Yo readers!
Hope you are all well'n'stuff.
New chapter! A bit longer than the last two! The response to this story has been better than I could of ever hoped for, so thank you so much!
Now sit back, grab you're Naruto plushies and enjoy!
It was four hours later Kitsune reappeared from his room, he moved to go and sit down but was interrupted by a knock on the door. He tilted his head at Loki, but the leader of the Hunters merely shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. Cinna walked over to the door and opened it.
"And you are?" He growled.
"My name is Jiraiya of the Hidden Leaf." Said first entrant to the inn. "With me and Kiba Inuzuka and Sakura Haruno. "
Kitsune seemed to freeze then. He slowed turned around, a massive wave of killer intent seeping through the room.
"What do you want." He growled.
"We are here to request assistance from the Hunters in the upcoming war." Sakura said "We were hoping that-"
She was interrupted by a kunai that imbedded in the door a few millimetres from her head. Kitsune stood there, the killer intent flowing from him. He flicked out another kunai and spun it round his finger.
"What makes you think we will help you." He growled before barging past and walking off.
The three Konoha shinobi stood there speechless.
"Ignore him, he's just got a bit of a grudge against Konoha. I'll deal with that later, if he's ordered to he will protect you." Loki said. "Hawke go and check that he doesn't leave a crater."
Hawke nodded, excusing himself he squeezed past the Konoha ninja before going in search of Kitsune.
Loki turned to them, gesturing for them to take a seat. Cinna, Michu and Loki sat at one end of the table. Sakura, Jiraiya and Kiba sat at the other. Akamaru sat near the door as if he was keeping look out.
"Firstly we will help you in this war, we were planning on it anyways. Secondly we will need however a base of operation. We were hoping to set up within Konoha itself. Is this acceptable?" Loki asked.
Jiraiya nodded.
"Thirdly we want to test the strengths of your Jōnin and Chunin. We figured the best way to do this is a tournament styled event. Now I know you may have issues due to it will leave you open to attack. We have covered this within our plan. To cover this event we will be calling back two of our high level operatives within the Akatsuki. This will cause disruption and weaken the Northern Alliance. Is this acceptable?" Loki said.
"I think it is, however we will need to know who you're two operatives are?" Jiraiya inquired.
"Itachi Uchiha and Kisame Hoshigaki." Loki said watching for their response.
"Those two, are you serious!" Kiba cried out.
"Deadly serious boy, how do you think we managed to keep them under watch so long?" Michu answered.
"Do we have terms then?" Loki asked.
"We do." Sakura said.
Suddenly a brilliant white light filled the room. The three Konoha ninja were on their feet instantly. The three Hunters stayed sitting down, Cinna was grinning like a mad man. The light faded as fast as it came.
"There's gunna be a crater now. " Michu sighed. "Cinna go check Hawke is still alive for us. Tah."
"The hell was that!" Sakura cried.
"That, my young Kunoichi is Kitsune letting loose a small portion of his anger." Loki said with a slight smile. "Now we shall meet you within a week with our operatives. Excellent, now I recommend you leave before Kitsune gets back."
The three Konoha ninja fled faster than they had ever moved before.
Hawke stood there, watching his old student obliterate the nearby landscape. Sadness filled him then realising at last what Kitsune went through. No amount of training and moving on could heal those kinds of wounds. They were wounds that cut deep into a person's being, their soul could be crushed.
"Kid you can't let your emotions get the best of you." Hawke said. "Separate you're feelings in your heart from your brain. When they two get involved it ruins you."
"Hawke, don't just don't." Kitsune said, his voice barely a whisper.
"Kid I know it was rough, but you gotta move on." Hawke said, walking over and patting Kitsune's shoulder.
"No Hawke, you don't. You know that when I was five villagers kidnapped me. They kept me in a cell under a house for two whole month, no food and no water. I was barely alive. That's just the start." Kitsune. "Don't give me that crap. Ok."
Hawke stared at him sadly, he knew it was bad, but that bad?
"Kid just keep the emotions in check until we win this ok?" Hawke sighed.
