A Sage's Mission

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"Speaking"

"Thinking/ conversation with Tailed beast/Sacred Gear within the mind, Scape."

"Tailed Beast/Sacred gear Dragon speaking."

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Chapter 8: The Toad Sages and looming trouble.

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The moment Sun Wukong climbed those stairs back in Konoha; he felt the difference, the difference between Nature in his world and this one. Where's before he only knows Nature to be chaotic, destructive, and filled with madness. But now, he feels warmth, tranquillity, and above all else, he feels at peace. If he didn't know any better, he'd believe he's on some kind of drug.

Then he came to Mount Myoboku, and his earlier thoughts about Nature from both his world and this world made him feel like he was behind the times. The land of Toads had such a concentration of Nature energy here, that's unlike anything he has ever experienced. If such a place existed back in his world, then any Senjutsu user that entered it would succumb to madness in seconds. Thankfully, this was not his world.

"Naruto, Fukasaku, I'm beyond jealous of you two. Living and experiencing such a place, such warmth. It's just not fair." Sun smiled, but unlike his trademark cheeky smile, this was a calm one. He basked in the power of Nature here, so much so that he nearly fell asleep. He's never felt so peaceful.

"I did say this place would be unlike anything you've ever seen ya'know," Naruto remembers his first time here. While not the best moment in his life, it was still a sight to behold.

When they first got here, they spent much time getting Lord Fukasaku up to speed with what's going on. The Geezer Sage was more fascinated than shocked, seeing another Sage Mode user from another world.

"Why is it every time you come here something big is happening Naruto boy?" First, it's about Pain, then about the Great Lord Elder's vision, and now another world. It's never something simple.

"In my defence. I'm never the one to start these things." It just happens around Naruto.

Fukasaku gave him that one. Naruto may not start these things, but he indeed gets dragged into them. "Tell me Sun Wukong are you truly the only Sage Mode user of your world?"

"Yep, and not only that, I'm the only one who knows about it."

Fukasaku laughed about that. "Then this must be quite the experience for you, seeing a whole village full of Sage Mode users."

"Would be nice if my home had a place like this. But I'm the only Youkai who can handle Sage Mode." It was a bit lonely for the monkey, being the only Sage Mode user around.

Fukasaku was confused, why was Sun the only Youkai who could use Sage Mode, when others can use Senjutsu. Naruto picked up on this and answered his unasked question. "Nature energy over there is very chaotic. When I first went into Sage Mode, I was hit by so much hatred that it honestly freaked me out."

Fukasaku's curiosity piqued. "What exactly did you feel Naruto boy?"

Naruto thought back to that moment and remembered the darkness he felt. "Hatred, angry, blood lust, rage it just kept going. Nothing felt pleasant." Naruto can still use Sage Mode over there, but it always felt off. "Do you know why it's like that?"

"Nature is alive. Its energy and life force can be felt in the atmosphere and terrain. But it's not alive like you or me. It doesn't think or feel like a Human, or a Toad, or a Youkai would." Nature doesn't have a mind or a soul; it's not something that's easy to get your head around. "If Nature is shown kindness, then it will feel peaceful. If it is shown disrespect, then it will feel hostile. But wars alone would not cause the level of hatred you felt Naruto boy."

"It wouldn't? I've read their history books and seen pictures of their cities. They've cut down whole landscapes and polluted their world." Why wouldn't Nature flip out on them?

Fukasaku held up his finger at Naruto, silencing him. "You're thinking like a Human. As I said, Nature doesn't think or feel like we do. Don't forget that our world was plagued with war, yet Nature still feels peaceful here."

Naruto didn't think of that one, Geezer Sage has a point. The Warring States Period, the Four Great Ninja Wars and who knows what else.

"You may not have noticed it Naruto boy, but there is darkness in Nature energy here too."

Naruto was surprised by that. He's never felt darkness in Nature energy here before. He then leaned closer to the Geezer Sage's face. "What do you mean there's darkness here too?"

"There has and always will be. But you would only feel it if it was actively targeting you, like Nature energy back in Sun's world must have done. Remember the training you did here Naruto boy?"

Naruto deadpanned at the Toad Sage. "How could I not, I'm pretty sure I've still got the lumps to prove it." The number of times Naruto got hit by that stick or fell off the spike.

"That training method teaches you to become calm and one with Nature, which also allows you to bypass the darkness here in a sense." This is why Naruto has never felt the darkness of Nature in his world. But if it was at the same level as Sun Wukong's world, then this method would not be enough to prevent Nature energy's darkness from attempting to affect others.

"The level of hatred and aggression in Sun's world could not have happened naturally, and wars and disrespecting Nature would not be enough." No, something else did it.

"Kurama, you got any ideas?"

"None, for all we know it could be something unrelated to us. Guess we'll have to find out later."

Sun Wukong was listening very carefully and picking up on every little detail. Out of everything talked about between them, this training method was what got his attention. "What kind of training did you have to do here then? Naruto has told me a bit, but I would like a little bit more detail."

Fukasaku gave Naruto a knowing look, and he quickly gave the Toad assurances. "He's cool Geezer Sage. He even told me about a new power us Senjutsu users can do." Something that Naruto could not wait to learn.

"New power?" Fukasaku tilted his head.

"It's called Touki, and it's about using your life force as a power-up or something."

Fukasaku looked back at Sun Wukong. "Then there is much we need to talk about." But before they would the Toad Sage hopped towards his other guests.

"You must be Hinata girl that Naruto boy talks about. It's nice to finally meet you. I hope you're keeping an eye on him."

Hinata smiled and bowed to the Toad Sage. "It's a full-time job Lord Fukasaku."

Naruto dropped his head, crushing to hear his girlfriend agree with the Geezer Sage. "I get no respect."

Sun patted him on the back. "There there."

Now for Fukasaku to meet the second newcomer. "I apologise for ignoring you. I was just so fascinated by a Sage Mode user from another world that I couldn't turn away."

Raphtalia stayed silent since they first got here. She was too engrossed by the sights around her. "It's ok you didn't mean anything by it. My name is Raphtalia, and I'm a Youkai. It's nice to meet you." Raphtalia bowed her head as she introduced herself.

Fukasaku smiled at the shy racoon girl. "My my, what a humble young lady. You don't have to be so formal around me Raphtalia girl. As you no doubt already know, I am Lord Fukasaku."

"Naruto has told me about the Toad Sages."

Raphtalia then noticed Fukasaku was oddly staring at her. It was starting to get to her. "Is something wrong?" She asked with hesitation.

"No nothing is wrong, but what is that necklace?" The Toad Sage pointed at the cross around Raphtalia's neck.

Raphtalia looked down and held up her necklace so she could get a better look at it. "It belonged to my mother. But she always wanted me to have it one day." Raphtalia said with strained eyes, wishing she got it under better circumstances. "It's a cross of the church."

Fukasaku hummed at her answer. "May I have a closer look?"

"Sure...ok." Raphtalia handed it over to the Toad with slight hesitation.

Fukasaku held it carefully and inspected it. His eyes carefully scanned over the markings that covered the cross. "I may not know what these marks actually say, but if I had to guess at what this cross is, it's some kind of storage."

Raphtalia's eyes widen slightly. "How can you be so sure?" Is there more to her mother's cross?

Fukasaku handed it back to Raphtalia. "The way the symbols are inscribed on it, and the way the energy within that cross is acting." Fukasaku has been around for nearly a thousand years. He's wise and experienced enough to notice things others would overlook.

"What do you mean by 'The way the energy within that cross is acting'?" Naruto never once touched the cross, so he doesn't know anything about this.

"The energy is acting similar to a Sealing Jutsu. All I know is that there is something in that cross." But what's in there could be anyone's guess.

Sun Wukong approached Raphtalia and placed one finger on the cross. "Hmm, yep, you're right about this Lord Fukasaku. There is indeed something locked in this cross." Sun then slapped his forehead. "I must be losing my edge. I should have noticed this sooner."

Raphtalia got in Sun's face. "How do we open it!?" This could be very important.

Sun sighed. She wasn't going to like this answer. "It's dormant. The only thing that will open it is Holy Energy, which only the Angels have." If they tried to brute force it open, then they run the risk of destroying whatever is in there if it's fragile.

Raphtalia's ears dropped, and she looked down with dim eyes. "...Oh..." While Raphtalia has no issues with the Angels, it's a faction that the Shinobi have to suitably meet before she has a chance at opening the cross.

Naruto placed a hand on her shoulder, getting her attention. "At the first possible chance, we'll seek out the Angel faction and figure this out." Naruto also touched the necklace and got a feel for Holy Energy. It was light, not good...just...light. It was the complete opposite of Demonic Power. Naruto at least now knows what Holy Energy feels like.

Raphtalia smiled at Naruto. "Thank you Naruto." Not only could this give her closure, but might shed some light on why she was taken.

Naruto smiled back and decided to change the subject. "Now why don't we show you how Sage Mode training is done here."

Sun slid right next to Naruto. "Yes, lets." Sun has wanted to see this since getting here.

"Konohamaru." Naruto got his student to come forward.

Konohamaru walked towards Lord Fukasaku with a mixture of determination and nervousness radiating from him. "Hi." He grinned at the small Toad, as a trail of sweat travelled down the side of his head.

"Don't be worried now Konohamaru boy, to tell you the truth I've been waiting for you for a few months now."

"Wait, what, you have, why?" This is the first time Konohamaru has heard about this.

Lord Fukasaku smiled at the young Shinobi. "Because Naruto boy has always intended for you to come and train at Mount Myoboku one day."

Konohamaru looked at his sensei with wide-open eyes, Naruto never mentioned this to him. His sensei grew a grin and winked at his student. He was enjoying every moment of Konohamaru being flabbergasted.

Lord Fukasaku continued with his explanation. "For a few months now Naruto boy has planned on bringing you here for Sage Mode training. But he wasn't supposed to bring you here for another year. Though with the situation at hand, waiting is a luxury you can no longer afford." A new world will have all new kinds of dangers. Naruto's student will need Sage Mode in the coming days. "If this new world's hatred is as bad as Naruto boy says, then you will need to master this training before you can ever hope to use it over there."

