You know what would even be sillier is killing off the main hero before this plot can go under way. Besides, even if it's true, the Triforce offers the hero protection... Naruto is Link, Hinata is Zelda. Lansing however is not Ganondorf... c'mon can't have a story without some way, some impossible way of Ganondorf coming back from the dead via resurrection, or the hero dying in the first/second chapter. I won't reveal anymore information until we get to the Shippuuden series, and that won't be until some ways past.
Some spoilers here but having been able to read the latest Naruto manga... I am a little pissed (okay, really pissed) Kishimoto killed off Hinata. She finally tells Naruto that she loved him dearly, only to get struck by Shinra Tensei, and then before Naruto's eyes, Pain/Pein (whatever his name is both sound the same) murders the woman. Being an actual Naru/Hina supporter (though I also like to do other pairings once and awhile), to have Hinata-chan killed... Kishimoto, what the hell? Thankfully, he redeems himself by leaving Hinata BARELY alive... which means she will make a full recovery soon enough. But enough of my rant: I just hope he kills Sasuke. I, and possibly a lot of other readers are tired of the wannabe Sephiroth known as Uchiha Sasuke.
Disclaimer: I do not own anything Naruto or Zelda that is mentioned in this plotline. All I own are original characters, items/weapons/jutsu/ect.
Chapter Thirteen
Looking back at it all, Naruto sometimes wondered what life would be if all of this never happened. Looking at Hinata, who would not leave him be, and fell asleep clung to him on the couch, he then figured that his life would have been more difficult. A thought that entered his mind was that if he was still the fox's jailer, he may have snapped later on if things never improved, but just got worse for him. Looking at Hinata, he drew her close, brushing his fingers along the faint mark of the Triforce on her hand. He brushed his lips against her forehead with a light kiss.
Most guys would murder me just to get a taste of the girls that cling to me, Naruto thought, having realized that, ever since he had unknowingly become the next hero chosen by the goddess, he has attracted girls to his side.
Tenten was one of the few who he helped back when he was five that is until she was taken away by some arrogant villager before he was forced to run and hide again. Next was Hinata, who was also chosen by the goddess to bear the symbol that marked Zelda in the past life. Kin when he saved her, Temari when he saved her brother and somehow changed his ways as well simultaneously. However the first girl who was with him, who he met by fate was Midna.
Centuries ago, Midna and Link encountered one another when Twilight bathed the world, which was back then known as the land of Hyrule. Given the history lesson from Midna in the view of things she's encountered on that grand adventure, she was chosen to become the ruler of her people, within the Twilight. However, the evil king known as Ganondorf came, in the guise of a god, granting his power to the Usurp King, Zant, who cursed many of her people into hideous shadow beasts, and also cursed her in the same way that she is now.
When Zant had finally been killed, the powers of the Fused Shadows were brought back into full form, however so, in order to shatter the curse, Link had to find and defeat Ganondorf. The battle was long and hard, but in the end of things, with the revival of Zelda, Link and Ganondorf did battle in a sword contest, which Link ultimate won in the end. With his death, came the shattering of the curse which binded Midna to her chibified form. And then, they parted ways... or so they thought. The demons arrived, and began to wreak havoc across the land.
The powers of the nine demons were powerful enough, that it had split a rip through the sky itself, once again connecting the worlds together, where their power also spilled into her kingdom and unleashed destruction. Midna came to Earth once again, to find Link, only to witness his death at the hands of one of the tailed demons, and the shattering of the Master Sword. In her act of avenging Link's death, she found the demon that killed the man that she loved but never could, and tried to kill the beast, only to end up cursed once again, but this time sealed away, in which time slowly forgotten her, the Twilight, and the history of Hyrule itself.
They all learned that story from Midna, when she had no choice but to after she had revealed herself to everyone else that Naruto knew, and she spared no details of the descriptions of the battles she and Link played in, to save the world. And now, all of its duties passed onto him. Of course, the only other person who did not know of it was Sasuke, as the trauma he suffered had placed him into a light coma; he would awaken in about a week according to medical expertise.
Two days ago... we learned that it was Zant's child... somehow he had a child... who had taken revenge against Midna, trapping her in that way, cursing her with a similar curse placed by Ganondorf through Zant. And now, this same maniac wants to find the demons that nearly destroyed the world, and bring back some dark army of monsters from the old days...
Naruto peers at his hand, which was marked by the Triforce. He clenched it tightly. "He is also marked as well," he whispered to himself.
Naruto slowly closed his eyes, hoping that some light sleep would ease his ever growing worries.
=0=0=
Naruto woke up sometime later to find himself alone in the couch. He looked around, hearing someone knocking on the door. He got up yawning and opened the door, finding Shikamaru standing there with a Chunnin vest on.
"Yo... what's going on?"
"Sasuke abandoned the village... do you have any idea what time it is?"
Looking at the clock in the corner it was... close to seven in the morning. That explains Hinata's disappearance... he had slept the rest of the day on. Well, that sleep did do him some good.
