Chapter 2: The Shadow Team
Konohagakure, Nara Clan Compound
Shikamaru gave a short yawn as he looked over several profiles of active ANBU members within Konoha. Yamato had already been chosen to be part of the team, but he needed two more ANBU members to be added to the impromptu team he was making. And finally, he had chosen Hyūga Neji to be the 'eyes' of the team considering what he had learned from Sai about the Land of Silence.
"Neji also fits a good Orochimaru counter now that we've gotten it fully confirmed he possesses the Byakugan himself," Shikamaru said as he put his hand to his chin.
Hm… he thought as he drank some coffee that his mother had provided for him while he checked the next profile. 'Soku', real name Hinoko. Graduated a year after my generation and rose through the ranks to become a Chūnin in a half a year, before landing a spot in the ANBU. Has a near 80% success rate for her solo missions, and 95% for her team missions. She's an obvious pick here…
He took another swig of his coffee. He didn't put in any sweeteners, or milk-he was too lazy to add anything to it. Plus, he thought that it kept him more focused due to the strong flavor of the pure black coffee.
"Hm that's strong stuff…" he muttered to himself before he leaned back. "I need a veteran to work in tandem with Yamato but who'd be the best…?"
He flipped through the ANBU profiles and sighed, he wished Kakashi was still part of the black ops since he'd be an easy member of the team. But he couldn't spare to take him out of the regular forces right now, maybe in a reinforcement team. He then stopped on one profile…a man named Rō.
"Hm he's a veteran in the ANBU and one of their best operatives," Shikamaru said to himself as he checked over the mission success rate that Rō had, nearly 89%. He was a skilled and patient swordsman, his taijutsu was in the top echelons in the entire village, and he had three nature transformations: Katon, Doton, and Suiton. But what stood out… "…he can completely erase his presence, even to chakra sensing."
And what's better…he could pass it on to other people. Either wiping out their own chakra signature or changing it to match another person's. Shikamaru's eyebrow raised, and he nodded. He chose Hinoko and Rō to round off the team of himself and Neji and he finished his coffee. He glanced p to see his mother staring at the memorial they had of Nara Shikaku, his father and Yoshino's wife. It was a altar housed in a cabinet that housed a picture of Shikaku as well as a couple unlit candles.
Yoshino clapped her hands together and bowed at the altar, giving her husband a prayer. She knew her son was about to be deployed on a new mission…one that was going to be dangerous. If she wasn't so out of practice, she'd have tried to rejoin the regular forces to take the burden off of Shikamaru, but it had been far too long, her chakra reserves had atrophied due to lack of using them. It would take too long, and she wouldn't be able to make a difference anymore.
"Mom, I'm heading out," Shikamaru said as he came over and pat Yoshino's shoulder. He then looked at Shikaku's picture. "And dad, watch me out there. Make sure I don't slack off."
He used a Kage Nui to ignite one of the candles before he paid his respects. Yoshino trembled and breathed out.
"Shikamaru…" she said as she clenched her hands into tight fists before closing them. "I know you're an adult know…and I know the dangers of missions like what you're going to set out upon. Don't do anything stupid, got it. I…I can't bear to lose you too."
Shikamaru paused at that before he left. He then hugged his mother tightly and closed his eyes.
"I know mom. I'll make sure I get back, just keep a watch over dad for me, please. Its nots going to be too troublesome right?"
She sniffled at that before scowling. "Are you trying to make me hit you with that troublesome talk?"
"Heh, anything that can help you take your mind off of that," Shikamaru joked and pat Yoshino's back. "And don't worry, I'll be back."
Yoshino breathed through her nose. "You better mister. Or I'll have that girlfriend of yours drag your soul back from hell so I can yell at you for leaving me."
"What…mom I don't have a girlfriend!"
"Oh, don't give me that, I've seen how you act around that Temari girl. Seriously Shikamaru, ask her out. She's practically Sunagakure's Princess and she's into you," Yoshino said, matter-of-factly as she put her hands to her hips. "Now reel her in so I can get some grandchildren before I'm fifty got it?!"
Shikamaru winced at that. …women are so troublesome…ugh… he sighed. "No promises. But I have to focus on the task at hand mom."
"…I know. I just had to get that off my chest before you leave."
Shikamaru left with the profiles before his mother could say anything else. He sighed mentally as he got his focus back to the task at hand. Only the Rikudō Sennin would know what Tenko was going through right now, and the young Nara Clan leader was hoping he was holding ou as long as possible.
