Chapter 8
Consequences
Land of Water
Yuki Clan Compound
Byakko was alone in the main garden of his home, the evening sky was his only companion and the mist was beginning to roll in as well, it was getting cold and he could hear the waves getting wilder.
He had dispatched his grandson Byakko and the son of the Yellow Flash Namikaze Naruto as the vanguard for the retrieval of his most precious thing, his heir and the future of the Yuki Clan Haku eldest son of his eldest daughter who was killed in a skirmish almost 10 years ago now.
"I hope the son is as skilled as his sire." Byakko said to no one, he of all people knew that a skilled parent did not mean a skilled child all that was left of his family were his two grandchildren, Haku from his eldest daughter and Byakuya from his youngest son, out of all his descendants Haku was easily the most skilled despite his eldest daughter not being skilled in combat and died in her third battle, while his youngest son was merely average but Byakuya was determined rather than brilliant he was not naturally talented but made up for that in sheer bullheaded determination.
'Relying on outsiders is not something any self-respecting Clan should do but desperate times call for desperate measures, I should consider it lucky that he stumbled on our island instead of any of the other Clans in the area.' He thought as he froze some water on a plant and brought it up before letting it fall to the ground, the small amounts of ice shattered on the stone path he was standing on.
Byakko was mostly alone in the compound with only the injured and the noncombatants keeping him company as most of the Clan's fighters had been dispatched as a diversionary force, the Kaguya Clan loved battle and would never turn down the opportunity to fight.
The battle was still currently ongoing and the last message he had received was that the Kaguya main force had been reinforced by their outpost guards. The Kaguya Clan was not large but each one of them was very skilled and it was for that reason alone that they were regarded as one of the Four Great Clans of the Land of Water.
"If Byakuya doesn't succeed then we are lost." He murmured feeling melancholic.
A hacking cough made its way up to his throat and he covered his mouth with his hand as he shook from the violent coughs racking his elderly body.
He took his hand away from his mouth and looked at the blood in his palm, "Too old and sick to be of use." He felt his anger begin to rise but it drained just as quickly.
"If that freelance Ninja gets them home safe then I might just have to give him whatever he asks for especially after using him as a distraction." He said talking to himself in order to fill the silence, the only other noise was the cold sear wind and the rustling of trees and bushes.
'The future of the Yuki Clan depends on this, The skirmish should not result in many casualties so we will not be weakened by those barbarians.' Byakko thought looking up at the darkening sky.
Land of Water
Disputed Yuki-Kaguya Land
"Shit!" Naruto grunted out as his body burned from the exertion.
He was currently trudging through an area that was more like a swamp than an island which shouldn't have surprised him given the fact that the Land of Water was just islands surrounded by the sea so, of course, the edges of the islands would basically be swampland especially when the tide got high.
He was in quite the situation, he had the girl slung across his back with her thin arms locked around his neck and in his own arms he held the still injured Byakuya who was pale and had shallow breathing, Naruto had done his best to treat his wounds but there was only so much you could do with a poultice and bandages.
A normal 13-year-old boy would never have been able to carry to young teenagers but Naruto was a Ninja and had Chakra which was currently being pumped into his arms and legs in order to not collapse under the weight of the two people he was carrying, so far he had been lucky that he wasn't being chased he assumed that the Kaguya who were on their way decided to treat that white-haired one with their Kekkei Genkai instead of chasing him.
'This better be worth it, I've given up a chance to get a Kekkei Genkai to save you two.' Naruto thought annoyed at his own conscious making him pick life over one of the rarest Kekkei Genkai in the world.
Lugging two people in bad terrain was not what he wanted to be doing or even what he expected from this little mission he was expecting it to be a quick in and out but instead, it had devolved into him running and hiding from the very violent Kaguya Clan.
"I sense something this way!" A voice shouted from behind him.
"Time to go with plan A." Naruto muttered he placed Byakuya by a tree then wove some Hand Signs.
