Hello, and welcome to the next chapter!
Xionremind22; Ameyuri could be~
danielhaywoodsnow; Thanks! Yeah, Mei and Anko are gonna be fun to write for. I've got some plans for the water boys~
ShadowUzumaki55; Thanks very much! Yeah, they're gonna be working together hard. Anko will do that yeah. Maybe he'll help her harness the power, or something~ Haku is going through quite a bit, but it is going to help her grow in her character. He is yeah, he's trying his best to get Mei's help. Ameyuri and Zabuza are going to have an interesting partnership.
LezarioFanficio; Thanks very much! Hmm, maybe he is~
Silver crow; Thanks! Maybe Anko will yeah~ It will certainly be quite soon the fight happens. That's Mei for you~ Ameyuri's client will reveal themselves in time~ Ryouta might do soon. Tazuna did yeah, he saw how capable they were, and what dangers he placed them in. Zabuza is going through quite a bit huh. Inari will grow as the arc goes on~ Ryouta cares a lot about Haku and while knows not all conflicts can end peacefully, he's at least trying for her. Hiruzen could think like that yeah~ Ryouta was quite concerned for Anko. Mei had her cute moments huh~? Ao is very terrified~ Team Seven were quite happy about it yeah~ Sakura had some cute moments huh~? Ryouta and Satsuki are quite happy about it yeah. Glad you liked the scene between them. Yeah, seems like they aren't thrilled with Kushimaru. It's weird how we never found out what Yoroi's Quirk was despite being top ten material, maybe one day we will. My Hero is quite wild right now. Raiki has got a goal like that. Twice's brother would get a mix between Hero's and Villains powers. That would be a fun Erza moment. Yeah, those changes with Raven would be interesting~ Yeah, they'll have their conversation this time. Thanks for the suggestions! I could see Fu doing something like that. If she is, maybe Ryouta could tell~
MDM11; Mei might recruit some people~ Ryouta will become a Sensei eventually yeah. That would be cool if he did that later on with the lands. Those would be cool choices, thanks for the suggestion!
TitanSlayer; Thanks for the votes, and suggestions!
Skull Flame; Thanks! Who hired her might be surprising.
Andrew123456; I could see him doing that. Maybe he could~
Brainstorm Sorcerer; Yeah, it's going to be quite the event~ Zabuza is going to have a myriad of emotions. We might see him revealing his Susanoo if the situation calls for it. It probably would draw some eyes to it if they saw it. Yeah, he could use the Crow Clone. Anko did yeah, she saw he was trying to help. I can say that Kushimaru and Ryouta will be having a fight. Kakashi and Ryouta will bond, I've got some places in the story when they will be. The person that hired them, might be surprising~ He could help when the Ninja threats out of the way. Yeah, it was sad that Kakashi didn't have anyone, maybe he could here, I'm not sure who so suggestions always welcome. Naruko will still have moments with Inari yeah. Haku can use them, and will show the full capabilities of them as the story goes on. I have decided where Ryouta is going to be during the Konoha Crush arc, all I can say is that it will be quite intense. The bridge will have a name yeah. If he saw it with his Sharingan, then yeah he could copy the Lightning Blade. Hehe, glad you liked that part~ Yeah the others are going to have some fun reactions to Mei. Ao and Ryou are going to have some funny interactions. That would be cool design for either. Yeah, doing that with all five elements would be awesome. Kakashi and Ao's meeting would be cool. I could see Kakashi making those comparisons with Ryou yeah. I'm glad my story can do that for you~
War Sage; Thanks! Ryouta might be training a bit with Kakashi, can't spoil anything right now~ Hehe, Mei and Satsuki will have some fun interactions with one another. Yeah, Ryou and Naruko will have their conversation this chapter. When the time comes, we'll see what Black Zetsu is thinking and feeling. Haha, that would be an awesome nickname~ We've never really been given a direct number of Ninja they have, and Hiruzen was thinking about who'd be capable enough and would arrive quick enough if Zabuza did make another move, plus with Ryouta involve he was also considering if Tobi might be in the equation, so that's why he chose Kakashi's group. Yeah, maybe Senju I'd guess to carry that name on. It's probably a huge library considering how many Uchiha had Sharingan. He could have some crow techniques~ Thanks for the suggestions!
Guest 1; Thanks! Yeah, it's going to be quite the climactic fights. It is quite funny isn't it? Gato wont know what's hit him by the time it comes. Ryouta got the grow between the time skip from child to Genin. He might know some yeah. That's Mei for you~ Ao is definitely scared, seeing Shisui's skills, he doesn't even want to contemplate what Ryouta will be like. I'm sure Ao would be yeah~ He's sort of both slapstick, yet deadly as we'll see this chapter, I was going for a fun dynamic between Ameyuri and Kushimaru, the hopeless suitor type though that is also a murderer with no qualms with killing innocents. We'll be seeing his more, serious side soon. Thanks for the suggestions!
ONONIMUS; Thanks for the vote! Thanks for the ideas!
Guest 2; I'd say Naruko's gonna have that, we'll see Ryouta's contribution to that. Glad you liked those moments~ Ryouta wants to help Haku, and while he isn't sure if it will work out, he's gonna do his best for Haku, and did his best to help Anko, knowing she was in pain, and even if he didn't have all of the details, trusted in his Sensei to tell when she was ready to do so. Hehe, even tolerate is a big stretch~ Thanks! Thanks for the suggestions!
Hinata fan; Cool! Yeah, they'll be meeting soon. Thanks for the suggestions!
Well, with those lovely reviews out of the way, it's time to start the chapter!
Ameyuri's move!
Hours and hours passed by, and Mei wasn't any closer to a solution.
If she should go or she shouldn't.
She knew it would be a risk if she did work with Zabuza.
But with things going as they were…
She knew that things were only going to get more complicated as time went on.
Ao, someone that Mei had grown to trust over the years, saw the conflicting feelings within Mei.
"Mei-sama, have you decided if you're...going to trust the brother of...the brother of..."
"Shisui?"
"Where!?"
Mei giggled as Ao looked left and right, seemingly on edge.
"I was saying that he's the brother of Shisui."
"O-Oh...yes, of course, Shisui isn't here...he isn't here at all...yes, of course..."
Mei gave bemused eyes, she found it rather funny that he was still worried about Shisui even though he was gone from the world. She often wondered if it would be the same case for Ryouta in a few years and what would happen then.
"Still...what should I do..."
Mei murmured, trying to think of a reply to send.
She could see how it would benefit her.
Yet, she also could see that it could be detrimental if it didn't work out.
She'd have to weigh the pros and cons of what was going on.
Ao didn't say anything, and merely watched on as Mei was continuing to decide.
Eventually, Mei seemed to decide, so she began writing a letter.
Ao didn't question the decision that she had made, and went along with it.
If Mei thought that it was the right move, then he also wished to believe in her, and see where it was going to lead next.
Even when finishing the letter, she looked it over a dozen or so times.
She wanted to see if she believed what she had written, and more importantly, if she was going to go through with it.
In the end however, she did believe she understood what was going to happen next, she had made a decision that she believed would be the best case that she could do.
