Chapter Thirty-Five
As the last few weeks of the Ninja Academy academic year drew to a close, Naruto and Hinata were feverishly polishing their geography presentation. They'd been hitting the library nearly every day in the early days of the project as they researched their chosen topics of the Land of Lightning.
Hinata had found in her research into landmarks — including the Village Hidden in the Clouds and far more — that many of the mountain ranges that comprised the interior of the nation had legends behind their names, such as Tenguzan that was said to be populated by a tribe of crow-like ninja monsters. Major cities tended to sit on the coastline aside from a few larger mining towns that perched on the mountains just as the hidden village did. Smaller villages dotted the lower valleys carved by rivers that flowed into the sea and provided agriculture.
From his end, Naruto had been thrilled to study the Raikage — who were all named "A" to honor their predecessors — and other powerful Kumo ninja. First had been the A the First, also known as the Groundbreaker. His mastery of Lightning and Earth Release had allowed him to tunnel beneath the ground at breakneck speed to lash out upward at opponents with lightning-infused swords.
A the Second had been called the "Tempest" and had, in something of a reversal of his predecessor whom he had been a long-term bodyguard to, had mastered Lightning and Wind Release that led to a near-unrivaled penchant for cutting and slashing techniques. His reign had also been the most peaceful due not only to his immense skill, but also to his skill in politics.
The Third had been considered the greatest Raikage in the village's history. He was said to have battled against ten thousand ninja at once — and won! — and could fight the Eight-Tailed Ox to a standstill. That idea had made Naruto's belly twist at the thought of the late Lord Fourth who had battled the Nine-Tails and given his life to do so. And this Third Raikage had fought the second most powerful Tailed Beast and lived.
Finally came the current Fourth Raikage, whom Naruto had seen at a distance at Cousin Ken's Chunin Exams. Naruto balled his fists at the thought of him, whose repertoire seemed to simply follow his father, who had been the one to order the kidnapping of the dear friend sitting beside him. Though the Fourth had apparently clashed with Lord Minato several times during the Third War and lived, so he clearly was no joke.
He'd looked up a few more before he'd stumbled upon a description of the Raiun clan of Kumo — the ones whom that scarf-wearing jerk from the Exams had come from. They were known for their use of tekko and Lightning Release, as well as hiden techniques that involved thunder as well as lightning, to become a respected clan. Naruto squeezed his eyes shut at the mental image of that Atsuen guy laying into Ken during their match, but made himself feel better with the counter-image of Ken winning.
Finally, they had concurrently worked on researching the symbols of the nation. The symbol of Kumogakure — the Village Hidden in the Clouds — was, fittingly, stylized clouds. The symbol of the nation was three jagged, vertical lightning bolts compared to the swirling torch or candle flame of the Land of Fire. Mountains and mist were often used in artistic symbolism, as was the sea. And for some reason they used a turtle as an occasional motif. Hmmm …
"I think we're good to go," Naruto said as the current pair wrapped up their presentation. After this would be the final exams of the year and then summer break.
"I agree," Hinata said. "Now for the actual presentation."
"Up next," Iruka announced as Sakura and Kiba returned to their seats after their presentation on the Land of Earth, "Naruto and Hinata."
"An A-minus," Ken said, looking over the printout of Naruto and Hinata's presentation. It had been a few days since the event, and Iruka had sent home the graded papers.
"We got jipped!" Naruto shouted, kicking the dust as the Uzumaki clan made their way through the village. "Hinata deserves better."
"Not you?" Karin asked pointedly from his left.
"Me?" Naruto said with a wry grin. "I always mess up on writing junk. But Hinata's smart and has really pretty handwriting. She's the reason we did so good!"
"According to Instructor Iruka, it was your focus on the power and skills of the Raikage and not their accomplishments that cut you down," Ken said with a faint grin.
"Still, though," Naruto said, crossing his arms in defiance, "I did way better than normal!"
"Hence the high grade," Kaori said from Karin's other side.
Naruto tried to grumble about it, but Ken ruffled his drooping carmine spikes and he couldn't help his grin returning. After a few more minutes of walking, they arrived at training ground seventeen to find a few familiar and not-so-familiar faces among the groups of Academy students and their parents.
