Disclaimer: The Naruto Franchise belongs to Masashi Kishimoto, 'Shounen Jump' and other affiliated companies with intellectual property rights over the franchise.
A/N:
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1) First of all, a Whopping big thank you to DarkHeroOrion, he really worked hard on tweaking this chapter and believe me the original version didn't flow anywhere this well or look this good. Kudos and thanks :)
2) To those who detest the 'Crimson Eyes' moniker, I listened and have 'nodded' in your direciton, I hope it is acceptable now :)
3) After reviewing the reviews for the previous story, I noticed just how many people disliked parts of story 1 for being one-sided and baised towards the 'golden boy' Naruto while being cruel to Sakura, so this story will strive to be more balanced and rectify things, just bear with me as Naruto's fights adversity and his own youthful mistakes and learns and Sakura finds her own path in life.
4) To you NaruIno Fans, I hope this small dose will suffice until your next fix ;)
5) Thank you all for your reviews, I really appreciate it.
Read, Enjoy & Review Plz!
Japanese Word Glossary:
Baka - Idiot/Fool
Takigakure - Hidden Waterfall
Konohagakure - Hidden Leaf
Konoha - Leaf
Suna - Sand
Sunagakura - Hidden Sand
Kumogakure - Hidden Cloud
Kumo - Cloud
Raikage - Lightning Shadow
Hokage - Fire Shadow
Mizukage - Water Shadow
Hi no Kuni - Fire Country
Mizu no Kuni - Water Country
Yondaime - The Fourth
Kyuubi - Nine-Tails
Kiri - Mist
Kirigakure - Hidden Mist
Iwa - Rock
Iwagakure - Hidden Rock
Taki - Waterfall
Yarou - Bastard
Rikudou Sennin - The Sage of Six Paths
Hijutsu - Secret Technique
Shodai - The First
Nuke-nin - Missing Ninja
Jinchuuriki - 'Power of Human Sacrifice' - The name ninja give Tailed Beast Hosts
Youki - Evil Energy
Senpai - Honorific which a younger or less experience subordinate addresses his superior
Yomi - The Japanese word for the underworld where the dead dwell
Kyoufu - Godfather
Baachan - Grannie
Bijuu - Tailed Beast/s
(Within the former Takigakure)
Naruto emerged from the icy coffin of liquid somewhat winded. He shivered faintly in the cold cavernous temperature, flanked by his two disguised clones. He noticed Kakashi standing in front of him, his body language taut and tense.
'If Kakashi-sensei's alert…this can't be good…'
"So…Suien-san," he heard his sensei speak in a cool, even manner, "why don't you direct us towards the source of the holy water? As you said…we'd rather not dawdle in these dangerous times."
Naruto's eyes narrowed when he noticed his sensei's hands folded behind his back. He read the sign language and his mind started racing.
'At least another four enemies…'
Suien had his back to them as he continued speaking, "You know…they say that the Rikudou Sennin, with a Hijutsu similar to your Shodai Hokage's, erected the giant tree of Taki."
"I fail to see the relevance here, Suien-san." Kakashi replied coolly and signaled his charge to get ready before he brought his hands to his sides. Naruto moved to stand behind him, his back facing Kakashi's and the two clones flanking them both. Naruto could actually feel Kakashi's chakra spike subtly due to their close proximity.
"That's why our elders originally sent Kakuzu to assassinate Hashirama…" his voice wandered. "They were afraid he might accidently replicate the great tree's unique composition, which, once in every century, yields the holy 'hero water'."
Naruto and Kakashi burst apart as the whistling sound of projectiles pierced the silence, several kunai imbedding themselves into the ground between them and dispelled his clones that weren't so lucky. Naruto heard the hissing sound and dropped all pretenses and leaped into the water behind them.
He knew his sensei would be fine, and, as he heard the dulled roar of the explosive tags going off, he made several quick hand seals. He felt the water rush around him and then kicked upward. He kept on holding the final hand seal—the tiger seal—as he surfaced, inhaling deeply just as his chosen ninjutsu, the 'Suiton: Suishi no Jutsu,' was unleashed.
Two spiraling streams crisscrossed from his sides, rushing past his sensei and heading toward Suien. The Taki nuke-nin ran through lightning fast hand seals and the water around him spiraled.
He expected his sensei to follow up the technique like they had practiced with a lightning ninjutsu but Kakashi instead turned and shot him a quick glare with his Sharingan eye. "I told you not to interfere, Naruto."
The Jinchuuriki had little time to hear his next comment as he was forced to flip backward to avoid a high-velocity flame projectile. He ignored the rush of heat and swerved his body, dodging two metallic projectiles in the process.
He caught a blur in his peripheral vision and span around while leaping up, feeling the satisfying crunch of his heel smashing into somebody's face. His eyebrow twitched as the assailant crumbled into chunks of stone.
'Tsuchi Bunshin…? I thought nuke-nin from different villages didn't collaborate…'
Before he could proceed to initiate a hand seal sequence, a massive burst of chakra erupted to his left. He caught a massive miasma-like construct of raw chakra dancing around a glowing silhouette. He immediately summoned a shadow clone and used it as a springboard to leap over the massive wave invoked.
While he was airborne he heard two voices call out, "Suiton: Suiben!"
Two thin, long, liquid constructs rushed toward him. He had little time to react as they wrapped around his arms. His eyes widened as two figures entered his line of sight, both flashing through hand seals.
Naruto's nerves flared to life as lightning lanced through the liquid, and he just barely noticed the two streams of flame approaching him at alarming speed. He grimaced and shut his eyes, pulling some slivers of excess youki from his chakra system and his body flashed a crimson hue. The demonic energy disrupted the water ninjutsu and he winced as he just barely dodged the burning waves of fire.
Pain flashed through him as his clothes still caught fire. Therefore, he dropped rather unceremoniously to the water below, sighing in relief as his still burning clothes were doused.
'Looks like I'll need some backup of my own…'
He bit his thumb and was about to use Kuchiyose no Jutsu when his eyes widened in alarm. He had little time, and, instinctively, he used some raw water manipulation and pushed himself deeper in time to dodge a swipe of a blade that nearly decapitated him.
The blond's eyes perceptibly bulged out of their sockets. 'Shit!'
He wildly looked around him and noticed a ninja with a mask with a breathing apparatus protecting his face. 'Oh, damn it all! He's got an Ame scuba mask…and I have no doubt those guys are waiting to take me down the moment I surface…'
Naruto suddenly displayed a feral grin and crossed his fingers, summoning half a dozen doppelgangers. He was thankful for the massive sheen of bubbles which followed the ninjutsu and quickly sent four of his clones upward and left a single clone in his place while he also approached the surface.
