Chapter 13
Spirit Wolf
Naruto, Nagi and Senjii lay on top of the wagon, shirts open, soaking in the sun. The gentle rocking of the wagon moving through the plains increased their laziness. Mabry steered the wagon cheerily while talking to Jiraiya. Inside, the voices of Sakura and Hiroka could be heard. The two of them had caught up to them before they'd even jumped into the wind stream.
Senjii was deep in thought. He'd managed to avoid talking to Hiroka since she had joined them in Tengoku, but now they were on a 'mission' so to speak. It would be awkward to avoid her any further. He could hear snippets of the girl's conversation. Mabry had a large wardrobe of clothing for various ages in his wagon. He explained that most of the orphans he picked up were wearing nothing but rags, so he always had clothes to put on them. Good clothes. Neither Sakura nor Hiroka had changed into what was turning out to be the Archangel uniform of white clothes with the silver armband, so they had excitedly begun digging in Mabry's closet.
He could make out small bits, such as Sakura squealing when she found a shirt she loved.
Hiroka "….with the scarf…"
Sakura "...yes…matches….eyes."
Hiroka "ha…he'll die…"
Senjii smiled for the briefest of seconds but then frowned. He did miss Hiroka, still loved her even. But she deserved someone who could give her the finer things, and he had a quest to fulfill.
"Hey boys!" Mabry's voice boomed up at them over the wagon canvas. "It's just over that hill."
Senjii sighed and sat up buttoning up his shirt, seeing his friends do the same. It was time to meet the potential new citizens of Tengoku.
Kakashi watched in amazement as the brightest colored and largest wagon he had ever seen in his life crested the hill to the south of their camp. The thing was massive, easily as big as a house, and the huge donkeys pulling it were no less impressive.
Within minutes the gigantic wheels brought the wagon to the center of the valley. Over the past few days more families had arrived, some lone people as well. Seems Jiraiya's spy network had done a good job of spreading the word.
Steering the wagon was one of the tallest men Kakashi had ever seen, and he recognized him as a magician that Konoha had hosted many years ago. It was said that he got into a friendly spar with the Hokage. Now that had been a sight to behold.
Next to him was Jiraiya, looking as smug and carefree as ever. Kakashi could sense the crowds grow behind him as the people started to gather. Out of a flap on the side of the wagon, some stairs extended, and Naruto Uzumaki stepped out.
Kakashi had wondered what it would be like seeing his student again after a year. It had startled him to realize almost exactly a year had passed since he'd been expelled from Konoha. He had heard of the changes that Naruto had undergone, but seeing it was something different.
His hair had grown longer and wilder; he had gained some height and some more muscles. The clothes he was wearing were startlingly white, with a gold armband that bore the symbol of Tengoku. Kakashi was stunned. Naruto looked so much like his father now, but more than that, he looked like a leader.
Behind him two more boys, who had to be a couple years older than Naruto, stepped out. Both wore identical white suits, with the silver armbands of Tengoku. They took up flanking positions behind Naruto, the one with the swords to the right of Naruto and the dark skinned one to his left. Kakashi noticed the ease with which they slipped into that position naturally. They looked like a team that had been together for years. He felt a pang of pride in his ex-student.
Naruto saw Kakashi and all the seriousness melted off his face. "Kakashi-sensei!" he shouted and ran and hugged the ex-Konoha Jounin. Kakashi took a step back with an "oomph" escaping him. Naruto squeezed him tightly and Kakashi felt happy. His student clearly had no ill will towards him for what happened in Konoha.
"Hi Naruto." Kakashi managed to get out. "You seem well."
Naruto let him go and smiled at him, stepping back. The two boys behind him smiling as well. "I am Sensei, thanks! Have you been here long?"
Kakashi nodded. "A few days. Quite a thing you're doing Naruto."
Naruto shrugged happily, not responding. His eyes took in the curious faces of the people gathered. Many of them looked hopeful, some looked lost. Jiraiya walked up and touched Naruto's shoulder. He looked over at the crowd.
"We will be meeting with each person or family personally to talk to you. Please go back to your tents or wagons. Kakashi would have made a list?" He looked over at the Jounin who nodded. "Good, so we have your names and our village leader Naruto wants to greet each of your personally."
