The Lookout
If the hot Springs wasn't a continuation of their fight through splashing, Ichigo was sure eating wasn't going to be either. But seeing Naruto and Goku put away food like this made him think the competition between them would never end. By comparison, he didn't even have a bite yet. And to make matters seemingly worse, it wasn't just them now, ever since they were joined by a fourth member. Courtesy of Naruto and at the request of Goku.
"This sure is yummy." Gamatatsu said in his soft happy voice as he swallowed another helping of food and the plate along with it. He then brought his hands down to touch his protruding stomach as it rubbed off against Ichigo's face.
"Isn't it?!" Goku's muffled voice let out through another helping of meat and then swallowed "Popo makes the best." he declared more clearly before stuffing his mouth again.
"I'd believe it." he said as he bent down and began to stuff the entire table into his mouth.
"GAH!" Goku jolted "Not like that!" Ichigo sat starring at them with a bemused look on his face. Beside them Naruto sat with his head buried into his green toad themed wallet.
'Eh." he groaned before looking up to a concerned Dende and Popo "Can I start a tab?" he asked nervously.
Popo looked on aghast at what he saw. Dende eyed it all with similar concern. Now they were used to visitors such like this eating them out of house and home, and while new faces and dangerous threats were nothing new to them either, the whole debacle with Byakuya made them ever more wary of new visitors to the Lookout.
Dende cleared his throat "It's.." he started "It's on the house."
Naruto's cautious demeanor radically changed once he said that "REALLY?! THANKS!" he yelled as he turned on his seat back to the table and happily went back to slurping the Ramen before him. A sudden change like that couldn't help but make Dende smile. It only got bigger and brighter when he looked to see Goku doing the same thing.
"This Ramen's pretty good." Naruto said as he slurped up the noodles. Once he was finished, he let out a satisfying "Ahh" and placed the bowl back down "Not as good as Ichiraku." he said as he wiped his mouth on his sleeve "But still pretty good."
Hearing that made Ichigo spit the only helping of something he had; his water "Ichimaru?!" he let out shocked.
"Ichiraku." Naruto repeated slower for him.
"Ow-well." Ichigo said slowing his shock as it turned to embarrassment.
"What'd you think I said?" Naruto asked annoyed, but Ichigo could only think of the former Captain of Squad 3.
"It sounded.. like someone else." Ichigo admitted sheepishly.
"Open your ears." Naruto tugged on his own.
"Maybe if you two didn't chew like cows, I'd hear better." Ichigo replied. As the two were about to begin an argument Goku and Gamatatsu merely continued eating.
"Ichimaru?" Goku asked before biting off a huge chicken wing. Hearing that name it got Naruto's attention back on his favorite food and not on Ichigo hearing another name. He turned to Goku with a knowing grin.
"It's a ramen place. It's my favorite spot in the whole Leaf Village!" he said raising his arms up high "Even after seeing all this" he paused to look around at the lookout and thinking of all of the places he's seen recently. The Soul Society, The 11th division, the hot springs, the World Martial Arts Tournament, and now the lookout "I still can't wait to go back there and have some ramen!" he said greedily as he looked back down to the empty bowl.
Goku swallowed his food "It must be that good if you keep coming back."
"You bet it is." Naruto said
"Then that's where we gotta go next!" Goku declared.
"You won't be disappointed!" Naruto exclaimed matching his excitement.
"Oh great." Ichigo sighed as he fell back into his seat "more eating."
Hearing that Goku turned over to him "Well, if we're passing through the Soul Society there's someone else I wanna see too." Goku said as he reached for his cup.
'Hm?" Ichigo perked up "Kenpachi again."
Goku downed his drink before turning back to Ichigo "It's a fight I want." he said his voice feeling refreshed and much clearer with no food in his mouth. "But not with him." he turned to steady on the substitute "The Head Captain's supposed to be the strongest Soul Reaper isn't he?"
Ichigo's eyes bugged open when he said that.
"Hey there-hold on-" he put a hand up.
"Yeah." Naruto slammed his fists onto the table, leaning over it "He's one of the reasons we got into this mess." he grumbled.
"You guys are getting in way over your head." Ichigo said cautiously.
"Well, whatever the case we know your not the strongest." Naruto said turning to Ichigo "your just a substitute!" he pointed before breaking out in laughter. A vein bulged in Ichigo's head as he glared at Naruto now sprawled out over the table laughing at him.
"What do you know eternal genin!" he snapped at him. Naruto's laughter turned to rage again and he shot up to glare at Ichigo.
"Hey! You take that back!" he pointed. A fire was in both of their eyes as they grilled each other and Dende and Mr. Popo were certain another fight was going to break out.
Gamatatsu meanwhile just continued on eating, even helping himself to the others plates while they were distracted with each other.
As Ichigo and Naruto loomed over the table at each other a fight-or at least a food fight- looked like it would happen any second. But Goku reaching out between the two seemed to settle things.
"Easy guys." he said "Your both strong. Some of the strongest I faced." he told putting a hand to each of their shoulders "You're a sage if you didn't remember." he said to Naruto and that helped to settle him. "And you," he turned to Ichigo "You've mastered Bankai faster than anyone else." he said his words had a similar effect on him that it did Naruto.
"And you're the Legendary Super Saiyan." Ichigo complimented him.
"You got that right!" Naruto cheered.
"Thanks." Goku nodded "But there's still plenty of other strong opponents out there for all of us." he said. Ichigo raised an eyebrow at Goku and Naruto looked at him curiously.
Gamatatsu continued to eat behind them.
"Sure I'd love to face your head Captain." Goku said eyeing Ichigo, but then he turned to look at Naruto "but Naruto.." he paused as the ninja looked up to him "You're the Nine Tailed Fox. But I know there's an Eight Tails out there too."
A startled look came over Naruto as he realized what Goku was about to ask.
'Octopops.' Naruto thought.
"I'm sure he'd be just as great a challenge as you." Goku finished.
"If it's him you want." Naruto began "I can take you to him."
"Perfect." Goku grinned "And when we're done we ca go to Ichigo Ramen-"
"Ichiraku." Naruto corrected grumpily.
"Right." Goku chuckled "That one." Naruto nodded in agreement.
"We moving out again?" Ichigo asked getting both of their attention "Good." he got up "Because seeing you two eat made me loose my appetite."
