People talking, "Hello everyone."
People thinking, 'LET'S GO!'
Demon/beast/other talking, "I will eat you."
Demon/beast/other thinking, 'Explanation for late (really late) chapter at the bottom.'
Jutsu/Unknown names, "Suiton: Mizudeppō no Jutsu."
'Document'
Italics can be used for certain kinds of emphasis or snide comments.
Bold can be used for forceful yelling/shouting/screaming.
There are references regularly to things that happened in the last three years, they won't usually be explained in depth, and if you wish for a better understanding. I would suggest going and reading my story, Spirit Nin Chronicles.
Chapter Twenty: Games Begin
3 years later
"All the preparations are finished," A white-haired man spoke slyly, excitement evident in his voice. Around him was a dim room, barely lit up in purple torch created light.
"Good… How is the weapon?" A pale-skinned man said, turning to another present.
"Ready... he will complete his task without fail."
Two red eyes snapped open in the dark, a slit running down the middle surrounded by three tomoe.
oOoOoOo
Itachi opened his eyes slowly, staring at the ceiling of his bedroom. He smiled as he felt his partner shift in the bed next to him. Turning, he focused his coal eyes on the face of one Uchiha Anko.
He'd married her around over a year ago, Kaguya-sama being the one to unite them until death. It had been the best decision he'd ever made, and didn't regret it at all. Yes, there were times when they had disagreements, and Anko could definitely be insane at times as well, but they balanced each other out.
Itachi Uchiha, Spirit Master, sighed as he got up. Today was the day they'd all been preparing for, Naruto having first started the preparations a few months ago. Much had changed in the Hidden Spirit in the last three years, many of the children's seals had long since matured and they had become Adepts. Some, like Kai, had already become Masters.
Dozens of teams had been formed, and the Hidden Spirit had started taking missions over a year ago. They were rapidly becoming known around the Elemental Nations, and he was very proud of the kids he had trained. He'd ended up quitting his job at the Initiate Training Center to become a leader of an Adept Team, having Kimimaro Kaguya, Rei Kurama, and Isaribi on his team. He'd made sure to find a suitable replacement though.
The Chūnin Exams, hosted in Konoha, were starting in a few weeks. Naruto wanted to arrive early for many reasons, mostly so that his ninja could adjust themselves to a twenty-four-hour cycle.
The different day length had been something Zetsu came up with, he suggested that the 'timer' that the artificial sun was on, to be changed to create thirty-six hour days. They'd tested it, and it had taken people some time to get used to it. But once they had, they'd found that it didn't bother them and actually gave them more time to train and do other things.
Itachi had decided to stay at the Hidden Leaf instead of going to Konoha, not wanting to cause unneeded issues with his presence. Anko had also decided to stay, Naruto having offered for her to come as a leader of one of the four teams he was bringing with him to Konoha.
The four Spirit teams would participate in the Chūnin Exams, not because they needed to go to the next level, but because it will show that the Hidden Spirit exists and obtain a massive influx of customers.
Itachi realized he'd promised to talk to Kazumi about some matters, and they were still trying to figure out how to adapt Kurushimi into human life…
Later that day
Kimimaro was early, but it didn't really matter to him. He was fifteen years old now and had been an Adept in the Spirit Corps for well over a year. He was draped in a loose-fitting, open chest, white top with silky pants that looked like they were made of black water, plain ninja sandals on his feet. His long white hair was parted down the middle with a zigzag, his hair tied in several braids of different lengths. He smiled slightly as he remembered how he'd gotten the braids, Hanabi, Rei, and Yukimi having begged him to let them weave his hair one night. There were also two simple red dots on his pale face, each where he would typically have eyebrows, and he had piercing green eyes with red rims surrounding them.
He was on a team with Rei and Isaribi, being assigned together specifically by Itachi-sensei. He'd been accepted immediately into the village-sized family when he woke up after being rescued from his cell by Lord Seikage. He'd also gotten along well with Isaribi and Rei, which had made it easier to work together as a team.
"Hey, Bones!" Kimimaro sighed, looking up lazily toward the sound. Seeing Rei and Isaribi who'd just landed on the cliff that led to the Planetary Path. Also on the cliff was a meditating Guren, who'd been here before even him.
"You're never going to stop calling me that…" Kimimaro groaned, pushing off the rock wall he'd been leaning against.
"Nope, you're always gonna be Bones to us!" Isaribi chirped in, laughing at Kimimaro's exasperated face.
"Quiet down will you?" Guren said amusedly. Her pink reflective eye's opening as she came out of her meditative state. When Guren's Spirit seal matured, it had changed her eyes, making them pink and shiny, similar to her crystals.
"Oops… sorry. Anyway, how was your appointment with Lady Tsunade?" Rei inquired, lowering her voice considerably as to not disturb Guren. Kimimaro raised an eyebrow before cracking his neck, a habit he had.
"She said that my condition is improving steadily. If I hadn't been as treated as soon as I was, then there wouldn't have been anything she could do for me. I've only two more appointment's left before I am completely healed," Kimimaro replied calmly.
"Even if she wasn't able to heal you, you know that Naruto-sama wouldn't have let you die," Rei said, getting a nod from the bone user. All three of them recalled memories in the past year, fallen teammates being revived by Naruto if he reached them fast enough.
"Welp, that's good! We can't have you dying from a dumb disease, after all, who would fill the spot on our team?" Rei teased, getting an exasperated look from the white-haired teen.
"Yep! We are Bones, Eyes, and Fish till the end!" Isaribi yelled, then quickly quieted as Guren glared at her from across the cave entrance. Kimimaro just groaned, falling back against the stone wall.
"I knew it… I just knew that letting you choose our team name was a terrible idea," The Kaguya muttered, getting a laugh from both his teammates.
"Bit too late for that now Kimimaro," All three students turned toward the voice, seeing Utakata standing calmly next to them all.
"Master Utakata," All of them greeted, giving a small bow to the 6-tails jinchuriki. He'd joined the village at the same time Kimimaro had, and it had taken the hermit jinchuriki some time to adapt to everyone. Eventually, he'd accepted a position at the Training Center and also recently begun teaching his bubble jutsu to students interested.
Utakata nodded, "As you know, Lord Seikage sent a message ahead to Konoha that we would be attending the Chūnin Exams being held there in two weeks. You as well as three other teams will be representing our village for the first time on a national scale." This got gleeful looks from the two girls and a nod from the Kaguya.
"What other teams are coming with us?" Isaribi asked excitedly, hoping the Hikō team was coming to the exams as well.
"Some of the teams have been shifted around for these exams, there might also be some questions raised about your ages." Rei pouted at this, she didn't like it when people underestimated her just because she was eight years old.