Land of Silence, Hospital
In a hospital bed within the Land of Silence's Capital's best hospital, the sun was breaking through the blinds on the windows as Tenko began to stir. His entire body felt like he had been crushed by Gamabunta himself, but he was…somehow alive. He could still…visibly remember Orochimaru's vipers injecting flesh dissolving venom throughout his body. He honestly thought he was a goner when that happened…and his thoughts were on Karin after he had sent Sai away.
Well…babe I guess I managed to survive, Tenko thought to himself, thinking of his girlfriend back in Konoha. Though how am I going to get out of here…how long have I been out?
"You recovered faster than I thought after taking so much venom," a new voice said from the corner of the room and Tenko then turned to see Gengo sitting there while sipping tea.
Tenko gritted his teeth as he tried to get up but the pain from his wounds zapped any strength that he would have for such an action. He breathed out in pain as the dictator held up his hand to try to calm him.
"Be at ease, you're not at any harm here. You're my guest."
"Your 'guest'?" Tenko asked suspiciously. "Is that what you're calling someone who infiltrated your country?"
"Oh, yes of course," Gengo said with a warm smile. "Most of my followers actually started off like you, Tenko-san."
Tenko sneered. "Oh really, you sweet talked them into joining you?"
"Is that any different from your Hokage?" Gengo countered with a smirk. "As I recall, he was able to change the hearts of several individuals most would have written off. Including an international criminal like Uchiha Sasuke or the Akatsuki Leader Nagato…who was responsible for your own father's death."
"You're nothing like Naruto!" Tenko snapped.
"Hm…while I don't have the same past as Naruto-dono, I still believe to have a connection," Gengo said as he looked at Tenko. "What do you know of the situation in Silence before I took over?"
"Why the hell does that matter?!"
"Everything," Gengo replied pointedly. "The former Daimyo was a tyrant. The entire country was impoverished, there was a famine throughout the countryside and basic goods were nearly non-existent. Shinobi couldn't even afford kunai and shuriken since the village that had been established was so neglected there was barely anyone who would be skilled enough to become a jōnin in any other village." His face turned serious. "The Five…correction Six Great Nations didn't even know this country existed until I had to take matters into my own hands."
Tenko scowled. "That's how you're justifying it?"
"That's why I did it, yes. Naruto did the same when his team overthrew the shipping magnate Gato's control over the Land of Waves and turned that forsaken land into a hub of industry and science," Gengo said as he folded his hands. "When I first arrived in this country…" he closed his eyes tightly. "There were children starving and begging for food on nearly every street corner." He then slammed his hand down on the chair he was sitting on. "Those same children are now thriving since I overthrew the former Daimyo who didn't give two shits about his people!"
Tenko blinked rapidly at that. "But…"
"When you're healed Tenko, you are free to return to Konoha if you wish," Gengo said as he stood up. "But I'd really wish you would stay here to help me continue this work."
"Wait, I'm free to go? What sense does that make?"
"For one, our nations are not at war. For two, lets call it an olive branch between Konoha and my administration," Gengo said as he stood up. "But if you do choose to stay, you can start building a legacy for yourself. Independent from your own parents' so you aren't living constantly in their shadow."
Before Tenko could respond the rogue Daimyo vanished in a shunshin and the young ninja took several minutes to digest what he had learned about the Land of Silence's past. He leaned back and gave a slow exhale and closed his eyes, for some reason he couldn't help but feel…conflicted now.
When Gengo reappeared in the hallway of the hospital Orochimaru was waiting for him. The Snake Sannin leaned back as his Byakugan turned off and several snakes returned to his body. He gave a smirk at the rogue Daimyo.
"So you're using Naruto's own oratory skills to try to convince his friend here to join you?" Orochimaru asked with a impressed smirk. "And I could tell you weren't using your genjutsu there too."
"The Genjutsu is later more advanced control, but I'd rather convince people to join me of their own free will," Gengo said simply as the two started to walk. "And I still wouldn't be on the Hokage's level, he has some sort of…special power which connects with others."
Orochimaru rolled his eyes. "Naruto isn't a god, or psychic or anything like that. Despite how overwhelmingly powerful he is now he is still a man and not worth your admiration. You are a more experienced shinobi after all."
"Yet he did what I could not," Gengo retorted as they began to walk. "He somehow managed to break through the walls the Demon of the Hidden Mist had made for himself and turn him on his employer. Even with my other skill I wasn't even able to make him do that."
Orochimaru chuckled. "Probably because you didn't know Zabuza too well despite growing up with him in Kirigakure and joining his failed coup d'état."
Gengo paused at that. "…how did you…?"
"Please, you think I wouldn't know where you came from?" Orochimaru asked as they walked. "You never even suspected Kabuto tailing you when you and Zabuza went your separate ways."
