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Summary:
To save everyone, Marco used his current existence. Never did he imagine that he will be reborn to a new world different from his own. It is a world filled with ninjas and creatures as large as Sea Kings that are made of pure living chakra. What can a pirate like him do to survive especially if he is a freaking bird? Thatch is right; he does look like a chicken. And a certain blue-eyed blonde is thinking of him as her new pet.
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Of Flaming Feathers and Bloodstained Furs
By: Zelga Lim Li
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Part 25
Ever since the brat came, the scenery (or his prison), became… more bearable.
Huffing amusedly to himself, the Nine Tailed Fox also known as Kurama to his siblings, settled comfortably in his so-called 'cage'.
Soft green grass now littered the inside of the cave with the ocean breeze coming in between the bars.
Despite the seal separating him from the outside world (and the girl herself), he allows a tail or two to pass through the rivulet that appears on one side of the cavern that continuously flows through the outside. He can faintly hear the water cascading from the side of the mountain into the ocean. Perhaps the source of this stream.
The girl really has very good imagination. Hmm.
Remembering their discussion, he could not stop himself but laugh. Oh the irony of their situation.
If his previous hosts are here, they will probably prevent the girl from making that promise.
He did mention that to her for the sake of formality.
And yet she insisted that 'this' wasn't what she wanted in the first place. So they'll just to deal with it.
Heh.
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The day of the finals came.
It was a very busy day. Lots of buzz happening around the village especially when representatives from neighboring villages came one by one. There are people of importance with their own set of guards, some reporters and those who are enthusiastic enough to take a breather from their own busy schedule just to witness the spectacle that is the Chūnin Selection Exams.
Meanwhile, in a random apartment located in the Village Hidden among the Leaves, a certain pirate is freaking out when the breakfast he prepared was ignored (kind of).
Haku gently consoles the man as Sakura watches beside them with a frown wondering the same thing.
Where is Naruto?
Marco is kind of expected and he is probably accompanying the said blonde. Wherever Naruto is, he goes with her (almost always).
Meanwhile, Kakashi-sensei sent a summon earlier (a cute little dog named Pakkun) that they will be late and won't be able to join the opening ceremony. Hopefully the Uchiha won't adapt the cyclops' mannerisms or it will be the end of everything. Or so she thought.
After she arrives in the arena, she saw Ino and Chōji who both waves at her in greeting. Supporting Shikamaru who was the only member of Team 10 that passed along with the other rookies Shino, Sasuke and Naruto.
Ah. She'll save a seat for Haku then. Hopefully, the former Kiri-nin will be able to drag Thatch-san away from his gloomy corner.
When the fireworks started, a bandanna wearing jōnin with a senbon on his mouth walked towards the middle of the field below the stadium and motions for the genin participants to stand behind him.
Surprisingly enough, Team 7 remains missing. Ino did eye her curiously as she facepalms and sighed dejectedly in response.
Haku answers on her behalf who suddenly appeared beside her (minus their friendly pirate who's still probably sulking somewhere). "Seems like Sasuke-kun is following Kakashi-san's example…" Oh no. "Although Naruto-chan should be coming in any second now."
Huh? Did the Yuki sensed her?
Out of nowhere, an ANBU drops from the sky with the aforementioned kunoichi in his arms. The said blonde was cursing colorfully at something or someone (making the two of them wince hearing those words - three if we include Ino while Chōji is busy consuming his chips) as the masked shinobi patted her head consolingly and disappears in clouds of smoke and leaves.
Hyūga Neji sneered at her in response and if it wasn't for the proctor, the same chūnin that manned their gate in the Forest of Death (Sakura faintly heard his name, Shiranui Genma), Naruto would have attacked him.
The pinkette can almost hear Shikamaru mumble his favorite word as Shino approaches to help calm the girl.
Seriously though, looks like she is surrounded by crazies (Haku may not look one… but who knows) .
Oh dear Kami.
