I don't own Naruto, or any of the characters from the Manga or Anime.
A Price for Peace
Chapter 42: The Placement Trials pt 4
"What in the emperors name is going on? That boy is highly skilled, Gouhara-sama, please tell me this is some kind of sick joke!" a portly only man with thinning grey hair said. He wore a long purple robe with a silver eagle stitched on his shoulders.
"Yes, I too would like some explanation Kaa-san. Judging from just that very short exchange I would say he has been trained for years, those were some impressive jutsu," Joli said a twinge on anger in her eyes. "If this is a game you have put together for your enjoyment I am not amused. He even killed one of our clansmen."
Gouhara couldn't keep the look of hunger off her face as she stared at the image of Naruto standing in the centre of the now lifeless bodies of the empires shinobi on the screen. "Oh I had no idea this would happen," she said honestly. "He's magnificent... I want to see his blood, it would.. no it will be magnificent I cant wait," she said to herself almost salivating in anticipation.
"Other teams will have seen that display of power. It's likely that many teams will keep their distance now," Tetsu said currently doing the math he was sure now that it would take much more than the trials competitors to take Naruto down, the speed and fluidity of his movements were flawless. 'He wasn't even trying, and if I was to guess it's probably only Gouhara who can see that. I haven't seen her this worked up in my life. I'm glad I warned my team against trying to fight Naruto. but this is far beyond anything I could have imagined.'
"That won't do at all, I demand that boys head. Where is the closest team?" the old man wearing purple said his face twisted in a scowl.
"There appears to be three teams in a close proximity, however each team has halted their approach towards the target after what happened to the previous wave," one of Joli's bodyguards said with a short bow.
"Quadruple the bounty on his head, I will take responsibility for the extra amount," the man in purple said.
"I'll equal that amount as well," another of the military division heads said, this one wore dark blue with a red fish etched on his shoulders.
One by one the division commanders that were in attendance all donated the same amount. Naruto's bounty was now high enough to grant who ever claimed it enough money to buy their way into the richest areas of the inner empire, they may never have to work again.
"Oh my you're making it almost impossible for them to resist," Gouhara giggled as the information began to be processed appearing on the screens around the arena for all competitors and spectators to see.
"You seem to be enjoying yourself Kaa-san," Joli said with a light frown.
"Why wouldn't I be, I can't remember there ever being a placement trials this exciting," Gouhara answered enthusiastically. "Still you're going to make the officers and other soldiers upset that they don't get a chance to cash in on that bounty. At least not just now, if the young man makes it to the borders of the arena then I guess it would be fair game."
"You think he will get that far? there are still over one hundred competitors left, given the numbers he's up against it should be no problem really," the old man wearing purple declared.
"Except for the fact that with so many people going after the same thing, there will be infighting. Then there is also the fact that they're in a competition, against each other, they need to defeat another team so even if every team abandons the main goal of completing their mission, it's more likely they will fight against each other for the chance to take the bounty for themselves," Gouhara reasoned.
"She has a point, but if you're so convinced that the test will not be hindered then we have to keep things going and not let anyone else get involved, at least for now. Still incase things go south I'll order the guards at each exit to be doubled," Joli added.
(Meanwhile)
Naruto let out a breath he didn't even know he was holding, he could see Karin and the others moving slowly across the field, it would probably take them two hours at the speed they were going. He guessed that he would have discouraged many of the contestants from attacking him.
'I wonder what their next move will be?' Kurama mused. The large fox was really somewhat bored with the proceedings, there was no challenge in fighting shinobi that were only around Genin, bordering on Chunin level, hell most Jounin couldn't keep up with Naruto if he was fighting seriously.
'I'm not sure. They could abandon these exams and come at me full force. Or they could try and tempt more of the trialist's to attack me. Either way the top priority has to be getting out of here with as many people safe as possible,' Naruto replied.
'Why not just use your clones then?" you could get everyone across this stadium in under an hour," the fox pressed.
Naruto nodded in agreement, 'That thought did cross my mind, but they will just chase us down. When we leave we need them to know that if they value their lives they wont come after us. It is a good idea though, maybe if we can get off the radar for awhile it would work better.'
'Then why not summon me? A single Bijuudama will be enough to make sure nobody ever thinks to question that attacking us will lead to nothing but death,'
'I would rather not show my trump card just yet, I think it would be smarter to save your chakra for emergencies. Besides this way I can see what type of shinobi they have, from the sounds of it each of the five families that make up the empire has a different Kekkei Genkai that Madara thought might be useful. I want to find out what they all are,' Naruto replied.
