For me."
The cat's ears just flopped down. Again she has to play the waiting game.
"...nya..."
But if Yasaka was right and this individual is new. Then that means someone else out there has the same power as whatever Sun Wukong has.
"I wonder if this person is as old as him."
.
Hinata woke up nice and early.
She was able to enjoy a good night sleep. But she didn't wake up alone as both she and Raphtalia shared the same tent.
"Did you rest well, Raphtalia?"
"I did, I haven't gone out camping in ages." Years ago she sometimes slept outside with some of her friends, but they still stayed within the village.
Fond memories of another time, but it also reminded her that her home might not be standing anymore. If that was the case, then what will she do?
"Have you given any thought on what you'll do after reaching Kyoto?" She could very well be choosing her future there and then.
"I want to see my home again." To learn the truth "I need to know what happened to everyone else." To know if her friends and family are all gone.
She's truly hoping they survived.
But something's telling her they didn't.
"No matter what you choose, know that we're happy that we met you and you will always have a place with us." It will be her decision in the end. They just want what's best for her.
Hinata then noticed that the guys were still asleep. She found Konohamaru still sleeping in his tent, but Naruto was missing.
Where did he go?
"Hinata." Raphtalia pointed out someone for her to see.
Hinata looked at where she was pointing and saw Naruto.
Sleeping in a tree, both his left leg and arm handing off the side.
"Should we wake him up?" Honestly, Raphtalia didn't understand how he hasn't fallen out the tree. She was starting to worry that he might fall off any second now.
Hinata placed a hand on her shoulder "Its fine Raphtalia he won't fall, and besides, this is how you wake him up."
Hinata then walked up the side of the tree and stopped right behind the sleeping Naruto.
Raphtalia still thought it was strange how they could just walk up the sides of trees and buildings.
Next, you are going to say they'll be walking across the water.
Hinata gathered a small amount of chakra at the tips of her fingers and ran them down his back.
Almost immediately, Naruto shot up as his whole body trembled, his chest sticking out like he just got a massive case of chills travailing along the spine.
Naruto stopped shaking and turned around only to see Hinata having a sweet smile.
"Morning Naruto-Kun."
"You did it again didn't you?"
Hinata just kept giggling at him.
They both then stared into each other's eyes. Keeping eye contact, but Hinata knew he would give in.
Just like she thought, Naruto looked away with a huff.
"Ya'know, you lucky I love ya."
"I know."
Now that he's both fully awake and defeated, Naruto jumped down to ground level to see that Raphtalia is up and Konohamaru, still waking himself up.
"Morning guys, sleep well?"
Raphtalia nodded, but Konohamaru was still yawing.
"Cool, lets first eat some breakfast, then we get moving, can't wait to meet these Yokai."
Hopefully, first contact here goes a whole lot better.
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"So these are the humans of this world" It was the most normal-looking thing they've seen since coming here.
They had a different style of clothing, for the most part; some were similar. Yet the girls seem to wear stuff that can be a bit revelling, maybe a kind of fashion statement.
The buildings they have looked remarkably like the new 'modern' designed buildings that Konoha is constructing right now.
Naruto has seen some of these designs back in the Underworld too. So which ones came first?
They also saw what looked like moving blocks in the streets, and they had four wheels. Some new kind of transportation, yet all people are sticking to the far sides of the streets.
It became increasingly obvious that the humans here live very different lives when compared to his own people. While they don't have chakra, they are more technologically advanced.
"Wonder if we can duplicate some of this stuff if we bring it back." Upping their technology couldn't hurt.
With what they are wearing, they might stick out too much in the crowds, so they decided to remain on the rooftops.
From up there, they could see how big this city is.
"Is this Kyoto?" It's a big place.
"It is." Raphtalia looked contempt, only a few more steps until she reaches her people and learns of her family's fate.
"You said the Yokai had a cloaking spell to hide their home, so how do we get to them?"
Raphtalia pondered on that; they need to get their attention so which place would work the best.
"I know. The many shrines here in Kyoto are owned and watch over by them."
Naruto saw where she was going with this.
"So if we head to one of these shrines and say, flex some chakra."
"They would notice it just like I can and come to investigate."
He liked this idea "We can't go to them, so we get them to come to us." If he used Sage Mode or Sixth Paths, he would find them. But it's better if they get invited to their home rather than breaking in.
Naruto doesn't want them knowing about some of his real power yet anyway.
The team quickly continued their journey, leaping from rooftop to rooftop, making sure the humans down below don't spot them. They don't know about the 'Supernatural World', if they saw what they could do, it would cause problems.
"It's almost like we need to be on permanent stealth in front of the humans here." Felt weird thinking that, to hide that you're a Shinobi from your own kind.
Back home, the whole world knew his face. Now he's in a world where he doesn't even exist.
It's during this journey that he noticed the lack of green when compared to his home at least. Way more than what the Underworld has, not even a competition, but nothing compared to what the Elemental Nations have.
He felt the anger and hatred in nature here, if they've been tearing down whole landscapes of forest, then building whole cities over them.