Orochimaru saw the rogue Daimyo's eyes narrow and he was about to grab his sword but found several giant green snakes wrapped around him. His eyes widened, he didn't even see the Snake Sannin summon them…and then another realization hit him and he frowned.
"Genjutsu? Without seals? How did you land this one on me?"
"Ah, you have your secrets, so let me keep my own Gengo," Orochimaru replied as the genjutsu dispelled. "But it does prove my point…you're so good at controlling your anger. Remember I am on your turf so you should dictate the terms of our alliance."
Gengo regained his composure but rubbed under his neck to make sure he wasn't injected with venom or poison from the Snake Sannin. "Very well. Lets head to my office and we'll iron out the details Orochimaru."
"Excellent," Orochimaru said as he gave a cool, let menacing smile and the two walked out of the hospital.
Konohagakure
Shikamaru's team had now finished packing up and getting ready for the rescue mission. Sai had managed to give a warning about Gengo's voice…it was like he had a genjutsu that either dulled the senses or even robbed the person of the will to fight against him. The ANBU Captain was still working out the details but he gave what he discovered within the Land of Silence to the young Nara leader.
"I'm surprised you aren't taking Ino and Chōji with you," Sai said as he handed Shikamaru a scroll of the information he had gathered.
"As much as I would, this mission isn't ideal for their skills. And Ino has her hands full being Konoha's Top Jōnin and Chōji is preparing for a trip to Kumo,' Shikamaru said as he took the scroll. "Speaking of Ino, try to keep her sane with that workload she's getting."
"I'll do my best. I just wish I could help out more," Sai said, and the Nara leader shrugged.
"You've done all you can on this mission Sai. If what you said is true, we will have to prepare to mute out Gengo's voice during this rescue attempt," Shikamaru said as they heard a 'swish' and Hinoko and Ro appeared. "Glad you made it, where's Neji?"
"He should be here soon," Hinoko replied as she flipped through a manga she had bought for her downtime.
Ro glanced at it. "Oh, what sort of book is that?"
"Two Piece, it's a Pirate Manga," Hinoko said as she flipped through the manga idly. "On the 100th volume of it now."
"Hundred? You've read all of them?!"
"We all have hobbies," Hinoko said as she glanced up.
Neji just arrived, dressed in his Jōnin uniform with a pack slung on his back…as well as a large scroll. Shikamaru blinked as he looked at that new addition.
"Isn't that Tenten's scroll?"
"One of them, yes," Neji confirmed as he shrugged while he adjusted the scroll on his back. "She said that since she couldn't join us on the mission I should take one of her scrolls. She has taught me how to use many of her weapons after all."
"That arsenal combined with your Byakugan? That will be more than useful on this mission," Shikamaru said with a nod. "Alright guys, we're heading out."
They nodded and began to head to the South Gate. The gate guards saluted them as they left, Izumo and Kotetsu tsked on Shikamaru and Neji landing such a high profile S-Class mission yet again. They hadn't seen any action since the Fourth Shinobi World War after all but all they were assigned was guard duty.
"Man remember when they were just newbies entering the Chūnin Exam?" Izumo commented as he leaned back while holding a combat staff.
"I know, but that generation really took the reigns over their own destiny," Kotetsu said as he grabbed a drink and sipped it. "We're stuck as Chūnin after all while all of the Konoha 12 are now Jōnin, or in Naruto's case Hokage after all."
"Tsk, rub it in more," Izumo bemoaned. "I need to start training more; it feels like I'm fodder in someone else's story at this point."
"Man, you're bringing me down!" Kotetsu groaned as he leaned back. "Drinks are on you tonight."
"Oh, come on I paid last night!"
"I also beat you in cards, so yeah, you're paying."
At Konoha General Hospital, Naruto and Hinata were getting an update on the Byakugan Princess' pregnancy. Hanabi was also there to be moral support for her big sister now that Neji was on a mission. The bubbly younger Hyūga grasped Hinata's left hand and Naruto her right as Shizune conducted an ultrasound. Shizune held onto the microphone as a grainy image appeared on the monitor.
"Well…how does it look?" Hanabi asked with a bit of a gulp, worried it was taking too long.
"Yeah, that kind of looks like a worried face Shizune-nee-chan," Naruto added as he squeezed Hinata's hand.
"Well first of all, things are developing smoothly Hinata, Naruto, and Hanabi. No abnormalities and development is proceeding as normal. However," Shizune reported as she checked. "I did notice something."
"What?! Is Hinata going to be okay, is the baby, okay?!" Naruto asked in a little bit of panic.
