KG: Hello everyone. Hehe sorry for a few things. KG is a little sick today, but even sick KG IS IN HIGH SPIRITS! Ow small headache. Hehehe sorry about that. Too much cream soda on the brain. Well anyway. I don't feel like a beginning omake so let's just jump in to the story.
Music of the Week: Let's Go by Calvin Harris feat. Ne-Yo!
Quote: "Believe in yourself! Have faith in your abilities! Without a humble but reasonable confidence in your own powers you cannot be successful or happy." by Norman Vincent Peale.
-With Pakura-
The sounds of tortured screaming and constant wails of anguish filled the former Hero of Suna's ears as Pakura gracefully walked through the halls with a notepad on her hand. "Prisoner 0987834...sedated," Pakura said jotting down notes to her notepad looking at the fallen man who was foaming at the mouth before taking her eyes away from the scene. Her legs strutted through the dank, barely lit halls of the lower section while turning to someone else. "Prisoner 0987835...,"
"I'LL KILL YOU!" The prisoner shouted as he slammed against his cell doors in his straitjacket. He bashed it hard enough to draw blood to his forehead before he went down to the floor as Pakura expected him to. She shook her head already having seen that reaction in plenty of others. Not letting it deter her, Pakura continued with her notes.
Honestly she wondered about the times she had done this as it had been long enough that the people never irked her as much as they did when she started her job as the bottom section's superior in keeping the people contained. Since she was the newest supervisor then naturally other workers came to the woman with the recent updates, and progression of certain specimens that Orochimaru wanted done and Pakura had documented them all, being sure to make copies for Naruto to give to the Hokage and for Tsunade to give, if appropriate, to Suna since they were allies. It never occurred to Pakura that the people around her seemed to treat her rather suspiciously so naturally Pakura had to prove to most of them that she could keep order, which when you can scorch people alive in mere seconds with your kekkai genkai then it really wasn't that hard at all.
Pakura went through her entire procedure before making a complete stop and slapping the notepad down in front of someone. "Have these complied, written down, and sent to Orochimaru. Also bring me the list on those shinobi ranked B-S. Tell the upper guard to bring down the new arrivals to the base so that they may be inspected and give Prisoner 0987835 his medication," Pakura said while a person saluted her rather tiredly.
"Man why do I have to do this? I'd much rather be at Orochimaru-sama's side than doing this menial labor," the young man said before Pakura closed her eyes and turned around. "If you don't straighten up then I'll throw you to the prisoners during their lunch time Rinji. I'm sure that they would like that very much. Now if you're done with your chatter get back to work. I will be in my room if you need me," Pakura asked walking off while the young man named Rinji sighed and rubbed the back of his head.
"Our superior really needs to get laid or whatever. She's always in here working late and getting up early. Makes me wonder when the hell she sleeps," Rinji said before he got a pat to his shoulder. Rinji turned and he noticed someone chuckling. "Maa maa Rinji I don't think you should get our superior all riled up. She's stronger than you. Besides because of her we haven't had a single outbreak that wasn't dealt with immediately. Say what you want, but Pakura-sama is damn affective," Rinji noticed one of his young friends. A young man named Arashi. He just snorted and walked off with the folder in hand.
"Whatever you say Arashi. I really don't care, but you're right. She's much stronger than me. I really wouldn't want to be the one to piss her off," Rinji said disappearing while Arashi nodded his head several times, a little laugh escaping now and then. When you worked in a place like this then you had to be willing to laugh at some things or you would most likely go insane.
Meanwhile, Pakura closed the door to her room and locked it. She closed her eyes and gave a small sigh before taking off the gloves she was wearing showing her pulsating seal. The former Suna jonin pinched the bridge of her nose before climbing to her bed. She sat cross-legged and then held up a handsign. The seal of her network pulsed across the floor while she closed her eyes one final time.
It was a while later that Pakura opened her eyes to find herself in the middle of a dark cave only her form was more or less a little distorted. She stood on top of a rock and folded her arms. She didn't have to wait long before she turned her head and a distorted image of Gaara appeared. "Good evening Pakura-san," Gaara said trying to be polite. "Good evening Sabaku no Gaara. I take it that you were called as well?" Pakura asked and Gaara quickly nodded.
