I don't own Naruto, or any of the characters of the Manga or Anime. If I did I wouldn't have so many damn fillers.
A Price for Peace
Chapter 14: The Insurmountable Peaks pt 3
"It's good to see you are awake and well Tsunade-sama." Kakashi said honestly. Secretly the Copycat was hoping he could hand the title of Hokage back to the busty Senju.
Tsunade nodded from her bed in the hospital, Sakura and Shizune had decided that it was in her best interests to stay in the hospital until they could run some tests to be sure that the Godaime Hokage was indeed in full health. "Well it would be nice to leave soon, I have work that I need to do Kakashi... Or should I say Rokudaime-sama." Tsunade replied.
Kakashi eye smiled and rubbed the back of his head in mild embarrassment. "Ah you heard about that huh? To be honest I would be happy to retire and hand the hat back over to you. You're a better suited Hokage than I am."
"Nonsense, I just got free of the damn thing, although you are not the person that I expected to be wearing the hat after the war. Even if Naruto was only a Genin, there was not a person in the Elemental Nations that could lay a finger on him, he proved that when A-dono tried to prevent him joining the war, and he more than proved himself on the battlefield." Tsunade said.
The newly elected Hokage nodded in agreement. "Yes he certainly was the catalyst behind winning the war, and you are right, he would be standing where I am now as Hokage if he had survived the fight with Sasuke." He admitted bitterly. Once more failing to protect someone he cared about was like adding another dagger into a heart that had long since stopped beating.
"I don't believe it." Tsunade spoke calmly.
"Don't believe what?"
"I don't believe that he is dead, I can't explain it but I just have this feeling that he is still out there somewhere." She answered calmly.
"I know what you mean, even though I have seen the body and it has been examined, something just doesn't feel right. But if he was alive, then why would he leave?" Kakashi questioned. It had been a thought that had ran through the Copycat's mind at least once a day ever since they had found Naruto and Sasuke's bodies. He let out a sigh and walked over to the window to gaze out over the village.
Everything the Hokage could see was new, all the buildings that now rose high around him inside a large crater that had been created less than a year ago when the man known as Pein had crushed the previous Konoha with a single jutsu. "I want to assess Naruto's body for myself. Then I might be able to answer your question." Tsunade said from her bed.
"I'll grant you access first thing in the morning. Or should I say, the moment you are released from your apprentices care." Kakashi said without looking back at the large chested Senju princess.
"Has there been anything else odd that has happened since Naruto was supposedly killed?" Tsunade asked.
Kakashi thought about it for a moment then he remembered something. "Now that you mention it yes, all the Toads have vanished from Konoha, perhaps Katsuyu might know something, but we haven't found any toads, summonable or otherwise." The Rokudaime replied.
"Why would they disappear, when Jiraiya was killed there were toads everywhere. This is just getting more and more suspicious as far as I'm concerned." Tsunade said and quickly ran through a set of hand seals.
Slamming her hands onto her bedside table, a puff of smoke followed and when it cleared a small pale slug appeared. "Tsunade-hime, it is good to see you have recovered. I was very worried this time." the slug said with a distinctly feminine voice.
"Good to see you as well Katsuyu, sorry I had to summon you in your small form." Tsunade replied.
"Think nothing of it Hime, was there something that you needed?" The slug asked curiously.
"I was wondering if you had any idea why the toads have withdrawn from the forests around Konoha?" Tsunade questioned.
"I have not heard from the toads in several months now, they are being very secretive, from what I would guess, if they are not around Konoha, then they must have all retreated back to Myobokuzan." Katsuyu answered calmly.
"Something is certainly not right. Things will become more clear when I can examine the body." Tsunade mused.
"Even if you are right and Naruto is alive, he would have had a reason for going into hiding. Maybe it would be best to leave him be, he has earned that right after all he has done for us." Kakashi reasoned.
"No way, he deserves one hell of an ass kicking for lying to everyone." Tsunade said half seriously.
Kakashi laughed knowing that Tsunade wasn't serious. "Well I really hope you are right. With how strong Naruto was, it just doesn't seem possible that he could have lost." The silver haired Copycat sighed.
