Naruto: Dragon's Maw

Chapter 51

Blanket disclaimer: I do not own Naruto, Ninja Gaiden or DOA

AUTHOR'S NOTE:

This chapter took a while (five drafts) before I got it passable. Here is chapter 51. Enjoy!

[ ] Signifies hand signs

Last time:

Stuttgart Airport, Germany

A week later Genra's Team was generally in poor spirits as they boarded the aircraft heading back to Japan. They'd found out a great deal of information but they found no signs of Hayate and Kasumi ἀ disappeared. The fire in DOATEC Germany (which leveled the place) was covered up saying it was a pharmaceutical branch and the lives lost were a terrible tragedy.

For his part Genra was (secretly) relieved that any information pertaining to him wasn't in there. The data on Project Alpha and Project Epsilon were something that the head of the Hajin Mon felt would surface eventually regardless. In general the mission was a failure that Genra would take responsibility for but the information they recovered would be seen as a silver lining….

Naruto was concerned about the existence of Kasumi ἀ and the possibility they could theoretically make more. Maya mentioned that Alpha had no signs of chakra so an Uzumaki ninja would be able to identify a copy but others couldn't. He also knew his Kasumi-chan was going to be (understandably) outraged and upset about the clone situation. He had discussed it with Hinata and Maya and they all agreed that Naruto should be the one to tell Kasumi in person.

It would be a long flight back to Japan….

….

City of Watertown, New York, United States

"….Tonight in the news, a United States Air Force C-130 cargo aircraft crashed ten miles east of Watertown International Airport. Observers say the plane suffered an explosion on its left wing causing the pilots to lose control of the aircraft. After remaining in level flight for less than a minute the C-130 fell into a spin and crashed with a tremendous loss of life. There were thirty two people aboard the aircraft and so far there are no signs of survivors. This tragedy was totally unexpected as the C-130 just went through an overhaul and was basically a new aircraft as a result. Some spectators claimed to see a fireball previous to the explosion and speculate it was hit by an anti-aircraft missile. The military has refused to comment on this pending further investigation. U.S. Air Force officials are promising a rapid examination of the airplane's wreckage to find out the cause of the crash…."

Naruto sat by a small campfire to the south of Watertown, New York in the forest. He was chewing on some rabbit that they'd cooked. With him were Hinata and Maya. "It seems that DOATEC doesn't particularly care who they kill as long as they get us." said the orange loving blonde.

"At least we all made it out alive Naruto-kun." said Hinata. "We also know that Genra, Yomiko and Rokuro got out even if we don't know where they are."

"I never thought my first time skydiving would be out of a plane that was on fire." commented Maya. "That was terrifying."

"I'm just thankful Naruto-kun was able to lower the cargo ramp so we could get out before the plane started spinning. We might not have survived otherwise." said Hinata.

….

FLASHBACK….

It had been a long flight across the Atlantic from Germany. The C-130 Hercules was making stopovers everywhere. The Uzumaki's and Mugen Tenshin ninja were unofficial passengers of the JSDF and no one was bothering them. The cavernous interior of the C-130 wasn't cramped but being designed to haul troops and other cargo it was uncomfortable and noisy. At any rate the ninja squad was to take the cargo plane to New York and catch a regular flight to Tokyo from there.

Looking out one of the porthole style windows boredly; Hinata spotted something trailing smoke headed directly towards them. "It's a missile!" she said with wide eyes.

The left outboard engine suddenly exploded and the cargo plane jolted enough to send anyone and anything not strapped down flying. There was a sound of metal tearing as the pilot fought for control of the big plane. The passengers briefly had the sensation of freefall as the C-130 plummeted like a stone towards the ground.

Naruto leapt up and ran to the back after yelling at the other ninjas to follow him. Amidst all the chaos and cacophony the blond created an oodama rasengan and blew the rear cargo ramp open before yelling to the others, "GO! Jump; JUMP; JUMP!"