Kitsune merely nodded, all of his energy leaving him. Hawke glanced at his realising tears were falling down his cheeks. Hawke rushed forwards grabbing Kitsune as the man feel forwards. He caught him on his shoulder. He heard racked sobs coming from his old student. Rain started to patter down, slowly becoming a downpour.
The two men stood there, with only rain and tears for company.
The three hunters looked up as Hawke and Kitsune returned. They didn't need to ask questions. They knew how Kitsune felt and as his friends and teammates they didn't need to pry. He simply nodded and accepted him.
"Aright guys listen up. The plan is simple. We meet up with Itachi and Kisame at the boarder for the Fire Country. From there we will advance on Konoha. Once inside we will split into two teams. Team 1 will be stationed inside Konoha helping build defences, this team will consist of Hawke as team leader along with Kitsune, Itachi and Kisame. Team 2 will be recon and advanced assaults with myself, Cinna and Michu. These will be the teams, every three months we will swap allowing for rest and recovery." Loki said. "The team stationed at Konoha will also be on alert to move and support Suna if need be. Any questions?"
They four other Hunters shook their heads, Loki smiled.
"Let's roll out then. "
It took all of a few minutes for the five Hunters to be ready. They only ever packed lightly as they kept anything they needed inside storage scrolls. Rumour had it that Michu kept a small house in one of hers, yet know one could confirm that. When they were ready they all nodded to Loki, the latter smiled and leapt off towards the meeting point with the other Hunters in tow.
It took all of an hour to reach the boarder of the fire country from their base deep in the Land of Rivers. They had made double time to get there and everyone but Kitsune was showing signs of exhaustion. A trip that usually takes three hours done in one usually does that to you.
"Alright we are here, lets-" Loki began before he was cut off by loud explosions. "The hell was that?"
His question was soon answered by two men leaping out of a nearby bush. Itachi and Kisame sprinted out of the bush, landing in front of the five Hunters. The pair looked like they had been dragged through hell and back. Itachi's cloak was barely there due to most of it being burnt off, and Kisame had heavy cuts over his torso.
"The hell happened to you two!" Cinna exclaimed.
"Large group of Iwa shinobi chasing us, along with Deidara. Several squads of ANBU." Itachi said breathlessly. "Probably a hundred Chunin or higher shinobi.
"Alright, Kitsune go hold them up whilst we get support. Let's move!" Loki said.
Kitsune nodded and turned to the way that Itachi and Kisame had come from. He rolled his shoulders loosening them for the upcoming fight. He took off his full length trench coat leaving him in black combat trousers, shirt and boots. He glanced around realising that even against a hundred shinobi, in this landscape he could be beaten.
"Fire Plume Jutsu!" He roared, flashing through the hand signs.
A wave of fire burst out from him, like a pulse. The ring of flames surged out burning away the vegetation around him. Everything for fifty metres was destroyed leaving Kitsune standing alone in a burnt clearing. He heard movement to his left, instinctively ducking away. Several Kunai burst from the trees embedding themselves where he had just stood.
"Well, well, well, if it isn't young Kitsune. Member of the Hunters. Hn" Deidara said with a smile as he walked out.
The rest of the Iwa shinobi followed suit, moving so Kitsune was surrounded.
"Deidara." Kitsune said with a smile. "Still searching for a one true art? I heard Sasori's art is much better than yours."
"My art is explosive! Art is an explosion not something that can be left for years!" Deidara roared.
"Get over yourself." Kitsune said with a smile.
Kitsune flashed through had signs before slamming his hands onto the ground.
"Earth Movement Jutsu!"
Suddenly the earth underneath the Northern Alliance troops began to shift, splitting before firing dozens of shinobi upwards. Several of the Northern ninja who were Jōnin or ANBU managed to get out of the Jutsus ranged. However Kitsune wasn't finished yet.
"Wind Pulsation Jutsu!"
A massive wave of wind slammed into the remaining ninja off their feet. Deidara managed to dodge the wind wave by creating a clay owl and leaping onto that. The second pulsation fired out, slamming into the recovering ninja. This was followed by several more pulsations that destroyed the assault squad sent after Kisame and Itachi.