"Well I was unconsious for most of the war after the fight with Madara, but I did see Naruto easily avoid having his clone dispelled by the Madara's Susanoo, there is no way Sasuke could have become stronger than Madara in such a short time." Tsunade stated.
"I agree it does seem highly unlikely. But it is what the great Toad sage saw happening." Kakashi said with a hint of reservation, he knew it wasn't a good idea to get his hopes up.
"The old toad can be misinterpreted, it was only after Naruto's fight with Pein that he realised that it was both Naruto and Nagato were the children supposed to lead this world to peace. Not until Nagato gave up his life and supported Naruto did he truly become their destined child. It is possible that what the toad sage saw was Naruto's choice." Tsunade said firmly.
"It makes sense I suppose, but it still doesn't explain the body we have in the morgue waiting for the funeral." Kakashi sighed.
Tsunade nodded solemnly and let her head rest back on the pillows of her hospital. "Maybe not, and I know it's a long shot. But my gut tells me Naruto is still alive somewhere. He wouldn't give up if it was one of us, so I won't give up on him." she declared.
"You're right, he wouldn't. I'll make sure you have access to Naruto's body by tomorrow morning." Kakashi said and the next moment he was gone, jumping out of the window.
(The Next Day)
Naruto and Karin had woken late, the morning had been so cold that neither wanted to move. But eventually, thanks to Kurama's pestering the blond had stirred and the smell of an impending breakfast had finally persuaded Karin to get out of bed and join him.
"It's freezing, I swear it's even colder than it was last night." Karin said shivering slightly as she took a seat next to Naruto in the tent as he heated some powdered soup in a saucepan over a small camping stove, while several pieces of what would be the last of their fresh bread were toasting in a separate pan with some eggs.
The small source of heat from the flames was a welcome feeling even though it barely helped the pair. "I thought soup might be nice to warm us up a bit, we probably won't get far today because we slept in, but staying put because it's cold will be counter productive. Chances are it won't be getting much warmer than this for awhile so we should just do our best and push on while we can." The blond said as enthusiastically as he could manage.
"Yeah I guess you're right, I don't know why, but I guess I thought things would be a little easier than this." Karin admitted.
"Yeah I know what you mean. I guess I should have known better considering that they are called the Insurmountable Peaks, but I never thought it would be this difficult." Naruto agreed with a sympathetic smile.
"Maybe we should head for the lower ground? It will take us longer to reach our destination, but the terrain should be easier to deal with, it should also be easier to find a place to set up camp if we are at a lower altitude on the mountains." The red haired scientist theorised.
"That might be a good idea, I was never one for that type of thing, I just push through with whatever I needed to do head on." The blond replied.
"Sounds a little bit like Sasuke, he seemed to think he was invincible as well. He payed for it in the end, you need to think things through more." Karin lectured.
"Ah you sound just like Kakashi-sensei, I suck at making plans, I prefer to just think up a plan as I fight." Naruto chuckled, while the fond memory of him being manhandled by Kakashi during his Genin exam ran though his head courtesy of Kurama who had decided to show what can happen if you run into a situation unprepared. "Maybe I could do with being a bit more level headed though, maybe you can help me with that, I mean you must be really smart if Orochimaru-teme used you as a scientist."
Karin blushed slightly from the praise, she was so unused to being treated as an equal that she found even this small amount of support to be somewhat embarrassing. "I uh, I guess I'm sort of intelligent but I don't really know what I could teach you, I was never much of a fighter."
"That doesn't matter, in fact it's even better. All I know how to do is fight, I was born to be a shinobi, all jinchuuriki are. But you have the chance for a better life, away from simply being muscle for hire. I bet when we get over these mountains there will be tons of things you can do, all I will be good for is maybe a hunter." Naruto replied.
Once more Karin blushed. "You are over selling my talents. But thank you." she said with a small genuine smile.
'She's cute when she smiles.' Naruto thought. He ignored Kyuubi's derisive grunt as the steam coming from his soup indicated that their breakfast was ready. "Alright, eat up we're going to need our energy." He said while serving up two equal servings and handing the slightly larger portion to the kunoichi.
