Leonardobluesummers: In Canon, Jiraiya's soul reached out to Naruto, as if to pass the torch. When he did that here, the Power of Dominance gave him the short end of the stick.
Disclaimer: I own nothing.
Chapter 15: Number six and Senjutsu
Naruto and the others were headed back to Konoha, but Katsuyu appeared before them. They were given another urgent mission.
"Kakashi-san, you must report back to the village for a briefing." Katsuyu said.
Kakashi nodded before he turned to the others. "We're up against the clock. Yamato will act as captain for Team Kakashi and depart immediately for Mount Katsuragi."
Everyone nodded and split off. Kakashi and Team Anko returned to the village while Naruto and the rest of Team Kakashi left for Mount Katsuragi.
As they approached the Tsuchigumo clan's mountain fortress, they saw many kunai on the ground.
"These aren't made for battle." Yamato said. "Sai, what do you think?"
"There are fresh footprints headed for the fortress." Sai reported. "There are four enemies in total."
Yamato nodded. "These are the traps of the fortress. It looks like the enemy was able to dodge them all."
"But there must be more, right?" Sakura asked.
"We simply need to move along the tracks of the traps." Yamato said.
The team continued toward the fortress until they reach a canyon. Yamato used his Mokuton to make a bridge for them to cross.
They reach the top of the mountain and found a wounded old man.
Sakura crouched next to the old man and check his pulse. "It's faint, but I can help him."
Yamato looked around the place. "It looks like we just missed the enemy. Sai, go check the surroundings."
Sai nodded and used his ink rats to look around.
As Sakura healed the old man, he regained consciousness.
"We were dispatched from Konoha to serve as bodyguards." Yamato said. "Are you Hotaru-sama's servant?"
"I...am Tonbei." The old man, Tonbei, said. "Hotaru-sama is on her way to the hidden mountain village of the Tsuchigumo clan."
"There's an escape hole hidden in the mansion with its entrance crumbled." Sai reported.
"Hotaru-sama went through there..." Tonbei said.
"I understand. We'll follow after her." Yamato said. "Sakura, stay here and continue treating Tonbei-dono. Naruto, Sai, we're leaving immediately."
Everyone nodded before the trio left.
They eventually caught up to two people.
The first one was a tall, thin young man with pale golden eyes and brown hair that covered the left half of his face. He wore a long, light blue kimono adorned with a small emblem of three bubbles on his back, and a pair of grey pants underneath, with an orange sash. His kimono was hung low, revealing his torso. In his kimono, they saw a bamboo jug.
The second person was a young woman with wavy blond hair that goes to her shoulders and dark-green eyes. She wore a light-violet and white top, black shorts, a black skirt, black high boots and light violet wristbands.
The team landed next to the duo.
"We are the shinobi of Konoha sent to protect Hotaru-sama." Yamato said. "But Tonbei only mentioned Hotaru-sama, he never said there was anyone with her."
"Is Tonbei safe?" Hotaru asked worriedly.
Yamato nodded. "He is under the care of our medical specialist."
Hotaru sighed in relief.
"From now on, we'll be escorting you as well." Yamato said.
"Then it's fine to leave the rest up to you." The young man said as he walked away.
"Utakata-sama!" Hotaru called out as she ran ahead of Utakata and stood in front of him. "Can we at least go to the hidden village together?"
"These guys are strong. You'll be fine if you rely on them." Utakata said.
"I don't need a bodyguard, I need someone to teach me some Jutsu! Please come with me!" Hotaru pleaded.
Utakata made a large bubble around him, through a pipe, and floated away.
Naruto's eyes narrowed. This chakra he used...it had the feeling of a Bijuu. This guy is a Jinchuuriki!
"I'll train more seriously than I ever have before!" Hotaru insisted. "No matter how hard the train gets, I promise that I'll never cry! Utakata-shisho, you baka!"
The trio allowed her some time before they all continued on their way. Hotaru refused any help and ran ahead. The Konoha trio decided to follow her from afar.
Eventually, they arrived at the village. But there was a problem. The village was empty, like no one lived here.
The Konoha team appeared next to Hotaru, to her shock.
"You followed me here!? I told you I didn't need help!" She growled.
"Protecting you is our mission." Naruto said. "More importantly, don't you think the village's situation is odd?"
Hotaru calmed down as she looked around worriedly.
As they walked around, Naruto, Sai and Yamato started feeling some presences. The village wasn't empty, the people were hiding.
When they arrived at the area that had a large bell, they were greeted by a man who introduced himself as the representative of the village.
"I was given specific instructions from En no Gyouja-sama during times of urgency." He said. "Please leave the rest to us."
"Then, we'll be on our way." Yamato bowed.
"Now, now, we have yet to show our gratitude for your efforts." The representative insisted.
"We appreciated it, but our comrade is at Mount Katsuragi, treating an injured man." Yamato said.
The man nodded. "I see. How unfortunate."
Yamato turned to Sai and Naruto. "Well, let's head back to Sakura."
The duo nodded and they all walked away.
"Something wasn't right in that village." Naruto said as they walked in the forest. "I'm making a few clones to observe the situation."
"No need." Yamato said. "You are right to believe what you think. Let's go."
When they returned to the village, they met up with the representative, who was shocked to see them. There was also a building that had been blown up.
"Why are you back?" He asked.