Yamanaka flower shop
"Thank you come again." Ino said happily to yet another customer served. But that happiness couldn't be more far from the truth. "Awww" she groaned once they left the shop. "Why do I have to be stuck in here when everyone else is out there?" she whined looking out to the window. Having fun, going on new adventures, prepping for a war.. meeting new boys. She slumped onto the desk and planted her head in her arms "This just isn't fair." she grumbled. Sakura was out there, so was Shikamaru and even Choji! Ever since the tournament ended, her father ordered her right back here. As if she didn't have anything better to do. She was missing out on all the excitement, and Rangiku's training sessions.
The bell at the door rang and she quickly snapped to attention and out of her glum thoughts.
"Welcome!" she greeted hiding the bitterness inside "What can I do for-" she stopped mid sentence, star struck at the sight of who stood in the doorway; a tall, dark and incredibly handsome stranger. He had an air of sophistication about him and a look that was both cold and cool to match his handsomeness. His eyes were looking all over the shop and were the only things that moved on his body. Then they rolled into her direction. "Ah- welcome!" she let out much more cheerily this time and meaning it "And what can I do for you?" she asked leaning over the desk and propping her head up with her hands. He made no sound, but his feet slid across the floor as he made his way over to her, his white coat swayed as he did.
'The strong silent type.' she thought 'I don't mind that.' she grinned as he stopped before her, standing over her and the desk. He didn't say anything at first; he just looked down at her. His gaze and body as unmoved as when he first entered.
"Yeeesss." she asked intrigued, not only at him, but what he must sound like. 'I bet it's dreamy.' As it turns out it was.
"Camellia's." a dry serious voice droned when he opened his mouth and she perked up at the sound of it "Do you have any?" he asked. Elated at the prospect she got up from the counter.
"Why yes, we do!" she straightened herself out and put her hands to her hips "What color would you like?"
He seemed to ponder the answer, if only for a moment "Pink would be exceptional, I think."
"And how many?" she nudged forward. He pondered that one a little longer though there was no indecisiveness in his voice.
"One would be substantial for an office." he said seemingly to reason with himself.
"An office huh?" she let out as she turned to get his desired flower "Must be a pretty big office." she inquired.
"It is accommodating enough." he admitted.
"The Camellia!" she paused preparing it "That means 'Noble Reason' doesn't it?" she asked though she already knew the answer.
"It does." he nodded. She turned around and placed a pot of camellia's on the desk between them. She also got a better look of this stranger. Though she surmised quickly where he was from.
"Then you're one of those captains." she said "The ones who've come here from the Soul Society." she said looking back to him over her shoulder. She had heard over there that flowers represented each of the divisions in a certain way, no doubt the Camellia was his as likely was the color pink.
"I am." he said "Though I had no business here until now."
"Well, you picked the perfect spot to come to first." she moved her arms and the flower to him "Here you go." she said with a bright beaming smile.
"And how much will this come to?"
"Thank depends." Ino said bringing a hand to her chin to 'ponder' the answer "You said this is your first time here?"
"Correct." he reaffirmed blandly.
"Well, all first sales are free of charge." she said ecstatically. He seemed taken back by that statement. Not because he looked it, but because he didn't say anything at first.
"I appreciate your generosity." he eventually said with a voice devoid of it, bringing his hands up to take it and his fingers fell on top of hers. Ino felt herself flare up when it happened. Then as slowly as possible he pried the plant from Ino's grip and took it in his own. "Thank you." he said standing before the desk.
"No, thank you!" Ino said "Feel free to come back anytime." she began rambling as he eyed her with a blank unmoving stare "In fact if there's any other place you were thinking of going you can come to m-"
The second she ended her sentence, the bell rang and in came another customer to interrupt this perfect first meeting. He didn't budge, as if the sound had not even resonated with him. Ino however peered over him to see who ruined this perfect moment.
Walking into her shop was Sakura and Rukia. Neither one of them seemed interested in her however, despite the face they had walked into her shop. They stopped together and like Ino did gazed at the man in the shop.
"Brother!" Rukia let out. Now the man before her seemed to stir.
"Byakuya." Sakura said after her. A nervous look came over Rukia's face and she turned to Sakura.
"That's Captain Kuchiki." he corrected turning around, finally saying his name indirectly introducing himself to Ino. Sakura suddenly shared Rukia's petrified look.
"uh-right, sorry." she quickly apologized, though didn't seem to do anything to change his demeanor. Luckily Rukia was there to draw his attention away.
"Who are those flowers for?" she asked abruptly. Byakuya's eyes rolled down to the pot he held in his hands. He eyed it for a few moments before they turned up to look at Rukia.
"For you." he answered dryly putting them into her hands "I thought they would look good in your office now that you're a lieutenant." Rukia eyes widened and she held the plant up in triumph as looked up to him just as equally awe.
"Aw." Sakura swooned "That's so nice." Doing what he came here to do and saying all that needed to be said Byakuya moved around the two and out the door. "Hold up a second." Sakura called out and he stopped in the doorway. "Piccolo-sensei's going to be meeting with us in a little bit for some training. We're going to find Ichigo, Naruto, Goku and Gohan too. Do you wanna come with us?" He didn't answer immediately, in fact he didn't even turn around when he did. But he gave them their answer.
"No." he answered before walking out the door.
Goku's House
Standing outside amongst a field of growing plants with a small spherical cottage in the distance, Tenten held a long red pole in her hands. With a quick movement she slashed it through the air, jumped up with a kick and then slammed it onto the ground. Then she raised herself up and held the red weapon before her. Her eyes tracing it, she was so busy ogling it that she hadn't heard or seen some one approach her from behind.
"Working hard?" a woman's voice asked. Tenten almost jumped out of her skin and fumbled to keep the pole in her hands. Turning around she saw Chichi staring at her over a turnip patch.
"Oh yes. Sorry." Tenten giggled. After hearing of another 'Strongest woman in the World' Tenten insisted on going out to find her. Someone to rival Lady Tsunade she thought. And while Chichi wasn't all she expected initially, she quickly changed her mind the longer they were together. She had even been kind enough to show her some of Goku's 'relics' from past adventures. "I just wanted to get a better feel for this is all." she held the pole up once again.
"Well that's been in the family for a long time." she admitted "Though my husband and sons hardly have a use for it now."
"What a shame." Tenten looked down to it gripping it tighter in her hands and then loosening it to caress it "It's such a beautiful weapon to go to waste."
