Naruto: The Weapon Master
Chapter 27: Shivers of Tension
After the battle with the snow ninjas on the giant iceberg, the Konoha ninjas and the filming crew continued on their route to the Land of Snow, there was a bit of tension between the film crewmembers although Mr. Makino the film director was quite happy with himself for recording an actual battle between ninjas on camera.
At the moment, Kakashi was currently in Yukie's sleeping quarters watching her deep in slumber, he then turned his attention to the item in his hand which happens to be a hexagonal, purple stick with indent at the bottom while the top has a key-hook with a string to make it a necklace.
"Ten years…it's been a long time since I last seen you," thought Kakashi as he looked at the sleeping girl, then the door opened to reveal Sandayu behind it.
"The ship pulled into the dock a moment ago," said Sandayu.
"Ok then, I'll be right over,"
Kakashi before placing the necklace on the table and walking with Sandayu out of the room and towards the room where his team, Mr. Makino and his co-director were waiting for them, while outside the filming crew were taking out their equipment and modes of transportation which were trucks with skis in place of tires in order to move on the snow.
"So you met on of those snow ninjas some time ago and who Yukie really is, Kakashi-Nii?" asked Naruto as he sat in between Sakura and Fu with Sasuke at the far side of the table, while Mr. Makino, the co-director and Sandayu sat at the other side with Kakashi and Anko choosing to stand.
"You're right about that, which leaves me to ask," Kakashi turned to Sandayu with everyone else doing the same "You've known about this all along Sandayu, haven't you?"
Sandayu nodded in confirmation "Yes,"
"Didn't you ever consider the risks of what might happen if she ever came back to the Land of Snow?"
"You're right of course…but this was the only way I could think to get the princess to return home,"
"So you mean to tell us that Yukie is a bona fide princess and not the one as an actress?" asked Sakura.
"That's right, Yukie Fujikaze is only an alias. We're actually guarding Princess Koyuki Kazahana, the rightful heir to the Land of Snow's throne," said Kakashi, much to the shock of everyone present sans Sandayu.
"Well, there's another record for my résumé," said Anko with a low whistle.
"I first met her a long time ago, I was her aide when she was still a little girl…I don't blame her for not remembering as it was years ago," said Sandayu.
"Then that means you were also from the Land of Snow," said Sasuke.
"You're right Sasuke-san, I served the Princess's father, the former leader of the clan Lord Sosetsu Kazahana. The Land of Snow was not a large nation, but served as a haven of peace. Lord Sosetsu, he absolutely adored the princess…ahh those were idyllic times," Sandayu smiled in nostalgia before his expression changed into anger "But ten years ago, on that cursed day. Lord Sosetsu's younger brother Doto hired a group of snow ninjas and instigated a revolt…it was a coup d'état! The magnificent Kazahana castle burnt to the ground and I feared that the princess had perished as well,"
Kakashi was the next to speak up "It was during that time when I was in the Land of Snow when I rescued princess Koyuki, but I knew that there was no way we could defeat them. We had to keep running…we had to get away,"
"This is worse than when Gato took over the Land of Waves," Said Naruto with a frown.
"We've heard about that during our travels, then we heard that Gato was overthrown and the Land of Waves rose back to prosperity again, they even named their newly constructed bridge, 'The Great Naruto Bridge'. I bet you and your team were involved in it," said Makino while smirking at Naruto who rubbed the back of his head.
"The day that I discovered that our princess was alive, I was practically beside myself with joy…she was alive after all these years!" Sandayu sobbed loudly with everyone watching on with looks of understanding.
"The people in the Land of Snow must have truly loved the former lord and his daughter," said Kurama with a smile.
"It is a testimony to how well he ruled over the country," said Chinami.
"I should have died back then,"
Everyone turned their heads to see Koyuki leaning against the open door with a frown on her face.
"You mustn't say such things princess, we feared the worst…you can't imagine how frantic we were. We never stopped praying for your life," said Sandayu.
"I'm alive…but my heart is dead. After that day, any tears I had left dried up" said Koyuki.
Sandayu wiped the tears from his eyes with a handkerchief and continued to talk "And that's how I became the manager for Yukie Fujikaze, I had bided my time waiting for the day I could escort her back to the Land of Snow,"
"So what are you saying then, that all of this time you had just be using us?!" asked the co-director, looking betrayed while Makino remained silent.
"I apologize for deceiving you…but it was for the sake of the Land of Snow's people, Sandayu got off his seat and approached Koyuki before going on his hands and knees "Princess Koyuki! Confront Doto and assume your rightful place as the leader of our land! I will sacrifice my life without hesitation in order to protect you! I beg of you, take up arms and lead your people!"