"Ketsueki Bunshin no Jutsu." He said and a small prick on his finger created a perfect copy in front of him, one of Hiruko's own Jutsu which was based on Senju Tobirama's Kage Bunshin no Jutsu which was still superior to a Blood Clone as creating a clone from pure Chakra was still better than using a medium even one's own blood though it did replicate many of the effects of the Kage Bunshin like being basically indistinguishable from the real person as well as the lesser-known memory sharing that the Kage Bunshin had.
"You know what to do." Naruto told the Clone and it nodded in response and took off into the trees.
Naruto had given that Clone half of his remaining Chakra so it should be able to take a hit or two before being destroyed, though that did put him under more pressure since he now had less Chakra to work with now in order to run.
"Right now the hard part." Naruto muttered adjusting the remarkably flat-chested girl on his back and picking Byakuya back up.
"The Yuki Compound is only a few islands over, hopefully, the sea is calm now and I can get over it quickly." Naruto said trying to get some confidence in himself as long as that bone monster was still down Naruto was confident he could outrun the rest of them.
He took a deep breath in through his nose and exhaled out of his mouth and then after a moment of stillness and silence he shot off like a lightning bolt sprinting at full speed towards the Yuki territory.
Behind Naruto, his Clone was hard at work setting up traps, false trails and otherwise running interference as the Kaguya chasing him got closer and closer.
"Right, Explosive Tags are set and the rest are the traps are done." Naruto said as the Kaguya landed in the clearing where he was just moments ago.
'No Way!' He screamed in his mind upon seeing the white-haired Kaguya standing there amongst the group of 7 Kaguya Ninja, his wounds weren't bleeding anymore but the open wounds were still there though Naruto could see the bone blocking his organs and the like from the outside world.
"Kimimaro-Sama, are you sure you're okay enough to hunt them." One of the Ninja asked the now identified white-haired Kimimaro.
"Silence, I will not let them go. I have never failed any mission given to me and this is no different." Kimimaro said with a sort of quiet rage, even though his face was set in stone Naruto could feel the anger coming from him.
"I can't believe they sent thieves to steal from us as a distraction from freeing that pathetic Yuki." Another piped up angrily.
"The Yuki will reap their destruction for this." Yet another said.
It seemed like they were trying to whip themselves up into a frenzy to hunt Naruto and the Yuki Clan members he had down.
"There's someone watching us." Another said and Naruto burst into action the moment the words left the Kaguya's mouth.
He launched a barrage of kunai and shuriken and of course some of the kunai had Explosive Tags wrapped around their hilts, if there was one thing that Naruto had an abundance of it was Explosive Tags.
Hiruko had encouraged him to take advantage of the Uzumaki Clan village while he was there and so Naruto did by taking rolls and rolls of specially made Fuinjutsu paper and making hundreds of Explosive Tags because it was the only thing he was good at.
"Explosives!" One called seeing the Tag ignite but it was sudden so there wasn't much they could do apart from run and hide.
The explosion rocked the clearing and Naruto darted around the edge trying to see any stragglers he was rewarded with 2 of the 7 who were coughing and injured from the explosion and shrapnel so he moved and planted a kunai in each of their heads just as he was circling around for others his good luck came to an end as the monster Kimimaro appeared from the smoke with two bone swords in hand and charged right at him.
"There you are rat." He said locking his green eyes onto Naruto's blue.
Naruto sidestepped and tried to get around Kimimaro's flank but of course, the bone user easily kept up with his attempt to move and altered his direction still aimed right at Naruto.
"Suiton: Suijinheki!" Naruto called out his Jutsu after he finished going through the Hand Signs lucky for Naruto the entire ground and area was wet, there was even a low mist crawling in from the sea as well which meant plenty of water in the air though obviously, Naruto wasn't as skilled as Senju Tobirama who could use Water Ninjutsu even on a dry day most Ninja could pull water from mud and even plants in order to use their Ninjutsu.