'Suit yourself, but I do hope the next fight is a little more entertaining,' Kurama replied with a snort.
'Well the message has been sent that I am willing to kill to save my friends, I don't think I should need to be that excessive in the future, at least not with Genin level shinobi,' Naruto replied, he felt quite guilty about killing his would be assailants, but killing is a part of a shinobi's life. He saw that first hand the first time he left Konoha, Kakashi had killed the demon brothers after they had been captured. Then after that he witnessed the deaths of Haku and Zabuza.
'Just because they are a Genin today, doesn't mean they are not dangerous, showing mercy could cost you later on,' Kurama lectured.
Naruto looked down, he knew that Kurama was right, a shinobi's life was sacrifice and suffering, even for a ronin. 'So I just mercilessly kill anyone that gets in my way?' he asked his voice void of warmth.
'It's the safest option, sometimes showing mercy can do the person more harm than good. Look at your so called friend, Sasuke. His life was spared and the hatred that so called 'mercy' created, ate away at him until he was nothing but a shell of a man devoured by the need to blame someone else for his problems.'
'That's a little harsh, but I guess I understand where you are coming from. I should still be able to keep some of them alive, they won't all be so willing to fight me after what they have seen.'
'I'm not saying you have to go out of your way to kill, just don't go trying to keep your enemies alive for the sake of being a nice guy, it won't end well for you. I know you want everyone to be able to understand each other but look around you, there is no effort from this so called empire to do anything but rule over the weak with force,' Kurama said calmly before shutting off their connection.
Naruto used his Senjutsu to scan the area for any shinobi approaching. "Two teams still want to attack me, one from each direction... But why?" he asked himself not yet noticing the rather large sum of money placed on his head. 'I don't want to risk them attacking the others I better do something about it,' he sighed forming two clones that immediately ran to intercept each group.
Naruto, deciding that his clones could deal with everything now ran to join up with his companions. Traveling the distance in almost a minute before coming to a stop in front of Karin with a small smile on his face. "You went overboard you know that right?" the red headed Uzumaki said slightly scalding the jinchuuriki.
Naruto rubbed the back of his head in embarrassment while the group continued to move not wanting to waste any time standing around talking. "I only did it to keep us safe," Naruto replied.
"I guess that it probably worked, for now. But how long do you think it will be before they send someone stronger after us, there are some high ranking officers here watching the exams. There are even two of the members of the Royal Family who are in line for the throne," Rea said darkly. Despite her angered tone she was stunned that Naruto was that strong.
"Then I'll just beat them too," Naruto said confidently.
As they sped across the open fields the first of Naruto's clones came to a stop in front of a group of three shinobi a few years younger than himself. "Hi there," the clone said in a rather friendly tone however the look on his face was anything but friendly. "I suggest you run away, I have no real desire to kill you."
the three recruits backed up a little, a scowl on their faces. "We're not scared of you, you filthy peasant scum!" a boy with long silver hair and emerald green eyes spat.
"Y-yeah he's right," one of his teammates said, a small bald boy. The final member of their squad was a girl with long brown hair. All three recruits jumped at Naruto's clone who casually deflected their strikes one after the other.
"Well your not bad, but your teamwork sucks, you'll never be able to land a hit on me like that. Show me something else, I bet you know some pretty cool jutsu," Naruto's clone said casually as the three picked themselves up while fishing for information on what their families might be able to do.
The bald boy growled knowing that the blond was just toying with them, he had seen what had happened to the last group. Their plan was to sneak up on him when he rested, and keep their distance until then, but now they were facing the possibility of a painful death. "Fine, I'll show you! Shakuton: Incinerating Flare!"
The clones eyes widened slightly as a orb of fire and wind shot towards him. His surprise was short lived and Naruto easily side steped out of the way. Then he noticed the silver haired boy speed around behind him at an incredible speed, "So Scorch and Swift release huh, not bad at all," he mused before spinning away from the boys attack, and sending him crashing into his bald teammate. "That just leaves you, what's your clans special skill?" Naruto asked the girl.
The young brunette was terrified, her opponent wasn't even trying and making them look like fools. "En-enhanced senses and strength, our clan is mostly used for tracking, and Taijutsu, we're the lowest ranked of the noble houses." she whimpered, desperately hoping to avoid what would be certain death if they fought.
"Well I can see why Madara would find these bloodlines useful," the blond thought out loud, as he casually side stepped out of the way as the two boy's once again began a relentless taijutsu assault, The clone still seemed unaffected easily weaving between each strike with practiced ease.
