The Nine
Chapter 6
A soft wind blew through the sleeping hidden village. Uzushiogakure no Sato's bustling markets and labouring docks had halted all activity, the labourers and merchants having returned to their homes. The bright moon shone down upon the beautiful architecture, displaying intricate shadows that intermingled on the smooth cobblestoned streets.
The sakura petals from a tranquil grove were plucked ruthlessly by the all-encompassing wind to an unknown destination, creating a tidal wave of pink on a path of harmless destruction. The birds were silent in the trees, tucked away in their nests with unborn young.
The cry of a newborn baby was silenced by a young mother, waking up for the first of many times to come that night, to quell the high-pitched cries.
Yes, all was quiet in Uzushiogakure no Sato. Even the footsteps of a black-clad ninja, stalking through the home of the jinchuuriki, were silenced.
Chameleon knew this was considered a suicide mission. Invading a home filled with jinchuuriki and highly-skilled ninja? Definitely suicide. But his master asked this of him because he knew Chameleon was capable of getting the job done.
He moved along the hallways with his back against the walls. Every step was controlled and patiently executed; one noise and eight ninja would be on him within seconds. He controlled his breathing and peeked around a corner. One corridor contained, what seemed like, a row of small rooms. He checked there first.
Crouching outside the first room, he closed his eyes and listened. He listened for five long minutes; he couldn't risk making a mistake. There was nothing.
Moving onto the next room, he crouched once more and listened intently. There was a slight breathing coming from the other side. Bingo. He reached into his pouch and pulled out a small seal. Placing it on the sliding door, he bit his thumb and smeared blood on the seal to activate it. He couldn't risk using chakra for anything yet, he was relying completely on his own abilities as a stealth expert.
Crouching in front of the third door, Chameleon repeated his previous routines. He heard breathing once more and activated another seal on the door. Two down, five to go.
He moved to the last room in the peaceful hallway and listened again. There were no signs of breathing.
Chameleon backtracked to where he came from before taking the left turn and this time he took the right turning. This hallway had another set of small rooms and led to another left and right turning. After checking the four rooms in the corridor, which were empty, Chameleon took the left turning.
Another set of four rooms greeted him. Crouching at the first room, he released he wouldn't have to listen long due to the horrendous snoring resounding from the other side. Furrowing his brow, he quickly placed a seal on the door to silence the racket.
Moving onto the next room nimbly, he listened once more. A distinct feminine groan reached his ears. Quickly placing another seal, he moved to the next door. He heard a high-pitched yawn behind the door and activated another. Chameleon moved on to the third door and crouched, listening. He listened for several long minutes until he heard the slightest sounds of breathing.
'A light sleeper.' He thought cautiously, he'd have to take extra care putting the seal on the door. He spent numerous minutes attaching the seal to the door and applied his blood.
With extra care, he moved to the final door. He stood near the door and before he had time to crouch, he heard a slight murmur of 'troublesome'. Raising his unseen eyebrow, he applied the sixth seal.
Releasing a silent sigh, he left the corridor. One more left. Corridor after corridor, room after room, he searched for the final ninja before his target but he was nowhere to be found. He knew where his target was, Chameleon watched him go in there not long before. But where was the other ninja? Such a flaw in his plan could not be tolerated.
Time was against him, he had to make his move. He could deal with the last ninja later. It was a rookie mistake, leaving an enemy ninja un-accounted for, but he was running out of time. He'd already spent several hours scouring the large house for the missing ninja. With one last mental discussion, he made his decision.
Chameleon moved with purpose and ease through the empty hallways of the jinchuuriki home. Several minutes later, he was stood outside of a lone door at the end of the long hallway. It was time to prove his worth to his master.
Chameleon slid open the door and crept in, unsheathing his sword as he moved. His target was asleep in his futon at the far side of the room. He moved along the room like a shadow, unseen, unheard. With his sword drawn, he loomed over his target. Raising his flat-ended blade high, he brought it down upon his victim with great force. He smiled at the result. The smile quickly faded as his victim exploded into smoke.
His widening, he quickly turned around. The light turned on and his blonde-haired target was stood at the other end of the room in a mere t shirt and slacks. Stunned, he muttered one word, "How?"
