Here's the next installment in this series.
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On with the show
Konan jumped over Konoha's rooftops easily as she escaped that hell with a thankful sigh; now that she was away her thoughts centered on the matter at hand. Naruto was a Jinchuuriki and she needed to find a way to extract the Kyuubi that would work but would also ensure his survival. He wasn't an Uzumaki so he had no extraordinary regenerative abilities to rely on. He was like her. Or at least he should've been.
To her eyes, Naruto's body had thrown itself to hell and back to gain where it was today. From the moment of his birth he had been frail with a weak system to support him, but even with his body being leaner as well as, probably, a better immune system Konan doubted he could survive the extraction as he was now. They needed to find a better way.. But even with his body being leaner and with, probably, a better immune system Konan doubted he could survive the extraction as he was now. So that option could be defenestrated.
Konan looked to the moon rising over the horizon as she hopped from one building to the next, a subtle breeze grabbing her robe as she ran.
Her brows furrowed and her gaze steeled. It could be possible to have life-support on standby upon extraction before his heart stopped but potentially, his brai... Konan's eyes widened and she shook her head. What was she considering?That boy, that Jinchuuriki, was her son! There was no way she could put him through that much pain, even if it was for peace.
Konan shuddered under the veil of cold wind hitting her while she stopped to peer down to the stand named Ichiraku Ramen. Several voices shouted from the inside like they were having the time of their lives with the scent of ramen wafting in through air.
"Minato-kun, what would you have me do?" Konan asked herself.
She truly believed in Nagato's plan and what it could do for the world. It was perfect in her eyes and it was only made better that she had so many others agree as well. She smiled as plans and a bright world played in her head. A world where her son could grow without fighting, where nations would abandon prejudice, and unite in ultimate equality no man could think to bring before. That, or they would die for the sake of peace while she and her son enjoyed that one string of new-found serenity.
The night's scent wafted the smell of fresh broiling ramen from the stand below and her stomach rumbled.
The world would be rid of violence, hunger, rape, everything evil... but she could not, would not, usher in a new world if it meant her son could not be by her side. The lights below illuminated as the palpable dark settled in and the chattering continued.
Konan settled for just listening to the people below—one of which she knew was her son. She needed to find a way to do the plan safely. Though after a while of listening to the wind another part of her wanted to go join her son and think later. Most mothers would, she supposed, but she still had to deal with a few pests. Shadows gathered in the corner of her eye. A pest she would gladly kill.
"Zetsu, leave. Your assistance is not needed." Konan turned her head to the dark and steeled her eyes to the warped rooftop before it disappeared.
Konan sighed. Yes, she would need to figure the solution out quickly if the Akatsuki's plan was to proceed on schedule. Though her son's well-being wasn't the only thing weighing on her mind. She leaned against the wall lining the edges of the rooftop before she turned to glimpse at the flickering light next to her.
How would Nagato deal with this? The others would not dare interfere in her business but Nagato was an entirely unique problem. Due to his new persona in dealing with Akatsuki she was reluctant to see how he would react and that in itself was dangerous. Suddenly, Ibiki appeared next to her as he handed her a scroll. He nodded to her curtly before he jumped down and walked into the stand.
She opened and read.
Her lips perked, she smiled and small buds of tears followed her worn cheeks just like earlier as she lost strength in her legs and fell, holding the wall as tears ran. Her tears reflected the bright smile gracing her face.
Tomorrow she would be with her son and search for a way.
Wind blew and warmed their skin while the sun broke the horizon. Preparing themselves, senbon slid into imperfect seams and kunai were tucked and strapped to their sides. Next, touching his toes Naruto copied Haku and Tenten.
The scroll that Ibiki had given then said where to go, what time to arrive, but nothing else. No guidelines other than to be prepared. So they came early. Preparing for whatever was to come, equipping hidden senbon, going through a few techniques. As for strategy; they would decide on that later. However, they couldn't help but to feel somewhat anxious and, in a few ways, annoyed. From what the scroll said, it stated they were to arrive early and be ready to participate, though even when the time came no one showed, and according to what Ibiki mentioned to them they knew to take it seriously, but by the time anyone showed Naruto was reading, Tenten was writing, and Haku was drawing, much to the amusement of the onlookers.
