Chapter 5
While Konoha was scheming, Naruto was showing Suna the beauty of fireworks as they celebrated Gaara's return as the recovered Kazekage. Tsunade was enjoying the liquor and festivities of the desert dwelling shinobi, with Shizune looking at festival dresses that were enhance her figure. Gaara and his siblings were enjoying themselves watching their old friend fire off sparkling flames that danced in the air and sometimes played with the younger Genin of Suna.
Naruto was happy at the joy all Suna and his granny and sister figure were having tonight. But he was wondering where Kurama, Ameyuri, and Tayuya wandered off to. Having taken the last few days for everyone to recuperate and finalize their plan for Naruto and his fellowship's journey after the party. It was then he got his answer after firing his firework that took the form of gourd surrounded by a tanuki that looked like Shukaku that he got the answer to his missing mates inquiry.
The crowd gathered to a wooden stage that had its curtains down as lights were beaming at them. Naruto decided to go see what this show would bring after leaving his fireworks cart unattended. As three small figures snuck in to find the biggest firework ever to announce their arrival to 'Boss'.
Music began to play as the curtains rose to reveal the Uzumaki's three women adorned in Suna dancer outfits as they performed a belly dance to Naruto's pleasure with the crowd cheering them on. Naruto was blushing dark red with some blood seeping from his nose as he saw how beautiful the trio looked. Kurama wearing an orange top that showed off her ample chest with a revealing long-skirt that had red strings that matched the red flowers that were worn near her elven ears. Tayuya and Ameyuri were wearing matching black dancer outfits with orange lines/designs as they spun and danced beside the middle kitsune. (A/N: For Kurama, think FGO Mata Hari's final form outfit… while Tayuya and Ameyuri are wearing DeviantArt Rocky Ace's Mikoto dancer outfit with orange instead of blue, and without the string connected to the choker.)
Gaara was happy that Naruto had strong, beautiful women that showed their love for him by performing this dance while teasing the demonic Uzumaki to take the next steps in their relationship. Temari, Kankuro, Tsunade, and Shizune were jealous for different reasons. For Kankuro it was Naruto for being a lucky dog to bag such hotties, while the princesses and apprentice were twitching with envy at those hussies in stealing Naruto from them.
When the music ended and the dancers gave a final sexy pose, the crowd roared with hollers and clapping at the amazing performance the trio gave. The three gave a bow before jumping off stage to hug their loving Naruto who was awestruck, not knowing what to say as they pressed their bodies into his arms and chest.
"Did you love our dance, Naruto-kun?" Kurama asked as she pressed her cleavage closer to his chest.
"Y-Y-YES! You all were fantastic! I did not know you three could dance." Said Naruto. Feeling that his body parts stiffen as he felt like he was about to hit cloud-nine.
"As much as I hate to admit it, flame-head. The vixen learned from past experiences before being sealed into her first jinchuriki. After winning the place as top wife, she taught sparky and I in secret so we could surprise you when the time was right." Said Tayuya as she laid her head on his left shoulder as she blew into his left ear with Ringo doing the same to his right.
"It looks like we succeeded in surprising you, Oni-kun. When can we expect you to reward us for our combined present?" asked the sharp-toothed redhead as Naruto was not able to answer them.
"Not tonight… you hussies! I am… not ready… for you to take my… honorary grandson away." Tsunade slurred as she tried pulling Naruto into her bosom. Shizune having to try and pry a drunk Tsunade so she cannot make the scene worse as the Senju started tearing up at seeing her precious Naruto grow up so fast.
Suddenly, the moment was interrupted when a tent flew up into the sky as a trail or orange fire sparked behind it. Naruto recognized it as his draconic firework that somehow was stolen from his cart. He turned to where the firework blasted off from as he could make out black spiky hair from a smoking young man with two accomplices.
Naruto snuck away from his female companions as they were distracted along with the rest of the people of Suna as the firework exploded into orange and white light that continued to rise. Forming a dragon head as it roared before sparking its full form as it descended towards the unexpecting crowd. Everyone began to worry as it continued to glide down towards them with its large sparkling membrane wings with its eyes and mouth glowing at them.