"Relax Naruto, everything is fine," Shizune said as she adjusted the picture. "You see Naruto, Hinata…you're not just expecting one baby…" and as the image cleared there were two little developing infants. "But twins…a boy and a girl from what I can make out!"
Hinata's eyes widened. "Twins, really?!"
"Yep!" Shizune said happily as Naruto hugged Hinata excitedly. "You might experience more cravings because of this however, Hinata, due to the new lives developing within you."
Hinata beamed at that and rubbed her stomach. "A boy…and a girl. We have to start thinking of names Naruto-kun!"
Hanabi grinned. "I can help with that, I'm good with names Hinata-onee-chan!"
Hinata smiled at that. "I look forward to your suggestions Hanabi-chan."
Naruto gave a happy smile and hugged Hinata and gave her a kiss on the cheek which made her cheeks turn bright pink from the show of affection. Shizune gave a nod at that, having seen similar reactions to other expecting fathers countless times at the hospital. She then began writing up an exercise routine as well as prescriptions to deal with what soon would befall Hinata.
"Oh, what's this?" Hinata asked as she looked at the prescriptions after they were handed to her.
"Some anti-swelling medications that you'll need to take for your ankles during the latter stages of your pregnancy, as well as painkillers that are safe for pregnant women. Trust me, you're going to need it to deal with the back pain and other strange pains throughout this," Shizune replied and the Hyūga blinked at that, but nodded. "I'll schedule your next appointment for two months from now."
"Thank you, Shizune-san, I really appreciate it," Hinata said with a nod and the combat nurse smiled.
"Not a problem," Shizune said. "You are my patient and I'm determined to make sure you deliver two happy, healthy babies."
Land of Silence
It had now been a few days since he was discovered and Tenko had recovered from the injuries he had sustained form Orochimaru in a remarkable amount of time. Several of the techniques that the nurses at the main Silence hospital used were very similar to those of his mothers. They were either copied or were taught to them by refugee medical ninja from Konoha. Gengo had been surprisingly cordial. He earnestly wanted the young shinobi to join him to forge his own destiny instead of living in his parents' shadows.
And despite everything, he found himself agreeing to what Gengo was proposing. He could finally become his own man and help a new ninja society be born after all. But he thought he would be betraying his village and Karin…part of his mind argued that the rogue Daimyo was just trying to make him turn on his friends. But the other side that was agreeing with Gengo began to get more and more comfortable with these thoughts.
"Why is he making so much sense to me?" Tenko asked as he passed by a canal that was in the center of Silence's capital. He saw his reflection…the red marks under his hazel eyes like his mother, his long, white, spiky hair like his father. Truthfully, he had taken after more after his father Jiraiya in looks. He could see his mother and father in the reflection as he squeezed his hands into tight fists.
He remembered back when he was a child at Mt. Myoboku….
Tenko was around eight years old, he had been living at Mt. Myoboku ever since Shima had rescued him from the flood that separated him from his mother Tsunade. He grew up without a care of the world, the toads all treated him like one of their own. They taught him to swim, how to use his chakra, and gave him the basics of senjutsu. He learned to read and write from the Sages and often played with the tadpoles. But whenever he asked about his parents, Shima was a bit evasive. Telling him that his parents were extraordinary ninjas, part of the Legendary Sannin. She promised she'd tell him more when he was older.
"Heh! Can't catch me, Bonta!" Tenko cheered as he jumped from giant leaf to giant leaf, Gamabunta chasing after him exasperatedly.
"Get back here you little brat! I need that tobacco to smoke!" Gamabunta yelled, jumping after him and creating huge tremors as the giant 100-meter-tall toad chased the young boy.
"Only if you can catch me first!" Tenko taunted as he dodged Gamabunta's tongue as the giant toad tried to catch him like that. "Gonna need to do better than that Bunta!"
Fukasaku and Shima were watching, the latter sighed as she put her hand to her face. "That boy, he always misbehaves…"
"Well we do keep him cooped up here like the Great Toad Sage wanted, Ma," Fukasaku said as the young Tenko managed to find a hiding space at the base of one of the giant plants and Gamabunta leaped right over him. "Plus I think he's trying to do something nice for ya too."
"What do ya mean pa?"
"Ye're always complainin' about Gamabunta's smokin', so he's just trying to give ya a break from that," Fukasaku replied, and Shima smiled at that.
"He s such a thoughtful boy at least," Shima said happily. "None of his mother's temper…"
"And none of his father's perverted tendencies, but he's still a child so that may change."
"Err…heard humans go through something called 'puberty'…we'll have our hands full pa."