"We were worried." Yamato said. "We came back to see if anything happened. Looks like we were spot on. Where is Hotaru-sama?"
The man pointed at the destroyed building. "I hid her there for her safety, but I do not know what happened. With everyone trying to clean up the mess we...haven't made any search."
"When did you last see her?" Yamato asked.
"Not too long ago. After you brought her to me, I showed her to this building."
"If that's true, then not much time as passed." Sai commented. "We should hurry."
"Yeah." Naruto agreed before the trio left the village and searched around the forest.
"If I may ask something, Yamato-taichou?" Sai asked. When Yamato looked at him, he continued. "Our mission is to guide Hotaru-sama to the Tsuchigumo village, right?"
Yamato nodded. "Indeed, but that doesn't mean anything if she isn't safe. If the village can't protect her, then it's our duty to protect her. Have I answered your question?" At Sai's nod, Yamato requested. "Then please do a wide-area search of the vicinity."
Sai landed on the ground and made many ink rats to search the area.
They eventually found Hotaru, along with Utakata. Both of them were restrained by a group of Kirigakure hunter-nin.
Naruto appeared next to the closest Hunter-nin and knocked him out with Muramasa's hilt to the back of the neck, allowing Utakata to free himself from his restraints and to move next to the Konoha group.
"Kirigakure Hunter-nin, you are holding a citizen of Hi no Kuni hostage. Let her go at once!" Naruto demanded.
"Naruto-san!" Hotaru said happily.
"That won't happen." The one holding Hotaru hostage said.
"If I can restrain them all, can you make a bubble to pull Hotaru away from them?" Naruto whispered at Utakata, who nodded.
Immediately, the group of Hunter-nin were restrained by Chakra Chains. Utakata then made a big bubble that floated Hotaru toward them. when Hotaru landed next to the Konoha group, Yamato freed her from her restraints.
"Shinobi of Konoha." They heard someone call out. Another Hunter-nin appeared. "I am Tsurugi, I lead this group from the shadows. Please free my men."
Naruto retracted his chains, freeing Tsurugi's men.
"Thank you for your understanding." Tsurugi said. "Perhaps we can negotiate. Along with Utakata."
Yamato nodded in agreement before the three of them walked away to speak in private. A little later, Yamato returned by himself, worrying Hotaru.
"How did it go?" Naruto asked.
"Pretty well, all things considered." Yamato answered. "Tsurugi and Utakata are talking in private, but they'll return shortly."
Eventually, Tsurugi and Utakata came back as well.
"Utakata-shisho!" Hotaru called out.
"I told you to stop calling me that!" Utakata yelled.
There was a moment of silence before Tsurugi spoke.
"Shinobi of Konoha, as per our deal, my men and I will withdraw. Let us continue with the hope that both of our missions end with success. However, we will monitor you from a distance."
"Understood." Yamato said.
With that, the Hunter-nin left.
Yamato sighed in relief before turning to his comrades. "What next?"
"It would be unwise to take her back to the Tsuchigumo village." Sai said.
Yamato nodded in agreement. "It can no longer be considered a hidden village, so her safety isn't guaranteed there."
"We should probably return to Mount Katsuragi and join up with Sakura." Naruto suggested. "We've already made her wait longer than necessary."
Yamato and Sai nodded in agreement.
"I want to go back there as well." Hotaru said. "I want to see if Tonbei is alright."
"We must also expect those who want the Kinjutsu to return there as well." Yamato said.
Everyone nodded and returned to Mount Katsuragi.
When they returned, Hotaru remained at Tonbei's side.
"I am happy to see you safe, Tonbei." Hotaru said, smilling in relief.
"I should be the one to say that, Hotaru-sama." Tonbei said. "People of Konoha, Utakata-dono, I cannot thank you enough for what you have for us."
"Tonbei-dono, the Tsuchigumo village had been infiltrated by thieves." Yamato said.
"I see... This is why you have returned?" Tonbei asked.
"Yes." Yamato said.
"For thieves to go so far to get the Kinjutsu... Perhaps it would be better to destroy it." Tonbei said, shocking Hotaru.
"What are you saying, Tonbei!?" She demanded. "I protect the Kinjutsu to carry the dream of my Oji-sama!"
"How does having a Kinjutsu transplanted in your body carry on a dream?" Utakata asked.
The Konoha team was shocked.
"Did you say 'transplanted'?" Naruto asked.
Utakata nodded. "Hotaru showed it to me herself. It's monstrous for her to be a tool like this."
"I requested to have the Kinjutsu transplanted!" Hotaru claimed.
"To carry the dream of your grandfather? How idiotic." Utakata said.
"Utakata-dono is right about the transplantation being monstrous. The Kinjutsu must be destroyed." Tonbei said before he took some blood from his wound and made some handsigns. A bat appeared before it transformed into a scroll.
"Is this...?" Naruto asked.
Tonbei nodded. "En no Gyouja-sama never would have transplanted the Kinjutsu into Hotaru without having a way to remove it."
Utakata's eyes widened at that statement.
"Once the Kinjutsu is removed from Hotaru-sama's body, it will lose all of its power. People of Konoha, will you help me in removing the Kinjutsu?"
"We can't make such a decision like that." Yamato said. "We have to get Hokage-sama's permission."
"Hold on!" Hotaru protested. "I haven't decided if I want to get rid of it!"