"I do now... what do you want?"
"Since you are this chosen hero and all of that, you were the first person I could think of coming to for the Search and Retrieval of Uchiha Sasuke."
"Did Tsunade-baachan issue this mission, or was it the greedy council members who think the Sharingan is worth more than gold and blood of life itself and forced her to do this?"
Shikamaru gave him a look that silently said, "Do you think I'm an idiot?" in which Naruto sighed and told him that he'll be ready soon. Shikamaru left after telling him to meet at the gates in less than half an hour, and be prepared. In half an hour, Naruto made it. He rode Epona as usual, and Kin was the only one in the ground who was a female, and also hitching a ride with Naruto. Also there was Neji, Chouji, and Lee. Tenten would be there but Tankou needed help and she was unable to join this mission. Shikamaru however understood. Naruto did need more Nin-ombs made... even if the name sounded silly.
"Are we ready?"
"Yup," Naruto replied, as Epona snorted.
"You can keep that horse quiet, right?"
"I only had Epona for awhile now, but she listens to me very well... as if we were destined to be together."
Kin smirked.
=0=0=
Naruto and Kin were the only two to have escaped all other traps, as everyone else were forced to stay behind and combat against Oto Shi (Sound Four). Thankfully, there were paths and the like that he could ride Epona into, however the paths took a bit of a longer trek. He and Kin however never knew that Sasuke was actually waiting for them, or rather, waiting for Naruto to arrive, so that he could be killed. Epona was halted in her advance as she whinnied. They were at the foot of a rocky shore. The rocks were like smooth pebbles, and it fed into a river from an immense waterfall before them, depicting two great warriors. This was also the location of the fight between the Shodai and Madara, before Lansing killed the Uchiha after the battle and claimed his body as his own.
"Stay here Kin... I don't know what he could do..."
"No Naruto. I'm here for you, got it?"
Then she kissed him soundly. Naruto smiled when she leaned back from the kiss, and Naruto took out the Chakra Grabble and lashed out at a rock, and reeled himself up. He did this for a minute until he had enough foot holdings to climb the rest up. On arriving, Sasuke had turned around. The effects of the seal had shown itself on him, changing one half of his face with black runic marks, and his left eye, despite the Sharingan spinning, was yellow. Naruto had equipped himself with his usual sword and shield, the Chakra Grapple put away.
Naruto doesn't have much Ninjutsu at his disposal, other than the Rasengan, but that itself is still hard to use. With that joke jutsu, Sennen Goroshi, a Senbon with attached Nin-omb can transform it into one hell of a dangerous A to S-class technique, A to S due to the fact of the bomb blowing up your rear end to bloody chunks of flesh and pelvis bone, or more. He still has his Kenjutsu Ninjutsu techniques. Naruto jumped back as Sasuke crossed the wide distance, ready to kill.
Once I return, I need to learn more jutsu to implement my hero style, he thought.
"Why are you here, Naruto?"
"Frankly, I don't give a damn what you do, however going to that snake fag is really downright stupid. I'll tell you right now, that whether or not you live or die, one way or another, I will not allow you to cross to Orochimaru's side."
"You do not understand... he has the power that I require! Power that shall help me eliminate Itachi from my life once and for all!"
He charged. Naruto brought his sword up, blocking and attacking back. But, Sasuke was tapping into the power of the Cursed Seal to try and win this, and that left Naruto to defend. Sasuke looked like a mad man with the way he gazed at the green-dressed blonde. Kin could only watch down below, hearing the faint clash of fist and metal. Naruto roared as Sasuke came at him, and he used Gokumonken to redirect damage intent into Sasuke.
"Power is one thing, but too much can corrupt you..."
"He is right, you know," spoke a voice, and in a bolt of lightning, the Darknut appeared. Kumo struck Sasuke in the neck with a chop, knocking him out cold, and then roughly, with his strength, threw him clear away from the field, crashing into some bushes nearby across the river.
"You..."
"Yes, me..."
Kumo took out his sword, and Naruto instantly adopted into his ancestor's stance.
"Now we dance!"
He swung his weapon, firing a bolt of green lightning. Naruto blocked the attack with the shield as it ricocheted away and slammed into the left eye of the statue's head behind Kumo. Despite wearing his bulky armoring, the man proved his speed by crossing the distance and chopping down. Naruto's only saving grace was dodging to the left, and lashing out with the sword. He back flips away as Kumo released another bolt of lightning from his blade. Naruto this time was caught and sent flying, electricity buzzing across his body. He was cursing his mouth off as Kumo stalked up to him. Once the distance was crossed, he lunged for the kill. Naruto had regained feeling and ducked. Kabuto was waiting nearby when he raced to the VOTE, hearing lightning jutsu being unleashed. Upon arriving, he saw the Naruto boy, still clad in that green get-up. At least it wasn't spandex... however; he was interested to see this weird man of a warrior clad head to toe in metal, almost like one of those old castle suits of armor in the few castles around the world. Kabuto saw that the armor gave of the scheme akin to lightning, and the blade itself looked like one in a solid state.