"Alright...I know what I'm going to do."
Ao looked on as Mei made her decision, before summoning a hawk for her to send the letter off.
Ao wondered if she truly was comfortable with her decision…
No, he more so wondered if she had made the right decision, and if she had, then he'd back her whatever would happen next.
After the evening of Anko having her Curse Mark sealed again, Kakashi was heading off to the bridge together with some of the Genin, noticing the expression that was on Anko's face, showing how she was rather happy.
"You seem chipper this morning. Is that problem not bothering you anymore?"
Anko shook her head.
"Nope, seems like my Genin took care of it for me~"
Kakashi raised an eyebrow.
"Which one?"
"The Uchiha. Seems like he was able to get me out of my jacket unlike you~"
Kakashi saw the teasing expression that she had, and chose not to comment on it.
"Either way, it's all stable?"
"He did a good job with it, I haven't felt a thing since he did it. All in all, it was pretty good."
Kakashi raised a bemused eyebrow.
"At least you're back to normal. Now we're up to full fighting force. I have a feeling that he isn't going to wait much longer."
Anko had to agree.
Time was running short, Zabuza would be ready to strike very soon. She felt it deep inside, Zabuza wasn't the patient type at all.
"Whatever Zabuza is planning, I know that he'll be ready within the next day or two. He wont come without a plan."
"Right, we'll be ready."
Anko inclined her neck.
"You should go, take Tazuna to the bridge. It is important after all."
"Right then I'll leave this area with you."
With that, Kakashi took Haku, Satsuki and Naruko with him towards the bridge, leaving behind the rest of the Genin to train for that day.
Anko then got to the training, while Ryouta stared at the sky.
Mei hadn't written a message back to him yet, he was becoming worried as the days went by, that if she didn't write back, then if Zabuza showed up, and he wouldn't stop...then they'd have no choice but to take him down, since he was against their mission.
He didn't want to do that, he wanted Zabuza to be around for Haku's sake, even if they didn't see one another much. He knew that with Zabuza alive, it did allow Haku to have some peace. And if he died...he didn't want Haku to have to feel the same way he did when Shisui had died.
How crushing it was.
Especially now that they had met again after all of these years…
Anko snapped Ryouta back to reality as she waved a hand in front of his face.
"Alright, what's going on in your head?"
"Oh, nothing Sensei."
He murmured, Anko wasn't convinced, but seeing that he had his head in the mission, she chose not to further comment on it.
"Then lets continue."
"Yes, you're right~"
Ryouta got into a stance, and prepared to train together with the others.
His mind cast back to the thoughts regarding Mei, and wondered if she would reply in time, so they could stop this...though he also wondered if Zabuza would agree. It was only half the battle if Mei agreed, Zabuza agreeing...he truly hoped so, for Haku's sake.
Meanwhile, Naruko, Satsuki, Haku, and Kakashi stayed on the bridge together, watching Tazuna do his best with what little he had left. Naruko's eyes went towards Haku who was being unusually quiet, even for her who usually was a little quiet.
"Hey Haku...is everything okay?"
"Yes, everything's fine, why do you ask?"
Naruko tilted her head to the side.
"I dunno, you seem a bit...off for some reason."
"I'm...just thinking about when we have to fight."
"The fight? It should be easy with all us around, now that we're getting trained, we can do it!"
Satsuki placed a hand to her forehead.
"You're as clueless as ever."
"What did you say?!"
Naruko angrily yelled, Haku's lips curled upwards.
"Naruko-chan, don't worry about it. It's difficult for me, because of Zabuza-sama. He...He was the man I was with before I came to Konoha. Now that he is the enemy...it is difficult. But thanks to Ryou-kun, I am dealing with the situation, and I know...he is going to be able to do something."
"You...believe in Ryou?"
"Don't you?"
Haku shot back kindly, Naruko tilted her head side to side as she thought about it.
"Yeah...I guess that I do. He's always been kind to me, and there for me."
"I also have experienced his kindness, and because of him...I am able to live a good life now, with friends, and I get to carve out my own path. But, there is something that I've always thought Naruko-chan, about being a Ninja, and strong. Do you know what that is?"
"Eh…?"
Naruko didn't know, Haku giggled as she placed her fingers to her mouth.
"It's something to protect." Haku began to the perplexity of Naruko. "For me...that used to be Zabuza-sama. I lived my life for him, I'd die for the sake of his dream."
"Living...dying...for his sake?"
Naruko murmured, Haku nodded and continued on with a small smile slowly creeping itself onto her lips.
"Yes, I would have. Now, my desire is to protect those precious to me, the bonds that I've formed with you, and everyone in Konoha. Ryou-kun...he is my most precious person." Satsuki's eyes shoot for Haku while Naruko's own widen considerably. "He is...the man that was my light. He was there for me, and even now...despite all of the pain, the grief he experienced, he still strives forward. His smile...was so bright, and warm, I want to experience it everyday. To be with Ryou-kun, in any kind of way...I am so happy, because I know that when I'm with him...he wont stop trying, until there's nothing left within him, and even then, he'd push past that, and continue on. I also asked Ryou-kun this once, what was important to him."
"W-What did he say?"
Naruko asked, and Satsuki also had to admit she wanted to hear the answer.
Haku giggled, placing a finger to her chin.
"The people that he loved, he wished to protect. So they'd be able to keep smiling, to be able to keep loving and living. Even if he was a Ninja from the shadows, as long as those he loved, and the innocents that need protecting exist, he'd always try his best for them."
Naruko was blown away by such words.
Even Satsuki had to admit that she also felt the same way.
Haku placed her hands behind her back.
"He taught me...being a tool for someone to use and dispose of, isn't right. That you should fight with others for their sakes, and your own. To strive for happiness, for both yourself, and those around you, the good people in this world, it's a noble goal to have. My dream...is to make sure people don't have to end up like I did, where their own families turn on them. And my home, is with Ryou-kun. Because he was the one that helped me, was there for me, and still is there for me now, even to this very day. I'd follow Ryou-kun, and be right beside him, as he has been me. Tell me Naruko-chan, do you have someone precious to you? That you want to protect?"
Naruko's mind flashed through a number of people.
Hiruzen, Iruka, his teammates, and the final person she thought of, one that was prevalent in her mind, was Ryouta himself.
Haku then smiled, and looked at the bridge.
"This bridge, it truly would be something of peace for the Land of Waves."
Satsuki overlooked Haku, hearing what she said, she lowered her eyebrows.
"...So, that's how you feel about Ryou, huh."
"Yes, I imagine it is something similar for yourself, Satsuki-san."
Satsuki didn't voice her thoughts, but secretly agreed.
Kakashi, having heard their conversation, held a small smile on his face.
Hearing that Ryouta had brought so much to Haku's life, caused him to be happy for her.
He could see that Ryouta had given her a new lease on life, compared to how she was before, allowing her to find her own path, and support her in whatever it is that she wished to do, something Kakashi thought was rather amazing to see.
That night, the group were sat around the table, and began eating their food together.