"Maybe you can find a good use for it then." Chichi said "All it does is collect dust here."
"You mean it!?" Tenten blurted out.
"I'll have to ask my husband." Chichi pondered as Tenten looked on eagerly "I can't see a reason for him to say no." Tenten jumped in the air out of pure joy "But I can't also see a reason for him to say yes." she landed on her feet and slumped over in defeat. Looking back at her Chichi let out a laugh.
"I could give it to you for a day or so if you want." The young ninja's glee returned "With a little extra." she winked. That puzzled Tenten and when Chichi looked up to the sky she did as well. The clouds above them lingered in the air and looking at them she wondered what it was they were waiting for. That until one started to move in a way unlike all of the others. Going against the wing and the formation of the rest and come down to them. Swerving through the sky and coming down at them; a small yellow puffball. Tenten was absolutely baffled. "The Nimbus Cloud." Chichi announced as it came to a stop before a nervous Tenten. The cloud remained lingering in the air before her "Hop on." she encouraged, but Tenten was more than skeptical. She reached forward and poked it with the power pole. The clouds moved and shifted from the touch, but otherwise remained intact. She reached forward to do it with her hands much to the same effect. She looked up to Chichi who smiling gave a nod of encouragement. Then taking in a deep breath, Tenten jumped off the ground into the air and landed... right onto the cloud.
"Whoa!" she let out in wonder looking where she was now. Chichi rather enjoyed the sight of it all.
"There's a spot it can take you to." she said regaining Tenten's attention "You'll find carvings on a rock to make a Bansho fan all for yourself."
"A Bansho fan?" she let out "There's something like that in my world."
"It creates a strong wind with a single wave, a cloud with two, and a downpour with three." Chichi explained.
"I gotta have one!" Tenten exclaimed.
"Well go and get it." she encouraged her "Just be sure to bring the rest back."
"I will." Tenten nodded as stood on the cloud not as it levitated high into the air "Thank you Chichi!" Tenten shouted back as the cloud took her across the sky
4th Division
It was the calmest of all the divisions he had seen, though he hadn't been through here for long. And despite that, he felt the most distressed by being there.
Grumbling self consciously to himself, Piccolo sat at one of the medical beds. Standing before him however wasn't the Captain of Squad 4, but the Fifth Hokage.
"Hmm." she let out inquisitively as she peered closely into his face. Peering around from behind her, Shizune held onto Tonton as Isane stood by with her arms folded across each other. Tsunade leaned her face even closer to Piccolo who seemed to be turning a shade of red the closer she got.
She finally stood back up after studying him silently for some time. "There's nothing wrong as far as I can see." she told "He's perfectly fine by Namekian standards." From behind each of her shoulders, the two subordinates reacted. Shizune let out a relieved sigh as Isane chuckled meekly. Piccolo however only grumbled.
"I could have told you that." he growled as he moved to stand up. However, the moment he went to move something stopped him from doing so.
"Please." a calm reassuring voice said as a hand was placed on his shoulder. Rotating his head slightly Piccolo came face to face with the Captain of Squad 4 who despite her sunny and pleasant disposition didn't seem to match the dark almost threatening aura coming off of her "A patient shouldn't leave until the evaluation is complete."
Disgruntled already Piccolo could do nothing else but grumble his discontent as he was eased back down.
"Thank you." Retsu Unohana said as she then gracefully moved to be in front to Piccolo taking Tsunade's place of inspecting him heat to toe.
Ever since Toshiro had accidently told Retsu about the Tsunade being the 'Greatest Healer.' she couldn't help but want to compare abilities, though when she found out she was also known as 'The Legendary Sucker' it seemed it would be easy to convince her to. And with Rangiku being friends with Isane and Tsunade, it was more than easy for her to broker an arrangement. But it would only be fair if they were given a neutral patient to study.
And Piccolo was as different as they come. So here he was being put between the two of them.
"Your skin is a beautiful shade of green." Retsu commented.
He certainly wasn't expecting that. "HM.. thank you." he said begrudgingly.
"And these blotches have they been there long?" she asked poking at his arms.
"Always have." he replied dryly.
"But this is a new arm is it not?" she asked poking at his right shoulder. Piccolo recalled that Kakashi had stabbed him with the Chidori, making it necessary for him to grow a new arm to fight.
"It is."
Retsu continued to prod Piccolo with more basic questions. But from behind it seemed like it was building to nothing.
"Tsch." Tsunade let out behind her "That's nothing." she said impatiently as she stomped forward. Retsu stood up beside her as the two starred off against the other, with only Piccolo sitting down in between them.
"Please Slug Princess" Retsu began, keeping her calm voice though it only made Tsunade more irritable, as was it's intention "you've done enough already."
"Check this out." Tsunade said before she suddenly let out a sharp whistle.
The second she did Piccolo tensed up and let out a short but sudden shriek. His eyes bugged open and though nothing happened to him see seemed to be in physical pain.
Poking her head up high, Isane peered forward "What was that?" she asked cluelessly.
"Oh are you in pain?" Retsu asked politely "It seems it was good for you to come here for a check up after all." she said sweetly.
Holding himself together, Piccolo looked up at the two women, but glared at Tsunade. "Don't do that again." he growled.
Tsaunde just smirked "Just making sure they still work."
"Well let's get to the bottom of this." Retsu stepped forward and stopped before Piccolo "Please take off your clothes."
"WHAT?!"
"Just procedure." she said as she moved to take off his turban and two green antennas then popped out.
"Oh!" she let out "And what are these for." Piccolo only grumbled as Retsu took ahold of one and Tsunade the other. They tugged or even tangled the two, and it was at that moment that whatever these two were trying to do to one up the other, he wanted no part of it.
Grabbing his turban, he shoved it back onto his head, tucking his antennas back inside and out of their reach. With their hands retracted away from him he abruptly stood up towering over everyone in the room.
"I'm done." he stated as he looked down to them. Everyone was silent in the wake of his sudden action, save Isane who had no choice but to look up to someone now.
"He's really tall." she whispered to Shizune.
Suddenly from behind them the door to the room opened. Everyone turned around as Piccolo looked ahead, over everyone's head to see who it was. And they all saw another Captain enter the room with his lieutenant by his side.
"Ahhh." a menacing voice hissed from the doorway" I thought I heard of a remarkable specimen at Squad 4." Mayuri said greedily as he eyed Piccolo.