Some of the crowd started running away from the dragon, toppling over festival tables and carts while they did so. The Kazekage ordered the rest of them to duck and cover as his Anbu and several others had the people lay on their bellies against the sandy ground as the animated fire flew over them. Once the animated dragon flew past them, they lifted their heads to see what would happen next.
The dragon rose to the sky again as it turned back into a streaming orange comet. When it reached high enough into the sky, it exploded into flurry of multiple fireworks that boomed loudly into the starry sky. The mood quickly changed as the crowd cheered and clapped at the display with Kurama and the others staring in awe at Naruto having such a surprising firework do that.
The group responsible for this were the grown up Genin, the Konohamaru Army Corps along with the Hyuuga heiress. Konohamaru Sarutobi, Udon, Moegi, and Hanabi Hyuuga. Having slipped out of Konoha after hearing that the Boss had returned and was going to put the usurper Danzo down.
The grandson of the Third never liked the Warhawk or the decisions of the former teammates of Hiruzen. As soon as Lady Tsunade left with Team 7 before she could relinquish the Hokage Seat to someone else, Danzo got the approval of the majority of the Civilian and Shinobi Councils to instate him as the new current Hokage. Ebisu knew that the legacy of the Third and his teammates would be forced to undergo Root training as Danzo made it clear that he wanted to 'reestablish' the foundation to bolster Konoha's ranks. The first target being young orphans before he would petition the Genin and Academy students to also undergo training to remove meaningless emotions in the Sixth Hokage's view.
Ebisu helped Konohamaru escape with his comrades and secret girlfriend as Hinata also wished for her sister to be safe while she waited in hiding for Naruto near the Fourth Hokage's residence. Wanting to proclaim her love for him while making sure she protected the legacy of the Hokage from Root seal agents that tried to mess with the gate's seal with Jiraiya unaware as he was preparing a seal to capture Naruto. They had wanted to surprise him by using one of Naruto's firework creations.
Unfortunately, they did not know how it worked after lighting it up inside their tent as Udon and Konohamaru argued on how they should make their entrance. The result had the two shinobi knocked onto their backs with soot covering them with kunoichi coughing up a storm as they watched the firework magically turn into a dragon as cause chaos that they did not want to happen. Hanabi and Moegi felt the presence of someone behind them as they were nervous at seeing the towering form of Naruto glowering down at them.
The two were about to voice their surprise when Naruto gave them a smile before shushing them to silence and had them watch the end of the firework show that Konohamaru and Udon were too distracted by as Naruto snuck up behind them. The kunoichi smirked as they watched Naruto about to surprise their dummy boyfriends. Enjoying the fireworks and the humiliation coming up.
"That was awesome!" said Udon. Wiping the soot off his glasses.
"Let's get another one!" said Konohamaru to Udon.
Until the two Genin felt their ears being pinched by strong fingers as they yelped in surprise and pain before squinting up to look at their captor.
"Udon Ise. And Konohamaru Sarutobi. I might have known." Naruto spoke in a stern tone before dragging them towards Lady Tsunade and the rest of the group with Hanabi and Moegi following behind Naruto.
Scene Change
"Are you serious? Hinata likes me? And she's putting her life in danger to protect my parents' home until I return to claim it?" Naruto was floored at the shy Hyuuga from the Chunin Exams having such a crush on him.
Only to get smacked by Tsunade for Naruto not seeing the rest of the picture. "You numbskull! Worry about her feelings for you later! What is more concerning is how Danzo got to be Hokage so quickly. What did the Fire Daimyo have to say?" she asked the four Genin.
"The Daimyo came to Konoha just a day after you left with Team 7. It was then he gathered the Council, and the advisors voiced their opinion of giving the office to Danzo after saying that you had quit. I was there with Uncle Asuma to see what my future duties would be as the Sarutobi heir before I became future Hokage." Konohamaru explained with Hanabi filling in as well since she too was there with Hinata and their father Hiashi Hyuuga.