"Officially, Hanabi-chan will be listed as your teammate, and Kimimaro will be under me with Temari and Kankuro," Utakata informed, getting nods from the three Spirit Nin. They turned at the distinct, near-silent sound of ninja's leaping came over the hill.
Guren had walked over by now, and they watched as the other teams and the Seikage leaped over the cliff ledge, landing quietly on the ground.
Naruto's clothing had changed in the last few years, now wearing clothes similar to the Kage of the Elemental Nations, except with golden edging. On the front of his unique pointy hat was a golden Ōtsutsuki symbol, and white cloth hung from the hat's sides. He also usually wore a face mask in his kage outfit, the long robes obscuring the rest of his body. He did this in part to prevent people from recognizing him immediately as the Shiroi Oni and more as a Kage.
"We shall leave in a few minutes, you should all know your teams, please form up," Naruto ordered, getting nods from everyone present. The four Masters lined up quickly in a row, the ninja under them standing behind them.
Utakata was with Temari, Kankuro, and Kimimaro. Kankuro's eyes had entirely shifted to green with red sclera, and he usually only wore a white cloak and black pants, making it easier for his three masks to leave his body. Temari looked much the same. Now usually wearing a golden tan kimono with the Spirit Nin white cloak, her sandy blonde hair in four consecutive ponytails.
Behind Toneri was Yukimi, Fū, and Kagerō. This was team Hikō and had not been changed for the Chūnin Exams, it was entirely of people who could fly. Toneri was the sensei, and while he had a form of floating, he couldn't keep up with the speed the three girls possessed, usually resulting in him taking a Tenseigan Puppet Hawk.
Behind Arashi, who's hair had gotten longer, was Hanabi, Rei, and Isaribi. Hanabi had gotten older, her brown hair extremely long and covering her left eye entirely, she'd matured quite a lot in the last three years and was much more analytical. She now wore a beautiful olive green battle kimono that Naruto had created for her, which had faint but intricate designs of trees across the dress. Rei had gotten considerably taller, her straight light blue hair falling down past her shoulders. She usually wore a long sleeve light blue sweater, that matched her hair, and grey pants. Isaribi had clothes that looked reminiscent of a bathing suit, ocean blue sleeves cut very short. She also wore black pants that looked like swimming shorts.
The last one on the row was Rōshi, whose red beard had gotten fuller and he almost always had a kind smile on his face. He was seen as an uncle by everyone in the village, everyone referring to him as Uncle Rōshi, always willing to help with anything and loved talking to people about the past. With him was Gaara, Yugito, and Guren. Everyone present had matured Spirit seals and had mastered them more or less. Gaara now wore a tan shirt with a different colored tan jacket, going down to tan pants. His red hair had gotten somewhat longer, but he'd kept it controlled. Behind him was Yugito, who'd changed drastically in the last three years.
Yugito had gotten much taller, and looked closer to eighteen than her actual age of around fourteen. Her long blonde hair flowed down to her lower back, and her eyes had become a more vibrant color of yellow and blue. She wore a short-sleeved black and purple blouse and black pants, both of which had a design similar to hellfire on them, purple fingerless gloves and a chain of blue beads wound around her left hand. Yugito also wore bandages around her arms and legs as well as a red belt around her waist. Sealed into her arms were the two legendary Kiba swords, a gift from Naruto.
The last was Guren, who'd changed as well, getting taller and her light blue hair getting longer. She usually kept her hair in a spiky ponytail with long strands of hair framing her face. Her outfit consisted of a green dress with a long left sleeve and a short right one, a red turtle-neck which has a white, fluffy collar and brown gloves. Under the dress, she wore a one-piece red suit. For shoes, she had calf-length brown sandal boots. Her eyes were a vibrant reflective pink, catching the light and shining.
Everyone present wore their Spirit cloaks over their clothes, the Masters cloaks having a Yin-Yang symbol on their left breast. Several present had the Kanji for Tailed on their backs above the golden Ōtsutsuki clan symbol.
"Let's go," Naruto ordered, turning and running into the cave entrance to the Planetary Path. The Spirit Ninja started running in perfect synchronization after their kage, Zetsu having made sure everyone understood the value of unity. Therefore all Spirit Nin were trained to be able to fight together, move together, and even travel in perfect sync.
Land of Waves
"Uhg… When are they going to get here?" A pink-haired girl moaned, looking up at the sky dramatically.
Around her were eleven other people, three of them Jounins and the rest Genin like she was.
"This is where we are supposed to meet them, we are a bit early is all," Asuma replied, taking a deep breath from yet another cigarette in his near infinite supply. He sighed deeply, looking up at the smoke he'd just blown out of his mouth. He'd only been able to become a Jounin Sensei because of a couple lucky factors, the most significant being that his father was the Hokage. The Shinobi council had entirely been against him becoming one, but the civilian board had pushed against them because they were afraid it might damage their relationship with the Daimyo. The Civilians were trying to prevent the Daimyo from learning that the Kyūbi was no longer in their control. His time as one of the guardians of the Fire Daimyo also gave him some backing, though he knew that one more big screw-up would ruin his career.
Looking over he spotted Kurenai Yuhi, she'd also only become a Jounin sensei by the actual skin of her teeth. The civilians had wanted to blame her for the loss of the Kurama clan head, and she'd undergone some rejection, as well as losing her friend Anko. Though Anko was presumed dead as they'd been unable to find any trace of her. Kurenai had managed to rebuild her trust with most of the village through a lot of hard work, and his father had reluctantly accepted her request to become a jounin sensei.
"Sakura, patience," Sasuke said calmly as he leaned against one of the bridge supports. They were all gathered on a bridge in the Land of Waves, which was quite elegant and beautiful, as well as massive.
Sakura sighed before nodding, sitting down on the ground. Sasuke opened his red eyes calmly, taking in everyone around him. He was on a team with Sakura and Sai, their sensei being the depressed cyclops jounin. Kakashi had been taken off active duty and made a Jounin sensei in hopes that he would regain some of his old fire, it had worked to a degree, and Kakashi did teach them some things, but the team mostly had to fend for themselves.
His relationship with his teammates was decent, he'd efficiently solved the issue with Sakura being his teammate by just talking to her. Telling her plainly that he wasn't interested in her, or Ino, or anyone right now, it wasn't his focus. She'd eventually accepted his words, and he'd gotten her to focus more on becoming stronger. His relationship with Sai was really just professional, Sai didn't care for having a friend, and neither did he. They worked well together in battle, but nothing else really mattered to the pale-skinned artist.
Also with them on the bridge was Team 8 and 10, which was different as his team usually avoided other ones. So Sasuke didn't really know the other Genin his age, though he was respectful to them when they did talk.