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"Your people sure looks lively…," Rasa, Yondaime Kazegake of the Village Hidden in the Sands, commented as he looks down from the balcony overlooking the entire arena where the finals are going to be held that day. Hiruzen chuckled in response and took a seat. The same ANBU who brought Naruto in kneeled beside him after discreetly handing a piece of paper into his palm.
"If I am not mistaken, all of your children made it to the finals, correct?" Quickly looking at the papers content, his eyes widen slightly but kept his composure as he turned to face the only Kage that accepted their invitation. Iwa and Kumo's hatred still ran deep despite the truce.
The other man smiled mysteriously as he took his own seat. Hiruzen's ANBU tilted his head slightly after observing the other man and faces the arena ignoring the other Suna shinobi assigned to guard their leader (who is currently eyeing the said ANBU suspiciously).
Hmm. Looks like the girl's match is about to start.
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"Would I be called a hypocrite if I decided to support her rather than my own teammate, Gai-sensei?" Lee asks curiously as they settled on their seat next to Tenten who heard his question. The girl rolled her eyes at him as she decided to pinch his cheek in rebuff.
"She did save your life, Lee. And I will not hold it against you especially if you cheered for her today." The twin bunned kunoichi stated with that sparkle in her eyes that made the other gulp nervously. "You just need to endure Neji's ever-present scowl for the rest of our careers in the event that your blue-eyed kunoichi wins."
Gai laughs in response (and may have felt a bit of dread for the upcoming days if Tenten's prediction do came true).
Carefully, he did observe the girl his rival is so protective of.
The blonde does look different now unlike the first time he saw her. There is determination and confidence in her gait especially the eyes.
He also knows that Kakashi trained the Uchiha. So who could-
"There you are, Gai. It's been a while…"
Oh. So that's how it is.
"Jiraiya-sama, it is good to see you again."
The other man laughs heartily and glances towards the arena. "I see. So that's the Hyūga she's been talking about." Rubbing speculatively on his chin, the man leaned on the baluster behind them. Crossing his arms, the famed Sannin asks if his student is from the branch family. Tenten and Lee both looks at him cautiously but he waves away their concerns (he'll make sure to explain everything later).
"Neji is Hizashi-dono's son."
Recognition lit the other man's eyes as he winces slightly. "Let me guess, he blames everything on the main family, correct?"
With a sigh, Gai took a sit and observes his student who seems to be mocking the blonde jinchūriki. He could not hear his student's words quite clearly but seems like it was his usual tirade about 'fate' and whatnot.
With a hum, Jiraiya scratches his cheek and stands to his full height. "It is just too bad he was paired with her. She's…"
"Neji is all prepared. I am certain he will be able to defeat her." Tenten's faith did ease up his worry and yet the Toad Sannin's response says otherwise.
"Perhaps." The older man admitted in a serious tone. "A genius of his own right, yeah?" With a chuckle, Jiraiya added, "Unless your teammate knows how to improvise for any contingencies, he may not stand a chance against my girl's unpredictability ."
An ANBU drops behind them and the Sannin nodded in acquiescence to the other's arrival. "Well then, I would say good luck to your student. But yeah… we'll see."
A very ominous response indeed.
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Hyūga Neji studied the girl before him.
She may have reacted as expected earlier but what he sees now is entirely different. If one looks closely enough, you can sense how she disperses her chakra from the soles of her feet in weblike strings traveling the entirety of the arena itself. A thicker one races up towards the balcony where the two Kage are seated.
"I'll never forget what you did to Hinata-chan." The blonde stated seriously. She did frown after she saw the Hyūga clan head from the audience with the youngest, Hanabi. "But I supposed it can't be helped." He saw her place a hand on her stomach and bows her head slightly. "Whoever thought of dividing your family and placing a seal on the other is an idiot…" With a determined look on her eyes, she glances at everyone in the stadium especially the balcony where the village leaders watching the finals sat.