Naruto crossed his arms and narrowed his eyes at the assassin, "You think that I wouldn't have detection seals around my home? I'm a master of seals, a Fuuinjutsu expert. You're good though, I'll give you that, I didn't even know you were here until a few hours ago."
Chameleon lowered his eyes, 'I have shamed my master.'
Suddenly cold steel was against his neck, "Mistake number two, taking your eyes off your opponent." He glanced behind him, eying a clone.
Chameleon melted, leaving behind a pool of water. Naruto's clone was then stabbed from behind, promptly exploding into smoke. Chameleon raised his guard and shed his black cloak. It would only hinder him in the fight to come.
Naruto put his hands on his hips, "Well that was silly, the little burst of chakra will have alerted all of my friends." He observed his would-be assassin's attire. It was completely black, similar to the ANBU gear in Konoha. The main difference was that his midriff was visible. Naruto recognized the style of the outfit from somewhere.
Chameleon spoke for the first time, "Unlikely, I placed silencing and chakra dampening seals on all of their rooms."
Naruto nodded approvingly, "Ah. Very smart, I guess you're not completely stupid. You're brave though, one mess up and four jinchuuriki would be on your ass."
Chameleon lowered his stance and pointed his blade at Naruto, "I don't mess up."
Naruto's gaze hardened and his eyes became blood red, "You already have." He disappeared instantly, appearing under Chameleon's guard. The assassin reacted with the speed of a tempered assassin, using his left hand to block Naruto's fist and following with a spin-kick. Naruto ducked the spin-kick and caught his leg, throwing the black-clad ninja into a wall. His eyes returned to blue.
"By the way, I assume you couldn't find one of my companions in the rooms?" Naruto rolled his arms, loosening his muscles.
Chameleon stood slowly, cracking his neck, "Correct. I take it you know their whereabouts."
Naruto prepared to strike once more, "Well let's just say he has trouble sleeping and likes to go for walks. He'll be back in…. 7 minutes, give or take a minute. I wonder if you can kill me before that time, hmm?"
Chameleon held his sword with both hands and rushed forward, "You will be dead in three."
Naruto dodged the swipe and countered with a jab to the stomach, "Ambitious. I like that." He followed the jab with a punch aimed at the assassin's head.
Chameleon ducked the punch and stabbed with his blade, nicking Naruto's stomach. Naruto grit his teeth and slapped the sword away making Chameleon open for attacks. Grasping the opportunity, Naruto's eyes became red once more and he greeted Chameleon's open stomach with a powerful combo. He was sent to the wall once more, leaving a large indent.
The dark assassin disappeared instantly from his position in the wall. With a battle cry he assaulted Naruto with a barrage of slashes and stabs. Naruto, being unnarmed, was hard-pressed to dodge.
Naruto vanished and reappeared at another side of the room. He needed his sword. Chameleon was on him again before he could think of a plan. Ducking a swipe aimed at his neck, he swept his leg under Chameleon's feet. Naruto then followed-through with a double fisted punch to the chest, sending him flying once more. Not finished, Naruto appeared in the assassin's flight path and jumped to greet Chameleon's face with his foot. The assassin spun out of control and landed in a heap on the floor, smashing through Naruto's table.
Naruto smirked; maybe he wouldn't need his sword after all! Chameleon jumped to his feet, brandishing his blade once more. Naruto watched as parts of his mask fell away, revealing the corner of his mouth and cheek.
Chameleon grit his teeth, things were not going as planned! 'I need to finish this now; I can't take on two of them!' He readied his sword with one hand and made a seal with another. "Kage Bunshin no Jutsu!"
A clone appeared next to him. Both assassins homed in on Naruto as he took on a defensive stance.
Naruto blocked a punch from one assassin and deflected the strike of the other. He ducked the two sword swipes that followed and span with his leg out, tripping both attackers. The two assassins moved in sync, rolling backwards and back into their feet.
Naruto cursed, 'I'd beat him easily if I used jutsu, I just don't wanna destroy my house!' He spied his sword on a weapon rack behind the assassins. Narrowing his eyes he appeared in front of them with a Shunshin. Slapping away one blade, he caught the other between his palms and jerked it away from the wielder. Smoothly readjusting his grip, he swiped at the neck of the previous owner. Naruto watched as the head fell to the floor and disappeared in a cloud of smoke, along with the sword he held.