Everyone was silent as they waited for a response from Koyuki, and they finally got one.
"…I don't think so," Sandayu looked up in shock while Naruto scowled, Kakashi took note of this and silently hoped that the blond doesn't lash out even though it's eventual "You've got to be kidding,"
"But princess, what about your people?"
"I could care less about them, just forget about them,"
"But princess…" Sandayu began but was interrupted.
"Will you give it up already?! Don't be dumb! It doesn't matter what you do, you will never be rid of Doto okay?!" shouted Koyuki, Sandayu was about to cry again.
Naruto got up from his seat and glared at Koyuki "What's the matter with you?! Do you expect this Sandayu-san to just stand there and just watch his friends and family suffer like that?! He's willing to throw his life away because he has complete faith in you, and yet here you are turning your back on him! If this is who you really are, then there's no point to protect someone who could care less for their own country!"
Koyuki glared right back at him "And what do you know?! It's because of Doto that my father was killed, how would you know how it feels to lose a parent?!"
The Konoha ninjas quickly glanced at Naruto with a worried look in their eyes with one thought in mind "Oh no, not those words again!"
"How dare she say that to Naruto-kun?! Only I could get out of this seal, I would smack her across the sea with my tails!" Kurama bellowed in rage.
"Kurama-san, please calm," said Chinami placidly, despite being just as angry.
Naruto's hair shadowed his eyes as he bowed his head "You're right, I wouldn't know how it feels to lose a parent to death…" Koyuki smiled smugly thinking she was right "…because mine died on the night I was born," but it quickly changed into shock along with everyone else as she looked into his blue eyes "Unlike you who spent a long time together with your father, I never got to spend even a day with mine. But at least I didn't lose sight of who I really am unlike you!"
The room was silent, Makino, the co-director and Sandayu looked at Naruto in awe, Kakashi looked at the ceiling in sorrow at how Naruto never had the opportunity to be loved by a family, Anko, Sakura and Fu glared at Koyuki in anger at how she hurt the one they loved, Sasuke looked at Naruto while feeling a sense of kinship since they're both orphans, and Koyuki simply stood there not knowing whether to be angry or ashamed.
"As long as there is hope, one may dream, and with those dreams the future comes," said Makino, everyone looked at him in confusion "…I like it, it's the perfect theme for our new Princess Gale movie,"
"But Mr. Makino, you're not really going to continue filming with everything that's happened are you?" asked the co-director worriedly.
The director simply smirked "I told you, the movie is evolving. Just think about it, how often do you get the chance to make a movie with a real princess? We're looking at a chance of a lifetime here,"
The co-director had a look of realization upon what Makino clarified "You're right, think of the buzz…even the 'making of' will be a hit! We're sitting on a surefire blockbuster!"
Koyuki however protested against this "Now wait just a minute!"
"Unfortunately, there's only one course of action. Now that Doto is on our trail, running isn't an option," said Kakashi.
"After that battle with those snow ninjas, they'll be sure to come at us more seriously," said Anko.
"I'll be looking forward to it," said Sasuke with a smirk.
"Stop joking around!" Koyuki yelled angrily "The movies aren't like real life, there's no such thing as a happy ending in this world!"
"Yes there is, if you're willing to fight for it!" Makino responded, effectively silencing her.
"Normally under these circumstances, I would head back to the village for a little bit of help," said Kakashi.
"But we've come too far and it would take too long for backup to arrive, so we'll just have to manage things on our own," said Naruto.
"Thank you all very much," Sandayu with gratitude.
"That's it then, we're going ahead with this picture!" said Makino.
"And you can bet that this one will have a happy ending!" the co-director was in agreement.
"You can count on us!" said Fu excitedly.
"Ditto!" said Chomei.
Koyuki simply watched them with a frown on her face.
Later on, the group were travelling along the roads of the Land of Snow via the five customized trucks as they drove along the ledges of a tall snowy mountain and stopping before a cave opening, Naruto along with the co-director and a film crew member went to stand near the edge in order to take a leak.
"Our hideout is not far from here, it's just beyond this cave. Once we finish our shooting here, we'll pass through to the other side," said Sandayu.
"Okay then, but we mustn't let our guard down," said Kakashi.
"Of course, soon my people can rest easier as they'll have their princess back,"
"That is if she's willing to cooperate," Anko snorted.
Then they resumed the journey, driving through the long and dark tunnel.
"Wow, this tunnel is pretty long. I can't even see the exit," said Fu as she looks through the window.
"Once upon a time, there used to be a railroad ran through here," said Sandayu.