Hokage's office
The four of them stood together in a circle. Toshiro with his arms crossed and a stern glare. But it matched the mood of the room. Across from him stood Tsunade whose mood and stance just like his. On their sides completing the circle was Kakashi whose hands were tucked in his pockets, but his casual look did not hid his serious stare. And across from him was Gohan.
Despite it being Tsunade's office, it was Toshiro who called him there. Only because of the information he had that he had come across due to Gohan. And Kakashi was there to confirm it all.
"So..." he said as if letting out a heavy breath "It really was Sasuke."
Gohan nodded "Yeah." Gohan nodded "He seemed really intent on not running into you most of all." Toshiro watched Gohan out of the corner of his eye. "Hearing everything now.." he paused darkly "As guess I can see why. To think someone like him..." he trailed off unable to finish the sentence as he dropped his head. At his lack of words Tsunade turned to him.
"Is that all?" she asked as Gohan turned back up to view her. Gohan nodded.
"How'd he get there?" Kakashi asked.
"Mayuri brought him there." Toshiro told as he continued to eye Gohan. As for Mayuri even though he was asked by several sources- his fellow captains, the Kage and Z warriors- he would not be lodged from his barracks to deal with something so 'trivial' as he put it. Gohan went on to explain everything as best he could, which was perfect because there were people outside the office who were very eager to hear everything.
Pressed against the door on the outside Naruto and Sakura tried to listen in as best as they could.
"Shh" she snapped above him as he pressed his ear harder to the door as they spoke.
Behind the two of them Goku, Rukia and Ichigo huddled above them, trying to listen in as well.
"I mean," they heard Gohan's voice through the door "some of my greatest friends and allies were once enemies." Gohan said defensively "Piccolo, Vegeta-" he began naming them but was cut short.
"Yet it seems your efforts did not produce the same results here." Toshiro scolded Gohan
Naruto gritted his teeth behind the door. Tensing up he nearly barreled through it. Sakura grabbed his shoulder to try to calm him, but the anger kept building in him the more it went on.
They were not the only ones eavesdropping, however.
Outside, standing on the roof of the office was Yoruichi and Piccolo. The wind blew through them, flapping his cape and her long hair. Standing side by side and looking out to the distance into the vast forest that surrounded the Leaf Village. And somewhere out there, is where Sasuke was. She stood with a hand propped on her hip as he stood as he usually did with his arms crossed and a hard glare just like Toshiro's at the moment.
"We saw you during your fight with Yoruichi." they heard Gohan tell from inside. Yoruichi's serious stare lessened as she smirked a bit at that. Turning her head over she looked to Piccolo who mimicking her looked down to her, but retained his serious nature. He nodded and they returned to looking to the distance.
"So this is what Kakashi thought I was when I said exile." she said, realizing it all now. The two continued to watch on and listen in.
"What would you suggest?" Toshiro asked. It was Tsunade who answered.
"Perhaps a team to go out and get him."
"You said you tried that already." Toshiro grumbled.
Tsunade's voice turned much more lighter and confident now "I think we have more than enough new applicants who can try now." she said. That comment caught the ears of everyone listening in. Yoruichi and Piccolo looked to each other again, a silent acknowledgement between them of what was to come.
Everyone however, heard the cheers from the other side of the door.
Squad 12
The flashes of light from the computers screens only lit the room so little. The rest was complete darkness. Due to all the concurrent activity and flow of immeasurable information, this was already the perfect place for anyone doing some spying. And that's exactly what brought him here now.
"Ohhh." Zetsu let out amongst the numerous contraptions and objects in the room "How very interesting." He eyed each one curiously as the flashes of bright light from the screens meshed with the darkness of the room, matching his skin perfectly. And on each screen was something entirely different from everything else. Each one monitoring a different world and each one watching different people. This may come in handy.
"Yes." a voice as shrill as his let out behind him in agreement "How very interesting." Turning Zetsu turned to see another figure glaring at him in the dark. His skin black and white like his though in a different design. He wore a bright white coat over his body, unlike the dark Akatsuki one Zetsu had on "I think the most interesting of them all is you." he pointed with a long bony finger "And how you got in here without me knowing." Likely because he was busy elsewhere with everything else going on.
Zetus didn't move to answer, but Mayuri did.
"But I'm sure you'll give me the answer to all of it. When I'm tearing you apart." he said with a sick demented grin.
"You'll find that harder than you think." he said as he began to lower himself, disappeared down into the floor by his feet. Mayuri's head turned down watching him go. When his hips had reached the floor Mayuri spoke.
"All the more interesting for me." he said as he reached for his sword.
Squad 1
It had been quite a series of events that had brought the Head Captain into contact with King Kai and the Great Toad Sage the first time. Yet when each told of a great troop of warriors, each of them was certain their own would come out on top. And while that ended without them ever knowing the answer. Yammamoto took that time to return to his own barracks and await any fallout, though none happened barring the usual jokes or questions from his two apprentices who were in on it the whole time.
"So you're one of the reasons for all the trouble we went through eh?" Onoki asked his fellow elder as he floated in the air beside him as Yamamoto resided himself to his balcony.
"Trouble?" he repeated grumpily "It was an answer I sought." he said "Old warriors like us must always pursue them."
Grumbling himself Onoki crossed his arms "Only if you don't know everything yet." he smirked.
A light fit of laughter was let out from the courtyard below the balcony. Recognizing the voice Onoki leaned on his side to peer down at it.
Emerging from beneath the balcony he saw Kurotsuchi propel herself forward and more into their view. Onoki steadied himself upwards to watch and saw that she was followed by two men.
"Hm." Onoi grumbled and snuffed "So that's your apprentice eh?" Onoki asked as he looked down to see his granddaughter with two Captains; Shunsui and Ukitake, though Onoki's focus was on the more colorful of the two as he eyed Kurotsuchi. Floating up, he folded his legs under himself and took a seat on the balcony beside Yammaoto. He now looked over to the Head Captain and the stern gaze he held.
"Indeed." Yammamoto nodded.
"Hm.." Onoki mused "Hardly seems the type." he said crossing his arms disapprovingly.
"In a thousand years he could be the Head Captain of the Thirteen Court Guard Squads.." Yamamoto declared proudly. A silence came over the two old mean after that boast. After an insult against one of his prized pupil, what would he say? He turned to Onoki "And he'll still be an skirt chasing fool." Onoki let out a small chuckle.