Lady Natsumi was the first to notice their arrival, looking at them even before they had arrived — no doubt from her chakra senses. Ino followed suit, which prompted their companions, Sakura and a woman that was most likely her mother, to notice as well. Ino smiled and waved to the approaching Uzumaki clan, Naruto waving back and taking Karin's arm before rushing to drag her to introduce to his friend and sort-of friend.
On their part, Ken and Kaori simply joined Lady Natsumi and her companion to watch the kids play before training began. This allowed Ken to observe Mrs. Haruno, whom he had heard to be among the masses who treated Naruto poorly, if not outright cruelly. She was a woman of average height and build, with fair skin and chin-length, honey-blonde hair that fell into a single long bang that stretched to her nose. He also couldn't help but think she looked a bit severe, though he may have been biased. She wore a white quipo dress over three-quarter pink trousers and sandals.
"Lady Natsumi," Ken greeted.
"Lord Ken," Natsumi said with a small grin.
"Lord?" Kaori asked in surprise.
"That's new to me," he said warily.
"You insist on using an honorific," Natsumi explained, "so I suppose I am obliged to do the same."
Ken squirmed in place for a moment before sighing in defeat. "Fine … Mrs. Natsumi …?"
"I suppose that will do just fine, Ken," Natsumi decided. She gestured at her companion. "Ken, Mrs. Uzumaki, this is Mebuki Haruno."
"A pleasure to meet you both," Mebuki said with a polite smile that held no poisonous or bitter undertones.
"Charmed," Kaori replied with a nod. "I'm Kaori Uzumaki." She gestured at the children. "My daughter and I moved to the Leaf quite recently."
"So I've heard," Mebuki replied. "My little Sakura was quite surprised to hear about it when young Naruto announced he'd found new clan members from another village." Her smile widened. "Welcome to the Hidden Leaf, by the way."
"Thank you," Kaori said, though Ken remained silent as he watched the children prepare. Ino seemed to be coaching the others through stretches for the coming training, all of them in a line side-by-side. Naruto was being over-the-top about while Karin visibly struggled not to laugh. But Sakura seemed less than amused by Naruto's antics. "Would you take this seriously?" the girl cried out.
"I am," Naruto said. "I'm getting into it."
"Then you should do it right, you moron," Sakura sniped back.
"Don't call him a moron!" Karin shouted, rising from her stretches and grabbing Sakura by the front of her shirt, her red hair flying. "Who do you think you are?!"
Kaori gasped and Mebuki moved to intervene, but Ken was suddenly holding both of them back, his gaze intent. "Hold on. I want to see where this goes."
"Let go of me!" Sakura shouted.
"Give me one reason I should," Karin snapped back. "You insulted my cousin for just having fun. Why should I let you go?!"
"Karin, it's okay!" Naruto said, placing one hand on her wrist and the other on her shoulder to calm her. Karin looked at Naruto and her gaze softened a little. Then she looked back to Sakura and her eyes hardened even further. She pulled Sakura to an inch from her face, crimson eyes meeting green.
"No, it's not okay," she growled. Then she let Sakura go, the younger girl falling backward onto her backside in the dust. Karin lowered her face to meet Sakura's, her glasses flashing. "Mind your tongue, Ms. Haruno," Karin said levely. "Naruto is a hero, even if the village hasn't treated him like it. Show some respect." Then she turned away and settled back into position to resume her stretches.
"Where's all that 'show some respect' when you smack me during homework?" Naruto asked wryly.
"I haven't lived here that long," Karin said primly. "And you're like my annoying little brother, so it's practically my job to smack you around," she added with a smile.
"That is so wrong," Naruto laughed as he resumed the stretches too.
Sakura blinked at Karin's sudden change in demeanor until Ino's hand in her face drew her back to the present. She took it to be hauled to her feet, then narrowed her eyes at her best friend. "You could have backed me up," she whined.
"Nah, they're right," Ino said simply, also resuming her stretches. "You've always treated Naruto kinda harsh. I know it was mostly because your mom told you to stay away from him, but still. Try to grow, Sakura."