"Temari and Kankuro will be coming soon. We were dealing with a mission the same time that this was going on so we stopped to take a break to see what the trouble was. I will be honest. I...did not believe that this would work," Gaara said while Pakura nodded. "I understand what you mean. When he explained the mechanics behind it I was skeptical as well, but he's definitely proven his point," Pakura responded allowing Gaara to grant her a small nod until both noticed Kankuro and Temari's distorted forms appear a few inches from their own. Kankuro and Temari gave Pakura a small bow and hello which Pakura quickly returned. While Pakura might not have liked Suna in general these people were all right in her book.
Soon after Kankuro and Temari came the jinchuuriki of the Nanabi, former kunoichi of Taki, and recently adopted daughter of Mei Terumi, Fu. The green-haired young woman acknowledged the others while waiting as well, but no one had to wait long as Suiren, Tayuya, Zabuza and Haku appeared in their distorted forms as well around the cavern walls. Then came Maki a few seconds later greeting her sensei without her facade of coldness revealing the warm, upstart young woman. Then after her came Kin and with that came everything else.
"Kin what the hell is wrong with you?!" Tayuya shouted while Kin turned her head. "It's all your fault Tayuya! You and your damn 'outside-the-box thinking' bullshit! Do you even realize how much trouble I'm in?" Kin asked while Tayuya face-palmed.
"Why did you even go to Iwa of all places? I swear. Well at least you're alright," Tayuya said while Kin slowly exhaled a breath. She slumped her shoulders and gave a dry chuckle. "Yeah sure. I'm alright only be the skin of my fuckin' teeth," Kin thought to herself.
"Still it was a very large, not to mention lucky, surprise that Kin-san actually claimed such a name in Iwa. Who is this Han guy anyway?" Maki asked while Pakura placed a finger to her chin. "If I recall then he was considered to be the grandson of the Nidaime Tsuchikage, Mu. However I always heard stories that he was very disliked by his village for some reason that no one ever knew. No one in Suna ever understood how the Nidaime Tsuchikage's grandson could so disliked," Pakura said while Kin frowned.
"Hmmm so that's why I've received all of those weird looks from the townspeople. I tried not to care about it too much since Kurotsuchi kept on telling me all the things she could remember about my 'father', but I could feel the tense atmosphere. Some people looked at me with a lot of anger and disgust. I don't know why," Kin said while Fu tensed. Suiren and Pakura noticed that reaction, but didn't say anything more on it.
"Yeah well that fuckin' shit aside for right now, Fu how is that Yagura bastard?" Tayuya asked and Fu turned her head. "We were lucky. We caught up to them just in time to see Yagura over one of their shoulders. Kaa-san and I fought them along with Zabuza and Suiren-san. I don't remember their names, but Kaa-san ordered a state of emergency. Akatsuki she called them. She's also being extra cautious with me. I haven't been able to leave my room without Ao-san following me for a good half the day now," Fu said with a hard sigh. "Well be thankful that you are alive. This Akatsuki must be no laughing matter if they went through all that trouble to directly acquire the jinchuuriki of the Sanbi. It seems that they were trying to use your country's state of disorder to take him. Suna is already cautious enough as it is," Gaara said getting Temari and Kankuro to nod.
"Still? Temari-chan, you must have really done a number on those guys," Maki said while Temari folded her arms. "Oh shut up Maki. It's your damn fault anyway. Do you even realize how important you are?" Temari asked and soon all talking stopped before Temari slapped a hand over her mouth. Pakura narrowed her eyes while Maki frowned.
"What are you talking about?" Maki asked while Gaara closed his eyes and Kankuro scratched his cheek which being seen from his distorted form was rather weird. However thankfully for Temari, she didn't have to expound upon her words as Naruto's image appeared in front of everyone at the dead center. "All of you be quiet!" Naruto shouted and a number of the others blinked at the change in the blonde's demeanor when they saw the coldness in his eyes. It made a few of them shiver, but nonetheless stand up straight.
Maki forewent her words and stood up as did everyone else. "Is something the matter Leader?" Suiren asked with a slight bow while Naruto turned to her. He then proceeded to fold his arms before glancing through everyone else. "Gaara, what is the situation with Suna?" Naruto asked and Gaara unfolded his arms letting them drop to his side.
"Suna is still in a state of high-alert. We're going to be this way for a while from Temari having been seen, but no one suspects her exactly. At least we don't believe they will attempt to arrest her without valid evidence. Her story was covered by Matsuri and I apologize, but I needed to divulge the network for her to trust me completely. To this day she hasn't said anything that would give us away. However she does meet with us on occasion to discuss what's been going around the village. The academy has been closed down and shinobi patrol the area daily. I fear that we might have triggered an international incident as Suna is suspecting one of the neighboring countries to have done so. They also think that it might have been a combined effort of Otogakure, Amegakure and Nadeshiko. However this is merely up in the air at the moment. We have no evidence to support this claim and I doubt that we ever will find the evidence. There is also the speculation of bandits, but that seems to be too convenient for the elders to believe so," Gaara said while Naruto sighed.