"Hah!" Onoki chuckled irritably "And you just wait. She'll be the next Tsuchikage." she glanced out of the corner of his key down to Kurotuschi. "Kids these days don't know a thing about perseverance or respect."
"Perhaps you are right." Yammamoto nodded in agreement. The two remained beside each other, though with the Tsuchikahe now sitting beside him, a thought stirred in the head captains mind. "Perhaps it is another question that needs to be answered." Yamammoto said, sounding as if he was proposing something.
"Eh?" Onoki let out "What's that?"
"The old against the new." he said opening his eyes slightly as he turned towards his fellow elder. A sly grin came over Onoki's face.
"I'd leap at the chance to show those young kids a thing or two."
"They say the next generation will always overtake the one before it." Yammaoto warned.
"Well why not prove them wrong?" Onoki said finishing the proposal Yammamoto started.
Third Training Grounds
Spinning through the air upside down Guy swung his leg out at Soi Fon who propped her arm up to bock. Extending her palm out she went to jab at his face. Propelling off his hands Guy flung himself away from the blow.
Flipping through the air, he landed back on his feet with his bright smile still on his face to contrast with Soi fon's ever persistent glare. He did notice something was off however, when no one decided to praise him on not only his block, but his landing. Turning his head over with a glum look overcoming his face he looked to his audience who were less than captivated.
"Aren't you gonna say anything?"
Sitting atop two of the three wooden poles on the grounds was Kakashi and Yoruichi. Both, however, despite going through the efforts to set this up, didn't seem too interesting in watching it unfold. Kakashi's face couldn't be seen since was flipping through the pages of his book. Yoruichi bobbed her legs off of the pole, looked over to the river instead of the fight.
"Think there's any fish in there?" she asked aloud "I bet it's getting time for lunch."
"Hey!" Guy called out and both of them stirred. Yoruichi wrested her chin on her hands and looked back to him "You both better be watching since this is what you're going to go up against." He still didn't hadn't made a true connection to Yoruichi as a cat and Yoruichi as a person, despite Piccolo and Kakashi telling him as much. But he decided to face her none the less. Of course Yoruichi would only agree to it if Guy could defeat her disciple first. Hence Soi Fon involvement. She could hardly say no to Yoruichi and Guy would not shrink from any challenge. But it now seemed the two were less interested in watching.
"Hm?" Kakashi said taking his eye off his book to look at him "You say something?" he asked peering over it. He would have listened to Guy's willful answer if a more pressing issue hadn't occurred before him; his book was snatched from his hands. "HEY!" he yelled out even louder than Guy had with his hand extended.
"What is this about anyway?" Yoruichi asked as she held it out before her. Her eyes skimmed the pages as she held it on it's side as Kakashi lone eye bugged open in horror. Suddenly her eyes did the same and she turned to look at Kakashi "Oh.." she paused as if coming upon a grand revelation "it's one of those books."
"What is that supposed to mean?" Kakashi asked shakily.
"Nothing I supposed." she said as she turned back to look at the page.
"It doesn't sound like nothing" Kakashi said reaching for it "Now give it back-" She put her hand up to stop him.
"No I wanna read" she pushed him away.
Out of eyeshot of them, but certainly within earshot was Piccolo. Resolving himself to levitating above the ground for mediation. Though with Soi Son and Guy fighting as well as Yoruichi and Kakashi's arguing, he found it much more difficult.
Traveling through Time and Space
Sitting stiff and rigid, the violent shaking of the ship didn't deter him one bit. There was hardly room in here for one person, let alone three. The seats were formed in a triangle with two equally spaced behind one; that one in fact behind the captains seat who was in charge of the controls. Vegeta sat behind, over the left shoulder of their pilot. Across from him over the right side sat the other companion from their travels.
"How much longer?" Vegeta let out gruffly, his fingers strummed his biceps as his arms remained crossed.
Future Trunks looked back at his father from another time "Not too long, but be patient." he advised "Time travel is no easy feat." he reminded, turning his head forward "And it's not just another timeline were going to mind you."
"Hm." Vegeta grumbled and said no more.
The teenage version of his son appeared to him at random, apparently having his own when trouble traveling through time. But when Trunks described a place that Vegeta had seen with his own eyes and the people he encountered there.. well, Vegeta had no choice but to take this opportunity. But he was not alone in the endeavor.
Another jostling of the ship would have sent it's other occupant out of his seat had he not snuggly strapped himself in for the ride as advised. Rock Lee starred on with a wide eyed innocent curiosity that Vegeta seemed to have no time for.
He turned his head from side to side taking everything in.
"Not much of a view." he spoke of the spiraling vortex around them. He pushed himself up a bit off of the armrests to get a better view ahead, only to see more of the same "Trunks." Lee called out in a familiar tone "Where did you ever find the time to create such a device?"
"It was my mother who did it." he admitted as he looked ahead.
"A fine woman." Lee admitted bringing his hands together "And you are a fine boy yourself. I see much of her in you."
"Well, I think she'd appreciate that." Trunks thanked him awkwardly. He still wasn't sure how this boy mingled in with his father.
"And it seems you've gone through quite the growth spurt." Lee said "Just keep drinking your milk." he advised.
"I uh.. get what I can." he admitted uncomfortably.
"I have my own drink." Lee said bringing it up and shaking the bottle at him "Though it's content is not milk. Far too much for someone as young as yourself to enjoy."
"I'm older than you, you know." Trunk pointed out turning back to him.
"Taller perhaps." Lee admitted. Vegeta looked on in amusement as his future son prattled on with Lee.
"I'm.. not the Trunks you know." Trunks finally said, but it only puzzled Lee.
"You do not recall our quest to find your father?" Lee asked. "We met in what was to be a chance meeting turned fateful journey!" he described poetically.
"I think I would have remembered you." Trunks stated.
He looked back at the two with him seeing the stark contrast between them. It showed plain enough though, he still wondered how they managed to come together in such a way, but Goku had become a great friend to his father so perhaps that's all he needed to understand. But about this task they were completing right now, the one his father requested of him...
More would have been said in a bright flash of light hadn't overtaken them and the indistinguishable blur around them started to take shape and grow into something else. Tall white marble buildings in the distance, small eloquent barracks and houses beneath them of the same color with patch of green sprinkled elsewhere.