"The Fire Daimyo was about to request that a squad of Anbu to pick up Lady Tsunade once the retrieval mission was finished, to hear her side of things, but something strange happened. Danzo rebuked the Daimyo and somehow convinced him that the Senju Princess had turned traitor and did not deserve to be heard or continue leading Konoha into ruin. That is when Danzo got the majority vote of being elected the Sixth Hokage. However, I got suspicious and quietly activated my Byakugan and saw it." Hanabi paused before sharing the secret Danzo has been hiding from the village and the Hokage.
"The elder had an implanted Sharingan where his bandaged covered eye is, as well as multiple Sharingan implanted on his hidden arm that looked to made of different chakra than his. He must have used a powerful Genjutsu to influence the Fire Daimyo and the Shinobi Council to get them to accept his election. I whispered this to Tou-san, which is why he accepted Hinata's plan in allowing me to join the Konohamaru Army Corp to Suna to warn Lady Tsunade and the returned Uzumaki." Hanabi's revelation threw everyone in the room for a loop.
"That graverobber!" Tsunade smashed fist against the wall.
"Please, calm yourself, Lady Tsunade." Shizune rubbed her sensei's shoulders to calm her down.
"I never liked that old man that seemed to glance at Naruto-kun like he was some sort of prize to be won while I was sealed inside of him." Kurama noted from watching through Naruto's eyes when she was sealed inside of him.
"I'm not sure if you want to hear this. But when I was a part of the Sound Four, Orochimaru had dealings with that mummy that got us to infiltrate Konoha during the Chunin Exams. The payment being that arm full of Sharingan since the pedophile wanted a full-blooded living Uchiha to claim the Sharingan. The arm is made of Hashirama Senju's cells, which makes Danzo a two-time graverobber." Tayuya added. The trio having foregone their dancer outfits and wearing kimonos to cover themselves now that this news had ruined their romantic teasing from earlier.
"So what are we going to do, boss?" Konohamaru asked at seeing Naruto ponder on things.
"This is but a test of the terror the Warhawk will unleash on the Elemental Nations. What he really wants is a jinchuriki or a powerful Biju. All the more potent that his fears of the Akatsuki and their plans in claiming the remaining Tailed Beasts to destroy his vision of Konoha and the Elemental Nations at large that is driving his madness. I will go. And reclaim my birthright along with Hinata while allowing those who wish to not follow Danzo and his madness to escape." Says Naruto.
"But Naruto. What if Danzo and the council are expecting you? It could be a trap. Unless you count Jiraiya as another ally. Did my teammate try to do anything to stop Danzo's foundation regiment?" Tsunade asked.
"No strangely. Yet last we heard; he was working on a seal for Naruto especially. Even when it was him that suggested they try to get Naruto back on Konoha's good side." Udon spoke up.
"Then he is our enemy. I travel to Konoha. Gaara, have your trusted Anbu prepare for refugees along the Fire and Wind border." Naruto proclaims.
Before Tsunade and the others could retort Naruto, he vanished in the darkness of the shadows. Seeing this new ability surprised them except for Kurama and the other girls.
"I think while Gaara prepares his Anbu, we should take a peek through that scrying ball all Kage have to see what Naruto plans to do in springing their trap." Kurama suggests with everyone running around to finish their tasks so that they could watch Naruto bring chaos to the cesspool of a village.
Konoha…Nighttime
Hinata was getting tired as two Root agents remained standing as she stood guard in front of the Namikaze/Uzumaki compound. They always came by at night to try and weaken the seals on the closed gates. Which meant Hinata was always the Uzumaki's guardian angel of the night so that her longtime crush and love interest can claim his inheritance without political interference. However, they sent more tonight which sapped more of her strength than usual.
"Surrender. And Lord Hokage will put your skills to better service the Hidden Leaf." One of the agents told her.
"The Byakugan and the Hyuuga Clan are not pawns in the Warhawk's games for the Five Great Nations! Nor are the jutsus and secrets within this compound are his to take! They belong to the clan heir of the Fourth Hokage and the Uzumaki Clan!" Hinata declared.