'I'm afraid to think of who I might have become if Hinata hadn't beaten the ego out of me…' Sasuke mused. Much had changed since that day, and among other things, he had become rapidly stronger. He awoke his Sharingan only a few weeks after becoming a Genin and intelligently used the leverage he had with the Civilian council to obtain his own goals at becoming stronger.
His efforts to learn were part of why he was so excited today, though he was hiding it. He'd learned about the new village in the Elemental Nations, going by the name Hidden Spirit, and it was rumored to be run by the Shiroi Oni… 'If I can get him to accept, I can finally see Nii-san again…'
Sasuke had learned the horrible truth, after gaining his Sharingan he had bribed Kakashi into teaching him Genjutsu with it. Succeeding that he had then proceeded to use his Sharingan liberally to find out the truth behind the massacre, with a clear head, he was able to see the signs that Itachi had been lying to him. After all, a psychopathic murderer doesn't cry after killing his parents, kill his mother but not his brother. It didn't sit right with him, and he'd worked hard to learn the truth.
'Learning the truth hurt… it made me hate Konoha, and I hope to eventually join my brother where ever he is.' Sasuke mused, his attention drawn to the blonde girl who was still a fangirl of him.
"Uhh Sensei, what is that?" Ino asked, pointing to a large statue at the entrance to the bridge. The statue was of three people, all wearing hoods over their heads and hiding their faces, on the back of each of their cloaks was an 8-point star. One of the three statues was considerably shorter than the other ones.
'In respect and thanks, for eliminating Gato the oppressor of our country, we name this bridge. The Spirits.' Sasuke read, taking another look at the three people sculpted out of stone on the pedestal.
"They mean the new Hidden Spirit Village right?" Kiba inquired, looking at the mysterious figures curiously.
"I believe so, that symbol on their cloaks is the same as what has been seen on other Spirit Nin around the Elemental Nations," Shikamaru replied, his tone actually sounding interested.
"That's who we are meeting here right?" Ino inquired, getting an exasperated look from the only Hyūga present.
"Do you listen to your mission briefings!?" Hinata demanded, glaring at the blonde who backed up a few steps. Sasuke watched them from the corner of his eye, seeing once again the changed Hyūga heiress.
"What is the Hidden Spirit exactly?" Choji asked, having just finished a bag of chips, he sealed up the wrapping before unsealing another bag.
Shikamaru sighed, leaning back against a metal beam of the bridge, having satisfied his curiosity with the statue. "The Hidden Spirit is a village that was formed in the last few years, no one knows where they are located, making it truly hidden. All Spirit Nins are always seen wearing a white cloak, usually with a hood, golden lining, and a golden 8-point star on their back." Sasuke was listening intently now, wondering if the genius knew something he didn't. Some of the other genins were also listening in interest.
"Everyone seen from the village has always been described as extremely strong… it's rumored that the village was started and is lead by the Shiroi Oni, currently the only SS-rank nin in the Elemental Nations." Shikamaru finished.
"And we are meeting teams from that village that want to participate in the Chūnin exams?" Kiba inquired in disbelief.
"Hai, a message came to Konoha a few months ago that requested that he and his ninja be allowed into Konoha a bit early due to circumstances in their own village." Kurenai supplied, answering her genin's question.
"Just how strong are Spirit Nin anyway?" Ino asked, her tone showing that she thought this was all a bunch of exaggeration.
"One of them defeated eight jounin at once, using bones," Kakashi said suddenly, drawing everyone's attention to him. He rarely said anything, usually just staring off at nothing blankly.
"Wait what? Bones?" Sakura asked, getting to her feet and walking over to the conversation.
"Hai, he was able to produce bones out of his skin and used them to easily incapacitate eight jounin at once, not killing any of them," Kakashi replied his tone sounding somewhat… dead. But everyone was used to that, Kakashi didn't want help, and so people had stopped trying to.
Sasuke was looking up at the clouds, waiting for the Spirit Nin to arrive and bored by the conversation. His sharp red eyes spotted a black form far away in the sky, his Sharingan able to detect that it was rapidly approaching.
"We have incoming," Sasuke informed dryly, everyone turning to look where he was pointing and seeing the dot in the far distance.
Kurenai turned to ask Hinata to investigate the object but stopped when she saw the girl already staring up at it with pulsed veins around her eyes. Hinata flinched, her eyes deactivating as she brought her hands up, rubbing them.
"It's too bright… so dense, like looking into the sun." Hinata stated painfully.
"Everyone form up!" Asuma ordered, everyone hopped out of their lounging positions and leaping next to their respective sensei's.
"W-what is that?!" Ino cried. The next instant the air was filled with a massive screech as the black form became clearly distinguishable. It was a gigantic black raven, pale eyes staring down at them as it began to slow down.
"Calm down Ino, we won't let anything happen to you," Asuma assured, both his chakra blades on his hands. His cigarette on the ground, long forgotten. A moment later the massive bird dived out of the sky, immediately shooting its wings out and catching air. A few moments later the giant bird had landed gracefully on the ground, a ways off from the bridge.
Sasuke watched in amazement as sixteen people hopped off the birds back in groups of four, all in perfect unison with each other. A moment later the newcomers stood in front of the bird, all their faces obscured in shadow by white hoods... and golden lining.
The massive bird began to change form before Sasuke's very eyes, shrinking and transforming into a man wearing white, golden lined kage robes. A golden 8-point star on the front of his hat.
Two of the four teams moved out of the way as who Sasuke assumed was the Seikage walked toward them. As the kage moved forward the ninja behind him moved in sync, following him toward the bridge.
"I assume you are the escort to Konoha?" Sasuke was startled by the man's calm and melodic voice.
"You are the Seikage?" Kurenai asked, a tad unnecessarily in Sasuke's opinion.
"Hai, I am Seikage of the Hidden Spirit. Behind me are four of my teams and their sensei's." Naruto replied, his pale Byakugan scanning over everyone present. 'Sasuke Uchiha, you look just like your brother described you.' Naruto mused, happy to see that the boy did not seem to have an arrogant aura.
Ino was somewhat creeped out by the newly arrived Spirit Ninja, how they all moved in perfect unison and stood perfectly still, their heads tilted down and casting their faces in even more darkness.
Sasuke stared, with slowly rotating Sharingan, directly at the Seikage, whose face was hidden by his hat. The next instant he froze as the kage turned and looked at him. Two red eyes lighting up under the broad hat, staring directly into his own. Sasuke immediately looked away, knowing that getting into an ocular battle with this man was suicide. 'But that at least mostly confirms it, the Shiroi Oni has the Sharingan, and so does he…'
Naruto rose an eyebrow at Sasuke before turning back to the three Jounin standing in front of him, looking in interest at the white-haired one-eyed jounin. 'Seems like he got his act together enough to become a sensei after all…'
"If you will follow us Lord Seikage," Asuma stated, getting a nod from the kage. Gesturing to his fellow Konoha Nin, they all lined up before beginning the trek back toward the Land of Fire and Konoha. They were somewhat unsettled by the perfect synchronization of the Spirit Nin though, all of which had formed into a box of sorts.