Ryouta watched Naruko and Satsuki trying to force their food down, he saw that their rivalry was as strong as ever.
Haku was casually eating, Karin and Sakura had some sparks between their eyes, seemingly showing that they weren't happy, Ryouta wondered if they had some rivalry going on that he wasn't aware of.
He saw Anko laid back, seemingly not interested, while Kakashi wasn't eating. Ryouta wondered if it was because he didn't want to remove his mask for whatever reason.
He also saw that Inari was staring at a picture of him, his Mother, Tazuna, and a mysterious man.
Sakura noticed it, and as kindly as she could, spoke up.
"Say Inari-kun, if you don't mind me asking, you always seem to be looking at that picture..."
Before she could continue, his eyes shot for her.
Sakura blinks at the anger that he was displaying.
"It's not your business, so don't ask again!"
"O-Oh...I'm sorry, I didn't mean to offend you..."
Sakura tried to explain that she was only trying to be kind, but Inari wouldn't have any of it, and stormed off up the stairs.
Tsunami seeing the worried look on Sakura's face, tried to relieve her of her worries.
"Don't be worried Sakura-san, that picture...it's a touchy subject."
"I'm sorry..."
"No, no. Don't apologize, you didn't know. I'll go and speak to Inari."
Tsunami leaves up the stairs, while an awkward silence erupts between all of the people present.
Tazuna, seeing the curiosity of each of the members present, began explaining.
"The reason why Inari is upset about that picture, is because the man in that picture was called Kaiza, he was once described as a hero of the Land of Waves, and was Inari's Stepfather."
"Step...father..."
Naruko murmured, Tazuna nods and continues.
"He was a travelling fishermen you see, he met Inari who was drowning at the time, after being pushed in by a bully. Because of that incident and how later on Tsunami and Kaiza had grown closer to the point of being in love and then getting married, Inari relied on Tazuna. It became to the point that he wouldn't stand up for himself due to Inari relying on him so much."
Hearing that, Ryouta could understand.
While he didn't have the luxury of doing that, he could see why Inari would become like that.
Ryouta didn't say anything, and just listened together with Naruko and the others as Tazuna continued.
"Kaiza became a revered hero for single handedly saving a large portion of the village from a flood that we had one time. Without him, many could have died, but he risked his life, which only had the admiration in Inari for Kaiza to grow."
"So, he was a hero then! He protected people!"
Naruko cheered out, Tazuna inclined his neck.
"Exactly. However, everything changed, when Gato came. Kaiza was the hero of the people who didn't want Gato to do what he has done, and tried to stand up to Gato, stop him from causing all of this horrible events to happen. Gato saw that as a threat to him and his business. So, he had Kaiza killed in an attempt to crush the hopes of those within the village. Kaiza's will was so strong that it took many of Gato's men to kill him. He had a saying..."
"What was it?"
Engrossed by the story that was being told, Naruko wanted to hear more, so Tazuna explained.
"If something is truly important to you… even it's heart-breaking, even if it's sorrowful… you keep on trying and trying, even if you lose your life, you keep on protecting it with these two arms! …Then, even if you die, you leave behind the proof that you are a man… forever…"
Tazuna's words, echoing the words from Kaiza, Ryouta saw that Tsunami was listening from the stairs, and saw that she was in tears, remembering such words, caused his mind to be cast towards Shisui.
Even to his dying breath...Shisui always was fighting, protecting and was as kind as someone could be, yet was never afraid to fight.
"Sadly, he executed Kaiza in front of the entire village, Inari included while mocking his statement...and had his arms cut off to show such a mockery."
Tazuna continued, Karin placed a hand by her mouth in disgust.
"What a horrible guy Gato is..."
Karin sadly spoke, Sakura agreeing mentally.
"He's a coward, he doesn't have any power, crushing the hopes of those that do, so no one would rebel...he is a true coward."
Satsuki surprisingly spoke up, Ryouta nodded in agreement.
"That's why we have to stop Gato, so he can't do what he did to others."
Tazuna inclined his neck in agreement.
"Yes, I agree. Unfortunately, with Inari and the village seeing him being executed, the plan to make the village not rebel, worked. And poor Inari's heart was crushed along with his hopes and dreams, and he became cynical as a result, believing that no matter what anyone did, nothing would change. Kaiza died, for being a hero, any hero in his eyes would meet the same fate. Heroes for Inari, simply don't exist."
Listening to the story, a few people in the room were rather moved.
Hearing about what Kaiza did for the Land of Waves, how Gato had crushed the spirits of everyone with such an act, only made them more determined, Naruko in particular was moved, and crushed her hands together into strong fists.
"It isn't right...no, there still are heroes in this world! And I'll show Inari just that! Even if I have to do it all by myself!"
Ryouta smiled at her declaration, and wondered if she was going to do it.
Though he had no doubt that she would.
The next day, having finally got Naruko alone within the forest, Ryouta saw the uncomfortable feelings that she felt. Because of the situation they were in, Ryouta knew that they'd have to talk, so that's what he did, and tried his best to converse with her.
"Naruko-chan...I wanted to talk to you. Because of what happened with Mizuki, and now that we're in a situation like this..."
As Ryouta began speaking, Naruko shifted side to side uncomfortably.
"Ehehe..."
"Naruko-chan...I think I know why you've been avoiding me."
"Y-You do?"
She whispered, so Ryouta nodded and continued.
"Right...it's to do with how people treat you, isn't it? In the village...the adults, for the most part, they give you weird comments. And when I fought some Chunin who worked for Mizuki, they talked about you...they called you a beast..."
"..."
Naruko didn't know what to say.
So Ryouta continued.
"I don't want to upset you...I was concerned for you, I didn't know what was going on, so I did some research...twelve years ago, there was an incident in Konoha."
"...Yeah, there was and..."
Naruko could see that Ryouta had figured something out.
If it was the thing that she was dreading, then she didn't know how she was going to respond.
"And that incident...resulted in you, didn't it?"
Naruko's hand clenched so tight that her knuckles turned white.
"...Ryou, that's..."
"The Nine Tails...you hold it within you, don't you?"
Naruko's face fell.
He had figured it out.
She couldn't contain her surprise.
"...I...I'm...I...I'm sorry!"
Ryouta looked baffled as she began to tear up.
"Sorry...for what?"
Genuine confusion came from him.
Even more so that she was...upset about it.
He didn't get why, he didn't believe he had said anything that would be too upsetting.
At least to the point that she would have to apologize for something.
"B-Because of the Nine Tails...y-your Dad, he died...d-didn't he?!"
Ryouta scrunched his eyebrows together in perplexity.
"Naruko-chan, my Father..."
Naruko turned her back on Ryouta, and looked at the forest, trying to contain the sadness deep within.
"I heard...about it from Mizuki...I know I shouldn't believe him...but on the off chance he was telling the truth...then it's because of the Nine Tails...that you grew up...without your Dad...and your Mom...and I remembered...how you were when Shisui-san died..."
Ryouta gained a sympathetic look on his face, and moved closer towards her.
His hand laid on her shoulder, drawing her face back to his own.