The original Chameleon swiped at Naruto once more only to meet thin air. He looked around the room and spotted his foe at a weapons rack, now brandishing a sword. It was quite a long sword, similar to a katana, however the blade was completely straight and had slightly more width.
Chameleon wasn't a fighter. He was trained for kills that didn't involve his foe fighting back. He was starting to get tired and his opponent wasn't even breaking a sweat. Furthermore, Naruto was on an even playing field with him even though he was still in his sleepwear compared to Chameleon who was completely in combat gear.
Naruto needed to end this now. He'd already damaged his walls and his table, think of the cost of repairs!
He pointed his left arm forward and held his right arm back, pointing his sword in the same direction as his left arm so both were facing Chameleon. He spread his legs outwards slightly. He watched as Chameleon raised his guard, preparing for the inevitable.
Naruto quickly brought his right arm and left arm together, allowing his left arm to grasp the hilt as well. This happened as his body lent forward, as if beginning a run.
Suddenly, he disappeared, reappearing behind Chameleon with his sword extended with his right arm. He stood and rested the sword on his shoulder.
Chameleon's world moved to a crawl. His sword slowly split in two, followed by his mask falling to the ground in two pieces. He turned slowly, looking at Naruto with wide eyes. Suddenly, blood spurted out from his chest in a diagonal line, spraying blood up along the ceiling and the floor. He fell to his knees and registered Naruto moving towards him.
Naruto crouched down to his level, avoiding the blood, "Tell me who sent you."
Chameleon opened his mouth to speak, blood flowing down his chin, "..N-never."
Naruto held his sword to Chameleon's neck and stared at him with blood red eyes, "Tell me, or die. Was it Danzo? I thought he was dead."
Chameleon attempted to chuckle, but only succeeded in coughing blood. He looked at Naruto with fading eyes and a sneer on his pale face, "I'm already dead." He moved his hand to his exposed midriff and channelled chakra to his fingers. "But I'm taking you with me." A intricate seal appeared on his stomach, with the word 'suicide' written on it. Chameleon twisted his chakra-laced hand clock-wise which resulted in the seal turning red.
He gazed at Naruto one more time through dull eyes, "For my master! For Danzo's successor!" Naruto's eyes widened as he made a break for the window. A huge explosion rocked the hidden village.
Lights turned on in homes, the birds awoke and scattered from the trees. Naruto was sent rocketing towards the ground floor. The explosion sent pieces of his home flying in the air like a volcano. He landed roughly in the front garden on his back. He opened his eyes with a groan and saw a flaming piece of tiled roof cascading towards him. With a curse he rolled out of the way just in time.
Standing up he observed the damage. The explosion literally destroyed half of the building. There were fires everywhere and pieces were still falling from the sky. He sighed heavily, another home blown up by some raging lunatic. He looked at the other side of the building, 'Atleast the area where my friends are escaped the damage.'
He heard shouts coming from within the village; people must be coming to investigate. Glancing behind him he saw a figure riding a cloud of sand to the source of the shouts. He smiled, Gaara would calm them.
Picking up his discarded sword, he stood there staring at the burning wreckage. That assassin went to great lengths just to try and kill him. His eyes narrowed at the inferno, 'A suicide jutsu of that power must've taken a long time to develop.' He walked up the steps to the front door, avoiding any burning patches. 'Whoever made it knows a lot about fuuinjutsu.'
Stopping outside of Fuu's room, he examined the seal on the door. 'Definitely a Fuuinjutsu expert. This seal literally creates a prison around an area which chakra and the senses cannot penetrate.'
Naruto peeled off the seal and examined it further in his hand. Suddenly the door slammed open, revealing Fuu in a baggy t shirt and underwear, "WHAT'S GOING ON?"
Naruto gazed at the seal in wonder, "So the chakra dissipates as soon as the seal is removed, removing the effects completely."
Fuu grabbed her hair and starting jumping from foot to foot, "What the hell are you mumbling about? Our house is on fire!"