"Temari, what did you find?" Naruto asked and Temari grimaced. She quickly turned and noticed Maki and Pakura glaring at her for information. Temari took a deep breath before finally sighing. "Maki is indeed special. She is the granddaughter to the Sandaime Kazekage, but she's also related to the Shodaime and Nidaime Kazekage of Suna. She is the heir to the Shodaime's clan and his compound. It was also...arranged with our father, the Yondaime Kazekage that she was to...wed Gaara when both became of age. Father stopped this when he deemed Gaara as too insane to perform that duty, but now that he's mellowed out they are insistent that we find Maki. It is assumed that either one of them will take the Kazekage position, but which one has yet to be determined," Temari said.
"Oh it's been determined. I'm not doing it!" Maki growled out clenching her hands. Temari, Kankuro, Gaara and Pakura turned to her while Naruto frowned. "Those bastards! I grew up alone from all their shit and this is how I'm repaid? I get nothing except what my grandfather gave me. They expect me to just come back? Go back after they denied me the knowledge of my own family?!" Maki asked, but to her disdain Temari shook her head.
"They believe that you've been kidnapped, but Pakura-san isn't the suspected person since she's supposed to be dead, but that is what they believe. As soon as they are able to locate and free you then they will return you to Sunagakure introduce you to Gaara and see where that leads," Temari said while Maki growled, but looked away.
Naruto, trying to get off the tense topic, decided to turn to something else. "Why do they believe that this place...Nadeshiko is involved? I've never even heard of the village before," Naruto said and it was Haku who answered. "They are a village near Mizu no Kuni. It is mostly comprised of women who seek men who can defeat them enough and bring them back to have an heir," Haku explained.
"Nah, Suna doesn't have enough backing or money to attempt anything like an invasion of even that village. Plus we've been feeding false information that the perpetrator is still somewhere in our borders which narrows it down to where we search, but nothing concrete to sustain us for very long. We're thinking of ending the search and getting back to the missions to bring in the money to do the search again with more defined results. Again nothing has been confirmed," Kankuro said while Naruto placed a finger to his chin, his distorted form acting up every now and then.
"Well if we can at least get them off the issue for now then that's good. Moving on then, Kin why are you in Iwa?" Naruto asked people turning their attention to her. "Most of the merchants and I moved out of the country of Kirigakure for the war and my former boss gave me the month off to do as I liked so I took the time to travel, seeing if I could pick up any news for us. On the way I met a caravan and we traveled together. We were then ransack by bandits. We survived since I stayed to fight, but I had lost consciousness and then I found myself awake by Iwa. The girl named Kurotsuchi stayed with me and asked me about who I was, where I came from, who my family was, so I came up with a thinking since she kept pestering me about my past. I told her that my father was a man named Han and since then nearly all of Iwa has given me a wide berth. I have tried to remain inconspicuous, but that seems to be impossible now. Apparently I stumbled on a very tense name for my father even if I didn't know him," Kin said while Naruto sighed.
"This is not going how I wanted. I need some time to think. We're all spread out too much. If only I had some kind of...liaison. Okay, calm down Naruto. Think about this. Temari was the one who did it, Suna thinks that it was Nadeshiko, Otogakure, and Amegakure. The former and the latter have no idea of it and neither does the middle. Suna is in lockdown while Kin claims to be this 'Han's' daughter. Kin is in Iwa and Maki is the successor to the Shodaime of Sunagakure's clan. Calm down Naruto and...think," Naruto thought closing his eyes. No one said anything in that time allowing Naruto to think as he pleased.
Naruto soon opened his eyes and smirked devilishly. The others sweatdropped at that action, but they allowed it to be so. "Guys, I think we're going to be implementing a little treaty," Naruto said with a small hardening of his eyes. Everyone glanced to each other, but couldn't help the slight shiver that went up their spines.
So the young spymaster spent a total of two hours explaining his plan to everyone and getting feedback from others. It was easy to say that nearly everyone was surprised and even more confused, but as Naruto elaborated more and more then they all started to get the gist of it. As they started to understand, modifications to Naruto's idea were made left and right, but tried to keep with the consistency of what he was telling them all to do and couldn't deny that it was going to be very hard to do, but if it worked then nearly everything that was a current issue would be resolved. "So is everyone finally in agreement?" Naruto asked rather sternly.