Konohamaru calmed himself down. But he was secretly happy that his sensei has wanted to bring him here. Even before this whole new world thing started. "So big brother Naruto planed on me learning Sage Mode much later, but had to speed it up because of all this." But this also meant that Naruto had faith in Konohamaru being able to do it even if it's earlier than intended "I'm ready to learn from you Geezer Sage." He won't let his sensei down.

Lord Fukasaku laughed. "Seems Naruto boy has really rubbed off on you, but if you're anything like him, then you should be able to master Sage Mode." The Toad Sage then took out a scroll and opened it up. Several signatures littered the page, Naruto's included. "Then to start off, you will need to sign this contract with the Toads."

"Why do I need to do that?"

"Because doing so starts a Summoning Contract between you and the Toads. This allows you the ability to summon Toads to help you in battle or act as messengers. It also allows us to Reverse Summon you here to Mount Myoboku. Unless you were planning on having Naruto boy taxi you over here every time you needed to train your Sage Mode."

"Well...I mean I wasn't...but...Never mind I'll sign the contract." It's all positives anyway. Konohamaru placed his hand on an empty space on the scroll. He poured his Chakra into the scroll, and his name was slowly spelt out.

The scrolled closed up and Fukasaku put it away. "With that you have official signed a binding contract with the Toads. We will be relying on each other from now on, let this be a welcoming partnership."

Konohamaru saluted the Toad Sage. "You got it, Geezer Sage. I can't wait to learn from you" Excitement filled his heart.

"Glad to hear it. Now let me show you where you'll be training."

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Fukasaku led the group over to the Toad oil fountain, the place where all Sage Mode users come to begin their training. The area around them was filled with Giant Toad Stone Statues. Sun Wukong saw the oil and could feel its Senjutsu properties. He crouched beside the pool of Toad oil. "So this is how it's done, convenient."

Konohamaru crouched next to the Monkey Sage. "How's what done?" How's oil supposed to help him.

Fukasaku hopped up the steps and stopped at the edge of the pool of Toad oil. "This is how you're going to start your training." Fukasaku put a single finger into the pool and then hopped over to Konohamaru.

"Naruto boy may have already told you but I'll go over it again. Right now you are incapable of sensing or drawing in Nature energy. In order to change that your body must first experience what it's like to have Nature energy running through you. This Toad oil is a special kind of oil that draws Nature energy to it." Fukasaku then lifted up Konohamaru's sleeve and started rubbing the Toad oil on his arm.

"This oil will draw Nature energy to you and in turn, your body will absorb the energy. In time you will be able to do this without the oil just like Naruto boy does."

Konohamaru's face was all over the place, a weird smile and wonky eyes. "Ya'know this feels kinda funny." His head was up in the clouds.

"But there is a risk." Fukasaku narrowed his eyes at the Sage in training.

Konohamaru looked at his arm and saw it change, it grew warts and his hand was like webbed feet. Konohamaru backed up in fear and turned to look at his reflection in the toad oil. His right eye was Toad like, and his cheek also had warts. Konohamaru screamed when he saw what was happening to him. But before he could do anything, something hit him over the head.

Konohamaru grabbed his head in pain. "Ow, what'd you do that for?" He then noticed the feel of his hand and looked at it. "Hey wait, my hand, it's..." Back to normal?

He looked at the Toad Sage and saw him holding a black stick. "This stick is a handy little tool that will knock Nature energy right out of you." He waved it around to emphasise his point.

"Is this what you meant about getting hit by a stick!?" Konohamaru accused Naruto.

Naruto shrugged his shoulders and smirked. "Maybe?"

"Why didn't you tell me this before he used the oil on me!?"

"Because I wanted to see how you would react to the transformation." Funny enough he did the same thing Naruto did.

Konohamaru's vein started popping and he was filled with silent rage. "The moment I master Sage Mode I'm kicking your ass."

"Bring it." Naruto accepted the challenge.

"If you two are done." Fukasaku still had plenty to explain to the Sage in training. "You know the risk of this training. Do you still want to proceed with it?"

Konohamaru didn't even hesitate with his answer. "If big brother Naruto mastered this then so will I."

Fukasaku liked this boy's unwavering determination. Konohamaru was slowly reminding him of Jiraiya and Naruto when they both started training here. "Then do you know what you need to do?"

Konohamaru nodded. "Yeah, Naruto started my 'Staying still training' a couple of days ago." He has a head start at least.

Fukasaku then pointed at the Giant Toad Stone Statues that surrounded them. "Then do you also know that those that failed this training in the past turned into those statues?"

Konohamaru did know this, but he didn't know there was this many. "All of them?" He gulped at this realisation.

"Not to worry Konohamaru boy, I'll be here to make sure you don't fully turn." The Toad Sage then turned to Sun Wukong. "So does this answer your questions about the training?"

"Indeed it does. Before today I couldn't think of a single reason as to why someone who wasn't a natural Senjutsu user was able to achieve it."

"So what's this Touki Naruto boy spoke of?"

"It's where you connect with your base of life and use it as a form of power. To your eyes it looks like a white aura. Touki greatly increase your physical abilities, but that's only what it increases."

"Sound similar to Sage Mode, but it doesn't give you sensing capabilities or improves your Jutsus." But it still sounded like an impressive power. "How is one able to use this technique then?"

"Senjutsu users can connect with their base of life by using the Senjutsu within them as a conduit, a bridge to their base of life. Or those whose natural physical capabilities have reached their peak can bring it out."

That reminded Naruto of something he needs to do. "When I master that technique, I should tell Rock Lee about it." Not only would it make him stronger, but it could also enable him to use the Eight Inner Gates much more easily. If Naruto masters it, then he might be able to give Rock Lee some tips on how to do it. But he won't be able to learn it the same way Naruto did.

"So what you're saying Sun Wukong is that us Toad Sages and Sage Mode users like Naruto boy here can learn to harness our bass of life to increase our power."

"Pretty much," Sun said with a cheeky grin.

"I like it." Why wouldn't he, this can help the Toad Sages become stronger.

Naruto walked forward to get the Geezer Sage's attention. "I made an agreement with Sun that would benefit all of us. In return for showing him and teaching him how we use Sage Mode, he would teach us Touki."

Fukasaku crossed his arms and hummed to himself, thinking over this proposal. "Sun Wukong, there are some techniques and abilities of the Sage Mode that we use that are closely guarded secrets. Do I have your word that you will not teach others these secrets?" The Toads are very picky about who they bring here for training.

Sun Wukong took a puff from his pipe. "Touki isn't some super-secret technique so you can tell the world and his wife about it. But I agree to your request because I know that not everyone should learn Sage Mode. I would have made the same request you just made." Sun winked at the Toad Sage, not that you could tell with those shades of his.

Fukasaku smiled sincerely at the Monkey Sage, Naruto's trust in him is well placed.

Naruto secretly sighed in relief that this all worked out, but wanted to get things going so he could learn Touki. "Hey Sun, Raphtalia, want to see something cool?"

"Yep."

"Sure."

Naruto took a few steps away from the group and stood alone in the centre of the training fields. He took a deep breath and shouted at the top of his lungs. "GAMAKICHI GET YOUR ASS OVER HERE!"

"..."

The rest of the group just stared at him with perplexed faces. Expect for Fukasaku, he knew what was going on.

"Who's Gamakichi?" Raphtalia asked, wondering if that's the cool thing Naruto wanted to show.

At first, nothing happened, but then the ground shook. One after another the earth shook, almost like an earthquake; suddenly happening, to then abruptly halting. Then they heard it, the sound of banging, and whatever it was it was getting closer. Then something in the distance leapt into the sky. They could only make out a silhouette, but it did look like a Toad. As the profile got closer, so did its size. It then leapt into the sky once again and was above them, the sun was blocked out by the Toad's size. It raced towards the ground at high speeds. Everyone but Naruto backed up before it hit the ground. Massive amounts of dust and rock kicked up, concealing whatever just landed. The ground shook like an actual earthquake this time.

"What do you want now Naruto?" They all heard a voice within the cloud of dust. Whoever was in their then blew away the dust, revealing a Giant Toad.

An orange Toad with purple markings around his eyes and body, and was standing at a size of around 30 meters. He had a cigarette and wore a blue jacket, and had a necklace with a large bead. A giant tanto was held by this Toad.

"I want you to meet my new friends, Sun Wukong and Raphtalia." Naruto gestured to the group, specifically the monkey and the raccoon.

Gamakichi looked over at the two animal looking humans. He then noticed that one of them has a different version of Sage Mode, and the other had something similar to Chakra.

"What the hell have I missed?"

"A lot, I'll fill you in later." Naruto then turned towards Sun and Raphtalia. "I'd like you to meet Gamakichi, my Toad Summon and a good friend."

"My name's Raphtalia, it's nice to meet you." Raphtalia was able to smile even when she was nervous about the Giant Toad.

"So are you two some kind of new Sage animal or what?"

Sun stepped forward. "First, we're Youkai. Second, I'm the only Sage Youkai here."

Gamakichi looked at the tiny monkey, standing at the height of around Naruto's waist. "And here I thought Enma got his monkeys to become the fourth Sage animal."

"The monkey that turns into a staff?"

"The very same."

"So why are you so big?"

"Some of us get big, some of us stay short. Like Lord Fukasaku other there."

"Yes Gamakichi...like me..."

Sun now had to ask some significant, critical, essential questions.

"Do you smoke?"

"I'm smoking right now."

"Do you drink?"

"All the time."

"Are you lazy?"

"Is the sky blue."

"Did we just become best friends?"

"Most likely."

"So you want to go out drinking?"

"Follow me."

Sun and Gamakichi suddenly started walking away from the group. Everyone looked like they just got slapped in the face.

"What just happened?" This wasn't Naruto's plan.

"Isn't this what you wanted to show us?" Raphtalia was just as lost as him.

"No...I just wanted to show you guys how big some of the Toads get. Then I would leave with Sun and...Wait...MY TOUKI TRAINING!?" Naruto left the group and ran after the Monkey Sage and the Giant Toad.

Raphtalia, Hinata, Konohamaru and Fukasaku stood there like statues. None had an answer to what they just witness.

"...I'll just continue with Konohamaru's training then..." The Toad Sage and Sage in training slowly turned away from the group and back to the Toad oil fountain, leaving Raphtalia and Hinata alone.

"So what should we do?"