"Ne, Naruto, is this how family prepares for something like this?"
Naruto looked up from his book and smiled softly at their visitors before he nudged Haku and Tenten's shoulders. Closing his book Naruto pocketed it and picked himself up, leaning on the tree.
"And what are you doing here, Shikamaru?" He smiled lightly.
"I don't know. It's such a drag..." He rolled his eyes before he glanced behind him as if checking for someone. "Chouji wanted see you three for the evaluation, Ino kept nagging me, and Asuma-sensei wouldn't shut up."
"Ah, and you agreed?"
Shikamaru rolled his eyes again and dropped his head into one of his hands as if to pinch the bridge of his nose. "I didn't have a choice."
Naruto smirked at the boy. Shikamaru had easily been the smartest back in the academy and it seemed to continue even after graduation. Though he hadn't expected much change to happen.
"Would you mind telling me why you three are having this evaluation? Did you do something again, Naruto?" Shikamaru raised a brow.
"No," Naruto crossed his arms softly and looked off. "Why is it you always think I did something? Why couldn't Haku-chan or Tenten-chan have done something?"
"Because you're you," Shikamaru said in monotone, "plus I don't think they're nearly as troublesome as you."
Naruto looked back at him and chuckled a little before looking down at Haku and Tenten, who were still occupying themselves with their arts as if the whole thing was normal. He had to hand it to Shikamaru, neither of them were any trouble. Though his eyes landed on Tenten and he chuckled; maybe Tenten, but only when she was tired.
"Would it be called troublesome to have given you that mask on your head?" Naruto pointed out softly.
Shikamaru chuckled as he stuck his hands in his pockets. "No, I wouldn't call that troublesome... That was pure pain."
Naruto chuckled again before he sighed in contentment, if then to stare evenly at him.
"So how did you find out?"
"Anko-san."
"How so?" Naruto crossed his arms again as he sat down again, Shikamaru joining him.
"Anko-san left presents at our doorsteps last night."
A grin formed on Naruto's lips as Shikamaru mentioned that and suddenly Naruto knew what Anko would have done.
"Did she manage to wake up the whole compound?"
Knitting his brows Shikamaru glanced to either Haku or Tenten to see the corners of their lips twitching.
"No." He leaned back and gave them a questioning stare as he leaned back, propping himself up. "What's it to you?"
Naruto smiled knowingly. "No reason."
Shikamaru offered him a monotone look before he answered, "Troublesome blonde."
Moments spent in comfortable silence went by as Naruto returned to reading and Shikamaru laid down to dream up to the clouds. Specifically, the scroll said to be at Training Ground seven around eight. It was currently 8:30. Shikamaru joined them at 8:15 and their patience continued to be tested while all four of them just continued to sit and occupy themselves as best they could.
By the time anyone showed, Tenten felt a spike in chakra and noticed an entire group of people approaching. Putting her supplies away Tenten nudged Naruto and then Haku. Shikamaru was already picking himself up.
"Would it be too much to assume these people aren't all here to watch us?" Tenten asked.
Haku glanced over and shook her head. "No. It's a nice thought, but it probably is."
Naruto shook his head. Frankly, the thing he was worried about was why so many people were showing up, especially for an evaluation of all things. As the people walked in it became abundantly clear that Anko had somehow managed to leave notes for each one of their family because when they came into the clearing masks identical to theirs became clearer to see, separating themselves from the stray numbers of ANBU walking beside the Hokage.
"Tenten-chan," Naruto said, "remind me later to kill Anko-nee, K?"
The three around him laughed a little at that and before they knew it the whole group was in front of them. From the crowd Naruto could discern the few who were his family. Among them Ino, Chouji, Konohamaru, Anko, and Itsuki.
Leaning back in his seat a dark figure looked into the abyss with an emotionless stare piercing the dark. His smile grew and the smiles of others became clear as holograms shot into existence.
"Konan... The time to move is closing. Our analysis is nearly complete," The man's eyes narrowed slightly. "Where are you?"
Konan responded with the same emotionless stare as she hid in the hollow of a tree standing in the dark, the blue light illuminating her face. "I am acquiring information on the Kyuubi Jinchuuriki."
The figure nodded. His eyes glowering the in the dark.
