"Talking"
'Thinking'
Flashback - "Talking"/ 'Thinking'
Chapter 16:
Naruto, Fū and Juvia walked through that waterway entrance on the west side of the Land of Whirlpools.
As they were walking, they looked around at the scenery, and all were amazed at how the place looks like.
Naruto looked at the place and remembered how only two years ago, the place was a ruin, but now, it looks like a perfect place for someone to live a life in peace.
The entrance to the Hidden Whirlpool is on the western side of the Island, toward the Land of Fire. As he was walking, Naruto saw that on the both sides of the entrance, there are empty fields, which he guesses are used for agriculture. On the north side of the Whirlpool , and right above the fields, there is a small part of the Island which is covered in the small trees, which looked like they are just planted there a little over a year ago. Right now, that part of the island doesn't look like much, but eventually, those threes would grow, and a forest will rise, giving people a place to walk and relax without actually leaving the security of the village.
At the lowest part of the island, which is located between the fields, the future forest, the waterway and the tall wall in the middle of the island, which leads to the upper level of the island; there is a part of the village which is completely covered in houses and from what Naruto and his two companions could see, some shops as well.
Naruto looked toward the center of the Island, and saw that there is a path, which leads upwards from the lower lever of the island, to the upper level. The upper level of the island is the remaining portion of the island, and the same place where the Uzukage Tower used to be, along with its surrounding area.
Naruto noticed that, unlike the lower parts of the village, the upper level is still as barren as it used to be after everything was demolished and the debris were removed from the island.
He isn't surprise by that, though. Even as much as it was done in rebuilding the Whirlpool , it was more then he thought would be done in just two years, so he was sure that the upper parts, will be built very soon.
Of course, from the plans which were made before he left the village, the upper levels were supposed to be where the Uzukage's new tower will be, along with the ninja academy and all the other shinobi related stuff, while the lover part of the village will be for civilians.
Just like Naruto, Fū and Juvia were also amazed by the way the village looks like, especially since they knew that the place was destroyed decades ago, and no one has lived there ever since.
As the two were walking behind Naruto, they thought that they have made a right decision in joining Naruto… well, Juvia made the right decision, Fū simply didn't have a choice. She would either accept Naruto's offer, or potentially suffer and then die.
When they arrived at the bay, Naruto, Juvia and Fū, saw Tayuya, Taya and Isaribi.
Tayuya has changed quite a bit since he last saw her. She no longer wears the cloths he gave her, but instead, she now wears dark red, shinobi style pants, with bandages wrapped around the bottom of the pants. On her feet, she wears sandals, with open front part, showing her toes. On her upper body, she wears a chain-mail shirt, above which she has a dark red jacked which she wears opened, showing her bulging breasts, which have grown quite a bit in the last two years. Tayuya has also changed her hair style, as she no longer has her hair tied in pigtails, but instead in a high ponytail. Her beautiful face is no longer covered by Oni mask which she started to wear so that no one would recognize her and inform Orochimaru. She has grown quite a bit as well. If Naruto was to guess, he would say that she is about 10cm taller and a little bit heavier, just enough to match her knew height. The last thing Naruto noticed about her is that she no longer has a sword he gave her, which means that she probably stopped using it sometime after she awakened her special hollow powers, which, by the way, Naruto still doesn't know what they are. Naruto did notice a weapon pouch on her right thigh, is was surprised by this, as he didn't think that Tayuya was use kunai and shuriken now that she has hollow powers, though, she might be using it for something else. He decided to ask her about that later.