At each of the four points, there was one of the sensei, filling the spaces between them were three genins each, making a perfect square around the Seikage who walked with them.
Shikamaru shook his head, giving up on trying to see inside the Spirit Nin's hoods. The ninja intrigued him, their perfect synchronization reminded him of extreme military training, 'They are all highly trained... I highly doubt they are Genin…'
'Almost all of them are weak,' Kagerō commented through the seal network, causing several of the Spirit Nin to move their left hand to their wrist under their cloaks.
'The Uchiha has high chakra levels for his age, high Chūnin. The black-hair pale-skinned boy has mid-jounin,' Hanabi replied. Her obscured Byakugan trained on the teams escorting them to Konoha. She wasn't really all that excited to be going to the village, but she had hopes that they could offer the Hyūga Branch Family a place in their own village.
'There is also a seal on the pale-skinned boy's tongue, it looks like a restraining seal of some kind,' Hanabi commented, having noticed the strange charka flux in the boy's mouth, she'd focused on it and could see a seal. Naruto rose an eyebrow before his own Byakugan focused on the boy's mouth.
'It keeps him from saying certain things, I believe he may be from Root.' Naruto commented, Itachi had no qualms about giving up every secret he knew about Konoha, and the black-ops organization that was Root was one of them.
"So… how strong are you?" Kiba inquired of the Spirit Nin at the front of the box, directly in front of the Seikage.
"Strong enough that none of you would be the least bit of a challenge." The ninja replied in a complete monotone, his face obscured by his large white, golden-edged hood.
"Oh really? What makes you think that?" Kiba demanded in annoyance, he was already getting pissed off with these ninjas, all perfect and walking in complete sync. Who did they all think they were anyway?
"Your chakra, it's weak. Only the Uchiha, Hyūga, and he would stand any chance against us." Gaara retorted emotionlessly, gesturing to Sai who stared back blankly.
"Hey! Vampire is not stronger than me! Take that back! I can beat you any day!" Kiba boasted, getting really annoyed by the fact that this ninja thought Sai was stronger than him.
"Boasting is not wise, only a few people are able to beat Sandman. Lord Seikage being the top of that short list." Yugito cut in from her spot beside Gaara, her colored eyes looking out in annoyance toward Kiba. He smelled of dogs, and she really didn't like dogs, 'It's Matatabi's fault, had to be a cat…' Yugito grumbled, hearing her Bijū snickering.
"Oh yeah? What makes you all so special?" Ino demanded, breaking off from her team to walk in front of the Spirit Nin and join in the conversation. Ino immediately regretted saying anything as all the Spirit Nin turned toward her and stared at her from the darkness of their hoods, causing her to back up and return to the safety of her team.
Kiba was unsure what to say, the Spirit Nin's now ignoring him. Giving up, he returned to his team, noticing that Sasuke and Shikamaru were still staring at the cloaked ninja intently.
'Remember everyone, do not give them any information that they could use against us.' Utakata's stern voice came over the link, getting a chorus of 'Hai' in return. Spirit Nin were trained to intentionally never give their enemies any information that could be used against them.
"What are those symbols on your wrists?" Sakura asked, her curiosity finally winning out against her fear of the intimidating Spirit Nin. She'd noticed the weird symbols on each of the sensei's wrists because their sleeves didn't cover them.
"They display our loyalty to Shinreigakure and Lord Seikage, a physical representation of our commitment to follow the paragons of our home," Guren replied, peering out at the pink-haired girl with her reflective crystal eyes. Sakura nodded before focusing once more on the path ahead of them.
'The Hyūga is trying quite hard to see through our cloaks,' Temari commented, noticing how the pale-eyed girl would glare at them for several moments before looking away in frustration, then do it again a few minutes later. Hanabi focused her vision on the older girl, seeing she indeed was trying quite hard.
That night
They had run until it was dark, the three Leaf Jounin deciding to camp for the night. It was a two-day journey back to Konoha, and the genin were getting tired.
The Spirit Nin, on the other hand, had enough energy to run the entire way there, and still fight at full strength. Itachi had invented some extreme endurance exercises, and it was mandatory for everyone to take them, except in cases like Yakumo.
The large group of shinobi had gone off the beaten path and found a clearing in the woods large enough to hold them all.
Sasuke observed the Spirit Nin, who'd set up on the opposite side of the clearing, unsealing meals before eating them. Some of the Konoha genin and Jounin had already set up their tents, though none of the Spirit had.
Sasuke got up from his spot by their campfire, walking over to the Spirit shinobi. He didn't show it, but he was slightly creeped out as every single one of them turned and looked at him in unison, all their faces obscured in darkness.
"Yes, Uchiha?" One asked, his voice monotone.
"I would like to talk to the Seikage," Sasuke could feel the looks of his teammates, wondering what he was doing over here talking to the Spirit shinobi. None of the ninjas reacted for a few moments before the Seikage stood, gesturing for him to come.
Sasuke followed after the much taller kage into the woods, a bit off from the clearing.
"Sasuke Uchiha, what do you wish to speak to me about?" Naruto inquired, his face hidden by his sizeable pointy hat, his hands folded behind him.
"Is Uchiha Itachi apart of your village?" Sasuke asked respectfully, not seeing a point in beating around the bush.
"Why do you wish to know?"
Sasuke didn't react, but internally he was overjoyed. The Seikage was not directly answering him, but subtly telling him that he was right. The Kage was most likely doing this in case he tried to use the information against them, he could deny that Itachi was with them.
"I want to see my brother again, I learned the truth behind the Uchiha Massacre. If he is with you, I wish to join you." Naruto rose a circular clipped eyebrow in amusement.
'Sasuke is very different from how Itachi described him, a lot more respectful. I was not expecting this,' Naruto mused, he'd planned to talk to Sasuke in a genjutsu and explain the situation to him, offering for him to join them then.
"I see, yes. Uchiha Itachi is apart of our village, he is apart of the Administration and used to be a teacher about a year ago." Sasuke genuinely smiled at this, "Would I be allowed to join your village, Lord Seikage?"
"Hai, Itachi has specifically requested that I invite you while I am here, you have saved me the trouble. You are not to tell anyone, but after the Chūnin exams we will take you with us." Naruto said, getting a nod from the raven-haired Uchiha who turned and left
'Mother, I can sense a powerful chakra in him, one that is not his.' Naruto thought, able to sense and see the second chakra within Sasuke.