Naruto stood up from his crouched position, "Hmm? Oh, right, yeah. One second." He moved to the next door and ripped off the seal. Moments later, Yagura came stumbling out in a pair of shorts.
He stared wide eyed at the fires littered around, "What! Our house! How, when, why? Ahhhh!"
Naruto put his hand on Yagura's shoulder, "Calm down. Use your water manipulation to put out the fires." He finished gesturing to the flames slowly advancing towards them. Yagura calm slightly, although still rattled, and got to work calling forth water and fighting the raging inferno.
Naruto walked back to Fuu with his sword resting on his shoulder, "I got attacked by an assassin. He used some sorta suicide jutsu and blew half the place sky high."
Fuu grabbed Naruto by the shoulders, "Are you okay? You're not hurt? Your clothes are pretty scorched!"
Naruto raised his hand, "I'm okay, seriously. My injuries have long since healed." Fuu released his shoulders.
She glanced up at Naruto and took on a more serious gaze, "….The assassin?"
Naruto shrugged, "I don't know much. He said something about Danzo's successor before he died. If he has a successor, we've got a lot of trouble on our hands."
Fuu put her hands on her hips, "Agreed. Danzo was a pain in the ass before. The others are gonna be pissed you know, especially Yugito. Her room was in that area."
Naruto's face suddenly dropped, "Aw man. She IS gonna be pissed."
Fuu pat him on the back as she walked past him, "Well, it could be worse."
"How?" He asked, following her retreating form.
Fuu paused and looked back, sticking her tongue out, "Could be me in your situation."
He scowled at her. Remembering his other guests, he made his way to their rooms. Upon arriving, he noticed the familiar seal was placed on their doors. Naruto removed the seals from the doors and pocketed them, 'I'll examine these later.'
The fire had only spread to one side of the building, so this area was safe. He turned and began to make his way back to Yagura. Several doors slid open behind him and he turned to be greeted by the sight of Sakura and the others emerging from their rooms.
Sakura, instantly noticing the blood stains on his ripped t shirt and his sword, was the first to speak, "Naruto? What's going on?" She moved swiftly to his side and began to examine him with a glowing chakra hand.
Naruto removed her hand from his person lightly, and answered her query, "I got attacked, but I'm okay. It's been dealt with. We just lost half the building in the process…"
Kakashi's lone eye shone with concern for his ex-pupil, "Was it Akatsuki?"
Naruto merely shook his head, "No. He mentioned Danzo's successor, which doesn't bode well. We can't handle both Akatsuki and a reborn Root, Kakashi."
Kakashi nodded his head, understanding, "We need to return to Tsunade-sama and report in person. If Root has risen again, she needs to know about it." With a final nod, he ordered his team to gather their gear. They will move out within the hour.
Naruto left them and returned to where he left Yagura. The area was now littered with black scorch marks, free of the flame which clung to its surface not ten minutes before. Trailing his eyes further into the depths of the destroyed half of the building, he spied more blackened scars throughout the wooden architecture. Yagura works fast it seems.
As he was about to make his way to assist Yagura, a familiar chakra signature made itself known from behind him.
"Ino?"
She walked up to him with her hands behind her back, keeping her gaze lowered. He could tell from her posture that she was worried. She looked up into his ocean blue eyes with her own pale orbs, "I owe you my life, Naruto. Let me stay here and help you defend this place. It's the least I can do. What good would I do back in Konoha?"
Naruto placed his hand on his hip and grinned at her, "And here I was thinking you were worried about me. You just don't want to see this village get destroyed!" He sighed over-dramatically. "Typical woman I guess."
Ino balled her fist and scrunched up her face cutely. She tries to help and he just mocks her! What an idiot. Resisting the urge to slug him in the face, she calmed herself and replied cooly, "Well I'm sure the oh-so-mighty 9-tailed jinchuuriki can take care of himself, no? I just don't want to see this beautiful place get destroyed."
Naruto understood where she was coming from. This village was beautiful, maybe the most beautiful out of them all. It took a lot of work and designing on his part, seeing as he was the unofficial leader of the jinchuuriki, but it all came together in the end. The end result blew all his expectations out the window.
"It'd be better if you went back to Konoha and asked for an official re-assignment. It's more paperwork on your part but it'll cause fewer problems for the old hag."