Just like Tayuya, Taya has also changed, though not as much as Tayuya. Taya's hairstyle is mostly the same, but her uniform is completely different. She is now wearing something resembling a Royal Uniform. She has long white boots, which go to above her knees, under which, she has black stockings which are going a little higher than the boots. She wears a very short skirt on her lower body, while on her upper body, she has white, long-sleeved jacket, with golden buttons, and golden edges. Her color and the plates on her shoulders are gold and black. Finally, she has white glows, on both of her hands and her old sword, strapped to her left side. All in all, she looks hot, but also gives of the air of authority, making everyone feel like that they shouldn't mess with her. (Look up Scáthach Extella, and that's how Taya looks like)
And finally, there is Isaribi. If anyone has changed since the last time Naruto saw them, then that would be Isaribi. What used to be a 25 year old girl who looked like she is around 16 or 17 years old, now looks much closer to her age. (I don't think I'll be able to describe her very well, so just look up the picture, Isaribi Gaiden, by zeth3047, on Deviantart. I based her look on that picture. The only changes compared to the picture are that, in this story, Isaribi has no bandages around her forehead, and on her leg. She also doesn't have Leaf Hitai-ate around her neck, like she does on the picture. That tattoo on her face is gone as well, and finally, both the sleeves on her drees are gone)
"Well, well, well, would you look at that," Tayuya said with a smirk on her face. "Look who has finally decided to show his face after two years of being gone."
"Lilynette," Naruto scowled when he heard Tayuya's words. "Still as insufferable as ever."
Now it was Tayuya's time to scowl. "Don't give me that shit," she growled! "Where were you all this time? Couldn't you come back here a few times?"
"I left a blood clone here to take care of all business, with you as his right hand," Naruto said. "I didn't see any reason to come back earlier."
Tayuya frowned. "It's no fun to mess with a clone," she said, getting raised eyebrows from everyone there, "no matter how good that clone is."
"So the only reason you wanted me back is so that you can annoy me, right?" Naruto questioned.
"Of course," Tayuya said. "Why else would I want you back?"
Now, Naruto was tempted to mess with her, for a change, but that stuff is simply not in his nature, so he let it go… for now. He will pay her back for messing with him, one way or another.
Naruto then went and introduced Juvia and Fū to the other girls, before he sent the two of them with Isaribi, to do some sightseeing under Isaribi's guide. Tayuya and Taya stayed with him, as he wanted to talk to them about the village and about the things he did since he left, two years ago.
XXX
As Naruto, Tayuya and Taya were walking around the lower level of the partly rebuild the Whirlpool , Naruto said. "Ok. Why don't you fill me in on everything that's been going on here since I left?"
Since she was basically the second in command, Tayuya decided to speak. "Ok. Well, after you left, we spent about half-a-month, cleaning up everything, along with burying the dead from all over the island. We also demolished the ruins of the capitol and all the villages, after which, we planted the trees on those locations, so that they wouldn't be bare, since we won't be building anything on those location."
Naruto nodded, but then asked. "How did you do that so quickly?"
"Shadow Clones." Tayuya stated, and Naruto nodded once again, remembering that he can do that, and so his blood clone can do it as well.
"Once the clean-up was finished," Tayuya started speaking again. "We went over the money you left, to see how much there is, and to see how much we can use of it for the building, and still have enough for food and other essentials.
"We saw that there is going to be enough to last us a while for all the necessities, but we would run short if we start the construction. On top of that, we had barely any knowledge in construction, and what we knew was only enough to fix some of the ruins, so that we can live in. I forgot to mention, but after the clean-up, the houses we used to live in at that point, were left standing, until we can build new ones.
"Anyway, seeing that we will have a problem with construction, and since we didn't know if you would be able to find someone, your blood clone sent Taya and Sasame to your other blood clones in the Lands of Rivers, Birds and Vegetables. Their mission was to find some people who can to the construction with the limited money we had.
"They sent many workers and architects, who came here, checked the place, then we made plans on the design of the whole Village, where will be what, after which, the preparation on the material started.
"It was decided that the houses will be built using wood and processed rock. The houses will be cube-like buildings, built side-by-side. Since we had wood and rock in abundance here on the island, we saved a whole lot of money on the building material, and the stuff we couldn't' find here, we had shipped from the Rivers, Birds and Vegetables, all free of charge, of course.