"It's Indra's chakra, Hagoromo's oldest son…" Kaguya informed, interested in this new development.
'Yeah, Indra and Ashura have been reincarnating themselves into new bodies for several thousand years. Before Sasuke, Indra was inside Madara Uchiha.' Zetsu interjected, getting a raised mental eyebrow from both Ōtsutsuki.
'Then where is Ahsura-oigo?' Naruto mused, returning to his subordinates. He still needed to construct a temporary structure for his Spirit Nin… 'Hmm… Castle or Mansion?'
A day later
The immortal gate guard was once more doing their duty, vigilantly… Kotetsu and Izumo were standing inside the small hut like building outside the gate of Konoha, lounging in the shade lazily.
"The teams that went out to get the Spirit Nin should be back today right?" Izumo asked, waiting a bit as Kotetsu checked the logs.
"Hai, we should probably get back to our spots, they could be here soon," Kotetsu replied, getting a reluctant nod from his comrade. They both quickly left the hut before taking up their positions in the middle of the open gateway.
"Hey, did you hear? It's rumored that it was Spirit ninja that took down the remains of the Land of the Sky, a country that participated in the Second Great Shinobi War, before being destroyed by Konoha." Izumo said, making small talk but also interested in the new village.
"I did, but those're just rumors man…" Kotetsu replied, staring down the road "vigilantly."
"I hope that's true… cause it's also rumored that Spirit Nin have started clearing out ninja with bounties near constantly." Izumo muttered, he had been scratching out ninja in his Bingo Book constantly for a while, all of them being turned in by Spirit shinobi for the bounties. They also never returned any unique items, like the 2nd Hokage's sword, the Raijin no Ken (Sword of the Thunder God).
"Focus Izumo, I can see people approaching," Kotetsu said, bringing his partner's attention back to the road in front of them.
He was right, far away was a large group of people, hard to make out in the distance. Izumo was sure he spotted Kakashi's trademark spiky white hair though.
It was only a few minutes later that they all came to a stop in front of the guard. The three Konoha teams were in front, behind them stood a man in white kage robes with golden lining, his face obscured in darkness.
Behind him were sixteen ninjas, all cloaked in nearly identical cloaks, their faces hidden by hoods.
"Welcome back, I assume they're the Spirit Nin?" Kotetsu stated, getting nods from the Konoha shinobi. He could already say that the Spirit Nin creeped him out, all cloaked in white and standing in a perfect formation. None of their faces visible, shrouded in darkness.
"I am the Seikage of the Hidden Spirit, these are my Genin and their Sensei," Naruto stated calmly, gliding past the Konoha shinobi and stopping in front of the two gate guards.
"W-We've been expecting you Lord Seikage. If you will wait a few moments please." Izumo stammered, feeling Naruto's oppressive aura up close. Izumo gestured to Kotetsu a tad frantically, who immediately went to inform the ANBU that the Spirit Nin had arrived.
"I hope your travel went well," Izumo said, trying to cover up his reaction to the intimidating Seikage.
"Hai," Naruto replied smoothly, his pale eyes scanning across the invisible barrier. He'd been concerned about how he was going to enter Konoha when they had his signature recognized in the village seals, his mother had thankfully provided the answer.
Naruto had been working hard in the last three years to improve his skills, which meant practicing with his Kekkei Genkai. Because his parents had created them all, and because he was part Kaminoki, he was able to use all of them. He hadn't tried a good deal, but he definitely had some favorites.
The one he was going to use to trick the barrier was one his mother had gifted to the Rinha clan, which allows them to absorb a person's chakra and duplicate their appearance and memories. Naruto had practiced it for the last few months, using it to copy and disguise his own chakra signature as Shinga's. It didn't really matter who he copied, and he himself had been the closest person at the time.
'ANBU incoming,' Hanabi and Utakata said over the mental link at the same time, one seeing them and the other sensing them. They were proven right as a four-man squad of ANBU landed at the gate a few moments later.
"Lord Hokage requests the presence of the newcomers, please follow us." A brown-haired ANBU requested, getting a nod from the Seikage who began to walk with them into the village.
Ino gasped as the Spirit Nin leaped over all of them, landing at the gate and following after their Hokage.
"Hey! You could have hit me!" Ino yelled, angry at how close to the ground the ninja had leaped, and they could have just gone around them in her opinion. But she was ignored entirely, none of the cloaked shinobi responding to her at all.
She huffed in annoyance, getting an exasperated look from Shikamaru.
"We can go home now right?" The Nara inquired, getting a nod from his sensei. All the genin and Jounin disappeared into the village, each to their respective homes. Except for Sasuke, who followed directly after the Spirit Nin, finding them a few moments later.
All of them were once more walking in perfect sync down the main street of the village, heading directly toward the Hokage tower. All the civilians and Shinobi nearby stared at the Spirit Nin as they passed.
"Who are they?"
"Why are they all hiding their faces?"
"They've got have massive chakra reserves…" A shinobi commented to his friend, both sitting at an outdoor table outside a restaurant. Sasuke heard all of this as he followed after the procession from the roofs. He knew that they could see him, The Shiroi Oni had the Byakugan, and he was sure that one of the sixteen was Hanabi Hyūga, Hinata's younger sister.
Sasuke stopped on a roof, watching as all the ninja filed into the Hokage Tower in rows of two, the Seikage going first. A moment later the ANBU walked in after they had all gone through, the doors closing.
'I need to go train, I haven't seen any of them fight, but I doubt the Shiroi Oni approves of weak ninja in his village.' Sasuke mused, it was two weeks till the Chūnin Exams, he could get stronger before then.
"Lord Hokage, the Spirit Ninja as ordered," An ANBU reported as he pushed open the large doors to Sarutobi's office. The Seikage stepped through, followed by his ninja who all filed in and formed into four rows.
Sarutobi stared at the obscured face of the Seikage for a few moments, knowing the man's eyes were on him in return.
"I hope your travels were safe," Sarutobi started, getting a nod from the Ōtsutsuki.
"Hai, we are here so that my genin can sign up for the Chūnin Exams," Naruto stated calmly, getting a nod from the Hokage. He'd sent a hawk summon to Sarutobi a few months ago, carrying a scroll with his seal.
"Very well, I will need your shinobi to take off their hoods then," Sarutobi informed, Naruto nodded and the next moment the sixteen shinobi behind him took off their hoods at the same time. Sarutobi looked at them all carefully and didn't notice the illusion covering Hanabi's face. Rei had followed Naruto's mental order when they walked in the building and made Hanabi look like Kawata.