Like the name said it formed a wall of water between Naruto and Kimimaro which had two good effects for Naruto, first it stopped Kimimaro from gutting him like fish and second it created a blind-spot so Kimimaro would lose sight of him.
"Tsubaki no Mai." Kimimaro said lowly as he literally cut straight through the water and unleashed a chaotic barrage of stabs which would have killed Naruto if he was there but luckily for the blonde Kimimaro instead destroyed the tree he was by.
"Suiton: Suidan!" Naruto shouted and shot a bullet of water right at Kimimaro's back as he had jumped above and over his own water wall in order to get behind Kimimaro.
"Karamatsu no Mai." Kimimaro countered as bones sprouted randomly from his back but they did their job even as they snapped from the force of the water bullet.
Naruto watched as Kimimaro stumbled forward most of the bones on his back were broken but they had protected him well as that was all the damage he took from the Jutsu.
"Not good enough brat!" A voice called from behind him and he saw two other black-haired Kaguya's charging at him, one had an actual wood hatchet while the other was barehanded though Naruto could see the hard callouses on his knuckles.
"Shit." He said and then he noticed he was completely surrounded now, 2 were charging from behind, Kimimaro was in front of him and the last 2 were hiding up in the trees ready to strike.
'Gonna have to use that Jutsu then, a good as time as any for an experiment.' Naruto thought going through more Hand Signs.
"Not good enough, Teshi Sendan." Kimimaro sounded disappointed as he pointed his fingertips at Naruto, and of course, they ripped open and the finger bones revealed shot forward.
Naruto could not do anything to save himself in this situation, he could only choose the scenario where he would lose the best way.
So Naruto decided to charge Kimimaro and was hit in the chest with all 10 bone bullets and he lost strength in his legs and collapsed to the ground lying face up in the mud looking at the darkening sky.
"Pathetic." One of them said disappointed while the 2 hiding in the trees dropped down and joined the remains of their team.
"He did kill Takeno and Jiro, and even did that kind of damage to Kimimaro." One of the others pointed out as Kimimaro approached the downed blonde who was surrounded.
"I had higher hopes for you, it seemed that you were strong." Kimimaro said disappointed.
"I am strong for my age, but your just a monster." Naruto said coughing as blood poured from his wounds.
"But you are underestimating me, even an ant can kill a lion with the right moves and tactics." Naruto taunted them.
"What!" One got really offended and stomped on Naruto's left leg in response which lost form right away and turned into a splash of blood.
"Eh! A Clone made of blood, I've never heard of that Jutsu before" The hatchet wielder said taken aback.
"What's more impressive is that the clone is still here instead of being destroyed in a single blow like most of them are." Another pointed out.
Kimimaro remained silent but he was looking at Naruto with something approaching respect, "You left a clone behind in order to delay us and buy time to get away." He stated the obvious.
"Of course, I knew I can't beat you now but if I get away then in the future." Naruto chuckled after finishing his sentence.
"No you won't, we'll catch up and kill all 3 of you for this." One of the Kaguya said spitting on the ground.
"Only if you survive this. Thanks for buying me time. Kekkai Ninjutsu: Kekkai Hojin Kai!" The Naruto clone used the last of his Chakra and the entire area lit up in a square formation and in each corner was the symbol 爆発.
"A trap!" One shouted but it was too late by that point.
The entire area exploded and it was loud and strong, trees were ripped up from the roots, dirt and mud were kicked high up into the air and that's not even mentioning the massive amount of smoke that was produced from it.
The effects were devastating for anyone outside the formation but they were far worse for anyone inside. The Kaguya Clan members were torn apart by the explosions well all but one.
The crater was deep and there was even a puddle in the bottom from groundwater but within that was a mud-covered bone cocoon, it was cracked but not destroyed and after the shaking and light ended the bone cocoon crumbled to reveal an unharmed Kimimaro well unharmed apart from the wounds he sustained earlier.