"Fortunately, the Hyuuga have accepted Lord Danzo's ruling and have proven their loyalty by reinstating the Hyuuga Elders as the leaders of the clan." The other Root agent explained in a monotone voice which shocked Hyuuga princess.
"How? My father is the one leader of the Hyuuga Clan!"
"Hiashi Hyuuga has been disposed of tonight for betraying Konoha. Allowing the Sarutobi heir and his Genin Team to flee along with your sister days ago. Once we restrain you, you will serve your village and Hokage by ending those traitors and then to be bred to repopulate the Byakugan for the good of the village." Hinata was abhorred that her father was assassinated and now Neji and the rest of the Branch members were in danger.
Before the two Root could use this moment of distraction to capture Hinata, the shadows behind them stirred as a dark blade was alit with flames. Beheading the two unawares. Stepping out of the shadows, Naruto walked on over to Hinata who was about to faint in surprise and fatigue.
"N-Naruto? Is it really you?" stuttered Hinata.
"It's me, Hinata. I thought you had grown out of stuttering after my first passing?" Naruto teased which had Hinata blushing red.
"Calm yourself. Your sister told me everything. I am sorry I did not realize your feelings for me earlier in our Genin days. Know that I am currently in a relationship with three other woman who wish to help in bringing back my clan and fighting our true enemy. Are you willing to share the burden that I bear?" Naruto asked.
Hinata was silent as she was sad that she was not the only one to now have feelings for Naruto-kun. But she also knew how big Naruto's heart was and seeing that he wanted to bring back his clan, Hinata was happy that she had the chance to be a part of Naruto's growing family. She nodded her head to show she wanted this.
"So be it. Then you need to regain your strength for the long journey." Said Naruto.
"What do you mean?" Hinata asked. Her answer being the coming figure of her cousin, Neji. The sight of her cousin alive overwhelmed her to unconsciousness.
"Thank you, Naruto for saving Hyuuga Branch and my fellow sibling. Danzo will be furious when he finds out you slaughtered the Hyuuga Elders and the Main family that followed their way of thinking." Said Neji.
Naruto having first appeared in the shadows of the Hyuuga compound to see if he could find Hinata there. Only to find that the Hyuuga Elders had killed the clan head and were about to send some of their members to apprehend Neji and Hinata to be indoctrinated to Danzo's Root. Naruto rescued Neji as the two allied in ending the Elders, much to Neji's joy for his father's and uncle's memory.
"That and more, my friend. I am going to set a fire under Danzo and Konoha. While I distract them, you must get Hinata, Team Gai, and your remaining clan to Suna's borders. They will protect you, with Hanabi and the others waiting for you all." Naruto instructed him.
"Understood." Neji then summons a few clones to get Gai-sensei, Lee, and Tenten while the original carried Hinata to where the remaining Hyuuga had gathered to begin their escape.
Naruto then shifts his gaze towards his parent's compound as he releases the seal and enters the compound after having shut the gates behind him. The former ninja of the Leaf walked slowly as he took in the sight of the place that was meant to be his home and sanctuary. So many promises that were broken because of the selfishness and hatred of Konoha Council members.
Opening the door he sends clouds of dust flying everywhere. Tears start to form in his eyes, whether it is because of the dust bunnies or the thoughts of what could have been who could say. He needed to work fast before getting Danzo and his failure of a godfather's attention.
While this was happening, Jiraiya had just entered the Hokage's office where Danzo was waiting to hear the results of his Fuinjutsu.
"I finally finished. This seal should hold Naruto long enough for you and me to reconvince him Konoha is his home. He will never rebel against it again." Jiraiya explained to Danzo.
"That is good news, Jiraiya. I believe we should see him in the a few days. Enough time to prepare for more countermeasures if the Uzumaki does something unpredictable." Danzo thinking of some backup plans.
"What about Sasuke, Sakura, and Kakashi?" Jiraiya asks the former Team 7.