"Soup isn't really a breakfast food, but I have to say it is doing it's job warming me up." Karin said slightly surprised.
If it was cold in the tent, then outside was absolutely freezing. When the two teens finally exited their small refuse from the weather they were met with winds that flung the snow off the ground and stung their faces, it felt like hundreds of small blades were digging into the skin. Naruto did his best to ignore the pain and packed up the tent while Karin produced a thick scarf from her back pack and wrapped it around her neck and face to dull the force of the wind.
"This wind is so powerful, it's almost like a Fuuton jutsu." Naruto complained once he had the tent packed away. Karin attempted to reply but her voice was muffled by the thick fabric she was using as a mask, much to the amusement of the blond jinchuuriki. "I don't know what's funnier, the way you look or the way you sound." he said muffling a laugh.
Not wanting to speak again, knowing Naruto wouldn't understand her anyway the Red headed teen responded by grabbing a fist full of snow and sending it slamming right into the blonds face. It was then her turn to break out in laughter, even if it was barely audible.
"That's uncool! If we didn't have to get moving I would so get you back for that." Naruto replied with some mild annoyance. Karin just continued laughing as she ran past the jinchuuriki as he removed the remaining snow from around his face. "Hey get back here!" he called out chasing after the kunoichi.
This day's travel was proving to be every bit as as trecherous as the day before, they both had to have chakra channeling to their feet almost constantly, because at any moment the ground would give way, and they would need something firm to kick off from back to safe firm land.
They had crossed several large gully's and it wasn't even mid afternoon. On the plus side they had started to pick up the pace. Working together as a team, the natural obstacle course that the mountains would throw up became little more than minor inconveniences. "At this rathe we will end up covering more ground today than we did in the past few combined." Naruto said happily as he helped Karin over a large ice wall.
What he hadn't expected was for another voice to respond. "Is that so young one?"
Naruto and Karin both spun around and came face to face with a giant snow leopard, not as large as one of the Bijuu or even Gamabunta but perhaps half the size of the boss toad. "Wow you're huge!" Naruto said in awe, he wasn't all that surprised to see such a large animal, but he thought maybe if he could get on it's good side they might help them travel through the mountains, Gamabunta, and all of the toads for that matter were no good in these mountains because they were cold blooded.
"Congratulations you have a firm grasp of the obvious, Baka." the large feline scoffed.
"Hey I'm not a Baka... Neko-teme." Naruto replied angrily.
"Don't insult it, it's ten times our size!" Karin yelled freeing her mouth from the scarf.
"You should listen to the female, you'll live longer."
"Yeah she's really smart, but you shouldn't be so full of yourself." Naruto retorted.
Karin cringed at her traveling companions words. "Now why did you have to say that? All you are going to do is make him mad... I'm sorry about my friend, he's a little slow."
"Are you seriously telling me you are okay with him referring to you as 'the female'? Besides, he's going to attack us anyway, he's leaking out enough killing intent to take out a Jounin." Naruto retorted.
"I'm not feeling an... You're blocking it with your chakra." Karin gasped.
"The female appears to be slower than I first thought. Still none of that matters now." the large snow leopard sighed. The cat took a large yet very brisk swipe at the pair. Naruto was more than ready however and jumped back grabbing Karin on his way.
"Damn I was hoping to keep it talking for a few more seconds, I'm still short of chakra for sage mode." he sighed while creating a five clones. Two of them moved into a meditative seated position while the one other helped him form a rasengan. 'I really need to learn how to do this without clones. Well once we are out of danger and I find a place to settle down I can work on it.' he thought. Wordlessly he ordered the three unoccupied clones to rush in at the leopard one at a time.
The first clone was cleaned up by a massive paw, something that the second easily avoided. However it was not able to avoid a massive spike of ice, similar to the ones he and Karin had been navigating, that the feline shot from it's mouth. "This is a pointless game, stop sending these stupid clones at me and fight for yourself."
'Hyoton, just like Haku used. What is this thing? Oh well it doesn't really matter I suppose, I just need it out of the way or we're toast.' Naruto thought while his third clone made it's move and he used the distraction to sneak around behind it.