His chest started hurting, so he unleashed a burst of chakra from the soles of his feet, propelling himself further to break the plane of water surrounding him. He inhaled deeply, his lungs slightly burning, but felt sweet relief as he took in air. He heard the popping of his clones being dispelled.
The jinchuuriki growled like an animal in frustration. 'You bastards are in for a world of hurt!'
He heard the sound of a female roaring, "Tsuuga!" and noticed his enemies below disperse as two blurry shapes crossed between them. His eyes widened as he noticed the Inuzuka and her beast clone engage two ninja in taijutsu, but miss the enemy charging behind her.
He reached into his weapons pouch and quickly unleashed four shuriken at her assailant. Naruto quickly shifted through five hand seals and once the shuriken safely passed over Hana, they multiplied exponentially.
The Inuzuka glanced at the shredded enemy behind her only for a moment before she and her partner parted, making a way for Usagi to flicker into vision from under a shroud of genjutsu and struck both her opponents in the chests. They sunk into the water, coughing blood.
"Where's Kakashi…?" Naruto asked to himself before they heard a crackling sound, followed by a flash of light. Naruto didn't even wait to see the lightning ninjutsu fired toward them and did the one thing he could do…
He stepped in front of the other two ninja and thrust his hands forward and pushed the wind with all the chakra he could muster.
The gale of wind exploded and disrupted the lightning bolts that nearly fried them all. However, he failed to account for the subsequent blur of motion coming from his left with a glowing blade charged with lightning.
Hana swept Naruto's feet, knocking him into the water but otherwise saved his life. He gurgled slightly as he choked on some water and looked up, noticing that his teammates were struggling and moving rapidly.
'I'm sick of this shit!' Naruto thought angrily and rose to the surface while making a long string of hand seals. Now that he had some moments to himself, he could finally use some of the heavy artillery.
He burst out of the water, right between his easily identifiable teammates, since they weren't holding a glowing shape. As he burst from the surface, he pushed out a massive amount of chakra outwards, unleashing in a rather simple ninjutsu.
"Fuuton: Daitoppa!" he hissed out breathlessly. The amount of chakra behind the ninjutsu created an intense gust of moving air, which collided quite violently with the incoming enemy. The sickening sound of crunching bone preceded their assailant, pushing him back a considerable distance away.
The last of the Uzumaki panted softly and looked around him, noticing his teammates eyeing him appreciatively. The Inuzuka sighed softly. "Not bad, squirt. I wish Kiba had your skill…" she said wistfully in a solemn manner.
Naruto nodded grimly, her previous reluctance and hesitancy a bit more understandable now. She still mourned for her brother, whom charged blindly into an enemy ambush and got slaughtered. He couldn't find any words to say. What could one say in such a situation?
"That was the last of them," the Hyuuga announced, returning the assorted chuunin back to their mission. "Except for Suien, Kakashi-senpai seems to be…" He trailed off as they caught sight of their team captain narrowly dodging an abnormally large water dragon and land on the water in front of them. "…struggling…"
Suien landed in front of him with a massive splash, the miasma of chakra around him still going strong. Naruto was a bit surprised Kakashi hadn't demolished the nuke-nin who was nowhere near his level of power in skill. "Is that all you've got, Hatake Kakashi…?"
'I've had it with trash talking, cliché poseurs…' Naruto thrust his right hand forward and invoked the intoxicating power of his tenant. He felt the crimson power manifest, the gentle burning sensation wrapping around his arm and wrist before a massive, ethereal clawed hand formed in front of him.
"Kakashi-sensei, move out of the way!" he shouted as the limb stretched and shot forth. The Copy-Ninja instinctively obeyed. Meanwhile, the shocked nuke-nin forced all his augmented chakra around him in a protective cocoon, but it was no match for the might of the fox.
He was about to shred the arrogant son of a bitch when Kakashi shouted, "No, Naruto! We need him alive!"
Naruto blinked and shut his hand, the ghostly appendage mimicking his motion. The slashing attack was dulled down to a punch which smashed into the nuke-nin from behind (after some maneuvering by Naruto) with staggering might.
Kakashi intercepted their treacherous asset with some difficulty, grunting as Hana and Usagi helped stop his momentum. Naruto panted heavily, the burning sensation fading as he released the youki, and in its wake the fatigue and nausea left.
The Copy-Ninja handed Suien to Usagi. "Hana, give him medical attention. Usagi, you make sure he doesn't wake up and then restrain him.
"Naruto…come here!" His sensei crisply barked, making him flinch with the force behind the mandate, and they both walked off away from their teammates. Kakashi, though somewhat winded and haggard looking, covered up his Sharingan. He eyed his charge with a pointed glare.
"I was just about to unleash my trap and finish him off myself," he began in a soft voice, but the tone behind it came off to the blond as very steely and stern. "I wasted a great deal of time and effort to fight him in a non-lethal manner." That look turned cold, making Naruto warily look up at him. "You nearly compromised the entire mission, and you disobeyed a direct order to disengage!"
Naruto had the decency to look down but felt some bitterness well inside him. "I thought you were in trouble," he rebutted. "I was just trying to help, and you never told me that we needed him al—"
"Naruto, you're not a genin anymore," Kakashi interrupted, cutting him off in the process. "In a B-rank mission, disobeying direct orders can get all of us killed. I concede that I should've explained the full parameters of the mission, but that is no excuse for your insubordination. "
"You said those who disobey the rules are trash, but those who abandon their friends are worse than trash! So which is it? What am I supposed to do?" Naruto frantically flailed around his arms, feeling at odds with his grounded principles.
Kakashi was silent for a moment before ticking off points on his digits. "One: there was no immediate danger to the team; two: we had the advantage of four on one; and three: you had no justification for straying away from your original orders." The older shinobi heaved a sigh and closed his visible eye. "I know your heart was in the right place, but I can no longer hold your hand. You are a chuunin now. When I told you not to engage, I was expecting you to come to the conclusion that this was a detainment mission, since I told you we were meeting an asset for information on the Hero Water."
"But I…" Naruto wanted to argue, but Kakashi intervened again, making his refutation die on the air.
"I stand by what I told you, back then, but going astray from orders is only necessary and sanctioned under extreme circumstances…"
"Wait! But…but, how am I supposed to know when 'extreme circumstances' happen?"
The ashen-haired ninja decided to throw him a bone, though it didn't serve much help. "All I can tell you is that you will learn over time with experience and age. This is your first, official, high-level mission, so it's only expected you might make a mistake and aren't used to analyzing the little data given for the mission. Personally, I made similar blunders on my first A-class mission. But…Minato-sensei punished me just the same, and similarly, you will be punished once we return to Konoha."