"If you follow Boar, he will take you to the registration area, and you will need to fill out forms." Sarutobi gestured to an ANBU, the sixteen ninjas turning and following the boar-masked ANBU through the halls.
Naruto watched them go, his Byakugan blocked by the seals covering the walls of the Hokage building. He turned back to the Hokage, both of them staring at each other for several moments.
The atmosphere was taut, the ANBU putting their hands to their weapons. There was no solid proof that the man in front of them was the Shiroi Oni, but they were pretty confident that he was in fact, the dangerous SS-rank nin.
"Why are you really here?" Sarutobi asked, his hands steepled together in front of him.
"Why is that your business?" Naruto replied calmly, his pale eyes staring out of the gloom of his hat at the Hokage.
Both of them stared at each other for almost fifteen minutes, Naruto finding it amusing and Sarutobi trying to analyze the man in front of him. Eventually, Sarutobi sighed before gesturing for the kage to go, which he promptly did, disappearing in a swirl of white particles.
"Here is the Spirit Nin's registration Hokage-sama," His secretary said, placing the forms on his desk before hurrying away. Sarutobi picked them up, scanning through them, 'Kimimaro, Rei, Kankuro, Hanabi, Kagerō, Toneri… wait… Hanabi?'
Sarutobi shifted back through the sheets, finding the document labeled Hanabi Ōtsutsuki. She looked older and had her hair covering one eye, but it was definitely her.
'This confirms it then…' Sarutobi sighed, holding his head in his hands. This was a mess, a colossus mess, he had the Shiroi Oni in his village, who had a massive bounty on him. More importantly the Shiroi Oni was feared throughout the Elemental Nations, and Sarutobi wasn't entirely sure if even he could beat him. The Oni had committed several crimes in Konoha, but attempting to arrest him for those crimes would be utterly impossible, especially with all the ninja accompanying him.
'I need to call a council meeting immediately, the shinobi populace has to be warned to not attack the Seikage; otherwise, we might all die.' Sarutobi mused, remembering the reports from the Land of the Sky, rumored to be destroyed by Spirit Nin.
"Call a council meeting, immediately," Sarutobi ordered, a shadow barely shifting in response to his order.
oOoOoOo
Naruto sighed, sitting in the luxury apartment that Utakata had booked for him, on the floor beneath him; his shinobi had taken rooms, pairing up two people to each room.
He was annoyed because he could easily see all the blank masked shinobi around the hotel. He disliked their presence, but forcing them to leave wouldn't be a good first impression for his village. He knew that his presence here would draw extra security, but it was still annoying.
Naruto's eyes scanned across the village, quickly locating the Uchiha clan before zooming across the grounds. He came to the Naka shrine a moment later, looking through the floor he was surprised as he found only solid ground.
'Then they do have Byakugan blocking seals on it…' Naruto mused. He was looking for the stone tablet the Uchiha clan had passed down for thousands of years. There was nothing on it that he actually needed, but he wanted it for sentimental value. Besides he was about to have two Uchiha in his village, it would only make sense to bring that with him.
'Moving the Uchiha clan library to the village would be good too… I wonder…' Naruto mused, his vision leaving the Uchiha complex. He arrived at the Senju a moment later, finding the place deteriorating and abandoned, unsurprisingly the library was in perfect condition behind several layers of Uzumaki seals.
Naruto noticed that some of his ninja were going out to eat, Hanabi among them. Naruto's vision shifted once more, and he saw council members filing into the Hokage tower, 'Let's see what's happening there shall we?' Naruto mused, sinking through the floor.
Phasing through the ground under the streets, Naruto quickly arrived under the Hokage tower and rose through the floor, manipulating his chakra around him to create an invisibility Genjutsu. He phased through the levels until he came to a room full of people, looking like a council room. He floated into a corner and watched the proceedings.
"The Shiroi Oni is here?!" Naruto glanced toward the person who'd yelled, finding a man with pale pupil-less eyes and brown hair. Naruto could see his resemblance to Hanabi, 'So he's Hiashi then…' Naruto thought, tempted to steal the man's chakra.
"We have to arrest him immediately!" Naruto rose an eyebrow, seeing a fat portly man on the side of the room that was clearly civilians from their clothes and chakra levels.
"Moron! The Shiroi Oni is an SS-rank nin, and after his appearance in Kiri… they call him Chakra no Kami! (God of Chakra). Do you honestly think we stand a chance against him?!" A feral-looking woman yelled at the civilian, Naruto smiled as he remembered that. The six members of what used to be the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist had come at him at the same time, there only being six because he'd given the Kiba swords to Yugito. The swordsmen had gone out together in an attempt to kill him, not only for their Bijū but for the bounty.
Only two had survived, Zabuza, The Demon of the Hidden Mist, and one blue-haired boy who'd run not long after the fight had begun… He'd only spared Zabuza because his apprentice had jumped in between them, begging that he let her master go. Haku had been her name, and he'd obliged in admiration to her.
"I demand he returns my daughter!" Hiashi yelled, standing up from his chair.
"And how, pray tell, do you suggest that I do that Hiashi?" Sarutobi deadpanned, staring at the enraged Hyūga head.
"I don't care! I want her back now! The chance of someone from that demon's village unlocking the secrets of the Byakugan is too great! I demand you punish the bastard who kidnapped my daughter!" Hiashi yelled, getting agreements from several of the civilians. Though only the really foolish ones, some people on the civilian council were just there because they had a lot of money or owned a lot of stores. Which most of them inherited from their parents, and not all of them were as smart as their parents.
"I thought a Hidden Village was an oligarchy… It is truly ironic that this is the product of a lack of war…" A voice reverberated around the room, sounding like it came from everywhere. All the Shinobi in the place immediately stood and drew weapons. Sarutobi and his ANBU went on guard, the black-op Nin landing around their leader.
"Calm thy selves, I believe I have a right to be here if you are discussing me." The voice's seemed to come together in the middle of the room, a body forming out of nothing before their very eyes. A second later the Seikage of the Hidden Spirit was in the middle of the room in his pristine white, and golden lined kage robes.
"Shiroi Oni," Hiashi spat as he leaped over his desk and shot his hand forward in an attempt to Jūken Naruto in the chest. Eyes widened as Naruto easily stepped out of the way, his hand coming up and gripping Hiashi's in a death grip.
"Anyone else?" Naruto asked in amusement, Hiashi glared at him before bringing his other hand around and stabbing at Naruto's heart. The Ōtsutsuki let his palm go right through him, not in the least bit bothered by the man's attack.
Everyone was shocked as Hiashi suddenly flew across the room before slamming into a part of the large round table everyone was sitting at. No one saw the Seikage move, but the clan head went flying regardless.