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Naruto caught up to Sun before he had a chance to try out Toad sake, he wasn't going to let Sun get drunk before he goes through the training required for attaining Touki.

Sun was not happy about it. "Come on, just one sip." At least let him try it out first.

But Naruto was having no of it. "You promised alright. Just go through what I need to do, and then you can waste your time getting drunk." Its unlikely Sun would be able to tell Naruto what he needs to do for training after he's downed several bottles of Toad sake.

"He's not going to stop so just tell him already." Gamakichi knows that's the only way this can end.

Sun took a puff from his pipe. "Huh fine. Ok, you already know how to draw in Nature energy and bring it into you internally. Now instead of mixing it in with your Chakra or using it as a power source, you need to bring it in even deeper within you; connect with your base of life, not your Chakra."

"What exactly is the base of life?" Where is Naruto supposed to send Nature energy, his Senjutsu energy to?

"Your base of life is not your soul, but your will to live. In a way, it's your essence."

Naruto didn't quite get it and was looking at Sun with a confused expression. Sun instead took a more practical approach. "Have you ever had a moment in your life when you felt like you were going to die? Or when you were seconds from death, but for whatever reason, you were able to push forward and survive." Even when in those moments, you were so sure of your own death.

"Well, yeah. I've had plenty of those moments."

"Do you remember what it felt like, not just in your mind but in your heart too?"

Naruto huffed at him. "How could you forget."

"In some small way that was your base of life, your will pushing you forward." Surviving what you thought was guaranteed death.

Naruto looked up at the sky, losing himself in his memories. "I remember those moments so well. How my heart felt, and that feeling in my gut, is that what I'm trying to connect with?"

Sun could see the gears in Naruto's head turning, he's beginning to understand. "You remember the feeling and where it came from. Instead of waiting for it to come to you on its own, you need to use your Senjutsu to connective with it and force it to come to you. But this time don't have a little bit come to influence you, bring all of it out to empower you." And your very will becomes a weapon, a shield.

"Ya'know, I think I get it. Alright then, let's get to it." Naruto brought his hands together. "Multi Shadow Clone Jutsu!" Puffs of smoke filled the area, and two hundred Narutos appeared before them.

Sun was mildly surprised by this action. "That's a lot of clones, but what's this got to do with anything?"

"Well, the Shadow Clone's experiences goes back to the caster. Whatever they learn, I learn." Naruto rubbed the back of his head as he explained one of his favourite Jutsus.

Sun's mouth gaped open a little. "You mean to tell me that if two hundred of you trained for one hour, then you would get over two hundred hours worth of training?"

"Cool isn't it."

"More like cheating."

"You're just jealous."

"Of course I'm jealous."

"To be fair, me and Konohamaru are the only ones that can do this with the Shadow Clone Jutsu." No one else can abuse it like they can.

"Oh so the brat can also take advantage of this, I feel so much better," Sun said in a condescending tone.

"Go get drunk already ya chimp."

"Gladly Naruto boy."

"Don't you start calling me that!"

"Fine, I'll think of one myself."

The Monkey Sage and the Giant Toad left Naruto to his training, while they'll enjoy many, many cups of Toad sake.

Naruto sat down with his clone is the same meditative position he did when he trains with Sage Mode."

"Let's give it a try."

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"Ow!" Konohamaru grabbed onto his head again. This is the ninth time Lord Fukasaku has hit him with that stick.

"You know I don't actually want to hit you."

Konohamaru spun around to face the Toad Sage. "Then stop!" But in doing so, he lost his concentration on Nature energy again.

Fukasaku saw this and whacked him over the head again.

"Ow!" Konohamaru was starting to hate this training.

"You need to stay focus, or Nature energy will overwhelm you."

"I know, but this is still hard." Naruto wasn't joking about him getting hit by the stick so many times. But he still pushed through it. "How long did it take for big brother Naruto to do this?"

"It took Naruto boy around a week to master Sage Mode."

"Seriously, only a week!?" That's incredible.

Fukasaku nodded at him. "Yes, quite an astonishing achievement, I must say. But he was using the Shadow Clone Jutsu to speed up the training." And at times he never went to sleep and trained for days straight. He also had strong motivation to avenge his fallen master. It's his drive that saw him through.

Konohamaru stood up with renewed vigour. "Then that's what I'll do."

"Very well, but only create three clones. Too many and neither of us will be able to keep up."

Smack, smack, smack and smack. All of the clones got whacked, and so did the original. "Maybe we should take a break?"

"No, I won't be here long, so I got to make use of the time I have." They could go back to the other world at any time. Then he'll have to wait for another chance to continue the training.

Fukasaku was continually impressed by Naruto's student's drive. "Then what you must focus on is the feeling of Nature energy within you. When you leave here, hold on to that feeling for next time you train here."

"Don't worry, I will." Konohamaru saw Naruto and Sun fight, he saw their power, what he's aiming for. There is no way he's going to give up on reaching that level.

"I'll catch up to all of you."

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Seeing as how both Naruto and Konohamaru were busy with their training, Hinata and Raphtalia felt it only made sense for them to train as well. But what kind of training could they do?

"Let's make sure we don't fall behind the other two."

"But we can't learn Sage Mode Hinata. What are we supposed to do?" Naruto told Raphtalia how the Toads are stingy with who they train. The main reason Konohamaru is being taught is because he's Naruto's student.

"I want to see how far you've come along these past few days Raphtalia. We are going to spar." Hinata quickly got in her default stance for the Gentle Fist.

Raphtalia was hesitant. When she first came here, she was expecting to learn more about the Toads and Mount Myoboku. Not have a spar with her friend. "Ok...but are you sure?" She slowly drew her blade.

"Yes, and this time Raphtalia, come at me with the intent to destroy me."

"...I don't know if we..." Suddenly a blast of Chakra flew past Raphtalia's side. It impacted the ground and created a hole. Rubble, dirt and dust was what Raphtalia saw behind her.

"I see...I understand." Raphtalia got the message. Hinata wants to see what she is fully capable of. Raphtalia readied her blade and channelled her Spiritual energy into the blade. They were ready to begin.

Raphtalia made the first move and quickly closed in on the Shinobi. Hinata remained in place, locking all her senses on the racoon moving in. Hinata moved her leg in a circular motion across the ground, creating a circle around her. Raphtalia closed the gap and quickly slashed at Hinata several times. One time, two times, three times, Raphtalia kept slashing. Each time she attacked, the Youkai got faster and faster.

But Hinata easily avoided each strike, flowing past the blade, like water around a rock. On Raphtalia's twelfth strike, Hinata grabbed her wrist and flung the Youkai over her shoulder across the field.

Raphtalia twisted her body so she could stick the landing. But she skidded across the ground before finally coming to a halt. Raphtalia looked up and saw Hinata was still standing in place, evidence by the circle she's standing in.

"I'm going to get you out of that ring." Raphtalia had no expectations of winning this spar. But she wasn't going to walk away stood up and raided her blade, and its Spiritual energy grew more powerful and more vibrant. She then swung the sword at different angles, launching the energy at Hinata.

Hinata was unfazed. She gathered Chakra into her hands and at first, slowly started moving her arms around in a strange motion. But then her arms moved faster and faster, to then suddenly becoming a blur of hand movement.

"Protective Eight Trigrams Sixty-Four Palms!" Thin, near-invisible Chakra blades extended out of Hinata's palms which then struck Raphtalia's attacks, cutting them in half. After being sliced in half, the separated energy attacks split off in different directions and stuck the ground behind Hinata.

Raphtalia's attack had failed. "I can't get past her defence." Raphtalia needed to change her approach. She then created a magical circle and fired a large amount of Spiritual energy at Hinata.

Hinata then countered with Eight Trigrams Vacuum Palm, sending a large amount of Chakra at Raphtalia's attack. The two attacks collided and cancelled each other out, creating a small crater in the ground.

Raphtalia was about to follow up with another spell, but Hinata was faster. The Youkai was forced to narrowly dodge the next Vacuum Palm. She rolled across the ground but quickly got her bearings and speeded away. Raphtalia hid behind one of the many Toad Stone Statues, not that hiding did her any good.

"Doesn't matter where I go, she'll see me." Raphtalia is aware of how perceptive those eyes are. But just how perceptive could they truly be? Raphtalia then used Youjutsu again and turned herself invisible.

Believing she now had a chance the Youkai quickly approached Hinata, her blade ready to be pressed against Hinata's neck to force a surrender. But then Hinata spun around and grabbed onto Raphtalia's left hand, the one holding her blade. Giving her no chance to recover Hinata put her leg behind Raphtalia's and shoved her into the ground.

Raphtalia bashed her head off the ground and lost the grip on her sword. Hinata then pressed her right knee on Raphtalia's right arm, restraining her.

Raphtalia opened her eyes to find herself restrained by her friend. Blade separated from her and arms no longer free. She was about to try and use her legs to get out of this. But felt something press against her forehead. She looked up to see Hinata's finger, and Raphtalia knew what that meant.

"If this was a real fight, then Hinata just attacked my brain." Knocking her out or killing her. Raphtalia lost.

"Sensory types are opponents you need to be careful of Raphtalia. You can hide yourself from sight, but you're still physically here. You enemies might smell you, sense you, or like me see you. Even if they can't, you must watch how you affect the environment around you. Knock over a stone, and you risk giving yourself away." Hinata gave her friend some vital advice.

She then got up off of Raphtalia and offered her a hand. Although feeling disheartened from losing, Raphtalia was able to smile and accepted Hinata's helping hand.

"You fought well." Hinata was satisfied with Raphtalia performance.

But Raphtalia wasn't. "I don't think I did. I couldn't even touch you."

Hinata shook her head, not at all agreeing with Raphtalia's view of the fight. "This was about seeing how far you've come, and I'd say you're much better." Hinata has been responsible for improving Raphtalia's combat capabilities. "Your speed and reactions have greatly improved. Your ability to control your Spiritual energy with your blade has become better and more versatile. Raphtalia, over the last few days, you've greatly improved your fundamentals." This is vital for any further development.

Raphtalia was touched by Hinata's words, unable to discount her notions of improvement. But a part of Raphtalia still didn't feel satisfied. "I just wonder what I even bring to this team." Raphtalia looked down with a sad face.

"Why would you think that?" Hinata, Konohamaru and Naruto have never called her place on the team into question.