No wonder nature has it out for them.
The Elemental Nations build their cities and hidden villages within nature, not over it. The amount of Sages is limited to the secret villages of the Sage animals, a handful of humans, most of them dead.
But we all still had some love and respect for nature, building homes out of the earth, in the clouds, forests and many more examples.
Maybe that's why nature here is so full of hatred, while nature back home is more peaceful.
Kurama was also able to confirm that all the humans here have no chakra, not even a drop. It was a bit disturbing for Naruto because if someone didn't have any chakra that usually means they're dead.
It just feels wrong for humans to not have any, like missing a core part of ones very being.
But this confirms Sasuke's theory about the Devil's lack of knowledge on chakra. It doesn't exist here.
Naruto felt bad for them. These humans don't really have a way to defend themselves against the supernatural.
If that's the case, it could very well become their job. They'll cross that bridge when they come to it.
Take things one step at a time.
They eventually found one of the shrines Raphtalia mentioned.
It freaked them out.
It looked just like a shrine you would find back home.
In fact, many of the buildings around here were not the modern ones they first came across. A bit on the small side when compared to the buildings they passed, but all had similar if not the same designs Shinobi buildings have.
"Okay, that's creepy."
"I'm starting to think that the Yokai have some kind of connection to our world." First spiritual energy, knowledge of Senjutsu, the leader being a nine-tallied fox; now the same looking houses.
Even the words here are written in the same language.
Once is chance, twice is coincidence, third time is a pattern.
Both Hinata and Konohamaru were a bit shocked about this too. If there is a connection, what does that even mean for them?
Raphtalia was none the wiser to the little turmoil they felt.
"Come on there are no humans here right now, this is the perfect chance to call the other Youkai."
"R-right." They didn't get the chance to show her around Konoha. She has no idea about the similar housing designs and sharing the same written language.
With no humans around this will be the best chance to flex his chakra, but once they do this, the talk with the Yokai will happen.
"Raphtalia." Naruto needed her attention for this.
"Yes?" Naruto looked very serious right now.
But then he eased up and had a soft smile.
"Thanks for getting us here, if not for you we might still be stuck in the Underworld and no matter how this talk goes" Naruto then gestures to both Hinata and Konohamaru "We're happy to have had you on the team and no matter what you choose to do after today, know that you're our friend, and that's not changing."
"I...thank you. I too will always consider you all my friends."
If the talks go well, then their people could potentially become allies. But if this goes downhill, this might be where they go their separate ways.
He stepped away from everyone else and slowed his breathing, readying himself to unleash his chakra safely. He wants to get their attention not wreck the shrine or start an earthquake.
"Time to ring the doorbell."
A light blue outline appears around Naruto until a blue aura completely covers him. Its colour was slowly getting darker and darker as he leaked out more chakra. Until in one quick motion, he releases his restraint on it; a massive dark blue light shoots up into the sky. The winds pick up around him, and it felt like the very air was being twisted as if he was bending space around him.
If he didn't prepare beforehand, then the ground would be shaking and splitting apart. The sheer power of his chakra would do more than just get people's attention.
The humans would see the light.
The Yokai would feel the pulse, the power, the similar energy.
And that they did.
Sun Wukong could trace the power of this individual to somewhere in Kyoto.
Kuroka could feel this new type of energy more clearly now. It was mixed in with the same power she felt yesterday.
This individual is...human.
Yasaka has been preparing for this as if she knew this person would come here. She sent out a group of Yokai to find and invite this individual over. They have much to talk about.
It's time for these two worlds to truly meet.
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The pulse from Naruto's chakra quickly spread other the new world. But only a few Yokai close by and the other user of Sage Mode could truly sense it.
However, three others felt his power.
At the very end of this world sat three mysterious individuals, so still that they can be mistaken for statues. They have a purpose here; a bright light shines behind them.
A massive dome.
A barrier, it shifted and twisted with all the colours of the rainbow, like there is more than just one barrier.
The pulse from Naruto's power finally reaches them, their eyes open, realising what this power is.
Chakra.
The barrier, for only a split second, ceased its movement.
"Finally, that Devil was useful for something after all." One of them spoke, his voice filled with excitement and ambition.
He stood up as did the other two.
"Soon, soon we can begin; this time, we will have what is ours."
He is no longer here to deny them this time around.
The pieces are slowing falling into place.
But there are still new thresholds to cross, pawns to use.
Events to set in motion.
All that's needed is patience.
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Chapter 3: Escape to Kyoto: End
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Questions:
The Shinobi world will have a place in this story that will start being answered when Naruto goes back there to report his findings in a later chapter.
Maybe even some on them will come to the DXD world (they won't join his team but can have a role to play at some points in the story).
For character requests, it depends, like if I could use said person or group as a small-time enemy for them to face (as an example).
Naruto will get stronger in this new world, his teammates, too in their own way.
It will be a few more chapters before Naruto meets Rias and her Peerage.
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Chapter 4: The Meeting between Two Foxes.
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