"But Hotaru-sama, at this rate, your life will be in even more danger than the Kinjutsu." Tonbei insisted.
"It's my life!" Hotaru said before Utakata grabbed her by the shoulders and slapped her.
"Get a hold of yourself!" He said.
"Utakata-sama..." Hotaru muttered before she became angry. "Are you telling me to abandon my pride in my clan!?" She said before she ran outside.
"I'll bring her back." Naruto said before he chased after Hotaru.
When he caught up to her, she was praying in front of a tombstone.
"Everyone's worried after seeing you run off like that." Naruto said as he stepped next to her.
"Indeed, that's why we should go back, Hotaru." Utakata said from behind them.
"Utakata-sama..." Hotaru muttered as she turned to the man she wanted as her teacher. Sakura was standing next to Utakata.
"What are you doing? Let's go." Utakata urged. "If you really want what's best for your clan, then you don't need to rely on such a thing. Great power only brings great sadness. Don't you agree, Naruto?"
Naruto nodded, knowing he was talking about the Jinchuuriki's burden.
"There's another way to do this." Hotaru said. "Within the Tsuchigumo clan, there's a man named Shiranami. If we could find him, he could take care of the Kinjutsu. Shiranami was Oji-sama's student, or the student of a student, really. Shiranami-sama's father, Hatou-sama, was Oji-sama's first student. Apparently, he was a brilliant student with exceptional Ninjutsu skills. Even still, Shiranami-sama was said to be even more skilled. But, during the Great Wars, Hatou-sama was killed while protecting the Kinjutsu. Oji-sama was worried about Shiranami-sama, due to his young age, so he let him leave the village. According to Oji-sama, if they were both still here, things would be different."
"With the thieves on your tracks, we can't search for Shiranami." Utakata said.
"Then I'll go look for him." Naruto offered. "With my Kage Bunshin, I'll find him in a flash."
"Wait a minute, Naruto." Sakura said. "This is not a decision we can make."
"I disagree." Naruto said. "This is Tsuchigumo heiress' desire to bring Shiranami to her. Doing so will also make the Kinjutsu's fate the decision of the Tsuchigumo clan, not Konoha, as it should be."
Hotaru bowed. "Thank you, Naruto-san."
Naruto nodded before he left. As he made dozens of Kage Bunshin to help him, he went from places to places to search for Shiranami.
After multiple towns had no idea of who Shiranami was, he ran into an old man who told him Shiranami was training by a waterfall.
When Naruto found said waterfall, he saw a shack next to it. He approached the shack and knocked on the door.
"It's open." He heard from inside.
Naruto entered and saw a man with shaggy black hair with bangs that hang over his eyes and framed his face. He also had pronounced creases underneath his eyes. He wore a high-collared blue cloak, a black top that stops mid-chest and casual dark pants.
"Shiranami of the Tsuchigumo clan?" Naruto asked.
The man nodded. "That's me. Can I help you?"
Naruto nodded as he stepped closer. As he did, he was suddenly restrained. Four people appeared around him.
"Dream!" A large man with a ponytail said.
"Phantom!" A guy with a cleft on his chin said.
"Bubbles!" Someone with a male voice but female-like appearance said.
"Shadow!" A large man with sideburns said.
Immediately, Naruto was trapped in a bright purple barrier that rapidly drained his chakra.
As Naruto fell to the ground, Shiranami left the shack.
"So...that's how it is." Naruto growled as he struggled to get up.
"That's right." The one with the cleft chuckled. "Soon, boss will get the Kinjutsu from the girl."
"But if we were to let you go, all our efforts will be wasted." The androgynous man said.
"Don't say too much." The one with the sideburns said.
"I've already heard enough." Naruto said as he used Kyuubi's chakra and got up to his knees, shocking the quartet.
The androgynous man quickly threw some explosive kunai at Naruto. The resulting explosion destroyed the shack.
Naruto, free of his bonds, glared at the quartet.
"This guy...he's strong!" The one with the ponytail said.
"Don't panic!" The one with the sideburns said. "Stick to the plan and use the next Jutsu."
Before they could do so, however, they were restrained by Chakra Chains.
"As if I'd let you make another move." Naruto said.
"And here I thought you'd need my help." Naruto heard Utakata's voice behind him.
"Why are you here?" Naruto asked.
"I heard everything." Utakata ignored the question and talked to the quartet. "To think Shiranami himself is the leader of those thieves. Where did you take Hotaru!?" He then flared his Bijuu's chakra.
The pressure of both Bijuu chakra was too much for one of them.
"The village!" The one with the cleft shouted in a panic. "Boss is taking her back to the village!"
"Shut up!" The one with the sideburns demanded.
Utakata looked at Naruto. "You're the one restraining them. Catch up to me where you're done with them."
Naruto nodded and Utakata hurried to the village.
"This will be quick." Naruto said as he made four Kage Bunshin and had them kill the quartet.
"Now, to save Hotaru." Naruto said as he hurried to the village.
Naruto caught up to Utakata and arrived at the village.
The village was barren.
As they walked around, they heard and saw a ball fall toward them. A little girl got out of the house and went to retrieve the ball.
Naruto picked up the ball and handed it to the girl.
"Thank you, Onii-chan!" The girl said. "I have something for you!" She pulled out an explosive tag.
