Foxfish

by Gomjibar22

Orochimaru captured Naruto when he was little and put him through the same transformation as Isaribi, this is how his life would be different. Naruto X Isaribi -has been adopted by BladeMaster Zangetsumaru under the title of "Aquatic Kitsune"

15. Chapter 15

Foxfish

Disclaimer- I don't own Naruto

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Ages:

Naruto and Isaribi and the Rooky Nine: 12

Anko: 22

Yamato: 24

Kakashi: 26

Third Hokage: 70

Gin- 15

Hyuuga Haran- 23

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'Thought'

"Speaking"

"Jutsus/Demon speaking"

"Fish speaking"

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NOTE: I have edited the previous chapter to change Naruto's ANBU name after some of my readers pointed out how it didn't match with everyone else's name. So now his ANBU name is Kitsune instead of fox…

It's kinda funny, this is what I wanted, but when writing the last chapter I suffered a mental laps and thought that Kyuubi meant Fox…my bad, lol! ^_^

XxXxX

Previously

"You have the rest of the day to make preparations for this mission. Expect to be gone at the minimum of a month, and as long as three or more. Dismissed."

XxXxX

Now

The sun had just started to rise as Yamato and Naruto entered the apartment.

Placing their gear down on the table the two sat across from each before going through their equipment, fixing any cracks they found and sharpening their blades.

When Naruto got to his sword he looked at it in dismay. The blade was almost cut cleanly in half by the Oto-nin.

"It looks like I will need to stop by the armory before we leave to get a new sword..." said Naruto.

Looking up from scroll Yamato had out, he said, "No need." Reaching into his bag he pulled out another sword and handed it to Naruto, "As team leader I always have extras of everything, just in case."

"Thanks!" Naruto smiled as he took the sword and began to sharpen the blade.

Soon the sound of Anko getting up and entering the kitchen diverted the attention of Yamato and Naruto.

"Naru-kun!" Anko yelled excitedly, rushing over and bearing him into her chest. "Oh you've been gone so long and I've had to do all the cleaning myself!" she said with fake tears rolling down her cheeks.

"Good to see you too, Anko" Naruto was able to gasp out.

"Anko-chan, he does need to breathe…" Yamato said with a smile, "And I need him in working order."

"What, why? Oh, don't tell me! You two are going on a mission together?! How fun! ... But he just got back!"

"It's not my fault" said Yamato holding his hands up defensively. "His skills are needed for the mission! If there was someone else I would have chose them, but as it stands he is the best person to take."

"Oh fine. It's not like I could stop you too either…So..." Anko mused releasing Naruto from her death grip. "When do you leave?"

"Tonight, and it will a month or more to complete."

"Oh joy!" said Anko sitting down at the table with a smile.

Looking directly at Naruto with a smile she continued, "Won't Isaribi-chan be upset that you'll be gone so long."

Naruto stopped what he was doing an looked up with wide eyes, "Oh…um…"

Before he could come up with something to say he was interrupted by the door to Isaribi's room opening.

"Anko-chan, are you talking to yourself agai- NARUTO-KUN!"

With a crash Isaribi launched herself at Naruto and tackled him to the ground.

"You're back! How did training go? Learn anything neat? Make any new friends? Your never going to believe what happened with me, wait till I tell you about the chunin exams!"

As Isaribi began telling Naruto about what she's been up to, Anko turned to Yamato.

"They really didn't waste any time with him did they? Not even a day's break after becoming a full member in the ANBU…"

"It was a sudden mission, and he is really one of the best shinobi in the ANBU for it."

"Because of…you know who?" Anko said in a whisper, glancing at Naruto as he continued to talk with Isaribi.

"Partially" said Yamato with a shrug. "But his other abilities will be far more useful than that, I hope…"

"Well, take care of him…and take care of yourself too."

"I will, you don't have to worry."

"Who says I'm worried?" said Anko with a smile. "Now finish up packing because I have a going away present for you."

XxXxX

As midnight fast approached, Naruto and Yamato made their final preparations for the upcoming mission. Both of them had spent the day relaxing in their own ways with Naruto down by the lake and Yamato resting at the house.