The other five ninjas quickly leapt out of the stricken aircraft and Naruto jumped out last. He looked over his shoulder to see the C-130 fall into a spin and the aircraft hit the ground in a fireball seconds later. Looking forward again he saw Genra, Yomiko and Rokuro in the distance going down spread eagle like a team of skydivers. He followed suit and found himself caught in a major updraft that carried him up several hundred feet to where Maya and Hinata were also gliding.

The three Uzumaki ninja couldn't hear each other but managed to clasp hands and eventually they descended to the earth. If it hadn't been for their ninja training they all would have died on impact but instead they all landed safely within a hundred feet of one another. They were all a bit shaken up but unhurt and alive….

FLASHBACK END….

….

Maya shook her head as she looked at the smoke still on the horizon where the plane crashed. "Poor bastards….Do you think we should search for Genra, Yomiko and Rokuro-san?" she asked.

"No, they are out of Hinata-chan's visual range which means they could be anywhere by now." answered Naruto. "I'm afraid we're going to need to concentrate on keeping ourselves alive. They'll be alright."

Hinata nodded in agreement. "We need to find a place to hide out for now and Watertown isn't an option due to DOATEC's presence in the vicinity."

"I guess that's for the best." said Maya. "I still can't believe this happened." She looked on her laptop for their GPS location. "New York City is about 200 miles southeast of us. We should be able to get anywhere we want to from there."

"Isn't New York City supposed to be overrun with crime or something?" asked Hinata curiously.

Maya grinned. "It has a lot more crime than Tokyo but it's not going to be a huge threat unless we go looking for trouble."

Hinata sighed. "True. We'd best head out in the evening then."

….

City of Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan

Aoi was in her room at the Mecure Sapporo Hotel that night listening to the rain fall as she read a triple encrypted message from Maya stating the situation with Naruto, Hinata and Maya in New York. Aoi was concerned for her clan mates but then she saw a shadow of a human figure outside her window. Reacting like lightning Aoi fired off a kunai that shattered the window. She barely missed the now revealed female outside. The woman looked startled and dived away to avoid a second kunai.

The auburn haired Uzumaki kunoichi only caught a glimpse of the interloper but knew who it was. Slipping on her ninja gear Aoi growled, "Hien Tsuin." Aoi dashed outside through the shattered window sill and saw the heavy rain coming down in the darkness. Her hazel eyes scanned area around her and she caught a glimpse of wire that led across the street to another building. Testing its strength Aoi realized that Tsuin had used it to slide across the street and make an escape. The redhead jumped up on the wire and ran across it in the rain….

Tsuin was taking a breather on the sidewalk below having acrobatically leapt down the fire escape level by level after sliding down her escape wire. 'That was close….' she thought as she caught her breath. She saw lightning in the clouds above and cursed because she saw Aoi racing towards her running down the side of the building. "Shit!" yelled Tsuin in the high winds as she took off running. The Hien kunoichi agilely dashed across the slow moving traffic in the rain with Aoi chasing her by chakra hopping across the car's roofs.

The Hien kunoichi was running flat out when her feet hit the sidewalk again. 'I can't risk shooting Aoi-sama….' thought Tsuin as she run around a corner to set up an ambush. The Hien girl heard Aoi's racing footsteps over the howl of the wind and rain and lashed out with a neck chop as Aoi came speeding around the corner. Her hand passed through Aoi and Tsuin realized too late it was a genjutsu. She felt a senbon needle strike her neck and all went black….

….

Tsuin woke up tied up in a hotel room….specifically Aoi's new room. The dark haired young woman saw she was tied up securely with ninja wire but wasn't gagged. That's when she saw Aoi come into view twirling a sai menacingly. The redheaded Uzumaki Kunoichi was glaring at Tsuin with angry hazel eyes that made the Hien girl cringe. "Ummm….Hello Aoi-sama." said Tsuin lamely.

Aoi growled, "Why have you been attacking the Uzumaki clan Hien Tsuin?"

Tsuin's eyes widened and said, "I was only spying on you Aoi-sama! My only target is Uzumaki Naruto. I was hoping he'd show up so I could strike."