Sakura looked away with a frustrated expression as she too resumed her stretches, but inside she was thinking deeply about Ino's words. Had she really not gotten better since the Lord Hokage had revealed Naruto's true duty? She grimaced at herself and resolved to be better.
Only after they were all stretching again did Ken remove his hands from Kaori and Mebuki's shoulders. The Haruno mother watched for a moment until a flash of killer intent lanced through her and she looked at Ken, who had his eyes narrowed with ire.
"I'd heard about how you treated Naruto," he said.
"I was trying to protect my daughter," Mebuki defended, though weakly.
"And that excuses treating a child like a monster," Ken growled. "You're a ninja. You should know how sealing works."
"The Fox killed hundreds of us," Mebuki snapped, "including my parents!"
"And Naruto is the reason it doesn't happen again," Ken coldly rebutted. "Lord Hiruzen told me that the late Lord Fourth's dying wish, which he himself bore witness to, was that Naruto be treated as a hero. And you and those like you couldn't bring yourselves to do that, even as you celebrate the man's victory."
"Ken, that's enough," Natsumi said firmly. Kaori took Ken's shoulder and gently pulled him backward, cluing the sealmaster in that he'd squared himself toward Mebuki. "Need I remind you that my husband and I did not treat Naruto well, either."
"But you changed, as did your daughter," Ken replied. "She and hers did not."
"We're trying," Mebuki said timidly. "So many of us are trying."
"Then start with your daughter," Ken growled, then his eyes widened and he suddenly relaxed as a grim smile stretched his lips. "Actually, why don't we see if that superior attitude of hers has merit?" He turned and called out to the children, "Form up, everyone! We're going to start up with sparring!"
The children all glanced at each other in surprise before standing at attention, or as close as a collection of children could be expected to. Ken nodded at the attempts as he narrowed his eyes, his small, cold smile unwavering. "Why don't we start this a little interestingly," Ken said. "Naruto … you're going to spar with Sakura."
Uzume strode through the streets of the seaside village that served as the secret headquarters of the Tsunami Organization, holding onto Sabu's muscular arm like a devoted second-in-command. She smiled to herself at the thought that she was the one guiding him, rather than the opposite. People on the streets moved away from their path like a parting river, their eyes downcast.
They made their way to the beach and Uzume left Sabu at the edge of the sand to cross to the edge of the waves. Her bare feet sunk into the sand and made her sigh with contentment, the salt smell of the wind easing her soul. It reminded her of better days … before the Fall.
Uzume felt tears gather at the corners of her eyes, and didn't fight them as they trailed down. Her heart wrenched at the thought of her lost home and lost clan. Shame welled up at the thought that she, a fresh jonin, had been gone on a mission when her home fell. Her team, composed of nationless mercenaries, had returned to find the village leveled. Only her knowledge of blood seals had shown her what had happened and the posted order for all Uzushio shinobi to flee after their destruction. To survive.
Upon seeing her ruined home, grief and pain had braided with unrelenting fury into a haze of wrath. When the red had cleared from her vision, the men she had been assigned with had been cowering in fear, covered in wounds and trembling. Only then had the rage cleared away and let her think clearly again.
And so, with no other direction, she had followed that final order with her mercenaries. With the war still raging, she had taken cover in the Land of Hot Springs, using her mastery of seals to form a business. Her men, for they had pledged loyalty to her in the wake of her fury, had served as her vassals.
But peddling seals had not been what she was meant for. She was a jonin of Uzushiogakure! And nothing else would give her peace within her soul. So she had begun consolidating power, making alliances that she would turn against her supposed allies, binding her servants and enforcers to her will through the esoteric sealing arts. She had taken a lover to be her mask and voice, Sabu.
The wind shifted and Uzume breathed deeply of the warm mist that flowed from inland, from the countless hot springs that dotted this land. It also brought the faint scent of one of her original vassals approaching, Namazu. The man was large and blocky as a boulder, his full beard grizzled with age that lined the rest of his face. She smiled at the memory of him using his trademark technique, the Earth Release: Fissure, to send her enemies plummeting to their deaths.