"The Uchiha will need to have his eyes replaced if he is to defeat Itachi should the former spy ever return. Perhaps Hatake would be generous to donate that eye he has kept for all these years. It would serve Sasuke better than that lazy man." Danzo commented.
Suddenly, an Anbu appeared in the room before giving a silent bow before reporting.
"Lord Sixth, emergency! Someone has infiltrated the Uzumaki/Namikaze compound and has set it on fire!"
The Toad Sage and the Hokage were stunned at such a ridiculous claim. The two rushed out of the Hokage Tower to see for themselves.
A Few Minutes Later
A giant crowd had formed of civilians and shinobi as they were stumped at seeing the house of their great hero being burned behind sealed gates. Some Shinobi even tried firing water jutsu over the gate to put out the flames. Only the jutsus were blocked by the powerful Fuinjutsu that prevented jutsu or unwanted entry into the compound.
"This is terrible. All the secrets of the Fourth and the Uzumaki will be lost!" cried Homura, who was with Danzo and Koharu as they were awaken to the smell of smoke.
"Jiraiya, did your student leave you anything else in case something like this happened?" Koharu asked.
"No. Only copies of the Rasengan and the Flying Thunder God Technique which for the second move I cannot perform. The real question is, who could have done this when I haven't even cracked the seal that looks intact?" Jiraiya wonders.
His answer came when a rumbling sound came from the flames and smoke of the burning house. It then turned into a roar that had everyone step back in fear, while not being able to see what was making that noise. Suddenly, a giant figure rose out of the flames and smoke as it descended a few feet away from the gate. Its wings were flared as its dark body emitted smoke and flames without looking hurt or in pain. Danzo and the village were startled that this demon was nothing like the Biju or even the Nine-Tailed Fox that attacked them years ago.
This was something new. And it irked Danzo to have a new piece appear on the board of his future conquest. He removed his bandages to reveal Shisui's powerful Sharingan to try and to turn the Oni docile. However, the eyes of the balrog were only pure bright white's that showed no pupils. The ram-horned beast let out a hot roar at Danzo as the heat of the balrog's breath forced the warhawk to cancel his Genjutsu at feeling pain in his injured eye while his skin felt like it was sweating immensely.
The balrog then created a flaming sword in his hand before thrusting it downwards onto the gate. Destroying the seal along with the entrance of the home as flames began to spread from the shadowy beast and towards the frightful population. Jiraiya would not let this stand along with Kakashi who was distraught at seeing his sensei's home destroyed by this monster.
The balrog took one step forward to make them think that Naruto was about to attack them. Waiting for Jiraiya to summon the toads to get then to boil in their sweaty mucus. Kakashi went and fired a large Water Dragon Jutsu to extinguish Naruto's flame before preparing the stab Naruto with Minato's signature kunai. The blade barely pierced his skin as Naruto erupted in flames again before swiping Kakashi away. Destroying the kunai in the process as to relinquish Kakashi of his sensei's memento.
His gaze turning toward Jiraiya who was now on Gamabunta who was confused at to see this. "Jiraiya, what is going on? What is that demon? It looks like a winged oni, but nothing I've ever seen before." The toad boss commented.
"It has somehow gotten passed Minato and Kushina's seals and has destroyed their home. The memory of my student must not be defiled any longer by its presence!" Pervy-sage tells Gamabunta.
"I see. This may prove an interesting challenge." The giant summon pulls out his blade before jumping high into the air to plunge his sword into Naruto.
Naruto was not worried the least as he easily dodged the crater made strike before changing his sword into his signature whip with flaming tongs. The toad was in excruciating pain at feeling the sting of the burning ends of the whip that left more scars on his body. Jiraiya tried to help in trapping the balrog in a swamp, but the wings allowed him to fly out of the trap.
"It's just toying with us." Gamabunta noticed as Jiraiya regrouped on top of his head.
"What are you?!" Jiraiya shouted in anger.
It was then the fire and smoke surrounding the balrog enveloped him as he reverted to his humanoid form. Naruto stepped out with his horns, tail, and wings out and adorned in his dark robes that had no signs of any burn on the material. The look on their faces was priceless to see.