The redhead wanted to face palm. 'He's not even in Japan….' she thought to herself. "What do you have against my Naruto-kun?"

"He kidnapped you from the Black Spider Clan and burned the Hien Village!" exclaimed Tsuin. "He's a murderous butcher and I will put him down for good and free you!"

Aoi slapped the Hien kunoichi across the face and roared, "Shut up you fool! A runaway member of the Black Spider Clan was responsible for your village being destroyed! Naruto-kun rescued the remaining Hien Clan members."

"But the Black Spider Clan said you-" started Tsuin.

Aoi leaned into Tsuin's face and said, "The Black Spider Clan lied to you. I am happily married to Naruto-kun. They tried to kidnap me and Naruto came back and saved me from them…." The two kunoichi sat in silence for a few moments and Aoi asked, "You are Madoka-chan's nee-san aren't you? I'll call her and you can talk to her."

Tsuin was gaping in disbelief as Aoi got out her laptop and called the Uzumaki residence in the Hayabusa Village. Hien Chiharu picked up after a few moments and said, "Aoi-sama, how may I be of service? I was asleep and-"

Aoi pulled her facemask down and said, "I'm sorry to have to wake you up so late Chiharu-chan but I've captured Hien Tsuin."

"Oh my! Are you alright Aoi-sama? Is Tsuin-chan alright?" asked Chiharu.

"I'm fine and Tsuin is fine but I have her tied up." said Aoi. "She was told Naruto-kun wiped out your clan by the Black Spider Clan."

"WHAAAT?" screeched Chiharu. "Let me talk to that airhead! I'll set her straight!"

Aoi was shocked at the normally soft spoken Chiharu raging. She covered her laughter at the concept with a cough. "I thought that Madoka-chan might want to talk to her; they are sisters after all." said Aoi reasonably.

Chiharu's eyes glinted and she said with a frown, "I will be happy to get Madoka-chan after I talk to Tsuin; I am her best friend after all."

The redhead shrugged and said, "Okay Chiharu-chan. Hang on a minute." She turned to Tsuin and said, "Chiharu-chan wants to talk to you first." Aoi sat the computer in Tsuin's lap so she could see the screen and said, "Go ahead Chiharu-chan."

Chiharu said demurely, "Thank you so much Aoi-sama." Then the gentle Hien kunoichi roared, "Hien Tsuin you bimbo! You've been attacking our savior! Naruto-sama is the kindest man I've ever met! Now you listen to me right now Tsuin-chan…."

Aoi sat there listening in unabashed awe as the always kind and gentle Chiharu read the riot act to poor Tsuin….

….After Chiharu finished chastising her best friend they both broke down crying and Tsuin swore off her vendetta against Naruto and the Uzumaki Clan. Tsuin then talked to her little sister Madoka and several other members of the surviving Hien Clan (Chiharu's ranting and raving woke up the whole household). Aoi untied Chiharu after the 17 year old dark haired kunoichi swore her loyalty to the Uzumakis as a member of the Hien Clan. After that the tired Aoi let Tsuin use the extra bed in her room and decided to work out the details tomorrow….

….

City of Tokyo, Tokyo Dome

The next morning Uzumaki Ayane was standing with the other top contenders in the ring of the Tokyo Dome as the announcements were made throughout Japan as to who the winners of the Dead or Alive Asia contests were. She heard the names of her clan mates as well as many other names she'd heard through reputation or actually knew like Tina Armstrong. The violet haired kunoichi heard the winners of the other countries as well which included Hayabusa Ryu who was fighting in Hong Kong and the deejay Zack. After naming all of the competitors the announcer described the next venue:

"The winners will compete on DOATEC's own luxury cruise ship, the Freedom Survivor. At 1500 feet in length, the Freedom Survivor is the largest luxury cruise liner in the world and carries…."

Ayane did her best not to roll her eyes. 'They're so busy advertising about this ship and tickets that they seem to have forgotten the fights.' she thought in dismay. 'Worse still we haven't found that bastard Raidou….'

….