Anko left the house late in the morning to go to work as did Isaribi who had a team meeting to attend with Haran and Gin.

Isaribi had already returned are retired for the night. She had wanted to stay up later, but her team had a B class escort mission first thing in the morning, so she needed to rest up for it.

Turning to Naruto as he put on the last of his ANBU gear, Yamato asked, "You ready for this?"

Nodding his head, Naruto replied, "Yes sir."

"Good. Remember don't do anything stupid out there. This is a reconnaissance mission and we don't want it to be the start of a war. And remember, in the field I am you superior officer. You will listen to the orders I give you, is that understood?" asked Yamato giving Naruto the evil eye.

Gulping slightly, Naruto nodded his head, "Yes sir"

"Good!" said Yamato with a smile as he put his mask over his face. "Well, let's get this show on the road!"

XxXxX

After meeting up with Kage and Komachi, it took the team three days to make it to the cape, and another day and a half to travel to the ruins of the Land of Whirlpool by boat.

During that time, Tenzo had the team do some basic team building exercises. Nothing big or elaborate, just enough to get everyone used to each others presence. Kage seemed fine with working with Kitsune, and Komachi had every outward appearance of being able to work fine with him too, but weather this was genuine or just her ANBU training acting as shield for her real thoughts, even Tenzo couldn't tell.

Reaching the Land of Whirlpool, they were greeted with a sight to behold.

The land of Whirlpool wasn't so much one single island, but dozens of larger bodies of land and maybe even hundreds of smaller rock formations.

In-between these islands and rock outcroppings the warm current from the south mixed with the colder currents from the north, creating many whirlpools from which the land got it's name from. As they circled around one of the larger islands, Tenzo pointed out a large bay who's mouth was protected by a raging whirlpool, leaving a narrow channel from which a boat could enter.

"That's the location of the former shinobi village of Whirlpool, Uzugakure no Sato. We can use its ruins as a base camp. Kitsune, if you could guide to boat into the harbor?"

Nodding, Naruto jumped into the water. He could feel the tremendous current from the whirlpools but there were also some a calm spots he might be able to cross. Waiting for a little bit, Naruto wanted to see the effect of the tide would have on the whirlpools. From his experience, some whirlpools are almost continuous, while others are created by the tide or randomly by the shifting water.

Sure enough, as the low tide moved in the whirlpool decreased in strength, covering the center of the bay and leaving a good portion calm.

'Damn, at high tide this thing probably covers the enter mouth of the bay!'

Guiding the boat through the bay and under an archway of rocks, the ANBU team came upon the ruins of Uzugakure.

Steep cliff walls surround the village on all sides and a good portion of the village appeared to have been carved directly out of rock outcroppings in the bay or resting on pylons.

The buildings were covered in lichen, but the signs of battle were still evident. Collapsed buildings, rusted weapons of all types, and the occasional parts of skeletons littered the city's remains.

Quickly scouting around the team found nothing suspicious before they set up camp in on of the buildings carved out of the rock near the main harbor.

"It was about thirty years ago that this land was abandoned." Said Tenzo looking out at the remains of the village. "At the time they were one of Konoha's strongest allies and when the village fell, the few survivors came to the Land of Fire and Konoha."

"As you will be able to see in closer detain soon, the Land of Whirlpool relied heavily on the sea for it's survival. The soil here is hard and rocky with only the hardiest plants surviving... At the time they were at war with but Kirigakure and their ally at the time Yukigakure. Similar to the way the Land of Water is set up, the Land of Whirlpool was controlled by Uzugakure and lead by the Uzukage. Also, most of the people in this nation had something to do with their shinobi village in some way or another, with many shinobi clans living outside the village walls. This heavy militarization and support for their village led to Kirigakure and Yukigakure to wipe out most of the nation, with only a few survivors making it to the Land of Fire alive."

"But enough of the history lesson. If you want to know more there are plenty of public records at the library at home. We'll take watches tonight, and tomorrow morning we'll begin or mission. Kitsune, you have first watch, Kage has second, Komachi has third, and I'll take the last watch."

The team split up, with Kage placing some traps by the door before going to sleep and Naruto jumped to the roof of the building and hiding in the shadows.