Everyone consented to the idea with bowed heads. No one was going to be moving from their current positions for a while and they were all fine with that. "Good now then, Pakura what's happening with Orochimaru?" Naruto asked and Pakura folded her arms. "I have been charged with keeping the order as the Head Superior of the Lower Sectors in the Northern Hideout. So far I have found there to be numerous cases of parasitism in a lot of the prisoners. It seems a lot of them are virtually unstable. It's troubling to think of what's going to happen if they break loose," Pakura said while the others narrowed their eyes.
"You can never guess what the bastard is going to do next. You and the brat there are the only connections we even have to him," Zabuza said and Pakura didn't differ from what he said as she found that to be true anyway. "You would be right; however our relationship is much...difficult. I can tell he's already trying to drive the line between Maki and myself from where we're stationed. I'm in the Northern Hideout and Maki is in the Southern Hideout. It seems there has been a lot of misinformation going around, but I've only been working for the past month or two so I can't fully discern, but it seems that Orochimaru wasn't able to get Uchiha Sasuke's body so he had to go for another, but I've also heard talk that he's vastly interested in Konoha now," Pakura said and this caused Naruto to narrow his eyes.
"Speaking of Uchiha Sasuke, I don't know, but he seems off now," Naruto's expression soon turned to one of confusion as all eyes shifted to Maki who had decided to forgo her anger for the Suna incident in favor of talking to get things done. "What do you mean?" Naruto asked. Maki scratched her scalp before placing her hands at the back of her head.
"Well other than the fact that he all but slaughtered Orochimaru's elite guard, the Sound Four, save for myself and that Kimimaro-prick, he also seems to have a real...awkward glare around him. He figured out the weakness to my iron sand pretty quick. I'm sure that if he didn't know I was working for you then he really would've tried to kill me," Maki said and Naruto raised an eyebrow toward that comment.
"Hmm has that Uchiha guy really gotten that good? I still remember that guy from the Uchiha exams," Temari said while Maki sighed. "Well granted he snuck up on us taking out Sakon and Ukon in the process, but he's changed a great deal I can tell you that. Whatever training he's been doing I know it must be brutal," Maki said and Naruto looked off.
"Did him losing to me really upset him that much? He had suddenly disbanded from our team, but I doubt he'd betray Konoha. Maybe I should have a talk with Mikoto-chan when I get the chance," Naruto thought before someone else took him from his thoughts.
"Naruto, what do you think we should do about Akatsuki?" everyone turned and noticed Haku was the one who spoke. "Did something happen?" Naruto asked and Haku quickly nodded.
"Yagura was nearly taken by the Akatsuki a day ago, He's still in the infirmary. We only know of the person that had him over their shoulder. It was someone named Kakuzu. He's a former nin from Taki. We believed it when we saw his headband. His other partner...we don't know about, but he curses like nobody's business," Suiren said and Naruto sighed.
"Well at least you got to him in time. I remember my experience with those guys," Naruto said getting Gaara and Fu especially surprised. "You fought them? Who did you fight? This could be valuable information for Suna and Kiri, not to mention Kumo and Konoha thanks to the treaty you guys signed," Haku said and Naruto looked up at the cavern walls.
"I do remember Itachi Uchiha and some blue-haired woman. I believe her name was Konan. I didn't get a look at her headband or anything like that, but everyone should know that Itachi is from Konoha. Yeah, spread that as much as you can. I don't know their goals, but they're targeting us for a reason. Ero-sennin is still looking into them right now, but I suspect that I won't be much of a threat to them if I stay like I am now," Naruto said and everyone fell silent.
"Gaara, Fu I won't order this, but it is highly recommended that all three of us start training with our bijuu. Samui-chan told me of a man named Bee-ossan. The guy's got perfect harmony with his bijuu and I think that the only way we're going to beat these guys is if we do that. Fu seems to have a good portion down, but Gaara might have the most...challenges considering how unstable Shukaku is, but I have another idea and you're going to have to back me up on this," Naruto said and the Suna siblings slowly nodded.