"Dammit all to hell just DIE!" the bald boy screamed before releasing a beam of fire and wind at point blank range only to hit nothing but air. "How?" he gasped as he felt his consciousness begin fade.
Naruto stood between the two boys a kunai in each hand buried into each. "I'm not someone you want to mess with. Now girl, get out of here, I really didn't want to kill anyone, but your empire has really backed me into a corner here."
the young girl nodded frantically, her eyes widening in horror at the state of her teammates, and fear that she would be next. "Are... are they going to be alright?" the brunette asked, her voice shaking unsure if she could take the answer, or if she would even be given one.
"Well he might," Naruto replied pointing to the silver haired boy. Naruto felt a little sorry for the brunette, he could see that unlike the others the young kunoichi was rather kind and cared about her companions. "He will need some medical attention soon though. "As for baldy... I'm sorry but it's too late for him," the clone said calmly. "Now before I let you go, promise me you will not attack me or do anything this reckless again, do that and you have my word that I will let you go. Oh and make sure you tell anyone you see that if they attack me or anyone I care about, I will kill them. I will bring this empire to it's knees if I have too," he added his face deadly serious.
"Alright I promise, I'll do as you ask," she said cowering slightly.
"See that you do. Now you better hurry if you want to save that teammate of yours," the clone said before dispelling.
Naruto's other clone also left one member of the team it faced alive, killing one and wounding the the others severely, giving the survivor the same task of warning the others not to attack. Once both groups were soundly defeated the original Naruto let out a sigh. "It doesn't look like there are anymore teams heading to attack us, for now at least," he informed the group, scanning the area one last time just to be sure.
The group of civilians all collectively breathed a sigh of relief. Most of the civilians had branched off from Naruto's group and several small groups were just now coming to the edge of the forest. Naruto hoped they would be alright, but he didn't have the time to baby sit all of them, he was more concerned with getting his friends, and the few who had chosen to join him to safety.
Naruto's group was not too far away from the edge of the open field now, they could see the next area growing closer with each passing minute, large stone like walls that rose forming a maze-like path of tunnels and trenches, this offered both good cover for their journey and many excellent places to be ambushed. When they came near the end of the large open field they were given a slight shock, large patches of deep sand were scatted across their path, not enough to bother anyone who could use chakra to move over the top with ease but enough to slow down the civilians.
"Where did all this sand come from, there is nothing about it on the map," Naruto pondered as the group began weaving around the large sand traps.
"You can't expect him to put everything in there you know, maps are rarely one hundred percent accurate," Tenji said patting the blond on the shoulder to get him to stop worrying.
Naruto nodded and folded the map back up before placing it in his pocket. "Yeah I guess you're probably right, still something about it seems off to me," he said casting a short glance to the nearest pit.
"Well I can't sense anyone nearby, at least nobody that is heading this way, if it was a trap I would have sensed it by now," Karin said confidently. There was no way she would miss a surprise attack, she had been using her sensory abilities periodically since they left the site where the tower once stood.
"I guess, it's just kind of odd, everything else on the map has been so perfect that missing these sand traps seems odd," Naruto reasoned.
On that point Karin had to agree, the map given to them by Shougo had been highly accurate up to this point, even indicating areas of the forest that had been thicker or were known to be the sites of large predatory beasts. "Maybe he didn't think that they would pose much of a problem to us."
"Maybe," Naruto said with a sigh, the more he thought about it the more likely that seemed, still there was just something off about such an obvious gap in the information, it was almost as if the sand dunes had appeared after the map was drawn. 'That's also a possibility,' he told himself to shake off the uneasy feeling.
The next section was a slow ascent up a rocky hillside within the confines of a deep maze of trenches. Naruto was grateful that the quickest path had already been marked meaning that even for civilians they were making decent time. Every so often however they would run into another large sandpit often in large areas where multiple paths would come together.
It was mid afternoon when the group began to slow down with Naruto eventually bringing everyone to a halt in front of a large cave. "Is there something wrong?" Rea asked earning some worried glances from the other civilians.
"No we're going to rest here," Naruto answered trying to reassure the group.
"But it's still light out, we can go on for a few hours yet," a well dressed man said eager to keep going.
"I think Naruto might have a point, it would be better for us to rest for whats left of the day, it might be safer to move under the cover of night," Rea reasoned.
"Well that is one of the reasons, there is also the fact that if they are monitoring our movements they might guess which way we are heading, I have a way for us all to travel the distance remaining in only about an hour, but I want to wait until later tonight when most of the spectators will be sleeping," Naruto suggested.
