"Let's go!" Kurama immediately leaps in the air and Gyuki charges at the Nue, horns first. Acting simultaneously in a practiced combination.
Kurama opens his jaw and quickly gathers chakra in small black orbs. He fires a barrage of it behind the Nue.
"Continuous Tailed Beast Bombs"
The Nue hops forward to dodge them, their strength lessened but still dangerous and enough to create explosions that leave an indent in the ground.
Gyuki's charge has already brought him close and personal with the chimera, his left horn aimed for the creature's chest. "Bull Rush" Nue lifts a paw and digs its claws into the Ox' head. The horn doesn't penetrate but the Nue skids back a fair distance before stopping, the rush halted.
Kurama lands behind and swings 3 of his tails to hit the Nue in the back. The snake-tail lashes out and opens its maw wide, wide enough to encompass the 3 tails. It chomps down on all the tails and springs back a bit, stopping the impact.
With the snake tail holding onto Kurama's tails, it grabs onto Gyuki's horn and spins, the Nue spins, sending the two flying in opposite directions, crashing into the landscape.
"Ow, that's a lotta power this thing's got. We better get serious or this'll hurt a lot."
"What does it look like we're trying to do, Bee?" Gyuki uses the thrashed remains of a mountaintop to get back up.
"Hey, if this thing's like that Kappa thing, can't we just shove it back into a gate?"
"In theory we could, except I don't see a Rashomon gate around, do you?"
Naruto looks around "Uhh, no?"
Gyuki grunts, the light scratch marks on his forehead healing with rapid regeneration. "Are you saying the Nue's completely free of its seal?"
"No, it's still weakened. Not as much as the Kappa, but that one was still barely out of the gate. This one's still bound by the seals even if the gate isn't around, I can feel it. I'm familiar enough with the accursed Uzumaki seals to be sick of them."
"Look at you, with your expertise."
"Oh, shut it."
"Is talking to it not an option?"
"These things can't talk, they're not like us. Look out, it's preparing something."
Their conversation is cut short by a tingling sensation in the air. Naruto's hair stands on edge, somehow becoming even more spiky. Sparks fly off at random places, increasing in frequency. The Nue roars and becomes enveloped in electricity, sending large bolts of lightning hurling at both Tailed Beasts. The area is filled with blinding light, almost turning the gloomy sky into a bright, sunny day.
When the light subsides, Kurama and Gyuki are singed but still up. Naruto emerges with changed eyes- a horizontal toad-like slit crossing with Kurama's vertical slit. He gathers chakra in Kurama's hand; a large sphere of pure light blue chakra, surrounded by the piercing whirl of a miniature tornado. He hurls it at the Nue, the shriek somehow increasing as it travels through the air.
"Sage Art Wind Style: Super Giant Rasenshuriken"
The Nue jumps and the Rasenshuriken flies under it.
"You missed."
"That's 'cause you don't know where I was aiming. Gyuki!"
The Rasenshuriken continues its flight straight to the Eight Tails, who's gathering massive amounts of chakra in a black sphere. Gyuki extends a tentacle and snatches Naruto's jutsu mid-air.
"If you think we're in a sticky situation, then check out this collaboration! Yeeah!"
Ink fills the Rasengan in the middle, turning the blue chakra black as some of it spills out and is added to the Wind nature.
"Super Giant Ink Rasenshuriken"
The new jutsu is flung for the Nue which is now in the air and with no easy way to escape. It gathers ball lightning in front of its maw. It's small, it couldn't gather enough chakra in time. It sends the lightning flying at the Rasenshuriken and hits its mark.
The Wind Style jutsu overwhelms the lightning and continues flying but it's trajectory is now off. It detonates besides the Nue although the following explosion still managed to catch it. The resulting hurricane slices and slashes its skin as it roars in pain.
Gyuki finishes gathering chakra and now with the Nue preoccupied, fires at it.
"Tailed Beast Bomb"
This time the Nue is unable to dodge or redirect it. It's blasted by the full force of the jutsu, an explosion even larger than the Rasenshuriken shakes the area.
"Kurama! Don't let it rest!"
"Already on it!" Kurama's already in the process of gathering his own Tailed Beast Bomb, although he doesn't have a visual on the Nue. Shooting blind won't accomplish anything. But letting it rest won't accomplish anything.