"Give back Hanabi and Yakumo Kurama," A pink-haired council woman yelled, confident that the ninja wouldn't attack them with all the ANBU present. There now being around sixty ANBU in the room, all taking up protective positions around everyone there, and more were continually arriving.
Naruto looked over at her, peering out of the darkness of his hat. He recognized the woman that Anko had described as Mebuki, the head of the Haruno family.
"No... and if anyone attempts to take her from me… I will destroy this village…" Naruto's voice was calm, but the menace in his voice was evident. He wasn't planning on destroying the village, but his point was obvious, he would make them regret it.
"Is that a threat!" The Kurama clan head yelled, he had been close friends with Yakumo's parents before the girl accidentally killed them. He didn't particularly like the girl, afraid she might kill him. But he took care of her as he'd been asked to by her parents.
"Hmm… Perhaps. I am only here with my ninja to participate in the Chūnin Exams, and I mean you no more harm than you mean me. Deal with us peacefully, and I shall extend the same kindness to you. I am aware that I have committed crimes in your village, but I do not regret them." Naruto's Byakugan shifted entirely on one man standing next to the Hokage who had one eye bandaged.
"Why did you take her!" Hiashi yelled, having gotten back up to his feet, immediately two ANBU leaped in front of him, their message very clear. He was not to attack the Shiroi Oni, or they would kill him, he growled but stood down.
"I believe I saved her, both from life as breeding stock in Kumo, and the torture she endured in your clan." Hiashi snarled at this but immediately backed up as an ANBU raised their tanto to his neck. All the ANBU had seen their leader's hand signals, they were to prevent a fight at all costs.
"I adopted Hanabi, and she's my daughter, I raised her, I trained her and what's more she is well aware that she is your biological daughter, and does not wish to return," Naruto said, somewhat enjoying sticking it to the cruel Hyūga clan head, who looked on the edge of attacking the ANBU just to get to him.
"You would condemn her to a life of hate and hardship?" Sarutobi asked with a raised brow, and everyone tensed even more as Naruto chuckled.
"Hypocrite. That's what she would have if she were within the Hyūga clan. I know that you are aware of what happens in those horrible walls, you know how they treat the branch family, and you've done nothing!" Sarutobi visibly flinched in response to his accusation, Shikaku, Shibi, and Inoichi all observed the proceedings carefully.
"I-I…"
"Hiashi Hyūga," Naruto turned back toward the clan head, glaring at him through the darkness of his hat. "Leave my daughter alone, or you will die." There was a long pause, in which Hiashi directed the full blast of his KI at Naruto. In return Naruto released a small amount of his own, crushing Hiashi entirely and making him fall to the ground, unable to breathe. No one moved for several minutes as the Hyūga clan head attempted to regain his breath.
"Why did you break into our Sealed Hall?" Danzo inquired curiously as he saw no harm in asking, he had always been curious as to why the Shiroi Oni did that. The situation was not going to get any more tense, as there was now around hundred ANBU in the large council room, all of them pointing weapons at the Seikage who didn't look the least bit bothered by it. 'If he wanted to kill us, then we would already all be dead…' Danzo mused, aware that it didn't matter how many ANBU they had, it was insignificant in comparison.
"You had something that belonged to me," Naruto replied simply, quite enjoying how much everyone was on edge. All the Shinobi in the room were one move away from attacking him, but he could kill them all in one move. It was quite an interesting standstill, one that he had all of the advantages in.
Danzo didn't reply, so Naruto turned to the Hokage.
"If there is nothing else, I need to look after my ninja," He said, getting a nod from Sarutobi, after giving one in return he used his Swift Release bloodline to vanish from to room instantly. As he left, he incinerated the three bugs the Aburame clan head had subtly placed on him.
Everyone within the council room took several breaths of relief, the tension in the room fading as Naruto's aura left the room. No one said anything for some time, all of them contemplating the Seikage's words.
"Inform all leaf shinobi to not engaged the Seikage and his Spirit Nin for any reason!" Sarutobi ordered, getting nods from everyone present except for a few.
Elsewhere in the village
Hanabi had asked if anyone wanted to go out an eat, having spotted a ramen shop with her Byakugan. Isaribi, Rei, Yugito, and Temari had agreed, many of the others were in yet another poker game, or lounging around. They'd quickly left the hotel and headed through the village, falling into the well-trained groove of walking in perfect unison.
Due to their identities being known, they no longer wore their hoods. All ninja and civilians in the street moved out of their way, they had heard rumors of the strength that the Spirit Nin possessed.
It was only a few minutes of walking later before they arrived at the shop named Ichiraku's Ramen. Walking in, the five girls all took places on the stools, a brown-haired girl seeing them and coming to take their orders.
"Hello, welcome to Ichiraku. What can I get you all?" She asked, holding a notepad and pen.
"I'll take Tonkotsu Ramen please," Hanabi stated, getting a nod from the waitress who proceeded to take her friend's orders as well. It was a few minutes before the girl came back, placing down five bowls in front of them all. They all began to eat at a slow and calm pace, Hanabi having long since gotten over her need to frantically eat the delicious food. Naruto and specifically Gaara-Oji had taught her to savor her food.
She ordered two more bowls as she finished her first, getting a nod from the girl who had introduced herself as Ayame.
"This is delicious ramen, but I think Old Man Ose's ramen is better," Hanabi said, wiping her face with a napkin. Her Byakugan activated, and she scanned around the streets nearby for danger, something that Toneri-sensei had taught her to do regularly, it was better to see something you might not want to, then die because you were caught off guard.
'We have company incoming,' Hanabi informed her four companions over the mental network.
'I can sense them, It's the Uchiha and the Hyūga that escorted us here. The Hyūga's chakra is fluctuating though, emotional?' Isaribi questioned Hanabi, getting a mental positive over the network. Hanabi could see the Hyūga, and she looked angry.
They all turned around in their seats as Sasuke Uchiha lifted a flap hanging in the entrance before walking up to them.
"Can we help you?" Yugito inquired, looking at the Uchiha curiously.
Sasuke nodded, "Yes, I would like to spar against any of you that are interested. I need to get stronger, and I know that any of you would be good opponents." Sasuke requested, his tone respectful.
'He is much different from how Itachi-sensei described him,' Temari commented before speaking, "I'm willing, where would you like to spar?"
"Are you available tomorrow? We can either spar at Training ground ten or in the private Uchiha Training ground," Sasuke offered, "Thank you for accepting."
"You are welcome, I will meet you at the Uchiha Compound tomorrow," At that moment the Hyūga heiress burst through the flaps covering the ramen shop entrance.
"What are you doing here Uchiha?" Hinata demanded, glaring at the raven-haired boy who only raised an eyebrow.