"Lady Uzume," he growled, his only method of speech that wasn't a shaking shout.
"Yes, Captain," she replied.
"Our spies have returned from the Hidden Leaf to report."
Uzume's smile widened, her eyes flashing. "Excellent. Shall we?"
She turned and retraced her steps, falling in with her lover to continue her charade of subservience. She felt like a giddy schoolgirl at the thought of learning of her clansman and his exploits. Her mind began spinning early plans of how to bring him into the fold.
For what red-blooded Uzuamaki would not support the second coming of the Whirlpool Village?
Naruto and Sakura bowed to each other from opposite ends of a sparring circle before making the seal of confrontation and adopting their beginning stances. Naruto took his Uzumaki stance, while Sakura predictably took a standard Academy stance.
"Hajime," Natsumi called, "fight!"
Naruto predictably charged right in with a battle cry, while Sakura more surprisingly did just the same. They traded blows for a few minutes, attacking and blocking without landing solid hits, until Naruto snuck a straight punch past Sakura's guard and struck her in the shoulder to send her spinning to the ground.
"Sorry, Sakura," Naruto said with a wince.
"C'mon, Sakura!" Ino shouted. "Shake it off, you're better than that!"
Sakura, who looked close to tears, visibly grit her teeth and stumbled to her feet to take up her stance again. In silent agreement, the kids rushed each other again, and their trading of blows lasted much shorter before Naruto spun and swept Sakura's feet out from under her to send her crashing to the ground.
"Last try," Karin suggested, her eyes hard behind her glasses.
"Agreed," Ken said, glancing at Mebuki. The Haruno mother glared at Ken before nodding stiffly.
Naruto and Sakura prepared, and the last clash began. While Naruto charged in head-first again, Sakura jumped back and avoided his barrage of punches and kicks. This strategy worked quite well, for a time. But soon enough, her stamina began to wane while Naruto's Uzuamki heritage showed itself. Soon enough, Sakura's breaths were heaving and she stumbled on flat ground while avoiding Naruto and collapsed in a gasping pile.
"Not bad," Ken admitted. "But not exactly worth criticizing fellow cadets."
"Now the seal of reconciliation," Natsumi called. Naruto nodded and offered a hand to help Sakura up. For a moment, it looked like Sakura would scowl and knock it aside … but she glanced at Ino before taking the offer and letting the jinchuriki haul her to her feet. They wove their first two fingers in the seal and nodded.
"Friends?" Naruto asked with a wide grin.
"Don't push it, Uzumaki," Sakura replied, though she was grinning as she did.
"Clear the ring," Natsumi called, ushering the children out. "Ino dear, Karin, why don't you two go next? The winner will face Naruto for the daily championship before we begin our katas."
"Wonder which of us is gonna win," Ino commented drolly. Then her eyes hardened and she looked at Karin. "Well, I'm definitely gonna make you work for it!" she declared as she took her spot in the sparring ring.
"I wouldn't have it any other way," Karin replied with an easy smile as she took up her stance opposite Ino's.
"Hajime, fight!"
Unlike Naruto and Sakura, Ino and Karin held back and began to circle like rival cats searching for the smallest flaw or weakness to exploit. It became a game of patience as they closely watched and waited for an opportune moment. As they did, Naruto started to get antsy. "Come, girls!" he shouted. "Someone do something! We're dying of old age, here!"
Karin looked at Naruto, her glasses flashing, to shut him up … and that gave Ino her opportunity. Without a battle cry to give her away, she darted forward and struck with an open palm and a smirk on her lips.
But Karin had been training under Ken for four months, and her reflexes had been superb even before moving to the Hidden Leaf. She sidestepped and grabbed ahold of Ino's arm before guiding her momentum and sending her face-first into the ground. "Nice work," Karin said honestly.
When Ino tapped out, Karin let her go and they resumed their stances and their circling. Ino winced as her face throbbed. No doubt she'd have a collection of nasty bruises come morning. But rather than rush in on a wave of righteous fury, she took a deep breath and leapt forward for a dropkick. Karin leapt backward to avoid it before rushing forward while Ino recovered her stance, but Ino had prepared and met her charge with a punch to the jaw and a knee to the belly.