City of Nagoya, Nagoya Dome

Kasumi was watching the same broadcast as her younger sister as she stood in the fighting ring in Nagoya. Fame Douglas came on the screen and made a long winded announcement about the upcoming festivities and Kasumi gasped at who she saw in the background acting as Fame's bodyguard….Raidou. The Uzumaki kunoichi's eyes widened. 'The reason we couldn't find him in the listings is he's been acting as Fame Douglas's bodyguard! That monster has been right under our noses the entire time!'

….

City of Osaka, Yanmar Staduim Nagai

Momiji stood among the other winners which included Tina Armstrong and her Father Bass Armstrong. She also noticed the presence of Raidou and grit her teeth. 'There will be no assassinating him quietly now. Attacking him on the Freedom Survivor will leave us wide open. We are going to need a plan.'

Tina Armstrong excitedly said, "This is going to be so cool! We're going to be fighting on a cruise ship. I can't wait! What do you think Momiji?"

The Dragon Priestess rubbed her chin and said, "Things are going to a lot tougher from here."

The wrestler laughed. "You bet they are sugar!"

….

New York City, New York, United States

It took the Hinata, Maya and Naruto ninja about a day's travel at ninja speeds to make it to New York City from Watertown. Naruto was standing on top of a skyscraper with the others looking down at John F. Kennedy Airport. The group quickly started looking for a place to buy some clothes to blend in if their henge techniques got disrupted. Hinata and Maya got an outfit each just in case. 'Thank god for international Visas.' thought Maya as her purchases were rung up. The group then went down the street to buy a simple outfit for Naruto.

After getting some basic tee-shirts and denims to blend in the three Uzumaki ninja stepped out onto the streets and saw the Dead or Alive Tournament announcements. Naruto saw his lovely wives out the big screen and wished they weren't on the other side of the Pacific Ocean. Then he saw the American DOA winners. "Is that Mister Zack?" asked Naruto.

Hinata looked at the wildly dressed disc jockey and smiled. "It's him alright. There's no mistaking his sense of style….or lack thereof."

Maya laughed. "He must have really polished up his skills to be in the finals. I wonder if the Penguins are still after him."

All three Uzumaki ninja saw Raidou in the background behind Fame Douglas at the same time. "So that's where that murderer has been hiding!" hissed Naruto. "No wonder we couldn't find him. He's been out on a cruise in the middle of the ocean."

"We have to get on that ship with the others…." said Hinata.

….

Freedom Survivor, Pacific Ocean

Fame Douglas was immensely pleased with things. Business was booming and his shareholders were investing more than ever. He also had a number of new instructors to teach his elite troops new skills. Best of all the Dead or Alive Tournament was an astounding success. Plans were already in the works for a second tournament in six months. Unknown to him Victor Donavon was gnashing his teeth down in his stateroom as Fame was soaking up the applause of his many supporters….

Donovan wanted to tear his hair out. 'Both Bayman and Christie are unavailable due to their injuries at the hands of the Uzumaki Clan and I have no one else skilled enough to infiltrate the Freedom Survivor at this point.' He took a deep calming breath. 'I'll just have to count Project Alpha as a victory for now.' Victor thought to himself as he sipped on his whiskey. 'Your time will come sooner than you think Fame Douglas.'

….

….Six days later Naruto, Hinata and Maya arrived under henge. They appeared as members of the super elite that bought tickets to watch the last rounds of the DOA Tournament. Climbing aboard the massive vessel was child's play for the three Uzumaki ninja as they simply chakra hopped from another ship docked near the Freedom Survivor during a nighttime party. After that it was a simple matter of blending in as the three stowaways illegally registered themselves a pair of rooms by putting a genjutsu up at the registration desk.

The Freedom Survivor set sail again in the morning and was soon in the Sea of Japan where the huge cruise liner picked up many fighters from Asia while it majestically made its way around the Pacific and adjacent seas and oceans. They'd already been to the Atlantic and many martial artists were brought in by helicopter given the Freedom Survivor had a massive helipad.