Naruto bit his lower lip and resigned himself to his fate. He knew his sensei was right; he almost screwed up big time, but it didn't help dull the disappointment and slight resentment he felt. He had tried his very best.
His conscience added salt to the proverbial open wound. 'You tried your very best last time, too, didn't you?'
The memory of his most infamous error reared its ugly head, and the glimpse of Sasuke's dead body flashed before his eyes. He realized once more that his over-eagerness had almost cost him dearly, though not in a pound of flesh, but it could've harmed the interests of his home and came back to bite them in the ass later.
"Oh, and don't think you'll get away with talking back to your team leader in enemy territory, Naruto." Kakashi evenly supplied, kicking the dead dog while it was down.
Naruto grimaced and sighed despondently. 'Oh well…At least Hana doesn't look at me like some kid, anymore…'
(Meanwhile, Secluded apartment in Konohagakure)
In a secluded, semi-illuminated room, the three surviving subordinates of Tobirama Senju were once more convened around a small round table. Their purpose in meeting in the middle of the night in a seal-protected area, away from prying eyes, was to determine the latest affairs.
"It's been a while," Koharu tenderly commented, her eyes glancing briefly at each of her old associates, "ever since Hiruzen's death…"
Danzou snorted faintly. "I daresay Sarutobi would've been pleased by…her performance." His acerbic attitude to Tsunade was clearly evident by the venom that dripped off his inflection. "She's proven herself quite competent as a Hokage; more so than we could've expected."
Homura stroked his beard and let loose a smooth sigh. "Perhaps, a little too well…" He hummed more to himself. "She's grown far too independent. Arrogant, even, to say the least. She refuses to listen or implement the advice Koharu and I have offered her."
Koharu shook her head, her voice quiet. "While I agree she retains her impulsive and petulant demeanor she carried back when she was in her twenties, there is no arguing with her results, as hard as it is to believe. She has renovated all our security protocols and has also begun the repairs on the barrier."
Danzou clicked his tongue. "She wastes her…our resources on chasing shadows. She has our chuunin spending precious training time on needlessly bolstered guard duties and a good portion of ANBU investigating and seeking for leaks and spies…"
"Don't be so surly, Danzou. It doesn't suit you," Koharu chided with a small smirk and a dismissive wave of her hand. "You cannot blame her. Kabuto fooled us for a good number of years, and it cost us greatly. Anko's capture also weighs heavily on us all, for there is no telling what Orochimaru has planned. Another such…miscalculation may cost us far more, if…" she momentarily tapered off before correcting herself, "no, when a war breaks out. For all the dangers he poses, Orochimaru is but one ninja. He is no hidden village."
The wizened war hawk tried his best to not show a sour look toward his fellow compatriots. "Besides, at the same time she has been burdening the chuunin, she has revamped their training curriculum, and it reminds me of the ones Tobirama-sensei used to implement back in the old days." He recited what he found out from his archives, as well as from memory for undergoing the same regimen. "Nature Manipulation training straight out of the academy, specialization training in genjutsu and medical ninjutsu for shinobi with low chakra levels, and let us not forget the constant team exercises and team rotations she enforces to familiarize our ninja with their peers…"
Homura grimly nodded. "It is cunning of her, and I have, in good confidence, learned she has been planning for multiple invasion scenarios with Naru Shikaku, Aburame Shibi and Hyuuga Hiashi. It is no wonder she is concentrating on genjutsu and ninjutsu. If the intelligence predictions are correct, then the next war will be waged right in our territory…in Hi no Kuni. Furthermore, if we are attacked by Kiri, Kumo and Iwa, we'll have to rely on guerilla tactics and subterfuge if we hope to survive…"
Danzou smirked. "And yet, she squanders our greatest asset. Instead of training him day and night to become the ultimate weapon, she wastes Uzumaki's time with mindless guard duty, and what little training time he has, she splits between battle training and basic linguistics and mathematics!"
The other two seemed surprised, and it was Homura who coldly inquired, "How did you come by such knowledge, Danzou? Tsunade has been quite tight-lipped about how she intends to train young Uzumaki."
He slightly inclined his head and his lips twitched just a fraction, deciding to lead them on. "The same way I learned of the Uchiha's treachery, back then. I have my own sources within and outside our village."
Koharu folded her hands together, keeping a level façade. "There is no arguing with Kakashi's proficiency. He did mold him into a competent ninja in only a manner of months. Perhaps, we should err on the side of caution before trying to intervene…"
Homura, ever the voice of compromise, offered his humble suggestion. "Uzumaki must be quite displeased himself. Maybe he can be…pushed in the right direction. We cannot defy Tsunade directly, but if he tries to pressure her…" He heavily puffed a long sigh and realized the futility of his suggestion. "No, she's stubborn. I doubt it would work. I wish Jiraiya-kun showed up, so he could talk some sense into her."
Koharu's eyes widened a moment, and her lips twisted into a grim smile. "I have an idea on how to rectify this…situation. Give me a several weeks—a month, at most—and I will arrange for a resolution I'm sure you'll both be pleased with…"
Danzou eyed her with uninhibited suspicion, his single eye tapering and squinted. "I would like you to elaborate, Koharu…"
The elder kunoichi waved his request with another dismissive gesture, like she swatted away a pestering fly. "I have my ways, Danzou, so do not be concerned. Don't you trust me?"
"It is my concern, Koharu," Danzou sniffed. "Uzumaki must not become similar to Tsunade in his insolence and disregard the old ways and the experience of his elders. He must be honed and baptized in war like his father, Minato. We cannot afford him to become weak and sentimental like Sarutobi in his dying days. If his potential is any sign, then he will become Hokage, sooner or later…"
"I know what must be done. I said I would deal with it. Do not question or pester me, Danzou." The thin smile she gave him made him completely drop the subject. He acknowledged the concession with a slight nod. Obviously, he had little allies left in the upper echelons of Konoha and could not alienate her and Homura, as well, and they knew it as well as he did.
"Now, now," Homura said in a soothing manner before he reached into his robe. He procured a small sake bottle and gingerly placed it on the table. He then proceeded to removed three very small saucers from a bag beside him, "there's no need for us to argue, friends."
The other two settled down and silently waited while he poured them all the cool rice wine. "We have yet to celebrate the ending of the age of the Uchiha. May all of their treacherous souls burn in Yomi."
"Sasuke's death was unfortunate," Danzou commented. "He would've made a fine addition to our arsenal. And let us not forget his death has put us all in a very dangerous position. I would not celebrate, if I were you…"
Koharu composedly glared at the clear liquid. "Homura, Danzou is correct. Itachi still lives. We are all potential targets for his vengeance, and his promise still looms over us."
