A/N: This is my first try as an author so bear with me. English isn't my first language so don't hesitate to pm me with any fault you find, I am always eager to learn.
I apparently managed to surprise most of you with the way last chapter went. I'm glad about that, the story becoming predictable has never been one of my goals. It is also a good thing that you all liked how Naruto found a way to reach the Key despite not having the Toad contract.
Now I know some of you wanted him to be able to sign both contracts with the Toads and the Dragons. I even know that it is perfectly possible since canon Sasuke apparently has both the Hawks and Snakes contracts. However, I like Naruto being able to surpass everyone with just one set of skills, like only using the Futon elemental affinity.
Finally, yes, Otogakure will play a bigger role from now on in the story. You will see how it affects Konoha and the other nations too in the future chapters.
Releasing a chapter per day has become quite hard, not due to writer's block though. I'm just having quite a bit to do in my job as of late, it doesn't let me as much time as I'd like to write. You can expect a new chapter every two to three days for the time being, it is still pretty fast as far as I can observe from other fics I've been following.
Anyway, welcome to the next chapter of Kaze No Kami.
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or any other manga for that matter.
Chapter 32: Strategy and Preparations
Summoning World – Toad's Area
Naruto followed the Elder Toad Fukasaku as he went into a huge cave. The inside of the cave consisted on an unique room with a throne seat in the center and two smaller seats on each side. Fukasaku took one of the two seats while the other one was already occupied by another small Toad like him, a female one, most likely his wife. On the center Naruto saw a much larger Toad, probably the Great Elder Sage that was going to reveal his destiny to him.
"Naruto-chan, here is my wife Shima, the other one of the two Elder Sages of Mount Myoboku. In the center is our Great Elder Sage, the oldest and wisest of us all and also the one who can read your future." Announced Fukasaku.
"It is a great honor to be introduced to you all but I came here in order to retrieve the Key to the Hakke no Fuin Shiki that my father entrusted to you. Fukasaku-sama said that I needed to speak with the Great Elder Sage first." Naruto said trying to be as formal as possible.
"Hmm, it is great to see you again … Who are you again ?" Said the Great Sage.
"..." Naruto couldn't say anything.
"This is Naruto Uzumaki Namikaze, Great Elder. You said that he would visit us and that's why I brought him here in the first place." Fukasaku said.
"So this is Jiraya's latest disciple, he really looks like the last one you brought here before him." Shima added.
"Oh Uzumaki Naruto, yes, I remember now. I have seen a vision about you, are you ready for it ?" Asked the Great Elder.
"I am ready, please tell me what you saw." Naruto replied.
"In my vision, I see you fighting in a great battle. The vision isn't clear though, your body is covered by a thick mist and I can't say who your enemy is, all I can see are his eyes, they hold great powers. At the end of the war, you will be given a choice. From your answer the fate of the world will depend, if you chose wrong the world will come to an end." The Great Elder said, stunning all the others present in the room.
"I see, that's a lot to take in. From my actions, the world can either be saved or come to an end. Did you see anything else in your vision Great Elder ?" Naruto replied.
"Yes, during your journey you will meet new friends. I see you training with an Octopus and a Cat, they will help you in your future endeavors. I also saw you opening the seal holding back the powers of the Fox." Was the Sage's reply.
"Meeting an Octopus and a cat, …, that's quite mysterious even for you. So you saw me opening the Seal, does that mean you will give me the Key then ?" Naruto asked.
"Gerotora, come in here. My vision is absolutely clear on this, you will store the Key in him." Said the Elder.
Another toad immediately appeared as the Great Sage called him, it was Gerotora, Naruto already saw him once when he was training with Jiraya. It was when the pervert was trying to help him use youki before Naruto had the chakra converting seal.
"So you had the Key, how are we doing this ?" Naruto asked.
The scroll toad opened his body, unrolling the scroll he was holding. Inside was a very complex looking seal with a central square mark at the center. Naruto's eyes widened at the sight, he never expected the 'Key' to be another fuinjutsu scroll.
"You have to put your hand right here inside the square mark and channel chakra through it. Then I will store myself inside your body. You will be able to apply the Key to your seal at the moment of your choice after this, the Key has the power to weaken, strengthen or completely remove the seal." Replied Gerotora.
After that the toad ordered Naruto to open his mouth and directly dived inside. With a well placed kick from Fukasaku and Naruto almost throwing up, the storage operation was a success.
"Now you have the means to tweak the seal as you see fit. I would wait a little bit more if I were you, before completely removing the seal. Think carefully about the location and chose some trustworthy allies to cover for you when you decide to do it." Fukasaku told him.
"Thank you, old toad. You don't need to worry about that, I will remember your words." Naruto said with determination as he made his way out of the room.