"Hero, you will not survive!" Kabuto heard the armored man roar, before the small hairs on his neck stood at the electrified buzz in the air. Storm clouds began to emerge rapidly, yet, he feet no charge of chakra. This man was something close to an Elemental Master, which only a very few exist in the world today. He couldn't really further research this odd phenomenon because the black storm clouds, which have casted a darker appearance on the entire area, flashed wildly and then fired bolts of lightning in random directions. He spotted Sasuke's body nearby, knocked out. He dodged a lightning bolt himself as he continued spying, gathering more Intel on Naruto the so-called chosen hero, and this weird armored knight.
He suddenly felt dread in the air as the Cursed Seal suddenly sparked, and then, on Sasuke's neck, it had shifted into the next level. The boy was now pale-skinned, and his eyes were a twisted flip of black with white to yellow iris. A strange mark of a four point star lines the center of his face close to the bridge of the nose, and the hair grew out more, turned a shade lighter. Plus, giant winged burst from his back, but they were webbed clawed hands which acted as wings. The now awake Uchiha flew towards Kumo and bashed him into the back with a flying shoulder tackle. Now, if Naruto still had the fox inside of him, he would have reacted, fought harder, and tapped into its youkai and Kumo Darknut would not even exist right now. This isn't the case. He hated to do this, but he had no choice... he puts his weapons away and retreated. Kumo saw this out the corner of his visor, and fired a bolt of lightning at his back, sending him flying over the edge of the waterfall. Kin, and Kakashi when he had arrived, saw this. The girl had dove into the water to rescue him, while Kumo got back up, and now stared down the transformed boy.
"Hmph, I have no time for you."
He turned his back, and dodged the attack from Sasuke, his fabled Chidori that was taught to him by Kakashi. Kumo snorted with humor in his voice. "Lightning? Ha! You haven't seen real electricity, kid." Sasuke's response was to attack once more this time aided in speed by his flapping hand wings.
Kumo retaliates by sending a etheral dragon flowing with lightning at Sasuke, clipping his wings when the boy dodged. The boy cried out as the flow of electricity burned his wings as he crashed into the bank side. Kumo took no hesitation in lashing out with a killing blow. However, all he destroyed was a small tree no bigger than a mail box. He saw in the fading distance a silver-haired young man carrying a now unconscious and seal-gagged Sasuke. A grunt left him as he turns around, and leaps down. His crash land alerts the two, when Kin as fished the boy out of the river, along with his dropped sword.
"Well..."
He smiled, though it could not be seen. His eyes however glowed sinisterly as he brings his sword, ready for combat once again, into a slashing position.
"Time to die!"
He chops down... and the blade is caught by a large halberd, wielded by one hand.
"Yo, what is this? Picking on defenseless shinobi and a swordsman? How rude of you my armored friend."
Kumo was pushed back by the stalemate, and the guy shook his head in disappointment, though he now held himself in defense before Kin and the unconscious Naruto, brown eyes lit with excitement at a possible fight.
"And just who the hell are you?"
Kakashi wondered as well, as he was about to take the blow for Kin and Naruto. The man's clothing consisted of a pair of white hakama pants with a belt sheathing six daggers, three each hip, and a dark gray tank. The strap-on black sandals were plated with metal around the toes and heels. Overlapping was an open white kimono with the sleeves decorated with the intricate design of a Chinese dragon around the right sleeve then curled around the back of the neck and the head reaching off to the right elbow of the sleeve. His forearms and the palms were wrapped in white tape, as were the legs around the back heels to two inches below the knees. His black hitai-ate tied to his forehead gave his short, yet thick locks of chocolate brown hair an up-drifted style, with long bangs crossing along his sides. Not much like Kakashi's scarecrow mop of hair, but very similar. His height can easily match that of Maito Gai, and though he was lanky in appearance, Kakashi knew that one should never judge what you see. He could tell right away, the way this man held his weapon, he was a lot stronger than first appearing. On his back, was a leather sword sheathe that is designed to hold such weapons like a large halberd. The halberd itself looked like a straight-edge type, with the handle made for two hand movement, however at the bottom was a crescent sharp blade attached, which he suspect was used to catch overzealous enemies off guard.
"Take a look at my Hitai-ate, you dumbass," the man replied.
Kumo did, and chuckled a bit. "A Kane-nin all the way out here...?"
A ninja from Kane no Kuni...? Kakashi thought.
"I'm on vacation. Just happened to pass through when I saw this freak act of nature form out of no where, so I came to investigate. Glad I did though... stop you from killing these two kids." He twirls the weapon high above him, before prepping it before him, now holding the large weapon with two hands, "as for a name, call me Taosu Sanosuke. Fuuton: Senpuu Hebi (Whirlwind Serpent)!"