Later that night Tenko was getting ready for bed. Shima had made him a big meal, including his favorite wormy rice balls and tomatoes. Shima pulled the sheets up over her adopted son and Tenko beamed.
"Ma, ma, can you tell me a story?"
"Oh but of course Tenko-kun, what do you want to know?"
"Tell me about my mom and dad!" Tenko replied happily as he hugged the toad plushie that Fukasaku had given him for his sixth birthday. "If I want to become a ninja, I want to know more about them!"
Shima smiled nervously but relented seeing her adopted son's face. "Alright, but not everything…your father is the current keeper of the Toad Contract, he's a writer and Konoha's spymaster named Jiraiya, and your mother invented something called Medical Ninjutsu and has immense physical strength. When they work together, they are nearly an unbeatable team."
Tenko grinned. "Really?! Mom's really strong and dad keeps the Contract?! So cool!"
"Yes, yes, they met when they were children though as far as I know they haven't gotten fully together…"
"Huh? They're not like you and Pa?"
"Not yet, I'll badger Jiraiya-chan about it the next time he visits though…"
Tenko pouted and puffed his cheeks out. "If dad's going to be here, I wanna meet him!"
"I wish we could let that happen, but if we want the Great Toad Sage's prophecy to come true, that can't happen. At least not now."
Tenko pouted at that but begrudgingly accepted. He knew the importance of the Great Toad Sage's prophecies and didn't want to change them. But it still hurt not getting the chance to see his father.
Time passed and Tenko soon began to see the world. Thanks to Fukasaku working with Hiruzen Sarutobi the Sandaime Hokage Tenko officially passed the genin test to become a ninja, registered in Konoha. It had been a bit awkward, but Hiruzen was glad to help his student's child take his first steps in becoming a shinobi. But to Tenko's annoyance…he kept being compared to his parents by the elderly Hokage during his visits.
It was always 'well Jiraiya was able to do that jutsu at that age, keep it up' or 'Tsunade has better chakra control but I'm sure you'll get it. They were nearly backhanded compliments and Tenko's own skills that he worked so hard to make…seemed to atrophy since he took the comparisons to his parents to heart. He tried to be a ninjutsu user like his father, he tried to master chakra control like his mother. Every time jutsus that they mastered easily would blow up in his face!
It felt that despite becoming a genin, he was never going to be good enough. He still loved the old man Hokage though, he was kind and helpful. But still…his sense of self worth started to be eaten away with every bit of 'encouragement'.
Then one day, Hiruzen stopped visiting and when Tenko came back from a C-rank mission with the toads he learned that the old Hokage had died by Orochimaru's hand. He couldn't stop crying all night after learning that fact. It was like he had lost a grandfather and he couldn't explain why he felt that way.
But the worst blow came just a few years later. Tenko had turned 16, the supposed age when he would finally meet his father. But whenever he came back from a mission, he would miss Jiraiya by just a few minutes. He didn't know if it was fate, he didn't know if it was something being manipulated…but Tenko just kept. Missing. Jiraiya. He'd see a fleeting glance at most, run to try to catch up and finally meet and talk with him…only for him to teleport away to kami knows where.
Then one day Tenko arrived back from a mission and he found that both Fukasaku and Shima were gone, both had been summoned away. Then Shima returned…looking like she had been in a big battle and was in a state of near panic…and Fukasaku arrived back with numbers carved into his back. He also looked beat up and exhausted.
"Ma…pa, what happened to you?!" Tenko asked as he rushed forward.
"T-Tenko-chan" Shima started as the young Sage supported both of them. "Jiraiya…your father…"
Tenko paused. "What? Is he coming?!"
"no…my boy…I'm so sorry," Fukasaku said in a whisper. "Jiraiya fell in battle against Pain, the Akatsuki leader and master of the Rinnegan…we barely made it out."
Tenko froze, his eyes widening as he started to hyperventilate. His mind raced as he couldn't process this. He was 16. He was supposed to finally meet his father! That's what the prophecy said! That's what he was waiting for!
And now…it turned out to be wrong. He couldn't meet his father because of a prophecy that had turned out to be wrong. He was angry. He was sad. He was heartbroken…emotions swirled in Tenko's chest as he grasped his chest and breathed roughly. He then rushed out before Shima and Fukasaku could say anything!
Seeing one of the giant towers nearby he smashed his fist into it and made it shake as he yelled into the heavens. "After all that, all these years, I can never meet my dad?! I can never get to know him?!" He punched the pillar several more times as tears streamed down his eyes. "Damn it, god damn it!"