"Come back once you are done. Time is of the essence."
The Hologram shut off and Konan let out a breath she didn't know she was holding. Nagato was becoming curious of her—she could see it in his eyes—and Konan knew she needed to be careful from now on since if Nagato found out thatNaruto was her son than she was certain could hold almost no sway against him.
She would need a way to keep Zetsu quiet if things ever got out of hand.
Jumping out of the tree Konan flew out of the Forest of Death, her mind a twirl. For a while now her and Nagato's conversations had been short and curt with one another, from what she couldn't tell. His emotionless mask making it nearly impossible to gather any information out of him, and in the Shinobi world that was dangerous.
A blast echoed occurred off in the distance and Konan knew what was going on. She had been running to watch her son's evaluation when the call came so Konan knew she had to hurry.
Appearing at Anko's side the girl raised a brow against her at the unexpected intrusion before returning to the fight as Konan watched, slipping the emotionless mask on once again at the presence of several Shinobi.
At the center of an open plain filled with cluttered kunai and shuriken with senbon sliding in trees Growling Naruto cocked his fist back before letting it loose making his opponent raise his forearms to protect himself as the ANBU skidded back a few feet. Naruto smiled a little but knew ultimately that his attack didn't affect him long term. Naruto settled into his stance with Haku and Tenten joining him; the evaluation was simple: Face the ANBU with all they had. Simple in words but definitaly harder in action. Supposing Naruto could make out what the ANBU's plan was.
Then it clicked, the ANBU were purposely holding back and fighting in stages as the ANBU had already fought them in Taijutsu and Ninjutsu but almost no Genjutsu and Naruto figured they must have discovered the three didn't have those capabilities, probably from the Hokage.
Moving his head Naruto sighed heavily as he felt his breath leave him before speaking softly.
"He has shown to favor his right arm when wielding the kunai and he's sluggish on his right leg when he's made to move quickly. If we could have one of us distract him in order to surprise him on his weak side then we could maybe win this."
Haku shook her head and narrowed her eyes slightly. "That wouldn't work. ANBU-san knows how to protect his weak side by making us face it in favor of his stronger counter-part to defend from surprise attacks. Disabling his strong side might work but we would need to keep him distracted enough to leave an opening."
Tenten merely stared at the lone ANBU as if trying to unlock his secrets. While the other two figured out a plan her job was to watch for movement to alert her friends.
Off to the side Hiruzen stroked his beard as he watched his genin fight against the ANBU and needless to say he wasn't disappointed. Their training under Ibiki hadn't been a mistake, and that he was proud to admit, so for they had exhibited resourcefulness, intelligence, cool-headedness, and most of all teamwork.
Sending Konan a quick glance Hiruzen could see the emotionless stare leveling the battlefield.
Hiruzen narrowed his eyes lightly, leaning to one of his ANBU Hiruzen muttered something before watching him disappear.
"Let's see how they react," Hiruzen said. He wanted to see how they reacted to separation and again he snuck a look at Konan again... her as well.
"Hokage-sama?" A voice inquired.
Addressing the voice with a kind smile Hiruzen turned to say something but quickly replaced it with one of uneager as Danzo appeared, cane in hand, and bandages abundant. Hiruzen clenched his teeth unknowingly.
"Yes, Danzo-san? What do you need?" He asked crossing his arms.
"Kimimaro-san and Zabuza-san have been processed and interrogated. What would you like for me to do with them, Hokage-sama?"
Hiruzen just barely narrowed his eyes as everyone else kept their eyes on the field though very little was actually happening. He sighed and closed his eyes.
"Have them rested and ready to speak with me once this is over with. I will need to see what they know beforehand... Unless you have the files with you now?"
Nodding Danzo reached into his pocket before pulling out a fairly hefty set of files and handing them to Hiruzen. Then, to both their surprise, Naruto roared as Tenten was sucked underground.
Danzo merely raised a brow at him, his voice sounding bored.
"Your doing, I presume?"
Hiruzen nodded.
Naruto lunged to Tenten's grasping hand, his eyes locking to her eyes as they sunk below. Haku stayed in front of Naruto, her hand riddled with senbon ready to be thrown. The ANBU across from them tilted his head as if he didn't know what was happening when suddenly a cold chill entered his shoulder like a vague numbness that wouldn't go away. Looking down his eyes widened and his hand instantly pulled out the senbon if only to realize his entire arm go numb.
