It's been a while, but the stage is finally set for the next act.
Technically had it done a couple days ago but I felt- and ncpfan confirmed- that it was missing something. To spare you all a lackluster chapter, I went back to add some more which took far longer than I had believed it would.
Nevertheless, it's ready now thanks to ncpfan's help.
I'd like to promise the next chapter will be out soon but it started pouring at 4:30 Saturday morning during my run and I woke up yesterday sick so we'll see how much I can actually get done by next week.
In case I don't make it in time- which, face it, I probably wont- I want to wish everyone happy holidays.
Now, let act XLIX commence!
Excitement and worry kept her from falling asleep until late that night but even then there was no rest to come. It felt as though the second she closed her eyes they opened again, taking in surrounding she had seen only a scant few times.
Only the first visit had really been to her benefit.
Water, murky as always, swirled around her ankles as she pushed herself up, idly noting that- as usual- none of the water had actually soaked into her clothes and she was left perfectly dry despite having been able to feel the cold water rush by her.
It was such a strange space, but she really should have never expected differently.
She was, after all, within a seal, the product of an art form solely dedicated to the manipulation of time and space.
If anywhere was going to defy logic, it would be within these artificial cosmic boundaries.
Letting her eyes wander she noted it seemed cleaner than her last visit- no, not cleaner, that was a bad word to use considering the rubble littering the floor and broken furniture that peaked out like strange plants struggling towards a nonexistent sun.
Tidier, perhaps, would better describe it, debris having been moved closer to the sides of the flooded basement to create a clear path deeper into the depths of the seal. With nothing to do but follow it, she quickly found herself surrounded by ever-growing accumulations of rubble until the two piles were so close they fell into each other in an arch and made a tunnel.
It wasn't' a long tunnel, but it was enough to make one feel as if they were entering another world, especially considering how much work had been done within those boundaries.
How odd, she briefly thought, that there would be artificial boundaries within artificial boundaries manipulated by little more than ink. How so must the universe churn in unease that its very existence had been violated so, for the mere purpose of containing a collection of energy.
The fact that said collection of energy had continued with even more boundaries that would no doubt be deemed unnecessary was like pouring salt into the wound.
That is, if the Universe even cared.
She supposed that if it hadn't done anything yet then it really didn't matter. Turning her thoughts from pondering how the universe viewed seals and their use by humanity she instead took in the room, for lack of a better word, that had been created.
Large chunks of concrete- some smashed walkway, perhaps, pr maybe just a foundation that had been torn asunder during whatever disaster had struck between the Kyuubi's imprisonment and her first visit, which very well could have been the Kyuubi herself- had been arranged around the piles of debree in a large circle, acting like walls.
In the gaps between the greater pieces were stacked smaller remains of whatever structure this had once been. It gave the effect of a once great place that had been reduced, rather than just a giant pile of trash as she had viewed it on her first visit.
Like that time, however, the resident of this od place was in the middle of everything. Unlike last time she sat upon a solid wooden chair- it was a miracle it had survived in such good condition considering everything around them, she had been damn fortunate to find that- that in turn rested upon a solid piece of black marble a good ten times larger than it in every direction covered in no more than a half inch of water. Another piece of the black stone- though substantially smaller- had been used as a footrest to keep the bare feet of the Kyuubi's chosen form from having to remain within the water.
Other pieces of the black marble, in every shape and size, were scattered in something reminiscent of a garden pathway- albeit one submerged in water as opposed to being placed over grass.
It was, in the end, a rather interesting place. One fitting, she thought, for a dream. Which was good, of course, because it was currently taking the place of the dreams she should have been having.
She spent just a moment peering into the darkness that hung above them- on that note, where was the light coming from in here? It was too bright and she couldn't find any source for it. Come to think of it, the entire area she had awoken in was like that too, but now that she turned back too peer out of the tunnel she had just come from it was pitch black. How strange- before turning her attention to the being of this realm.
All things considered, it didn't seem much like she had much control over this place. If she did the chances of it looking anything like this were really slim unless she had extremely peculiar taste.
Then again, she was dressed in the form of a dead woman who had sealed her within herself decades ago.
Perhaps peculiar taste was a bit too mild a way of putting it.