When their eyes locked together, Ryouta could see the pain that was deep within her.
"My Dad, didn't die because of the Nine Tails."
Naruko was shocked.
So...Mizuki had lied after all.
She was relieved, but she also wanted to make sure that he wasn't lying to try and spare her feelings.
"B-But..."
Ryouta gave a comforting smile, one that told her that everything would be alright.
"He died, because of something else. But it wasn't the Nine Tails, and my parents died before your birthday. Remember, my Mom died while...giving birth to me, and my Dad was dead before that. Unless the Nine Tails was put in you before you were born, then it wasn't your fault at all, Naruko-chan. And even if the Nine Tails was the reason for my parents death, it still wouldn't be your fault."
"So...he didn't die because of the Nine Tails?"
Ryouta shook his head.
"No, it wasn't the Nine Tails why my Father died. But you know, I've researched about people with Tailed Beasts, that's what they're called, you know? There's more than the Nine Tails out there."
"R-Really?"
Naruko didn't know.
She didn't know a lot about the Nine Tails if she was honest with herself.
Ryouta chortled, nodding.
"Yes. I don't know who they are personally, there aren't any records that I could find. But, I know there's One to Nine Tails, and the people that have these Tailed Beasts are called Jinchuriki."
"Jin...churiki."
Naruko mumbled, thinking more and more about what was being said.
Ryouta inclined his neck.
"You have the Nine Tails, right? The only one that attacked around your birthday all those years ago. I don't know the circumstance of how it got sealed into you."
"Y-Yeah! I-I only found out when Mizuki told me...I didn't know what to say. I...I didn't want to be the reason...you were left without parents...especially because..." As she continued, her eyes leaked a good few tears. "...you were always supporting me...kind to me, when many wouldn't be...because of you, I have more friends...and I...I am a Ninja because you...reached out to help me...and when I heard...that the Nine Tails...killed your Dad...and maybe even your Mom...I didn't...know what to say, what to do...I was scared...I didn't want to lose you..."
Ryouta could see the burden it had been on her mind.
Along with being the Jinchuriki of the Nine Tails, she also had to live with the lie that Mizuki told her.
It only made him want to go and punch Mizuki...no, he'd probably do a bit more than that for making Naruko feel like this.
Adopting a light, kind smile, he moved closer, and allowed his arms to wrap around her form.
Shock came over her at first, but soon she melted into it as her head fall against his shoulder.
"Naruko-chan, you aren't the Nine Tails. It's got immense power sure, but the beast isn't you. I've read Jinchuriki can access their immense chakra. I'm not sure exactly about all of the details, but I do know that the Tailed Beast and their host are separate people. For a long time, I always wondered why people treated you differently, and now I guess I know why. Though I just can't understand why they speak about you in such a way. To me...aren't you like a Hero that's keeping the beast that destroyed a good portion of the village at bay? And now have access to the power of it?"
Naruko hadn't thought of it like that.
Her...a Hero for doing such a thing.
"Y...You think?"
"I do. I'm not sure of how it came to be, but with it inside of you, you're protecting the village, and now you're a Ninja for the village, protecting it even more Naruko-chan. And anyone that says different, will have to answer to me~"
He playfully said, wanting to lighten Naruko's mood, which seemed to succeed when he saw that she was smiling ever so slightly.
Upon hearing that from him though, Naruko felt warmth spreading within her.
His words sounded so beautiful.
All the time she was worried...and now she didn't have to be.
She was happy with him, she was content with being together with him.
"Ryou...thank you..."
Ryouta shook his head as he patted her back.
"Don't thank me, it's only natural. You've always been my friend, that isn't about to change because some fox happens to live inside of you."
Naruko continued to smile as she felt comforted, accepted without any hesitation.
Perhaps it was due to the kind of past Ryouta had, but she was glad either way.
That someone would be there for her, and comfort, support her in such a way.
Just then, Ryouta suddenly pulled her away as a blade stabbed the location they were in.
She gasped, seeing Ryouta leave her side, and shoot left, blocking off another blade coming for them.
This time, it had a woman wielding it.
It was Ameyuri who gave a shark like grin, while the other wielder of the blade was yanked out of the ground by a thin wire, and brought it to his side once more.
Kushimaru gave a sinister laugh.
"Awww, we interrupted their time together Ameyuri-chan~?"
"Did I say you could speak you degenerate?"
She shot at Kushimaru rather harshly.
Kushimaru winced as Ryouta pushed the woman away.
"I remember him from back then, but I don't recall seeing you."
Ryouta spoke directly to the woman, so Ameyuri chortled as a response.
"No, I wasn't involved back then, but I wish that I was." Ameyuri's eyes ran themselves up and down Ryouta while Naruko felt some panic entering her body. "But, it seems that the Uchiha boy is quite cute. In a few years, maybe we'd have some sort of deal between us~"
"Sorry, but I'm not sure we're that compatible."
Ameyuri laughed.
"That's too bad, I was going to show you Heaven, then take you straight to Hell!"
Ameyuri swung her lightning swords out, shooting off a heavy duty bolt of electricity at close range for Ryouta. The bolt of electricity was enough to cause the ground to have been uprooted, showcasing that Ameyuri wasn't messing around in the way that she used her power.
However, before it could touch, he disappeared in a flash, appearing right beside Naruko.
Ameyuri's impressed eyes went towards Ryouta's form, and showed a wicked smile.
"My, you are fast, aren't you?"
"Have to be, now why are you here? Wait, don't tell me..."
"Figured it out? Doesn't matter really, because it wont make a difference for when you're dead. I just had to come and see you."
"So we can cut you down!"
Kushimaru added while Naruko grit her teeth.
But she felt her hand shaking.
This opponent...was someone she could tell was strong, and that now they'd have to fight…
She looked to Ryouta, and saw that he wasn't shaking.
He looked ready to have a fight with anyone that was going to be his opponent.
Meanwhile as that was going on, back at the house of Tazuna's, the Genin and Jonin were making preparations for the fight that was going to take place soon enough.
"Aaaah!" Karin began, seeing Satsuki coming at her. "Alright! Calm down!"
"We're supposed to be training, of course I'm going to attack you."
Karin cringed.
"But you don't have to be so direct about it..."
"Ninja's have, that's how it is."
"Why don't you go and attack Sakura then?!"
Sakura who was stood off to the side, shook her head.
"She already did, your turn now."
"Great, just what I..." Karin suddenly paused, and felt something a good distance away. "Damn...this feeling..."
Kakashi noticed it first when Karin seemed to be looking a good distance away.
"What is it Karin?"
"I'm sensing two...I'd say Jonin level chakras in the vicinity of Ryou-kun and Naruko-chan!"
"Two Jonin! Zabuza and Mangetsu perhaps?!"
Anko exclaimed with some wory, but Karin shook her head.
"No, it isn't those two. It's some people that I haven't felt before."
"Other than Zabuza-sama….but who?"
Haku murmured curiously.
"I don't know, but I can sense them engaging in a fight with Ryou-kun as we speak! Sensei-"
"Alright." Kakashi began, cutting in. "Karin, you, and Anko along with Satsuki and Sakura will remain back at the house. Haku, you and I will go to help them."