Jumping forward Naruto's body flew like a bolt of lightning while Haku stayed right on his tail. Both their masks developed a red flourish under their eye as they shot forward, the seal behind their masks activiating with a silent command, though it held no effect as the ANBU seemingly dispelled it with little trouble.
Naruto couldn't believe what happened. Throwing a punch at the ANBU he missed and rolled away. One moment he was talking strategy with Haku then Tenten had suddenly sunk into the ground. He gritted his teeth and his blood boiled. Shooting forward again he watched as Haku showered the ANBU with senbon before she flipped back and melted into using the dew on the ground to manuever around the ANBU before raising her barriers around him trapping him inside with Naruto still rushing him. To everyone outside it looked like a dome, panels of ice floating in midair.
Naruto scowled and roared as he let a flurry of attacks release unto the ANBU, very few hitting flesh, and even then those were blocked, while Haku quickly sped through her ice mirrors in wait.
Again Naruto rushed the ANBU causing Hiruzen to stare with a brow raised.
"Where is she!?" Naruto questioned, his punches missing one after another.
A mist set in and Naruto didn't relent.
"I said, where is she!"
Haku narrowed her eyes and Konan frowned a little. From what Konan had seen from her short time observing Naruto she could easily tell that Naruto and Haku were losing their cool without Tenten there as their rationale went out the window, so they say. Mind you the only cause of this was the 'loss' of their friend, yet for them it must have been devastating watching the girl disappear.
Peering over to her what she had been told were Naruto's 'family' it looked like they were all calm and collected. Konan squinted her eyes ever so slightly and she tried looking behind those masks to see their eyes to see nothing but black. Sighing Konan closed her eyes and resorted to feeling out their chakra. Only the higher level Shinobi and Kunoichi could achieve this and it felt good to be able to use it again however at the touch of the blonde girls chakra she could feel the anxiety in it and after a moment of searching the others she could feel the same off them, only the pineapple haired kid didn't seem to have this.
"So you've noticed, eh?" Anko said.
Konan having already came to her own conclusions nodded, her emotionless mask being set back in place.
Anko snorted. "Naruto-kun, Haku-chan, and Tenten-chan have always been together. For them family is the most important and that's why when someone comes along that is kind to them and becomes their friend they feel the need to invite them into that family." Anko explained.
"They've been alone all their lives. Tenten-chan came from an orphanage. Haku-chan was left behind. Naruto-kun," Anko's voice lingered as she was trying to find a way to say it. Konan kept her eyes on the fight but listened nonetheless, she wanted to hear what Naruto had been through. "Er, Naruto-kun was kicked out of the orphanage and made to stay in an apartment from a young age."
Konan's lip twitched.
"Naruto-kun hasn't had a good life has he?" Konan asked, her eyes meeting Anko's.
Anko shook her head but smiled lightly all the same.
"He's had a life with hardship but he's dealt with them. You know when it was just Haku-chan, Naruto-kun, and I we would sometimes go out to explore the village from its rooftops whether it was raining or shining out we would go and try to fly high."
"That was our version of an escape from the villagers. I mean, we couldn't leave the village, hell, we'd probably die in a week if we'd left so we tried to fly and jump as high as we could. Heh, they're damaged but as you can see they've made the most of it."
Anko chuckled fondly at the memory before nudging Konan in the side knocking her from her thoughts and causing her to pay attention to the battle.
"Just make sure you don't tell anyone, alright? Naruto-kun likes to tell the stories himself so he might get a little jealous otherwise."
Konan exchanged glances with Anko. "Of course."
Throwing her last round of kunai at the ANBU, Haku growled to herself while dodging the ANBU's hand which nearly smashed through her but breaking the mirror she was in previously. Naruto tried to keep him occupied but it wasn't enough; he was too fast!
Lunging out of the way again the ANBU predicted this and adjusted accordingly, swinging his leg around, he pushed off one mirror before launching himself straight to her, Naruto attempting to grab his leg in mid-air to counteract this. Yet... Naruto gritted his teeth and felt his hand miss—he wouldn't make it. Haku gasped as the ANBU tackled her to the ground, breaking her ice barrier in the process, and with little resistance he placed a kunai to her throat. A little pressure and blood streamlined down to the ground. That stopped Naruto in his tracks as he glared menacingly, wondering what he could do.