Raphtalia shrugged her shoulders. "I don't know what I can offer. You have the Byakugan. Konohamaru is training to become a Sage. Naruto, where do I even begin with him? Am I only here because I know about this world?" If that's the case, then anyone would do.

Hinata hugged her friend, shutting up her depressing speech. "You're our friend and comrade. We trust you to have our backs, just like you trust us."

"But that's not..."

"No, it is good enough." Hinata then backed up and pointed towards Konohamaru in training. "Konohamaru started off by trying to defeat his grandfather. All he ever achieved was tripping on his own cloak." She then pointed to herself. "I may have been born with these eyes, but I was weak and too scared to do anything. I always gave up whenever things got tough." Hinata then pointed in the direction to where Naruto was. "And Naruto didn't have a Jutsu to his name." Hinata isn't going to bring up the Sexy Jutsu. "When he finally learned one, the Shadow Clone Jutsu; he could only use it for kamikaze attacks or trying to overwhelm his opponent with numbers." None of them started off strong or skilled. They were all weak.

Hinata placed her palm over her heart and spoke her true belief. "You say you don't bring anything to the team. I say we haven't discovered your true strength yet."

Raphtalia was frozen in shock. Not just from her friend believing in her when she herself won't, but also hearing a bit more about their history. From what she's seen of them, Raphtalia always thought they were skilled geniuses or something. But to hear they all started at the bottom. It didn't help her when she saw Naruto beat Sun Wukong, and knows he defeated Rizevim Livan Lucifer.

But Hinata's words impacted Raphtalia. She looked down at her hand, holding her blade. "My true strength." What could that be?

Raphtalia's pondering on her true strength was reflected by Hinata, she too contemplated her own true strength.

"My true strength..."

Hinata covered her Byakugan.

.

Naruto and his clones were still deep in their meditations, trying to create the bridge to their base of life. After a while, Naruto started to get that feeling in his gut. Similar to what he's felt during those life and death situations. But Naruto has had no luck connecting with it, and it was getting on his last nerve. It's like it's in front of him, but he can't even reach out for it.

"What am I doing wrong?" Naruto has been doing precisely what Sun Wukong told him to do, but he's hit a wall.

Naruto dismissed all of his clones to gain their experiences. Just like him, they've hit that wall. Naruto then created another two hundred clones and got back to it. Naruto kept this up for hours, and the sun was beginning to set.

"This isn't working." Sun's training has allowed Naruto to find his base of life, but connecting with it is another story.

Connecting, Naruto thought over that word. Connect, conduit, Naruto was going over all the words Sun used to describe his training, to try and find something he can work with.

"I need to use Senjutsu Chakra as a conduit to my base of life. But I need to connect with it first using Nature energy." That's what Sun said he needs to do. But it's not working. If anything this reminded Naruto of when he was trying to create the Rasenshuriken, a wall that can't be passed with the traditional methods. Naruto got creative with Shadow Clones to create that Jutsu; with a little help from Kakashi and Yamato. Ok, a lot of help from Kakashi and Yamato.

Naruto stopped his mediation and started to brainstorm. But nothing came to mind, this isn't a hands-on approach like the Rasenshuriken so Shadow Clones won't help here. This isn't like Sage Mode training that had the Toad oil to help.

"Maybe the normal method won't work because you're not a Youkai."

"Why would that be the case?"

"It wouldn't be surprising. Remember that the Toad Sages here don't even need to use the Toad oil for Sage Mode training; only humans do."

"So basically Sun's method won't work for me because I'm human, of all the bad luck."

"You found your base of life with his method, so there's that. But you can't connect with it using Nature energy like the Youkai can."

"There's that word again, connect...connect...connect...CONNECT!" Naruto's eyes widened, he just thought of something good.

"What are you shouting for!?"

"Shut up shut up shut up I'm thinking...Maybe, would it, could it?"

"Could what?"

"Ok hear me out Kurama. Remember what Sixth Paths Super Gramps said about Ninshū?"

"Of course I do, I was in him when he started teaching it to others."

"Right so humor me here. The idea of the Ninshū creed is to connect people's Spiritual energies with each other so they could understand one another."

"Yes."

"And the Shinobi creed is to connect one's Spiritual and Physical energies for power and for fighting.

"Of course."

"So what if we do something like that. But instead of connecting with other people's Spiritual energy, or connecting my Spiritual and Physical energies together. I use my Chakra to connect with my base of life instead of trying to do it with Nature energy?" And from there do what the monkey said, and form the conduit using Senjutsu Chakra.

Kurama thought over his idea and was surprised that Naruto came up with it. "That's...actually a good idea...Who are you, and what did you do with Naruto?"

"Oh ha ha ha very funny, I can come up with good ideas ya'know?"

"But they almost always include the Shadow Clone Jutsu, this time it's not that."

Naruto wanted to, but he couldn't think of a retort, because Kurama is kind of right here. But he's not going to let him know that.

"Let's try it out." Naruto got back into position and began meditating again. His clones heard the whole conversation in his mindscape, so they too were trying the same thing as the original was.

Naruto felt his base of life and tried to bring his Chakra deeper within him to connect with it. It wasn't easy to do. "...Come on...make it..." Naruto began to sweat, and his hands were starting to shake, he's never tried this kind of thing before. But soon Naruto felt his Chakra just reach his base of life. "I've got it, now the Senjutsu Chakra." Naruto didn't waste any time and had his Senjutsu Chakra followed the path of his Chakra. Like bright webs in a dark space, they bridged gaps between one another, as the Senjutsu Chakra neared Naruto's base of life. Naruto could feel it, as his Senjutsu Chakra neared his base of life; he felt new energy slowly seep out. It was as if the two powers were reaching out to each other. Then they touched.

"AAAAAAAAHHH!" Naruto felt a sharp pain course throughout his body. His eyes snapped shut as he tried to get a handle on the trauma he felt. His clones felt the pain too, and all ended up dispelling. The collective experiences came back to Naruto too quickly, and he wasn't prepared for it. The pain got even worse, and Naruto couldn't keep himself sitting up. He fell to the ground as he felt one of the worse headaches he's ever had.

"Oooooowwwww. My head feels like Sakura used it as a drum." Naruto was stuck lying on the ground, he found it very difficult to move. "Kami that hurt, what the hell happened to me?"

"You rushed it and didn't prepare for the backlash; this is your will to live after all."

Naruto slowly and painfully sat himself up. "Yeah well, I didn't know how long I could maintain the connection...Wait...my hand feels weird" Stronger too. Naruto looked at his bandaged hand and saw something. It was very faint, but it was there. A low white glow was flowing around his fingers. It was much weaker, but it felt just like Sun's Touki.

"Is this...Touki?" Naruto could feel his own life energy in the white aura.

"Hmmm, you were able to just touch it before you got hit, and brought out a sliver of your base of life."

Naruto looked within himself and felt it. His Chakra was indeed connected to his base of life. Not only that, but a tiny amount of his Senjutsu Chakra was connecting with his base of life too.

"Did I do it?"

"Just barely, but it seems your Senjutsu Chakra is strengthening the connection." Kurama could see the connection growing in strength and size, slowly but surely. In time this would allow Naruto to use Touki to even higher levels.

"Should I try it again?" Not that he wanted to feel that pain again. But if Naruto had to do it, he would.

"No, it's doing it on its own. Let it improve the connecting you're established with your base of life. Once it's developed, then we test it out again. It was like watching a muscle grow. They just need to leave it alone so it can do its work.

Naruto was able to stand up on his feet. But even if he was still in pain, he felt good. He looked at the aura surrounding his hand and couldn't hold back his excitement.

"I've got to tell Sun about this."

.

"What's going on here?" Naruto rushed to find Sun to let him know his progress. He was expecting to see Sun and the Toads having a clam drink or something. Instead, he found Sun shit face drunk and the Toads enjoying every moment of it.

Sun heard Naruto's question and spun around to face him, tipsy would be too weak of a word to describe his state of mind. "Naruto...' Burp' boy...I mean kid...Never mind...I'll get it right..." Sun wobbled over to Naruto and held on to him with his free hand, his other hand held a cup of sake.

Naruto smelled his breath which caused him to have a coughing fit because of how overwhelming the smell was. "By the name of all Kage, how much did you drink?"

Sun backed up a little, and Naruto got a good look at his face. The monkey was red face drunk. "Let me think...one...three...nine..." Sun slowly counted with his fingers till he ran out. "Can I borrow your fingers...?"

"Never mind" Naruto look around and saw Gamabunta, Gamaken, Gamahiro, and Gamakichi all sharing a drink. "Why didn't you guys stop him?"

"Hahahahaha...I wanted to see how long the monkey would last. This sake was meant for the size of livers we have. I'm honestly impressed he's still awake" It seems Gamabunta had his reasons.

Gamahiro and Gamakichi stayed quiet, so Naruto looked at Gamaken for an answer. "And you didn't stop him because...?"

"I apologise, but you see, I'm ungraceful."

"What does that even mean?" What did grace have to do with this?

"Don't mind him Naruto that's just how he communicates." Gamakichi didn't understand him either.

Sun tightened his hold on Naruto. "Naruto...Toads...I love every single...one of ya" Sun in his drunken state pointed at a random rock beside him. "...Not you..."

"Get off me." Naruto shoved the chimp off of him and he landed flat on his back. But he didn't complain. "Were Toads...always this big?" Did he already forget? "...I'm in a new world...' burp'...kneel before Sun Wukong..." Sun's mind was up in the clouds.

Naruto had enough and crouched next to Sun's unmoving body. "Hey chimp, I'm going to head back to the leaf, are you staying or going?"

"...I'll go to wherever the 'Burp' drink is..."

"Staying it is then. Look after him will ya, he is acting as a diplomat."

"Yeah, sure kid." Gamabunta didn't see any difficult looking after a monkey who can't even stand.

.

Naruto left the drunken diplomat with his Toad drinking buddies and headed back to the others. He felt their presences at the training field. He found Hinata and Raphtalia first. "You girls ok?" He waved at them as he approached.

Hinata saw Naruto walk a bit funny and used her Byakugan to see the state of his body. "What happened to you Naruto?" It wasn't severe, and most of the injures have or were already healing. But these injures were all internal, none were external. How did he get those? Hinata walked up to Naruto and gave him a slight check over just to be sure. "Did you get into a spar with Sun Wukong again?"