Homura shook his head and pushed his glasses on the bridge of his nose. "I always suspected Itachi was bluffing. He hasn't leaked the truth of the Uchiha, yet, has he? I doubt he will whisper a word to anyone. He always seemed far too…pacifistic to me. He knows the ramifications of revealing the sordid truth to the ninja continent, now more than ever…"
"Nonetheless," Danzou chimed in as he swirled around the alcohol in his dish, "we should begin working on manipulating the situation in our favor. We cannot be certain that he will hold his tongue forever. Even if just Tsunade learns the truth, we will all be in a very precarious situation. Itachi must be dealt with soon…for all of our sakes."
(Three days later, Training Area fifteen, Konohagakure)
Uchiha Itachi's single visible eye thoughtfully thinned from his vantage point. He was hidden in plain sight in the shadows, perched against a large tree trunk within Konoha, itself. His brown eye calmly observed the scene in front of him.
He had discarded his Akatsuki garbs ever since he began working solo; his attire now consisted of a humble looking gi and his straw hat, minus the bells. His brother's eye was constantly covered by a black patch of leather with a seal etched upon it. The implanted Sharingan remained hidden from the prying eyes of any sensors, bloodline ninja and, most importantly, Uchiha Madara and Zetsu.
He spied Uzumaki Naruto sitting dejectedly upon a branch in a secluded area of Training Area Fifteen. The boy had just gotten back and been dismissed by Kakashi and been ordered to report to Tsunade's office in the morning.
He had observed the boy's performance during the ambush, and he was somewhat disappointed. He had expected more from the son of the Yellow Flash, but, given his lax training schedule this last month, it was hardly surprising.
It would seem that Konohagakure kept him leashed and held him back like an overprotective parent. It would've amused the last of the Uchiha, had it not been so very ironic. He had been gallivanting in the heart of the village, unhindered, despite Tsunade's zealous new defense protocols.
Did she honestly believe chuunin, even if they were sensors and bloodline ninja, could detect and—by the kami forbid—stop an S-class ninja from infiltrating Konoha? She probably banked on the barrier unit and mixing up the patrol lines to suffice in scrambling and confusing ninja of his caliber.
It mattered not, though; Uzumaki Naruto was being devoured by the great machine that was the 'greater good' of Konoha, ironically holding back his meteoric potential.
The lone rogue closed his naked eye in contemplation. 'It seems it's time to give him a little…push in the right direction…'
The nuke-nin shifted positions so he faced Naruto's direction. His single, visible eye shut and, when it snapped open, the Mangekyou Sharingan spun in place of his triple comma pattern on his standard orb. He gritted his teeth as the chakra burned through his nerves, the blood oozing from the edge of his eye and imitated the whistle of a perched bird.
Expectedly, the boy reacted and shifted his gaze suspiciously and was ensnared by the ultimate genjutsu…
(Within the World of Tsukuyomi)
Naruto covered his eyes as the world around him exploded in red and black. He cautiously opened one eye and saw the sense of vertigo and painful shaking had ceased.
'Where…am I?' he wondered as he looked around, noticing the forest had vanished from sight. No…it wasn't gone; it was utterly destroyed.
His cerulean eyes expanded in shock as a cold fury crept through his veins.
"What the hell?" he hissed. He stood on a plateau, and all around him, as far as the eye could see, the field comprised itself of torn, uprooted and broken tree trunks. He gaped at the horrible sight and his heart started racing. He turned around and looked up at the Hokage Mountain and his jaw almost unhinged itself.
"It-it's gone…" he muttered as the once-proud monument was now a massive hole in the mountain, plumes of smoke rising from it. It was one thing to watch his comrades try to rebuild the ancient monument; it was another to see it violated quite so thoroughly.
'Oh, no…the village…' he ruminated in alarm and ran as fast as he could. When the village came into sight, he couldn't help but pause in utter and total astonishment and despair. The legendary walls of the village were punctured, burning and decorated with dozens of bodies.
He cautiously crept closer and his heart constricted in his chest as he approached what used to be the guard booth.
"N-Neji?" he whispered and noticed his fellow rookie chuunin laying on his side, in a pool of his own blood, his body pierced and burned all over. He stepped on something, and it took all the constitution he had in his will not to get sick. "Shikamaru…"
The Nara's body, or what was left of it, had been frozen solid and shattered, the ice-encased gore quite painful to look at. He dry-heaved several times, his eyes moistening slightly as he noticed more chuunin and jounin he had seen around Konoha in various states of death.
'This is…this is just a nightmare…' he grimly pondered and pinched himself. When that failed, he shut his eyes as he reached for his weapon's pouch and whipped out a kunai and cut himself. He opened his eyes but did not return to the same woods in which he had fallen asleep.
"Naruto…" a voice whispered behind him. He whirled around and found the visage of his father, the infamous Yondaime standing there, looking very somber and pensive. The man he had only seen in photographs and books also watched the devastating carnage in a reserved conduct.
He tried talking, but his throat tightened as a myriad of emotions filled him: relief, loneliness, happiness and fear all compacting into a suffocating chunk of misery that forcefully lodged itself into his heart. "D-dad?"
The ghost of legend spoke in a quiet, sad manner, "I sacrificed my life for a reason that stretches beyond loving you, Naruto. I granted you the power of the Kyuubi so you could one day protect yourself and our home."
Naruto felt his idol's words like a slap to the face and shame filled him to the brim "D-dad, I-I'm trying to! I have…b-but how could this have happened? W-what the hell is going on?" He ended his whispering with a hoarse shout.
"This is a premonition, son. This is one, and the most likely, of paths to Konoha's future," Minato sympathetically responded in a remorseful manner and walked up to Naruto until they stood only inches apart.
"I-I don't understand…" Naruto felt at a loss for words as his throat became awfully parched.
The Yondaime Hokage remained patient and smiled, guiding him to cross beyond the threshold of the village. "The upcoming war will be bloodier and more savage than ever before, son. The surviving ninja will meet in battle within Hi no Kuni. It is the hub of the continent, and the chaos will tear the continent apart. Those ninja who are captured will be executed or used for bloodline replication, the civilian women raped, and the bloodline kunoichi captured for breeding purposes, or…"
Naruto got the horrifying image of Ino struggling against multiple men that groped at her clothes and Hinata strapped to a table while someone leaned over her with a large needle. He clutched at his chest and shut his eyes. "No way! I-I mean, Ero- Kyoufu…Tsunade, Kakashi-sensei…they're all so strong! There's no way we could ever…there's no way I would let this happen! I'll die first…"
Minato's vibrant blue eyes closed as a sigh escaped his lips. "It…won't be enough. Even Jiraiya-sensei and Tsunade-sama will not be able to hold the lines when three hidden villages invade our lands. Our village won't have someone like Sarutobi in the First Shinobi World War, or someone like the White Fang and the Sannin in the Second, or someone like me in the Third…"
"B-but…" Naruto stammered, the sights tearing his heart asunder. His home continued to burn, the acrid and nauseating scent of rotten flesh and ash choking his windpipes as he drew breath. His eyes watered and the crushing helplessness closed upon him in all directions as he sank to his knees. "I…didn't make any difference at all…?"