"I will be fixing that once I become Hokage, dattebayo!"
He felt nothing upon hearing those words yet the noise he heard from their audiences after the girl declared her intent put a smile on his face.
He started laughing.
"You? Become a Hokage?" Wiping a tear that escaped his eyes, he activated his byakugan and prepares for battle. "Such big words…" Neji added conversationally, "Only those who are fated to be one will become one. Not because you just wanted the said position."
Huffing, the blonde rolled her eyes at him and crosses her fingers to prepare her first attack. "Yeah, yeah! Don't have to rub it to my face, ya know. Not that your and anyone's opinion matters." With a grin, she created multiple clones who took out a few kunais of their own. "His opinion is all I need to hear. And he believes that I can do it." With a mirthful expression, she smiled sinisterly and attacks. "So I will be one… believe it!"
And then it started.
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Earlier that morning…
"Are you sure about this place, yoi?" Marco asks while walking alongside her.
It was still dark and the rest of the village are still asleep except for a select few (masked shinobis that she grew awfully familiar with after starting on that sensing business).
She never really expected the Phoenix to come with her. Really. Although she should have expected it.
Ever since the events in the Forest of Death, Marco has been more protective than ever (perhaps until the threat of the snake bastard is dealt with).
Her plan is real simple.
She woke up early and carefully (silently) wore the clothes she will be wearing that day (its the finals so she needs to be presentable, damn it). The same orange and blue jacket with white collar. And then there's her orange pants.
Perhaps grabbing a bite or two of Haku-chan's banana bread. Go to that place and maybe leave some flowers as a sign of respect. From what Boss Gamabunta said the day before, the forest where no one can come into (the last known physical location of the Kyuubi no Kitsune before it was sealed into her) contains negative energy. Thus it is very dangerous to civilians and ninjas alike.
It was the same place where her parents' died.
She did worry about Marco's presence here but her pirate waves it off and ruffled her hair affectionately.
"I'm mostly resistant due to my devil fruit's regenerative ability. So you don't need worry about it, yoi."
Since he is here, she did ask him a favor to buy some flowers. Better took the opportunity while she's at it. The villagers are yet to accept her presence so-
Chuckling in response, Marco nodded amusedly and walks back to the town proper.
Now that she's alone, Naruto took a deep breath and kneeled so that she can pick some stones. The middle of the said clearing does show an empty spot where nothing grows, even weeds.
She did place a few shiny rocks she found from the bushes in the middle of the clearing (Marco selected a few of them himself). Those that looks nice enough to be used as a temporary headstone.
"Hey mom… hey dad…," Sniffling slightly, she wipes a few tears that escaped her eyes. "In case you don't recognize me, I- I'm… I'm your daughter…" Smiling, she talks how well she is doing right now because of Marco and her team. How good her training is to become a ninja that they can be proud of. Promising to be very careful with this life they have given. Especially now that she have someone important to protect.
Pausing slightly, she raise her eyes after sensing him. She did feel her blood came rushing through her face when she saw Marco's expression.
The Phoenix didn't mutter a word but smiles at her gently and handed a bouquet of flowers.
"Sunflower and daffodils. From what Haku said, they mean 'adoration' and 'respect'."
He did gave her a few minutes of her own to continue giving her respect to her parents as he waited in a considerable distance. Not too far (in case someone is brave enough to attack her) that he can still reach her immediately if needed.
Sitting on top of a fallen tree, Marco did heard his blonde introduce him to her parents. Trying real hard, he tunes out her voice (yet he can sense her happiness as she talks about him that made him smile).
Ah.
So he looks ahead and observes the first rays of the sun. And the ANBU that suddenly appeared to greet him.
"Hokage-sama wants you to wear this for today's event."
After taking the scroll, the masked shinobi disappears as Naruto approaches.
"Eh? What's that?"
"Looks like I no longer need to hide, yoi." With a frown, he unseals the scroll showing a change of clothes and a white porcelain mask with familiar markings.