"Hello Konoha. And in answer to your question, oh godfather of mine. I am a Balrog! A demon of Konoha's creation from their deceitful shadows and their flames of hatred! A being of Shadow and Flame!" Naruto declares to them.
"It's back!"
"Hokage save us!"
"The demon has come for revenge!" The villagers shouted one to another as they showed mixtures of worry, anger, but mostly fear.
"Boy, what is the meaning of this? I thought Jiraiya was meant to train you like your father before you." Gamabunta said, showing his confusion.
"He only wants to train me so he can fulfill your prophecy that will only benefit Konoha. I have been brought back by Kami who wishes that all the Elemental Nations to have peace. It is not up to people to dictate how the prophecy influences them, it is their actions and the good or bad choices they make that will determine if they face destruction or prosperity. Konoha has been leaning on the destruction side ever since my parent's died and not even my first death could get the Leaf to stop in their bad habits." Naruto explains to the Boss summon.
"Naruto, your father would not want you to destroy the home he sacrificed to make certain both you and Konoha could live past the Kyuubi's rampage. Please, we can work this out." Jiraiya pleaded to Naruto.
Naruto frowned at his former sensei. "Would you be saying that if I no longer carried the Kyuubi? Well guess what. I no longer am a jinchuriki. The Kyuubi is free. As all Biju should be since they are the nature guardians of the Elemental Nations. The only reason the fox went on a rampage is because an Uchiha used a Sharingan like Madara's to force the Biju to attack Konoha in the first place. There can be no peace until the Akatsuki are stopped and the Biju are no longer turned captives to humans or hidden villages."
"That would go against everything the First Hokage did, Naruto! I will not let you destroy Konoha or her reputation for not having a happy childhood. Grow Up!" Jiraiya was losing it.
"Grow up? Tell me, godfather. When did Jiraiya the Gallant abandon reason for madness?" Naruto retorted.
At that, Jiraiya dashed towards Naruto with a Rasengan in hand. Only to slip on a sheet of slick ice that Naruto created with his water and wind chakra. Having pervy-sage land awkwardly on his back that ended his signature move and prevented him from using his created seal, that Naruto effortlessly burned to a crisp. Seeing that he had distracted Danzo and everyone long enough, Naruto decided to leave a few final gifts before returning to granny and the others.
To their surprise, Naruto formed a Rasengan in one hand, but now completed with wind blades swirling around it with his demonic fire to make it more deadly. The Namikaze heir then flung his Udun-Rasenshuriken into the Hokage mountain as it destroyed the faces of the First and Second Hokage. While also causing the construction of Danzo's face to crumble as well.
But that was not the end. Changing back into his 20ft tall balrog form, Naruto flapped his wings as climbed high into the air. When he reached high enough, he fell sending a seismic attack that had many civilians and shinobi crumble to the ground while also destroying many hidden passages of Danzo's root bunkers below the surface.
His work finished, Naruto vanished in a swirl of fire and smoke. Leaving Konoha in a more crippling state. Far surpassing wat the Kurama had done in the past.
Gamabunta was stunned at how far off the path Jiraiya has fallen to reinterpret the Toad Sage's prophecy that was privileged to share. He reverse-summoned himself back to Mt. Myoboku to inform the other toads of Jiraiya and Konoha's actions of late.
'This cannot be?! If word gets out of Konoha's state before the Kage Summit, I will be a laughingstock. NO! I am the Sixth Hokage! I will surpass the foolish Kage of the past and bring about change. Not even the Akatsuki will be strong enough to fight against the might of the Five Great Nations. With me leading them.' Danzo thought to himself as he had his remaining forces begin extinguishing the flames that were now scattered across Konoha.
Finally. I actually enjoyed writing Naruto with having some Gandalf-memes. The torment of Konoha may have ended, but the real battle is about to begin.
Stay Healthy and Stay Safe! Also, stay Hydrated if you have also been having extreme hot weather wherever you are these past few weeks.