"Kuri no Mai." He named the Jutsu he used to protect himself. It simply created a shell around him he could not have used it earlier due to the Explosive Tag being placed directly onto his body but in the case of situations like this, the Jutsu was useful for protecting him well.
"Not good enough to kill me." He said to no one but it was clear who he was talking to and after surveying the remains of his Clanmates he scoffed and left in pursuit of the real Naruto.
With Naruto
Naruto panted heavily with sweat dripping from his forehead as he ran across the raging waters, it seemed fate was against him living past this day as once he reached the shore the sea was angry and not afraid to show it. The only reason he could even move across a raging sea was that it was far easier than having to stand on a whirlpool that would actively pull you in while this was just slamming people around.
"Damn it! I knew I should have just taken that Kimi-bastard instead!" Naruto complained.
He kept going though, even with the high waves and him having to jump over them with two people draped over him he could see the light at the end of the tunnel so to speak as he could see the Yuki island that he landed on and got into this mess, to begin with.
"Nearly there! Nearly there!" He chanted running and jumping and getting very wet in the process.
Soon enough Naruto's torment ended and he reached the coast on the island, this part of island had sand instead of mud so he jogged across the beach panting like a beaten dog.
"So close." He muttered taking in deep breaths as water dripped from his now flattened hair.
Naruto didn't have the energy to run anymore instead he was reduced to a slow jog and now he was dragging Byakuya more than carrying him. His throat was dry from the saltwater splashing into his mouth and that's not even mentioning the dangerous levels his Chakra had dropped to due to his full sprint across a few islands in order to make it back here while his clone delayed the enemy.
'I really hope that explosion killed that bone-bastard this time.' Naruto thought as he reflected on the Clones memories which got sent right into his head the moment it was destroyed by the explosion looking up at the white-haired Kaguya.
Naruto's senses were beginning to fail him now, the corners of his vision were getting dark, he couldn't smell anything due to the cold and his body was going numb from the cold, even the girl on his back was shivering and if he looked over his shoulder her lips were blue.
Naruto kept going however even as his legs began to shake from the weight even when he nearly fell over and collapsed into the cold waiting mud below.
"Found you!" A voice said and if Naruto's blood wasn't already freezing in his veins it would have run cold.
"Kimimaro." Naruto panted just barely turning his head to see the white-haired demon standing behind him.
"You have to lead a decent chase and your explosive Kekkai Ninjutsu was very powerful but the chase ends here." Kimimaro told him like Naruto was already dead.
"You never know." Naruto did not stop running but Kimimaro was jogging at a leisurely pace easily keeping up with Naruto.
"No, your luck has run out." Kimimaro said and threw his bone sword which hit Naruto in the side, of course, Naruto had a body on his back but Kimimaro aimed so perfectly that he actually hit Naruto through the girl's kimono without actually harming her.
"Arhg!" Naruto shouted but he did not fall and kept running.
"Why run? Why fight so hard for a Clan that is not yours?" Kimimaro asked him genuinely wanting an answer.
"Because I gave my word!" Naruto shouted back at him, "I never go back on my word that's my Ninja Way!"
"The highest form of idiocy." Kimimaro shook his head disappointed by the answer and he moved to end the chase.
"Well said young one." An old voice said and ice rained down from the sky creating a barrier between Naruto and Kimimaro.
"Yes, made it." Naruto said woozily as he collapsed into a heap with Byakuya and Haku.
"You have kept your word and have even returned with both of my grandchildren." Byakko said as he landed on top of the ice and glared down at Kimimaro who had taken a few steps back.
"You Monster of the Kaguya leave now!" Byakko barked an order at him.
"Not without your head at the very least." Kimimaro replied with a fire burning in his emerald eyes.
"Those spawn of yours have attacked the Kaguya Compound and your pawn the blonde has stolen from us." Kimimaro said as bones began to erupt all over his body.
"Hyoton: Hyoryudan!" Byakko roared as he finished his Hand Signs that started the moment Kimimaro began talking back.