Soon everyone began to disappear one after the other with Maki giving a lasting wave to Pakura who returned it until only she and Naruto were left. "Something else?" Naruto asked and Pakura nodded. "I can't tell you that this holds complete truth or evidence, but even down in our sectors there are things being heard. One of those things is that Orochimaru has been meeting with at least five officials. One from each of the Five Great Nations. Why I don't know, but it's something to look out for, especially if Kabuto and Orochimaru are now interested in Konoha for unknown reasons. That is all I have to report. May you fare well on your end Leader," Pakura said disappearing which left Naruto alone. The young chunin shook his head before finally disappearing as well.
-With Naruto-
The young chunin sighing and opening his blue eyes, took notice of his bedroom that he had been meditating in. Standing to his feet and grabbing his Kitetsu, he went out through the door of his room and descended the long flight of stairs coming to the living room of his house to see his purple-haired Mugen angel waiting for him patiently. "Was everything sorted out for you?" Ayane asked and Naruto scratched his scalp. "No not really. Everything is a mess that I don't see a clear path anytime soon," Naruto responded sitting next to Ayane.
"Where is Samui-chan?" Naruto asked and Ayane pointed out into the large preserve. "She is out there training with Mikomi," Ayane said and Naruto just slowly nodded before there was a knock on his door. Ayane and Naruto glanced to each other before Naruto stood to his feet and walked towards the door. He opened it and he wasn't expecting an anbu in a dog mask to be in front of him.
"Chunin Uzumaki, you and Chunin Tengu-san are to present yourselves to Godaime-sama in ten minutes. That is all," the Anbu said vanishing out of sight while Naruto and Ayane glanced to each other. Never mind that this was still their day off. Yeah, never fuckin' mind it at all.
"I wonder what she could want now. Gonna hound me about not being able to go and see what the problems of my world are?" Ayane asked while Naruto snorted. "Baa-chan wouldn't do that Ayane-chan. Not like I know her. Come on, we'll have to get out of here. Also leave a note for Samui-chan," Naruto said turning around to see Ayane already writing a note. She finished and placed it on the table as the two shot off from the house.
They quickly passed through the streets saying hello to the occasional shinobi that came along their way until they came to the Hokage Mansion. Both entered and walked the stairs while Ayane knocked on the door. "Come in," came the feminine voice prompting Naruto and Ayane to obey the command as they made both their presences known. Naruto and Ayane walked in to see Shiden sitting with Tsunade and the surprise was evident on Ayane's face.
"Shiden-oji, what are you doing here?" Naruto asked speaking Ayane's own question into existence while Shiden gracefully stood to his feet. "It has been a while Naruto-san. Good to see you are still in good health. It is good to see you as well Ayane. You have grown a bit since I had seen you last. Never before have you exuded such pride in your abilities that you can back up. It seems Naruto-san was indeed the choice for you," Shiden said and Ayane did very little to hide her embarrassment of the praise but managed to hold it enough to salute her former leader.
"Shiden-sama, with all due respect, what has happened to the clan?" Ayane asked and Shiden closed his eyes. "Everything that the Hokage has told you has reigned true. There is no need to doubt her words, but as she has said you do not need to be involved, but I will tell you this. Hayate, is not looking good," Shiden said while Ayane widened her eyes.
"Naruto, Ayane, it seems that Hayate's condition has worsened and the Mugen Tenshin clan is afraid of losing their heir. His state has baffled a great number of our medic nin and even Shizune. Which is why I will be paying a visit to him myself. Since Kasumi defected from the village then her title of heir to the clan is completely null and void. This leaves their clan without an heir and it becomes clear that if Hayate dies then the clan will continue to be without a leader, but Ayane is a special case and Shiden-san recognizes that as well. While your birth was...unfortunate and unsightly in all manner of the word you are still related to Shiden by blood," Tsunade said while Naruto and Ayane widened their eyes.
"You're asking that I be the one to...," Tsunade suddenly shook her head and raising her hand for silence as did Shiden. "Now the Mugen Tenshin clan has fully...repealed you from the clan making you a shinobi of Konoha so you have no orders to do this, but the Tenjin Mon sect of the clan does indeed wish for an heir to be born at some point should Hayate not survive. The earliest that they would want an heir would be by the time you are 25 and the latest being 35. Still a long ways away, but this is all up in the air should even I not be able to heal Hayate," Tsunade said while Ayane looked down. Naruto looked more than ready to voice his 'opinion' which made Tsunade turn to him next.