The tag exploded. Fortunately, Naruto managed to get it out of the girl's hand and Utakata had made a bubble that protected them from the explosion. When the smoke dissipated, they were surrounded by the villagers. The girl walked away from the Jinchuuriki duo.
"What the hell is going on?" Naruto wondered.
"It seems the people are being manipulated." Utakata said as he took notice of the Kanji for 'control' that were on the people's bodies.
The villagers started attacking them, but the Jinchuuriki dodged every attack. They couldn't just attack civilians like that.
They eventually arrived at the town's bell.
"We can't keep this up much longer without hurting them." Utakata said.
As the villagers closed in on them, a kunai with a flashbang tag was shot between the two groups and exploded. As they were blinded, Sai covered the villager's eyes with ink before Yamato made a wall of wood to block the villagers.
"Naruto!" Sakura called out.
"You guys..." Naruto said.
"We have to hurry to Hotaru-sama." Yamato said.
Everyone nodded and continued on their way.
Utakata felt a flow of chakra and made bubbles. The bubbles were being drawn somewhere. The group followed the bubbles to the gathering point.
When they arrived at the gathering point, Hotaru was just standing, her back revealed to the world along with the Kinjutsu transplanted in her. She didn't seem disturbed by the chakra entering her body.
Shiranami was smiling. "Ah, you are all here. That's good, because I've always preferred a large audience."
"What are you doing to her!?" Sakura demanded.
"I'm just fulfilling her wish." Shiranami waved off. "Now that I have the key to the Tsuchigumo clan's revival, I'll release the Kinjutsu.
"The key?" Utakata asked.
"Hotaru didn't have the skill to use the Kinjutsu. She only has the ability to absorb the energy of nature. Therefore, I'll simply invoke it from the outside." Shiranami explained. "All in the purpose of regaining the pride of the Tsuchigumo clan, which was tainted by blood! As long as I have the Kinjutsu, nobody will stand in my way! I'll build a nation greater than the Five Ninja Countries!"
"Have you lost your mind!?" Utakata demanded.
"Lost my mind? I am quite capable of fighting the Five Countries! And with this Kinjutsu, it is not so foolish to take on the entire world."
"Hotaru trusted you." Utakata said. "Going so far as to carve out that seal while protecting the Kinjutsu... For the sake of protecting the village, that was what she entrusted you with!"
Shiranami laughed. "It's true that I am a man who would kill his father for his own selfish reason, but who are you to talk? I've read your Bingo Book entry, you know: A Nuke-nin of Kirigakure who abandoned his village. I won't take lectures about villages from someone who left his own! I wouldn't give myself these lectures, let alone someone who is just like me!"
Utakata stayed silent.
Shiranami laughed. "Well, since Hotaru went through such lengths for her clan, then I could at least name my country after the Tsuchigumo clan. I'm not a thief, after all. I'll think of the clan that raised me and strive for its revival! I guess I am just that splendid of a man!"
"It's true that my attachment to my village is no more." Utakata said. "But what about Hotaru?"
"She'll live...as a weapon for the Kinjutsu." Shiranami chuckled. "She will be the container that will awaken the Kinjutsu!"
"Container... Container!" Utakata growled.
"That's right. Now, watch her drown in chakra and destroy the village!"
Utakata charged toward Hotaru, but Shiranami used his Binding Jutsu to keep him still. Utakata then flared his Bijuu's chakra, undoing the bind.
"What!?" Shiranami said before Naruto appeared next to him and punched him in the face, sending him flying.
Utakata stepped up to Hotaru. "Hotaru, are you alright?"
Hotaru was breathing with panic.
Shiranami chuckled. "It's useless. I control her with my Jibaku Jutsu. Now, step away from her."
Utakata had no choice but to comply, due to Shiranami's control over Hotaru.
Shiranami approached Hotaru. "Now, let's see the dread this Kinjutsu brings. Now, Fury!" He slammed his hand on the ground before Hotaru was surrounded by light, followed by an explosion.
Yamato managed to protect himself, Sakura and Sai with Mokuton: Mokujoheki, but Utakata and Naruto were hit by the blast.
Hotaru was shocked at the damage she caused and started crying.
"Hey now, I have no need for a weapon with feelings." Shiranami said before he bolstered his control over Hotaru. "Now, one more time. Destroy the village!"
"Not...a chance." Naruto said as he got up.
"Naruto!" Sakura called out.
"We have to get Hotaru back!" Utakata said as he also got up.
"How persistent." Shiranami smirked. "Want another taste of the Kinjutsu?"
"That won't happen!" Naruto said as he used a Chakra Chain to attack Shiranami, who jumped in the air to dodge before having to dodge wood pillars.
When he landed on the ground, an ink snake retrained his ankles.
"Shannaro!" That was more than enough distraction for Sakura to punch him in the face, sending him flying.
Suddenly, Hotaru started glowing.
"Oh my, I do believe she's overflown with nature's energy." Shiranami chuckled before he tried to rectify the problem, only for his bind to break. "No! If we don't stop her, she'll explode! I'm getting out of here!" He then ran away.
"Get back here!" Naruto shouted as he gave chase.
When Naruto caught up to Shiranami in the forest, he immediately stood in his way.
"You're not getting away." Naruto said as he unsheathed Muramasa.
Shiranami waved his finger around to make a kanji. "Jibakujutsu: Iwa!"
Naruto was immobilized for a moment, but used Kyuubi's chakra to free himself.
