Hello, welcome back to another chapter of Smoking Embrace, and thanks for everyone who faved and followed, even though it saddened me that there was just one review as that is what enables me to know how you are liking this and what you think. Anyway I have some things to say about this chapter, first off, I didn't like it, I feel like I couldn't express myself the way I wanted to, I even changed various scenes various times, making definitely better, but ultimately it didn't meet my ideas. But I'll definitely improve in my writing, believe it! Also, the next chapter will probably be delayed as I am going to a trip to the ever warm part of my country, Playa de Carmen, Mexico, but I'll try to update anyways.
Enjoy.
Discalimer: I do not own Naruto
Naruto just stood frozen at the Kyuubi's words. The Kyuubi, the most powerful creature known in the elemental nation was asking for his help? This didn't seemed right, what could a demon want his help with. Yeah he couldn't go out of the seal, okay. But the mere fact that there was something troubling a demon and that he wanted him to help with it made Naruto nervous.
"For what exactly do you need my help?" Naruto asked cautiously. Kyuubi snorted.
"Don't get any funny ideas ningen, I would do this myself if I could but thanks to the fucking Yodaime I can't" Kyuubi growled. "So I am forced to ask you useless ningen for help."
"So what do you want?" Naruto asked deciding to ignore the insult to both him and his race.
"..."
"I want you to liberate one of my kin, the Sanbi. I normally would not give a fuck about the turtle, however he is under the effect of the accursed sharingan eye of that Uchiha Madara and that is something that I cannot forgive!" Kyuubi roared in a loud growl putting vemon in the sharingan part.
"Sanbi? Uchiha Madara? Calm down, what are you talking about?"
"You truthfully are stupid ningen. I you want to free the Sanbi from Madara's contol. You will have to find him and find a way to free the damn turtle."
"But I don't even know where he is! And I don't think I can ever hope to fight a legendary shinobi even less a biju!"
"Hmpf, that's not my problem. Also the last I know, the turtle is at a place that you ningens know as Mizu no Kuni."
'What! i don't even know where that is!' But before he could speak Kyuubi said.
"Now thats all get out of here! You make me sick." And as that the Kyuubi kicked him from the mind scape.
./ Two weeks later
Team 7 was standing in front of the now finished bridge, in front them were Tazuna and Tsunami along with Inari and a crowd of villagers.
"Thank you very much, without you this would have never been possible, now we are free of Gato and Wave will be able to grow to its former glory." Tazuna said.
"Nah it was nothing Tazuna-san, we were glad to help." Naruto said sheepishly.
"Naruto-nii I will miss you." Inari said with tears in his eyes.
"Me too Inari. Remember grow too strong for those important to you."
"Yes nii-chan."
"Now if you excuse us, we have to get back to Konoha." Kakashi interrupted.
"Yes of course have a nice trip." Tsunami said.
As they watched team seven go away crossing the new bridge Tazuna spoke.
"Now, how should we name the bridge."
"How about 'The Great Naruto Bridge'?" Tsunami answered.
"Hmm, yes, 'The Great Naruto Bridge' I like it."
"That kid is really something." Tsunami said smiling.
"Indeed. He will get really far."
./ Road with Team 7
The trip back to Konoha so far has been uneventful, Kakashi was at the rear reading his orange book, Sasuke was in front doing whatever Sasuke do in his free time, Sakura was fawning over him and Naruto was oddly quiet. During the last few weeks the blond haven't had time to think about what the Kyuubi had said to him because of the work.
'Mizu no Kuni huh? I don't even know where that is and even if I did how am I suppose to get there?' He sighed. 'Suppose Kakashi can answer that.'
"Ne, Kakashi sensei?" He broke the silence.
"Yes Naruto?" He replied not taking his eyes from his smut.
"Where is Mizu no Kuni?" Kakashi narrowed his eyes at the question.
"Well since you are shinobi now I guess you all should know this." He said catching all of his student's attention.
"In the Elemental Nations there are what are considered the five great shinobi villages, the first one is Konohagakure no Sato in Ni no Kuni, our home." Everyone nodded. "There is also Sunagakure no Sato in Kaze no Kuni to the south west, they are our allies. There is Iwagakure in Tsuchi no Kuni to the North West, after the events of the third shinobi war they have become completely hostile with us, so it is only logical to say that they are our enemies. Then there is Kumogakure no Sato in Kaminari no Kuni to the East, we have a neutral but fragile relationship with them, especially after the Hyuuga kidnap attempt a few years ago, and finally there is Kirigakure no Sato far off to the east of Wave in Mizu no Kuni, they used to be considered the strongest Hidden Village, however ever since they isolated themselves a few years ago their power started to decrease, we think that they are having a civil war but since they have a lot of information control we cannot know."
"So who is the strongest village right now sensei?" The pink banshee asked.
"I expected that question, that is debatable but most possibly Konoha is the most powerfull village of all, however Iwa and Kumo are fairly powerful too."
"I see." She said archiving the information for later use. Kakashi nodded in dismissal and went back to his book however his mind was thinking about the blond enigma of his student.