The people looked a little reluctant to go back to their wagons, but did so anyway.
Jiraiya turned to Kakashi, "Quite a crowd," he said matter-of-factly. The two of them had been communicating quite frequently via toad summons. But a few days had passed and this was more people than he had last heard.
"At least a hundred," Kakashi said. "More than you estimated, and most of them came in the last two days. I expect more will show up while we're here."
Mabry walked over. "I figure we'll be here for a week to decide who comes and who doesn't. Naruto will make the final decisions with our advice. It's his village, so his final decision."
Kakashi nodded, he'd been made aware of the decision to grant Naruto the Leader position. He approved wholeheartedly.
"What criteria will you be using?" he asked Naruto.
Naruto looked serious. "Only people with good hearts."
The boys turned as Sakura and Hiroka exited the wagon. Nagi let out a low whistle. Both girls had changed into white clothing with the silver armbands, but the style of clothing was what captivated the boys' attention.
Sakura had a short sleeved white shirt with a Chinese collar similar to the one Nagi and Senjii had, but her neckline was much lower, teasing some cleavage. A firm pink coat was affixed over it that matched her hair. A short white skirt with pink trim and knee high white and pink boots finished off her outfit. She had also found some white gloves that she was still putting on.
Hiroka was wearing a white Chinese style short dress with high collars and red tights underneath. Her red scarf was draped around her neck and flowing in the wind as if it had a life of it own. Two pins held her hair up in a bun, while she too adjusted gloves -hers elbow length- on her hands.
Naruto smiled, "You look great Sakura! You too Hiroka!"
Senjii nodded as well and looked away. Hiroka made a face at him and grinned at Sakura with a wink. All of them walked into the caravan behind Naruto, to decide who to accept into Tengoku.
Naruto's face was crestfallen as he heard the plight of the very first family he interviewed. The father had lost his business thanks to a raid on the town they lived in. They had been terrorized, his oldest son killed, leaving just him, his wife and his daughter who was ten. They hadn't escaped unscathed though. The particular warlord didn't believe in leaving survivors intact, so they had been scarred in various ways. The daughter had been cut across her cheeks, the mother across her hands, the father had lost an arm.
Naruto was incensed and vowed privately to find the person or persons responsible.
"My trade was as a tailor. But not many people will come to a one armed tailor; it takes longer to finish my work now." Tears were in the man's eyes. "But if you give me a chance in your new village, I swear I'll work faster than you can believe. Please I need somewhere to raise my family, to earn a living. Please…"
Naruto's eyes filled with tears as did his friends. He walked forward and put his hands on the man's shoulders.
"You will be more than welcome to join our village. Your family will be safe and you can live your life in peace." Naruto said.
Jiraiya frowned a bit at that, but said nothing till they were outside the tent.
"Naruto, it's all well and good to offer these people hope, but you do realize that we're still a hidden ninja village? It's almost guaranteed that at some point there won't be peace. At some point there will be battles and people could get hurt."
"I know sensei, but he doesn't need to hear that right now. And I will do all I can to protect every single man, woman, and child of my village," Naruto replied without missing a step, walking towards the next tent.
Kakashi looked on with pride as Naruto went from tent to tent, talking to the families that had been gathered and accepting them into Tengoku. For the most part Jiraiya's spies had spread the word only to families that would fit the desired mould, but Kakashi had been here for a few days and had his doubts about a few. It was now late evening and Naruto was now entering one such tent.
The patriarch of a family of four grown sons, the swarthy man had riches draped over him and he reeked of cheap perfume. His face was made up in what was clearly women's makeup and he laughed in a way that made it known he thought little of you.
Naruto looked at him and took an instant dislike. But he pushed that aside, determined to not judge someone based on first impressions and give everyone a fair hearing.
The man sized up Naruto and laughed. "Who are you supposed to be? Which of you men are in charge of this new village?" he said dismissing Naruto and glancing from Mabry to Jiraiya.
Mabry looked at the man with disgust. He'd met this type before, and he loathed men like this.
Naruto cleared his throat. "I am the Leader of Tengoku, Mr…?" he ended the statement with a polite question, to allow the man time to respond.