He slid down, his strength leaving him as he began to sob uncontrollably. He didn't even know his father but knew that he was dead. Knowing that they would never meet made it worse. He gave another cry at the heavens as a rainstorm came through Mt. Myoboku to complete the somber mood…
Days later, while Tenko was still grieving, someone new was brought to Mt. Myoboku. Uzumaki Naruto…his father's student and godchild. He kept himself scarce…seeing Naruto train diligently to master Sage Mode. He was determined to master the form so he could avenge Jiraiya and defeat Pain. To Tenko's shock…Naruto was able to take Sage Mode further than his imperfect form. Even more than his father's better imperfect form. Naruto had completely mastered Sage Mode and perfected it!
He also saw Naruto training during night as Fukasaku slept…seeing that buzzing wind release technique he couldn't identify. He surmised it must have been Naruto's own original technique. He wanted to just go out…meet Naruto and learn about his father through him. But he was also…bitter. Resentful.
In his darker thoughts he raged that Naruto managed to get a relationship with his father that he would never have. Whenever he managed to work up the courage to speak to the young jinchūriki those thoughts would invade his mind and stop him, and he would leave the mountain to cool off.
The next time he arrived at the mountain the toads were in celebration. He was a bit surprised and asked what had happened, and a bandaged Gamabunta explained that Naruto had managed to defeat Pain, avenging Jiraiya on top of convincing Pain's 'controller' Nagato to change his ways. When Tenko asked why the latter is so important his heart sank…before swelling when he learned because of Naruto Fukasaku was brought back to life by Nagato.
"Wait, does this mean my dad's brought back too?!"
Gamabunta paused and he sighed. "I don't know how this technique works boy, but I think your father was either dead for too long by the time Nagato used that technique or Nagato ran out of chakra before he could bring Jiraiya back."
Tenko's smile broke…but he forced it back. "Heh…guess that's too much to ask for…but Pa is still alive, thank kami…"
Tenko stopped looking at his own reflection in the water before he grabbed a rock and tossed it into the water to break it. Deep down he realized he was angry…resentful towards Naruto, the toads, his parents…the damn prophecy. The less rational part of his mind which he had suppressed for years started to gnaw at him again, saying that he was being kept 'secret' from Jiraiya since he was an embarrassment. The bastard son of a notorious womanizer and pervert…and the voice screamed at him that he might just be one of many of Jiraiya's illegitimate children.
"Damn it, shut up will you," Tenko said as he shook his head rapidly.
"Talking to yourself?"
He jumped and spun to see Orochimaru standing there, and he was leaning against a light pole. The Snake Sannin had a smirk on his face as he saw a look on the young Sage's face. Tenko had to resist the urge to fight him there and then since he didn't want Gengo to bring the hammer down on him.
"What do you want?" Tenko demanded, squeezing his hands into tight fists.
"Maybe I was a little too dismissive of you," Orochimaru said simply. "You may be their son, but you aren't them. You have an anger in you, don't you?"
"Save it," Tenko said as he was about to walk away.
"Don't you desire to become more than Jiraiya's clone, Tenko-kun?" Orochimaru asked and the young Sage stopped. "That's one of the main things you've been resenting…correct?"
"What of it? I'm my own person you snake bastard, who the hell cares if I'm not as strong as my deadbeat dad?!"
"Ohh, touched a nerve. Just a few days ago you'd have nothing but reverence for Jiraiya, but now…looks like you're finally starting to understand why ninja fled to this place over their own nations."
"What are you getting at?" Tenko asked. "Get to the point!"
"Its quite simple…they wanted to create their own legacy away from their homelands…" Orochimaru said with a smirk. He then offered his hand "I could train you; you know. Under my tutelage you'd become your own person…you'd stop being the tadpole and become the frog, if you will." He licked his lips. "I imagine the thought had crossed your mind after I defeated you so easily?"
Tenko scowled but he didn't deny it. Orochimaru saw that look…seeing the face of countless others he 'saved' by getting them into his service. Even seeing Sasuke's own face etched on Tenko's as Snake Sannin's smirk widened. He would have to be careful, Gengo had already set his own sights on turning Tenko to his side but if he could play his cards right…he'd make his teammate's son their antithesis! The ultimate insult to Jiraiya's memory! It was something that made Orochimaru excited.
"I'll leave you to ponder it, don't answer me right away," Orochimaru said as he then started to walk away. "We'll be sure to talk again, Tenko-kun."
Tenko didn't say anything as he watched Orochimaru leave. His mind raced, the irrational part was practically begging for him to take either Orochimaru or Gengo's or both offers. To become his own person, to vent his frustrations, to get back at the world that kept him from meeting his father. He then jumped onto the canal and rushed away to find some place to think.