The Uzumaki Clan members were all conferring with each other through ANBU hand signs about the current situation. One of them was always keeping Raidou in sight. The tension was thick in the air once the fighters started picking lots to see who would be fighting who. Hien Tsuin was also aboard acting as a semi bodyguard for Aoi (not that Aoi needed much protection). Raidou knew Ayane and Kasumi of course but he didn't know the other members of the Uzumaki Clan had him under surveillance. Kasumi and Ayane could only glare hatefully at the man that hurt their family so much….for now.

….

The next several days featured some truly fearsome fights. The preliminaries were over and this was the real deal. The many fighters involved were swept aside by Ayane and Kasumi who were each fighting with a vengeance to get at Raidou. The elimination rounds lasted for an agonizingly slow week to get all the money out of the crowds that DOATEC could.

Naruto himself was soon talking with Hayabusa Ryu who had just defeated a Jeet Kune Do practitioner named Jann Lee. The blonde ninja grinned. "Jann Lee gave you a run for your money Ryu. I was impressed with him. I guess he's a bouncer by profession. That black eye looks painful."

Ryu smiled in spite of the black eye he was sporting. "Jann Lee is a very focused and passionate fighter. I think he'll be stronger next time."

"Next time?" asked Naruto puzzled.

"The Dead or Alive Tournament has been such a huge success that they are already talking about having another." said the Hayabusa heir. "Bread and Circuses you know." Naruto nodded ruefully and Ryu asked, "Who was that Chinese Tai Chi Quan girl you were talking to? She's quite attractive."

"That's Lie Fang. She's a friend I met on a mission a while back." explained Naruto. "Her combat skills have really skyrocketed since we met last."

The two men discussed the various contenders for some time not realizing they were being monitored via camera by Lisa Hamilton.

….The mocha skinned scientist observed the two friends as they conversed with an easy familiarity. Lisa thought to herself, 'If Donovan knew Uzumaki Naruto was on board he'd probably try to capture him….And the Freedom Survivor would probably end up at the bottom of the sea as a result. I'm not touching this with a ten foot pole. Still, I have to wonder what Uzumaki is doing here if he's not competing. Is he just here to observe the fights?'

While Lisa was pondering Naruto's motives; the blonde ninja was talking with Tina Armstrong. "And Momiji told me you were her trainer! I was wondering if you could teach me a few moves. All the girls in your school are incredible sugar! That reminds me; why aren't you competing? You're hella strong!"

Ryu stifled a chuckle as Naruto did his best to sidestep the barrage of questions from the beautiful blonde wrestler….

….

After several days it finally came down to the final two contenders: Fame Douglas's bodyguard Raidou and Uzumaki Kasumi….

….

Freedom Survivor, Center Ring

Raidou saw his petite niece Kasumi enter the ring and smiled to himself knowing he could defeat her easily. He already knew Torn Sky Blast so there wasn't much ninpo of the Mugen Tenshin Clan he hadn't already mastered. Still, he wondered if maybe Kasumi learned something new from the Uzumaki Clan she'd married into. Raidou figured he'd toy with her a bit to rile her up and get the girl to unleash something he could copy…. He grinned and said, "Come Kasumi-chan; let's see if you are as weak as your Mother! Hahahaha!"

Kasumi nearly saw red at the thought of what Raidou had done to her Mother Ayame in the past. Her thoughts were filled with vengeance for her Mother, sister and brother but the copper haired kunoichi calmed herself with thoughts of her Uzumaki clan mates and all of the training she'd gone through. 'I will destroy that monster and avenge my family. My future children will not grow up in the shadow of such a hate filled creature.' She took her opening taijutsu stance and narrowed her amber eyes. "Come Raidou." she hissed. "Death awaits you here…."

….

The announcer crowed, "And now what we've all been waiting for, the final round of the very first Dead or Alive Tournament! Place your bets ladies and gentlemen; it doesn't get any better than this! KASUMI VS. RAIDOU, READY? FIGHT!"

….