Still, she was the only being that permanently resided within the confines of the seal and even though she was the Kyuubi no Kitsune and had taken an untold amount of lives over the millennia it felt odd to think of her as a prisoner when the prison itself was tied to her own chakra coils. Despite the fact that the Kyuubi was in fact a prisoner here Naruko really didn't like to think of herself as a jailer or, as the Kyuubi herself preferred, the jail.
Eyes meeting- blue against crimson- they remained silent, both waiting for the other to speak.
Predictably, it was not the millennia-old entity composed of sentient energy that had the greatest issue with patience and Naruko's voice broke the still silence that had hung between them.
"Decided to talk to me again, Kyuubi?" She asked, arms crossing over her chest. "What is it?"
Perhaps not the best approach but she had always been rather blunt and she was missing sleep she was going to desperately need come the morrow and the first trial of the Chuunin exams.
Mito raised a delicate eyebrow, held it for several beats, and then shifted in her seat, adopting a posture more akin to reclining.
The first Jinchuriki of the Kyuubi had always possessed a regal bearing and the Kyuubi, admittedly, pulled it off very well. She looked for all parts the queen of this strange land ready to bear down judgement upon the insects crawling at her feet.
"There was a reason I had stopped speaking with you, girl." The voice was just as cold as Naruko had expected and had a bite all too appropriate for her current expression. It was strange to think this was the same sobbing woman she had found during the trip with her mother, the being that had been so desperate to be returned to her brother that it was willing to give her complete control of her vast powers.
Of course, she had also tried using that very power against the brother the Kyuubi was so desperate to be returned too. It was to be expected, really.
"It was one mistake, I was angry." Huffed Naruko defensively. "You know how your power reacts to anger and I had been practicing harnessing it for years. It was second nature at that point."
"And yet that one mistake resulted in Naruto-Kun being hurt. You could have killed him or, worse, driven him away from us permanently." Naturally she had used 'we' when she really meant 'me' but Naruko had to admit it would be awful to never repair the relationship with her brother.
Unlike the Kyuubi- she really didn't like calling her Mito despite, or perhaps due to, the form she took- she would prefer that to Naruto's death. She could see the reasoning behind the Biju's feelings, though. Having him gone was one thing that she could come to terms with but having him there and yet out of reach would be a special hell.
For the Kyuubi, at least, Naruko would be fine so long as her brother was happy. It wouldn't be easy, but she could accept it and carry on until she did manage to repair their relationship, even if that took the rest of her life and her goal never truly came to fruition.
"And now you want to talk with me." It was both statement and question and was sufficient in prompting the ancient being to continue.
"Yes, I most certainly do." The Kyuubi nodded, eyes narrowing in an expression that looked almost accusing, as if Naruko had purposely performed some grievous crime against her. "You know our deal, you know what I want- your progress has thus far been unacceptable."
"In fact" The Kyuubi briefly paused, anger and irritation in equal parts temporarily crossing her face. "We are likely farther from the completion of our arrangement then we were before. You've gone backwards and it's unacceptable."
"It's not like we don't' want the same thing-"at the Kyuubi's glare she amended her statement. "Or, at least, that our two goals coincide to give us both what we want from the same action. That is, repairing my relationship with my brother. It's just not easy when there are so few opportunities for me to interact with him. I mean, he was gone for a month! Different teams is bad enough but he's always gone either on a trip or taking missions with higher ranking Shinobi he's befriended."
A smirk crossed the Kyuubi's lips.
"Exactly." She practically purred in a jarring change of attitude. "That leads into what I want from you now."
Before Naruko had a chance to protest or express confusion about her words Mito continued.
"Naruto-Kun goes on missions with higher ranking Shinobi because he doesn't have a team to take missions with. If I'm not mistaken, you're about to go for a promotion, no?"
Naruko wasn't stupid- naïve perhaps, but not lacking intelligence- and was easily able to understand what the Kyuubi was getting at.
It wasn't all that bad an idea, actually; in fact, it sounded just about perfect considering the current situation. This may very well be exactly what she needed to start mending her relationship with her estranged brother.
That is, if she managed to make it to Chuunin during the exam.