Suddenly, a light rose from where the others were before it was engulfed into a weird substance that turned into a six-tailed slug.
"What is this?" Shiranami wondered before he was stabbed from behind.
"That's a Bijuu." Naruto said. "And soon they will be part of a being that will rise above the world, just like you."
Shiranami died as Naruto took his soul.
When he returned to the gathering point, Utakata was carrying Hotaru in his arms.
"It's over?" Naruto asked. "I could see the Rokubi from where I was."
"I contained the explosion." Utakata explained. "That seems to have destroyed the Kinjutsu without endangering Hotaru."
"Thank you, Shisho." Hotaru said.
Utakata smiled. "What a troublesome student you are."
With that, everyone returned to the village for the night.
The next day, Team Kakashi left the village.
Utakata was walking around the forest to find the Kirigakure Anbu, but was shocked when he found a bloodied Anbu mask.
"Rokubi Jinchuuriki." Akatsuki's Leader said as his six bodies appeared behind Utakata.
"Are you the ones who killed Tsurugi?" Utakata demanded.
"I will build a world of peace. For that purpose, you are necessary. Or more accurately, the Bijuu within you."
Utakata braced himself. "So that's how it is..."
"You're mine, Rokubi." Leader said before another one of his bodies shot missiles at Utakata, who tried running away. When the smoke form the explosions cleared, Utakata was using the Bijuu cloak.
"There is the power we seek..." Pain said.
The long-haired Pain charged with black rods in hands. Utakata sent at tail at him, only for Pain to jump over and stab the tail with both rods. Focusing chakra through the rods and into Utakata paralyzed the Jinchuuriki, but he still managed to spit acid at Pain, only for the Round-faced Pain to land between the two and create a barrier to absorb the chakra.
Utakata growled before he was lifted high in the air. A giant chameleon, summoned by another pain, became visible with its tongue around Utakata.
"It's been captured." The first Pain declared.
"Seems a bit too easy for me." Souma commented from a nearby tree.
Suddenly, Utakata became slippery like a slug and slipped away from the tongue. Pulling himself closer to his stabbed tail, he attacked the both Pains, freeing his tail. The chameleon to lash out its tongue again, only for Utakata to wrap himself around the tongue and spewed acid on it, causing the chameleon to wail and dispel. Two other Pains carried the injured ones away.
"I suppose this much should be expected of a Jinchuuriki." The first Pain said before landing before Utakata, holding out a single hand. "Now come, Rokubi!"
Utakata charged toward Pain, only to be thrown backwards the moment he has inches away, crashing into a few trees. Utakata threw the trees at Pain, only for them to stop just short and fall. Utakata jumped over the trees and attacked Pain, only for him to jump in the air and throw a rob at each tail, making Utakata roared as he was, once again, paralyzed.
Rockets were shot at Utakata, causing a big explosion. When the smoke dissipated, Utakata was in the crater, his lower body crushed by rocks.
"Hotaru...Live on." Utakata said as he made bubbles that would reach Hotaru.
Utakata looked up to see Souma standing over him. Souma crouched next to the Jinchuuriki and snapped his neck.
Souma then faced Leader. "The Hachibi is next, correct?"
"I already have someone getting the Hachibi. I shall personally chase after the Kyuubi." Leader said.
"To think Akatsuki is so close to its goal..." Souma said. "So close to my rise, that is."
A few days later, Sasuke returned with the unconscious Hachibi Jinchuuriki in tow. The Hachibi Jinchuuriki was a tall and muscular dark-skinned man with blond hair and a goatee, wearing sunglasses and had the tattoo of a bull's horn on his left cheek. He looked scorched, like Sasuke left him to burn.
Jugo, who turned into a child for some reason, was carrying an unconscious Karin and...an unconscious Suigetsu that seemed to be stuck in a gooey form.
"I've brought the Hachibi Jinchuuriki, as promised." Sasuke said as he dropped the Hachibi in front of Tobi and Souma.
Tobi nodded. "I knew you were up to the task."
Sasuke said nothing as he and Jugo walked away.
"Where are you going?" Tobi asked.
"My first priority is to heal." Sasuke said. "After that...Konoha!"
Tobi looked at Sasuke until he was out of sight. "When people know love, there is also a risk of knowing hatred." Tobi turned to Souma, who nodded.
Souma stood over the Jinchuuriki and snapped his neck, only for the body to turn into an octopus' tentacle.
"They were tricked." Tobi said.
"To push them so far and get away after faking defeat." Souma said. "This Jinchuuriki is no joke."
"Indeed. This Jinchuuriki is said to be the perfect Jinchuuriki, with skills going beyond his powers as a Jinchuuriki. I will have Zetsu search for him, but Kisame will deal with him this time."
Back with Naruto
Naruto and the others returned to Konoha a few nights ago. One morning, Kakashi knocked on the window next to his bed, saying Tsunade called for him. When they went to the Hokage Tower, Gamabunta was there with Gamakichi on his head.
"Boss Bunta? Kichi?" Naruto said.
"Hey, Naruto." Gamakichi greeted with a saddened tone.
"Ah, they must have found out about Jiraiya." Naruto thought before he asked. "What are you doing here so early?"
"Tsunade will explain." Gamabunta said.
"Alright." Naruto said as he entered the tower.