His dragon Hiryu was waiting for him outside, ready to leave. After saying goodbye to the toads, Naruto climbed on top of the fire dragon and they flew back in the direction of the Dragon's Realm.
Konoha – Hokage Office
Tsunade was currently inside her office, thinking about the latest problem her favorite blond relative had caused. It had been a week since Namikaze Uzumaki Naruto mysteriously disappeared without a trace from the face of Konoha. Tsunade and Shizune, the only two who were allowed access in the less restricted area of the Namikaze Compound found no evidence of his presence. In the living room, a simple note said that he left for training and would be back as soon as possible.
His absence was immediately noted during the weekly council meeting that took place yesterday, everyone saw the Namikaze Clan seat unoccupied. She could not lie about sending him out on a mission since the council had access to the mission reports so she told them that due to internal family affairs he could not join them for that day.
It was a good thing that Konoha's clan had such privilege, no one could question internal family matters of the leading clans seated in the council. The ruse would not work for much longer though, and Naruto had better come back before the next council meeting or they would start to get suspicious. The civilian side of the council, Danzo especially, would not miss the chance to get him removed from the council or worse, mark him as a missing ninja.
During the conversation about the missing Namikaze's clan head, Tsunade could see that her sensei seemed to know something about it. The old man had a smile on his face, Tsunade knew that face, the professor most likely knew about Naruto's whereabouts. It was a good thing, in the sense that if the Sandaime knew about Naruto's location and didn't make a fuss about it, then the younger blond was probably safe, wherever he was. However, Tsunade felt a little hurt too, as a relative she would have preferred if Naruto had warned her about his sudden trip, furthermore as a Hokage she was also entitled to such information.
Training Ground Seven
It was a very calm day for Haruno Sakura, her shift at the hospital ended and she had nothing more to do for the rest of the day. Tsunade's disciple decided to go train herself in her old team seven's training ground.
The pink haired chunin decided to train in her taijutsu style first and went through the movements she learned from Tsunade. Ever since Uchiha Sasuke deserted the Leaf, she took her training very seriously. For three years, she studied under the best medic kunoichi in the elemental nations, becoming one of the best herself after her master and her fellow student Shizune.
When asked about her motivation to become stronger, she always told the same lie, saying that it was for the benefit of Konoha and to help its people. However, deep inside her heart she always knew why she was so focused on her training. She finally understood that if she wanted to have a chance with the Uchiha heir, she needed to have what he seeks in a woman, Power.
She trained for the better part of the afternoon, taking small breaks in order to not strain her body too much. She was about to call it a day and go back to her home when she saw a hawk landing in front of her. Intrigued by the creature's apparent fearless attitude, she closed the distance between them and observed the bird. It had a small message rolled up and attached in its left leg.
After unrolling the paper, the hawk dispelled itself away and she read the content of the message, her eyes widened at what she saw.
Sakura, I need to speak with you.
Meet me tonight. I'll find you as soon as you step outside the village's walls.
Channel chakra into the paper as soon as you're done reading it.
From Uchiha Sasuke.
Sakura was stunned at what she had in her hands, her conscience and loyalty to her master dictated that she should go to the Hokage Office right now and show Tsunade the paper. Her heart, however, told her to do as said in the message and destroy any evidence of its existence.
She remained at the same spot for quite a long time, lost in her thoughts. She saw herself at the academy, looking at the last Uchiha with love in her eyes. She also saw the hard work she did under Tsunade's tutelage, how fulfilling it felt to finally have someone believe in her.
As Sakura finally came back from her trance, her hand holding the piece of paper with Sasuke's message suddenly glowed blue and the paper disappeared in a small flame then she slowly made her way towards the gates.
That night, Tsunade lost another one of her precious people and the Leaf lost one of its most promising medic kunoichi, as Haruno Sakura easily defeated the two chunin guarding the main gate and disappeared in the darkness of the night.
Unknown Location
A new gathering of the Akatsuki group was taking place again in their usual setup, dark cave and every member using their long range communication jutsu, though the Gedo Mazo statue was not out this time.
"Good, everyone is here. Let's begin the meeting then, Zetsu make your report." The leader said.
"I have continued my spying mission since the last time we all met, as ordered. The remaining targets are the Ichibi, Nibi, Hachibi and Kyuubi. Ichibi and Kyuubi are well aware of our intentions in capturing them and they have not appeared without a good protection insurance ever since. Our best chance for now is to target the other two, the Nibi and Hachibi." Reported Zetsu.
"Knowing the Leaf, they most likely tried to warn Kumo about us, but the Raikage is a prudent and stubborn man. They will not act based on some info sent to them by their old enemy." Uchiha Itachi said in his usual monotonous voice.
"It's a shame we never managed to get a spy inside Kumo, they are highly suspicious of foreigners and watch their borders tightly. Infiltration won't work easily against them but it's still the best option we have so far." Replied the leader.