Looking out over the village and the ruined buildings he noticed the mixture of architecture styles, with the square building that are seen in Konoha and the circular buildings and towers seen traditionally in Kiri architecture.

'So this is where my mother was from...' thought Naruto as he looked out over the dead city.

During his debriefing on his first mission, the Hokage had felt Naruto ready to learn about his parents. It hit him hard, but he was glad that he now knew the truth. That is probably why he chose to paint his fox mask the way he did, in memory of the symbol of the Land of Whirlpool...

"You're not going to cry on me, now are you?" came a voice deep within Naruto.

'No. I was just thinking that it's kinda sad that this place turned out like this.'

"Yea, yea, humans killing each other for their own reasons, boohoo"

'You could be a little bit nicer about it'

"Why? I didn't do this...then again I guess I should lament the loss of this place. For if it was never destroyed, your mother would never had gone to Konoha and given birth to you. That bastard wouldn't have had anyone to seal me in and I would be free and enjoying myself right now."

'Or he would have used someone else'

"True. But then you, if you even existed, would not be in the situation you are in now, Mr. Failed Science Experiment."

'One which you had a hand in.'

"True, but at least I made you look pretty. The other guy would have made you look horrible, HAHAAH!"

'Whatever'

"Well. I have a feeling things are going to get very interesting soon" said the Kyuubi with a smile.

'What, what does that mean?' no response, 'Kyuubi? Kyuubi? Damn you fur ball, giving me cryptic messages and not explaining them.'

Naruto refocused on the village in front of him. He too felt something was fast approaching, but he didn't know what it was...

XxXxX

The next morning, the team made their way over land to the east and after a few island jumping, made it to the edge of the Land of Whirlpool that faces the Land of Water.

The Land of Whirlpool may have been mostly abandoned, but that didn't mean that the country was completely deserted. A little ways north on a small island, fishermen from the Land of Water and the Land of Surf had set up a little shanty town. There they could safely dock for repair and supplies before continuing to fish or to wait out storms. Even some passenger ships traveling these waters stopped there to take shelter from storms too. But like every lawless port, there were also pirates, thieves, and outlaws who were wanted everywhere else.

"Kage, you and Komachi scout around the port to pick up information from the locals about what is going on in the Land of Water. Go as pirates or fishermen and try not to attract attention. I'll set up the observation post here to watch the shipping lanes for Kiri's navy. Kitsune, you scout out in the water. Get close to the shore and see if you can detect what might be happening. Keep an eye out for submersibles, Kiri supposedly has a few."

They nodded and each went their separate way, with Naruto into the water getting up close to the Land of Water.

This cycle went on for two weeks, Kage and Komachi passed themselves off as two criminals on the run and found some work in the only bar in the town, getting information from the patrons, Tenzo making detailed observations of the Kiri naval traffic from his outpost, and Naruto collecting information from right under the ships.

Things changed the beginning of the third week, just when it seamed like nothing was going to happen.

Naruto was beginning his patrol when he felt something familiar back in the Land of Whirlpool.

Swimming back and easily navigating through the whirlpools from underwater, Naruto noticed a new boat docked Uzugakure.

Looking up from the water, Naruto was just able to make out the markings on the prowl of the ship.

'Kumo! What are they doing here? Must be to examine the situation like we are. I got to tell Tenzo!'

1."Well this place sure is a dump." complained Karui as she looked around the ruined village. "Hasn't anyone bothered to try to rebuild?"

"There wasn't anyone left to rebuild. Don't you remember your history? They were all wiped out or fled to Konoha." exasperated Omoi.

"Quiet, you two" hissed Samui. "Just because this place is dead, doesn't mean that there could be enemies waiting around here."

As his students bickered, Killer Bee smiled as he observed the village. Something to his right seamed to be nagging on his consciousness, but he didn't know what it was.

"Do you feel something...familiar?" said a woman walking up next to him.

Killer Bee turned his head and looked at Yugito as she moved to stand next to him.

"Yea" he said, his smile disappearing.

From a small water way on the other side of a building Naruto quickly surfaced and radioed in to Tenzo.