With a slash, a whirlwind formed and flies towards Kumo, taking on the appearance of a large serpent. Hence the name, however the attack got slashed in half. The wind barely does much damage as he charges Sanosuke who was shifting through a dozen hand signs with the sword stabbed beside him.
"Kinzokuton: Sonikuu Satsu (Metal Release: Sonic Slicer)!" Kumo swung, but then cried out as he was taken by surprise by Sanosuke grabbing two of his daggers and slicing them, holding them like Asuma's daggers. From the blade itself was a force of chakra energy in the shape of a blue crescent; that is what struck Kumo, and managing to damage his armor.
"Well... your armor is pretty tough. Men, and some women, fall to death at this technique of mine... so, only good enough hard strikes damage your armor..."
"Hmph, I never expect someone like YOU to emerge literally from no where... the boy can die another day... both him and the princess. You... intrigue me... It has been such a long time that I have ever seen actually shinobi use the element of metal. I am known simply as Kumo, a Darknut warrior loyal to my master only."
His yellow eyes flashed once. "I will kill the boy soon enough, for my master. And anyone else who comes to his aid shall perish." A bolt of lightning strikes the armored warrior, generating a temporary blinding flash. The flash faded in less than a few seconds later, however he was officially gone.
Sanosuke with an expert twirl of the halberd sheathes the mighty sword behind him once again in its leather sleeve, before turning around. "The kid alright?"
"He is... uh, arigatou."
"No problem. Say, mind if I tag along. I only have about a month left before my vacation ends, and then I'm expected to return to Kane. Was actually planning on heading to Konoha as my last stop of my Eastern Tour."
The mission to retrieve Uchiha Sasuke has failed. The fortunate timing of a foreign ninja did help in their favors, in the scene of Naruto being saved while he was knocked out. Kakashi and the few others were able to be sent, with the unexpected help of the Sabaku siblings, who have at the last second able to save the others sent on this mission. The four subordinates of Orochimaru are dead, but not with the victors sporting injuries. If it wasn't for the shield, that solid bolt would have done more damage to Naruto than ever. His healing was helping things, but luckily for the green-clad hero... he's still alive.
=0=0=
The few ANBU that have left with Kakashi returned with Team Shikamaru. Only Kakashi, Kin, Naruto, and his pet horse were missing. Of course, it was here that there would be a very interesting encounter. The two gate guards, who were the unfortunate Biggs and Wedge, having finally gotten out of probation (after the incident with someone sneaking into the village and escaping with stolen goods) looked up from reading magazines to see a familiar mare, and a young teenager riding the horse. There was a man, a foreign guy, who carried a large Halberd on his back, next to Hatake Kakashi, who as carrying the unconscious Naruto. That got their attention.
"He's with us, now let us in!" Kakashi barked. They opened the gates as Kakashi now rushed to the hospital carrying Naruto all the way. Sakura was at the gates when it had opened and her sensei ran past her. She turned to see Kin looking sad, as if she was worried, and there was no Sasuke. She looked to the guy who was following Kin. She noticed his Hitai-ate was not of this continent. Being the one with book smarts, she could instantly notice he was from Kane no Kuni, off to the west.
At the hospital, Tsunade had overlooked all medical reports. The worst injuries dealt to Neji and Chouji can be taken care of with time, but they were saved from death just in time. Thankfully Lee was okay; having been saved from a fatal hit by Sabaku no Gaara. He was injured again, but this time there was nothing too serious. He just needed to listen to the doctor's advice and rest for once in his damn youthful-inspired life... she shuddered just saying that word. And then, Naruto.
"Now, tell me what happened, Kin."
"I was with Epona when Naruto and Sasuke fought. The Uchiha prick was using his Cursed Seal, but halfway through the fight, Naruto was mostly put on defense and countering with his Gokumonken, when Kumo Darknut showed up, took Sasuke out, and Naruto was forced to fight against him. It lasted for some time, until he managed to wear Naruto down when Sasuke awakened again. I however felt this evil aura radiating off him. He had changed..."
"How?"
"The Cursed Seal. Somehow, he had achieved the second form, transforming him into some sort of twisted demonic form. He had giant webbed hands with sharp claws that acted like wings. However, Kumo still managed to fight him off, but just to an unconscious state before attacking us. Thankfully, this guy here, who was in the area, saved us, and pushed him into a retreat..."
"Alright... I may call you in later for a more detailed report, but right now, go see Shizune to get a check-up just incase." Tsunade turned to the foreign Kane-nin, as Kin left, closing the door.
"And you would be?"
"Taosu Sanosuke, Jounin. I'm from Sunnyvale City that resides in Kane no Kuni, under command of the Godaime Metarukage, Ishtal Malik."
Tsunade was surprised. She had heard of the Ishtal Clan, whom reside in the western continent known as Celestial. They were to an extent users of shadow arts. There was a few Nara in the village that dislikes the Ishtal because of the claim for having the mastery of shadow arts long before them. Of course, the Naras who call it Shadow Arts, the Ishtal call it Shadow Magic.