They can already feel it weaving chakra again. The area is once again ionized with lightning and a wave of electricity is sent in all directions, like an expanding ball. Kurama fires the Tailed Beast Bomb but this time the Nue is ready. A lightning bolt roars through the air at great speeds, faster than the electrical wave it sent out just before. It hits the Tailed Beast Bomb and while not enough to negate it, it was enough to alter its course and miss.
"Damn, it still had enough time to use something that powerful?"
The wave of electricity continues forth, breaking whatever landscape it passes over.
Bee and Gyuki take cover in an indent in the ground caused by their earlier crash. "Brace for impact, 'cause we're not getting out intact."
Naruto and Kurama do the same.
This ability is strong and as it washes over them, they find themselves unable to move from the pain. Their entire system is in shock and their muscles are spasming. They're unable to move their bodies as they want.
The Nue uses this opportunity to gather as much chakra as it can and summon more thunderous clouds. It sends powerful bolts of lightning flying in every direction, one headed for the largest hill of the Hidden Cloud. The Raikage's office.
Inside his office, A's has been directing Chunin and Jounin to ensure the safety of the village and its residents, with the help of his dutiful assistants Darui and C.
"I leave the rest to you two. I'm going out." A turns to walk to the terrace where he has full view of the monstrous battle outside the village.
"Boss, hold on, just leave it to those two." Darui cautions his leader.
"What kind of Raikage would I be if I don't save my village in its time of need?"
C's eyes widen in shock, his sensory skills kicking in. "Lord Raikage, there's something coming our way! A massive amount of chakra, as much as a Tailed Beast Bomb."
The three look outside to see bolt rushing right for them. They all collectively curse and instead of heading for safety, they head out on the terrace.
"Lightning Style: Lightning Armour" The Raikage prepares his signature technique to meet the bolt.
"Storm Style: Laser Circus:" An orb of shining light materializes in front of Darui.
"Lightning Style: Ligh-" Before C can finish weaving his signs, the lightning is stopped.
Blue flames meet and envelop the bolt, slowing its progress significantly. Then, a large quadruped figure jumps from behind and slashes at it, completely dispersing it.
The figure is a familiar one to most everyone in the Hidden Cloud. A feline body made up of blue flames. Black markings flowing within the flames. Two tails swishing back and forth. Matatabi continues to the battlefield and without looking back, calls out to A.
"You protect your village, Raikage. This is our battle."
Kurama and Gyuki shrug off their paralysis and rush for the Nue. Swinging their tails/tentacles, slashing, punching, biting. Each of them gets hits in and neither of them back down.
The Nue grows angrier and angrier as the fight rages on. It keeps sending occasional bursts of lightning. Not as powerful as before, but it's enough to get the Tailed Beasts to back off or slow their attacks.
"Kurama, Gyuki, stay back."
A powerful yet calming voice resonates through their shared mental space. They keep their distance from the Nue, but it senses chakra flying its way and jumps back. The vague shape of a black mouse surrounded in blue flames hits the ground, but it splits off on impact and multiple smaller mice fire off and manage to hit it. It screeches in pain.
"Matatabi! You're here, too?"
"Now let's kick its ass and stop the drizzle since its threat is now triple! YEAH!"
"This is my home, as well. I won't allow anyone to tarnish it."
"Hah." Kurama scoffs. "Even though you're free, you still choose to be bound by this place? Pitiful."
"I owe it to my brother and comrade to remain close and assist him when he needs me. So for him, and for Yugito, I remain. I thought you'd begun to understand that, Kurama. Besides, I don't think the Nue is intimidated by your nine mighty tails, so it's a good thing I was close."
Kurama clicks his tongue. "Acting so arrogant. What are going to do with only two tails?"
Gyuki takes position next to his sister. "I keep telling you, the number of tails doesn't matter!" He corrects his brother although he knows it's a wasted effort. He instead turns to the Two-Tailed Cat. "Thank you for the assist, Matatabi."
Naruto smacks his fist into his palm. "Alright, now with the three of us, there's no way we can lose!"