"Tenzo, this is Kitsune. Five Kumo shinobi have landed in Uzugakure. One of them matches the description of one of Kumo's Jinchuuriki, I repeat-" but Naruto never got the chance to repeat, as the wall he was up against exploded in a wave of malevolent chakra.

XxXxX

When Yamato got Naruto's message he didn't even have time to ask what he was doing back in Uzugakure before the transmission was cut off.

"Komachi, Kaga! Pull out now! Something has happened with Kitsune back in Uzugakure. Five Kumo shinobi with the possibility of a Jinchuuriki with them. I repeat, retreat and back Kitsune up. Over and out"

Not waiting for a reply, Yamato abandoned his observation post and started to run back towards Uzugakure. Whatever Naruto's reason for going back to the dead village, he'll figure it out, once he saves the boy's life.

XxXxX

Naruto was blasted out of his hiding space and into the opening water, where he came to a rest on the surface, using chakra to keep himself from sinking.

"Well, well, well, looks like we have a little lost fox? Why don't you go play in a park?" taunted Killer Bee.

Looking up Naruto saw Killer Bee and Yugito standing in front of him on the docks with Samui flanking his left and Omoi and Karui flanking his right.

It suddenly hit Naruto why that feeling was familiar, it was the same feeling he got when he meet Gaara. But it wasn't coming just from the big guy in front of him, it was, while a little different, also coming from the girl next to him too.

'Oh shit'

"You know, Yugito-chan, I think our little fox friend her has just realized who he's in the presence of. You may call me Lord Jinchuuriki, your superior and better little fox. Now what village are you from and who do you contain? No point in trying to hide it, we can tell you are one of us."

"He's from Konoha" said Yugito, examining Naruto.

"Really? How can you tell?" Killer Bee asked, almost conversationally to Yugito, disregarding Naruto.

"Only Konoha uses that type of ANBU equipment."

"Oh...But I didn't think Konoha had a Jinchuuriki. Unless of course they made one...that's who you contain! The Kyuubi! You know, now that I think about it, that mask doesn't help you hide which Bijū you contain at all..." remarked Killer Bee with a shake of his head.

"So I've heard" sarcastically replied Naruto.

"Ah, so he speaks! Can't be that old though? Must be around my student's age. Isn't that a little young for a peace loving Konoha nin to be in the ANBU?"

Again, Naruto refused to answer, instead trying to figure out how to get out of this mess alive.

"Well, enough playing around with masks an toys, time to play with the big boys!" said Killer Bee before he charged at Naruto.

His speed was much faster that Naruto anticipated and his hand, coated in the Hachibi's chakra, slammed into Naruto's face, shattering his mask.

Naruto went tumbling back, and came up with his sword drawn and a snarl on his lips and blood streaming down his face as the scales covering his face slowly regenerated. The Kyuubi's chakra began to leak out and a faint red cloak was already forming around Naruto

"Wow, so you're really green all over" commented Killer Bee as he looked at Naruto's face. "Must be some kind of bloodlimit... Never seen it before, but you Konoha nins keep pulling them out of your asses all the time you would thing ever one in your village had something."

"Killer Bee, stop. We are not here for this. Konoha ANBU always travel in teams, his teammates could be anywhere" said Yugito. "We can not afford to make a scene here."

Before Killer Bee could open his mouth to protest, Tenzo spoke up, "I would listen to the Lady if I were you."

Looking to his students the cocky expression on Killer Bee's face dropped as he saw Naruto's ANBU team holing their swords to their necks. Each one of his students was taken off guard before they could protest or even fight.

"Well, I guess that was fun" said Killer Bee, raising his hands to show that he held nothing in them. "Let my team go and we will get out of your way."

"Fine, Kitsune, disengage, Kitsune… KITSUNE!" Tenzo yelled at Naruto.

Since the hit to his face, Naruto had been seeing red and wanted nothing better than to fight Killer Bee. Tenzo's yell snapped him out of his rage and he brought his rising Kyuubi chakra under control.

Nodding to Tenzo, he began to sink into the water just as the rest of his team released their hostage and shunshin away.