When he reached the Hokage office, Tsunade and Shizune were there, as usual, along with Sakura, Sai and a couple of toads, one of which was small, old and on top of a saddled toad. Sakura, Shizune and Tsunade were looking at him sadly.
"Okay...that's a grim atmosphere." Naruto commented. "What's going on?"
"Is that Jiraiya-chan's apprentice?" The old toad asked.
"Yes. This is Naruto Uzumaki." Tsunade said. "The Child of Prophecy we spoke of earlier, right?"
"'Child of Prophecy?'" Naruto repeated.
Tsunade gestured to the old toad. "This is Fukasaku-sama, one of the Two Great Sages of Mount Myoboku. He came here because he has important business with you."
Naruto turned to Fukasaku and bowed his head. "Greetings."
The toad bowed his head as well. "Greetings to you as well, though the correct term is 'Two Great Toad Sages.' More importantly, such politeness is surprising for a student of Jiraiya-chan."
Naruto raised an eyebrow. "What would you expect a student of the Old Pervert to be like?"
Fukasaku laughed. "'Old Pervert!' While much younger than me, it is fitting nickname for Jiraiya-chan all the same!"
Tsunade cleared her throat. "If we may get back to the situation at hand?"
Fukasaku lowered his head. "Where to start...? I might as well tell you from the start. Jiraiya-chan was killed in battle."
Naruto's eyes widened. He already knew that, but it was best to keep the facade. "What? How?"
"Not too long ago, there was a rumor that the leader of Akatsuki was hidin' somewhere in Amegakure. Jiraiya-chan went to confirm if whether or not this rumor was true."
"In Amegakure?" Sakura asked.
"If I remember correctly, Amegakure is a very recluse village." Sai said. "And that it was difficult to infiltrate."
Kakashi nodded. "But infiltration and intelligence gathering were Jiraiya-sama's specialties."
"Exactly." Fukasaku said. "Jiraiya-chan then stood face to face with Pain, the Leader of Akatsuki, but Pain was one of Jiraiya-chan's former students."
"How can that be?" Sakura asked.
"Jiraiya-chan called him Nagato." Fukasaku said.
"It happened a long time ago." Tsunade said. "During the war in Amegakure, Jiraiya watched over three orphans that had no relatives. To think those kids would do this..."
"Still, to corner someone of Jiraiya-sama's caliber is... Just what the hell is this 'Pain'?" Kakashi wondered.
"He possesses the Rinnegan." Fukasaku said.
Shizune and Kakashi's eyes widened.
"Rinnegan?" Sakura asked.
"A Doujutsu used by the mythical Rikudo Sennin." Shizune said.
"The Doujutsu of legend." Fukasaku said. "Its powers are beyond anyone's imagination. Not only that, but six people had the Rinnegan."
Everyone was shocked.
"How is that possible?" Kakashi asked.
"There might be a trick behind it." Fukasaku said. "Odds are Jiraiya-chan was the only one who knew it. He could not tell me, because by the time he figured it out, his throat had been crushed and left a message on my back before collapsin'." He then removed his cloak and showed his back, which had numbers carved on it.
"It's in code." Shizune remarked.
"He did it so Pain wouldn't notice, I'm sure of it." Fukasaku said as he put his cloak back on. I've said all I have to say."
"We have to decipher the code and find out what he wanted to tell us." Tsunade said.
"If I may?" Naruto said. Once he gained everyone's attention, he continued. "Jiraiya had a lot of writing quirks. For example, what you saw as '9' was actually how he wrote 'Ta' in Katakana. It's something I saw when he made me read his manuscripts for Icha Icha Tactics." He made emphasis on the Ta of Tactics, which everyone caught.
"This is very helpful." Tsunade said. "This alone will take us a long way in the decryption."
"Aside from the message on my back, Jiraiya-chan had something else." Fukasaku said as he looked at another toad. "Inside his belly is one Amegakure's shinobi captured by Jiraiya-chan. Also..." He brought his hands together before summoning a toad that had a cork in its mouth. "Inside this one is one of Pain's bodies that Jiraiya-chan managed to kill."
Once again, everyone was shocked.
"'One of Pain's bodies'?" Naruto asked.
Fukasaku nodded. "He said that this one was a Fuma shinobi that he fought before. They claimed that they were all Pain."
Naruto's eyes narrowed. "Other than the Rinnegan, did any of these bodies have anything in particular?"
Fukasaku was confused by the question before gesturing for the toad. "Have a look."
The toad spat out the cork and the corpse. The body had long orange hair tied back in along ponytail with a fringe hanging down the right side of his head and a horizontal scar on his forehead. The body also had these odd round studs piercing his face. His eyes were completely purple with ripple patterns.
"What are these?" Naruto gestured to the studs.
Fukasaku shook his head. "I do not know, but all of Pain's bodies had these."
Naruto turned to the old toad. "All of them?"
"Yes. Why?"
"If they all had these things, then maybe that's how they all got the Rinnegan." Naruto said before looking back at the corpse. "But if it worked like that, then one of them shouldn't have these unless..." Naruto's eyes widened.
"What is it?" Tsunade asked.
"Alright, this is just a theory for now." Naruto said before he pointed at the studs. "But what if these were able to receive the Rinnegan User's chakra to manipulate multiple bodies, then the real one wouldn't have these things on him. This could mean that none of these bodies were the real Pain."
Everyone's eyes widened at the theory.
"Such an astute observation and theory with so little information..." Fukasaku muttered.