"No, this was the result of my Touki training."

"That did this to you."

"It's my own fault really. I didn't prepare properly and got smacked down hard."

"But you're going to be ok right?" Worrying about Naruto has become second nature to her.

Naruto held onto Hinata's hands to ease her worries. "I'll be fine. I'll be all healed up in an hour or so." Kurama's Chakra would see to that.

This eased Hinata's worries, thankful that Touki didn't do anything too damaging to Naruto.

Naruto and Hinata then released each other's hands. "Enough about me, how about you guys. Looks like you two had a spar." Naruto saw the holes in the ground.

"We did, and it was eventful."

"Good news I take it?" Naruto was also welcoming to good news.

"Raphtalia has become much stronger than what she once was days ago." Hinata knew it for a fact.

Naruto had a big grind and gave Raphtalia a thumbs up. "Glad to hear it. I can't wait to see what you can truly do as you get stronger."

"So do I Naruto." Raphtalia's tail swayed left and right, she always liked it when Naruto complimented her.

"Ha, like a dog."Kurama found it amusing.

"Let's go fetch Konohamaru." Naruto was just about to head off to get his student, only for Fukasaku to show up with him in tow.

Naruto saw his student's condition...ouch...

A black eye, busted lip, covered head to toe with bruises. Konohamaru has seen better days.

They found it hard to look at him. "You look as bad as I feel." Naruto knew his pain.

Konohamaru was not amused. "Thanks for your concern." His cheek twitched from the pain.

"I can't leave him like that." Konohamaru has been through enough today. Naruto put his hand on his student's shoulder, and red Chakra appeared around him. Konohamaru's injuries started healing, cuts closing up, with the sound of hissing steam. Soon all of the injuries he suffered were treated.

"Better?"

"Much." Konohamaru rubbed his cheek for a final check.

"So that's what healed me back then," Raphtalia remembered Naruto healing her wounds. She had difficulty remembering what it exactly was. But she knew it was something red.

"I used Kurama's Chakra to heal you."

"Kurama is quite helpful."

"He's the strongest of the Nine Tailed Beasts, and I don't say that lightly." Naruto knows Kurama's power better than anyone. "It's funny, once upon a time we hated each other. Now look at us. Makes me feel old thinking about how far we've come."

"It's been a journey."

Raphtalia could almost feel Naruto's thoughts, his heart. What kind of journey have they experienced?

"How'd his training go Geezer Sage?" Naruto eagerly wanted to hear how far his student has come.

"He's made some progress but is still unable to properly control Nature energy. It's not ready for any kind of practical use." Konohamaru can't yet stop the Toad transformation.

"Figured, it took me a week to master all this. Konohamaru has only had a day." And it wasn't even a full day.

Fukasaku looked around and noticed who was absent. "Where is Sun Wukong?"

Naruto rubbed the back of his head and had a strained smile. "He's found some new drinking buddies." Some diplomat, he got drunk on his first day.

Instead of disappointed Fukasaku, it caused him to burst out laughing. "Hahahahaha...seems he'll fit right in with the likes of Gamabunta."

"...True..." There is that. "We're heading back to Konoha, but Sun wants to stay. Are you ok with taking charge of him?"

"It's no issue. I myself still have many things to ask him. I'll arrange a messenger Toad to accompany him so he can travel between our village and Konoha." It's a way to keep tabs on him and help with his diplomatic mission.

"Before I forget, at some point I'll check out these stones you mentioned soon."

"Why?"

"You're unable to use the Summoning Jutsu over there. I'll see if I can aid in that front, but I need to see these stones for myself." To see if there's some trick or method to get the Summoning Jutsu working for the Shinobi.

"It would be nice to have some backup on call. Good luck with that Geezer Sage."

"And good luck to you Naruto boy."

The team came together, and Naruto was ready to transport them back to Konoha. But Fukasaku had one last thing to say. "Konohamaru boy, remember the feeling of Nature within you. Hold on to it and cultivate it for the next time you come here."

"I will." Konohamaru would not allow the lapse in his training to get the better of him.

Before leaving, Naruto remembered something important, an evil smile crept upon his face. "Geezer Sage...Make sure Sun tries some of your wife's cooking."

"I'm sure it will make Ma happy knowing a visitor will enjoy her cooking." Fukasaku only ever wants to eat his wife's home-cooked meals.

"Yes...I'm sure Sun will never forget the meal."

Hinata knew what Naruto was doing. "Naruto..." She didn't approve.

"Naruto Uzumaki two, Sun Wukong one." The prank war is still on.

The team then vanished from sight, on their way to Konoha.

.

Naruto and his team returned to Konoha and its night time. "Guess we should hit the sack." It's been a strenuous day for them all.

"Then I'll take Raphtalia with me to stay at Hyuga Manor. I'm sure my father will have no issue with her staying with us." Hinata always intended on inviting her friend over.

"Sounds good. Is that good with you Raphtalia?"

"It is, thank you very much Hinata." Raphtalia was very grateful for her friend's hospitality. Hinata smiled back, she didn't need any thanks from Raphtalia. She wanted to do this for her.

"Then me and Konohamaru will head off." Naruto walked up to Hinata and gave her a quick kiss on the lips. Hinata didn't see it coming and blushed because of his surprising action. Naruto grinned a bit, finding Hinata's flustered expression to be cute.

"See-ya tomorrow." Naruto waved the girls off, and he and his student made their way home.

Hinata stood still for a bit and stared at Naruto's retreating back, still maintaining her blush. "See you tomorrow Naruto-kun."

.

Naruto and Konohamaru neared their turn-off point. "So how far do you think you've progressed with Sage Mode?" He heard Geezer Sage's thoughts, but he wants to listen to his student's too.

Konohamaru looked at his hand and kept flexing his fingers. "I still have difficulty keeping Nature energy under control, it's so overwhelming. But I do remember that feeling." The feeling of Nature energy within him. "But ya'know something...the world around me feels different. I feel a little lighter and can feel the things around me a little better." It was so weird.

"That's because you've got your first taste of Senjutsu Chakra and the effect it has on you. Even if you're not in Sage Mode, your body does undergo a slight change. Just consider that you're a little bit better at everything. But it's not even a comparison to actively using Sage Mode." The difference is practically night and day.

Konohamaru liked what he was hearing, but he wouldn't settle on it. He's not going to stop till he masters Sage Mode. "When will I return for the training?" He still needs the oil, and it evaporates if it's taken out of Mount Myoboku's climate.

"Next time we get a break I guess. But if there is an earlier opportunity, then we'll see." Raphtalia's cross is still something they need to sort out.

They soon reached the turn-off point and went their separate ways. "See you tomorrow big brother Naruto."

"You too Konohamaru."

.

Naruto made it to his apartment, his home since he was a kid. He opened the door with the only sound that could be heard was the door's creek. The moonlight shined in the doorway, dimly lighting up the entrance to his home. Naruto walked in and locked the door behind him, and it was then that he noticed how quiet it was. The only thing he could hear was a dripping tap.

Most of the time Naruto doesn't give it any thought, but this time he just couldn't stop himself. "Sure is empty." Something he's dealt with all his life, yet today was somehow difficult.

Naruto shook his head and made his way to his bed. He threw his clothes to the floor, not bothering with putting them away.

"It...kind of feels wired without Hinata here." That's the only thing that came to mind when he sat down on his bed. "Never mind." Naruto got the thought out of his head and lied down on his pillow.

"Just close your eyes and go to sleep Naruto." Can't be that hard.

.

Back in the other world, Naruto's clone was busy finishing up his report, his painfully dull and boring report. Since the original and his team left for the Shinobi world, nothing interesting has happened. The only thing to talk about would be Shinobi and Youkai conversing with each other. Both sides made an effort to establish a bond between their factions.

Naruto's clone was just about done, and soon he can go to sleep. But then the door to his room slid open. "Kuroka?"

Kuroka was at his door's entrance. Naruto hasn't seen her since that argument they had after the stray Devil's capture. "You Good? Is there something you need?" Kuroka made an effort in avoiding people, so why did she come to him now?

Kuroka smirked at him and strolled into the room, swaying her hips as she made her way in and parked herself on the table. "I'm just peachy Naruto. I just thought I should give you some company, what with you and your team leaving for your home village, nya."

"She wasn't there when the boss and everyone else went. Was she spying on us?" Naruto's clone wouldn't think much of it, considering this is what Kuroka does all the time. But her recent actions have left him wary of her. "Well Sun is acting as a representative for the Youkai and boss's team is his escort."

"So he just left little old you alone here." Kuroka leaned forward towards the clone, their faces were inches apart.

"Kuroka are you sure everything's ok? Ya'know you can talk to me if something is bothering you."

Kuroka's lips were mere inches from Naruto's. "Yes something is bothering me, and there is a way you can help, nya."

Naruto's clone backed up a little for some space. "And how can I help?" Something doesn't feel right here.

Kuroka then looked into his eyes with a dark look. "You can get out of the way." Kuroka's claws came out, and she aimed to slash the clone. She knew that one solid hit would dispel them after watching Naruto's spar with Sun Wukong.

Before her claws could touch his skin, the clone grabbed onto her wrists. He aimed her hands away from him in case she tries to use Youjutsu on him. "What is this about?" Naruto's clone felt her hostile intent; she just tried to dispel him.

"Not sure I owe you an explanation, nya." Even restrained as she is Kuroka kept up her smirk.

"I think it's about time you, me and Yasaka had a long talk." The clone was about to drag her away. But then she did something he didn't see coming.

The clone felt intent, but it wasn't to harm, it wasn't negative in any way. His senses didn't tell him anything was wrong. So he failed to avoid Kuroka's next act. She locked lips with him. The clone's eyes widened in disbelief, he felt a flood of emotions hitting him. Few he could make sense of, but he could make out one of them clearly, desire. Kuroka's tongue slipped in and started exploring his mouth. She wrapped one of her legs around the clone's waist, bringing him closer, her breasts pressed against his chest.

Kuroka then made good on this chance, the clone was complete surprised and vulnerable. She gathered a large amount of Senjutsu Spiritual energy around her leg and stuck the clone's side.