The man laughed and sneered at Naruto. "How interesting. I did not expect someone so young." He scoffed and then waved his hand at his four sons. "These are my boys. We would like to set up a branch in your city. We run our specialty shops in almost every major city in the western lands. It honors your village for me to even consider building there. I expect lenient property taxes because I will provide employment and inject 'funds' shall we say, into your hands." He smirked at Naruto.
Naruto looked perplexed. "What sort of specialty shop do you run?"
The man laughed. "We offer a wide variety of herbal remedies for many ailments as well as massages for very specific clientele."
Jiraiya looked at him scornfully. "You run an opium den and a brothel." While he didn't mind a few beautiful women around, this was not the way to start the kind of village that Naruto wanted. He did want to see how Naruto handled the situation though.
Naruto looked startled. He looked from the man to his four grinning sons for any sign that Jiraiya's words were not true. But they just laughed it off. He looked at the patriarch and cleared his throat.
"We don't want your shop in our village, but thank you for your interest." Naruto did in his best imitation of what he thought old man Hokage would have said. In truth he wanted to jump up and point at them and tell them to get the hell out of there now, but that wouldn't give the right impression of his….and that word was still scary to him…his village.
The swarthy man looked amused. "I see. Many village leaders are not wise enough to accept our initial offer. But I guarantee that they always take the follow up offer."
Naruto spun on heel and walked out the tent without letting the man finish.
Mabry grinned. "I don't think we're very interested in your next offer. Feel free to take your time and pack up your things, but do leave soon."
Naruto's friends and mentors filed out behind him. He breathed deeply as he waited for them to catch up.
He turned to Jiraiya. "Something about him just smelled, off."
Jiraiya nodded. "Not a nice man or a nice family. Extremely wealthy of course."
Kakashi chimed in. "There are five or six such wealthy, yet questionable, families in this encampment. Jiraiya's spy network is not infallible. Such men will always find a way to wiggle their way in where they see opportunity."
Senjii looked angry. "We're trying to build an honest village here; I don't understand why they think we'd welcome an Opium Den and a Brothel?"
Nagi shrugged. "The Opium Den I agree with you, but a Brothel is just another business. Many villages I've encountered that are perfectly peaceful have such a place. Once the women aren't forced to work there."
Jiraiya agreed. "Very common. But that man in particular would be a dark mark in our village. He could have been running an Ice Cream shop, and I still wouldn't have liked him coming along."
Naruto shivered. "OK. Next tent?"
Nagi looked around. "Hey where did we lose the girls?"
Kakashi smiled. "They stopped about two wagons back. Playing with the babies." (Twin babies that were probably the cutest either girl had ever seen in fact.)
Naruto smiled and headed for the next tent.
Two men watched from the shadows outside the opium dealer's tent. They turned to each other then melted back into the shadows and snuck out of the encampment.
They crept and snuck their way over the crest of the hill into the nearby forest. The sound of an owl hooting as they entered the woods made them stop in their tracks.
"It's us," the man whispered urgently into the night. An arrow whizzed close to his head. He growled up into the trees. "What the hell!"
"That was a warning, 'It's us' is not the damn password." A voice floated down from the trees.
The two men grumbled and stalked deeper into the woods. After a few minutes they came upon a camp. Around a campfire sat roughly thirty seven men. They laughed as one told a tale of treasure and plundering, for this was a camp of thieves.
At what was clearly the seat of power in the camp sat a tall brown skinned man. His hair tied back in ponytail, a short beard and mustache on his young face. Small gold hooped earrings and a gold ring with a symbol of a wolf were the only two pieces of jewelry he wore. His eyes though seemed to watch everything and nothing at the same time.
The two men approached him and the other men grew quiet.
"My Lord, it was as our snitch said. There are five or six very wealthy wagons in the encampment. There are no guards. But there are a few ninja in the camp. They seem to be picking people to take somewhere." One of the men reported.
The leader sat back. "Ninja? What are they doing this far west?"
"I do not know my lord," the same man responded.
One thief stood up. "It matters not! Many riches lay in those wagons! We will raid the camp and take what we want and be gone by dawn!"
The other thieves looked like they were about to cheer, and would have probably, if a dagger hadn't flipped through the air and sliced the loud thief's left ear off.