"When the construction started, it started with the houses, and shops, at the lower level of the village and when we advanced far enough into the construction, one part of the building crew started working on the harbor. Of course, the civilians and the members of the Fūma Clan worked as well, mostly as simple workers, but some of them were tasked to start working the ground on both sides of the entrance, where we would be growing food of our own. We just had to ship in everything necessary for that, along with the seeds which would be planted. By growing our food, we saved a lot of money, as we didn't have to pay for it to be delivered."
From there, Taya decided to continue with the explanation.
"The construction was progressing well, and when the new people you sent, started showing up, they quickly started helping with everything they could," Taya said. "The money you sent, with Saeko when you sent her back here, was of big help, because even with the amount of money we saved on the building material, the construction workers and the food, we were still running near the end of it and we couldn't ask your blood clones in the Rivers, Birds and Vegetables to send us some, as that would mean, bleeding those countries, dry. They already did a lot by sending us what they did, and paying for the workers that they sent.
"Luckily, by then, which was about a year ago, those two gold mines you got your hands on, have started producing a lot of gold, which meant that from then on, we didn't have to be worried about the money running short.
"From then on, while the construction workers were doing their job, and while the civilians were doing their job, we could focus on improving our skills, which we didn't have a lot of time to do until then."
"And how did that go?" Naruto asked.
"Very well," Tayuya decided to say. "We have all become much stronger, and that includes the members of the Fūma Clan, and the remnants of all those other clans you sent our way. Your blood clone has been learning all the Fuinjutsu I knew, as well as the ones from the book and scrolls you sent with Saeko. I got to admit, you really have talent for Fuinjutsu. I mean, your blood clone was sucking in everything like a sponge. It was ridiculous. I've never seen someone learn Fuinjutsu as fast as you."
Naruto smiled at this. "Well, what can I say? I'm a really smart guy. One part of me was a scientist in Hueco Mundo."
Tayuya and Taya cast a glance at Naruto after they heard him praise himself. "You have some ego there, don't you?" Tayuya asked in a dry tone of voice, causing Naruto to laugh.
Once he stopped laughing, Naruto asked. "So, was my Blood Clone able to get pass that barrier?"
"He didn't try," Taya asked, getting raised eyebrows from Naruto.
"Why?" He asked.
"Well, he decided that the original should do it," Taya said. "So, we waited for you to come back, and then you can go and see if you can break that barrier."
"Ok," Naruto said. "What else can you tell me?"
"Well, we already told you that everyone who has had a ninja training has been training themselves to improve," Taya said. "The only thing left is that the upper level of the Whirlpool was left bare, since the construction of that part was left for later."
Naruto nodded. "Have those architects designed the Uzukage's new tower?" He asked.
"Yeah, about that…" Tayuya started to say, drawing a look from Naruto.
XXX
Naruto, Taya and Tayuya walked into the underground level of the former Uzukage Tower.
The former tower has been taken down, but the level below ground, is left standing, as it is the only way to get to the stairway to the vault which is on the second level below the ground. The first level also has several rooms, which Naruto's Blood Clone has been using as a storage, and the place to stay for the last two years. His closest companions have also been staying there with him.
As the three of them entered into the council chamber, which is now an office for the blood clone, Naruto saw his blood clone seating behind the desk, looking over some scrolls.
"Oho, so you have finally decided to come," the blood clone said. "I almost thought that you are going to leave me here forever."
"What makes you think I won't," Naruto asked cheekily, making the blood clone narrow his eyes.
"Don't give me that shit," the blood clone snapped at the original! "You left us here to take care of everything, while you were enjoying yourself all over the EN. Why am I not the one who is enjoying?"
"You do realize that you are me, right?" Naruto asked his blood clone with an amused expression on his face, which was mirrored by Taya and Tayuya.
"What I do realize, is that I didn't have a single day free to do what I want and have some fun." The blood clone said.
"And what do you want to do to have fun?" The original asked, deciding to humor his clone.