His father didn't answer him, and he didn't have to. Naruto looked up, and the world around him started moving. He saw a horrible battle, acts of bravery amidst the strife, and then he saw himself, charging into combat, blazing with the hue of the fox's chakra.
His doppelganger's body regenerated from the wounds inflicted from kunai while his shadow clones ripped into the enemy at first, but then, everything started shaking violently, and he saw the visage of eight octopus tentacles flicking to his left and four monkey tails to his right. Then, a blurry shape moved through him and he caught sight of a shark like man with a massive sword just before it bashed its bandage covered blade into his clone's head and knocked it out.
Minato's serene voice permeated the cacophony. "I'm sorry, Naruto…but you just aren't strong enough. Konoha's enemies will not wait for you to grow strong, son. They will not hold back while you hide behind guard duty and basic linguistic and mathematical studies. You have to do something and grasp your destiny with your own hands."
"I-I…" Naruto faltered in resolve and tightly shut his eyes, attempting (but failing) to erase the images from his mind. He had nearly failed the mission in Waterfall only days ago. He kept on waiting for people to hold his hand and guide him and had stopped thinking for himself; he had all but stopped pushing his limits like he used to.
"I'm counting on you, Naruto," his father whispered in his ear and affectionately ruffled his hair. "I love you and trust you will make the difference you can make. I'll be smiling upon you when you earn the right to become...
"…to be a Hokage both your mother and I can be proud of…" Naruto openly cried now, feeling his father's goodbye in his tone.
Naruto called out for his father, but the world around him began to break, cracking like fragile glass. He shut his eyes once more to fend off the disorientation and, when he opened his eyes, he was back in the woods, in vibrant colors and shades once more.
He panted heavily and looked around him, eyes darting from side to side. His body trembled, and he knew he would never forget his father's words. Whether it was a dream or a premonition, he would protect the village and earn the belief of both of his parents…
He wouldn't fail!
(The Following Morning, Streets of Konoha)
Yamanaka Ino was not a happy kunoichi these days. Her training regime was getting harsher by the day. Her father had 'requested' that she should be handed over to his devices and had begun to personally train her in both the family arts and genjutsu, in general.
When her father delved in her mind or forced her to work on chakra control, she was pawned off between Kurenai and Gai. Her new teammates were Lee and Tenten as the Hyuuga had taken personal interest in training their 'precious' heiress, and she performed missions with them on occasion in a similar fashion to how things were with Naruto only months ago.
Oh, Hinata was kind, warm and cool enough on her own. But she spent entirely too much time with Naruto in that mansion of hers. She and Neji spent more time with her boyfriend than she did, for crying out loud! It was no secret how Hinata felt about Naruto back in the academy, and Ino was not entirely convinced their one blunder of a date could quash such a deep infatuation.
'If she makes a move on my man, heiress or not, I'll kick he ass from here to Kumogakure!' Ino vowed and shook her fist.
Her eyelids slightly concealed her light blue eyes when she spun around and pointed at the figure behind her. "Oi, Shikamaru, I told you not to try and sneak up on me, anymore!"
The Shadow user sighed and lifted his hands in a placating gesture. "C'mon, Ino, you already beat it into my head that you're training to be a sensor already. I know you can sense me a mile away! Geez...you're so troublesome. I was just heading to the Hokage to drop off my mission report. Why are you skulking about, anyway?"
"I've been looking for Naruto all day. He promised to hook up with me yesterday and he forgot…again!" Whether or not she picked that choice of diction on purpose or by accident, Shikamaru couldn't tell. "Sometimes, I wonder why I put up with that goofball. Anyway, when I finally tracked down Kakashi, he told me he's been assigned to help Tsunade with her paperwork and filing for the next week or so."
The Nara made a thoughtful sound and shrugged, shoving his hands into his pockets. "Tough break for Naruto. He really hates paperwork. He must've really pissed off Kakashi-sensei …"
Ino miserably sighed as they walked in relative silence all the way to the Hokage tower. As they walked up the steps and approached Tsunade's office, they heard Naruto's voice ringing audibly.
"This is a waste of time, Tsunade-baachan!"
Tsunade's voice replied just as loud, followed by a hard thud. "Shut it, Squirt! I'm your Hokage and you will listen to me!"
Ino looked uncertainly at Shikamaru as her boyfriend seemed intent on aggravating Tsunade. "How am I supposed to protect anyone when you won't let me train or let me go on missions? You're holding…"
"Maybe we should go save him…" Ino hesitantly proffered at the very moment Naruto flew out through the wall, rolling several times before he hit the other wall hard.
"You insolent, little brat! You'll do what I tell you, when I tell you! You want to train so badly? Eat some soldier pills and sleep less! Otherwise, stop dicking around with your punishment and go get the new mission reports from downstairs!"
Naruto grunted painfully and peeled himself off the floor. He turned to look at them, and Ino felt a bit self-conscious as his eyes seemed somewhat wide, like he was seeing her for the first time. "N-a-r-u-t-o! Are you cra—?"
Whatever she was about to say was cut off by his lips firmly crushing upon hers in a desperate kiss. His strong arms wrapped tightly around her and pressed her close. She froze in shock at first, her cheeks burning hotly before she melted against him and kissed back. Despite the abruptness of it, she had missed him dearly. Her heart raced and she felt that the area rose in temperature.
'Now that's what I'm talking about!' she mentally cooed.
It ended entirely too quickly as Naruto pulled back and turned toward Shikamaru. She softly panted, her eyes a bit wide and glazed.
"Whoa, whoa! Don't even think about it, Naruto!" the lazy genius shouted while holding up his hands as an imaginary wall "I'm not that happy to see you!" Hearing her teammate's comments made her chuckle as the sensuous high began to diminish.
Naruto smirked and blushed faintly and punched Shikamaru's shoulder and only whispered something that harbored no trace of malice. "Baka."
"Oi, I don't hear you walking away and obeying my orders, Naruto!" Tsunade hissed from her room and Ino cringed at the venom in the Hokage's tone.