"I was just asking if any of them wanted to spar against me," Sasuke stated calmly, seeing how on edge the Hyūga heiress was. He had improved tremendously since they last fought, and he might be able to beat her, but there was no need to find out.
"Like anyone would want to spar against a loser like you, you've lost against me every time we have fought," Hinata sneered. The five Spirit nin watched impassively, observing first hand the ego of a main branch Hyūga.
"I have worked hard to improve myself since then Hinata, and I have gained my Sharingan. Perhaps if we were to spar again, the results would be different." Sasuke suggested calmly, only getting a look of annoyance from Hinata.
"Even with your Sharingan you are no match for me, no bloodline compares to the strength of the Byakugan." Hinata declared, getting amused looks from Sasuke and the five Spirit Nin, all six of them thinking about bloodlines that were definitely stronger than the Byakugan.
"Perhaps we will see in the Chūnin Exams, good day," Sasuke said to Hinata and the Spirit Nin, excusing himself and leaving. The Spirit Ninja nodded in return before turning to the Hyūga heiress in unison.
"Now that the weakling is gone… why are you here?" Hinata demanded, getting emotionless looks in return from the five Adepts.
"Because Lord Seikage decided that it would be good for our village to participate in these Exams, to show our strength and bring in revenue to our village," Yugito replied, noticing how Hinata was staring intensely at Hanabi.
'Don't look now… but I think she recognizes you.' Rei commented sarcastically through the seal network.
"What is your name?!" Hinata demanded loudly, scaring the waitress who'd just come to check on the customers.
"Hanabi Ōtsutsuki," Hinata whirled toward the voice, seeing the intimidating form of the Seikage standing right next to her.
"You! You took my sister from me!" Hinata immediately activated her Byakugan, ignoring the fact that she couldn't see any chakra points on the Seikage. Her palm darted forward, directly aimed at where the Seikage's heart was.
Several things happened at that moment, Hinata found herself suddenly unable to move. Hanabi had a palm placed on her heart, and there were two fanged swords at her neck, a sharp spike of water was also directed at her forehead. Adding to all of that she could see the blonde in the corner of her eye pointing her palm at her, wind swirling violently around the girl's hand.
"Attack my father, and you will die," Hanabi said menacingly, chakra swirling in her palm and ready to rupture Hinata's heart instantly. Hinata's eyes were wide as she took in everyone around her, the Seikage not having moved in the least.
"I know you are my sister, Hyūga Hinata. But I will not go back to the Hyūga clan, and attacking Tou-san is only going to get you killed." Hinata said more calmly, her comrades relaxing and backing up. Yugito's two lightning swords disappeared back into her palm's storage seals.
"No! You are coming home!" Hinata, refusing to accept her situation, grabbed Hanabi's arm and ran out of the shop with her.
'Let them go, Hanabi can handle herself.' Naruto ordered, getting affirmatives in return, all of them about to launch off after them.
"Is the ramen any good here?"
END CHAPTER - Almost 10k
Okay so! I have been gone long time. Sorry about that.
I want to state this time that me posting this does not me that I am 100% back and writing regularly. I have been extremely busy IRL, got a job, school work. I barely have time to do anything else then school and work right now. I'll probably get a better balance figured out here soon.
You should all give credit to Antex for this chapter coming out as he PM'd me and asked me what was going on, and that reminded me to post this.
I have not actually written anything new, and this chapter was just in the reserve to be posted. I wasn't able to get in the groove today, so I felt I should just edit a chapter I'd already written.
Again this is a reminder that this chapter has references to things that will happen in SNC. That I haven't actually written yet, but are planned.
Still would love to work with another author to write out SNC with me, I would love some new ideas and materials to work with. Anyone who would like to participate in designing a new village's culture and society, standards, opinions, and beliefs I would love to talk to.
Pm me and we can talk, perhaps using this websites crap texting or through Discord.
Anyway, hope you all enjoy what The Hidden Spirit has become. I tried to avoid several cliches with this chapter that tend to get written in by a lot of authors. I'm not totally happy with this chapter, and I have a lot of work to do that I just haven't done yet.
I'm also not being payed to do this, so It's not as high on my priorities.
On that note, I have actually started a considerable amount of work on writing my own book. Not near being done enough to post, but it will be on Amazon Kindle when I finish it. Just so you aware that my time for writing is mostly going to that.
Btw, days just aren't long enough.
Again, sorry for being gone. Thank you for support. If I don't post again for a while, I would request that you don't let this story just slip off your mind. Active discussion about this with me would be greatly appreciated.
Can we make this less of a, I give these stories to you and you give back admitably short reviews in return? Let's have discussions, talk about what you would like to see, where you think I'm going with it or could be going.
Answers to Reviews:
Antex: Thank you for your encouragement. Sorry you had to wait so long.
777torn777: I do not actually have a giant story map written out, it's all in my head, but I should make such a map, would probably help. I appreciate your compliments. There is a lot of mysteries I agree. I have an interesting idea for how I will make the Ōtsutsuki culture and society different from others, and hopefully better than Boruto Cannon… which is garbage.
Uchiha Arashi: Sorry -
StrikerTheFallen: Well, at least give them a short read, both of them are about the length right now of one of my chapters for this story so it's not a huge time consumption. Thank you for all of the compliments, means a lot.
Skfff: Thank you!
Doomqwer: I tried, thank you. Glad you commented on those parts of the story, I was concerned I was making them too unrealistic and cliche.
I forgot my pass (Good job, did you find it?): Thank you!
TheFoxSummoner: The answer to your question is now, and the characters will be showing up soon, and some are being used for SNC instead of the Chunin Exams.
Ninth Cursed: Thank you very much. The name is, COTK Universe. Your grammar is fine.
Gunblade2018: Most likely it will go that far. As to romantics. You mainly have to realize that Naruto is A. Not at all human, and B. Only part Ōtsutsuki. He's totally wired differently from humans as he is part Kaminoki and Ōtsutsuki. Perhaps he is not even capable of such things as romance, or reproduction.
Guest: Thank you.
Lordcarroty: Here ya go, and thank you!
Brother of Void:
Part 1: I don't think there's a specific reason, he just isn't?
Part 2: I don't see why he can't be an OP genjutsu user, if I made everyone the same as Cannon with same abilities and didn't come up with different life pathways and results, it would be less interesting, no?
Part 3: Please PM me on this and let's discuss it? Sounds like it could be a really really interesting arc for SNC, perhaps you would like to help write it?
Naruto: Thank you!
Man285: Thank you very much. Sorry for the long delay.
See you all next time, which will hopefully be sooner.
If you are still reading, say so in your review :D
Also, please converse with me. You have the ability, you can talk to me, so please do.