"Understood."
"Hey, if it's Ryou then..."
Satsuki went to speak, but Haku looked towards her.
"I wont let anything happen to him, I promise."
Satsuki grit her teeth, but ultimately nodded.
"Right, best not be hurt."
"Understood."
With that, Haku and Kakashi shot off once getting the information from Karin on the exact location, leaving Anko and the others behind.
They knew why that was.
If Zabuza showed up while they all went, then Tazuna and his family could have been in trouble.
At least with Anko, Satsuki, Sakura and Karin there, they could prepare if Zabuza was to come and fight.
Back with Ryouta and the others, Ameyuri and Kushimaru began circulating the pair. Naruko felt worry inside, while Ryouta looked ready to fight.
Ryouta knew that Ameyuri had a good amount of skill from how they clashed along with how Kushimaru seems to be deferring to her as his superior, and Kushimaru he remembered how skilled he was back when, and could only imagine how skilled he had become since then.
Allowing his Sharingan to activate, Ryouta glanced at Naruko, who seemed to worried about what was going to happen. It was only natural, the two before them were Ninja of higher caliber than anything she had gone up against before.
Mizuki was one thing, but seeing two deadly Seven Ninja Swordsmen was something that she was having trouble fathoming.
"My, shaking in your boots sweet girl~?"
Kushimaru said it with a disgusting tone, Naruko's eyes focused on him while Ryouta pulled his sword before her.
"Oi idiot!" Ameyuri yelled at Kushimaru. "Don't try and antagonize people, you aren't good at it."
"Eeeh! Ameyuri-chan! Let me try at least!"
Ameyuri shook her head.
"Sorry about him, he's an idiot who only lives by the blade and if he had an original thought, his head might even explode. He isn't as nice as I am."
Ryouta scoffed.
"Nice huh..."
"Exactly, now you're going to die like good little Konoha Ninja. Or I'll have to make the death painful. Trust me, I love making things hurt. But, it isn't like I'm a sadist."
"Yeah! We'll rip you limb from limb!"
"Degenerate!" Ameyuri snapped at the worried looking Kushimaru. "What did I just say?!"
"B-But Ameyuri-chan!"
"No buts! Now work with me and we'll finish them off quickly!"
"Alright! Leave it to me!"
Kushimaru laughed as he launched his blade forward. However, his hand grabbed the long wire from said blade, and caused it to form a shape of a star, that went towards Ryouta and Naruko. The star shape was also cutting through the air, Ryouta guessed that if it hit them, it would slice cleanly through their bodies.
Ryouta went to act when Ameyuri swung her swords forward, allowing lightning to spring off and wrap around the wire.
"Collaborative Jutsu! Lightning Release, Star Slicer Jutsu!"
Ryouta saw how deadly that was, so he grabbed Naruko and jumped back, watching as the electrified wire sliced into the ground like it was butter. Solid earth cut apart from such a deadly technique that Ryouta was astonished they had that amount of good teamwork despite Ameyuri seemingly not liking Kushimaru that much.
Ameyuri's eyes went towards Ryouta, and shot forward.
Naruko's eyes widened at the speed of Ameyuri, but saw Ryouta reacting to it, placing her down, and jumped forward, clashing blades with the woman. Her lightning's cutting power was so great that the lightning transmitted towards Ryouta's blade, trying to slice right through it.
"Ooh my, seeing such a cute boy clashing swords with me. Wait until you're a bit older, then maybe we could have even more fun!"
Ameyuri pushed him back and jumped as Kushimaru's long sword was thrown towards him.
"You can't beat the combination of Ameyuri-chan and myself!"
Ryouta forced his blade to deflect the thrown one, only to see that Kushimaru had hold of the wire, and swung it up into the air, forming a circle in the air, which came shooting down with the intension of binding him.
Using his Sharingan eyes, he watched the movements of the wire as it came down, so he weaved through some hand signs, and moved his neck in a whip.
"Fire Release, Running Fire!"
Shooting out of his mouth was a ring of fire, which span around as Ryouta whipped his neck as he did, allowing the high density flames to spin like a chakram, cutting through the wire, and transmitted the flames across the wire to incinerate them.
Ryouta then bent his neck, seeing Ameyuri twirling around and came at him, the lightning formed around her like a ring, before she snapped her hand towards him, shooting off a ring of electricity for his body.
"R-Ryou...d-damn why am I...freezing like this…?"
Naruko murmured to herself, feeling shame as she watched Ryouta stick his blade into the ground, then propelled himself up into the sky, before weaving through some hand signs, cupping his mouth with his hands.
"Fire Release, Great Fireball Jutsu!"
From his mouth, a good sized fireball, twice the size of Ameyuri shot down towards her.
Kushimaru laughed as he got before her, and allowed his wire to come out, flowing chakra through it, Water based chakra at that, which he sent forward. Because of the wire, and water combination, the wire sliced through the water, cutting it into chunks that fell all around them, hitting the ground harmlessly.
Ryouta landed back on the ground, twirling as he did so, grabbing his blade, launching it towards Ameyuri and Kushimaru.
Kushimaru stepped up, swinging his sewing needle like sword right, deflecting the blade away from them, only to see that Ryouta used this chance to get towards the right, throwing a shuriken, as Ryouta waved through some hand signs.
"Shuriken Shadow Clone Jutsu!"
The shuriken suddenly was surrounded by more shuriken, all being manipulated by Ryouta to swim around the pair, and attack from all angles, showing the skills that he had with weapons, which also impressed Ameyuri a good deal.
"Damn, hey Kushimaru, you're replaced. This boy is clearly more skilled, and smarter than you. Basically what I'm saying is, you're fired, leave my sight."
She joked, earning a look of ire from Kushimaru.
"D-Don't say that Ameyuri-chan! Just watch me, I'll show you my skills!"
Kushimaru expertly swung his sword around, throwing it all around him, with the wire following.
Due to that, the wire formed some sword of barricade around them, with him allowing the sword to come to his hand once more, as the shurikens all converged on them, Ryouta was impressed by the speed that he set that up.
"Nuibari Protective Wires!"
By pulling the wire he had, he manipulated the wires to move into the places the shurikens were attacking from.
Ryouta was astonished, but also knew that despite his way of submitting to Ameyuri, Kushimaru was also just as deadly. Though from what he had seen, Ameyuri's skills seemed to be better than Kushimaru's own.
When the shuriken attacks stopped, Ryouta saw an opportunity to try and attack, so he weaved through some hand signs.
"Fire Release, Dragon Fire Jutsu!"
Using the wire that was already around in the dome, Ryouta shot his flames forward, and caused the flames to travel from Ryouta's mouth, latch onto the wire, shooting it all towards Kushimaru who had the sword tightly within his hands.
As the flames got nearby him, Ameyuri twirled and cut the wires up with her lightning swords, only to see that Ryouta had used that as a distraction technique, as he appeared in the air, making a clone which he grabbed, and launched into the fire.
As he did, the clone exploded, creating a shockwave that blew the pair of them back.