"I'm going! I'm going!" Naruto replied a bit irritably and Shikamaru tilted his head and gingerly approached the door, preparing to knock. However, Ino's attention was distracted by Naruto grabbing her wrist and dragging her in the opposite direction.
She gripped his hands gently and ambled a bit faster to keep up with him, listening to him rant while silently wondering if her boyfriend was entirely sane. "Damn that cranky, old lady! She's got one mean right hook!"
Ino couldn't hold her curiosity any longer and spoke up. "Naruto! What's up with you? Are you nuts? What makes you think you can talk to Hokage-sama like that? Do you have a death wish, or something?"
"Who…Tsunade-baachan? We've got an understanding, she and I, so it's cool. We shout and call each other names all the time!" Naruto said flippantly as they started scaling down the stairs.
Ino blinked, her eyebrows furrowing as she elbowed him rather hard. "Be serious, Naru-kun! Stop teasing me!"
He exhaled sharply and glared at her. "I'm not lying to you, Ino-chan! Apparently, we're related many times removed 'n all that. So, when we're alone, we're non-formal, though she still pulls rank and doesn't pull punches when she feels I get too cheeky!" He chortled, rubbing his cheek to curtail the phantom pain.
Ino quirked a suspicious brow. "Seriously? Well…I guess with all the celebrities hovering around you, golden boy, I shouldn't be too surprised…"
Naruto bumped her with his hip. "Even though you look hot in just about anything, Ino-chan, green does not suit you," he jested and put an arm around her waist and pulled her close. He was being awfully affectionate…not that she minded, of course.
Ino pulled away a bit when they reached the ground level and Naruto led her into a large room. "You know, Naru-kun, you've been awfully busy this past month…and this is the first time we've seen each other in a while." Her insecurities came to the forefront. "Should I be worried? You do spend an awful lot of time…"
Naruto abruptly broke away from her to head over to an older chuunin kunoichi she didn't recognize and she displayed to Naruto what Ino could only describe as a brilliant, but flirtatious, smile. Naruto nodded at the woman and flashed a brief smile in return before Naruto heaved a massive pile of papers and dejectedly turned toward her.
"Hey, I was talking to you…" Ino reproached him as he maneuvered past her and exited, forcing her to follow. "You know, I'm feeling neglected. We barely talk, anymore, and you're surrounded by all these pretty kunoichi, so, should I be worried…?"
Naruto sighed and his shoulders sagged a bit. "C'mon, Ino. What's with all this all of a sudden? I told you I've been rotating back-to-back guard shifts and training in the free time I have left. It's not like I'm trying to avoid you…It's just…I—"
"—don't have time?" She asked him, filling in the hanging pause of his response while feeling utterly crestfallen. Her spirits somewhat fell. Would she always play second fiddle to his responsibilities? After all, his rise was most likely going to be magnificent, but here she stood…as normal as the next shinobi in training.
She felt Naruto clam up beside her and he turned to look at her, his face the mask of regret. "Look, I'm sorry, Ino-chan! I've had a lot of responsibilities lately, but I'll get the hang of it soon, and then I'll…"
Ino sniffled lightly to interrupt her fellow blond from making an empty promise.
'Damn it! This isn't fair!'
"N-no, save it! I-I understand…and it's not going to get any better. If anything, it'll only get worse. It's just…we used to spend so much time together and now…"
"I know, I know," Naruto uttered, feeling the same in that regard. "I've really missed you these last couple of weeks, you know, and I know this totally blows! But, even though I'd love to promise you I'll always make time for you like I want to…all I can do is try to work harder and longer to earn more free time. I told you already how Tsunade and Kakashi-sensei are really getting on my case, being the Jinchuuriki and son of the Yondaime and all that."
She bit her lower lip and sighed, all her anger deflating in one fell swoop. He sounded just as miserable as she was about the situation, and he did say he 'wanted' to spend more time with her constantly and he missed her…and not the Hyuuga heiress or that big-racked chuunin receptionist!
A soft cough followed by a female voice cut into her thoughts, as well as what promised to be a soft kiss as her face came closer to Naruto's. "Naruto-kun, I don't mean to interrupt, but I suggest you'd better hurry up. Tsunade-sama is up to her second bottle of sake…"
Naruto stole a kiss before Ino could react and bolted up. "Sorry, but duty calls! I'll make it up to you as soon as I can, Ino-chan!" he called out as he climbed up the stairs, just out of the blonde's sight.
She shook her head and felt her lips twist into a wide smile. He had that effect on her; he always made her laugh and smile, even after he made her angry or sad, but the nagging doubt still gnawed at her from within.
'Can I keep up with you, Naru-kun? Or will I forever watch your back? I'm not sure if I'm cut out for always being in second place…'
She turned to leave when the Hokage's aide, Shizune, called her and caught her attention.
"Yamanaka-san, it's good I caught you, Gai-san came in her earlier and took a mission for your team, and I think you should go pack. If I'm not mistaken, it's outside of the village…"
Ino nodded and thanked her, but inwardly groaned. She didn't mind Tenten at all. The weapons mistress was cool and kind to her, and, as a plus, she helped her out from time to time. However, that didn't offset having to live with the Lee and Gai combination for more than a day, and that was…troublesome.
'Damn…Now I've caught Shikamaru's whining catch phrase!'
(At the same time, office of the Raikage, Storm Pylon kage complex, Kumogakure)
Ei, the Yondaime Raikage, was not a happy Kage, nowadays. He silently sat in his office, glaring into space and thin air. His large hand massaged his chin and occasionally stroked his small beard thoughtfully. His plan had been executed flawlessly; Sunagakure was finished, and yet, he couldn't help but feel his victory was far from complete.
He knew Konoha well; his village had clashed with theirs on many occasions. His father had always scoffed at their peace-mongering kage and their pre-disposition to show mercy to the enemy. While Tsunade, the legendary medic, had disappeared for nearly two decades, he had no doubt she was cut from the same cloth.
So, the question he and his intelligence corps were wondering was the following: where did Suna's survivors go? Their village was gone, their nation was demilitarized from ninja and now under the command of the daimyo's samurai and the responsibilities over the Wind daimyo's mission load was split four ways between the lesser villages to prevent a clash between the Great Four.
They had to be alive; there was no way Konoha would execute dozens of people, and, most definitely, not under the Senju clan's more lenient ruling philosophy. His instincts initially told him to prepare for marauders and terrorists picking on his forces and nations, since that was the logical conclusion: that they would seek bloody vengeance. So, why were they laying low?
He was about to mull over the situation further when the door to his office was forcefully opened. His eyes widened and his lips tightened at the sight before him. A muddy, bleeding Darui was haphazardly being held by his assistant.