There was a complete silence after the question, for a full minute. The blood clone looked at his original with a contemplating look on his face, while the original Naruto, Taya and Tayuya were waiting for an answer.
After a while, the blood clone said. "I… done know… I would find something."
The three people in the room gave him the glare, making the blood clone shrink into his chair.
The original Naruto then decided to just get on to business, and said. "I want you to create a blood clone and then release it."
Naruto Blood clone, Taya and Tayuya all looked at the original Naruto in confusion for a few moments, before the blood clone asked. "Why?"
"It would seem, that the Shadow Clones you create, only give the memories back to you, but not me," Naruto said, surprising the others. "Earlier, I heard from Taya and Tayuya that you've been using Shadow Clones to help with the rebuilding, but in all the time I've been away, I haven't received a single memory from you, or from any of the other blood clones. Which makes me believe that their memories only go back to those who created them, regardless of the fact that I was the one who created you."
"But what makes you think that the blood clone he creates, would give any memories to you?" Taya asked.
"Actually, I'm not sure it will work," Naruto confessed. "But I want to check it out first in order to know for the future."
"Why don't you just release me," the blood clone asked? "That way, you will gain all the memories."
"I'm not going to release you, or any of the blood clones I've created so far," that was another shocking information revealed by the original Naruto.
"Why?" Blood clone asked.
"You've been alive for two years now," Naruto said. "By now, you have developed your own personality, considering how you acted earlier. You can barely be classified as me at this point and are more like a different person. The same goes for the other blood clones.
"Besides, I plan to leave you as the Uzukage once the village is completely built."
The blood clone, Taya and Tayuya gave the original shocked looks. "And what are you going to do?" Tayuya asked.
"I plan to go over all the EN, and once I'm done with them, I'm going to name myself the Emperor of what's left of the EN, while my Blood Clones will be daimyo's, given parts of the empire to take care of, in order to make my job easier."
"You plan to conquer all the EN?" Tayuya questioned with disbelief in her voice. Taya's expression mirrored Tayuya's.
"Yes," Naruto said shortly. "That was my plan almost from the time I came back here. At first I wanted to just kill everyone and be done with this hell-hole, but then I decided to kill those who betrayed me and those who deserve to be killed. The rest will just be conquered, and will be happy about it. Trust me on that."
No one said anything for a few minutes, until, the blood clone broke the silence by standing up from his chair, and then he bit his finger, performed hand seal, and then slammed his blood covered hand on the floor.
Another blood clone formed himself from the mix of blood and chakra, and stood in front of his creator.
The first blood clone the proceeded without waiting a second, and dispelled the blood clone he created, spilling the blood he used to create it, on the floor.
Once the second blood clone was dispelled, nothing happened to the first blood clone, but the original Naruto, actually lowered his head downward, before he groaned in pain, and held his forehead with both of his hands.
"Damn, that hurt," she groaned out. "I'm so glad I'm not normal human, because if I was, my brain would have melted from the information overload."
"So you did gain the memories," Tayuya asked?
"Yes," Naruto confirmed.
"I wonder why you gain the memories from the blood clone created by the blood clone, but not from the shadow clone created from the blood clone." Taya questioned.
"I'm not sure," the original Naruto said. "It might have something to do with the fact that, blood clones are closer to the original because they are made from both blood and chakra, while shadow clones are only made from chakra."
"Hm," Taya hummed. "You might be right."
It took the original Naruto five minutes to get over the brain pain, and then another 15 minutes to go over all the memories he gained from the blood clone.
"You really did a lot in the two years since I created you," Naruto commented, while looking at his blood clone. "And I see that you have gotten really good at Fuinjutsu."
"Yes," the blood clone said. "I could have gone down there and try to break the seal, but I thought it might be better to leave it to you, since you are the original."
Naruto shrugged. "It wouldn't matter to me," he said. "You could have done it, I wouldn't care, but since you decided to wait, then let's head down there, and check it out."
The others agreed, and all four of them left the office, heading toward the stairway, which lead to the second underground level.