Chapter III – The Izanami Shinobi

As the figure came out of the shadows, Naruto knew he was right. This undeniable aura and chakra that surrounded him. No doubt, it was 'dragon-boy.'

"It's been some time, eh? Naruto." Kurogane said. His voice, like his aura and chakra, was strong, deep and powerful. Heck, it kinda feels like he can make anyone do his bidding just by using his voice.

Naruto studied him a bit. He hasn't changed a bit. Then again, it was only weeks since he last saw him.

Everything he wore fro head to toe was jet-black: sneakers, plants, shirt, and cape. The same thing goes for his hair, jet-black also, and is brushed back while a few bangs fell in front of his face. His forehead protector bore the familiar symbol of the Avatar Village: a carved picture of a coiled dragon trapped in a circle. His eyes were a pale gray. Overall, he is a bit thin but powerfully built.

He kinds of reminds Naruto of Sasuke but at least he isn't like the Uchiha bastard…much.

"So what brings you here?"

"Two things: One-business. Two-looking for you. The Hokage sent me and Haruno-san here to find you." Kurogane glaned at Naruto's arms. "And it was kind of amusing to watch you fight. I expected the Hyuuga Heir to beat you. But then again, you are THE Uzumaki Naruto."

Naruto was about to retort with a nasty comeback of his own. But then he realized that he almost forgot about Hinata.

"Oh, yeah. Hinata, this is Ryong Kurogane of the Hidden Village of Avatars. That place was the last stopover me and Ero-sennin got to."

"Oh, pleasure to meet you." Hinata rose to her feet and was about to bow down but Kurogane stopped her when he spoke.

"You don't need to bow to me, ojosama. I should be the one to do it. Anyone who can at last give Naruto a little payback earns my respect."

OK, not exactly like Sasuke but sometimes Naruto wantsa to beat the crap out of him.

Sakura stepped forward and took Hinata out of earshot from the twoboys. She began teasing her about some while Hinata replied with a remark about hoping that Naruto didn't har her. As if it made any difference, he could still hear them thanks to Kyuubi.

Girl talk, Naruto thought.

"So when did you arrive?" he asked Kurogane.

"A little while ago. I had to accompany grampa here on a personal visit to oyour Hokage." he said. "It's something about the next Chuunin exams. If all goes well, it'll take place at our village."

"Wow, then that means I'll be seeing everyone again. I can't wait."

"Why wait? They're already here."

Back at Konoha, a 13-year boy bearing the Avatar symbol on his forehead protector was strolling the streets of Konoha. His attire made him easy to spot: bright red sneakers with fire emblems along the sides, black pants with a simlar flame artwork, a plain white shirt and a white polo with bright red and yellow flames designs with the symbol of a phoenix on the back.

He ran his hands through his flaming red hair as his crimson eyes surveyed the town that a certain Uzumaki Naruto bragged about when the guy was still in their village.

To be honest, Hanabishi Matchi wasn't disappointed. The fox-like shinobi wasn't kidding. In contrast to the Hidden Avater Village of Izanami, this place was brighter and sunnier.

No wonder Kurogame-sempai couldn't stand this place.

Then his attention was caught by a girl strolling along the street. She looked like the same age as him. Having a slender figure and long lavender hair that reachest her back. She was wearing sandals, khaki pants, a grey vest with a black longsleeve underneath. But that was not the reason why she got his attention. Everything about her, especially the way she handles herself, spells authority. He can tell by the way people that come her way simply bowing to her and addressing her as 'Hyuuga-sama.'

She must be royalty.

Then again, he is one too.

As they passed each other, he tried to glance at her face. But all he managed to get was the side view of it. And she didn't even bother to look at him.

So he turned his sight forward and resumed his way.

"Wait." A voice called out to him.

It was her.

He turned around and faced her. And found himself gazing into a pair of colorless eyes that peered into his.

"You are wondering why the people here respect me in such a manner. Correct?" she said.

"Y-y-yeah." He managed to stammer out. She was beginning to give him the creeps.

She gazed at him and Matchi was beginning to grow conscious at his looks. Maybe he should've taken Fen-sempai's advise and got his hair cut.

"You are not from here?"

"Ummm… yes." He's beginning to grow tense. He doesn't know why though. The only time he was this tense was when he witnessed Naruto…

"Figures." His train of thought was interrupted by the girl in front of him. "Since you're new here, I'll tell you. My name is Hyuuga Hanabi. And I'm the youngest daughter of the Hyuuga clan. I'm sure you heard of it."

The Hyuuga clan! Matchi knows that clan from one of his classes back at the Academy. Naruto also added to his knowledge that they were tough with the Byakugan blood limit.

"Good. You knew already."

What? How did she know that? Oh yeah, Naruto said something about them knowing what the other person is thinking simply by just looking into their eyes. He tried to tar his gaze away from her but found that he couldn't. He was entranced by her eyes.

"Excuse me but I have to go." And she turned and walked away.

"Wait. I haven't introduced myself yet." Matchi found himself saying to her. "I'm Nanabishi Matchi from the Hidden Avatar Village of Izanami." And he gave her one of his best smiles. AT least that was what he hoped it was.