Matatabi gathers more chakra and spits out another Mouse Fireball. Once again, it splits off into multiple smaller mice. Kurama and Gyuki go for the attack while it's focused on dodging fiery rodents.
Gyuki spits out a cloud of ink, covering most of the Nue in the liquid and blocking its eyes. It thrashes around in pain, and Kurama and Matatabi use this chance to strike. However, their claws are fended off by its own. The snake tail lashes its forked tongue. Right, it has more than one head.
With the monkey head blinded, they focus now on the snake tail. Gyuki brings his eight tentacles to hold onto the Nue's body, preventing it from moving its head or its paws. Matatabi slams the back end with her two tails and the snake recoils in pain. She slams her paw over its head.
Kurama places a foot on the Nue's chest and holds it firmly on the ground.
He gathers chakra in its front paws. Two black spheres grow further and further in size, Wind Style chakra adding whirling blades.
"Matatabi, Gyuki, lend me your chakra."
"Understood."
"You got it."
They place their own paw and hand under Kurama's and add their chakra to the jutsu. One of the spheres gains blue flames around while the other one gathers ink. Both of them enhance the Wind Style.
"Get ready to jump back" He wraps his own nine tails around the Nue's body, head, and tail, keeping it in place as Gyuki and Matatabi begin easing their grips.
"Sage Art: Tailed Beast Rasenshuriken"
He swings downward and hits the Nue at point blank range. Gyuki and Matatabi jump back before the resulting explosions can engulf them. Kurama's form becomes lost in the swirling wind, flame, and ink but Naruto manages to jump back in time. His Chakra Shroud is gone, but his Sage Mode allowed him to escape the blast.
The blast is by far the largest so far and sends a gale that can be felt inside the Hidden Cloud.
Once everything quietens and clears, the dust begins to settle. Naruto, Gyuki, and Matatabi are prepared for battle just in case.
The Nue lies still on the ground.
A great gate appears under it, similar to the one that summoned the Kappa but varying slightly in the demonic visage on the gate. It opens up and the Nue is swallowed inside. Gone.
"Did… did we win?"
"It seems that way."
Naruto looks around as if to make sure he doesn't sense any more surprises while still in Sage Mode. Nothing out of the ordinary.
Gyuki's form shrinks down for Bee to return to normal. "Alright, now that that's done, let's go back home and celebrate a victory won."
Gyuki calls the others to their mental space, the Tailed Beasts stand in front of each other.
"Matatabi, according to Naruto and Kurama, someone is summoning the Great Beasts out of their gates. They did that with the Kappa, so they probably did that with the Nue. See if you can find if they're still around somewhere."
Matatabi nods "On it." and in the physical realm, runs off into the distance, as Naruto and Bee make their way back to the Hidden Cloud.
Somewhere in a mountainous landscape, Kuga Nekomata of the Hidden Mountain Village sits next to a resting panther. She occasionally pets Noraneko who purrs in return.
She holds a writing brush and has an open scroll in front of her. She dips the brush in an inkwell and writes.
"The Nue was defeated. It was still weakened from the Sealing. Athough even if it wasn't, it had three Tailed Beasts to fight. Hardly a fair fight."
After a few moments, writing materializes. "We'll continue working on it, then. Return home, we've preparations to make."
The writing disappears entirely and Kuga rolls up the scroll. She scritches her panther on the head and stands up, preparing to leave.
In the Raikage's office, A is sitting on his sofa, elbow on his desk and chin resting on his closed fist. Besides him are his advisors Darui and C. In the room are also 2 Killer Bees, one being very relaxed while the other one standing very militaristic. There are also 2 Narutos, one being his usual goofy self while the other one is sitting with one leg lifted on the chair and possessing very distinct red eyes.
A looks between the 4 of them. "This is weird. Do we have to do it this way?"
One of the Bees speaks up in a voice much more dignified than usual. "This way is faster. It won't take long."
C rubs his forehead. "Right. So, these creatures, Kappa and Nue, are… Great Beasts, you called them?"
Kurama responds "That's right. Similar to us Tailed Beasts, they are beings possessing great strength and chakra."
"Except even we don't know where they came from. We know they weren't born when Hagoromo split the Ten-Tails and created us. They're separate entities altogether and unlike us, they don't possess reason."