"I'll have a special team of medical Ninja examine the body. Naruto, please make clones for Shizune to take the body to an emergency room."
Naruto made clones that picked up the body and followed Shizune out.
"Fukasaku-sama, could we take a picture of the message?" Tsunade requested.
"Of course. I'll be leaving shortly after that. Contact me if you learn anything new." Fukasaku said.
Tsunade nodded. "Alright then, this meeting is adjourned."
Naruto left the office and walked around in the village. During his walk, he ran into Iruka.
"Hey, Naruto! Looks like you've been on a lot of missions, huh?" Iruka smiled. "The entire village is talking about you. You got time for some catching up?"
"Sorry, but I need some time to think." Naruto said.
"Why? Is there a problem?" Iruka asked.
Naruto walked toward Iruka until he was right next to him. "Jiraiya has been killed." He whispered before he continued walking.
Iruka was staring at Naruto with widened eyes.
The next day, Naruto was called back into the office. Shikamaru was there along with Tsunade, Sakura and Fukasaku.
"Yo, Naruto." Shikamaru said. "The Decryption squad sends their thanks for the starting push of the decryption."
"We have the decrypted message right here." Tsunade placed a sheet on her desk. "Read it, you'll be surprised."
Naruto read the paper and his eyes widened.
The real one isn't among them.
"It seems...I wasn't far off in my theory." Naruto said.
Fukasaku nodded. "Impressive, Naruto-chan. Jiraiya-chan must have been proud to have ya as an apprentice. Unfortunately, that alone ain't enough to fight Pain."
Tsunade nodded. "The interrogation and autopsy haven't given anything yet, and the latter could take a week before we have results. Probably less, since Shizune's handling it."
"That is good, for I have something to pass the time." Fukasaku said before he turned to Naruto. "Are you ready to succeed Jiraiya-chan as a Gama Sennin?"
Naruto's eyes widened. Through Minato and Jiraiya's souls, he had access to Senjutsu, but knew he needed the proper instruction and supervision to gain control over it. He bowed to the old toad. "I am ready for whatever training you have planned for me."
Fukasaku nodded. "Then I shall take you with me to Mount Myoboku to train you in Senjutsu!"
"Good luck, Naruto!" Tsunade said.
After Naruto packed some preparations, Fukasaku used Gyaku Kuchiyose to take them straight to Mount Myoboku. Although, it was really Gamakichi who used Gyaku Kuchiyose to teleport Naruto to Mount Myoboku, since only a toad that was at Mount Myoboku could use it.
"Before training, we should fill our stomachs! Follow me!" Fukasaku said.
To Naruto's well-hidden disgust, the meals were bugs.
"Are those things even edible for humans?" Naruto asked.
"Sure, humans can eat this no problem! Now dig in!" Shima, Fukasaku's wife, said.
Doing his best to think of the meals as food, Naruto started eating. It tasted awful, but he did his best to bear with it.
After that, Fukasaku took Naruto to a fountain that had oil in it.
"Thank you for your efforts, Naruto-chan." Fukasaku said. "Ma takes great pride in her cooking."
"It'll take some getting used to." Naruto admitted. "And hey, maybe Senjutsu will help me in that regard."
Fukasaku laughed. "Well, you will be more attuned to nature, so the chance is there!" He then took a more serious face. "It is now time to start your training. I'll start by telling you an overview of Senjutsu."
"I'm all ears." Naruto said.
"Good. Now, unlike Ninjutsu, which makes you use the chakra within your body, Senjutsu uses the energy within nature itself. As you are well aware, Ninjutsu harnesses chakra made by the mind and body, whereas Senjutsu uses the energy of nature as well as your own to make a more powerful chakra. With that, your Genjutsu, Ninjutsu and even Taijutsu become drastically more powerful."
"I see." Naruto said. "That's impressive."
"'Impressive'? Then, how about a demonstration?" Fukasaku said before he bounced toward an enormous frog statue.
Fukasaku then made the same handsign as the statues: Hands upside down with the back of their fingers pressed against each other. He then lifted the statue over his head.
Naruto's eyes widened.
"This is the strength of Senjutsu!" Fukasaku said before he put the statue down.
"What was that handsign you used?" Naruto asked.
"That is the sign to absorb the nature energy. You can't feel it yet because you have not become one with nature. You have to feel it and let it accumulate around you. Becomin' one with nature will allow you to freely control the flow of nature energy in and out of your body. To make you become one with nature requires special training: Not moving!"
Naruto raised an eyebrow. "So, meditation?"
Fukasaku nodded. "You must stand completely still and harmonize with the flow of nature. Only then will you be able to feel nature energy. But such training takes a long time."
"Time that I do not have, as Pain and Akatsuki will come for me eventually." Naruto said.
"Then we shall use this." Fukasaku bounced toward the fountain. "This oil has the power to draw in nature energy. Come here, I'll apply some on your arm."
Naruto walked up to Fukasaku and rolled his sleeve. The old toad dipped a finger in the oil and rubbed it on Naruto's forearm. "With this, nature energy will enter your body by itself. Then, you'll be able to feel it around your body."
"T-This feeling..." Naruto said as he felt the nature energy enter his body. He felt wobbly and blissful.
"Do not bask into it." Fukasaku warned. "Keep your feelings in check. Otherwise you will be at risk of turning into a toad like you are now."