"A railroad? So you mean trains used to pass through here?" asked Sakura.
"That's right, but it's covered up by pillars of ice by now. But if you dig deep enough, then you'll be able to find them,"
"That's interesting," said Naruto.
"Naruto, I've been meaning to ask about what happened to the bracelet that it has five rings attached to it?" asked Kakashi, catching the interest of everyone around.
"I was told that the bracelet had awakened another power, it's called party mode,"
"Party mode?" asked Fu curiously.
Naruto reached for one of the rings which glowed before coming off the bracelet and held it out for them to see "Chinami-san told me that these rings are linked to the bracelet and have the power to summon a weapon to the wearer without requiring me to be nearby to use tag mode,"
"You mean that we can call upon any weapon with one of those rings? Sounds pretty convenient," said Sasuke.
"Yeah but there's a limit, you can only summon one weapon and the ring chooses for the bearer based on their battle style or the situation. I can also track where they are as well as communicate through them like radios,"
"That's great and all Naruto-kun, but what if someone were to steal any of the rings?" asked Anko.
"In that case, I can summon the rings back to the bracelet," said Naruto.
"So how does one use one of the rings?" asked Sakura.
"All you have to do is channel chakra to the ring and call out 'equip' to summon a weapon," Naruto replied before taking off the rest of the rings and handing each one to the team.
A few minutes later, the trucks finally made it out of the tunnel and parked nearby for their next scene. Mr. Makino emerged from the leading truck as the film crew members were taking out their equipment for the recording.
"Alright people, let's get this show on the road!" said Makino.
Suddenly the co-director burst out of the second truck and ran towards him with a look of distress "Mr. Makino, we've got a bit of a problem!"
"What is it?"
"Yukie has up and vanished again!"
"What?!"
Anko looked very annoyed "That girl is really getting on my nerves!"
"I'll go and look for her, I should be able to track her," said Naruto.
"Okay Naruto, we'll remain here to guard the others," said Kakashi, Naruto nodded in affirmation before running back into the tunnel in search of the wayward princess.
Koyuki was currently running through the snow covered pine forest as fast as she could away from everyone "They can forget it, there's no way I'll be going back to that place…to that man!"
She stepped the snowy ground which turned out to be much deeper than expected, resulting in her tripping over and tumbling down a hill before sliding to a stop before closing her eyes upon losing consciousness.
"If you look closely, you'll see the future," a man's voice sounded in the darkness.
"I can't see anything," Koyuki's was heard, although it sounded much younger.
"Of course you can, when the spring comes…you will,"
"The spring?"
Then Koyuki's adult voice was then heard "You're a liar father…there's no spring in this land,"
Koyuki slowly opened her eyes and then suddenly felt hot air blow through her hair and looked up only to let out a gasp of fear before scrambling backwards upon what she saw.
It was a wolf covered in blue, white, and silver-colored fur about twice the size of a horse and there appears to be three strands of fur growing from the tip of its shoulders. Koyuki then saw someone stick their head over the wolf's head and instantly recognized who it was.
"Thanks for helping me find her Garurumon," said Naruto.
"It's no problem at all Naruto," said the wolf.
"Naruto? Who or what is that?!" asked Koyuki.
"This is one of my summons, his name is Garurumon. I summoned him to help me find you by tracking your scent all the way here. But seriously, how are you going to keep running away from your problems when they'll just keep coming after you until you decide to face them?" asked Naruto with a quirked eyebrow.
"Hmph," Koyuki turned away with a huff, causing Naruto to roll his eyes.
"Come on, everyone is waiting for us,"
With reluctance, Koyuki climbed onto Garurumon's back and wrapped her arms around Naruto's waist. Despite being annoyed by her attitude, he couldn't help but blush from feeling two soft mounds pressing against his back. At the moment, they were currently making their way back through the tunnel.
"Why do you always come looking for me?" asked Koyuki.
"Because it's my mission to escort and protect you. So no matter how much you hate it and run away, rest assured that Garurumon and I will definitely find you," said Naruto.
"He's right, once I catch a whiff of your scent, there's no way that you can avoid me," said Garurumon.
"You can drag me back, but I'm only going to act in front of the camera and that's it," said Koyuki.
"Heh, whatever you say," said Naruto with a smirk.
*Hooooooooot!*
They suddenly a sound echoing through the tunnel from behind them which was soon followed by the sounds of ice cracking, they turned to see two railroad lines parallel to each other appearing from behind and moving on ahead of them much to their confusion.
"Railroad lines? But I thought that they were frozen over like Sandayu-san said?" said Naruto.
Outside the cave, everyone were surprised and confused when a pair of railroad lines appeared from the tunnel and into the mountain.