Bee speaks with his usual over-gesturing. "And they pack a mean punch, smacked us so hard nearly lost my lunch. If we don't stop 'em their power's gonna surge like a tornado, and we won't be enough with just me and Eight-o."
A leans back in his sofa. "And why have we never heard of them before?"
"Because they were sealed away hundreds of years ago. Any record of them has faded from history, and if any had remained, it most likely vanished when the Hidden Whirlpool Village was destroyed."
Darui speaks up from his chair. "Well, apparently not, because someone clearly found out about them."
Naruto turns to Kurama. "So what can we do? Is there any way to stop them from being released? Can't we just seal them back in the gates again?"
"We would need people on par with the Uzumaki clan of old to do that. Their sealing, powered by their chakra, is what allowed them to seal them away in the first place."
"So then let's go to the Hidden Whirlpool and see if we can find something! That place… my ancestors are from there, they're the ones who kept these things at bay. I gotta figure out how to do it again." Naruto seems more on edge than usual. "Hey, Old Man Raikage, don't you know something about the Uzumaki clan? You guys tried to kidnap my mom when she was young, right? So you must've done your research."
A grumbles. "I don't like the insinuation, but yes, we have research on clans and abilities of note. But we don't have a lot on the Uzumaki. Most of what we know, we know from the members who lived in the Hidden Leaf- namely you, your mother, and the First Hokage's wife. But something might come up. C, prepare the research unit. They're gonna have a lot of reading to do. Darui, send word to the Tsuchikage and the Mizukage. The old fossil's done more shady things than we can imagine, he might have something on the Uzumaki that we don't; and the Hidden Mist is currently in charge of what was once the Land of Whirlpools and the Hidden Whirlpool Village."
C and Darui nod. "Yes, sir."
A then turns to Kurama and Gyuki. "So, is there anything else you can tell us about the Great Beasts."
Kurama hops from his seat and heads for the door. "Eight Tails can fill you in on the details."
"Even then, I only really know some of their identities. We don't even know how many of them there truly are."
"Any bit helps."
At this point, the door to the office swings open, and Hinata enters. "Naruto!" She sees 'Naruto' in front of her and runs in to hug him. "I was so worried, are you okay?"
"Wrong one, Hyuga." The voice coming from the person in front of her is very clearly not Naruto's.
Hinata breaks away and gets a closer look at him, seeing the red eyes and more distinct facial markings. "You're… Kurama? Oh, I'm sorry." She looks flustered and the real Naruto comes to her and hugs her, laughing.
Kurama huffs and dismisses the Shadow Clone he's inhabiting.
"How's Kotori?"
"She's fine. We saw the entire fight from the hospital and she was worried about you, so I came to check up on you."
"Then let's go back; don't want her worrying. I'll fill you in on what happened."
Things went back to normal fairly quickly. Kotori and Takai took an additional week to recover from their injuries. Kotori got into a lot of trouble when she was found to be practicing her jutsu despite recovering from chakra exhaustion. They threatened to tie her to the bed. She didn't believe it but why take the chance?
When they got back to the Academy and were greeted like heroes, with massive cheering and thunderous applause. Many of the kids who were wary of them before became welcoming. Over the next day, Takai opened up a great deal and she made more friends among her classmates.
Kitsui mellowed out quite a bit and drifted away from the kids he used to spend the most time with, and more time alone. Kotori, Takai, and Hayai approached him and they became closer friends. His family situation has gotten a bit strained and he's been under even more pressure to be better, but he's found something beyond his parents' wants that motivates him. His new friends.
Speaking of the Yotsuki family situation, they were mostly held accountable for what happened. The Raikage ruled that because the Yotsuki clan are the ones who pushed for an excursion to take place on their lands, the responsibility fell on them to ensure that the path the kids took was safe for travel, especially with the weather being what it was the day prior. Still, the sensei voluntarily stepped down and took paid leave from work, meaning that a substitute took over for the time being.
KItsui began taking things more seriously and began a more friendly competition with Hayai as opposed to what they'd had before, with the Yotsuki trying to win just because he was told he had to. They began working together and training, along with Takai and Kotori.