"That- that might actually work." She admitted, an expression of both hope and grudging respect crossing her face. "I would have to get the promotion though."
Here Mito grinned again and without warning crimson energy poured out from the walls, slipping through the cracks in the hand-stacked debris to completely enshroud the Uzumaki heiress.
Unlike recent attempts to harness the power herself there was no burning pain accompanying the cloak of pure chakra. Instead, raw power energized her entire body and sent warm shivers of pleasure down her spine. A haze, thick and smothering, settled over her, slowing everything down as her muscles, tensed and ready to act, felt to her as though they had relaxed more fully then they ever had.
It was a terrible power, the kind men would sacrifice worlds to obtain, and at this very moment it coursed deep in her veins ready to be directed as she willed it.
Another shudder racked her body, muscles spasming even as they seemed to melt while nerves fired of feelings of pleasure she could only describe as 'right'. This is how it was supposed to be, this was the true nature of a Jinchuriki, and there were no sacrifices above herself, host of the nine-tails.
With a suddenness of being dropped in a frozen ocean and trapped beneath the ice without warning the power vanished and her body reeled in sock. Emptiness gnawed away in the cavity of her chest, a hunger to be whole again, and at once Naruko realized just how horrible that power was.
That had not been the minimal amounts she had practiced harnessing nor had it been the uncontrolled energy that rebelled against her when the Kyuubi stopped aiding her control of the volatile power. No, this had been its true form, something she had never before encountered.
The Kyuubi, its attitude, and its actions seemed far less strange if she had possessed that terrible power for her entire existence. A shudder- this time of horror- trailed down her body. Just imagining how a lifetime of that power could twist a person made her sick, for she had only been under its influence for a few pitiful moments-
And she was honestly trying to come up with things that she wouldn't be willing to sacrifice to have it again.
That power, she realized, understanding dawning in her mind that had eluded some for centuries, was not meant for humans.
In fact, she would go as far as to say no human could ever truly harness that power, for the second they did they would become something else, something bent and twisted until they were little more than a vessel for the sentient chakra that flowed between their flesh and consumed their mind with soft words of malice and empty promises of greatness.
And it was not a single voice that whispered so, for a great host chorused within the power, each voice crawling to be heard over that of its fellows.
The Kyuubi- her personality, at least- had been born from that.
Suddenly, she didn't seem all that bad.
Her thoughts were broken by the voice of the very being she had been contemplating and in a sudden rush she found herself struggling to recall her previous thoughts though they pulled at the back of her mind, begging to be remembered with such urgency she nearly panicked.
The words that continued to come out of the Kyuubi's mouth, however, drove them further away.
"That, child, is my power." The Kyuubi's eyes glittered dangerously with a veiled amusement that put Naruko on edge for reasons she was sure she was supposed to be able to identify and yet the only thing she was able to come up with was a grudging respect and a feeling she was tempted to label camaraderie. What had brought that about? "And for the duration of the exams, it is yours."
Power, yes, that's what she had just felt, but why was it no more than a fuzzy memory of warmth and pleasure? Was that the true nature of her chakra? Was that how the Kyuubi felt it?
No wonder she considered herself superior to all other. She would too if her own chakra was always keeping her on cloud nine.
"I expect you to make Chuunin so we can rejoin Naruto-Kun." She missed the way the Kyuubi's tongue shot out to lick her lips. "And once we do, you can have the power permanently. I won't need it once I have him."
There was something wrong here, she knew it, but the only thought she could muster on the subject seemed too small to actually be an issue. Still, the feeling nagged at her and so she gave her thought voice.
"Naruto-Nii isn't an object." She insisted. Mito smiled indulgently.
"Of course not." She agreed as Naruko slipped from the ream of her seal to the realm of her dreams, Mitos' will no longer anchoring her to this world. "He's far more precious than any mere object could ever hope to be."
Absentmindedly Naruko nodded in agreement as blackness overcame her sight and she vanished from the seal.
Mito's smile followed her, red eyes glinting in victory.
Things were finally starting to go right for her.
It was the first time in many, many days she had allowed herself to sleep in, most of the things needing her attention between the Yamanaka and her own clan having been seen to, so, naturally, she was woken from her slumber by hurried noise echoing through the house.