"I see." She replied. And then she walked away.

Wow, stiffer that a board on nails. Still, even though she was kinda like a jerk and a snob. There was one thing he couldn't deny about her: she sure was cute!

At another part of town, two other Avatar Shinobis were enjoying the sights and sounds of the village.

One of them is Genbu Takibi. And he's busy impressing some kids by bouncing a volley ball with a turtle shell design on it on his head. He's a powerfully built guy and has a bit of fat along his muscles. He was wearing sandals, some blue shirts with an ocan waves design and a blue tank top with a turtle shell insignia at the back. He's got a bit of a tan. And he wears his hair in a cornrow fashion. His forehead protector was on his left arm.

The kids were shouting, "97, 98, 99…"

But before they said 'one hundred' the ball landed on Wakka's face instead of his forehead.

Ouch indeed.

One of the lids leaned forward, "Hey, mister. You okay?"

Next thing they knew, they were playfully chased around by the guy with the volley ball suctioned on his lips.

"Here's something you shouldn't try at home kids. 'Lips suction no Jutsu. Made it myself. No seals needed. Just pucker up your lips!"

His companion, who was standing by, wondered how the idiot spoke with a volley ball stuck on his lips.

Hanabishi Huang was busy looking at the red Chinese dress being displayed in a shop window. No doubt thinking about addint it to her wardrobe or showing it off to he Kuro-pi.

She was wearing a white sleeveless shirt with a zipper on front which is closed, red shorts that reaches to her knees, a red jacket tied at her waist, flame patterned sneakers. The familiar insignia of a phoenix can be seen at the back of her vest. Her flaming red hair was tied in a ponytail. Her forehead protector was worn on her left arm.

"Huang! HELP ME!"

Huang turned to fame Takibi just in time to see him being pinned down on the ground by the kids. The volleyball was lying forgotten besides them. She noticed there was still a bit of saliva on its side. Ewww.

"Oh, boy. Takibi's gonna need a full body cast after they're done with him." She thought.

"So Naruto and Jiraiya hd a hand in quelling the civil war in you village?" Tsunade asked as she scanned the report she was given. She peered over the papers to look at the Akumakage and his two representatives. "Raijin-sama…"

Three figures were in front of her.

Ryong Raijin, the Akumakage of the Hidden Avatar Village of Izanami was the old man in the middle. No, not only old. A powerfully built old man that still radiates an aura of power and undeniability despite his old age. Judging from his baldhead and the remaining white hair at the sides of his head he's probably pushing 80 or something like that. He was wearing a traditional black karate gi with a red belt, sandals. It is also noticeable that there is a thunder dragon insignia at the back.

The one on the right has got to be Hanabishi Feng of the Hanabishi clan, otherwise known as the 'Immoral Flame.' He was wearing a blood red trenchcoat with a flaming phoenix insignia at the back and sleeves. He has a black polo underneath. Black pants and sneakers with fire symbols. His unruly mop of flaming re hairt stuck out in all directions.

The other has got to be Baihu Saitou, otherwise known as the 'White Harbinger.' The most feared member of the Baihu clan, even though he doesn't look like it. Instead of a reserved cold-blooded killer she was expecting him to be, he looked more like a girly-looking man with a child-like expression on his face. He was wearing a white karate gi which as open with the insignia of a white tiger on the back. He has a white shirt underneath. His hands were covered in a bandage like wrapping.

"Yes," Raijin said. His voice deep and powerful. "I wasn't expecting one of the great Sannin to make an appearance at our village. Especially during that time."

"Just how did they get caught in the conflict?"

"Let's just say that our enemies were searching for individuals with 'beastly' powers. Raijin replied, putting more emphasis on the 'beastly' part.

Sounds more like Orochimaru's doing but the Sound is less likely to attack with their leader in a bad shape. But then again, the fight that they had 2.5 years ago showed that the snake sannin still proved to be a threat, with or without jutsus. She could still feel the way the creep's tongue strangled her neck even after all there years.

"Naruto," Feng said. "caught their attention and tried to abduct him. Fortunately, he earned our respect after rescuing one of our own. The Akumakage's grandson to be exact. And we gave him sanctuary.

"And you enemies were… one of you own?"

There was a moment of silence until Raijin broke it.

"…yes. The one who led the uprising was a student of mine. He was once a candidate for Akumakage. He disappeared when he didn't become Akumakage. Only to resurface months ago, unrecognizable as the man we knew he was.

"And what was his motive?"

Another moment of silence.

"We're not sure…"

Sounds familiar. Kind of reminds her of Orochimaru alright.

"But one thing's certain." Saitou said. "He's searching for candidates to join his crusade. Naruto caught his eye because of his… 'unique' abilities."

"So you know…"

"Of course, why would you think it is the Village of Avatars in the first place, Hokage-sama. You, of all people, should know that we have our own set of..."

There was a knock at the door and Suzune came in,

"Tsunade-sama, Naruto and the others are here."

"Tell them to wait, Suzuna. We'll meet them there."

And Suzune left.

"Then everthing will go as planned…" Raijin said.

"Yes…" Tsunade said. "She we meet them outside, gentlemen?"

All four of them rose and proceeded to the door.