"We're here." Trunks said a little less than enthusiastically as the ship started to drift down to the ground. Lee smeared his head against the glass as Vegeta stood up from his seat.
Gently touching to the ground the pod opened up to reveal themselves to this new world, though it wasn't the world that was new, but the placement of it in time. They hopped out of the ship to survey their surroundings.
It hasn't changed a bit. Or rather it wouldn't change at all. A small green garden surrounding a large feudal structure; typical architecture to be found in the Soul Society.
Vegeta turned his head from side to side, searching intently for something he had crossed time for. Lee put a hand over his eyes to do the same.
Trunks stood idly by the machine. Eyeing his father, Trunks thought back to when he had first described his own encounter in the Soul Society immediately after his fight with Harishama. Vegeta's interest was more than piqued. Rock Lee who was with his father at the time decided to came along with him. Though Trunks was wary of their idea since when he asked why they were so insistent on doing this Vegeta only replied with a wicked grin.
'Evening the score boy.' he said. Though it was just that, a boy is who they sought.
"You sure you're up for this?" Trunks asked looking to his father "They weren't exactly welcoming the last time I was here."
"It shouldn't take too long." Vegeta said putting his left hand onto his right shoulder as he began rotating that arm. "Stay to guard this thing if you must. I should be enough."
"Do not count me out" Lee stepped forward to stand beside Vegeta.
Vegeta scoffed "I'd imagine you have a score to settle yourself."
"A warrior should never hold grudges." Lee said pointing his finger to the sky. The two paused as they walked out and away from Trunks and the ship, seemingly into a green garden. "Be a good boy now." Lee called back to Trunk who only raised an eyebrow at him. Turning back to Vegeta they walked farther away and down a small path leaving Trunks behind for now. "So after this we go get Neji correct?" Lee asked once he caught up to the Saiyan prince.
"All in good time." Vegeta assured him. Good things come to those who wait. Though it seems he would be starting it now. "Though it seems while we're here we'll run into that clown who destroyed my home. Kill two birds with one stone." he clenched his fist.
"Mayuri." Rock Lee said "But he is not who we seek now."
"Not yet." Vegeta said.
"Very well." Lee said coming to grips with their priorities "And where do we look?" he asked as his head swerved around, finding more to take in now.
"HA!" a youthful voice suddenly exclaimed. "HEH!" it let out right afterwards. The two of them alarmed looked around. The sounds continued from the other side of the barracks.
"Someone in trouble?" Lee stated on alert.
"Sounds more like training." Vegeta replied before walking off towards the sound. "You'd know if you did any." he added in as an insult.
Lee's bushy eyebrows furrowed "I resent that statement!" he called as he followed after him. Following the sounds and rounding the corner they came to a small garden clearing cut off from everything else by walls. And standing in the middle of it they saw a young child, in white robes.
In his hands was a wooden sparring sword. He shot forward with another swift slash before returning to form and doing it again.
Vegeta smirked at the sight of him. This was it; this is who he had come here for. To even the score.
"Here we go." he grinned wickedly as he rotated his arm and walked forward. Rock Lee followed beside him.
The boy continued on, oblivious to them he continued to slash his sword through the air. He would pause only to wipe some sweat away before pressing on with his swings and sways. He steadied himself for another swipe. His back straight, his arms tense as he gripped the wooden blade. He raised his arms for a perfect execution. Yet the sudden sound of clapping threw off his next swing and almost made him fall.
Reeling over his let out a huff that blew his black hair off of his face. Disgruntled he turned his head to see the origin of his distraction. Looking over to see a man in a sleeveless blue jumpsuit with and arrogant smile accompanied by a younger one in green approach him. He paused as if confused by their presence.
"Remarkable form." the man complimented but seemed to mock. "Give it a hundred years and perhaps you'll be good." he laughed putting his arms down. His timing truly was perfect.
"Who are you?" the boy asked looking smugly up to them as they stopped before him "Are you the new gardeners?"
Vegeta sighed "No." he answered firmly. Rock lee then popped up beside him.
"Ah! A beautiful little girl!" Lee said stepping up "With all the promise and potential of youth. Would you be able to point us in the right direction? We are looking for someone. A young Byakuya Kuchiki."
The boy rested the wooden sword against his shoulder, a deep scowl formed on his face as he grilled down Lee "He stands before you." he said through gritted teeth.
Lee's jaw almost dropped to the floor "a-a-a-a-a" he pointed to Byakuya and then cocked his head to Vegeta "t-t-t-time travel works..." he managed to squeak out.
Vegeta let out a cocky laugh at Lee's ineptitude at the situation, but also remembered why he was here. For this very person. He then set his eyes on the young heir.
"And what were you doing out here boy?"
"I am training!" the young Byakuya shouted, a rise of emotion coming out of him very easily; the exact opposite of who Vegeta had- or rather would meet. The contrast was amusing to say the least, but the exact reason why he came here.
Vegeta reared his head back to cackle "That's what you call training? Looks more like you were swatting at flies? Well hello to you too you fly swatting loser." he mocked and uncrossed his arms to wave one at the boy who only became more and more enraged by the second.
"I don't know who you are." Byakuya grumbled and shook his fist as the other held the sword so tight he could break it "but you have no right to be here" his voice began to rise with each word he spoke "and I will not put up with such blatant disre-"
"~Little Byakuya!~" a woman's voice sang through the air to reach them, one Vegeta and Rock Lee recognized. Byakuya seemed to as well for the moment it did all the loud boasting from him was snuffed out as he seemed to go cold in one moment only to flare up the next.
All of a sudden two arms wrapped tightly around Byakuya from behind and pulled him in close, setting his head softly in between her breasts and his body against hers. He squirmed around as his face turned red, but that only garnered a laugh from above.
"Demon!" he shouted "Let me go!" Byakuya squirmed in agony in her grip.
"Oh I'll never let you go." Yoruichi laughed down at him, holding him in place in her crossed arms connected at her interlocked hands over his torso. "Never,ever,ever" she shook her head and each word seemed to only fill Byakuya with more and more anger and embarrassment.
Yoruichi was as Rock Lee and Vegeta remembered her though, different; her hair was shorter hardly reaching past her chin now, and she wore the distinct Captains coat she would not wear later on. But it wasn't her appearance that caught the two's attention, but her antics as she seemed oblivious to them and more focused on the young Kuchiki heir.