Kuroka departed from the kiss, a trail of saliva followed her lips. She looked into the soon to be dispelled clone's eyes. "See you later, handsome."

"You are the dirtiest person I have ev..." The clone couldn't finish his sentence before he puffed out of existence.

Kuroka licked her lips, and then the back of her hand, finding pleasure in what she just did. "I'd much rather do that with the real you, nya." One day it'll happen. Kuroka now didn't have anyone standing in her way. She rushed out of the room and out of the palace.

.

Yasaka opened her eyes when she felt something was wrong. She could no longer feel Naruto's clone's presence. She quickly got out of bed and rushed over to where the clone should have been. She practically threw the door open. Yasaka saw the room was empty, but it did look like something happened here. Naruto's report was only a few words away from being finished, and the pen was on the floor.

Yasaka then used her senses to feel out the room. She felt the remnants of the clone's Chakra in the air. "The clone was dispelled?" Did the clone do it himself?

She then felt the lingering sense of Senjutsu in the room. It was Youkai Senjutsu, and only one person in Urakyoto had it. "Kuroka."

Kuroka did this, but why? Yasaka then expanded her sensing to cover her city. She couldn't feel Kuroka. "She's left the city. But why?" What was her reason for doing this, why take out the clone, and why now. But Yasaka slowly put the pieces together.

"Kuroka...don't tell me you're going after her." This is bad; this is really, really bad.

"I need Naruto back here now!"

.

Naruto has been trying to fall asleep for the past few minutes. But he just couldn't, he kept tossing and turning and could never just drift off to sleep. "This is impossible." Fall to sleep damn it.

"Kurama, you awake?"

"..."

"Kurama?"

"..."

"Kuraa-ma?"

"Huh!... What did you call me!?"

"Finally."

"Hey, what did you call me brat!?"

Naruto decided to play dumb. "Your name...Kurama..."

"...You better have...What do you want?"

"I can't fall asleep?"

"Why is that my problem?"

"Oh come on help your Jinchuriki out."

"Just punch yourself unconscious."

"How about something that doesn't involve hurting me."

Kurama huffed; he should just tell it to him straight. "Look you're just suffering from lovesickness or something stupid like that."

"...Lovesickness...Why would I...?"

"You know why brat."

Naruto did know why. He couldn't fall asleep because he was missing Hinata. His first night with her; he woke up better than ever, and over the days they spent together at Urakyoto, he got used to sharing a bed with her. Now it doesn't feel right without her.

That sold it to Naruto, he can't sleep. So he got up from his bed and put his clothes back on.

"What are you doing?"

"Going for a walk."

.

Naruto slowly wandered through the streets of Konoha. The moonlight shined bright over the sleeping village, the sound of owls hooting within the trees. Throughout his walk, Naruto didn't meet a single soul. "Guess I'm the only one with a problem." Naruto didn't have an intended destination; he went where ever the wind took him.

Soon he made it to a familiar location, a local park. During the day, this place was bustling with children having fun, and their parents watching over them. Back when he was a kid, Naruto came here and sometimes got lucky and played with a few kids, only to leave alone soon after.

"...A bit poetic that I came here..." As a kid, he came and went from the place alone. Now he's doing it again years later.

Naruto lazily walked over to the swing set and sat himself down. He didn't feel like swinging, just didn't have it in him. Naruto didn't know what he was going to do. Would he stay and see if he falls asleep. Or will he just wait till morning?

Naruto then heard footsteps to his right, someone was coming. He turned his head to see who else was out at this time of night.

"Naruto-kun?"

"Hinata?"

Of all the people Naruto thought he'd see, Hinata wasn't one of them. "What are you doing out here this late?" Last he saw of her she was taking Raphtalia to her manor.

"I couldn't sleep." Hinata made her way to the swing next to Naruto and sat herself down. Her hair shined bright when it was caught in the moon's light.

"...you too huh," Naruto whispered to himself. Does Hinata feel the same way he does?

"And you Naruto-kun, why are you out at this time?" Hinata came out alone to clear her head and finds her boyfriend of all people. This park is a place she goes to when she feels down, like when Hinata first tried to give Naruto that red scarf.

"I...couldn't sleep either. Just didn't feel right ya'know."

"...yeah I do..." Hinata isn't the only one.

"When I got home...I mean I always knew, how could I not...But it really hit me hard with how quiet my place is." How lonely it is. "Your place has your whole family so it must be ok over there."

"It is nice...my father, my sister and Raphtalia are there...But there is still one problem.

"And that is?"

Hinata then looked deep into Naruto's eyes, his soul. "You're not there."

This time Hinata caught Naruto by surprise, causing him to get flustered. "Oh." Naruto turned his head away to hide his face, but he did grow a smile. "I see."

"I've changed...before this mission I would have been too timid about sharing a room with you...Now...I don't want it to stop...I...don't like being separated from you Naruto-kun." Hinata didn't take her eyes off of him; she wasn't embarrassed by her words.

Naruto looked at her from the corner of his eye. Her serious face showed how important this is to her, so he turned to face her. "Our first night at Urakyoto was the best night I've ever had...I woke up feeling better than ever...and...It was because of you being there, being by my side."

Neither Hinata or Naruto could follow up, this was a conversation they had no plan of having. But they both agreed with one thing, they couldn't sleep alone.

"Naruto?" After a few seconds of silence, Hinata was the first to respond.

"Yeah?"

A dust of pink covered Hinata's cheeks. "If you want...you could come to the Hyuga Manor with me. You could live with us?" You could live with her.

"Is she for real?" Naruto stared at her in disbelief. The Hinata two weeks ago would have never asked him that. Naruto then stood up from the swing. Soon after Hinata followed suit. They silently stood before each other; their still faces hiding their emotions while they looked into each other's eyes. Naruto then reached out and gently held on to Hinata's hands, and then gave her a loving smile.

"I'd like that." Nothing would make him happier.

Hinata smiled back, finding comfort in Naruto's hands. Naruto then wrapped his arms around her waist and Hinata around his neck. They met in a loving kiss. This kiss lasted for what felt like a lifetime. Both Shinobi poured their love into it so the other could feel the depths of their affections. They soon departed from the kiss, but rested their heads against one another.

"I love you Hinata."

"I know, but it's nice to hear you say it. I love you too Naruto-kun."

They were about to kiss again, but someone arrived to interrupt them. "Naruto, Lady Hinata."

The two love birds quickly separated from one another, both feeling a little embarrassed being seen by someone. They looked to see that the one who showed up was an ANBU Shinobi.

"What's an ANBU doing here?" They only show up if it's a serious matter.

"There is an emergency. Your team is to return to Urakyoto immediately."

This shocked the two Shinobi and concern filled their hearts.

"What's happened?"

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Yasaka and Gaara patiently waited outside the palace for Naruto and his team to return. The situation at hand is both complicated and dangerous, it could end very badly.

"Do you know where Kuroka would have gone?" Yasaka woke Gaara up so he could send the message to Naruto. But he still didn't know what was really going on. He didn't know Kuroka at all so he couldn't even begin to guess her motives.

"I think I do..." Yasaka thought back to Kuroka's past actions over the last couple of days, now they made a whole lot more sense. Yasaka understands that her heart was in the right place, but this is still a stupid move. "I think she's..." The doors of the Shinobi's embassy flew open and Naruto, Hinata, Raphtalia and Konohamaru ran out towards them.

"Yasaka, we got your message. What's going on!?" Naruto looked around and saw that the city was fine. When he got the message of an emergency, his first thought was that Urakyoto was under attack or something. Or the masterminds just made a move. But seeing the city was safe and no one looked hurt filled him with relief. But then what is going on?

"It's good that you made it. But before I begin, where is Sun Wukong?" She didn't call for him but half expected him to arrive in tow.

"He's with the Toad Sages. Last I saw of him he was drunk off his ass."

Yasaka had a disappointed sigh. "I should've known." She held and shook her head. "Never mind. This situation is problematic."

"What's going on, what happened. Wait, why can't I sense my clone?" Naruto couldn't feel his clone's presence.

"Kuroka dispelled it and fled Urakyoto."

Naruto looked at Yasaka with narrowed eyes. "What...why?" This didn't sound good, what's Kuroka playing at?

"She needed you out the way." Yasaka shook her head. She was both worried and disappointed in Kuroka's actions. "I believe she's going after Shirone." It's the only thing that made sense.

Naruto knew that name. "Her sister...right she's a reincarnated Devil. But why do this now?" This is bad. Whatever incident happened between Kuroka and the Devils caused all this, and Kuroka is wanted by the Devils. If they find her...

"It's because of the Rating Game we saw, that is what set her off."

"Seeing that Youkai get hurt...well both me and Kurama thought the same thing...but...why do I feel there is more to this."

"Do you know where she's heading?" Hinata asked while Naruto was pondering to himself.

"She's heading for Kuoh Town."

Hinata has no idea where that is. "Is that in the Underworld?"

"It's here in Japan."

"Why go there?"

"Because Rias Gremory and her Peerage is there." And so is her sister.

Naruto got out of his train of thoughts when he heard that name. "Wait, you mean the redhead. What's Rias and her Peerage got to do with this?"

"Shirone is a member of her Peerage."

Naruto didn't understand. He saw the Rating Game. "I saw her Peerage. No one was called Shirone, and the only Youkai was that Koneko girl." The girl with the...same eyes..."Wait...don't tell me..."

Yasaka saw that Naruto figured it out. "Naruto. Koneko and Shirone are the same person."

Koneko is Shirone.

Naruto tilted his head down and thought back to the Rating Game and his moments with Kuroka. The eyes, the looks Kuroka gave her, her actions only after Koneko got hurt. It all makes sense now. "I am so dumb!" It was staring him in the face the entire time.

Naruto that shot up to look at Yasaka, he's had enough of this. "Ok Yasaka I was hoping Kuroka would tell me what was going on. But this is crazy, so tell me what happened. What was the incident that caused all this?" He needs to know.

Yasaka looked at Gaara to hear his say in this. Not so much she needed to, but because she wanted to.

Gaara gave her a single slow nod, this situation has changed things.

"I hoped that Kuroka would confide in you and tell you about what happened. But she has forced my hand." Time for Yasaka to tell the shocking truth. "Naruto...you may find this hard to believe but Kuroka...she's a stray Devil."