"Who's going this time ?" Asked an excited Hidan.
"Before that, do you have anything else to report Zetsu ?" Asked the leader.
"Yes, it seems our former member Orochimaru is dead." Answered the spy.
"Who did it ?" Immediately asked Uchiha Itachi.
"It seems your brother managed to surprise the snake. He even turned Kabuto against his former master. Together they plotted Sasuke's takeover of Otogakure, eliminating any obstacle in their path before they finally attacked Orochimaru." Zetsu replied.
"So that slithering freak finally died. A shame really, I wanted to show him who the real immortal is." Added Hidan with a smirk.
"What of his ring ?" The leader asked.
"Neither Kabuto nor Sasuke have been seen wearing it. It seems they don't know its worth or what it really does. It is most likely still inside Orochimaru's former room." Zetsu replied.
"Very well, I have decided of a strategy to follow for the next few weeks. I will give you all your assignments and team placements so listen well, I don't wish to repeat myself." Started the leader.
"Hidan, Kakuzu and Kisame will go to Kumo and capture the Nibi and Hachibi. It is isolated from the rest of the world and unlike Konoha or Suna they aren't really expecting us to make a move against them. Both targets have complete control of their tailed beast, consequently, your mission will require power, that's why I chose these members." He explained first.
"During that time, Itachi, Deidara and Tobi will go to Oto and take back Orochimaru's ring. Same as Kumo, with Orochimaru's death no one in their group will expect us to go against them and more importantly they don't know that we're after the ring. Zetsu with his special ability will assist both groups in information gathering and infiltration. That will be all, dismissed." The leader finished.
With that, every member of the group disappeared in the shadows. The next few weeks will be eventful to say the least.
Summoning World – Dragon's Realm
On the highest mountain of the Dragon's Realm, the young Namikaze Clan head was continuing his training, completely oblivious to the plans, strategies and machinations taking place in the elemental nations during that time.
It was night time already, however the blond was still going on with little trouble. Even the darkness wouldn't stop him from achieving his goals. The Dragon Sight could be seen activated in his eyes, enabling him to perfectly see in the dark.
Another blinding flash and wind wave could be felt through the whole are, most likely preventing every dragon in the area from sleeping. Not that any of them would dare interrupt their summoner, as Ryuoh, the Dragon King himself, was patiently supervising the young Sage's training.
Naruto was suddenly seen flying backwards and crashing into a hard rock. He cursed at something as he slowly stood up again.
"Damn it, I now have enough chakra to perform the final level of my bloodline but the control to achieve it is too damn high !" Yelled the blond to no one in particular.
"You have to calm yourself down, Naru-kun. With the modifications you made to the seal, you can now call forth all nine tails worth of my youki. It is the double of what you are used to wield so it is perfectly normal that you need to refine your control a little bit more in order to open the final door to our bloodline." Natsuki said, trying to help him regain his composure.
"I know, thank you for helping me Na-chan." Naruto replied.
The moment Naruto came back from the Toad's area with the Key stored inside himself, he decided to use it to weaken the seal in order to be able to use more youki. He used every precaution possible, evacuating the area to the max and having Ryuoh looking after him in the event he lost himself to his power.
They decided to proceed with caution, only weakening the seal enough each time to only increase the number of tails he could summon by one at a time. After a week of training, Naruto finally reached the ninth and last tail, though his control over it was still quite low.
Natsuki explained to him that to achieve the last level of his bloodline, it required from him the mastery of both the Hyakuren Jitoku no Kiwami and Saiki Kanpatsu no Kiwami at the same time. Naruto could perfectly launch each of his ultimate modes separately, but combining the two seemed impossible to perform for him.
Unlocking the ninth tail should have allowed him to succeed, with each mode consuming four tails of youki while the initial Muga no Kyouchi only needed one tail worth of youki. There was nothing wrong mathematically, Naruto just needed more concentration.
Otogakure – Main Base
Sakura slowly opened her eyes, only to find herself in a room she did not recognize.
The last thing she remembered was leaving Konoha in the middle of the night after knocking down the two guards that were posted at the gates. She had been running for fifteen minutes when she heard a sound behind her. Turning back she was expecting to see Sasuke, however the one she saw was a smirking Kabuto before all went dark.
She left the unfamiliar room and made her way in the corridor to another room, wider and with people inside. She immediately saw the object of all her desires, Uchiha Sasuke. He also saw her as he immediately spoke.
"You're finally awake, Sakura. Come with me, there's someone I need you to heal ..."
A/N : What do yo think ?
The entire world is moving again, Akatsuki is on the move, as is Otogakure. They placed their pawns on the chessboard and prepared their strategy.
How will the rest of the world react ?
Will Naruto finish his training in time ?
What does Sasuke need Sakura for ?
Continue reading to know more :)
As usual please Read and Review.