The ANBU stared pointedly at him, silently asking him the winners question. Naruto seemingly got the point as he he walked forward and nodded to the ANBU if then to have her released.
"We concede." Naruto kneeled down to Haku while putting her head close to his heaving chest, pain finally registering in the way of bludgeoned muscles and carved skin.
As the ANBU walked off the field another ANBU appeared next to them with Tenten completely unscathed, albeit with a few scratches here and there.
They were beat, and handily at that.
"Impressive." Danzo muttered. For genin to be able to give an ANBU trouble meant something. It didn't matter whether the ANBU was holding back or not as most operatives in the midst of battle had trouble actually reeling themselves in but it was progress nonetheless.
A cool light breeze strolled through and Hiruzen felt a hand latch onto his shoulder. Hiruzen, having known this would happen, merely stared back and sighed.
"Come, we need to discuss something in private revolving the Kaguya. Something I think you will find very interesting."
Hiruzen narrowed his eyes after giving a short look over to his genin. Danzo had a streak of things he would find interesting claiming them for the best of Konoha and all of the sudden Hiruzen knew he would have a headache. From what he didn't know but he was certain Danzo had a hand in it.
Hiruzen sighed. "Fine, I'll meet you back at the office," his eyes strayed to Konan, "I have something else to take care of now. Go ahead. I'll meet you there."
Nodding, Danzo strutted away stick clanking every few steps.
Eyeing his old teammate walk away Hiruzen shook his head as he knew something was going on, however pushing that to the back of his mind he situated a stoic mask now that he needed to deal with his next headache.
Cautiously, Hiruzen walked over to stand near Konan, who now was drifting towards the group of genin as they placed each other under the shade of another oak. He stopped himself short, careful to avoid her cold stare.
"I believe this fulfills one part of the contract, yes?"
Konan nodded and after another glance to her son's 'family' she started walking with the Hokage tailing her.
"Yes," Konan answered.
"Then when would you like to begin the next part, Konan-san?" Hiruzen inquired, lacing his fingers together in front of him, his robes forearms covering them.
Konan stopped a fair distance away from the group and stared for a moment. She switched views to the Hokage after another brief moment.
"When he is ready."
"And when do you think he will be ready?"
Leveling the old man an emotionless stare she let her thoughts simmer before opening her mouth.
"When he's ready." She riddled coldly.
Hiruzen nodded and turned to walk away, the sun blaring down and a fair shade shadowing his eyes. The next agreement would not be so easy, he had a fair amount of things he needed to do now because of all the new developments not excluding Konan and Ibiki's requests.
As Konan watched the old man walk off she brightened her vision at the children.
"It was dark," Tenten answered honestly. She shrugged her shoulders at their deadpanned stares while leaning her back to the Oak, enjoying the rough coolness it tingled down her skin.
Their family had come after them to take them to safety under the tree once the match was done and now the trio was lying against it like the most comfortable bed they had slept on. And soon as they did each of them had quickly felt relief as a cool breeze swiftly blew through counteracting the rising heat. Ino responded first, her arms supporting her as she leaned back, her mask as blank as the others with the exception of the Konohagakure symbol residing at the top, "You know... You'd think you would be more scared."
Again Tenten shrugged. Being dragged underground for nearly two minutes may have been scary, at first, but it quickly became cool as the kunoichi who dragged her under started telling her jokes knowing the girl wouldn't be able to escape.
"Complete darkness was scary, along with the coldness of the ground..." Tenten crossed her arms as she tried to describe it. "I mean... It's hard to explain. She made a dome and she kept pointing out the strangest of things in order to make it so it wasn't scary." Tenten smiled.
Haku nodded and knew what she meant. The ANBU wasn't trying to scare her friend, rather, she was trying to make it so that if the situation ever came to rise and Tenten ever found herself underground again—kami knows why—she would know how to deal with it, or she was just a funny lady with a strange quirk.
Narrowing his eyes Naruto softly glared to the ground, his arms crossed.
"What surprises me is how long we lasted," he stated tiredly.