"Well I'm in, if you can't get us out of here then we're all as good as dead anyway," Tenji said casually clearly siding with Naruto.
"I guess it cant really be helped. Whatever you have planned I'm in. You may have inadvertently started a war with the empire, but I guess that's better than death," Rea sighed.
Slowly the rest of the group all came to an agreement that they would trust in Naruto's plan, while most still didn't know Naruto that well, they had to admit he was strong, maybe even strong enough to actually save their lives. The group moved into the cave, and once they were sure it was safe set up a small camp. Naruto sat at the back of the cave with his eyes closed, quickly scanning the surrounding area for any sign of approaching threats.
"You don't need to do that you know," Karin said kindly, taking a seat beside the blond and resting her head on his shoulder.
"I know you have been scanning as well, I guess I just feel a little less anxious if I check myself, even if my sensory skills are nothing compared to yours," the blond replied before softly kissing the top of her head.
"I can understand that, better to be safe than sorry," the red head said with a smile as the two cuddled up together. "So are you going to tell me what your plan is Naruto-kun?"
"It's not much of a plan. After midnight I will create a clone to carry everyone, if we move at top speed we will make it to the southern exit well before dawn. It's a full moon tonight so the visibility won't be too bad," Naruto explained.
Karin hummed contemplating the blonds plan. "I suppose if we keep going so slowly the empire will be able to move all their units into place to intercept us at the exit. As soon as your clones start moving it will probably be quite obvious what your plan is," she said pointing out a potential risk.
"I know, but I think if we go this way I can reduce the potential casualties. There are two high ranking Uchiha clan members here so I don't think we will get out of here without a fight," Naruto sighed. The blonds face quickly became very serious as he readjusted his body so he could look the red head in the eyes. "I want you to promise me that you will do what I say when the real fighting starts."
Karin looked a little confused at why Naruto would ask that of her. "I don't understand I can fight too, I've become a lot stronger after training with you," she said quickly. She was slightly afraid that Naruto didn't think she was strong enough to fight with him.
"It's not about that Karin-chan, this is a dangerous situation and I might need to summon Kurama to help out if I need to. If that happens you will need to be as far away from here as possible," Naruto explained.
"If it's that dangerous then I can't leave you behind," Karin protested readily.
Naruto shook his head determined not to let Karin get involved if things became too dangerous. "You have to trust that I will be fine. But I won't be able to concentrate properly if I know you could get hurt. If the top shinobi show up, you need to let me handle them myself, please."
The red head was far from pleased with the request but upon seeing how dead set Naruto was she sighed in defeat. "Fine, but don't you dare get yourself killed out there, or I will never forgive you."
"Don't worry Karin-chan, it's going to take a whole lot more than a couple of wannabe dictators to take me down. I beat Madara, Kaguya and eventually Sasuke after all, after them these guys are nothing," Naruto said flashing his boyish fox-like smile.
"But didn't you lose the power of the Sage of Six Paths, so it's not the same," Karin replied.
'She's got a point there Naruto,' Kurama added. The fox was not overly concerned with Naruto's safety, he was confident in his partners strength and even more so if they were working together. While he didn't want Naruto to have to rely on using him in a fight, he had to admit it had been awhile since he had been summoned outside of the seal.
"That's true. But I could still hold my own even with just my fox cloak... Hey if I'm lucky I might not even need Kurama's help. I've gotten a lot stronger since the war as well. So I'll be fine, believe it!" Naruto said answering both parties. "Besides I need you to keep the rest of the group safe while they get out of the arena."
Karin didn't argue any further, deciding that if there were going to rest then she should get some sleep. She shuffled her position so she was using Naruto's lap as a pillow.
While the content red head slept peacefully, Naruto kept watch. Careful not to wake the sleeping beauty, he decided to send a few clones in sage mode out of the cave to scout and keep a wide perimeter around the cave free of any intruders. He watched calmly as the orange tint the setting sun gave tot he walls slowly faded into the silvery dull glow of the full moon, that failed to light more than the very entrance to the cave where the group had stopped.
With only a few hours until Naruto and the group would make their next move, he decided to wake the sleeping red head, softly shaking her shoulders. "Karin-chan it's time to wake up," he whispered quietly. He didn't really want to wake her, but he needed to get some sleep as well while he had the time.
He couldn't help but smile as she cutely yawned and stretched out on his lap, clearly struggling to free herself from slumber. "What's the time?" she asked gazing up into his cerulean eyes that were hidden in the dark to everyone but her as the only member of the group that could use chakra.