"And you claim to just staying here for the rest of your vacation time?"
"Yup. Heard about this Oto, but couldn't find it so I left, stumbling upon black storm clouds in the distance. I already visited most of the other major villages and smaller ones. Tend to pass Suna for a day on my way to Matsu no Kuni's Liberty Port. So yeah... just point me to the nearest cheap motel that I can stay in for some time, and I can mind my own business... get back to my reading, or watch some TV and such."
Then he takes a drink from a can of soda he purchased from a nearby vending machine. It was Cherry Pipisi, one of the desired favorite soda brands in the Five Elemental Countries as reported in Shinobi Digest last year.
"Well... there is a place you can stay at," Tsunade speaks up after awhile, "you did save Naruto, so I have to thank you for your act of heroics. You will have to wait while I have someone take you to his apartment. He has enough living space to accommodate several more people."
"No problem. It's just that just looking at him, sorta reminds me of Uchiha Mikoto... that is before she got remarried."
"WHAT!?" Tsunade exploded.
Sanosuke blinked.
"Something wrong?"
"Yes there is," she growled out, "I don't know if it's common knowledge in the west, but the Uchiha were once a great clan, until they were all massacred."
"Oh, well we do know of that, but I thought it was known as Mikoto had already on grounds of divorce, and fled one night to the west?"
Now it was Tsunade's turn to blink. She applied a locking and sound locking seal in the room. Now this conversation was private between the two adults.
"Mikoto was found exhausted outside the city limits, where Malik's son, Sekai, took her into the Ishtal Mansion, and tended to her needs. Malik at the time, who was the upcoming successor to the Yondaime, questioned her. She revealed to us that she left her husband because of his manipulative ways. One night, she had filed for official divorce, packed what she wanted, and fled the mansion. She was three years older than him, Sekai that is, but Sekai and Mikoto soon fell in love, and she married to him."
Tsunade resisted the urge to punch something. That meant that if what is truth, then Mikoto is a survivor. The council, those who see the bloodline more worth than human lives, would instantly demand the massacre of Kane no Kuni's shinobi village just to reacquire a dojutsu, which, by ancient clan bylaws if she remembered correctly, would now belong to that clan and whatever village that clan resided in. In this case, the Sharingan migrated to the west, and to declare war on another continent was nothing short but stupid and suicidal to one's career and his/her own life.
"Although... Mikoto on the night of the wedding, completed some sort of seal that she branded upon herself, which takes the disguise of a heart-shaped seal on her left buttock close to the hipbone... don't ask but my uncle, retired ninja mind you, runs a local tattoo shop in the city. And he did the artwork while she helped him through the process of writing the tiny runes that make the tattoo artwork."
"What does this seal do?"
"Destroys the Sharingan," was the simple reply, "she had gotten wind of what her son Itachi did, and thought that the Sharingan will no longer exist. She may be a Uchiha by blood, but as for the dojutsu, it will die with Uchiha Itachi and that Sasuke kid I heard mentioned by that girl with pink hair outside the hospital speaking to that guy who reads Icha Icha. Any of her offspring would either be normal ninja, or be offspring who have the ability to perform Shadow Magic, the bloodline trait of the Ishtals."
Well, if they knew, telling them this information would piss off the Sharingan greedy bastards, but then would simply mark her a Nuke-nin. Though, again, Uchiha Mikoto no longer existed. And if she was indeed married it would be better off if she remained dead in Konoha. She sighed wearily. This was one thing that would remain a secret, and the only people who knew of it was Mikoto, whoever is associated with her, this Sanosuke guy, and herself... glad Kin left earlier...
"I did know Mikoto once before..."
"She is doing fine. She has a daughter, Ishtal Hitomi, who's about that girl's age, the one you sent off to that Shizune person for a health checkup. Sekai doesn't like the fact that her daughter reads Icha Icha Paradise. Although I believe that it was curiosity on her part." He sighed, and Tsunade face palmed, "though with Mikoto..."
"She reads those books?"
Sanosuke chuckled with amusement. "She got mad when one of her books went missing, only to find it hidden under her daughter's bed when she was eight years old."
"Damn you Jiraiya," Tsunade growled.
There was also this one time she had accidentally stumbled upon her mother and father in the bedroom. At that time of the incident she was still just an Academy Student, and nine years of age. She had returned home, and looked for the two. Entering the room she saw her father in bed, and her mother who was bouncing up and down him. She had gotten a good eyeful before her mother, though in pre-orgasmic bliss, yelled at her to get out before her husband released himself into the woman. This as a result, and curiosity of an orange book, has transformed her into a pervert from that day on into today. Half an hour later into discussion, Sanosuke parted with the information of Mikoto's escape: using a civilian prisoner to act as her through a seal-based Genjutsu, one of the few that is within the inner workings of ANBU HQ today. Tsunade was willing to keep Mikoto's survival a secret. Sanosuke was glad of it. Mikoto was dead to the east, and she was enjoying her new life with her own family. Things however got more interesting.