Kotori continued to train her jutsu and is making great progress. The experience back in the Valley was traumatic, but it actually helped her learn about her abilities. She spent a good deal of time with the condors, along with her 3 friends from the Hidden Cloud. She found out that spending time with them and learning about them, increasing her knowledge, is where her jutsu thrives. The more she knows about the condors, the better she is at summoning and controlling them. During the fall, she was in a panicked state and overexerted herself by summoning a Lightning Condor that was actually larger than normal, and because of that she expended her entire chakra reserve. With the help of Naruto and Hinata, she started summoning younger chicks and then adolescents. Summoning a grown condor is still taxing on her and she can't maintain them for long, but now she knows how her jutsu actually works. They're able to help her train better and her progress is clear as day.
Her control over her feathers has also drastically increased. If she summons too much, she loses her focus and they fall but it's something. As a test, Naruto and Hinata began teaching her about sparrows. There're some that fly around, not in a dedicated place like the condors, but she started being able to summon sparrow chicks by observing them in the wild. They're not certain as to why, but she's able to summon more sparrows than condors and use them simultaneously. Hinata guesses it's something to do with size and because maintaining them requires less chakra.
All in all, the remaining three weeks of their stay were very productive and much more fun than the first month. Sadly for everyone involved, though, the 2 months that Naruto and Hinata were scheduled to stay came to an end and it was time for them to move on and continue on their mission.
Naruto, Hinata, and Kotori find themselves once more in the Raikage's office this time for the final time as they're scheduled to depart later today.
A hands Naruto a scroll. "It's not much, as I said, but this is what we know of the Uzumaki clan. It's nothing useful and is more general knowledge, but it may help you connect to your lost clan."
Naruto takes it and holds it close. "Thank you. It means a lot."
"And this..." He hands Hinata another scroll. "...you can consider a sign of good will. Our research team stumbled across it while looking for information on the Uzumaki."
Visibly confused, she takes the scroll and opens it reading through its contents. "What is this?"
"Records from over 70 years ago, long before the Hidden Village system was established. They speak of a now dead clan that could conjure feathers and birds that aided them in the battlefield."
Kotori's eyes widen and she stands on the tip of her toes to get a look at the scroll. Hinata lowers it so she can see. "That's… my jutsu?"
A nods. "Your girl seems to be a descendant of the Houyoku clan which died out long ago." He looks at Kotori "Although I guess not. That scroll contains some descriptions of the abilities they've displayed; it might help her learn what she's capable of."
Naruto looks between the two scrolls and the Raikage. "And you're giving us this just like that? This is valuable information, isn't it? There's no way you can just part with it like it's nothing."
A stares at Naruto sternly. "You're right. The old me probably would've demanded something outrageous in return and keep you hostage if you refuse." Kotori gulps. He looks scary but he's always been friendly when they've met. Would he actually do that? "But! Because of some brat who went on and united the shinobi of the world under one banner, I won't. Most of that information was gained through … questionable means. I don't regret any of it but times have changed and I plan to change with them. So yes, Naruto, I'm parting with them like it's nothing. Make good use of them. The Hokage will owe me a drink." His features soften and he seems to go from stern leader to a more fatherly figure.
He grips the Uzumaki scroll and gently places a hand on Kotori's head. "I will. You can count on that."
"Good, because I have another one for you." He holds out a third scroll.
"... You're really giving those out like candy, huh?"
"This one's from the Hokage, it arrived barely an hour ago. You're being called on a special mission."
Kotori holds out her hands out expectancy. She's the only one yet to receive a scroll. A looks between Naruto and Hinata, who just shrug, and sighs, handing the girl the scroll. She excitedly opens it and her parents look over her shoulder to read it.
Hinata kneels down to get a better look. "This is... a summons to the Fire Capital to attend negotiations?"
"In a week's time, yes."
Hinata stiffens her expressions. "This is… about the Land of Rice Paddies being absorbed by another nation. The Lands of Fire and Woods are each vying for it and the Rice Paddies daimyō will decide who his lands will go to."
She suspected something of the sort might happen. A nation losing its land is sad news and this could potentially cause conflict between the nations, or other uninvolved nations might take issue with someone else gaining new territory. It was always bound to be a complicated matter.
"But why are we being called? Isn't that something for Granny Tsunade to deal with?"