Rock Lee looked up to Vegeta who looked down to him; both exchanged a sort of blank perplexed look at the situation before looking back to it to view it again. And though they were all facing each other, clearly the other twos attention was elsewhere.
Yoruichi leaned her head down to perch it on top of Byakuya's head. To pin it in place with her chin and to prevent it from moving anymore.
"Okay, okay.." she said as her laughter died down and she took in a deep calming breath as Byakuya stopped fidgeting though retained his disgruntled demeanor "I'll let you go if..." she took a long pause, biting her bottom lip playfully as her eyes rolled upwards. Byakuya dreaded each moment as Vegeta and Lee looked on with deadpan curiosity "... if you give me a kiss." she leaned back down to him and pursed her lips.
"No!" Byakuya shrieked in horror and tried to get away, but he was already in her death grip with nowhere to go.
"Oh come on it's easy, I'll show you" she leaned down with puckered lips "like this." Byakuya turned his face away as Yoruichi came in towards him, leading with her lips.
Left to themselves Vegeta and Lee looked at the very odd spectacle unfolding before them, never taking their eyes off of it, but remaining silent the entire time as giggles and shrieks came from the other two. Rotating his head slightly to Vegeta, but keeping his eyes on it, Lee pointed off to the scene as Vegeta just shrugged to him in response. Lee then brought up his hand to his mouth.
"Ahem." a voice let out sharply and Youichi and Byakuya froze. And in their blank state only their eyes drifted over to them.
The two had gone on seemingly unnoticed all this time. Until now that is.
Yoruichi perked up, looking like a cat whose caught the attention of it's master and eyed them with an equally curious gaze.
"Hey there," she greeted casually, loosening up on Byakuya a bit, though his efforts to escape were still futile "Are you the new gardeners?"
"No." Vegeta grumbled yet again.
"Hm." she let out curiously. Her eyes rotated down to Byakuya "Did you get new playmates?" she said playfully with a hint of jealousy in her voice.
"N-o." he said smooshed between her.
"I'm not here to play." Vegeta interjected bitterly, just as Byakuya had been doing and it garnered a laugh from Yoruichi.
"Byakuya, I think I'm looking into your future." she teased down to him.
"Hardly fitting." Vegeta scoffed.
"Oh do you have bullies Little Byakuya." she said as she leaned in more to get a better view of Vegeta and Lee, but also lodged Byakuya deeper into her. "Do you want me to get wid of them?" she spoke down to him in a babyish voice.
Byakuya let out muttered protest from between her chest "I don't nee-"
"Hush!-" she snapped aggressively looking down at him with an animal like snarl, effectively silencing him as he winched and shrunk further in her grip. Then she unlocked her arms around him and swiftly swooped down to her knees, so she was eye level with him "hush, my little one." she cooed motherly as she pinched his cheek, pulling him back upright towards her.
"Well I can see why the boy has such discipline problems." Vegeta closed his eyes to muse "Like I said it'll be more than a hundred years before he's ever capable." he chuckled darkly and when he opened his eyes he saw two golden ones glaring back at him.
"Is that so?" Yoruichi threatened as she left Byakuya back in the dirt from her abrupt departure.
Vegeta grinned before her "I've seen the results of your training."
"Care to wager that?" she pressed him further.
"I already have." Vegeta said planting his feet already knowing where this was going. He didn't come all this way, a hundred years into their past for nothing.
Yoruichi spat "Come on, Little Byakuya" Yoruichi said stepping up with a hand on her hip "Show them how well I've taught you" she said as Byakuya stepped up beside her.
They stood across from Vegeta who lined up against them with Lee against them.
"Making problems wherever you go" Lee said.
"The boys all yours." Vegeta waved his glove.
Kumogakure
He had started his journey in the world of the ninjas in this very land. If only he had known where he truly was and how close he was to a tailed beast when he first got there. And to think he flew right by it.
But he was here to correct that.
"So... are you sure this is it?" Goku asked looking up skeptically. Gamatasu stood with him looking up in a similar manner, raising their heads high to view the tall mountains which never seemed to peak. They began arching back just so they could see a little higher.
Beside them standing more reserved was Ichigo. But beside all three of them was of course another, who despite not living there was still more than familiar with those who did and therefore was the natural choice of their guide.
"Of course I'm sure!" Naruto answered with confidence to counter Goku's lack of it "Why else would I bring you here?"
Though they had been fooled into fighting each other, they still relished the idea of a rematch. And when Goku remembered that there was still the Eight Tails who he'd yet to cross paths with, he leapt at the opportunity. Ichigo didn't jump at the chance of a renewed fight, not jumping into it until Goku's enthusiasm and Naruto's teasing won him over. So here he brought them. The way Naruto saw it, it was no different than bringing Gamatatsu here to hang out with them. Only they were going to him this time.
"Well this doesn't look like a place an Octopus would live that's all." Goku said looking up "I wish I had known it was around here. Kenpachi and I definitely would have stopped off before coming to get you." Naruto just looked at him glumly. The pretense he mentioned was when they still thought every one else was an enemy.
"Let's just get in there." Naruto said taking a step forward.
"Oh boy I can't wait to see what food they have!" Gamatatsu hopped with them.
"I got a bad feeling about this one." Ichigo said aloud. To him it might as well have been knocking on the gates of Hueco Mundo all over again.
"So I was thinking" Naruto thought aloud and the other two looked to him as the giant frog hopped hand over foot beside them "If I'm team 7, then that means in the Soul Society I'd be in Squad 7 right?" he asked looking over to Ichigo.
Looking upwards to ponder as he walked Ichigo wondered that very thing.
"Huh?" he let out "You know, I guess you would."
"So Hinata would be Squad 8, Shikamaru team 10."
"He'd fit in there!" Goku jumped into the conversation, thinking he and Toshiro would get along well "So would Ino."
"We've seen that already." Ichigo told remembering her with Rangiku.
"What Squad would I be in?!" Goku asked Ichigo excitedly almost bumping into him as they ascended.
"It's Squad 11 for you and nothing else." Ichigo smirked.
The four headed upwards towards their destination. High above them in the tallest tower embedded into the mountain was the leader of the Village Raikage office, unaware of what was bout to befall them was the Raikage himself, boasting of the Cloud Village's defenses while also reading the reports from his fellow Kage.