Ameyuri used her lightning swords to block the blast wave, all the while Kushimaru threw his sword away and pulled him along with it thanks to the wire, which allowed Ryouta to get in close, and swing his sword towards her, Ameyuri clashed with her own, creating another shockwave that caused the ground to break from the intense clash between the two of them.
"I underestimated you boy, I didn't think that you'd be this good."
"Thank you for the compliment."
As he said it, Kushimaru came in, shooting his sword like an arrow for his shoulder to pierce through it.
Using the Sharingan to see it coming in, Ryouta bent his body out of the way, only for Kushimaru to pull himself forward, and followed in an arrow like manner, taking out several senbons, firing them off like darts for Ryouta's form.
Ryouta back flipped several times, while also avoiding Ameyuri swinging her blades horizontally, managing to escape the hail of senbons from Kushimaru's attack, while Ryouta landed on his feet once more.
"Geez Ameyuri-chan, this kids able to see through our attacks. He's also so damn fast...I mean, what the hell? I thought that this would be easy, we might even have to go serious against this kid, it wont be fun at all."
Despite Kushimaru saying that, Ameyuri knew better.
She believed that their opponent was someone that they couldn't take lightly.
"It's because of the Sharingan, something you've fought before you idiot."
"Well yeah. but I didn't think he'd be this good!"
"Well he is. He's using it to predict our movements, see where we're coming from. But that alone wouldn't be enough. Even if you see it coming, if you aren't trained enough to avoid it, then all that does is make you see your death quicker than others. So, he's trained his body a good deal. He's above Genin level, I can see why Zabuza said to approach this boy with caution. He is also smart in how he uses tricks and tactics to get in close. Every move he has is a plan, and when the plan isn't working, he switches to a different one without much pause, it's quite interesting to see someone fight like this."
Naruko watched the exchange between them, and was amazed to see Ryouta holding the pair of them off, and managing to even get in close, and pressure them.
"Ryou...you truly have trained so hard...to come this far...and all I'm doing is freezing right now...I can't...I can't do this...n-no, I have to...I have to do this...I can't let Ryou go through it alone..."
Naruko watched on, seeing Ryouta activate the Body Flicker, and disappeared all together.
Ameyuri gasped, her eyes shooting left and right, but she couldn't see him at all.
"Using the Body Flicker in such a manner, leaving no trace at all...even highly skilled Ninja leave some kind of trace behind. Then, it must be true that this kid is the brother of Shisui of the Body Flicker, who's speed was said to be so great that there weren't many that could keep up with him...but I've got the perfect Jutsu for this. Time to use Thunder Gate, one of my strongest Jutsu..."
Ameyuri thought to herself, before she stabbed her swords into the ground.
Lightning gathered from the bottoms of the twin blades.
Seeing that, Ryouta wouldn't allow her to fire the attack, so he did instead.
"Fire Release, Flame Whirlwind!"
Fire erupts from Ryouta's mouth in a spiral like pattern. Swimming around the front of Ryouta's body, he then shot it out towards the two enemy Ninja's forms. Spinning rapidly in the air, incinerating everything in its path, Ameyuri twirled her blades around.
"Lightning Release, Lightning Fang!"
From her twin blades, after crossing them before her body, the attacks shoot at one another, creating a devastating wave of destructive power between the two of them. Struggling for dominance, the pairs attacks pushed one another's.
Ryouta, seeing that Kushimaru was weaving through hand signs, ones he recognized as Water Release thanks to his Sharingan, couldn't allow that to happen, so he took out two kunai, one that had a paper bomb attacked, and threw it in the air.
Using his adept skill at manipulating weapons, throwing the pair at such a speed that it went above the enemies, Ryouta timed it so one would hit the other, and send it crashing downwards.
The one with the paper bomb came down towards them, Ameyuri's eyes looking up, and she murmured "Shit." before she disengaged her electricity attack, allowing the flames to shoot for them, and instead of sticking around, she allowed her lightning swords to discharge a good deal, acting like propulsion, that shot her, and Kushimaru away as the paper bomb hit the fire, creating a good deal explosion that swept through the forest.
Naruko felt the pressure of the attack go by her, seeing the trees leaves blowing off from the shockwave alone.
She was...impressed.
Unlike her, he wasn't freezing at all.
She looked down at herself, tightening her hand.
She hated that she had frozen, and she couldn't allow it to continue on.
Seeing Ryouta fighting, inspire her to want to do more as well.
"No...I can't freeze now...I'm going to become Hokage! I wont allow Ryou to fight all alone!"
Naruko rushed to Ryouta's side as he looked on.
Seeing the smoke clearing, Ameyuri had a wall of electricity around the pairs bodies, while Kushimaru grinned.
"Damn Ameyuri-chan, did you see his ability to fight? He's good, very good."
Ameyuri chortled.
"Definitely, this boy is rather skilled. More than I thought, I wont be making that mistake again."
Ameyuri scowled as Ryouta's eyes went towards Naruko.
"You with me Naruko-chan?"
"You know it! I wont stop now!"
Ryouta smiled, and locked eyes with her.
Briefly, Ryouta used a Genjutsu to communicate with her, telling her of an idea that he had, before dispelling it, and speaking so Ameyuri and Kushimaru could hear them if they truly tried to listen in.
"That's good, because we just need to hold them off for a little while longer. The explosion would have told the others of our location, if Karin-chan hasn't already. So lets make sure these guys are stopped!"
"Yeah! Now I've got this!" Naruko placed her hands into signs. "Multi Shadow Clone Jutsu!"
Puffs of smoke erupt around her, and create over ten clones, that she sends out towards the duo. Ameyuri gave a bemused look before Kushimaru smirked.
"This is interesting, she must have a good deal of chakra to create these amount of clones."
Kushimaru shot forward with his blade, and allowed it to pierce through the clones of Naruko as they got in close.
However, some began to throw some shurikens towards Kushimaru who smirked and batted the blades away, not seeing one that pierced the ground close by intentionally.
"What the hell...this doesn't seem like a tactic the Uchiha boy would do. It is too direct. And even if it is that girls tactic, he wouldn't simply sit around and do nothing during it either. There's got to be a reason why he's doing this kind of tactic."
Ameyuri suspected something more to this, looking back to Ryouta who wasn't there.
Her eyes shifted through the clones, seeing if she could see one that was acting odd.
Then she saw one that had managed to dodge an attack from Kushimaru.
"Shit! It's a transformation!"
Ameyuri crossed her blades, and shot off a good sized bolt of electricity.
However, when the lightning hit the clone, it simply vanished into smoke.
Ameyuri was perplexed, but then she heard a sound behind her.
Her eyes shot to see Ryouta swinging his blade for her.
She bent her body back just in time, while Kushimaru smirked, and readied his blade.
However, when he went to strike, the shuriken that had been thrown to the ground near him, suddenly reappeared as Naruko, who's fist went up high, hitting Kushimaru's face so hard that he went flying up into the air.
"Have that! Believe it!"
Kushimaru was stunned, and watched as Naruko landed on the ground, delivering a straight punch for his gut. He managed to block, but the strength behind the attack was enough to send him skidding back a few feet.