"Oh."
With a few turns inspecting the mask, Marco handed it over to her as he started to change. Giving her pirate some privacy, Naruto traces the design of the ANBU mask.
The markings which is similar to a certain devil fruit user she knows so well.
Glancing sidewards, she picks up the scroll noticing jiji's handwriting.
Suddenly flustered, Naruto rereads the message a few more times.
"WHAT THE FUCKIN' HELL! Is he kidding ME?!"
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Present time…
Using her clones to swarm the Hyūga prodigy, Naruto immediately substitutes a clone in her place and stands in a distance far from his reach. She knew how dangerous his hands are judging from his fight with Hinata-chan.
Knowing that she cannot evade his attacks, she enforces her limbs with haki and closes in.
Coming into his 'range', she saw a hand get past one her clones dispelling it and then taps her middle.
There's a slight sting but it wasn't enough to stop her. Returning his blow with one of her own, she did saw his eyes widen in surprise.
The same 'force' she used to incapacitate Thatch during one of their practice sessions, Naruto grinned widely in response and followed it with another hit. This time, she uses the same move Marco taught her.
Jumping backwards into a somersault, Neji avoided her kick but the aftermath was enough to take his breath away (her hit earlier is starting to bother him). He also knew that he avoided her assault but-
"What's the matter?" Eyes glinting playfully, the blonde looses her stance and studies him curiously after crossing her arms. "I thought you're going to teach me that a genius cannot be pushed back by a dead last?"
Carefully controlling his reaction, Neji took a deep breath to calmed himself. "Perhaps I was mistaken. I should not have underestimated you…" Finally admitting that the girl is dangerous, he gave her the attention she deserves. "For that, I will fight you more seriously now, Uzumaki Naruto."
As a leaf fell and touches the ground of the arena, the first match of the Chūnin Selection Exams started once more much to the agitation of a certain blonde haired pirate silently watching from the shadows. His previous plan to take (kidnap) her away is starting to be more appealing than ever before.
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Interlude: Kurama
"We need to talk…"
As he stares down at the child, he could (almost) commend the bravery the girl acquired to face him without fear in those familiar blue eyes.
The same color of her blasted father's that sealed him into this particular child.
Strangely enough, he isn't sensing any hatred.
"I don't know why that man sealed you into me. But I… I really don't care…" Huffing, the blonde frown and carefully approaches the gates.
"I admit that I am still weak. That I still depend on others… Marco most especially, to pull me out of all my messes." Clenching both fists, the girl raises her head in defiance. The fox remains silent though. Observing. "When I am strong enough not to rely on anyone's help… especially your chakra… I will set you free from this seal." The blonde added with finality in her tone. "As long as you don't harm anyone I care about…"
Ears twitching, Kurama stands to his full height and allowed his tails to trail behind him. His stolen yin chakra is slowly trickling back into him due to continued exposure to her Phoenix's flames. Not that he will mention that to the girl before him.
"Those accursed women that contained me before you will definitely disagree. Do you really think they will allow this 'blasphemy' of yours?"
Bristling angrily, the child pouted in response.
"This is my life. I never really wanted 'this' in the first place. So whatever I decide to do with you or this fuckin' seal, they'll just to deal with it… whether they like it or not."
He laughs out loud shaking the ground before them as the blonde demanded that he pays out his rent since she just upgraded the 'place' to a more presentable one.
Regally he sat and allowed his tails to surround feet as the girl continues her monologue not even minding the difference in size. How easily he can crush her with one clawed hand. But the seal itself prevents it.
Moreover.
As if he didn't know about the pirate that changed her life.
He won't be surprised if that 'abomination' will be able to reach this place because of that bond.
Ugh! So troublesome. How annoying these human are.
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Author's note:
A bit of deviation from canon. I hope that's okay?
Still the fight scenes - ugh - a work in progress.
Anyhow… thanks so much for reading. And liking. And following. Cheers!
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