"Looks like you've succeeded Deidara!" Kitsune called to the bomber.
"Shut up Kitsune! You haven't witnessed my art yet!" Deidara roared.
"And it'll stay like that, bye."
Kitsune vanished, using Flashstep to reappear next to the Hunters and co.
"Problem dealt with. They won't be going anywhere anytime soon." He said.
"Good work, now we are nearly at Konoha. Please behave, I don't want to see any craters or dead civilians. Got it?" Loki said, directing this at Kitsune.
A murmur of yeses came from the group. Loki nodded before leaping off towards Konoha.
"Now let's go meet us a Hokage."
As the group neared the gates to Konoha, Kitsune felt a chakra spike. It was weird, he'd felt that sort of spike before and it was never good.
"Guy go on ahead, I'm just going to-" He was cut short by a Kunai that thudded into his side.
He dropped, hitting the ground with a thud.
"Kitsune!" Cinna cried.
"Get going, I'll deal with this! Tell the Hokage to seal the village!" He roared.
Kitsune pulled himself up and found himself face to face with three Kumo shinobi. The three were identical in everything, making it look like two were clones.
"The Kumo Triplets. So they sent you as backup." Kitsune said, grinning under his facemask.
The triplets decided to ignore his statement and got straight to work. The three pulled out identical Katanas, forming a triangle around Kitsune. They leapt at him, forcing the young Hunter to keep spinning so that he wouldn't get stabbed. However the constant barrage of slashes took its toll on the Hunter, as one swipe got through cutting deep into his other side. With blood pouring from two wounds Kitsune knew he would have to act fast. Ninjutsu was pointless as these three were famed for their ability to absorb it. He couldn't beat three in Taijutsu or Kenjutsu due to the numbers advantage. He had one option left. Genjutsu.
Kitsune quickly spun slamming his right boot into one of the triplets, forcing the ninja to stumble sideways. Now he had all three on one side of him he could use one of his signature moves.
"Demons Hell Jutsu!" Kitsune cried.
The three suddenly collapsed in pain. Inside their minds they would be going through five days of hell. What made the Jutsu even more powerful was that any damage their bodies took inside the genjutsu would be mirrored outside. The three were quickly destroyed as a minute in the surface world was a day in the Demons Hell Jutsu. The triplets bodies were quickly ripped apart leaving Kitsune standing there. He doubled over moments later coughing up blood.
"Got to get to a medic asap." He grunted.
The young Hunter pulled himself up and concentrated trying to ignore his heavy wounds in his sides. He Flashstepped away, appearing next to the other Hunters.
Whilst Kitsune was fighting.
The remaining Hunters sped quickly along the trees, arriving at the gates of Konoha. They seemed to appear out of the shadows for the Chunin squad on duty, scaring them half to death.
"We are here to see the Hokage." Loki said.
Cinna, Michu and Hawke formed up, wearing the standard Hunter attire. This consisted of pure black clothing, with a form of jacket that varied on the person. Itachi and Kisame had also changed into the Hunter attire however they kept their straw hats deciding to stay hidden for now.
"Follow me Sir." The Chunin mumbled.
He lead the group through the streets, heading towards the Hokage tower. The group ignored the awed and scared faces of shinobi and townspeople alike. Itachi was interested however in the vast changes, noticing the walls were heavily reinforced with massive catapults and mounted crossbows.
"Here we are Sir. Do you know the way inside?" The Chunin asked.
"I'll deal with that Konohamaru, you are dismissed." A voice called out.
Itachi turned to the voice, surprised to see Kakashi Hatake walking towards them. The copy ninja nodded to them before motioning for them to follow him. They soon reached the door to the Hokage's office. With a quick nock Kakashi lead them in. Tsunade sat there, flanked by Shizune and Jiraiya. The trio had barely changed from when Itachi had last snunk into the village.
"Welcome Hunters and Co. We are glad you all arrived safely." Tsunade said.