The man he bumped into exiting the hospital was a Jounin much like he was, loyalty set for the Metarukage. Half his face was covered by his locks of thick white hair. The left area of his face was loose by black hair with several from both sides uplifted at the back, his left crimson eye glowing softly. His left elf-like ear was pierced with the four card suits. The clothing worn was black and a long-sleeved vest-like coat with a white undershirt and cuffs, a red silk tie, and a pair of matching slacks with a leather belt. The coat vest the person wore had two coattails lining the back, and he had four small metals pinned to the right fold, all designed after the four card suits. The pointed shoes worn are black with white laces, and topping his head was a short-height top hat, black with a white border rim. Sharper eyes can clearly see the sharp black metal ring under the rim of the hat. As for his hitai-ate, he never wore one, though he wore a badge that symbolized him as a Kane-nin in his wallet, and a backup pin in the left fold of his coat. There also is the fact that Kane's symbol was printed on the backs of his three card decks on his belt.
"Well, Blackjack... I never thought to run into you here."
The youthful looking man smirked. "Well, nice to see you too, Sanosuke."
And this is where we will find our two Kane ninja half an hour later, at a local Jounin bar.
"Really?"
"True. Malik sent me to go and find that Brut guy off the council. He fled with half the city's finances. I finally found him, and I currently have him held up here in the village prison. I had sent all the stolen money back to Sunnyvale through Malik's summoned owl Hedwig. Afterward, I stayed here. It's only my second day."
"I see... mind staying with me then?"
Blackjack shrugged, and downs the rest of his drink. "No problem Sanosuke. I am interested in that Naruto kid you told me about... dressed in a green tunic carrying a sword and shield like one of those ancient hero type people."
Sanosuke chuckled. "You are not thinking about having a spar with the kid, are you?"
"Not a heavy one no, that is if I can find whoever is his Jounin-sensei. Despite the clothes which is something more of a western trait, he is still a Genin. An experienced one if the two weapons aren't juts for show."
Sanosuke drank his sake. "Just don't go overboard with your Poker jutsu. I would like to test him out."
Blackjack can only raise his left eyebrow in curiosity.
=0=0=
Naruto opened his eyes, and found Hinata sitting at his bedside, asleep.
What the hell?
He remembered... Sasuke!
Shit, that means he escaped and is with the snake fag right now. This is just great...
He lies back in the bed now that he had awakened. He had left Midna so that she could be company with Hinata while he was gone. They had bypassed traps and ambushes, leaving just him and Kin to chase Sasuke. He had gotten there and Kin remained with his horse while he defended against Sasuke's attacks. Then Kumo showed up, and he was fought to exhausting and knocked out when he tried to flee to safety...
He looked over at Hinata, and frowned. She must have stayed with me...
"Hinata-chan?"
The girl moaned softly and opened her eyes, aroused from her sleep.
"Hinata... where's everyone else?"
The door opened, and in came Tsunade. As she closed the door, Midna appeared in a physical sense, floated over, and whacked Naruto over the head.
"Naruto you idiot... don't get hurt like that again!"
"Ow! Sorry Midna-chan..."
Then he's hugged by Hinata, who was glad to see the boy she loved was alright.
"Naruto... Sasuke escaped, but everyone involved in the mission have survived. The Oto Shi are dead though. With thanks from the Sabaku Siblings."
Naruto blinked. "What about-"
"That man in the armor that we have on record from the mission to rescue you, escaped as well, driven off by Taosu Sanosuke. He's a ninja from Kane, actually on vacation. I granted him your place as a means of housing until he has to return back to his home village, or city."
"Who's he?"
Tsunade, whom was checking Naruto to make sure he was not injured anymore, spoke. "He's a sword user like you, though he uses a halberd the size of Kubikiri Hocho. You'll meet him once you're released from the hospital, though I asked Midna here to try and use her power to teleport you into your bedroom. You still need rest."
"Alright, anything to get out of this damn hospital... hate 'em and the food they serve..."
Hinata giggled a bit, lighting a smile on the blonde's face. She had taken out of her pocket Naruto's hat, and handed it to him. He thanked her, and she blushed more.
=0=0=
A week had passed, and still there was crap going on about the Uchiha still missing. Avid Uchiha supporters wanted Naruto's head for allowing him to leave, calling his death. Sakura and Ino were torn between supporting the Uchiha fan club, or defending Naruto against those who want him lynched. Either way, Naruto felt this was as if he had the fox in him once again. Sanosuke, and by proxy Blackjack, met Naruto in that week, and though Kakashi was out on another mission he could take by himself, that left Naruto with the Halberd user. Though Tsunade had shut up those who want Naruto dead because of the failed mission, she couldn't control the more avid supporters who still thought of Naruto as the Kyuubi in human skin. Right now, we would find Naruto in his backyard, blocking yet another strike from Sanosuke's halberd with the Kubikiri Hocho.