Ameyuri was surprised, but then looked back to Ryouta, seeing him pulling back before rushing her again.
"Now that's the kind of tactic that I'd expect."
"Actually, that was Naruko-chan's tactic. Turning into a Ninja tool to trick you, not a bad idea, right?"
Ameyuri scowled as Ryouta disappeared before her, only to reappear towards her right…
But then he appeared on the left at the same time.
"Clones?"
She murmured, and shot off her lightning.
But she saw that it went through them, and they stayed there.
"Not clones...but they're still there..."
She saw the movements of the clones or whatever they were, so she blocked with both swords.
She felt mass between two of her blades.
Striking within a moment or two of each other, she felt two hard swings onto her blade.
"What the hell…? They aren't even there, yet I can feel mass behind their attacks. I did get a strike from each side, but my lightning passed through them as if they weren't even there. It can't be a Shadow Clone, they'd disappear upon being hit, the same for any other type of clone as well. Geez, what the hell is this kid doing? I don't think it is Genjutsu either, I've been careful to avoid eye contact."
What Ameyuri hadn't realized was that Ryouta had been using the Afterimage Clone Jutsu that Shisui was famed for due to his magnificent speed that he had. Ryouta had practiced long and hard, and managed to replicate that technique. While not on the same level as Shisui could do it just yet, Ryouta one day would reach that, and surpass that level of speed as well as refine the technique.
Ameyuri scowled "Don't even try it with me!" and unleashed a stream of electricity around her form.
Ryouta jumped back, as Ameyuri looked towards him, and saw more than two.
More than three.
More than five.
She saw seven, she looked at the ground, and saw that each were moving the dirt around.
But at the same time, she believed they weren't Shadow Clones.
"...So, that's it, Afterimage Clones. You're moving so fast that you're able to switch between their locations. Hahahaha! I thought that this would be boring! But I've found a good opponent, my blade is thirsty for your blood!"
Ameyuri went to move forward, went Ryouta noticed a giant Water Dragon was heading for both him and Naruko.
Naruko also noticed it, and began running back as did Ryouta, allowing the giant Water Dragon to crash into the ground, creating a big enough shock wave that Ryouta knew who was behind the Jutsu.
His eyes looked to see it was Zabuza, who was joined by Ameyuri and a reluctant Kushimaru. Mangetsu also was stood with him, while his little brother was sneering at Naruko who scowled as a response.
"Zabuza-san!"
"Heh, alright kid, seems like you've fought off these two. Sorry, but I've decided you're my prey."
"Zabuza-san, it doesn't have to be like that! Gato, he's-"
"I know what kind of filth Gato is."
"If you know, then why are you doing this?!"
Naruko yelled from beside Ryouta.
Zabuza glanced towards her, momentarily confused.
"Who are you?"
"That doesn't matter! We have Haku with us! She...She really misses you! Why do we have to be enemies Zabuza!?"
Ryouta guessed that Haku and Naruko must have had a conversation between the two of them for her to speak so passionately.
Zabuza momentarily paused, his mind cast to Haku, and her expressions.
Even he, couldn't deny his heart at that moment.
But he tried his best, pushing down his own feelings.
Mangetsu also looked angered that Haku was mentioned, Ryouta noticed his hand clenching ever so slightly, trying to quell the inner rage that he had building deep inside of him.
"We are enemies girl, Haku is my enemy."
"She cares for you, Zabuza-san." Ryouta spoke up, Zabuza's eyes latching onto him. "You can deny it all you want, but you care for her too. This doesn't have to be the way, why you're doing this, because of the current Mizukage, right?"
"So what?"
"Zabuza-san, you worked with my brother, and myself once, why does it have to be different now?"
Zabuza scowled as he overlooked Ryouta's face.
Seeing the pure, honest face.
He was glad, Haku was with someone like Ryouta.
"It doesn't make a difference. Without any wealth, I can't amass people for a rebellion."
"Work with Mei-san! She would-"
"Mei Terumi?"
Ameyuri asked, Ryouta glanced at her.
"So what?"
"She and Zabuza wouldn't work together, she's too much of a goody good to do anything like that."
"You don't know that, she might work with him! They-"
Zabuza glanced towards the right, seeing some Ninja coming in.
Gritting his teeth, he looked towards Ryouta one last time, his eyes displaying sadness, something even Zabuza would say, before allowing mist to swim around him, and the others through the Hiding in Mist Jutsu.
"T-They're getting away! Lets go after them!"
Naruko went to move, but Ryouta stopped her.
"If we did now, all that would happen is they'd gang up on us, and due to this mist, they could attack from anywhere. We have to remain back this time."
"B-But..."
"Don't worry Naruko-chan, they'll be appearing tomorrow."
Naruko raised an eyebrow.
"Tomorrow? Why tomorrow?"
"This tactic was to weed out some of the forces while away from the others, that's the impression I got. Since it didn't work, they'll know they wont have long before we could have reinforcements. We know of the girl with the lightning blades, and the man with the long sewing needle like blade. They, together with Zabuza, Mangetsu and his little brother, plus I believe they have some Chunin with them...yeah, tomorrow is going to be when they strike."
"Then we'll have to smack them down tomorrow!"
Ryouta nods, while his mind cast back towards Haku, and Mei, he hoped some solution could come of this, but as time passed by...he didn't know what was going to happen.
Returning back to the house, the others watched as Ryouta and Naruko sat down. Hearing the tale of what had happened, Inari sat close by, listening in and couldn't quite believe what he was hearing, he also thought that it was rather futile due to his outlook on life.
Anko couldn't hide her grin, and slapped Ryouta on the back so hard that Ryouta was stunned for a few moments.
"Heh! That's my Uchiha! Kicking ass and everything! And of course, the blonde knuckle headed Ninja doing awesome too!"
Naruko looked back towards Ryouta, who shook his head, so Naruko chortled awkwardly.
"Yes, but it only shows that they have brought back up with them. Two more Legendary Seven Ninja Swordsmen."
Kakashi said with an annoyed grunt.
Anko's eyes went back towards him.
"Yeah, we don't have time to call for help tomorrow."
"Tomorrow...you think it will be Anko-sensei?"
Karin asked, Anko folded her arms.
"No doubt, tomorrow is when they're going to attack."
"They know we know of their reinforcements, it is going to be a tricky battle tomorrow. No doubt that it is going to test each and everyone of us." Kakashi looked between the Genin. "This mission might even be bumped up to S Class, this is a mission that has become more tricky as time goes on, so tomorrow has to be the day that it ends. Though it is asking a lot of freshly released from the Academy Genin, but we'll do our best tomorrow."
[Yes Sensei!]
As most of the Genin said that, Inari stands up, and moves closer to the group of Ninja.
"It's futile!"
Naruko and the others turned to him, with the hyperactive blonde scrunching her brows together.
"What did you say?"
Inari's mind cast back to the event involving his Stepfather, how he ended up dying as a result of trying to step up and stop an evil force, which brought some tears to his eyes.