With a growl she turned over and tried to fall back into the sweet embrace of sleep but was denied by pounding footsteps right outside her door. With a glance at the clock showing eleven- what an ungodly hour!- she surrendered herself to her fate amongst the waking world.
Inoichi's recent incident- one he still refused to comment about, eve to his clan through their mind techniques- had been the last of the things she had to take care of for the Yamanaka clan, arrangements needing to be made to accommodate the recently crippled man and ensure the most smooth transition for his daughter's taking of his position.
Seeing how heavily the girl had already been involved, it hadn't proven too difficult, but it was still more on top of the mess she had already been trying to clear up- namely the fact that the clan was on the verge of falling apart when she stepped in. It wouldn't have bothered her if her ploy to entice her son back to the family had been successful but it was hard to think it worth the effort- and money- she was sinking into it when all she had to show for more than a month now were bags under her eyes and control over a clan that had lost any standing it once had.
Adding all that to the fact that taking control of the clan had actually irritaterd her son, who had his own plans for its future and was loathe to let anyone shape his work it really had been a terrible idea.
The fact that other clans weren't as friendly anymore- wary of falling to the same fate- had also realty reduced potential allies. Seeing as those allies represented entire clans- a large chunk of the Shinobi populace- it meant that she wouldn't have much help in gaining favor from her son again.
Not that she had been doing much on that front lately. Not only was she coming short on ideas but she had been absolutely swamped with the management of two clans. One of which was rich but without many members and in dire need of re-establishment as a prominent force in the world and the other was a clan of several dozen with almost no financial support and whom the public had begun distrusting due to the careful manipulations of a group they had pissed off by going against her son.
Of course, that was the same reason she had gotten into this mess in the first place. In the future she should perhaps leave revenge to those 'Wolves' and instead focus on his wellbeing and happiness. No point wasting effort that could be spent on him if they were going to ensure any who went against him suffered.
She didn't' really know how to feel about some secret organization associating with her son but at least they were looking out for him. They had her gratitude for that, at least.
She really needed to come up with some way to bring him back to the family- even just as a family friend. At this point she really wasn't' all that picky. Maybe she could spend today- seeing as she had been so rudely stolen from her sweet rest- coming up with ways to show how much he meant to her.
To them, actually. She hadn't seen Naruko much due to her workload. Maybe they could catch up and do some bonding over coming up with ways to get Naruto back into their lives.
'Speaking of Naruko' She thought as footsteps, once again, pounded loudly past her door. 'What on earth is she up to?'
Not bothering to get properly dressed- it was going to be a lazy day, damnit!- she instead wrapped her rather fluffy red comforter around her shoulders like a robe. Satisfied by the comfort to effort ratio she blearily rubbed her eyes as she went to open her bedroom door and nearly stepped into her returning daughter.
An orange and blonde blur spun past her, narrowly avoiding a collision, and continued on with a distracted "Mornin'"
Blinking after the retreating figure Kushina shrugged and began slowly padding down the hall, her comforter trailing in a long trail behind her.
The kitchen was a mess. There was no other way to put it. Shinobi tools were scattered everywhere, breakfast was in the process of being prepared in several places, rations were laid out next to fresh supplemental supplies, and her daughter darted around triple-checking everything.
Kushina didn't even want to think about the uncomfortably large stack of explosive notes next to ready paper and half-empty inkpot or the medical supplies which doubled the total number of items being prepared, most of which were chakra pills and pain relievers.
Kushina could not fathom what her daughter might be doing. Even an extremely long mission for a Chuunin- which her daughter was most certainly not- shouldn't require such provisions. Idly, she wondered if Kakashi was up to his usual antics and doing things just to mess with everyone around him.
Having his team believe they were going on a mission for the next year and a half and needed to be ready was something she, unfortunately, could see him doing. He would also show up late before mocking his team for believing him.
And then, on the one time they didn't believe him and neglected to pack he would pull a mission out of his ass just so they could suffer for not following orders.
Usually an amusing thought, but not when one of her children was on his team.