"Block it Naruto!"
And Naruto did block whatever strikes would come his way. Jiraiya sat at the sidelines watching all of this. The reason he did not step in was because Naruto's affinity for wielding a sword effectively, no matter the class, would do him some good. To train in wielding the Kubikiri Hocho much more effectively can help him with strength training. Now Sanosuke commanded Naruto to attack him, and he did, lashing out with the giant blade as best he could. It was here the lesson ended when he was disarmed. Sanosuke saw that Naruto was good at blocking with such a big weapon, yet attacking with it is limited.
"Now then Naruto... I believe that it may be possible fo me to teach you something special."
"Wait, what?"
Sanosuke smirked. "Now normally that wouldn't happen, considering we're from different villages... well... areas, actually. However, I feel that you can do it. You show a lot of promise. As long as it's okayed by Malik-sama and Lady Hokage-sama, then I can teach you this technique. However, you have a limit of two weeks before I leave, and you will never learn it. Got it?"
"Sure... anything to get more power to protect those who cannot shield themselves... I have to become stronger, to become the hero I was destined to become."
"Good answer, now, Jiraiya-sama here can help you on that concept. Just make sure he practices a total of five hundred left slashes, right slashes, and momentum chops."
Jiraiya nodded. "That sounds just about right. I do remember that one other guy, what was his name... Hayate, yeah, would practice such training regimens."
Naruto grunted a bit. "I know, though he made me do a lesser number with the Master Sword back then."
Jiraiya nodded. "Now gaki, you get some rest. In an hour, you will start these slashes on a statue I will provide."
Sanosuke stabs his weapon into the ground, and sits down under the tree he was near.
"You remind me of my student Naruto."
"Who, Sanosuke-sensei?" Naruto asks the man.
"Takami Shinji. He uses kenjutsu as well."
"Oh, really?"
"Yup. He also uses Kinzokuton jutsus, though it's mostly affiliated with the Takami Sabre. Now kid, incase your wondering, Kinzokuton is one of the rare side elements, much like Hyoton jutsus. And of course only a few shinobi in the world that can use Kinzokuton jutsu hails from Kane no Kuni, one of the few countries in the world with a rich history of ore refinement and mines for today's metal alloys."
Naruto nodded, eating a simple hoagie sandwich he had made, but kept in an Igloo branded storage cooler, along with a cold drink for a beverage.
"Although it's not possible to use metal in their jutsu techniques... one such example is one of the past Kazekages of Suna whom had an affinity for using sand and metal as a fusion. Forgot the name but that is one example of a pseudo Kinzokuton..."
"So, what ARE all the elements?"
"Well, the basics you should have known already, Naruto, from your time in your Academy. However, some of those elements can be used in fusion to form a new element. Wind and Water creates Ice, while Earth and Fire to a grand degree creates Lava, or Youton. I only heard of one ninja who could use Lava as his main elemental affinity, but that is just it."
"I see... what other elements can be used?"
"Well, there is Crystal, which is a fusion of Sand and Fire combined with Wind. Sure it creates glass, but at times it can also be used as crystal. Although, I know no one to date who is a prominent user of Crystal just that this type of affinity fusion exists. For Wood, is a fusion of Earth and Water I believe... and the ones who could use Mokuton to a high degree was the Senjuu clan of this village."
"What is the fusion for Metal? Kinzokuton?"
"Well... that would be Earth, Fire, and Wind. Earth and Fire to make a malleable substance, and then wind to cool it down. Fire for heat and wind to cool down creates a hardened consistency to metal."
"But is not true metal?"
Sanosuke smiled. "Right kid. We're you a Rookie of your class graduation?"
"Not really, but some events in my life had changed me... and I don't regret those changes. Sure some things have become much different than I may have expected, but it allowed me to actually live the way I want to live now."
Sanosuke nodded. He liked this kid. He could have seen this young man become an excellent shinobi for Sunnyvale if things were different...
"Maybe someday if we ever meet again, I'll introduce you to my team. They're Chunnin, but I still call them my students, as they call me sensei."
He heard the back door open, and a squeal as Tenten hugs him. "Naruto-kun!"
"Tenten-chan! Hello. I would like to introduce to you my temporary sensei. Taosu Sanosuke, from Kane no Kuni. He's here on vacation for the rest of his time until he returns back home. This is one of my close friends, Higurashi Tenten."
"Nice to meet you, pretty lady," he says with a lazy salute.
"So... is that sword yours?"
"Yup. Had when I was a kid, of course back then it was smaller. I always made my own weapons to accommodate my growth as I grew older. This is just one of the latest incarnations I own."
"So, Naruto, what were you and your sensei here talking about?"
"Nothing much, just jutsu elements. He uses Kinzokuton jutsu."
Tenten whistled. Even she had heard from Gai-sensei about shinobi, very few, who used the rare metal element. Hinata joined, as did Kin. Temari was needed back in Suna which explained her absence. Naruto then had another question, as Sanosuke tried not to laugh at seeing three beautiful girls taking seats near or around the blonde green-clad hero. "Tell me though; does your place have a kage?"