"And before you get any ideas Naruto, you shouldn't be worried. This has considered you as well." Tsunade said bringing Naruto to a halt. "You were the first of our world to go to the Mugen Tenshin clan and Hayabusa clan so people are...familiar with you more than others if I should say. You were also the one who helped Ryu find the Dark Dragon Blade and as such you hold a...significantly high reputation with both clans and their clan heads. Enough for the elders of the Mugen Tenshin clan to favor you as Ayane's suitor. Again this is up in the air if I can not help Hayate," Tsunade said standing to her feet. Ayane and Naruto glanced to each other before looking forward.
"But you're the best medic in the world Baa-chan, how can't you help him?" Naruto asked while Tsunade sighed. "Even I can't beat death Naruto. If it's a person's time then it's their time. I can only hope to deter them for as long as they want till they are in that state again. However there is something that can possibly help me. Shiden speaks of an herb on the high point of their mountain. It's something if a white herb that can be found. I plan on making an elixir for it. Your mission is to find this flower and get it back to us," Tsunade said while Naruto slowly nodded as did Ayane.
"Keep in mind of my orders. Neither of you is to interfere with the DOA tournament that is going on in their world. Kyoko is handling it and I will trust her judgement in these matters even if she is a little shady. Now get going," Tsunade said making Naruto and Ayane nod before both quickly left. "Do you think that they will be alright? You said yourself that even your clan does not venture to the top very often," Tsunade said standing to her feet. Shiden did the same and his sudden uneasiness was dually noted.
"I believe that they will be alright. The Black Spider Clan shouldn't pose a threat and I heard of his abilities from Ryu. Naruto should be able to handle himself. I just hope that the boy doesn't meet...that man," Shiden said thinking the last part as he and Tsunade walked away.
-That Evening-
Having their things packed and ready, Naruto and Ayane advanced towards the large structure behind the Hokage Mansion. Ever since Samui became the portal's handler and had it teleported from the Land of Qin to the Elemental Nations then Konoha had a large building placed around it to monitor who was coming through the portal and going out of it. They had something of a..system to work out should a stumbling person walk through, but they hadn't had to kill anyone just yet. Of course Samui had to be there for regular updates and modifications if people wanted the portal moved somewhere for just a little bit, but they always put it back to its correct position hoping that no one would come through during a check of it, which hadn't happened...yet.
As they entered the enclosure, Ayane turned to Naruto. "You seem distracted and not because of your network," Ayane said while Naruto chuckled. "Just thinking about Shiden-oji's words. Imagine you and me with a kid," Naruto said while Ayane's face matched her eyes.
"Y-You idiot why would you be thinking of that now? We're too young to even be thinking about children!" Ayane growled out while Naruto nodded. "Aww don't tell me that you wouldn't think about it as well. Little Suzu-chan running through our compound," Naruto said while Ayane looked up at him.
"Suzu?" Ayane asked and Naruto grinned widely. "Suzu Uzumaki. That's right. I'm gonna name our first girl Suzu!" Naruto said and Ayane snorted before turning her head away.
"You got a name?" Naruto asked while Ayane bit her lower lip. "If I did I wouldn't tell you idiot!" Ayane pouted out while Naruto just shook off the playful insult.
"Yeah sure, alright Ayane-chan," Naruto said walking ahead of her. Ayane watched his back before she looked at the ground. "...besides Tsuki is a better name," Ayane thought catching up to Naruto.
The two young chunin walked into the room as they noticed jonin surrounding the portal and two chunin desks next to it. "Identification," the chunin said while Naruto pulled out his license and Ayane did the same. The chunin looked it over before finally nodding while the jonin backed away from the portal. Ayane and Naruto walked through it and quickly a blinding white light came over them both.
It was then that they would open their eyes again to see them free-falling through the skies. Naruto was not amused. "Couldn't your family have moved this thing so I don't end up free-falling all the damn time!" Naruto shouted while Ayane snorted. "Oh stop being such a baby," Ayane said quickly flipping her body and Naruto did the same as the purple-haired woman landed on a tree branch and Naruto landed on the one opposite of that. Naruto then looked forward and saw bright lights over a large range from the mountaintops. There was Tokyo, Japan or...whatever the hell it was called.
"So do you know where we're going?" Naruto asked while Ayane stood up, her heels not even making a sound on the tree branches as she did so. "Yes, I grew up on this mountain. Follow me," Ayane said and Naruto shot off after her.
-Overtop a Building-
Rachel narrowed her eyes as she looked at the sacred peak of Mt. Fuji. She knew that her sister had her hands full with the DOA tournament, but Rachel had felt a rather unusual energy emanating from the mountain.