His hand clutched the bleeding side of his head and he fell to his knees. The leader stood up and walked over to retrieve his knife. "Did I miss the meeting where you were chosen for my position Krishna?" As he spoke his eyes took on a dangerous steely color.
"No, no my Lord Ali," the thief gritted out through his teeth. His anger barely kept in control.
Ali looked around at his men. "No one should think for one second that they can presume to decide when we attack, nor whom."
He sat back down. "The fact that there are ninja in the camp complicates things. It means we could lose men. There are only a few of us here who could fight toe to toe with a ninja. We need a much more solid plan than 'we attack at dawn'."
The men smiled wickedly. The leader of this band of thieves was always chosen not just for his skills, but for his cunning.
"The Spirit Wolf clan will show those fat merchants that the common man needs to live as well! Here is how we will do it..."
Naruto took a lot of convincing to stop interviews for the night and continue in the morning. He settled into Mabry's wagon and closed his eyes, hands behind his head thinking.
It had taken a lot to hear all the stories his new citizens told him. They were tales of suffering, abuse and woe. Many were running, some looking to start over. This part of the world was much larger than the civilized part he came from, and many things he took for granted simply weren't true here.
Naruto hoped he could do right by these people. He now had citizens for his village. People who weren't warriors or warriors in training.
Nagi and Senjii had stayed up talking, and Sakura and Hiroka were still in the camp somewhere. Naruto closed his eyes and hoped that tomorrow he would make good decisions.
Just before dawn when most people's guard is down, forty thieves entered the camp. They split up into six teams. Five went after the target wagons, and one went into various normal wagons, taking hostages and tying them up. Ali's plan was simple, if there was trouble, they'd use the hostages as collateral to escape. His two scouts had told him the Ninja were all around the massive colored wagon, so once they were quiet and avoided that wagon they should be OK.
What Ali did not know was that Sakura and Hiroka had fallen asleep by the kindly single mother with the cute twin babies. So when the thieves snuck into the tent to tie up some more hostages, they didn't meet an unsuspecting civilian, but two very angry kunoichi.
Sakura felt the malevolent presence in the tent and was standing in a flash, a mere second after Hiroka did. They saw four shadows, all of whom seemed to be startled to find them there. A glint of steel in one of the intruder's hands warned Sakura that they were armed with knives. She glanced at Hiroka who had snaked her scarf out and was in a ready to attack position.
As Hiroka lashed out with the scarf, Sakura turned and picked up the sleeping twins in either hand and dove out the back of the tent. The mother woke up to the sight of Hiroka fending off the intruders and her babies nowhere to be seen.
She screamed loudly. Loud enough to wake up the entire camp.
Ali cursed in his native tongue. He was sneaking up on a fat swarthy merchant when the scream awoke his target. The man lunged for a sword but to no avail. Ali buried his dagger in the base of the man's neck and turned to his two followers at the door.
"Take what you can from this tent and meet us back base camp. I will have to go and deal with the ninja," he said as he strode out the door.
"What's going on?" Naruto asked as he rushed out of the wagon with his Bo staff. Nagi and Senjii landed on the ground next to him.
Kakashi appeared as well. "It seems we have intruders in the camp. Thieves."
Naruto's eyes grew dark. "Thieves? Someone is stealing from these people?" All he could think of was the stories of persecution and the unjust way of life these people he had accepted as citizens had been subjected to.
"They're all over the camp." Jiraiya said as he threw two men to the ground in front of Naruto. "They wear the symbol of the Spirit Wolf Clan. A feared clan of thieves from far south."
Naruto nodded and made the sign for Kage Bunshin. He made fifty clones and sent them into the wagons and tents, searching for the thieves. Within seconds the sounds of fighting could be heard.
Naruto's face looked startled. "I lost a few clones. There's a tall man walking towards us. He's defending the other thieves from my clones. They're all running away."
Mabry appeared as well with a single thief over his shoulder. "They certainly use a fighting style I've never seen before."
No sooner did he say that than two of Naruto's clones flew backwards into the clearing where they stood in front of Mabry's wagon and 'poofed' out of existence. The tall man Naruto had spoken about entered the clearing. His eyes darted to the thieves on the ground.
"I've come for my men. Release them and we can forget this happened." Ali said calmly.