"It's almost midnight, I need you to keep watch so I can get some sleep. Can you wake me in two hours?" Naruto asked with a small yawn while settling himself back against the wall. He was far from comfortable, but that didn't bother him all that much, comfort was something he and Karin had done without for their entire trip over the mountains, so a few hours sleeping up against stone wouldn't be unbearable.
With that said though, it was still only two hours sleep, from Naruto's point of view, no sooner than he had closed his eyes, Karin was lightly shaking him awake. "Naruto-kun, it's been two hours time to get up," she said quietly, waiting for a moment to she if the jinchuuriki would stir.
Naruto groaned in protest, "Uh change in plans Karin-chan, we're not leaving for another five... six hours," he said half asleep, before adjusting himself against the wall.
Karin smiled sadly knowing that in his sleep addled state he was saying things that he didn't mean. "Sorry Naruto-kun, but that wasn't the deal. You need to get up so we can move on," she said shaking him a little rougher.
Naruto groaned in protest but slowly opened his eyes, "I really hate you right now," he pouted.
"Well that sucks, because I love you," she teased offering the blond her hand to help him up.
Naruto smiled back, knowing that she truly meant those words. Without further delay he grabbed her hand and allowed the red head to help him to his feet before he stole a quick kiss. "Any sign of movement out there while I was asleep?" he asked quickly switching from playful to very serious.
"No, I have been checking every ten minutes, but there has been nothing outside this cave for miles," the Uzumaki kunoichi answered quickly. Naruto nodded and quickly made a clone for every member of their group including Karin. "You don't need to carry me as well."
"I know, but at the moment the enemy only knows that I can use chakra. We can surprise them with that later if it comes down to it, and I would rather not have them think you're a threat to them, I don't want them to target you as well," Naruto said firmly.
"You don't have to do that, I can protect myself just fine, I may not be as strong as you are, but I have gotten a lot stronger since we have been together, I'm much stronger than anyone we have seen so far that's for sure. Besides, if they are trying to kill you then they might as well be trying to kill me too!" Karin replied clearly disapproving of what she considered Naruto thinking she wasn't strong enough to fight with him.
"That's not it, I know you're strong Karin-chan. I just want to keep you safe, no matter what," Naruto replied with a slightly pained expression. He never wanted to lose another person that was precious to him. He had lost his parents on the night he was born, Jiraiya had died just as he was starting to make a real name for himself in the shinobi world. Even Sasuke was gone now, unable to compromise on his beliefs he forced the blonds hand.
Karin still wasn't convinced, "And how do you think I feel? I am no different, to me you are everything." She said honestly before her featured hardened somewhat. "I will do as you say this time. You are right, if we are attacked by stronger shinobi I will need to protect the others so we can all escape. But the empire won't stop hunting us when we escape, so next time I will be fighting too," she demanded, the steely determination in her scarlet eyes that told the blond that no matter how much he would argue this was one fight he wouldn't win.
"Deal," Naruto replied with a bright disarming smile that even in the dark of the cave seemed to brighten everything. "Alright no more time for discussions time to wake everyone," he added while giving a silent signal to his clones who stooped down and each picked one member of the group up.
Unsurprisingly this was followed by loud yells in protest that soon tuned into screams of fear and surprise as the clones and Naruto wasted no time in speeding out of the cave and out into the cool night air. "Well in terms of a surprise that was really something else," Karin giggled from her position on the back of the clone that was closest to the real blond.
"I figured it would be quicker this way. If we move at this pace we can get to the edge of the arena long before the sun comes up," Naruto replied then as if to make a point the group picked up the speed even more. 'Wow I'm faster than I have ever been, all that training is really paying off,' he thought while his clones attempted to calm their individual passengers.
'Of course, those old toads have been kicking your ass all over the country side for months, it's hardly going to make you weaker,' Kurama said with a roll of his eyes.
'I guess you have a point, I really need to thank Shima and Fukusaku-sensei the next time I see him,' Naruto replied.
'So whats the plan once you exit this death arena?' The fox asked.
'Well if we don't go over the top they won't think twice about chasing us down. That really only leaves us with shock and awe.'
Kurama grinned, despite being a far calmer since he befriended Naruto the giant fox still enjoyed a good bit of destruction, and if that means crushing a few Uchiha, then all the better. The grin only seemed to grow as the thin outline of the mountainous perimeter of the stadium came into view in the distance. 'This should be fun.'
End Chapter!