Land of Silence, northern sea
Shikamaru's team had spent the past week traveling to the Land of Silence. They had to go through civilian channels and keep their identities a secret so they wouldn't alert the rogue nation's authorities of their movements. As such they were sailing on a large passenger liner that often made the journey between the Land of Fire and Land of Silence's ports. Neji even used a henge to transform his eyes from their pale white to a normal blue with a black pupil, so his heritage of a Hyūga was completely hidden. To the people ferrying them they were just a group of traveling merchants.
Hinoko had been quite a help there, she had several spares of her earbuds and often advertised them along the way on their trip. Ro bounced off her as her boss saying he didn't want their secret technology leaked and Shikamaru had to act as their supervisor. Yamato acted as their accountant while Neji did 'book-keeping'. It was very convincing, and no one thought they were shinobi.
It was a very effective deception and if there were any spies from the Land of Silence monitoring travelers, it seemed to have worked. Shikamaru lit a cigarette much like his late sensei would and he took a drag of it to calm himself.
Tenko's been in the enemy's custody for a while…and we still don't know how Gengo manages to convince his followers. From what Sai said his voice may be enhanced by chakra to make it more compelling, but it seems we're missing pieces of information… Shikamaru thought to himself….there is also a high chance that Tenko is…compromised. We'll either have to knock him out-which will be exceedingly difficult due to his innate power, or…kill him…
Shikamaru glanced down at the seat with a bit of an ashen face. He had been having nightmares…memories of the past all throughout the trip to the Land of Silence. From his failure to bring Sasuke back which nearly had Neji and Chōji dying, to Asuma's death…his father's death and entrusting him with the plans and the future…
"You okay boss?" Hinoko asked as she walked over.
"Yeah, just mentally preparing myself," Shikamaru said as he leaned back, and the young ANBU woman nodded.
"Yeah, we could make or break this contract," Hinoko said as she flipped on a different metal song in her earbuds. "But don't worry, we'll get through it. We're the best after all.
"Heh, thanks," Shikamaru said, privately thanking her for keeping their cover while offering words of encouragement. Must be her ANBU training, this is her bread and butter.
Ro came over, carrying several wooden 'boxes' that had their product in them. "We'll be able to really make a good living with all this sir!"
Shikamaru nodded. "It'll be good to set up shop in a new market, yeah."
Neji and Yamato came over-the latter was wearing sunglasses and was dressed in a business suit while the former wore a sun hat and a formal kimono. Both were acting as the 'merchants'' bodyguards, Neji the samurai guard and Yamato the hired non-ninja security. The Hyūga Leader even had two swords on his hip to complete the look and he pulled it off exceedingly well.
"We've made sure no one is intruding on your conversations," Neji said as he tipped his straw hat to look around "Though I wouldn't talk about the product so carelessly."
"Right, right," Shikamaru said as he gave a dramatic sigh. "Well, I'm hungry. Lets go get something to eat before the ship docks at the port."
After a few hours the ship docked at the northern most port of the Land of Silence. They still had three days, if not four to get to Silence's capital and hopefully rescue Tenko. Anything else was secondary-even causing the fall of Gengo would only be initiated if their comrade was saved and secured. Shikamaru's team disembarked as they heard the seabirds around them and they passed several statues and paintings that had Gengo on them. The civilians who lived in the Land of Silence all gave respectful bows to the effigies before going about their business.
There were also several ninja around that the group could detect. They were wearing blue uniforms with a white cape with the kanji of 'Enlightened Ones' on their lapels. Shikamaru could tell that several of them were scanning the passengers-including them to make sure there were no shinobi that they didn't expect. If it weren't for Ro's cloaking ability which suppressed their chakra levels they would have been detected right then and there.
Shikamaru's team met with the civilian custom's officer, and they presented their wares…bunch of what looked to be earbuds in each box. They were in reality just acorns that Yamato had created and changed the color and look without the use of a henge. But they looked very real and convincing. The officer gave a nod.
"Well, everything is in order Yahiko-san," he said as he checked Shikamaru's papers before marking them with 'accepted'. "Welcome to the Land of Silence. Please enjoy your stay,"
"Oh, we will, hopefully we'll open a shop here," Shikamaru said with a nod and with that, the group was allowed to head further into the port.
Yamato and Neji could see even more of these uniformed 'Enlightened Ones' around. Also what stood out was they were from not just one village, but multiple. The Mokuton ANBU could identify three former Iwa Ninja by their stances and way of walking alone. And Neji could tell that there were some former Konoha ninja among the group. They had to be extra wary of being detected as they made their way through the crowd.