The silver haired female seemed to buckle slightly under the elite jounin's weight. She seemed uncomfortable by the sludge and blood caking her formal attire from Darui's wounds but she remained calm though her voice was strained slightly. "R-Raikage-sama. I tried to get Darui-san to seek medical attention first, but…"
"Raikage-sama…" Darui interjected, cutting her off, "your brother, Kirabi, was uncooperative, to say at least. I tried to reason with him, but he made it clear to me that he had no intention of returning for a while."
Ei shut his eyes slightly, his teeth clenching as every muscle in his body stiffened. It took a lot for him to hold in the outburst welling within him.
"Did he tell you why…?" he carefully asked, aware that his assistant eyed him warily. They both knew what was coming next.
Darui grimaced and shakily stood straight. He had hoped his baby brother wouldn't be obstinate this time and that Darui, one of his most powerful and respectable ninja, would be able to reason with him. He had once again underestimated his brother's flippancy. "He said he didn't really care about what was done in Sunagakure and that he needed the vacation to…'take care' of some things but wouldn't elaborate."
He couldn't help it anymore. He smashed his fist into his desk to vent his fury and felt a brief flicker of satisfaction as the wood caved in and exploded under his strength. His voice came out fast and loud as he shook his fists, his eyes a bit wide. "I can't believe him! Why that…Ooooh…When I get my hands on him I'm going to…!"
"Is this a bad time, Raikage-sama?" a different voice softly interjected. He shifted his gaze to the buxom and scantily clad form of Samui, the fair skinned, platinum blonde's cool eyes flickering with a brief gleam of mirth.
"No! I-It's fine. Darui, you did your best, so go rest. My brother will eventually slink back here, and then, I'll deal with him…one way or another…" Ei promised in a foreboding manner before he turned around and faced the windows of his office.
He looked down at the village below; the sight of his proud nation always helped soothe his ire. "Report, then, Samui," he barked out a bit tiredly as he felt the telltale signs of a headache forming.
She spoke quietly, her soft voice almost a whisper, "The daimyo refuses to negotiate over loosening the sanctions, Raikage-sama. He is adamant about 'punishing' us for acting as we did for the time being, I'm sorry…I could not convince him, otherwise…"
Ei shrugged and crossed his arms under his chest, bowing his head slightly. "Tch…I honestly didn't think otherwise, Samui. That snarky little bastard always had it against Father and I. He's a wishy-washy politician, and he'll always cover his own ass with the other daimyo first."
"However, I did learn something of great interest," Samui meaningfully supplied.
Ei shifted his glance over his shoulder, his eyes narrowing and brows furrowing. "I happened to come across the Wind daimyo's delegation on my way back. Apparently, said feudal lord is displeased that, and I quote: 'arrogant fan-fetish freak of a daimyo stole away his ninja.'"
The Raikage was still for a moment, the pieces of the puzzle falling into place.
He inwardly hummed as he mulled it over. 'How very clever of you, tree-huggers…'
That tidbit of knowledge complicated things; Leaf would no doubt eventually be privy to the secrets of the former Sunagakure. He hadn't weakened Konoha. Instead, he had strengthened them! No doubt those former Suna-ninja would hold a grudge against Kumo and take the chance for revenge via serving under his primary rival hidden village.
"Samui, after you've rested, I have another mission for you," Ei stated with purpose, his hand rising to stroke his beard lightly.
"At your command, Raikage-sama…" She obediently replied.
"I want you to contact either Orochimaru or Uchiha Itachi of the Leaf; preferably, the snake. I have a business proposition for either one."
Samui's body stiffened behind him; he could feel it in the tone of her voice, but she was composed and professional, as always, when she asked quietly, "How can we trust them? Personally, I don't have faith in either of them; they're known traitors and backstabbers…"
"I never said I plan to collaborate with either of them. You know well how much nuke-nin disgust me and how little I trust such cowardly fools! But, in this case, I am in need of information they both no doubt hold close to their chests. As you're aware, our intelligence on Konoha's elite is grossly outdated. We've kept our distance from them ever since the Hyuuga incident, and any and all our spies have disappeared, courtesy of Shimura Danzou's interference, no doubt. I, for one, don't intend to let us be surprised when the war comes."
"But, wouldn't convening with Ishimaru or, perhaps, Hanzou be preferable? Their forces did survive the clash and have firsthand experience with both the Sand and the Leaf."
"At this point, we're under increased scrutiny by both the daimyo and other villages. Any action which stinks of a collusion or alliance between us and another village would most likely end in war. I can't afford to make another gamble like we did with Suna, anytime soon. No…nuke-nin will have to do for now."
Samui murmured her acquiescence and excused herself, leaving Ei to contemplate things. 'Brother, come back soon…our village…I need you.'
(That Afternoon, Commercial District, Kirigakure)
Sakura shivered slightly as she walked through the busy streets of the marketplace in Kirigakure's mercantile district. The weather was always cold, the wind was always harsh and the people all seemed somber and busy. The atmosphere was understandably dreary in Mizu no Kuni; decades of internal strife had taught people caution and paranoia.
It was truly like another world in comparison to the pampered and 'happy-go-lucky' attitude civilians in Hi no Kuni held.
It had only been three days since Terumi Mei had released her and had her medical ninja treat her. Her body was thinner and weaker from the captivity, and it would take a while to regain her previous strength and speed. 'Danzou-yarou was right about one thing: I do miss his metabolism pills. I could use several of them right about now…'
Her ever helpful alter-ego piped up, in a chipper tone. "Well…at least they're glaring at everyone, even their own ninja…so at least nobody is scorning us here. Isn't that right, Sakura-chan?"
Sakura sighed as she slipped into her apartment building. It was a humble three story complex, with one apartment on each floor. She had yet to meet her 'neighbors' and had only today found her first stipend, which had enough to buy groceries and basic hygiene products for the week.
She felt even more naked without her weapons than she did in her ill-fitting summer clothing without any weapon to protect herself…especially in foreign territory. Her equipment had been confiscated by the authorities, though Mei had said she would get them back at some point.
She lived on the topmost floor, and as she made her way up the stairs, she saw a figure standing in front of her door. Her emerald eyes narrowed a fraction and she quirked a slender brow questioningly at the individual.
He was around her age, give or take; his white hair was shoulder long with a light-blue tint to it. His eyes were an exotic, purple shade, and he wore a matching sleeveless shirt with gray pants. He had a belt around his waist with water bottles attached to it, and another belt around his chest. He shot her a grin and returned the gesture, revealing that all of his teeth were razor sharp.
He glibly spoke and stood up straight. "Oi, I was wondering if you were dead or something! You're not a very neighborly person, are you? You could've dropped by and say hello at least once in the last three days, ya know what I mean?"