Naruto could indeed see his right hand had become webbed and had warts on it.
"T-The hell!?" Naruto said before he was whacked on the head. "Ouch." When he opened his eyes, his right hand was back to normal. "Huh?"
"Ya have to find the perfect balance between your body, your mind and the nature energy ya absorb. Whenever ya have too much nature energy within ya and start turning into a toad, I'll whack ya with my cane, expelling all the nature energy within ya."
"This is...very risky indeed." Naruto said.
"Risky doesn't even describe it." Fukasaku said. "All those statues around ya are those who had too much nature energy."
"All of them, huh?" Naruto said as he looked at the statues all around them.
"I'll tell you a little secret. Even Jiraiya-chan couldn't get the training down perfectly. Whenever he used Senjutsu, he'd slightly turn into a toad. Even then, he was still good at it. Are ya ready to continue?"
Naruto nodded. "Can I use Kage Bunshin for this training?"
"They will give ya the experience they gain, but if one of them turns into a toad, ya're done for!"
"It's a risk I'll have to take." Naruto said.
"Fine, but only four of ya at a time. I can only keep up with so much. Now, sit down and do the handsign. I'll splash your backs with oil to allow the nature energy to enter your bodies."
That was how the training went. Naruto and his clones would try and find the balance and every time the nature energy became too much, Fukasaku whacked them. Whenever a clone was whacked, it would dispel and give its experience before Naruto replaced it.
Eventually, Naruto managed to feel the nature energy around him.
"I feel it!" Naruto said.
"Good, then let's take a break and eat some food." Fukasaku suggested as he pulled out a picnic's worth of 'food'. "After we rest up, we'll try lifting some statues with Senjutsu."
While Naruto meant it as a joke earlier, the food definitely tasted better than before.
"Now then, it's time to try and lift the statue." Fukasaku said. "However, try using your own chakra first."
"It probably won't budge, but you're the boss." Naruto said as he focused his chakra around his body and tried lifting the statue. It didn't even move less than an inch. He was half tempted to increase his strength with Headhunter, but decided otherwise.
"Now, try to use Senjutsu chakra." Fukasaku said.
Naruto dipped his hand in the oil and made the balance before molding the Senjutsu Chakra. Whenever he made the balance, his pupils became toad-like and he gained orange rings around his eyes. He also had a few warts on his body, but they would probably disappear with further training.
Naruto then tried and succeeded in lifting the statue over his head.
"He is learnin' even faster than Jiraiya-chan." Fukasaku thought. "This one very well may be the Child of Prophecy."
"This is absolutely amazing!" Naruto said as he put the statue down.
"Good, you have somewhat mastered how to control Senjustu chakra usin' the oil." Fukasaku said. "Now, we'll try without the oil. But first, I want to give ya something." He pulled out a book. "This is Jiraiya-chan's first novel."
Naruto took the book. "'The Tale of the Gutsy Ninja.'"
The story was about a man, named Naruto, who never gave up and tried to break the cycle of war in the world.
"Where did he come up with this story?" Naruto wondered to himself when he finished reading the book. "That can't all be from his imagination."
When he got back to training, Naruto had to focus on drawing the nature energy without the oil. Naruto was very patient, which made the condition of not moving at all and concentrate very simple to follow.
"Impressive." Fukasaky thought. "Meditation came so easily for him. To think he would be able to go so far without the oil."
Once Naruto made the balance and gained Senjutsu Chakra, he gained orange eyeshadow. He opened his eyes, which were now yellow with horizontal slit pupils. He didn't even have a single wart on him.
"He has the eye shadin' that proves he is a Sennin and he doesn't even have any toad marks!" Fukasaku thought, awed at the sight before him. "He has officially surpassed Jiraiya-chan at being a Sennin!" Fukasaku then asked Naruto how he felt.
"To become one with nature is an amazing feeling." Naruto said. "It's like all of my senses have become active after living a long time without them."
"A fitting description, for your body has been activated to a whole new level, called Sennin Modo. Now that you've mastered the Sennin Modo, we can get to the final step: a fighting style that uses Senjutsu Chakra. I will teach you the Frog Kata!"
Fukasaku taught Naruto the Frog Kata until they called it a day.
In the middle of the night, Naruto snuck out and went to a secluded area. If he could improve his Ninjutsu with Senjutsu chakra, then it was the perfect time to make the final adjustments and check his new limits.
For the next few days, Fukasaku trained Naruto in the Frog Kata. During that time, Fukasaku told Naruto the weaknesses of Sennin Modo: How Sennin Modo can't last forever and how staying still to amass nature energy made him an easy target. While Fukasaku proposed of slightly merging with Naruto's shoulder, Naruto easily came with the idea using Kage Bunshin to receive their Senjutsu chakra upon being dispelled, which Fukasaku also approved of.
One day, a terrible message was received: Kosuke, the messenger toad in Konoha, had been killed. This could very well mean that Konoha was under attack.
Fukasaku sent a message to Shima, who was nearby Konoha to collect ingredients, to prepare to summon the big leagues, including Naruto and Fukasaku himself.
Naruto prepared himself to battle something daring enough to attack Konoha.
Hope I'm not too evil for ending the chapter just before the Pain fight. Anyways, the next chapter and the one after that are the last completed chapters of the story. After that, it will be a while before I can finish the remaining chapters. No worries, though, I'm doing my best.