His clone easily slipped under the giant paw, then spun out of the way of the Hyoton jutsu. It reached the giant cat's front paws before the creature's fur stuck up and shot out in a hail of senbon like spikes. The memory had stunned Naruto for a few seconds, he had seen someone use a technique that was so similar it was scary. Jiraiya's Needle Jizo with his hair manipulation techniques was almost exactly the same. But for that reason Naruto knew the weakness. From behind Naruto jumped high up in the air, careful to avoid making a sound the rasengan in his hand still spinning. His decent started over the back of the large creature, his target was the back of the neck.
"Nice try human." the Leopard laughed before it's tail slapped the blond away.
Naruto created a few clones in mid air to steady him and cushion his fall. "Dammit why do I always forget about tails."
'It may be... and this is just a theory, because you are an idiot?' Kurama suggested.
"Very funny. Now do you have any suggestions on defeating this guy?" he asked.
'I don't see what the big deal is, you were able to defeat me and this creature is nothing compared to me.' The fox replied casually.
"This is a little different, I knew what to expect from you, this thing is far calmer than you were at the time. I doubt it will lose it's temper so easily." Naruto said with a sigh.
'Then make it lose it's temper, you should be able to defeat it easily with that sage mode of yours. And we should be fart enough away from civilisation that using my chakra won't be sensed anymore if you get into a tough situation.' The Kyuubi answered calmly.
"I know but I don't really want to rely on either you or Sage Mode for my strength. I need to be strong in my own right as well." Naruto said.
'Well that's something to work towards when you are not facing a twenty five foot long deranged cat that would like nothing better than to rip you limb from limb.' Kurama scoffed.
"He reminds me of you." Naruto joked but he had made up his mind and agreed with the fox. He would become strong without his Sage Mode and Bijuu cloak but first he needed to survive this encounter. His clone dispelled at the same moment that the snow leopard found him.
It's paw came down and snow was flown everywhere. Karin almost had a heart attack as she thought Naruto had been crushed. 'No, you can't be gone like that. Don't leave me as well I need you.' she thought desperately. Her thoughts were forgotten a second later however as Naruto appeared off to the side of the large cat, his eyes changes to gold with bar like pupils and dark markings formed around his eyes.
"Senjutsu... you know sage arts!" the Leopard gasped in shock.
"Damn right I do." Naruto said boldly creating a swarm of clones. Each pair creating a rasengan. "Now eat this!" he yelled as all his clones rushed forward, the rasengan in each clones hand swelling in size. "Never ending Oodama Rasengan Barrage!" he yelled as clone after clone flew at the beast.
The swarm of clones were dispelled in large groups, not able to avoid the large leopards many defences but several still broke through. Finally when he came close enough the the felines hairs once more shot out trying to turn the clones into pin cushions. Unfortunately Naruto had seen that Jiraiya's hair jutsu so many times in the past his remaining clones all knew how to avoid them.
Thrusting their arms forward they used the giant rasengan each held as a shield. The hair needles crashed against the jutsu and were thrown elsewhere. The cat could only watch with a shocked expression as the few surviving clones each hit the target with their rasengan.
The leopard was thrown away with the force, crashing into a gully. Karin was stunned, this was the first time she had seen Naruto fight seriously and she was starting to understand just how he was able to defeat Sasuke. He had just defeated that giant creature with only two jutsu, he barely lifted a finger himself, he hadn't even broken a sweat. Although she wondered if that was just because of how cold it was, his sweat would simply freeze. "That was amazing Naruto! But if you didn't antagonise him in the first place this wouldn't have happened." her mood swinging from joyfull to angry in a matter of seconds.
"No this isn't over yet. If it was I doubt the others would be just sitting there." Naruto said flatly.
"Others you mean there are more of them?"
Naruto nodded his answer. "See for yourself, two up on each ridge that are about the same size, and a fifth one heading this way. So worst case scenario we're facing six, but the others seems to be just watching for now." he said said as the large leopard he had struck with his jutsu began to stir.