"Thank you Lady Hokage, but not all of our company is here yet. One of our group is engaging a trio outside the village, he will be here in a matter of moments." Loki said. "Shall we begin?"
"Not quite yet, my advising group is yet to arrive. " Tsunade said.
As she spoke the door opened and Sakura Haruno, Shikamaru Nara and Neji Hyuga walked in. The three nodded a welcome to the Hunters.
"Excellent, now firstly we must cover a few key rules. First I ask-" Tsunade began.
"Lady Hokage can I ask you wait with the rules until our teammate arrives, them will probably apply the most to him." Hawke said with a grin.
"Well, if you insist. Well moving on, you will be accommodated within the hotel on the east side. We have arranged for seven rooms, one for-" Again Tsunade was forced to stop.
"My apologies Lady Hokage but we will only be needing six rooms." Hawke said.
Tsunade had been about to question that request when a figure appeared in the room. A man dressed in pure black, with a trench coat and hood along with a face mask was stood in the middle of the room. He grunted before doubling over. Blood trickled onto the floor from his sides.
"Kitsune!" Michu cried. "He needs medical assistance now!"
"Oh shut up Michu, i'm fine." Kitsune grunted. "I'll be fine in a bit."
"Hunter, whilst you are in my village you are under my authority." Tsunade said. "I demand that you receive medical attention now."
"Fine but I'm staying here." Kitsune grumbled, before sitting on a chair in the corner.
Tsunade motioned for Sakura to deal with it. The pink haired kunoichi walked over, kneeling before Kitsune. In a quick motion she cut through his shirt, pushing aside the trench coat. Immediately every woman, bar Michu, blushed heavily. The masked Hunter had heavily defined abs, his chest was covered in toned muscle. 'My god he's so hot' Sakura thought as she went to work on his wounds.
"Ok now that's sorted, you will be given six rooms in our best hotel. You will be given exclusive usage of training ground 3 along with Konoha's team seven." Tsunade said. "You will also be allowed full access of the village unaided. Any other requests? No? Good. Now for rules. Firstly I ask that you behave whilst in Konoha, no fights or violent arguments. Secondly any leave must go through myself or a senior Jōnin. Clear?"
The Hunters nodded, bar the masked one.
"Loki, I asked are we clear. One of you Hunters needs to agree to this." Tsunade said, containing her anger.
"Kitsune, agree to it already." Hawke groaned.
"Fine, whatever." Kitsune growled. "Are you done yet?" His last question was directed at Sakura.
"Erm not quite, I've still got-" She mumbled, before being cut off by Shizune.
"Lady Hokage, we have movements on the east side, a squad of Iwa bombers heading this way. They look like they are going to try and breach the east wall." Shizune said.
"How many?" Tsunade demanded.
"Just four, probably to test our defences." Shizune said.
"Aright." Tsunade said. "Can I ask you deal with that?" She asked Loki. " I'll get squads out to check the area."
Loki nodded. "Hawke deal with it." he said to the battle scarred ninja.
"I'm coming as well." Kitsune said, pulling himself up.
"But you only just got healed up, you need to rest." Sakura protested.
"I'm fine." Kitsune growled. Killer intent seeping from him.
Sakura nodded, backing off quickly. She remembered how scary he could really be after their first meeting.
"Aright you two deal with that. The rest of you head to the hotel and set up shop." Loki said. "I'll stay here and help direct any movements. If it's all clear I'll wait for Hawke and Kitsune and meet up with you."
The remaining Hunters and Co left, leaving Kitsune, Hawke, Loki and the Konoha ninja.
"Meet you later." Hawke whispered to Loki, before him and Kitsune Flashstepped away.
"Why does he throw himself on the front line so much?" Sakura asked Loki.
"Haha, it's probably due to Hawke. Hawke was his sensei for three years. He's kind of a tough egg. Kitsune is moulded the same if not worse. They have this motto between them, 'If we can move our legs, we can swing our fists'." Loki said with a smile. "Trust me those bombers won't know what hit them."
In the distance they heard explosions followed by cries of agony.