Ino couldn't argue with his logic. She shrugged and turned to move away, "Fine. But only because you saved my life." She disappeared down the end of the hallway back to her room.
Sighing tiredly, Naruto decided that Yagura could cope by himself. His Bijuu was water-based after all. Naruto just wanted to sleep. He hasn't slept in days due to the disappearance of his brethren and treating Ino. He slid down the charred wall, ignoring the fact that it'd ruin his shirt, and sat on the floor. He rubbed his temple. Why couldn't the bad guys just die? One would die and another two would come up in their place. It was endless!
Closing his eyes, he thought back to his previous encounters with Akatsuki. Back then they moved in teams of two to acquire the Bijuu. The jinchuuriki are all togethor here so would that mean the whole of Akatsuki would come?
Groaning, he opened his eyes and looked out of his front door at the morning sun peeking over the horizon. Morning already. Another night without sleep. No wonder he had so much trouble with that assassin, he was running on fumes from the lack of sleep as it was. No one seemed to notice though; Naruto was pretty good when it came to hiding what was really going on inside of him. The first 13 years of his life were filled with false smiles and empty dreams, not that anyone cared. No one would ever care. He forcefully pushed the dark thoughts from his mind, now was not the time.
"It never will be the time to face the truth will it, Naruto?" A dark voice boomed within his mind.
Naruto groaned again, louder this time. Of all the times he could've appeared, he chose the time when Naruto really wasn't in the mood for it.
'Oh wise one, what wisdom can you share with your willing servant on this fine morning?' He thought sarcastically, rolling his eyes as the thought passed through his head.
Suddenly a wave of vertigo hit Naruto like a ton of bricks, and he was within the confines of his mind. "I hate it when you do that." Resisting the urge to vomit, he walked up to the Kyuubi.
The Kyuubi sat on his haunches, free of any bindings, cages, chains, or any other types of imprisonments. Naruto had 'tamed' the Kyuubi so-to-speak. Every jinchuuriki has to defeat their Bijuu within their mind to gain their full power and co-operate with him or her. Naruto's was the hardest for obvious reasons, but Kyuubi was eventually defeated and now they are one. Unfortunately.
"Your bitter remarks never cease to amuse me, Namikaze." The great fox eyed Naruto with an unreadable gaze as he continued. "I have... unfortunate news."
Naruto perked up. The fox never summoned him to give him information unless it was extremely important, any other time he'd just communicate through his thoughts.
Kyuubi lowered his head to come closer to Naruto. He opened his mouth and said, "I can no longer sense the Gobi or Yonbi."
Naruto's eyes widened. No, this couldn't be happening, not again! He took several frantic steps forward, "Are you sure? Maybe you're wrong!"
The Kyuubi growled loudly, "Do you doubt my ability as a Bijuu? I am not happy about this either! Leave this place, I must gather my thoughts."
Naruto started to rush forward to the Kyuubi, but was thrown back into reality roughly. He stumbled forward, landing in an odd heap from trying to run forward in a sitting position. Standing slowly, he sensed several familiar chakra signatures closing in on him.
Abandoning his sword on the floor, he walked out of the front door in a daze. Fuu was the first to arrive. Her tearful embrace tore his heart in two, she sobbed into his chest loudly.
Gaara landed next to him, his brow furrowed. He didn't know how to react. How could he? He had never been in this situation before. The only family he had ever lost tried to kill him. Naruto removed a hand from Fuu's back and grabbed Gaara's shoulder, giving him a comforting look. Naruto was their leader; he had to be the strong one.
Lastly was Yagura. He stood a few feet away from the others, his eyes shining with defiance. He was trying to hold back the tears; he was trying to be strong. Naruto extended his left arm, "It's okay, Yagura." Seconds later, unwept tears spilled down his cheeks and he embraced Naruto and Fuu. Gaara joined their embrace moments later, although he shed no tears.
Naruto looked up at the sky as his family mourned the loss of two important people in their lives. He made a promise. He would kill every last member of Akatsuki. He would avenge his brothers. His promise was made concrete by the lone tear that slid down his whiskered cheek. This was a promise of a lifetime.
And Naruto always kept his promises.