Hinata stands up. "I presume it's a display of might. The Land of Fire is home to the hero who saved the shinobi world. The Fire daimyō wants to show off that fact and to say that the Land of Rice Paddies would prosper better under us."
"Hah, you've got a good head on your shoulders, Hyuga. I imagine you're right. That's definitely something I'd do, at least."
Naruto scowls. "So I'm basically just going to be paraded around?"
"Welcome to upper politics, kid. If you plan on being Hokage, this is something you'll have to deal with a lot, whether you like it or not."
"One thing worries me." Hinata looks concerned. "A week should be just enough for us to reach at normal speed, but with Kotori…"
Kotori looks up to her, determined. "I'll be fine. I've gotten a lot stronger! I can keep up. And like Mr. Omoi said, if I'm good at something here, then I'll be even better at it outside the village!"
Naruto smiles. "That's our girl."
The young family say their farewell and leave the office, making their way for the main gate. As they walk through the streets, Kotori constantly looks around the streets and the landscape. She got so used to being here and even though she knew from the start it'd be temporary, she didn't expect to experience the things she did and feel the things she does. All the times playing, learning, and fighting. She accomplished so much in so little time.
At the gates, they see a small group of people gathered, a colourful group of individuals easily recognizable as their friends. Bee and his students, Samui, Omoi, and Karui; Samui's brother Atsui; Takai and her parents Futoi and Yukai; Hayai; and Kitsui. All of them waiting for the group to arrive and be ready to depart.
Kotori immediately runs to her friends and they have a big group hug.
Naruto and Hinata approach more slowly. "You guys…"
Samui speaks up first. "We all wanted to send you off."
Futoi and Yukai and each hug the couple. "You've done so much for us and the kids that we could never repay. Thank you."
Everyone gives their farewells and wishes them the best in continuing their mission. It's an emotional and heartfelt moment.
Naruto grins. "I'm never gonna forget everything that happened here. I'll carry these feelings onto the other villages and keep the peace we worked so hard for."
Hinata bows. "Thank you for your care. It wouldn't have been the same without all of you. Samui, Atsui, it was a pleasure to share your home."
Samui gives a very light smile. "Of course. I got the opportunity to see firsthand how this project goes. And I think looking at you two helped me reach a decision- I'm going to ask to be in charge of a Genin team All thanks to you."
Everyone around her looks surprised.
"Seriously, sis?"
Omoi's lollipop falls from his slack jawed mouth. "Oh no. The poor kids."
Karui smacks him across the head. "Can't you just be happy. I think your team's gonna hit the jackpot having you as a sensei, Samui."
Once Bee's responsibilities as a jinchuriki took precedence and didn't have time to be part of their 4-man cell, Samui took over as the only Jounin among them. She's a good leader and a very capable ninja, although Karui never would've imagined she'd want to take care of kids. She looks over to Naruto. That guy really has a way of changing people's perspectives.
"That's awesome to hear! Maybe one day your students will get to meet Kotori."
"That would be nice."
Finally, Naruto and Hinata turn to Bee, who simply holds out both fists. The duo returns the fist and the older shinobi smiles widely. There's nothing more he needs to do or say, they're able to understand each other with just that.
Naruto and Hinata make sure their gear is all accounted for and look to the kids who are still saying goodbye.
Speaking of, Kotori is openly bawling her eyes out, all 4 of them still in a group hug. "I'm really gonna miss you guys."
"Me, too!" Oddly enough Kitsui is almost just as emotional about them leaving.
"It's not gonna as groovy without you." Hayai sniffs and brushes away his tears as soon as they appear, trying
They keep their hugs for a while and Kotori looks up to her first friend here. The much taller girl is sobbing but trying to be quiet about it.
Kotori hugs her again as tightly as she can.
Takai begins crying out loud. "You were my first friend. I'll miss you so much/"
"I promise I'll write! I'll write you so much you're gonna be sick of me."
Eventually the kids manage to separate long enough for them to actually leave. They make their way out of the Hidden Cloud, to depart to the Land of Fire Capital on a new mission.
They wave one final time.
Kotori brushes her eyes and looks to the path ahead.
Name meanings
Houyoku = 'phoenix wings'