Turning their heads each of them gave him a questioning glance as they suddenly felt the wind pick up and the grass shudder. Feeling their stares land on him Naruto looked up and briefly considered just backing down but in the end his annoyance won out.
"ANBU-san had everything under control from the very beginning to the very end and if it wasn't for him being kind and holding back than we wouldn't have been able to showcase our abilities whenever he placed us in distinctive scenarios," eyes scanning the ground and playing with the grass beside him he continued, "the whole thing seemed surreal. It may just be me but I think that proves a few weaknesses we will have to address sooner or later."
Naruto switched glimpses his teammates, although everything had gone fairly well Naruto was certain they could have done something to turn the fight in their favor.
"Agreed?" He finished.
"Agreed."
Snapping their heads to the new voice, although Anko had been expecting it, Konan smiled and gentled a wave while sitting down.
"Can I give a few tips," she offered softly, her eyes only showing a brief amount of emotion in them.
"So what is it you wanted to talk about, Danzo-san?" Hiruzen sighed as he sat down at his desk. After his talk with Konan he shunshinned in to find Danzo waiting outside his office.
Across from him Danzo situated himself nicely as if this was the most natural thing in the world. When he settled in he grinned slightly, a symbol of something Hiruzen dreaded.
"Remember when Haku-chan and Naruto-kun first found each other when she was first brought in?" His voice sounded gruff while his posture made him look professionally deadly; relaxed but knowing.
"I'm sure you do. When you first accepted her into the village you and I spoke of the benefits there could be if she was to breed within these walls since the eradication of her bloodline in Kiri. Surely, you do. Imagine what would happen if generations of Ice users were bread in Konoha, adding another layer of clans to further protect us while also strengthening our diversity at the same time," Danzo spoke coolly.
Hiruzen nodded, grim eyes narrowing. Those talks of theirs were years old and irrelevant at this point.
Gripping his hands Hiruzen countered Danzo, "And what's your point?"
Hiruzen shaded his eyes with the use of his hat while he spoke.
"Those 'talks' of ours are of no use to us now and I don't see the point of bringing it up since we both know of how that situation resolved and from today's demonstration you can tell that Naruto has ensured Haku's loyalty."
"Ah, yes, but that's not what I'm getting at. There was the other solution..." Danzo let his comment sink in as Hiruzen glared at what he was insinuating.
Hiruzen growled but spoke evenly, slowly, "That was also resolved, Danzo-san. As far as that matter is concerned Haku-chan is in no way in danger of falling under those archaic terms decreed by my word. Get to your point."
Danzo's smiles grew to a smirk.
"Kimimaro is not under the same circumstance, I'm afraid. He willingly fought against Shinobi under Konohagakure no Sato's jurisdiction and he possesses an even more beneficial bloodline. He falls under tradition," Danzo finished.
"But the question is whether he will actually fall to that tradition if I let him."
Hiruzen scowled as the rising sun gave way to storm clouds behind him. Blood pumped through his head painfully and the throbbing reverberated through his bones as he felt the headache come full force. Things weren't going to get any easier.
Alright guys, here's what's going on:
This chapter was supposed to be about new problems occurring and resolving old ones. Also, the reason why I didn't show much in the fight scene was because I'm leaving it open so I can use that later on for reference.
Next chapter is going to be more relaxed and will be more about character progression and character building along with the new battles that will unfold-though how is in a new battlefield. It will be more about Naruto's family as a whole and their interaction. As this story progresses it will continuously be pushed until it is pushed off the rails from canon, so there's that.
Now, here are some stories that are either being written or have already been completed-which isn't many, mind you.
Left in Silence-Naruto/Kurotsuchi-Romance/Adventure (Will only be a few chapters)
Breaking the Cycle-OC/Azula-Romance/Adventure (This one... I don't know how long this will be. We'll see.)
Saving Venom-Naruto/Anko-Romance/Adventure (I don't want to exceed 20-25 chapters, but I will if I have to.)
Dying in Love-Naruto/Tenten-Romance/Tragedy (Completed)
Eve-OC/Little Sister-Romance/Tragedy (Will only be a few chapters long.)
All these stories will be completed at some point, but it's up to you to leave reviews to let me know just how well I am doing as a writer.
See ya.