"Have enough, Sunflower?" She asked, raising one brow. Were the Uzumaki coffers any less full she may have been concerned by the sheer amount of supplies her daughter had gathered. Those dry rations weren't tasty but they were damn expensive, just as you could expect anything that might save your life to be.
Apparently her entrance had gone unnoticed- likely because she hadn't been home this late into the morning in quite some time and wasn't' expected to be present at all – as her daughter spun around and grabbed for a Kunai, nearly dropping the eggs she had went to start cooking.
Well, at least training with Kakashi was inductive to keeping you on your toes. There weren't many Genin who took things seriously enough or had the experience to go straight into a defensive state.
Or maybe that was just here in Konoha. Peace did wonders for the population, patriotige, and economy but not so great things to those expected to keep things that way. It was an unfortunate cycle, one Konoha had been fortunate enough to manage to stay on top during. Unfortunately, every turn seemed to weaken it. Ot that she couldn't say at least that much for the others- every generation of Shinobi was less than the previous- but it seemed more noticeable here in the leaves.
"K-kaa-chan!" The hand with the kunai dropped the blade and instead went over her heart as she attempted to even out her breathing. "Don't scare me like that!"
A small smirk quirked at her lips. "Sorry, sorry, That hadn't been the intention." She waved one arm to encompass the various piles strewn about the room. "Think you have enough?"
Naruko let a critical eye pass over what she had gathered before scowling.
"No." She huffed as she placed down her eggs and made another trip further into the hiuse. She emerged with a crate- Kushina rubbed her eyes to make sure she wasn't seeing things and it was, indeed, an entire crate- of rations. Balanced precariously atop were general store bought first aid kits, both Shinobi and civilian, and slung over her back was an old duffel bag. It was only when she had placed down the burden in her arms that Kushina was treated to the contents of the bag.
It had been stuffed full of Kunai, Shiruken, and metal wire.
The clan matriarch had to shake her head. Whatever she was planning for, this was overkill.
Admittedly, she had to admire how despite being so packed full of sharp and pointy objects there didn't seem to be one rip or hole throughout the entire bag. She hadn't learned that trick until mid-Chuunin and it wasn't something she remembered covering with her during their trip.
"What on earth are you preparing for, Sunflower? Is Kakashi taking you all on a three month fishing excursion off the coasts of Kumo?" The sad thing was that she could imagine him doing so just to amuse himself. The bastard didn't even like fishing- or fish, for that matter.
Naruko seemed surprised at first before realization crossed her face. "Ah, that's right!" She proclaimed. "You've been busy so I never got the chance to tell you we had been entered into the Chuunin exams. Today's the first exam."
Kushina blinked once, twice, and then a final time as she processed what she had been told.
The Chuunin exams.
The goddamn Chuunin exams- and her daughter was a part of it. Small measures of guilt gnawed at her chest. Had she been around more she would have been able to help Naruko prepare for such a task, especially considering how soon they were participating. They hadn't even been a team for half a year and they were expected to get through this?
No, this was Kakashi, he probably expected them to fail. If she was generous she could say he as using it as a learning experience though it was far more likely he was trying to get them to leave she Shinobi lifestyle so he didn't have to deal with his team anymore.
In that case he was not fully to blame, for it was well known he didn't want anything to do with teams and everyone who knew him could tell you he would be far better taking a single apprentice.
Apprentices were rare, however, and Konoha had always pushed for teams whenever possible to ensure proper comradery. It was likely her own son might have been an apprentice because there were too many graduates but then they ran into the problem of there not being enough teachers. She was available, of course, but their personal styles differed too much for a proper master ansd apprentice relationship.
He would be doomed to never reaching his full potential and she would only be able to pass on so much of her own style to someone not compatible with it.
If she and Kakashi had taken each other's places, though that could have worked.
Actually, that still might.
Pushing that thought aside for the moment- most definitely to be thought about later- she focused back on her daughter as she darted around the kitchen.
"Oh? So soon? Kakashi must have a lot of faith in your abilities." Commented Kushina, gratefully accepting a cup of coffee even if it did seem to be wavering the boundary between hot and lukewarm.
At this Naruko scowled again before sighing.