Nagi and Senjii looked at each other and lunged at the man. Senjii drew his sword and swung, Nagi sweeping for the man's legs. Ali however ducked under Senjii's swing and twisted in mid air over Nagi's swipe.
His hand reached for his belt and pulled on a hilt. A long sword uncoiled from around his waist and lashed out at Senjii who just managed to block it with the broad side of his sword.
Jiraiya cursed under his breath. "An Urumi."
Kakashi nodded. "That means…"
Ali landed on his feet and twirled the sword around him a few times. "My name is Ali of the Spirit Wolf Clan and I am a master of Kalarippayattu. Please do not force me to fight further. I will just take my men and leave."
Naruto growled and jumped into the fray. He used the Bo as a spear, poking towards Ali, who turned and pivoted, slashing the Bo aside with his flexible sword. Senjii came from the side with both of his swords, twirling them impossibly fast and slicing towards Ali. His slashes too were deflected by the skilled thief.
Ali then started to press his attack; the sword snaking around Naruto's Bo and slicing into his shoulder. He grimaced as he felt the cut as a burn, but his healing ability was already working close the cut.
Senjii had so far managed to avoid being injured, but barely. He was sweating, never had he been so hard pressed by a fellow swordsman. Despite himself and the circumstances, Senjii couldn't help but smile. This is what a true swordsman was like. Senjii was finally being pushed past his limits.
Ali flicked his wrist and the Urumi snaked around him like a tornado. He flicked it again and extended his arm and suddenly the razor sharp tornado was racing towards Senjii. He saw it in time though and flash stepped backwards towards the wagon and away from the fight.
"Damn," he said, panting. "He's so fast."
Kakashi agreed, he'd never seen someone fight so fluidly as that before. "Naruto is only surviving at this point because of his healing ability. Oh, and also because Ali doesn't seem to want to kill anyone."
Senjii looked incredulous at Kakashi but then he looked closer at the fight. Kakashi was right. The master thief was twirling the coiled sword effortlessly and with much more skill than Naruto was using the Bo staff. But he was clearly holding back on many openings to seriously injure the blonde ninja.
Naruto seemed to notice this as well. "Why are you holding back?" he asked as he swung the Bo staff at the thief's head.
Ali ducked and turned on the balls of his feet. He stood and lashed out in a kick that they all swore ended with his knee in his own face, his legs straight as an arrow. The kick did land however and sent Naruto flying backwards. He managed to flip in midair and landed on his feet though.
"I have no desire to kill children." Ali said. Jiraiya grunted, he had suspected as much. The Spirit Wolf clan was mostly feared by rich criminals and merchants who cheated their customers. There were more than a few tales of the clan helping the less fortunate. A band of cutthroats they most certainly weren't. So why were they here robbing these unfortunates?
"Why are you here Ali?" Jiraiya asked. "Most of these people have no money."
Ali nodded and swished his sword in front of him. "There were five or six wealthy men we've been following. They were scattered throughout your little operation here. We were supposed to be in and out, but it seems some of my men ran into your female ninja."
Jiraiya nodded, it made sense. "I'd let you leave with your men, but it's really up to Naruto here."
Naruto looked over at Ali. The man had to be in his early thirties, and he was so skilled with a sword.
"Why live a life like this?" Naruto asked him, dropping his attack posture. "Why live as a thief?"
Ali smirked at the young man before him. He recognized that look. "I don't need your pity boy. This life has been my family's life for generations. It is a proud tradition that I am honored to carry on. The Spirit Wolf Clan is a proud clan, a proud family."
Nagi and Senjii nodded. They understood what Ali meant. Tradition and Honor.
Naruto shook his head. "Come with us."
"WHAT!?" Jiraiya, Kakashi, Senjii and Nagi all said simultaneously.
Naruto smiled warmly at Ali. "The old man used to say you never really know someone until you fight them. You've got a good heart Ali. You should come with us."
Ali looked baffled. He took a step backwards as if expecting some sort of trick. But the smile on Naruto's face was genuine and open. He was shocked.
"What are you talking about? Go where?" Ali asked.
Naruto launched into an explanation of his village, without giving away its location –after a hard stare from Jiraiya– and again extended his invitation.