'Just what are you thinking about Naruto? First that strange powers that Sasuke mentioned and now this. I must consult Hokage-sama about this.'
./ Konoha Gates
"Okay team I'll give Hokage-sama the mission report, now all of you go home and rest for the day, I'll meet you tomorrow and the usual training ground at 9. Dismissed." After this Kakashi shunshined and Sasuke started walking away.
"Wait Sasuke-kun!" Sakura shouted as she ran after him.
"Well that just leaves me... Thankfully. I want to learn to use this power as quick as possible." And then Naruto leaved too.
./ Training Ground 7
On the training grounds a lone figure can be seen sat down in the lotus position, if you look closely you can see the look of concentration on his face.
'Ok, let's do this. Focus on my chakra network, look for any different feeling in it.' After a few minutes of concentration said person can be seen smiling. 'Right I found it, now touch that feeling, embrace it... Now let it out.' Naruto started to expel chakra from his coils and then opened his eyes only to see clouds of smoke that weren't there before. He smiled at his initial success "Yes now let's see if I can control it." He said smirking.
Directing his chakra through the smoke the blonde waved his hands making the smoke move in the same direction clearing his previously obstructed vision.
'Now I wonder if I can concentrate it.' Manipulating his chakra the blonde made it condense around him which proved to be challenging, because as the smoke condensed superior control was needed but eventually all the smoke was floating around him; not losing control he thought.
'Now, let's try to focus it to a single point.' Focusing on his chakra again he directed it to his right hand, slowly the smoke started to gather there but as with the initial task, this started to turn more and more challenging eventually the smoke started to gather and twirl rather violently in his hand making a nucleus of violent smoke in his semi open palm and random smoke outside swirling quickly.
"Come on, almost there." The blond said focusing intently on the smoke. However as more smoke started to gather, the black cloud suddenly began to look unstable, and without advice it suddenly exploded sending the blond flying a few meters.
"Ughh damn, guess it isn't as easy as I thought." He sighed.
"Well at least I know I can control it freely, for now I'll train on moving and manipulating it, then I will move into other tasks. Also I need to improve my chakra control." Then he looked at the small crater made by the explosion and then at the setting sun. "Guess I'll do it tomorrow." However as he was about to leave the training ground an ANBU landed in front if him.
"Uzumaki Naruto" The ANBU asked.
"Yes?"
"Your presence has been requested by the Hokage, please come." Naruto frowned.
'Not a break huh?' "Sure"
./ Hokage Office
./ A few Hours Earlier
The Hokage was sitting in his room fighting the worst enemy of any leader. The paperwork. When suddenly he heard a knock on his door.
"Come in he said." He said lookin up noticing Hatake Kakashi entering.
"Ah Kakashi back I see, how did the mission went?"
"Hai Hokage-sama" the man replied. "We encountered an A-rank missing nin from Kiri, Monochi Sabuza. But I managed to beat him. Also he had a companion with an Ice Kekken Genkai, both Sasuke and Naruto fought him, eventually Naruto managed to kill him." He paused briefly. Hiruzen being a little sad that Naruto had to kill so early in the job.
"However." He continued. "According to Sasuke, Naruto used what seemed to be the ability to use and control smoke to defeat the ninja, ultimately killing him. I enquired about this with Naruto but apparently he used it subconsciously, which led me to believe that it was a Kekken Genkai but as far as I know, neither sensei nor Kushina-san had one."
"I see that is something that deserves investigation, I want to see that power myslef, the addition of a new Kekken Genkai could greatly benefit Konoha."
"Talking about villages sir. Naruto also asked me about the location of Mizu no Kuni."
"For what purposes?" Sarutobi asked squinting his eyes ever so slightly.
"I do not know, he just suddenly asked."
"Do you think this could imply betrayal?"
"I doubt it but..."
"I see. I guess a meeting is in order." "Neko!" He shouted and a moment latter a neko masked ANBU was kneeling in front of him.
"Bring me Naruto-kun"
"Hai Hokage-sama."
"And also… you are now to observe him and then report to me."
"Hai."
./
Both Kakashi and Hiruzen were waiting patiently for Naruto to arrive. Suddenly the door opened quickly and Naruto came in.
"Hey jiji you called me?" He said all too casual
"Naruto show more respect to Hokage…" Kakashi started but was interrupted.
"It's okay Kakashi, I don't mind, we have that kind of relationship as far as I can remember. And yes Naruto-kun I called for you, you see there somethings that have been brought to my knowledge that need consulting." He said making Naruto mentally sigh at the upcoming conversation.
"The information brought to me is that you apparently have unlocked a Kekken Genaki, could you please give me more insight?"
"Sure, I don't know too much about it right now, I trained a little bit before coming, but I only found out that I can control smoke, based on that I decided to call it 'Kemuri Shakuho' (Smoke Release), I try to experiment with it but it is very difficult."
"Very well and can you tell me about how you killed that Kirin in?"
"I… I don't know. I just suddenly felt a surge of power within myself and then I just noticed 'Haku' on the ground." Kakashi narrowed his eyes.