Karin closed her eyes and focused on searching for the other creatures that Naruto had mentioned. He was right on each side of the shallow valley they had been using for shelter and an easy path there were two more snow leopards. 'This isn't good, I can't fight against something like that, this is just like when that rapping Hachibi jinchuuriki transformed we were all helpless.' she thought desperately. 'But Naruto is standing there waiting for anything that they throw at him amazing... Man what an idiot, he should be trying to run, or negotiate.'
"Lucky hit Gaki, but you haven't won yet." the Injured leopard spat angrily. Small patches of burnt skin shone through his white fur and Naruto could tell he was walking with a limp.
"You should give up before things get anymore serious, I don't want to hurt you. That goes for the other watching the fight as well." Naruto yelled making sure he was loud enough for the others to hear him.
"Heh looks like we've been found out. I guess that's to be expected from a sage. Even if it is a goofy looking one." a foreign voice replied and an instant later four large snow leopards each landed beside the injured one.
"The kids tough, but I think he might be a little over confident don't you think?" another said in a feminine voice.
"Yeah let's show this punk why we don't allow anyone to trespass on our mountain." The first to talk said.
Naruto stood still, waiting patiently while he topped up his nature chakra he only had one more clone to de spell to enter sage mode once this ran out so he needed to be efficient. He still had his ace in the hole but he thought that it may be a little excessive, even if he was facing five giant cats.
In one movement all five of the leopards moved, two spread out wide in hopes of getting behind the blond while two others shot forward looking like they would run straight through Naruto then keep going. Meanwhile the injured leopard was moving up to higher ground.
Naruto created several clones that he sent to deal with three of the four giant cats. Meanwhile he moved to intercept one of the two that was charging at him. A paw came down to crush him as it came within range but he rolled out of the way. A quick burst of chakra to his feet and he was behind the snow cat in an instant, with a firm grip of it's tail. With his Senjutsu enhanced strength he stopped the feline's movements before tossing the creature over his shoulder. The beast let out a terrifying screech that sounded like a rusty kunai scraping against the chalkboard of the academy, only ten times as loud. "So it turns out you don't like having your tails pulled. Still you're less of a hassle than another cat I could mention." Naruto said, thinking about Tora the bane of Konoha Genin.
His clones were not having as easy a time as he had but were still coping with their targets. From her hiding place Karin could hardly believe her eyes. Naruto was in complete control, and he hadn't even used his Bijuu cloak yet.
The truth was after sparring with Kurama for so long, he was used to fighting over sized animals that could crush him with a single hit. Naruto watched as his clones successfully subdued their targets. Then his attention turned to the last leopard. It had climbed a fair way up the mountainside, it was faster than he had thought even while injured. Once it saw that the others had been defeated it turned to face Naruto. Opening it's mouth it shot forth a massive series of ice pillars that expanded as they fell towards him.
'I can't escape that like this, even if I could, something that large would crush Karin as well.' he realised while creating two clones. Acting as quickly as he could, Naruto began channeling chakra into his palm while one clone handled the rotation and the other handled elemental manipulation. "Fuuton: Rasenshuriken!" The blond yelled as he tossed the disk like projectile.
"He can throw something like that!?" Karin gasped in surprise.
The Rasenshuriken struck the giant slabs of ice and exploded, ripping the leopards jutsu to shreds. "I can't let him use that jutsu again, I guess I have no choice." Naruto said as his Sage Mode faded. A massive burst of chakra followed and when the dust from the explosion of ice and wind passed the blond stood with his body coated in bright yellow flame-like chakra and black seal markings that spread across his body.
"What is that?" The Leopard asked in awe.
Before he could blink Naruto was behind him. "You don't need to know." Naruto said before kicking the giant cat down into the gully to join it's brothers. Naruto landed on the ground in the middle of where each leopard was trying to stand before he wrapped each of the up in his chakra arms, pinning them to the ground. "Now do you want to tell me why you attacked us?" he asked.
"We're just doing our duty, these mountains are sacred, nobody is allowed to pass this point." One of the leopards said as it attempted to stand under the crushing pressure of Naruto's chakra arms.