Naruto stood back up after untangling himself from the pile and watched in awe as a huge dragon made of pure clear ice formed behind Byakko it gave a roar and charged at Kimimaro and he didn't even get a chance to dodge as the dragon ripped right through the forest ending up back at the sea and exploding in a hail of ice.
"Brrrh, cold." Naruto shivered, just being in the same vicinity as the Jutsu made the area cold, all the grass and trees around him had frosted over.
Byakko wordlessly jumped down from his improvised ice wall and landed in front of Naruto as the ice shattered and disappeared in the wind.
"Well done, despite not being a part of our Clan you have done us a great service." Byakko said and even bowed his head slightly to the woozy, cold and tired Naruto.
"Your welcome, I accomplished my mission." Naruto said swaying on his feet.
"I shall order the utmost hospitality for you, come let us return." Byakko said turned around as more Yuki clan members dropped down, one began to treat Byakuya and another went to the girl while a third walked over to Naruto.
"Allow me to treat you Naruto-San." He said respectfully.
"Yeah go ahead." Naruto said to him.
"It would be best if you sit down before you pass out." The Medic said and Naruto nodded at his wisdom.
"Yeah, good idea." Naruto said and near collapsed to the floor but the Medic steadied him and instead of collapsing into a heap he was lowered gently to the ground so he was sat down.
"Treat them for the most serious injuries then move out as soon as possible I wish for them all to recover within our walls." Byakko ordered the surrounding Ninja.
"Yes, Clan Head!" They chorused and began to work faster.
"I hope the reward is worth it." Naruto muttered as he looked to the now nights sky.
Little did Naruto know that Byakko was a very generous man especially after Naruto revealed the treasures that he stole from the Kaguya.
AN:
Chapter 8 is finally fucking done, this chapter has been cursed, I've actually had it written out in my head for 2 days but I've actually had this chapter get corrupted twice now, once at the start and another halfway which almost made me give up but I got through it and finished it this afternoon.
Also decided to experiment with the whole Jutsu thing so I went Japanese and also provided a translation along with a comment about it.
Look forward to Chapter 9, despite the setbacks in this chapter this story is dead fun to write and since I finished Chapter 17 of Bleach SSR I've decided to favour this story since I'm so far ahead with Bleach SSR and only intend to upload a chapter a week.
Translations:
Ketsueki Bunshin no Jutsu=Blood Clone Jutsu
Went with the more wordy Ketsueki rather than the shorter Chi which also means blood.
Kage Bunshin no Jutsu=Shadow Clone Jutsu
Everyone knows this one.
Suiton: Suijinheki=Water Release: Water Formation Wall
Basic Water Jutsu is used first in chapter 120 or episode 71.
Tsubaki no Mai=Dance of the Camellia
One of Kimimaro's Taijutsu techniques is pretty vague in description beyond stabbing.
Suiton: Suidan=Water Release: Water Bullet
C-Ranked Ninjutsu shoots a bullet of water, very basic.
Karamatsu no Mai=Dance of the Larch
Kimimaro's one defensive technique that just sprouts bones to guard against attacks.
Teshi Sendan=Ten-Finger Drilling Bullets
Simple shoots fingertip bones at people.
Kekkai Ninjutsu: Kekkai Hoijin Kai=Barrier Ninjutsu Barier Method Formation Modified
A newly invented Ninjutsu developed by Naruto from the base Kekkai Hoijin, essentially just a bigger boom and manually triggered rather than automatic.
爆発=Bakuhatsu/Explosion
Kuri no Mai=Dance of the Chestnut
Creates a bone cocoon around the user, basically like that one Mokuton that Yamato used to defend against 4-Tailed Naruto in Shippuden on that bridge.
Hyoton: Hyoryudan no Jutsu=Ice Release: Ice Dragon Bullet Technique
The ice equivalent of the Suiryudan, imagine Hyorinmaru from Bleach or Haku & Zabuza's Combo ultimate from NUNS 4.