"Wait how do you know his name Naruto?"
"I met him a day before the fight; however I did not knew it was him." Naruto said defensively.
"Very well, I trust you Naruto-kun, no need to be on edge. Now can you show me this ability of yours?"
"Sure." Naruto started to concentrate on his chakra and proceeded to do the same that as his training only to notice that the smoke was coming directly from under his sleeves, a fact that he had not taken account of, but he filed it away for latter reference. Both, the Hokage's and Kakashi's eyes widened at what was happening in front of them, as Naruto waved his hands and moved his arms the smoke was following suit as if it was just an extension of the blond. Naruto noticed this too and this gave him an idea, and idea that he would have to try latter. Dissipating the smoke Naruto spoke.
"That's pretty much what I can do with it, I noticed that it can take aggressive properties and be solidified somewhat but I will work with that latter." Both nodded.
"Very well Naruto-kun, now the next topic is rather delicate and can be easily misunderstood." Hiruzen said cautiously. "For what purpose did you wanted to know about Kiri?"
Naruto froze for a second something that both of the senior shinobies notices but ignored it.
"I… Haku told me about how his life was before Sabuza picked him. And just wanted to know where Haku's place of birth was." He lied, the Hokage was one of the persons that he cared the most, but trust not. With all the kindness the old man had showed him, it was only natural for Naruto to have a good relationship with him, but Naruto knew that even if he honestly cared for him, it was on his best interest to befriend the blond jinchuriki. That he deduced after meeting the Kyuubi.
His meeting with the Kyuubi was a really eye opener for the blond, after learning that the tailed beast was sealed into him, by his own hero the Yodaime Hokage no less, and the fact that he hadn't been told anything made him saw the world in a slightly more mature serious way, even if it didn't affect him enough to turn completely cold, or to kill his relationshipsbe more wary of people and see the dark side of the 'bright' village.
"Very well Naruto-kun, thank you that is all, you can go home now."
"Hai, later jiji, Kakashi-sensei."
./ Icharaku's
"Old man, Ayame-chan! I'm back!" Naruto shouted while entering the ramen stand.
"Naruto-kun!" A voice shouted. Naruto instantly turned only to be met by a running Ayame who instantly hugged her figure of a younger brother so tightly that even the Kyuubi would be hurt from being at the receiving end from it.
"Ughh,Aya..me, cant… breath." Instantly she stopped and turned with a little blush.
"Hehe sorry, I got way too exited after not seeing you for so long. So how your mission did went anyway?" She said with a cheerful smile.
"Ahh, it was complex to say the least, a lot happened, I can't tell you details but, we met some powerful shinobies and I had to kill one of them." Ayame saddened at this and hugged him again but this time it was a comforting one.
"Are you okay? Do you need to talk? You know I am always here for you." She said while releasing him from her grip.
"It's quite okay. I already talked about this with my sensei … but thank you for the offer I appreciate it."
"Hey if it isn't my favorite costumer, what is this gloomy mood for?"
"Teuchi ossan!"
"Hello there Naruto, long time no see."
"Dad, Naruto just came from a mission."
"Oh really? "
"Yeah, my first mission outside the village."
"And how did that went?"
"A complete success." Naruto said with a beaming smile.
"Great, good to know, I guess dinner is on the house tonight."
"For real!? Yes, free ramen!" Naruto shouted making both Teuchi and Ayame chuckle.
"The usual Naruto-kun?"
"Yes sir."
"Okay thirteen bowls of miso ramen on its way." As Naruto waited for his ramen a purple haired woman entered the stand, Naruto took noticed of her, but decided to ignore her. The woman sat down next to the blond and ordered a single bowl of ramen when suddenly she turned to him and settled to look at him with a thinking face, as the moments passed Naruto grew slightly uneasy as the woman continued watching him even when both hers and his ramen arrived and both were eating.
"Yes?" He asked finally turning to her slightly irritated.
"Wow I was wondering when you would decide to look at me." The woman asked. Naruto noticed that said woman had the tipical shinobi attire.
"And would you need of me?"
"Are you by any case one of Kakashi's students?"
"Yes, why?"
"Ahh no reason, he told me he had a team and described them to me but he never presented us."
"Oh I see, well yeah Kakashi-sensei can be like that."
"Like what?"
"Oh nothing, not important." The blond said as he raced his 10th bowl of ramen. "I'm Uzumaki Naruto by the way."
"Yuugao, Uzuki Yuugao. Nice to meet you Naruto-kun."
"Same here." He said finishing his ramen. "Well I'd love to chat but I have a meeting early in the morning, see ya." He said starting to run away.
"Good bye, say hello to Kakashi for me!" She scouted at the already running blond. 'Hmm he seems like a good guy, he can't be thinking of treason can he? I'm sure the Hokage and sempai are over thinking this, however there sure is more than what you let… Naruto, I'll have to observe you more.'
'That woman, I'm sure that I have seen that hair before, she saved me from a mob once. An ANBU? That we meet back there was no coincidence, but what does that mean? Is jiji observing me now? What for?'