"I told you this was all nonsense!" A, the Fourth Raikage shouted out to every one in the room who carried on casually as if he was constantly screaming at them from his seat "We've met with no such assaults on the Cloud Village." Though there were reports of some terrible battle and several mountains destroyed from it; remnants of Goku and Kenpachi's battle. Yet they were long gone once they arrived to investigate. "And now they saw it was all for naught." he scoffed before sitting himself back at his desk and propped his feet up on it "Fate." he laughed darkly. He clenched his lone fist crumpling the paper in his hand further. Hearing the sound, he brought his hand up to read each of the notes again. "Strong warriors searching for the Tailed Beast." he read Gaara's message. He turned his head to view Onoki's "Disrespectful whelps." he read before shuffling the papers through his hand to read more "Nothing to worry about. They are no threats. It's all a misunderstanding." he read Tsuade's latest message. Turning over again, he read the misery of the Mizukage "Oh nothing went as planned." But reading each one only made him more and more annoyed. So he threw his hand up and let the papers scatter around the room. "Nonesense!" he yelled and slammed his fist down. All around him the papers floated to the ground. His stare however went across the room to the door that lead to it. For there was someone coming this way. He could hear a group of them and Samui's team was the first that came to mind.
How wrong he was.
Whatever had been going on elsewhere, threat or otherwise someone was paying him a visit.
The door then opened and in walked a orange clade blonde hared ninja. A remembered him well enough.
"Hm?" he peered over his boots "What are you doing here? And where do you get off barging into my office unannounced!" his voice raising.
"I had to!" Naruto insisted "It's super important." Naruto responded.
"Hm." A lowered his feet back to the floor "I doubt that very much." he raised his hand to rest in on the table "It was you who put the villages in a frenzy for nothing."
"That was different!"
"It was folly." he responded harshly "And it doesn't matter anyway. If it's my brother your here for, isn't it?" he answered, quick to change the subject to a more meaningful conversation.
"Actually Octopops isn't why I'm here." Naruto told.
A arched his head over his desk "Then-" A stopped mid sentence to see a grown man peaking in through his door and following beside him was a young man with a large sword on his back. "Who are you two supposed to be?"
Goku jumped into the office and introduced himself to the disgruntled Kage.
"Goku?" he let out confused. He knew that name. It was one of the many that the other Kage spoke of, but it came up more than the others "I see." she said his voice turning more serious as he eyed the Saiyan "So your one of the trouble makers in my backyard."
"Hm?" Goku let out confused "Backyard?"
A then turned to see Ichigo beside him "And you." he said pausing to focus on him more "You must Ichigo." The boy nodded. A then looked from one to the other "So what brings you all the way here now?"
"Well," Goku pondered as if he had forgotten the reason he asked Naruto to take him here "Naruto told me there was this other really powerful tailed beast here. "A's eyes bugged open "And I wanted to meet him."
"You brought him here?!" A shouted towards Naruto who just shrugged off his rage.
"He wouldn't take no for an answer." Naruto shrugged.
Grinding teeth and clenching his only fist A seemed to have calmed himself down.
"Fine." he said. He rolled his shoulder and his cloak fell off. But something else seemed to replace it. A blue static aura that grew around his person "But if you want him. You have to go through me." he pointed a thumb to his chest as the blue light grew in intensity.
Goku would not back down from this challenge. "A Kage..." he said almost as if he didn't expect it. But whatever surprise or doubts he seemed to have washed away as he came forward "You got it!" he bent himself over looking at A "Looking like that, it almost looks like Kaio-Ken!" he commented.
"My lightning release mode!" A said as he bent over as Goku did. Then pushing off the floor they bounded forward, and the two charged each other.
A reared back his mighty arm as Goku did the same. Swinging forward both unleashed their punch against the other, only to have their first collide. A and Goku's knuckles slammed into each other. The entire room shook from the force of the two fists colliding. Naruto and Ichigo managed to keep their footing though many others did not.
Goku then shot out a kick which A ducked under before he shot up jabbing with his arm. Goku eased back to evade it and then jumped forward with a punch which A dodged in the same manner.
Naruto, Ichigo and especially Gamatatsu were more than ready to watch it all unfold. And they would have, had all of a sudden a swerving ball came hurling at the air directed right at Ichigo.
Reacting quickly, he unsheathed Zangetsu and blocked what turned out to be not one, but several sword swipes. The swerving figure moved away now the figure revealed himself, and the seven swords he wielded all over his body, including his mouth.
"What the-" Ichigo let out.
"Octopops!" Naruto said excitedly.
A grin came from the mouth that gripped the sword.
"I heard a commotion, so I followed the motion. Brother A's fighting in the front, but Killer B has his back!" he said each word with rhythm and style "And together we make the best team combo attack!" Naruto was giddy from his words, but Ichigo was just confused.
"What?" he asked cluelessly.
"This guy got no rhythm, he got no rhyme. He came all the way to fight. But he's just a waste of time." Killer B said as he bounced on one foot, balancing himself and his swords.
"You're the one who attacked me." Grinning Killer B was ready to respond, but something else took his attention away from Ichigo.
From behind them suddenly a bright light was suddenly released, as if the sun itself was in the room. Killer B turned over as Ichigo and Naruto already knew what it was. Goku had gone Super Saiyan and had put even more power into his fight with A.
Naturally Killer B had to put words to it.
"That light is bright, showing the spirit of fight." B commented at the sight but suddenly slowed and became more self conscious "Hol' up. I can do better than that." B said.
"Show me if you want!" Ichigo said and he turned back to him.
"He's got one sword, but he's ready to fight. But Killer B's here to punch out all of these lights!"
"You done yapping that garbage? Or are those swords just for show?" Ichigo goaded him.
"Tsh." B grinned "No rhythm and rhyme just like I said. This loudmouth little fool gonna wish he was dead!" B said before he lunged through the air spiraling his body and his several swords at Ichigo. Ichigo jumped back from B's landing putting himself in the doorframe from where they entered. B jumped after him slashing his swords as Ichigo raised his to block each one.
From the top of the stairs Naruto and Gamatatsu watched as they dueled down the stairs, going back the way they came. They then turned their attention back to the room as Goku and A continued their fight.
Goku jumped up and A followed him into the air. In no time, they jumped out of the nearby window heading the opposite direction of Ichigo and Killer B, but still fighting blow for blow.
Next time: The Adventures comes to an end. Three groups that met as enemies depart as friends.