Everyone around Yasaka looked as white as a ghost. Their mouths gaped open at this revelation. The only ones who were calm were Yasaka and Kurama.

"So that's why she was masking herself with Senjutsu. She was hiding her Evil Piece and Demonic Power." Kurama always wondered what her game was.

Naruto was slowly coming back to reality. "But...we saw a stray Devil. Kuroka and that stray couldn't be more different."

Yasaka could understand that line of thinking. The first stray they saw was not a simple one, a giant mutated spider of all things. "If the stray is strong and skilled enough, then they can keep their own energy in check and remain sane." Kuroka is a rare talent.

"That's why she talked about strays and the screwed up position they're in. She was not only talking about them, but about herself too."

Yasaka saw his concern about all this, and it brought her some apprehensions. "Does this fact bother you?" Does Naruto now hate Kuroka for being a stray?

Naruto didn't even hesitate with his answer. "No, Kuroka is still my friend and that won't change. I want to help those hurt by the Peerage System and now that includes her too." Nothing has changed.

Yasaka was happy to hear this. She wouldn't have blamed Naruto for having some issues with Kuroka for everything he's seen and heard about the Devils. She can now tell him the story with no worry. "I don't know what happened with her parents, but Kuroka and Shirone ended up alone on the streets." The Neko massacre happened long before. "But they were found by a Devil. Kuroka made an agreement with him, she will join his Peerage if her sister is taken in too, but not reincarnated into a Devil." They get off the streets, and Shirone remained who she was.

"She sacrificed herself for her sister." She gave up her freedom so Shirone could have a chance. This made Naruto proud of Kuroka and wished she showed this side of her more.

"This Devil was researching Senjutsu, trying to find some way for Pure Blooded Devils to be able to use its power." Before Naruto showed up only Youkai could use Senjutsu. "Kuroka was forced to participate in experiments. While these experiments allowed her to rapidly grow her prowess with Senjutsu, it also put her at great risk at falling to its madness." If it was anyone else but Kuroka they would have died.

Angry slowly filled Naruto and he clenched his fist tightly. But he steadied his breathing to calm himself. "She was nothing but a lab rat to that piece of shit." Just one more thing to add to the list of things the Devils have done to piss Naruto off. "What changed?" How did Kuroka go from that to this?

Yasaka's eyes held scorn behind them. "She sneaked into her 'masters' room and learned about his next experiment." Something that horrified Yasaka. Naruto saw her mood change and held his breath.

"His next experiment would give him the breakthrough he needed to finally know if Pure Blooded Devils could use Senjutsu. But it had a one hundred per cent fatality rate. Whoever is subjected to this experiment dies. He couldn't use Kuroka as she was invaluable to his research, which left only one person."

"...No...You don't mean..." Naruto knew there was only one other Senjutsu user.

"He was going to kill Shirone for his research." When Yasaka learned of this, she too wanted to kill that Devil.

"Kuroka didn't take this lying down, did she?" Naruto saw where this was going.

Yasaka shook her head. "No, she killed him, destroyed his research and fled the Underworld. From that day on she was labelled a SS stray Devil and would be hunted down and killed on the spot. Luckily she was able to make it here, and I took her in after hearing her story." And Yasaka protected Kuroka from any Devils that demanded her head. "But because she destroyed the research, she also destroyed the evidence. Now all Devils think she went mad with Senjutsu and murdered her 'master' unjustly." There was also no evidence to support that either. But it was easier for the Devils that say that.

Raphtalia then realised something, and she didn't like it. "Why did she leave Shirone behind with those Devils?" Did she abandon her sister?

Yasaka raised her hand to silence Raphtalia before she says something that shouldn't be said. "Because she didn't even think she'll survive. When she killed that Devil, she accepted her death. If Kuroka took Shirone with her, then she too would have been hunted down and killed." Escaping the Underworld, making it here all the while avoided Devil hunters and who knows what else; the odds of her surviving were low if not impossible.

"But she did make it...she survived...oh Kami." Kuroka left Shirone to save her from death. But Kuroka made it. If she took Shirone with her back then, they would still be together. That must be eating her up.

"I've done my best to help her. Maybe this is my fault for failing to reach her for the years she stayed here." Yasaka tried to give Kuroka a place to belong and to help her with her turmoil. In her mind, she failed on both accounts.

"We're going after her." Naruto stood fast, resolve radiated from him. Naruto wasn't asking for permission.

"Naruto?" His stance was telling; he was going even if she tried to stop him.

"Kuroka waited for me and Sun to leave because we would be able to track her with Senjutsu if she tried to run." She picked her moment well.

"But what about you Lady Yasaka? With your power she couldn't have escaped." Raphtalia knows that Kuroka is no match for Yasaka

"She used the distraction of dispelling Naruto's Shadow Clone to slip by. While I spent time going to his room and trying to figure out what happened, she already escaped. Besides, I can't leave Urakyoto to go after her." She can't leave the Leyline for too long. Not only that, but the other factions could notice the leader of the Youkai leaving. If they do, then the undesirables of the world could make a move against the Youkai.

"But she doesn't know about the stones. Kuroka skipped out on that meeting." Hinata pointed out a hole in Kuroka's plan. "As far as Kuroka knows we're still back in Konoha and don't have a direct way to return to Urakyoto."

"We can get the drop on her and then drag the cat back." Konohamaru was perfectly ok with that.

"Yasaka, which way to Kuoh town? We all saw the Rating game and the bond Shirone has with that team. I know it in my bones that if Kuroka 'saves' her sister, she will destroy whatever bond they have left." Naruto saw how Shirone felt about the members of that Peerage. It wasn't fake, it was very real. Something is going on with that Peerage.

Yasaka turned to Gaara and everyone else followed suit. Even if Yasaka tells him where to go, only Gaara can authorise it. Gaara's face showed no emotion so no one knew if he would agree or deny Naruto this mission.

"Gaara?" Naruto stood in front of his friend, waiting for him to answer him.

"Naruto, you may very well encounter the Devils." The Kage haven't agreed with which faction they should seek out first.

"I..."

"Let me finish. You risk a lot here Naruto. But I agree with you." Gaara then smiled at Naruto.

"You mean..."

"Naruto, this is your mission. You and your team are to find and bring Kuroka back to Urakyoto." Save her from a mistake. "A and Onoki will have issues with this, but I can argue that Kuroka is an intelligence leak and must be brought back." If the Devils capture Kuroka instead of killing her, then they could learn things about the Shinobi. She may not know about the stones, the other world, or Chakra. But she can still tell them vital information such as what abilities she has seen them use.

"Thank you Gaara." Naruto shook his friend's hand, silently thanking the world that he was the one who came here.

Yasaka then whistled very loudly, it echoed through the area. Then they all heard a sound, the sound of wings flapping. They looked above them and saw a Giant Eagle coming into land. It was covered in brown feathers. As it landed, it kicked up the wind around them.

Yasaka approached the Giant Eagle and stroked its beak. "This is a familiar of mine. I call him Arda. He will take you to Kuoh town."

Naruto and his team approached the animal. But Naruto turned around to speak with Raphtalia. "You up for this?"

Raphtalia knew what he meant. Her past experiences with Devils before and after meeting him have been less than pleasant. But she looked into his eyes with steadfast resolve. "If you guys are going, then I'm going." She won't lose herself like she did before.

Naruto smiled and gave her a nod. The team then jumped up on the Giant Eagle. "We'll handle getting back ourselves."

Yasaka had some final words. "Good luck Naruto, and please bring back that troublesome cat safe and sound." Kuroka was like family to her now.

"We will, I promise you." The Giant Eagle then spread its wings and took up into the air; the winds caused by it pushed back the bushes around them. Soon the Giant Eagle was high in the sky and vanished from sight, leaving the barrier.

Both the leaders looked on up as the team left their sight. Both hoping that they succeed in this mission and come back home. Yasaka prayed to herself for Kuroka's safety. Gaara felt some nostalgia at this sight.

"This brings back memories."

"How so Kazekage?"

"This isn't the first time Naruto has chased after a friend." But this time it will have better results. Gaara is sure of it.

"Then we must leave it in his hands." Leave it in their hands.

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The flight was long. The team saw many sights from the sky, bright lights as far as the eye could see illuminated the ground. They even heard strange noises above them. Planes soared high above, not that the Shinobi even knew what they were. As they crossed the many cities of Japan, they noticed the change. The buildings no longer looked like those they found in the Shinobi world or Urakyoto.

They soon made it to their intended destination. Kuoh Town, Devil territory. Naruto rubbed the neck of the Giant Eagle to get its attention. "Thanks for the lift. Don't worry we'll make our own way back. Once we jump off head back to Yasaka and let her knew we made it." Naruto can just use Hiraishin to instantly get back the moment he touches Kuroka.

The Giant Eagle squawked at Naruto, but he didn't know if that meant the bird understood him, or if he's just making noise.

"He said understood." But it seems Raphtalia understood him.

"How can you tell?"

"Because I'm a Youkai."

"...But you...and he...Ya'know I'm not even going to question the logic behind that." Naruto just accepted it as fact. It's easier on the brain.

The Giant Eagle stopped in mid-air and the team understood. This is where they get off. Naruto scooped up Raphtalia in his arms; she wrapped her arms around his neck for support. She tried to but she failed to stop her blush. "This is a bit embarrassing for me."

Naruto grinned at her "Well at least a train isn't blowing up this time." He chuckled at his little joke.

Raphtalia got even more embarrassed, remembering that event. The team jumped off the bird and dived down to ground level. They slowed their descent and made no noise as they landed on the ground. They then quickly jumped up onto higher ground, a house's roof. The four looked above them to see the Giant Eagle leave for Urakyoto. They're on their own now.

"So this is Kuoh huh. It doesn't look like Devil territory." Konohamaru remembers what the buildings in the Underworld look like.

Naruto couldn't help but agree. "Yeah, these are on the smaller side." But it doesn't matter right now. First, they need to check their surroundings. "Can you find the Devils Hinata?"

Hinata activated her Byakugan to scope out the entire town. "I can see the Devils."

"Where are they? Do they know we're here?"

"I don't believe so, all but one are asleep."

"And the one not asleep?"