"I guess he does, kind of." She admitted. "But only in me and Sasuke. Even then he doesn't seem to expect much from us and just laments we aren't Naruto-Nii. I don't think he's all that familiar with his skills either, he just uses him as a figure that's always beyond us and an excuse to be disappointed in everything we do."
Naruko slumped into a chair with her own cup of coffee- likely colder than the one Kushina had just been poured from the pot- and a half-jammed piece of toast. She didn't even realize the toast hadn't been finished until she took a bite and sighed in defeat, not having the energy to correct her mistake at the moment
"Honestly." She continued. "I think he's just bitter he didn't get Naruto-Nii on his team or a chance to apprentice him. He's mellowed out a bit but he was pretty irritated on the day we were told our teams."
Idly, Kushina filed that away for her think session later that day.
"Had Kakashi been in contact a lot with him while we were gone?" Asked Kushina. "They may have been training together or even planning on doing missions with each other."
"No, from what it sounds like I'd say they only ran into each other on occasion but were on friendly terms. " Not knowing how true it was, Naruko wisely chose not to inform her mother of the crimes her sensei had apparently not only witnessed her brother commit but also had a hand in.
"A bit odd that he would be so set on having him on the team then."
Naruko just shrugged.
"I guess, but it's really his business more than any of ours. I'll just do my best to make Chuunin and then that will be one less student he has to worry about"
Kushina thought that it was simultaneously very mature and rather depressing to hear her daughter say that. Kakashi really wasn't' cut out to be a teacher. Still, her daughter was going to make the most of it and continue on in true Uzumaki fashion. Kushina smiled proudly at her.
That smile only increased with what her daughter said next.
"Besides, if I'm Chuunin then I can accept missions which mean Naruto-Nii won't have to wait for any of the other Chuunin to be available anymore."
And still, thought Kushina, it became even better.
"And if even one of us does become Chuunin we may be able to substitute them out for Naruto making it a team of Genin and giving him a shot at the next exam."
Kushina had already planned on enjoying the Chuunin exams, glad for a chance to relax after so long, but after hearing not only that her daughter was going to be part of it but that her success might actually help her estranged son had Kushina infinitely glad she received reserved seats as a clan head.
Previously all her attempts had felt like she was trying to brie her son back into the clan which, let's face it, she was, but now it seemed situations that might be used to both benefit him and bring him closer to one of the clan's only two members were just falling into her lap.
Maybe there was some hope after all.
Kurenai shouldn't have been surprised Anko was present in the Jounin lounge with the other Sensei who had teams competing despite not having a team of her own.
She also shouldn't have been surprised the pineapple-haired woman had broken the rules and brought with her a Genin.
Which Genin shouldn't even need to be specified considering there was only one the Tokubetsu Jounin ever associated with.
The young man raised a single arm in something more akin to a salute than a wave but somehow managed to be neither in a very Kakashi-esque manner.
Of course, she hadn't even considered it would be possible for him to be present during the Chuunin exams. His lack of team had completely slipped her mind, especially when he was always out on missions.
Taking a seat to his right- and avoiding Anko's attempt to hug her across the young man without getting up- she gave him a brief smile before scanning the room for its other occupants. Konoha, at least, seemed to be all present. She really couldn't speak for the foreign competitors as she hadn't paid enough attention to the number of them participating.
It wasn't like she really cared all that much, either, it just meant less people to injure her team. Sure, other Konoha teams wouldn't go easy on them but she was certain none of them had any desire to permanently maim or kill any of their comrades.
Then again, she could be wrong, but that really wasn't something she wanted to dwell on.
Returning her eye to the two nearest her she could only roll them at the image of Anko holding fast to the red-haired Gennin as if she needed comforting after her rejection. Naruto was playing his part well enough by idly patting her back. He looked a bit bored but there was a hint of faint amusement in his eyes.
Not that many his age- and quite a few older- would actually mind having the Tokubetsu Jounin hanging onto them like that.
Still, it was good that someone was giving him physical contact on a regular basis- for Anko spent most of her free time trying to amuse herself in Naruto's presence because she hated being alone, especially when bored- because she knew she wouldn't be able to.
A handshake, perhaps, maybe a small hug- light and lasting only the barest second, or one of them pulling the other out of danger, but she was still uncomfortable around him.