Right as he fully submerged under the waves, he gave Killer Bee a look, 'This is not over.'

XxXxX

Once the Konoha shinobi were gone and Killer Bee assessed the health of his team, Yugito said to him, "You know, that boy looked like he wanted to kill you for what you did."

"A let him try, and we will see him cry!"

XxXxX

Naruto and the ANBU team remained in Whirlpool country for two more weeks after the encounter with the Kumo team. The two teams avoided each other for the remainder of their stay, watching Kiri for any sign of destabilization or attack. But it never came.

At the end of the two weeks the situation calmed down and reports came in that the Mizukage had been replaced. What his fate was, they did not know, all they knew was removed from office and that the Kiri council was currently and holding firm the reins of power in Kiri before a new Mizukage could be chosen.

Their time in Whirlpool over, the Konoha nins quickly and quietly packed up and left, leaving under the cover of darkness.

The trip back was uneventful, with the team passing through the Land of Waves and crossing over the now complete Great Mizu Bridge (not the Great Naruto Bridge).

After that is was a days travel back to Konoha where they faced a mission debriefing before being allowed a couple of days rest.

XxXxX

In his office, Sarutobi looked over the mission report from Yamato and his team. He was glad that the situation in the Land of Water was able to resolve itself internally, but the encounter that Naruto had with both of the Kumo Jinchuuriki worried him.

Looking up from the report, Sarutobi looked at Jiraiya sitting on the window sill, looking out over the village.

"What do you make of this?" asked Sarutobi handing the report over to his former student.

Quickly reading over the report, Jiraiya said, "Their observations confirmed what my sources in the Land of Water have told me. But this part here about a confrontation between Naruto and the Kumo Jinchuuriki...what the hell were you thinking sending him on that mission in the first place sensei? If he had encountered one of Kiri's Jinchuuriki or was discovered to be one himself by Kiri, who knows what the consequences would have been!"

Not showing the lest bit concern over the hostile tone of his student, Sarutobi answered, "His bloodlimit lent him perfect for this mission, and it was felt that, in case Kiri turned hostile or the Mizukage went on a rampage, it was best to have our own Jinchuuriki stationed nearby to quickly respond to the threat. Kumo, it seems, had the same idea as well."

"Our Jinchuuriki!? For the love of god, sensei, do you hear yourself speaking! This is Minato and Kushina's son we are talking about! And your treating him just like Suna treated it's Jinchuuriki!"

Jumping to his feet and slamming his hands on his desk, "I have NOT treated the boy like that! He was given the choice to join the ANBU on his own accord and he did!"

"Given the choice? Your pulled him from the chunin exams and basically threatened that if didn't accept that he wouldn't advance. And don't you try to deny it! No matter what you said, do you really think that he ever had the option of answering 'no'?

Sitting down with a sigh, Sarutobi looked tiredly up at his student. "You've made this argument before. Please, give it a rest. I know you were hoping to have a chance to train the boy yourself, but it seams fate had a different path for him. He has already been told who his mother was, and has even starting learning her jutsus as well as Whirlpool village jutsus that were brought here by the survivors."

"Fine" said Jiraiya is a huff, "But I still want to spend some mission time with the boy, to both get a gauge on his skill and check on the condition of the seal."

"That can be arranged." said Sarutobi passing Jiraiya another folder. "Very soon we might be needing Tsunade's skills. I want you to bring her back, and you can take a small team with you to aid you too."

"Very well, I'll take to boy with me on this mission then. How soon do you want us to leave?"

"In a few days, give the boy a chance to rest up for two days before heading out. We'll talk about this in greater detail soon. Good night Jiraiya."

"Night sensei" said Jiraiya dropping from the window.

'This is the best path' thought Sarutobi looking out over the village before turning towards the picture of Minato over the door. 'You would agree with me, right?'

XxXxX

(1) I am really sorry...I tried to do Killer Bee to the best of my ability (with his bad rapping and all) so if I offend anyone, my bad... Also if you don't know who Killer Bee or his students are, then look them up on .com

That encounter with Killer Bee will be important to later chapters, just you wait and see!

So please, tell me what you think of this chapter!

Ja ne!