Kasumi charged her body with lightning chakra in the blink of an eye and lashed out at Raidou with a knife hand. Raidou went to block with his right forearm only to receive a massive electrical shock when his niece made contact. Raidou yelled in pain as the electricity travelled from his right forearm to his left foot leaving entry and exit burns on the big man. 'What kind of ninpo is this?! I must have it!' thought Raidou. "I want your skills! Show me your secrets!" roared the power hungry madman.

The copper haired kunoichi kept electrocuting Raidou and the power mad ninja couldn't copy her despite the fact his red ki energy was active to imitate her moves. "Damn you!" he screamed as his nerves were fried once again by his blue wearing niece. "Give me your power!"

"You want power…?" asked Kasumi. Seeing her deranged opponent smile dementedly, the amber eyed kunoichi roared, "Storm Release: Laser Circus!" Thrusting her hands forward Kasumi sent a dozen laser like streams of electricity towards Raidou and hit the monster dead on in the chest.

As Raidou felt the blow he let out a silent scream as he fell onto his back dead. His empty eyes stared at the sky and his mouth ran dry as his final breath left him….

"WINNER, KASUMI!" yelled the announcer. "What an incredible finish! This is an unprecedented….I-what?!"

….Then Raidou got back up. A cloud of his corrupted red ki energy engulfed the monster as he rose demonically from the dead.

Kasumi was stunned. 'His hate is so great that death will not stop him?!'

"GIVE ME….POWER!" growled Raidou as he lunged for Kasumi.

"Raikiri!" screamed Ayane as the lightning jutsu formed in her hand. Kasumi leapt backwards to give Ayane a clear path as the violet haired kunoichi raced by in a blur. Raidou (or whatever he had become) died with a demonic howl as the overpowered Lightning Cutter pierced him straight through the heart. His cloud of red ki vanished as his body fell a second and final time….The missing nin Raidou was dead.

When the announcer got his wits back to announce the winner; the entire Uzumaki Clan had vanished in a body flicker to who knows where….

….

Fame Douglas was truly dumbfounded. The winner just disappeared without a trace. 'Uzumaki Kasumi left an absolute fortune behind!' thought the DOATEC's puzzled Chairman. The judges mulled things over a few minutes and agreed that the prize money should go to Tina Armstrong given she was the highest ranking contender left. In spite of the fact the crowd was clamoring for Kasumi and Ayane there was really nothing the DOATEC board could do about it. The Uzumakis background information was fabricated for the most part and the prize money had to be presented in person for publicity purposes.

It was a bizarre twist to the end of the first Dead or Alive Tournament….

….

Black Forest, Germany, Hitomi's Karate Dojo*①

….Hitomi watched the end of the Dead or Alive Tournament on television together with her new friend Ein.*② "So in the end they gave the prize money to Tina Armstrong? That's really weird. I have to wonder; why would Uzumaki Kasumi just up and leave like that?"

Ein wasn't fully recovered but he was getting around and exercising again. He'd decided to take the path of karate himself. "I don't know Hitomi….she must have had her reasons." In spite of the fact he didn't remember; Ein felt a great satisfaction seeing Raidou perish. The young man felt as if things had been put right for some strange reason. "Something about that man Raidou struck me as being very evil though."

The beautiful karate girl nodded. "I thought the red 'energy' around him was just ki but for him to get back up from a fatal blow proved he was some kind of monster…."

Hitomi's Father came in and said, "Hitomi, Ein; it's time to get to work. Let's go."

Ein noded in the affirmative and said, "Yes Master; let us begin…."

….

POSTSCRIPT:

*① So far as I know the Karate Dojo that Hitomi's Father runs has never been named.

*② Also known as Hayate with amnesia. I'm sure everyone knows this but I noted it just in case.

Well, that rounds up the Dead or Alive 1 Arc. I hope everyone enjoyed it. I wanted to make the fight with Raidou a little more memorable (it was pretty much just another fight in both Dead or Alive 1 and Dead or Alive: Dimensions had the second stage added). I don't know if I succeeded but Raidou is out of the picture for now. See you next time. Blue out. 11/20/18