"What is that?" asked Makino.
Sandayu ran towards one of the railroad lines and knelt to examine it "It's chakra, there's chakra running through the rails and melting the ice," his eyes suddenly widened in realization "It must be him…everyone hurry, you must get out of here! You can't let them find you, it's not safe!" then he proceeded to run up a snowy hill much to the confusion of everyone around except the Konoha Jounins as they got the idea of what he meant.
"Sasuke, Sakura and Fu, get the crew to safety and out of sight. We have enemies inbound!" said Kakashi.
"Roger sensei!" the three Genins nodded in affirmation before proceeding with the task.
Back in the tunnel, Naruto, Koyuki and Garurumon could see a bright light as well as the sound of metal as both drew closer to where they were.
"I think it's...a train," said Koyuki worriedly.
"In that case, if what you're saying is true, then we better get out of here. Garurumon let's move!" said Naruto urgently.
"You got it!" Garurumon turned and started running down the tunnel as quickly as he could.
*Hooooooooot!*
Koyuki looked over her shoulder and her eyes widened in fear as she saw a train with three blaring headlights running along both railroad lines in pursuit of them.
"Hurry, it's gaining on us!" shouted Koyuki.
"Not we can help it!" Naruto replied.
"We'll never make it!"
"This isn't the time to be giving up!"
"This is pointless, we're finished!"
"Then you don't know me really well, I'd rather die giving it my all than die giving up. Garurumon shares the same ideal and is going to show just what I mean!" Koyuki was stunned upon Naruto's declaration "Come on Garurumon, run like the wind!"
"Raaaaaaaaaaah!" Garurumon pumped energy throughout his body as it glowed with a blue aura, then his speed sharply increased and began to pull away from the speeding train as they drew close to the exit.
"That's it buddy, we're almost there!" said Naruto with a smirk.
They finally reach the end of the tunnel and Garurumon leapt away from the railway lines skid on the snowy ground before coming to a halt just moments before the train rushed past them. Naruto wiped the sweat from his face in relief before turning to look at Koyuki with a smirk.
"See what I mean when I told you that I would never give up?" said Naruto with a foxy grin
"One of the reasons why I pledged my loyalty to you," said Garurumon with a grin which exposed his fangs.
Koyuki could only look at the blond in surprise before realizing that her hands had wrapped around Naruto's chest and could feel the firm abs before letting go of him with a blush on her cheeks. They both got off Garurumon's back before turning to look at the train which had stopped not too far from where they stood.
"It's been a long time…Koyuki," a male voice was heard through a loudspeaker that was coming from the train.
Koyuki's eyes widened in fear as she recognized the voice "I knew it…it's Doto,"
Said person was a brown-haired man dressed a royal robes as he stood on the first cart with Nadare by his side while speaking through a microphone.
"It's been ten years. Come now, don't be shy, let's get a look at that face," said Doto.
Naruto moved to stand in between them with Garurumon by his side growling at him.
"I've heard about you as well, Naruto Uzumaki Namikaze. The son of the Fourth Hokage and Konoha's weapon master,"
"Pleased to make your acquaintance, Gato the second," Naruto responded sarcastically while Koyuki looked at him in shock of his family background and she wasn't the only one as the film crew members who in hiding and recording were just as surprised.
"He's the son of the famous Yellow Flash?! So when he said those words…I've really gone too far back then," thought Koyuki.
Before anything else could be, large rows of cut logs and waves of snow slid down the slope and slammed into the middle cart of the train. Everyone turned to see a platoon of men dressed in samurai armor and wielded swords and spears, among them was Sandayu also wearing armor.
Sandayu spoke out in a loud voice "There you have it men, our beloved princess Koyuki is here to watch over us! With her at our side, victory is ours!" the warriors roared out in affirmation of his declaration.
"Those must be some of the people who are rebelling against Doto," said Chinami.
"But what they're doing is practically suicide, they'll only get themselves killed," said Kurama.
"I'll make sure that doesn't happen," thought Naruto with the bracelet glowing, ready to summon a weapon.
"Hear me Doto! We've waited a long time for this day of reckoning to come, Sandayu Asama and fifteen loyal warriors stand before you to avenge our great fallen leader lord Sosetsu. On this day, you will breathe no more!" said Sandayu.
Doto merely snorted in disgust "I thought you destroyed the last of the insurgence,"
"My apologies, we'll get rid of them immediately," said Nadare.
"No…with men such as these, there's little they can understand other than total annihilation,"
"Attack!" with a battle cry, Sandayu led the men down the slope to attack Doto. But at that moment, several compartments on the carts with snow ninjas manning turrets opened up and got ready to fire.