Or, rather, it felt wrong to not feel uncomfortable around him as she was with so many others.
She was, however, getting better. At least she could converse with him over the dinner table on the occasions she visited or hosted both he and her best friend.
And look, she was even seated next to him today and finding herself relaxing as much as a Jounin can in a room of other foreign Jounin. That was marked improvement and she was damn proud of it. A little more time and she might be able to sit close enough to him that they were in constant contact.
It was a far cry from the affectionate elder sister role she had initially wanted to fill when he was young- and it would seem by the time she reached that stage he would be too big to use as a teddybear- but it was better than not being a part of his life because she was so on edge around him her instincts acted as if threatened.
"Afternoon, Kurenai-san." He greeted, changing from small pats to rubbing circles over her friend's back. Anko had stopped pretending but she made no move to stop him. For a moment Kurenai was jealous but quickly managed to push it aside. She'd be comfortable enough around him in time, she just needed to be patient.
"Good afternoon, Naruto-Kun. Are they about to start?"
He lazily gestured to the two eternal Chuunin who were struggling to set up the screens tied to the cameras hidden In the exam room.
"We're having some technical difficulties." His response was dry but that flicker of amusement didn't die out. His attitude seemed slightly off today, but Kurenai couldn't put her finger on exactly what it was eventually deciding it was a combination of being around strangers that would keep him rather formal and friends whom he usually let himself relax around.
She was, in part, correct.
Of all those who lived here not a single soul was not present. From the wealthiest new shipping managers to the most recent vagrant hoping for opportunity in the rapidly expanding port town- soon to be port city- not a single one wanted to miss this.
And no one could really blame them.
Never before had their country had anything anywhere close to this. Sure, Gato had his mercenaries and there had been the limited guard with the Daimyo that predated him but this, this was an army.
A proper army.
Their army.
Dozens upon dozens of feet fell in synch, identically dressed men and woman marching down the streets of Nami no Kuni, proudly holding banners of a two-tongued ball of flame- the symbol of Hi no Kuni- rising over their own signal of stylized waves like the dawning sun.
And a dawning it was.
Their home could no longer be considered the same small fishing village it had been for so long under Gato and it had far surpassed the declined state it had existed in during the past few Daimyo. Now they were a city, growing ever more prosperous each day and rapidly expanding at a rate that most still couldn't believe despite being there to witness it.
They had a proper leader now, one they could trust with their wellbeing, in Inuzuka Hana, the governor of Nami no Kuni and now they had an army like a proper country. Things were finally looking up but there was an undercurrent of unease that penetrated the excitement.
They had an army, yes, and that was great, but that very army was currently on the march- to where they hadn't the faintest clue. Outside forces working for a master- the Mysterious Daimyo- whom they had never met and going about his business without question.
It was not their army so much as it was a force controlled by the same individual that controlled them and now he moved his pieces as part of a scheme they would know nothing about until its conclusion.
Of course, they were aware that not all the forces were directly the Daimyo's. He had invited allies to their village, allowing them to build up their base and offer their support to the growing country and they paid him back now by marching in step with those who bore the faces of Wolves.
Watching it all from over a roof was their leader, not the silver haired one but his own master, a woman with long black hair and a pleased grin that sent terrified shiver down their spines.
That was the face of sound, the person whom their Daimyo had allied them with, and, most importantly, the person who would be directing their army.
It was not a pleasant thought, but one who chose someone like Hana- and one whom Hana would accept being under the command of- couldn't be too bad.
Still, as they watched the army march steadily into the forests at the edge of the waterway separating their home form the rest of the world they couldn't help but feel as if their world was changing far more than what they were already having trouble adapting to.
Regardless, they still wished the best of fortune to the departing army, their army; for it was the nature of man to stand firm behind the side they called their own even when it was wrong.
An old, almost dead flame of patriotage was relit within the hearts of those who witnessed the parade of warriors and within the young a spark was born that would not soon die.
For there was nothing more inspirational than to see a force assembled for the sole purpose of spilling blood and ending lives in the name of your home.
Watching it all, Orochimaru smiled.
It was almost time.
I'll see you all for act L, I hope you enjoyed the show.