Karin gasped as the wind was knocked from her, but a sudden flare of anger focused her thoughts and she rammed her forehead into Ino's to knock her back. Both girls yelped at the sudden pain and broke apart to massage their heads. Naruto cackled at the situation, and Sakura couldn't help but giggle.
It was then that clan techniques, and the training therein, had an effect on the situation. On sheer reflex, Ino ignored the pain in her head, something that was critical to learning the Yamanaka clan's various mental techniques. Karin had no such specified training, and that offered Ino yet another brief opening. She rushed in and swung around Karin to catch her in a choke hold.
Karin struggled against the blonde, but leverage was against her and her air was running out. Within moments, she tapped out and Ino let her go to gasp and cough as she recovered. Her temper flared, but she beat it down and nodded with grudging respect. "Again, nice work," she said.
"Not so bad yourself," Ino replied. "Final round? It's one-to-one."
"Bring it on," Karin said with a smirk.
As the last round between them began, it seemed both girls had finally shed their patience. They rushed in with dual battle cries and traded punches, kicks, blocks, and dodges for several long minutes. And though Ino was in the top percentile of her class, much like Sakura she could not compete with the stamina of the Uzumaki clan. Soon she made a misstep and Karin nailed her with her famed right hook that sent Ino crashing to the ground with a groan of pain.
"Winner, Karin," Natsumi announced.
Like her cousin, Karin offered a hand for Ino to pull herself up. Unlike her best friend, Ino did not hesitate to take it as she rubbed her chin. "That really smarts," she chuckled.
"Thanks," Karin smiled.
"Perhaps we can skip Karin and Naruto's match?" Kaori suggested. "They'll be at it for hours and we really should focus on the girls, too." When all of the adults consented, Natsumi called for the children to line up for their katas.
And so the day continued.
"Come on, Sakura," Mebuki called. "You can talk with Ino tomorrow at the Academy."
Sakura waved to her friend and joined her mother to pack up their picnic basket from lunch. As they did, Mebuki noticed movement and looked to find the Uzumakis approaching, led by Ken. She straightened and shifted her stance as if to square off against Ken while Sakura stepped behind her and glanced around her.
"Can I help you, Mr. Ken?" Mebuki asked neutrally.
Ken's lips tightened and he glanced back at Kaori, who turned her wrist in a "go on" motion. Ken huffed and returned his attention to the Harunos. "While I will not apologize for what I said before," he said pointedly, "I do apologize for the way I acted. It was out of line." He sighed and rubbed his neck. "Could we perhaps bury the hatchet?"
Mebuki stared at him with wide eyes before her expression softened by a few degrees. "My husband had a mission with your partner some weeks ago. He enjoyed his time with her and she apparently had all good things to say about you." Mebuki's eyebrow lifted as Ken's cheeks began to turn pink and filed it away for future reference.
"Naruto seems like he will become a fine young man and a fine shinobi," Mebuki admitted, looking at Naruto himself as she said it. "Consider the hatchet buried."
"Great," Ken said before awkwardly tapping his foot. "Well, then, uhm … good day." With that, he and the rest of his clan took their leave, Naruto waving enthusiastically as they did.
"Mom, what's 'bury the hatchet' mean?" Sakura asked.
"I'll tell you when we get home," Mebuki replied, brushing her daughter's hair as they left the training ground.
And here we have chapter thirty-five. Hope it was as fun to read as to write!
*The first two Raikage's skills are based entirely on my own creativity.
*For those of you who may be concerned, no this will NOT devolve into Sakura bashing either. Like with Sasuke, she needs a major wake-up call. This will provide at least the first step.
*Karin's sudden changes in mood are based loosely upon canon. It actually just kind of happened that way until I realized it was true to the source.
*In Japanese folklore, the Namazu is a giant underground catfish that causes earthquakes. Hence Uzume's most trusted agent's name and specialty.
As always, if you liked it, leave a review! They keep my motivation up to continue this tale! May your own projects go smoothly and with endless enjoyment!