"It's a boy...I think it's Kiba from the Rating Game. He's wandering the streets, but is heading away from us." That Devil won't be an issue. "The strange thing is I can see some Demonic energy linked to him."

"Linked...from where?"

"It's not just him. The other Devils are the same." Hinata could see Demonic power coming out of them. Five of them all went to one location, and seven of them all went to another. "The source is two Devils. I don't recognise one of them. It's a girl with short black hair. But I recognise the other one, its Rias Gremory."

"It must be the Evil Pieces at work. Wait there's more Devils here?" Must be another Peerage, Naruto was just concerned about Rias and her Peerage. Now there's another one to deal with.

"Yes but they're asleep too." The team hasn't triggered any alarms.

"Do you see Kuroka anywhere?"

"No. She isn't here."

Konohamaru smirked, "Alright, we beat her here."

But Raphtalia frowned. "But she had a healthy head start. Kuroka should have beaten us here?" Or at least got close enough for Hinata to spot her.

Naruto shared Raphtalia's thoughts and he too felt unsettled by it. "Raphtalia has got a point. So where is that cat?"

"Kuroka will pick her moment, but first must lose anyone tracking her."

"But we're the only ones tracking her, well sort of."

"Yes, but she doesn't know that."

"Oooooohhh. I get what you're saying." Naruto understood Kurama's point and left his mindscape to explain it to the others. "Right now everything is a guessing game. We don't really know for sure she's coming here. At the same time, Kuroka doesn't know who's going after her. She will assume that other Youkai are following her." They're only here because of Yasaka's hypothesis. But it was a good hypothesis.

"Before she risks coming here, Kuroka needs to make sure she isn't being followed." Hinata caught onto Naruto's point.

"So, just use Sage Mode, find her and let's go get her." Konohamaru thought this guessing game was a waste of time.

Naruto was about to say yes to that idea but then realised that he can't use Sage Mode. "Sorry Konohamaru but I can't risk it. If I use Sage Mode, then Shirone might notice me, and Kuroka will definitely notice me." This whole plan hinges on the idea that Kuroka is coming here and they're lying in wait for her. If Naruto uses Sage Mode and Kuroka isn't close by, then she'll notice and will have a chance to escape. Kuroka was able to escape the Underworld so she can just as likely get back there. If she does, they can't follow.

"Kuroka will have no idea we're back. We need to maintain that advantage for as long as we can." This was a conundrum. The best way to find Kuroka will also let her find them. Hinata can't use her Byakugan twenty-four-seven or it will strain her eyes. "Then...maybe I should use Sixth Paths Power." Kuroka would not recognise it, and it would be too far above Kuroka for her to sense unless Naruto was right in her face. If Naruto used that power then he'll find her no matter where she goes.

"I think that's a bad idea Naruto." Kurama was not up for this plan.

"Why not, it's the best chance we've got."

"Think about what's happened since we came to this world. Flex your Chakra and the Youkai find you. Enter Sage Mode and Senjutsu users find you. The monkey found us which wasn't the plan. Sure it turned out well, but if there's someone out there strong enough to notice Sixth Paths Power and is not friendly..."

"Damn it you right. If someone out there does notice it, then I will need to give that guy my full attention should a fight break out. I can't be worrying about that with this whole Kuroka shit going on." Naruto was starting to run out of ideas. Can't use Sage Mode, can't use Kurama's power, and can't use Sixth Paths Power. Well he can, but stealth will go out the window if he does.

But Kurama had one. "We will work on the theory that Kuroka is coming here for her sister. Naruto, you need to create a Detection Barrier around the town, tie it to detecting Senjutsu."

"Are you asking me to create a barrier similar to what surrounds Konoha?"

"On a much smaller scale, we only want it to detect Senjutsu otherwise it will go off every time a human walks through it." Kurama's plan was to have a barrier surround the town and have it only alert Naruto if a Senjutsu user went through it. Unless the barrier was made for stopping things from going through it, then it isn't visible, unless you have unique eyes. These types of barrier can be hard to detect even for sensory types.

Kabuto's barrier that he used during the Fourth Great Ninja War was hard to detect for even Naruto. Who could use either Sage Mode or Kurama's power at the time. If Naruto creates it just right then Kuroka and even the Devils won't notice it.

Naruto explained the plan to the others and they were on board with it. They didn't have a lot of options. But this means they will need to camp out in this town for the time being. This means there is still a chance for the Devils to spot them. This was an opportunity for Naruto to meet and talk with Rias, the only Pure Blooded Devil that Naruto could say anything nice about. But he's still unsure on that front; this might not be the best time for it.

The team heard thunder. They looked up to see a lot of storm clouds moving in. "We best find some shelter. Do you know any places that the Devils are unlikely to go to Raphtalia?" If they're going to stay here, then they'll need a home base of sorts. Its better is it's a place with no Devil traffic.

Raphtalia brought her finger to her chin and pondered over the options they have. She then snapped her fingers. "Devils would always avoid a church if they can help it."

Naruto titled his head in confusion. "I know Devils suffer nasty burns or even melt if they get touched by crosses, or if Holy Water lands on them. But the building itself does it too?" A Devil walks into a church and gets fried to a crisp, sounds nasty.

"Not in the same way. Their Devil instincts would go off which would make them feel uncomfortable or even frightened. So they try to avoid such places."

"So it's like a school and me." Naruto understood in his own way. "Do you see a church around here?"

Raphtalia looked around but couldn't find a church in the town. She then looked over to the woods and saw one. "Over there." She pointed towards a church tower she could see over the tree line.

Hinata used her Byakugan to check the place out. "There's no one home. In fact, it looks like it's been abandoned for some time." Kicked in door, smashed windows, the works.

Naruto grinned. "Even better. Let's go" They all jumped from rooftop to rooftop, making their way to shelter.

Unbeknownst to them, they weren't the only ones that would soon head towards the church.

.

Several minutes later a car pulled up and dropped off two people at the outskirts of Kuoh town. This car then immediately drove off, speeding away from the city.

The two that arrived were concealed by white hooded cloaks. But you could see crosses around their necks. One had something over the shoulder that was also wrapped up in white robes, and a golden crest was attached to it.

"So this is your home town?"

"Yep, it's been years since I last came here but I still remember it so well."

"Our meeting place with the priest should be at the church. Do you know the way?"

"Hey come on give me some credit. I use to live here after all." The hooded person then showed a picture of a young girl with chestnut hair and a young boy with brown hair. Behind them was a sword, a Holy Sword.

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Chapter 8: The Toad Sages and looming trouble: Complete.

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Size inconsistency:

There is a bit of a size inconsistency in Naruto (The wiki says 17 meters for the Toads, but there are times when that size doesn't work.) At times you have the Toads reach sizes of 30 meters, such as when we first see Gamabunta and him fighting Shukaku, and the trees were like grass to them in size. At other times they're at 17 to 19 meters. So I based my sizes off the shot of Naruto and the Toads arriving to fight pain. That shot offers a view of Naruto scaled to teenage Gamakichi, and scaled to Gamabunta. That measurement reaches to around 25 – 30 meters. I did the same thing with the 3 way deadlock summon during the war arc and got the same thing with Naruto scaled to giant Gamakichi. (I used Naruto's height as a base for the measurements, 180cm.)

I could be right or wrong here but I have made a decision here, and the Toads are at sizes of 25 - 30 meters in height in this story.

It's worse for the Tailed Beasts since they don't even have official sizes. At max height 1 – 8 tails have reach sizes from 35 - 45 – 60 meters. Full Kurama size has reached heights of 70 – 120 to even 300. (I'm not joking on that last one. And that's just him standing up, not even counting his tail length.)

I'm still unsure on full Kurama size but I'm decided to somewhere on the 70 – 120 meter mark. I'm going with this because Madara's Perfect Susanoo was scaled to reach a height of over 100 meters. Sasuke's Perfect Susanoo is equal to this and during the final fight between Naruto and Sasuke. Kurama and the Susanoo bumped fists and were equal in height (and that was just half of Kurama.) I'm not going with 300 because that is just crazy.

Barriers can be invisible to even sensory types. When Naruto escaped the turtle island, it was surrounded by several barriers that acted as a wall. Naruto, even after entering Sage Mode, then switching to KCM, and his own human senses still didn't notice them. And these barriers were meant to stop him from leaving. Killer Bee told him, and he only knew because he was in on the plan at first.

Senjutsu isn't the only way to gain Touki. Sairaorg learned it, and he doesn't have Senjutsu.

Hinata's fighting style against enemies that don't have a Chakra network will be targeting their organs and hitting their nerve points. Basically, she can hit an arm in the right spots and disable its movement. Also, Hinata's Chakra is more powerful than people know. Before Naruto the Last, the only thing I could say was she has excellent Chakra control. But when she was blessed with Hamura's Chakra (purple Chakra), it changed things for her. When Naruto had his Chakra completely drained by Toneri, it took 3 days for Sakura to resort it, who's a master medical ninja. After Naruto one punched Toneri, he did the same thing again to Naruto. But then Hinata restored his Chakra; it took her seconds to do, and she wasn't exhausted from doing it. She doesn't have Chakra like Naruto and Sasuke, but she is much higher than people give her credit for.

Don't worry I'm not nerfing Naruto with him not using his Sage Mode, Kurama's power or Sixth Paths. Naruto can use them whenever he wants and will if he needs to. But if he wants to keep a low profile or avoid Kuroka spotting him, then he needs to be careful with what powers he uses and shows. Naruto's base form is a lot more powerful than people realise. This is Naruto from the Last we're talking here. Remember the uppercut Naruto sent Sasuke during their final battle. Naruto had no Chakra and was in a near death state when he did that.

I got the week time frame for Naruto's Sage Mode training from the autopsy of Pain's body that Jiraiya captured. Tusnada said that it would take a week for the autopsy to be completed and Naruto started he's training on the same day. When the attack on Konoha began the autopsy was still on going. So that means it took Naruto around a week to master Sage Mode. (All thanks to the Shadow Clone Jutsu.)

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Questions:

Evil Sealing Method would not work on the Evil Pieces. That stops something from activating entirely, but only if the person wants it to remain sealed. If the Evil Piece is no longer working, then it would kill the Devil.

I haven't forgotten about the Shinto Gods. I am doing something with them, but I ask for patience on that front.

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Next: Chapter 9: Holy Swords and Devils.

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