"Yup. My Godaime Metarukage is Ishtal Malik. We're from the west so we have few more kages than here in the east, which is five in total, with other shinobi villages and villages having either high ranking leaders like a Daimyo, or a ninja lord in an extent to that of kage level, but not recognized as an official kage. Hoshigakure no Sato has a kage, but right now it's unofficial. In Celestial, we have no more than ten kages."
Naruto whistled in amazement, and everyone else was surprised. It wasn't much known in their history books back at the Academy, just that it's known that the world is always bigger than you expect outside the place you call your home. "Really?"
"Yes Naruto. And listing off Kage, Village or City, and Country of Origin: Metarukage from Sunnyvale City, Kane no Kuni (Metal Country), Nijikage from Nekkigakure no Sato (Village Hidden in the Heat), Hibatake no Kuni (Fire Fields Country), Sazanakage from Ripurugakure no Sato (Village Hidden in the Ripple), Hamon no Kuni (Ripple Country), Tentainokage from Tenjingakure no Sato (Village Hidden in the Celestial), Tantei no Kuni (Celestial Country), Netsukage from Nijiirogakure no Sato (Village Hidden in the Rainbows), Niji no Kuni (Rainbow Country), Arashikage from Arashigakure no Sato (Village Hidden in the Storm), Arashi no Kuni (Storm Country), Tomokage from Takogakure no Sato (Village Hidden in the Corn), Tsubu no Kuni (Kernel Country), Kyokage from Kyoukokugakure no Sato (Village Hidden in the Canyon), Nikeikoku no Kuni (Red Canyon Country), Masshurukage from Kinokogakure no Sato (Village Hidden in the Shroom), Haratake no Kuni (Mushroom Country), and Yashikage of Toropikarugakure no Sato (Village Hidden in the Tropics/Tropical), Angel Island."
"And Angel Island is?"
"As I said earlier Naruto, it is home to Toropikarugakure. It's actually a large island that is off a few miles to the east of Uzu no Kuni. It's actually in between Uzu to the west and Matsu to the east next to Kaze. Kane no Kuni is the only country in the east that holds a shinobi force and is a true city. And those are the recognized countries, and two islands, that have kage ranks. We have other lesser countries that are either with smaller shinobi villages with a high rank below kage, or some that are just neutral countries. We only have one country with no shinobi force and that's Uzu no Kuni (Whirlpool Country). In Tantei no Kuni, holds the location of King Sirius' castle."
"A king? A real king?"
"Yup. Sirius is in fact only eighteen years old, but he is the youngest king in history after his father."
The hour had passed faster than expected, and Jiraiya returned, only to drop down a giant statue thanks to Gamarudo, and then promptly vanished again. Naruto suspected to peep on unsuspecting women again. Naruto however learned a lot about another continent. Now, as he practiced his training, he was starting to get some ideas about some sort of Training Session that would take him out of the village.
Just because the name is Sanosuke does not mean he's one of the Kenshin characters. He actually existed out of a Naruto plotline which has somewhat died out. Taosu Sanosuke, Takami Shinji, and Blackjack, are recycled OCs from the dead storyline The Black Shadow of Metal Country. Most of those other countries, but Uzu no Kuni, are also recycled material from The Black Shadow of Metal Country, and Toropikarugakure comes from another story which is basically dead that I now recycle from, entitled Toropikarugakure no Sato.
The Black Shadow of Metal Country, before then, had no Japanese names for the countries and villages, and took me awhile to sort out their English names into accurate Japanese. It was real hard to keep track, but I did finally christen them with real names. The western continent has more countries, but you'll have to wait until I reveal them. Real hard to pronounce each Village Kage, the Village itself, and Country of Origin in a full on sentence... I'm probably one of the few who expands the Naruto universe to past the Five Elemental Countries, Temujin's Continent, and such (or until Kishimoto decides to spring up more landscape in the manga).
Toropikarugakure no Sato was a village that was hidden on a resort island, originally to the north past Lightning Country, where the Uzumaki Clan, what clan members survived, existed, with the Ishtal Clan as the head clan with Malik as Yashikage. The original plot in the story Toropikarugakure no Sato started at the Chunnin Exams, and Naruto was more fox-like in that plotline, his character mimicked off Miles "Tails" Prowler from the Sonic the Hedgehog series, thus the ability of having twin tails that can grant him limited flight. In recycled material, it is an island now situated in the ocean between Matsu and Uzu.
And yes, I did a little tie with my other Naruto one shot story that involved Mikoto. Hey, I like her... just wish her character could have been described more fully, but this is my story, so I can have certain elements exist that are out of canon. And since my internet had been forcibly downgraded to dial-up, that grants me a chance to actually get more involved in my work. However, that is all that I have to say. This story WILL continue, however, until I get faster internet, you will need to be patient.