"You can't beat Gato and his men. Even more so now, he has strong Ninja. Why don't you just give up? You're only going to die anyway-"
"We will not die!" Naruko angrily yelled. "You can't lose faith now! We're going to be fighting together!"
"You only think you can win against Gato, because you haven't suffered like I have! You know nothing of the suffering I've been through so how could you hope to do anything against Gato and his Ninja?!"
The room went silent.
Naruko however looked angry.
More so than Ryouta could remember her looking so.
"Giving up now, would only make sure they win, so grow up brat!"
Ryouta looked between them, seeing Inari tearing up, before running off up the stairs.
Ryouta exhaled slowly, before seeing Naruko's eyes lower to the table once more, seemingly sorrowful for how she said it, yet still stood behind what she did say.
"In any case, we all need to be ready tomorrow. Gather any equipment you can, rest as much as you can. I can tell you all that tomorrow might be the hardest battle you've had so far." Kakashi stated to them all, before sitting down. "Dismissed. Anko and myself will be going over battle strategy, one we will share with you all in the morning."
With that, each of the Genin walked off in different directions.
Kakashi and Anko got together, while Ryouta looked towards the stairs.
He also saw Tsunami stood by the stairs, together with her Father Tazuna, seeing the worry on their faces.
Ryouta walked towards the stairs, and offered a small smile.
"Don't worry, Anko-sensei and Kakashi-sensei are some of the best Konoha have to offer."
"You fought two of the group today...do you think you can win?"
Tsunami asked, Ryouta offered a small smile.
"Nothing in life is a guarantee, anything could happen. However, if you're asking for my honest opinion, then I believe that we have the upper hand. Time will tell us of the outcome tomorrow, for now please relax the best you can. Leave the fighting and planning to us Ninja, that's what we've been hired for. I'm also sorry about Naruko-chan's outburst to Inari-san, she didn't mean it like how it sounded, Naruko-chan is a girl that is very passionate, and what he said...was something that goes against her nature, she is a girl that's suffered."
"Please don't apologize, I understand why she let out what she did. Inari...he is always seeing the negatives...seeing positives are hard for him..."
Ryouta was relieved with Tsunami's answer.
Tazuna showed a strong smile as Ryouta excused himself.
He walked up the stairs, and down the corridor.
He saw sat on a window ledge was Inari.
His sad eyes gazed up at the starry sky.
His sad face was caught by Ryouta's eyes, as he pulled closer.
Ryouta also noticed that Tsunami had followed him up the stairs, and had gone towards her bedroom, seemingly listening into the conversation.
"Listen Inari-san, Naruko-chan didn't mean to hurt you or anything."
"But..."
"Naruko-chan, she has no parents, not even from the start."
"S-She's an orphan…?"
Inari was shocked, so Ryouta explained.
"Yes, that's right, she is an orphan, she has suffered more than you could know. And she understands your pain. She doesn't give up. Today, she froze when she saw the enemy coming at her. But, she fought through her fears, and stood beside me when she needed to do so."
"W...Why didn't you freeze like her?"
"Because I've already seen the horrors of the world come for me. Naruko-chan's suffered on a level that many might not understand, but she also has her hope and her dreams that make her strive forward. From that, she can gain the courage to do what is needed. I get what happened with Gato, and your Stepfather Kaiza-san, your Grandfather told us about him. If he saw you now, saying these things, the man you respected, what would he say? Would he be happy you've given up?"
At this point, Inari's mind cast back to the Stepfather that he had, the man that he saw as his courage, his strength.
He began to cry as Ryouta gently smiled.
"I know what it feels like, to lose someone you love, someone who inspires you, and someone that was...always there. When that's suddenly taken, it can stop you for a long time. You think...the world is out to get you...for taking away that precious person."
"I...yeah, it does..."
"Naruko-chan was born without a family...but, she still doesn't quit, people knock her down and tell her she can't do it, she proves that she can do and she has what it takes. Gato...he might seem like this unstoppable force in the world, but he will be stopped by us. I can see everyone in our team is very determined. Even if he's brought in allies, not one of us is going to give up, so you shouldn't either. Remember Kaiza-san, what he tried to do for you all. I know it's scary to stand up to someone...but, if you don't even try, then nothing's going to change. Your Grandfather realized that, he knows it's dangerous, but he still is doing everything he can, so we Ninja will make sure he can."
Inari wiped his fingers underneath his eyes, drying the tears that were being shed.
"I'm sorry..."
Ryouta shook his head.
"You don't have to say that to me, just try your best from now on. I know that it might seem hard, but you should focus on what you do have, what Kaiza-san believed in. Your family is here, that's a lot more than some people ever have. Those bonds, make sure you do everything you can to keep them together." Ryouta stood up, and stretched his arms. "Got a big day tomorrow, good night Inari-san."
"...Good night. Thank you...Uchiha-kun."
Ryouta smiled, and walked off.
Tsunami appeared from behind her door, smiling as tears rolled down her eyes.
"May I ask...how you've spoken until now...and what you said to my son...I'm sorry if this is rude...but your family..."
"...I lost nearly everything, Tsunami-san. My brother...my sister figure...my clan...I never knew my Mother or Father...I lost them all."
He was glad for the few things he didn't lose, such as Satsuki, Mikoto and the others.
Tsunami's face dropped, surprised and saddened that he had been through so much, yet kept smiling through.
"Ooh...I'm so sorry..."
Ryouta waved his hand.
"Please don't worry about it, it was...very difficult, I also thought that I couldn't go on...but, I was reminded that I still had those people with me. The ones that loved me...are within my heart. Besides, I've got my sister to save, I can't give up just yet. Even if the world is thrown at me...I wont give up until I'm with her again."
Tsunami adopted a small soft smile.
"I see...then I don't have to worry, right?"
"Hmmm?"
"Because I'll believe in you, Ryouta-kun. You, and everyone."
Ryouta chortled.
"Right, leave it to us. We'll sort it out. By tomorrow...Gato will be gone from the Land of Waves, and you'll be free from his clutches."
Tsunami bowed her head.
"Thank you, Ryouta-kun."
Ryouta continued to smile, before walking into his room.
Tsunami continued to smile then looked back towards Inari who seemed to be more chipper than he had been in a long time, before giggling to herself.
"That boy...he truly is kind."
While thinking about Ryouta, she turned in for the night, wondering what was going to happen next.
End chapter!
So Ameyuri made a move this time with Kushimaru, and while not going all out, the pair showed despite their squabbling, they had good team work, and once Naruko snapped out of her freeze, she and Ryouta came together to draw them off. Speaking of Naruko and Ryouta also had a good conversation about the Nine Tails, clearing up any concerns that they might have, and are now closer than ever. Haku also spoke to Naruko, and expressed her thoughts, inspiring Naruko while Ryouta and Inari shared a small moment, something Naruko will do as well soon. Mei has also made her decision, something that we'll find out about next time!
Well, until next time, thanks for reading!
Ryouta; Satsuki, Sakura, Naruko, Hinata, Gaara (fem), Ino, Haku (fem), Kurotsuchi, Karin, Konan, Mei, Anko, Samui,