Naruto's widened in realization of what's going to happen and took off running "I don't think so you bastard! Henshin!"
[Henshin!]
In a flash of light, Naruto immediately flipped the horn on the belt to quickly transform into Kamen Rider Kabuto in the rider form instead of the default masked form.
[CHANGE BEETLE]
"Clock up!" then he swiped the side of his belt.
[CLOCK UP]
Then he disappeared from the sight of everyone watching, at that moment the snow ninjas fired a large volley of kunai at high-speed straight at Sandayu and his men. However before any kunai got close to hit any of them, something seemed to be deflecting each and every one of the deadly projectiles much to the shock of Doto and confusion of the warriors opposing him.
Garurumon took this moment as an opportunity as he rushed forward in between them "Ice Cannon!" he opened his mouth to launch balls of ice to take out the snow ninjas that were manning the turrets then he turned towards Sandayu and his men "Ice Wall!" before breathing out frost to form a wall of ice hence barricading them.
"What are you doing?!" asked Sandayu.
"Stopping you from running to your death, what you're doing is noble but this act is simply martyr. If not for Naruto and I, you all would have been killed!" said Garurumon angrily.
[CLOCK OVER]
Naruto reappeared at the other side of the ice wall with the Kunai Gun with it in gun mode, he aimed the firearm at the train with energy charging up at the muzzle "Avalanche Shot! Then he pulled the trigger and fire a large white energy sphere which collided with one of the carts, resulting in an explosion with a large radius. The locomotive quickly detached from its carts in order to make its quick escape as Naruto watched it leave before deactivating the armor and returning to the others.
By then, Kakashi and the others who had been getting ready to attack before Naruto's intervention appeared along with the film crew as well.
"You crazy old fool, what you almost did was nothing more than suicide especially against Shinobi!" Anko admonished the group angrily.
"She's right about that, and in front of the princess no less," Kakashi put in his two cents.
Sandayu looked ashamed of himself "I truly apologize for all this, for putting my men in such danger,"
Naruto ran up to them in a haste "Is everyone alright?"
"Yeah, good thinking, using the ability of that armor to defend the men," said Kakashi with an eye smile.
"What would you expect from our Naruto-kun," Anko hugged the blonde from behind while rubbing her cheek against, causing the girls and surprisingly Koyuki to pout with jealously.
"I shouldn't have come after all, because of me you almost got yourselves killed," said Koyuki.
"Please don't blame yourself for this princess," said Sandayu.
"But then what, you wouldn't have attempted this if I wasn't here, would you?" asked Koyuki angrily, Sandayu didn't have anything to say to this question.
Before anything else could be said, a blimp rose from below the cliff behind them, Mizore was standing at the opening with his metal arm aiming at them before firing a retractable cable arm which managed to grab Koyuki by her robe before pulling her towards the blimp.
"Princess!" Sandayu cried out in dismay.
They Konoha ninjas and Naruto's summon were about to move in to bring her back, when Fubuki flew by them and threw a handful of kunai with blue crystal orbs attached to them. Naruto and Sasuke threw several shuriken to deflect most of the kunai to land elsewhere and release torrents of ice spikes which rose with enough force to lift large amounts of earth off the ground.
"Dammit, they're getting away!" said Anko angrily.
"I'll be going on ahead, Garurumon will stay with you guys in order to track me!" said Naruto before biting his thumb to draw blood and perform several handsigns "Summoning jutsu!" he slammed a palm on the floor then there was a puff of smoke before it cleared to reveal a giant bird with red feathers and a white head with a pair of gigantic horns growing from it.
"Hello Naruto, Garurumon, how may I help you?" asked the bird.
"Hi there Aquilamon, I need your help to go after that blimp," said Naruto.
"As you wish, please climb on my back and we'll be on our way," said Aquilamon.
"Okay then," Naruto turned to the others "I meet up with you guys later,"
"Okay Naruto-kun, please be careful," said Sakura with Naruto nodding in affirmation.
Then he jumped onto Aquilamon's back before he took to the air and in pursuit of the blimp while thinking "I told you that I'll definitely come after you, Koyuki. So you better expect me to show up,"
Weapon/Gear appearance
Kabuto Zecter = Kamen Rider Kabuto
This is Hussbek online with the latest chapter, the Konoha ninjas learn of Yukie's origin and chose to continue with the mission despite said person's open protest against it. With their encounter with the tyrant of the Land of Snow and the princess' kidnapping, things are really beginning to heat up in the chilly environment so stay tuned for the next chapter.
This is Hussbek from Ghana.
Signing out.