Ali laughed. "What's your name?" he asked Naruto, not unkindly.
"My name is Naruto. These are my friends Senjii and Nagi. And this is my Sensei, Jiraiya and our friend Mabry."
Ali's eyes took them all in. "I've heard of…most…of you. As I said, I have no wish to fight you, I will just take my men and leave. "
He turned towards Naruto. "Naruto, I wish you all the best for your village. My clan however does not stay in one place. Often the criminals we steal from look for revenge and it would not do for us to bring such troubles to your village."
Naruto grinned even wider. "You've just proven my point even more! You worry more for the ordinary people than you do yourself! You belong in our village!" he declared.
Ali grinned, Naruto's smile was infectious. "I do not think so Naruto, but thank you."
The three thieves on the ground began to get up. Kakashi help one to his feet. They eyed the ninja around them suspiciously as their leader motioned for them to come over.
A woman's scream shattered the clearing as five thieves ran into it. One had a woman in front of him, a blade pressed against her neck. Chasing them were Sakura and Hiroka, and one other girl that didn't surprise Kakashi in the least.
"Krishna!" Ali barked out. The man holding the woman turned and snarled at Ali.
"Release that woman now!" Ali commanded.
Krishna sneered and looked to the woman. Naruto saw it happen in slow motion, as if he had the Sharingan itself. But then the horrible moments in life always do seem to go more slowly. Krishna sliced the woman's throat open and flung her body to the side.
"I'm tired of you telling me what to do!" he yelled at Ali. "Just because your father was Leader doesn't mean you should have been! I will take what is mine!" He lunged at Ali with what looked like a dagger, but its hilt was shaped so that it needed to be held like a fist punching.
Ali sidestepped and pulled out a similar looking dagger. The two of them began battling each other in the middle of the clearing. Naruto appeared at the dead woman's side and picked up her body. He Hiraishin'ed back to the wagon and rested her down. Angry and sad at his inability to prevent her death.
The other four thieves came under the full wrath of the women who were chasing them.
Hiroka stood low to the ground, one leg extended forward, the other pulled underneath herself. Her scarf held between her hands. She sprung forward and lashed out with the scarf, the material smacking the first dagger wielding thief in the face. He snarled at her and slashed wildly with the dagger to no avail.
Sakura ducked under a dagger thrust and punched the first man in the solar plexus. Remembering what Tsunade taught her, the secret of the Futae no Kiwami, she used that double punch on the man. The result was the thief being flung out of the clearing, out of the camp, and halfway to the forest.
The third girl fighting was not someone that Naruto knew, but she was doing pretty well. She was using a bow to send arrow after arrow at the two remaining thieves, they had so far gotten two arrows in their legs, but kept running anyway.
Kakashi said out loud to no one in particular. "That's Calamity."
Calamity threw down her larger bow and pulled out two short crossbows from her belt. A torrent of small bolts flew like Senbon towards the thieves, hitting them in their back, knocking them to the ground.
Even from this distance, Kakashi could see that they weren't mortally wounded. Either they were very lucky or Calamity was a dead shot. He saw her grinning at him and he smiled, assuming the latter.
As the girls finished their fights, all eyes went to the battle between Ali and Krishna. It had become a vicious dance. As good as Krishna seemed to be, Ali was clearly a master. Nicks and cuts adorned Krishna's arms, while Ali had barely one or two.
Krishna in desperation flung the dagger at Ali and then made some hand signs that none of the ninja gathered there recognized. He breathed out a steady stream of fire that formed a wolf. The flame wolf raced towards Ali.
Ali again pulled out his coiled sword and twirled it madly, too fast for the eye to see. The flame wolf was dissipated by the assault. Krishna fell to his knees in defeat, panting.
Ali's eyes grew cold and he made some hand signs himself. He then pointed at Krishna. A torrent of ghostly wolves appeared from behind Ali out of thin air and sprinted towards Krishna. They passed through him, each taking what looked like piece of Krishna's soul with them. As the final one passed through him, he fell to the ground dead, his skin white and drawn tight over a skeletal body.
Naruto stood in shock. Nagi and Senjii as well wiped sweat away from their foreheads. The man they had fought against was in a different class from them entirely.