"So you're a summon clan. You protect your lands from outsiders, just like the toads and Myobokuzan. You can't reach there unless you are a summoner, even if you know the way you would meet several of the battle toads to deny entrance." Naruto said calmly.
"Very astute of you young sage." a new voice said calmly. Turning to the source Naruto saw a new snow leopard almost twice the size of the others, rivalling Gamabunta in hight, only slightly smaller than Kurama. Unlike the others this new arrival showed no hostility towards the blond. "We have been expecting you. Our elder has foreseen your coming, they will not attempt to harm you anymore." she added in a commanding tone.
Naruto smirked and released his Bijuu cloak. "You say your elder saw me coming. What did they see exactly?"
"The elder saw the arrival of a man who would bring balance, and correct our mistakes of the past. And a young woman who would be the first to take up our contract. Nobody has made it this far north in almost one hundred years, the last man to pass our test was not worthy of signing the contract. Your companion however is, as you cannot. You have the smell of toads, we do not share summoners and I am sure the Toad clan has similar feelings." The large leopard explained.
"Huh, you have one hell of a test." Naruto sighed looking at the five other summons.
Karin picked this moment to come out of hiding. "Uh does that mean you are willing to help us get through these mountains?" she asked hopefully.
"No, if you desire to go to the northern lands, then that is a test you must pass on your own. But we will take you in and give you shelter until you decide to venture forth. Now child of destiny, the elder of the Leopard clan wishes to speak to you."
"I sure hope they are more right in the head than the Great Toad Sage. If not this meeting could take forever." Naruto mumbled lightly so that only Karin could hear.
Or so he thought. "I assure you that the elder is very capable. On another note, you girl, what is your name?"
"Karin." The red head answered quickly.
"Very well Karin, I am Yuneko, the Matriarch of the Snow Leopard clan. I look forward to working with you in the future if you agree to sign our summoning contract... Now both of you get on, there is still a fair way to travel before we get to our ancestral home." The newly named Yuneko said leaning down to let Naruto and Karin onto her back.
They breezed passed mountain tops like they were not even there. What would have taken days, even weeks to travel only took a few hours on the back of the giant feline. Yet despite this the mountains continued to appear in the distance. 'Man imagine how easy this would be if we just had the big boss cat take us to the other side of the mountains.' Naruto sighed.
'True, but you heard what she said, it's a path we must travel alone. Just enjoy the small shortcut while you can.' Kurama said lazily.
All too soon the giant cat stopped coming to a halt in front of the largest cave Naruto had ever seen. The ground outside the entrance was flat and Naruto guessed it was about the size of Konoha. "Inside you will find warmth and shelter for a few nights. Let's not keep the elder waiting, he is anxious to meet you both." Yuneko said calmly before moving towards the cave entrance.
End Chapter!
Okay another chapter done. Decided that it had been too long without any action so I needed to think of something that they could face in the mountains. I thought having a summon clan would be an interesting development and believable inclusion. If not feel free to tell me what you think.
Okay spoiler alert, how was Hashirama's story supposed to save Sasuke? It didn't answer his question at all. Not that I care, personally I wish Hasirama would simply kill the prick for threatening his village. I mean if he was willing to kill his best friend, surely he wouldn't bat an eyelash at the thought of killing Sasuke. Besides he and Tobirama could do what Madara did when the first Edotensei was released and simply come back, if Orochimaru ended the jutsu to try and save the prick, while ignoring the fact that they need to have sacrifices. Or maybe plot holes are only allowed if you're an Uchiha?
I know a few of you are waiting for Naruto and Karin to get together. But I don't want to rush anything, I'm trying to make it seem organic and not forced and the best way to do that would be to take things slowly. Sorry if that disappoints, but this should be a long fic. Maybe not as long as Nightfall will end up being lol, but long enough so the fact that they haven't fallen in love yet isn't going to be a major issue in terms of plot.
I think I may have rushed this chapter a little bit. I am going to be very busy at work next week, so I didn't know how much time I would get to write. So I made sure to get it all done over the weekend. Hope it's still up to standard, if not feel free to criticise, I can take it... I hope.