"Ryu, something is going on in your mountain. A shame you're gone to do something about it. Looks like I will have to investigate this myself. I just hope that my suspicions aren't being confirmed, but the fiend blood in my veins is pumping and I don't know why," Rachel said to herself before she fired her grappling hook and swung off through the air leaving people non the wiser about what she had just done.
-Two hours later-
Ayane and Naruto glided through the trees one after the other as the young blond managed to keep pace with his lover. Naruto could feel something in his Kitetsu. Unbridled bloodlust as well as the fact that Kyuubi and Nibi seemed rather antsy, but neither said anything about it so Naruto tried to put it in the back of his mind. He was sure that Ayane could feel it too. Naruto looked up at the sky and his eyes narrowed slightly. "Ayane-chan," Naruto said and Ayane looked back to see Naruto looking up.
"What is it?" Ayane responded with her question while Naruto frowned. "In your world, is the moon supposed to be...red?" Naruto asked and Ayane looked up with narrowed eyes to see that the usually white moon was indeed red. Well more like a reddish-orange color, but they would go with red for now.
"Speaking from how man has described it then the orange and red tints that the Sun and Moon sometimes take on are caused by the particles in the Earth's atmosphere. I don't delve much into it, but speaking as those of us who know the truth that...is not a good sign. Naruto, we're leaving the trees and hitting the road. Stay sharp," Ayane said and Naruto nodded as they landed down.
Both walked along the dirt path trudging through the steep passes of Mt. Fuji while Ayane held up the picture of what they were looking for. "Wait, I know this herb. This is the Kamiyashi Herb. It's an extremely dry-tasting herb, but eating it restores vitality," Ayane said while Naruto continued to walk slightly ahead of her.
"What, like that Spiritual Elixir thing that Ryu had me drink during our mission?" Naruto asked and Ayane nodded. "The Kamiyashi is grounded into a extract of blue liquid which contains the properties of healing. Just imagine getting a full bottle of this stuff," Ayane said while Naruto hummed to himself.
It was then that Naruto narrowed his eyes forward and suddenly stopped. Ayane did the same while she pocketed the photo. "Naruto we're...," Naruto merely nodded before Ayane finished her sentence. The presence was indeed hostile and the aura was saturated with death. Death that didn't quite compare to Kyoko's, but it was a very good attempt to let Naruto know that whoever was here was indeed a threat. Naruto touched the hilt of his Kitetsu while Ayane's hands slowly went for her kodachi. The two kept walking a little further until Naruto grabbed Ayane and backflipped from three kunai that landed in front of them. "Well what do we have here? The Mugen Tenshin Clan's Demon Child and a new face. If I'm not mistaken you're the brat who interfered with us during our mission to Tairon. How lucky we are to see you again," a dark voice came from the forest and in an instant Naruto and Ayane found themselves surrounded by nearly a dozen Black Spider Clan shinobi clad in green attire shinobi each holding two swords and poised to attack them both. He even noticed a few people in the crowds wearing hand-to-hand weaponry. Something of steel claws attached to their hands and feet.
"What do you people want? I don't want to kill you if I don't have to," the young chunin said and this got chuckles out of nearly all of them until he noticed a small poof of smoke come and the blonde took notice of one person, wearing all purple, in front of him. "Stop laughing!" the leader shouted shutting up his subordinates as they stiffened.
"Do not underestimate this child. From now on since he has been affiliated with the Dragon Ninja then he will be dealt with as will the Mugen Tenshin girl. Kill them both without remorse!" He shouted and the men grinned while a few of them licked their lips underneath their masks. "Whoa, we didn't even do anything to you and you're going to try to kill us just for knowing Ryu Hayabusa. What is wrong with you?" Naruto asked while the man chuckled.
"That is your sin boy. Knowing that accursed ninja. The Black Spider Clan has held a deep resentment for the Hayabusa Clan and Mugen Tenshin clan for generations on end. You might not be a Hayabusa clan member, but that doesn't mean we won't see it fitting to kill you for mere association," the man said while Naruto and Ayane frowned. "Honestly, you're all pathetic. Fighting over something and you don't even know what happened. I feel sorry for all of you," Naruto said and that indeed ignited the fire or anger of his enemies.