Kakashi saw Naruto's expression and tried to explain. "Ali is a Master of Kalarippayattu Naruto. It is probably the oldest Martial Art in the world. It's called the mother of all Martial Arts. But that aside, he is at a Master Level. I doubt even I would have an easy time facing him in battle."
"What move was that?" Naruto asked. Kakashi knew what Naruto was referring to, but didn't have the answer.
"That 'move' you called it Naruto, is a secret of my clan. What Krishna did was abominable and I apologize. That woman," he said with sadness. "Did she have a family?"
Sakura turned towards Ali angrily. Not sure of what just happened, but knowing the answer to that question. "She did, a boy. Seven years old."
Ali nodded. "According to our custom that boy is now my clan's responsibility. We will raise him. Please bring him to me."
Hiroka snapped her cloth. "Hell no! Shǎbī!" She adopted a defensive stance. Sakura herself also took a ready stance, both quite incensed.
"Wait!" Jiraiya interjected. "Naruto, this is the custom of their clan, of their region. It would be remiss of us to deny them the chance to atone."
Naruto growled. "They lost that right when they killed this woman. Why should I allow them to take her son? That just makes no sense to me!"
Ali nodded. "We are responsible for that child's safe upbringing now since we robbed him of it."
Naruto shook his head. "But we have an orphanage, and a new village. He would be better off with us. He'd be safer for one, and have a chance to grow up with other kids his own age for another."
Ali stood firm. "No! This is my clan's honor at stake. You cannot seek to deprive us of this right. The boy will grow up as a Spirit Wolf. There is no more talking on this."
Naruto growled, waves of chakra rolling off of him. Ali felt it hitting him like the heat of the sun. He dare not show it on his face, but this level of chakra was unheard of, and frightening. What was Naruto?
"We will do as I say thief." Naruto growled. His voice sounded vaguely hoarse and his eyes gave off a faint red glow.
Jiraiya rested his hand on Naruto's shoulder. "Calm down Naruto. We can work out a compromise."
Ali raised an eyebrow. "Compromise? How?"
Jiriaya smiled. "Well, Naruto insists that the boy come to Tengoku. You insist your clan raises him. Why not open a Guild House in Tengoku and staff it with one or two of your men? Your trusted men of course. That way the boy can still be raised as a Spirit Wolf clan member."
Sakura shouted. "No way! They just killed this woman in cold blood, and now we're just going to hand her son over to her murderers?!"
Ali shook his head. "Krishna was a bad seed. He and his friends have always been a problem for my clan. Now that they're gone, the rest of my men I trust completely."
He turned to Jiraiya and Naruto. "I do not understand why you are so willing to welcome a den of thieves into your new village. It sounds like you are trying to create an idyllic place, but the world does not allow such a place to exist. My clan has found a way to survive out here in the unnamed country. But we are still thieves."
Jiraiya chimed in. "You don't rob the poor and destitute. There are rumors of your clan assisting people in times of need. Robbing the rich, the criminal and giving money to the poor. You cannot say that you are bad people."
Hiroka and Sakura slowly began to let down their guard. Based on what Jiraiya was saying, perhaps they were misjudging the tall brown skinned man in front of them.
Ali cleared his throat. "For seven generations my clan has roamed the western world, not always has our reputation been thus. It depends on who leads."
Nagi interjected. "Right now you lead. What do you intend to lead your men to?"
Ali stared at the warriors gathered around him. The three clan members he rescued were helping the ones the girls had chased and subdued.
He turned to Jiraiya and Naruto. "I accept this compromise. I myself will come to 'Tengoku' with two of my clan. We will set up our Guild house there and then I shall leave. Once the boy is raised by us I have no problem with where. But he must come with us often. Part of living as a Spirit Wolf clan member is traveling as a clan."
Naruto grinned. "Then in that case, I'm glad to welcome you to my village."
Ali shook his head. "You don't know what you may have just called upon your village, but all right. The Spirit Wolf Clan will be based out of Tengoku from this day onward."
Konoha Forest
Deep in the forest outside of Konoha, Danzo stood in a clearing waiting for the person he was meeting to arrive. This meeting was far too important and secretive to take place inside the walls of Konoha.
He knew that surrounding him were ten of his best Root Ninja for safety. He may be doing a deal here, but by no means did that mean he trusted the man.