Ro and Hinoko didn't seem worried. Both were playing their roles within the team exceedingly well. They didn't even look or act like shinobi and Hinoko often made dramatic 'why are you asking me to do this' like a civilian teenager would complain about., Shikamaru hid a smirk, knowing he made the right call by having them on the team.
Alright Tenko, just wait. We'll be there to bust you out and take you home soon enough, Shikamaru thought to himself.
With that they headed to the city's outer gates where there was another check in. They past through without incident but Neji noted that they probably would have some…'escorts' in the shadows to make sure they truly were heading to their destination. He wondered how long Ro could maintain the chakra suppression jutsu but from what he could see the ANBU didn't have any effort to use or maintain it.
The journey to the Silence capital was thankfully uneventful. It would have gone a lot faster if their team could have used their ninja abilities but they managed. In his mind Shikamaru began to think of a shoji board with Gengo the 'king', but he had no idea what the 'bishop', 'knight', 'queen' or 'rook' would be. It was like he was operating against a opponent who would know his moves before he could make them but he found that a bit thrilling.
Either way, Shikamaru was determined for his mission to succeed. As the outer city walls of the Land of Silence's capital loomed in front of them Neji noticed their shadow 'escorts' had left. Shikamaru straightened his hat as they approached the gates…
To be continued…
Author's Notes:
Sorry for the long time between updates. Work had been burning me out and I was trying to find my own footing on how to proceed with this current chapter. I'd work on it once or twice a month before trying to do anything to get out of the burnout-which often led to a lot of playing on my Switch (especially with the release of Pokemon Scarlet and Violet). Then when I was just getting my groove back and the burnout was fading I had a family emergency at the end of December and I had to rush down to Florida (still stuck down here) since my father is sick and he might not have much time left.. We're hoping for a second opinion but he does seem to be getting better in rehab. So I apologize for the long wait and not communicating with my readers about the situation.
Anyway, as for the chapter itself. I wanted to keep the tone of this chapter as rather subdued. Didn't need any action but I did need some themes especially for Shikamaru and Tenko. Shikamaru is still haunted by the Sasuke Retrieval Mission hence why he's making so many precautions. I also wanted to see how he was at the Nara compound so his mother could reappear since we literally haven't seen her in canon since Part I.
As for Tenko…my plans for him in the original fic were kind of scrapped since there was such an overwhelming negative reaction for him so I basically wanted to reintroduce him. I didn't even have a flashback and I felt that he had a lot of feelings he couldn't deal with. Tenko is basically dealing with a whole sort of issue we didn't see in War of the Biju that only came out through is interactions with Gengo and the flowers that are native to the Land of Silence.
He had been raised by the toads with only stories of his parents and considering that Fukasaku and Shima knew Jiraiya personally they kept telling Tenko stories about his father to keep inspiring him. Also figured that Tenko would have been officially a Konoha genin (probably Chūnin by the time he met Naruto in chapter 7) was due to the Third Hokage being invited there to meet the secret son of his students. But interactions with Hiruzen unfortunately began to stunt Tenko's own growth.
Because lets face it…the son of two Legendary Ninja? Everyone assumed Tenko would be some sort of natural prodigy and easily able to surpass his parents. He kept being compared to Jiraiya mostly due to their familial appearance and whatever skills he was actually developing were stunted. Tenko is basically someone who can never surpass his father since he never was allowed to meet him while Jiraiya was alive and everyone and their mother compared Tenko to Jiraiya.
So Tenko has a inferiority complex built into him…he'll never see himself as good enough. His Sage Mode is inferior t o that of Jiraiya's own perfect version no matter how much he trained to perfect it. His mastery of the jutsus that Jiraiya left for the toads is below that of what Jiraiya could pull off. Added to the fact that since he's Tsunade's son people assume has the same level of physical power, chakra control and medical ninjutsu when he barely can do the most basic chakra enhanced punches.
Then there is his relationship with Naruto. Naruto, who is for all intents and purposes Jiraiya's adopt son due to Jiraiya being his godfather…there HAS to be some resentment there. Naruto got to spend, even if it was just four years learning and training under the Toad Sage while each and every time Tenko arrived home just as Jiraiya left, presumably to train Naruto. Then added to the fact that Jiraiya died and Naruto robbed Tenko the chance to get his revenge on Pain? That has to be painful…
All these feelings Tenko basically suppressed. They probably would have been exposed if he had entered the Falls of Truth during War of the Biju but I had to tone his role down.
Anyway, please read and review. I worked really hard on this latest chapter!