"I could say the same thing about you, couldn't I?" She countered cautiously, inwardly hoping he didn't want to fight as she would hate to nearly starve if some of her supplies would be spoiled. "You're not wearing a forehead protector either, so I take it you're not a ninja?"
His grin widened a bit and he opened the door; revealing that he had broken into her apartment earlier. "Aren't you going to invite me inside if you're going all 'inquisitor' on me? My, my, you tree-huggers have no manners…"
'Stop fretting, dear. The big breasted, red-haired twat wouldn't let anything happen to us. They need us as bait, so ease down. If this is to be our home, we have to open up to people…somewhat…"
Sakura was still suspicious but nodded at him wordlessly and slipped into her 'apartment.'
"Haruno Sakura," she introduced herself and delicately placed her provisions on the small counter in her kitchen, her hands unnoticeably twitching. What she would do for a kunai, right about now… "But you already know that, don't you?"
The sharp toothed interloper spoke coolly, "I do, I do. I'm Houzuki Suigetsu, and I was told Yakushi Kabuto has his eyes on you. Is that true?"
"Coffee or tea?" Sakura asked evasively as she poured some tap water into the kettle. Glancing at him over her shoulder discreetly, her lips twitched slightly as she caught his eyes flash angrily. She had learned the hard way that goading people was greatly more lucrative than being goaded, herself. It taught you so much about your conversation partner/potential enemy.
"Tea…" he hissed behind her and they were both silent for a tense couple of minutes, only disturbed by the sound of the whistling kettle, poured water and the clinging of the spoon against the glasses. She handed him his cup and led him to the small couch which consisted of her 'guest room' and sat beside him.
"Kabuto seems intent on contacting me at some point in the future, yes…So, what's it to you?" Sakura evenly queried, eyeing the tension in the teen's face and the barely constrained violence in his eyes.
"I'm going to fucking kill him! That's what's it to me! That son of a bitch is linked to Orochimaru! So, I'm gonna kill both of them!" He spat out loudly, his eyes gleaming with compacted murder.
'When opportunity comes a-knocking…' Sakura pondered and her lips twisted into a small smile.
She feigned flippancy and asked offhandedly, "Oh? That's a pretty ambitious goal, Suigetsu-san. Orochimaru is one of the Sannin…and not an easy opponent, at all. How do you plan on beating someone as dangerous as he?"
Suigetsu grinned a bit evilly, "I'm going to become one of the Swordsmen of the Mist. When the time comes, I'll be ready. I'll slice that yellow-eyed bastard…"
"I see…" Sakura pretended to mull over something. She couldn't afford to be excitable or rash, anymore; every time she had in the past led to great peril and loss. Damn that man to the burning hells, but that son of a bitch, Danzou, was right! She had to remain as cold as ice and calculating if she wanted to survive; with her inner persona's help, she would be damned if she let her outbursts ruin her life again.
It was time for her to stop being a puppet and be a kunoichi. She would begin now, by 'working' this shinobi. "Perhaps we can come to an arrangement, then. It so happens I have a grudge of my own, and I could use all the help I can get to finish it, especially since Mizukage-sama doesn't trust me, and I have nobody to train with…"
The Last of the Houzuki clan seemed absolutely curious. "Oh? You seem a bit young and green to be making enemies, Sakura, but, I'll bite. Who do you want help killing?"
"Uzumaki Naruto, the one I 'fondly' call 'Crimson-eyes,'" she revealed in a cool manner.
Suigetsu blinked, snorted and suddenly burst into howling laughter. She bristled and felt her ire building, her chakra spiking a few levels and her teeth gnashed.
'How he dare laugh at us!' both sides of her echoed angrily within their joint mind.
He held his stomach. "Are you serious?" the strange boy clipped as he managed to gain back his breath. "What kind of lame name is 'Crimson eyes?' The guy's a demon host, and has a bazillion nicknames in the bingo book, and the best one you can come up with is that?"
Sakura pouted slightly and bit her lip.
'He's got a point…' she thought and chuckled softly, feeling the humor bleed out the tension, even if it was directed at her.
Suigetsu then sipped the tea in one long gulp. "I like it. Uzumaki Naruto's your old village's new rising star. The son of the Yellow Flash, the last of the Uzumaki clan, the bijuu crusher, and all that shit! If I help kill him, I'll be able to make a name for myself…"
She grinned, her mind racing as she had struck her very first alliance within Kirigakure and with someone she now realized was a brother of one of the deceased Seven Swordsmen of the Hidden Mist. Houzuki Mangetsu was one of the fiercest of the seven, and she could feel his brother's chakra pool. He would become strong…very strong.
"It's settled, then, I'll help you kill Orochimaru, and you'll help me kill the Kyuubi. But, there is one little problem…"
Suigetsu tilted his head questioningly. "Nobody will train me; I'll be a burden on you, unless I'm properly honed and strong enough to help you…"
The sharp toothed shinobi grinned in a feral manner. "That shouldn't be a problem, Sakura. I'll hook you up with someone really strong. Even though that crazy red-headed shrew who calls herself the Mizukage doesn't seem to trust me, I've still got some friends here through my brother I can call upon. Just keep your part of the bargain…"
Jutsu Library:
Suiton: Suishi no Jutsu - Water Release: Water Drowning Technique - This jutsu will gather a large amount of water to form a large spiraling stream of water. It can be guided to strike a target in a number of angles
Doton: Tsuchi Bushin - Earth Release: Rock Clone - The jutsu will create a one or more solid dopplegangers made of solid stone to fight for the user
Suiton: Suiben -Water Release: Water Whip - The user creates a whip of water that can wrap around the opponent. The user can also funnel lightning through the whip and shock said ensnared opponent.
Kuchiyose no Jutsu - Summoning Technique - The User marks his palm with blood before making the appropriate seals. Depending on the amount of chakra expended the user will summon a familar of varying power from his contracted clan
Gatsuuga - Fang Passing Fang - The Inuzuka and his/her partner in beast clone mode will spin around in ferocious speed and deliver many beast-like blows upon contact with the target.
Fuuton: Daitoppa - Wind Release: Great Breakthrough - This is a relatively simple technique that creates a sudden gust of wind, but its scale varies greatly depending on the user. The wind from the squall can blow away all things in the user's line of sight
Tsukuyomi - Tsukuyomi is one of the most powerful genjutsu in existence. It is unique to the Uchiha clan and only those with the Mangekyō Sharingan can perform it. It is said to represent the "Spiritual World and Darkness". Tsukuyomi requires eye contact to be performed. When executed, the jutsu traps the target in an illusion that is completely controlled by the user