No sooner did he think it than the man appeared, alone. Danzo was no fool though, and knew the man was not alone, and had brought along at least as many men as he had.
"Danzo," the diminutive man in front of him said.
"Onoki," Danzo nodded back. The Third Tsuchikage was a small man, but not one to be underestimated.
"Let's get right to business shall we." Onoki said. "Your plan is going well?"
"Yes," Danzo said. "Our assassination of the Daimyo went perfectly. My ROOT had infiltrated his guard and left big enough gaps for our 'assassin' to execute him believably. His successor is being chosen as we speak from the worthless royal court and then I expect we will be ordered to attack Iwa."
Onoki nodded. "Good. I'll have my army ready."
"Good. We are still weak after the attack from Orochimaru a year ago. But those bleeding hearts in Konoha are useless to me. They must be purged. My ROOT runs deep and strong. Konoha will rebuild once all remnants of the old school of thought are burned from memory." Danzo claimed quietly.
"It's an ambitious plan Danzo. Just remember our agreement." Onoki said menacingly. He trusted Danzo no more than he did a scorpion in his shoe.
"I shall stand by my word. Our battle will serve to remove the useless Ninja of Konoha, and I will be inviting the entire Fire Country royal court to witness the battle."
"And I shall do the same, the Earth Country royal court will come to witness." Onoki said.
"You take care of my problem and I'll take care of yours. No longer shall these fools run our affairs." Danzo said, turning and disappearing into the forest. Onoki watched him go with distaste, but he did admire the man's audacity and planning.
"Soon there will be no more Daimyo, no more pandering… we'll see how your village fares with no one holding us back Danzo," he whispered just under his breath before disappearing back from whence he came.
Tengoku
Tsunade watched in amazement as the newer batch of Naruto clones tore through the construction. They had averaged a floor a day on the tower, the pipes were run all over the lots they had planned out, and electricity was now coming into the main tower. The newer clones were stronger because Naruto himself had grown stronger. All the experience they had gained by building everything in this village was showing too, as all the work seemed to get done faster and easier.
Guerrera had started work on a new building for the academy. His building designs were all very similar. White walls, huge gothic columns. The whole heavenly theme permeated into all the buildings he had planned. He even drew up some plans on renovating and expanding the orphanage that he wanted to show Mabry when he returned.
Tsunade however, was more focused on the need for a proper medical clinic. They had over two hundred children in the village already, and a large portion of them were training to be warriors. They were going to need that clinic soon.
According to the map, she could see where Guerrera planned to erect the clinic, and it was right next to the academy. That was good, as far as Tsunade was concerned. She wanted some kids to learn how to be medics.
The patriarch of the Kazumi clan walked over to her. "Tsunade, I had a thought."
She stopped looking at the papers and waited for him to continue.
"I know Jiraiya was trying to figure out a way to protect the village better. He booby trapped the wind tunnel that brings us here. But I may actually know someone who can help." Tora said.
Tsunade smiled. "Really? How?"
"He's an inventor I met a few times over the course of my family's travels. He's a bit on the crazy side, but he is a genius I've never met the like of. He merges chakra and technology to invent... well, crazy things. And this island, being what it is, we need a crazy invention to protect it." The old man said smiling all the while, hoping that Tsunade would approve of his idea. He blushed brightly. He knew Tsunade was younger than him - though not as young as that illusion technique made her look - but she sure was pretty to look at.
Tsunade rubbed her chin. "Sounds good to me. How do you intend to find him?"
Tora smiled and put four rocks down on the marble floor. He made a series of signs and then touched them. The rocks became owls that flapped their wings and waited for his instructions.
"Find the inventor Kenichi Tenma. Give him and no one else this paper." Tora held out a small piece of paper to each of the owls.
Tsunade frowned. "How are they going to find him?"
"Ah, but they're not ordinary owls, they're tracking owls. They can find anyone once I give them a name. But I made four to send them in the four different directions to maximize our chance for success anyway." Tora replied.
"OK good," Tsunade said. "Now about your eyes fixating on my breasts…" she glared menacingly at Tora who yelped and scampered away.
Tsunade smiled and went back to her work, planning the clinic for Tengoku.