"Shut your mouth!" Naruto's eyes instantly darted to the left as he noticed two people charge at him. He then looked forward and noticed the leader weaving handsigns and ancient symbols with his hands and arms. Naruto quickly took his Kitetsu and, with a swerve of his feet, blocked both men at once. They snarled behind their masks while Naruto frowned. He felt pressure on his back and noticed Ayane vault over his back. She quickly swirled through the air and kicked one person in the chin knocking him back. The others charged them as well and Naruto looked up in time to see a large fireball heading for him and Ayane. The young blond hoisted Ayane into the air and jumped back as Ayane flipped over the coming fireball. Naruto's Kitetsu pulsated and so did the blonde's body as Naruto pushed one person back with his strength before swerving his body and slashed his Kitetsu to the person's arm severing it completely.
The man resisted the urge to scream his lungs out before taking his free arm which held another sword, but Naruto couldn't focus on him as he blocked three other strikes. He snarled while their snarling assaulted his ears. Naruto spared Ayane a glance and he was surprised to see her quickly dismembering her opponents then lopping their heads off like it was a natural thing. Naruto snorted before taking his sword as he blurred out of sight. The men widened their eyes as Naruto appeared behind them. Soon their chests were slashed in blood as they fell to the ground. The Kitetsu swallowed the blood like a drink which it was pleased with.
His instincts alerted him and Naruto ducked underneath a sai that had been aimed for his throat. He then dodged a lunge from the one-armed man that he had dismembered. Flipping through the air Naruto brought his sword down and swiftly sliced the man in half having him drop to the ground. Ayane quickly appeared in front of him as she flung three kunai into the chest of three people before kicking another into them making them explode in a purple explosion while the leader growled. He lunged for them both and Naruto lunged for him as well. Naruto's sword was merely inches from his face until the man vanished in smoke. Naruto widened his eyes before his eyes darted under him. He noticed a shadow moving across the ground until the man emerged just fine. He weaved his arms and hands again while Naruto sped through his own handsigns. "Katon: Gokakyu no Jutsu," Naruto blew a fireball towards the man while the man fired his own ball of fire towards the blond. Both clashed and resulted in a large explosion covering the area in smoke. The man covered his eyes and coughed. He then charged with his sais in his hand speeding through the smoke. He emerged out the other side when he saw Naruto looking at him. The blond was alone.
"Ayane-chan's gone ahead. Looks like you are finished," Naruto said while the man snarled. He dashed for Naruto, but he didn't get far as the trees suddenly came alive and whipped their branches wrapping around him and holding him tight as he looked up and his eyes widened. "What...trickery is this?!" he asked/shouted as he saw Naruto standing on top of a giant fox with nine tails. The man widened his eyes in horror as the sweat dripped from his face.
"No tricks. I just really think that you shouldn't have attacked us. Kyuubi end him," Naruto said while the Demon Fox roared and opened his mouth. The man watched the demon open its maw as it lunged for him. He closed his eyes and then shouted. "For the glory of the Black Spider Clan!" He shouted forming one handsign. Naruto widened his eyes before he undid the genjutsu and grabbed Ayane who had been standing next to him the entire time. He took her and both flew to the ground as the man exploded in a fiery...explosion. Naruto and Ayane covered their eyes until the explosion died. Naruto turned back to see his charred corpse.
"What? What is wrong with this guy? He...killed himself? He never even thought he was under a genjutsu. What is wrong with these people?!" Naruto growled looking at the burnt ground while Ayane frowned. "That is the way of the ninja in this world Naruto. Never let the enemy take you alive or give them the gratitude of killing you. It's more valiant to end your own life than to have it killed by someone else. Not everyone has the same ideology as your world," Ayane said while Naruto growled.
"These people...they are insane," Naruto growled out before Ayane touched his shoulder. "That is their way and we have our own. And right now...," Ayane and Naruto noticed they were once again surrounded by Black Spider shinobi.
"We have more of a problem to deal with," Ayane said while Naruto gripped his Kitetsu. He turned around and noticed the next wave of people charge at him and Ayane. Right now, Naruto was just plain pissed off.
-Mugen Tenshin Clan-
Tsunade sat in the room and placed her hand over Hayate's forehead. Her hands quickly glowed a light-green color a she closed her eyes for focus. Shiden, Ayame, and the other elders watched her act as did Shizune and two Anbu guards. "Hmm he's alive for now, but his will is fading. I can help him, but in order to make him a medicine then I will need that herb that I sent Naruto and Ayane to get," Tsunade said opening her eyes before gently rolling Hayate on his back. Shiden and Ayame breathed sighs of relief while Tsunade continued to examine Hayate's body. "His spinal column has been severely injured, but not unrepairable. I'm sure I can help him, but he'll be in rehab for a little while. At best I can determine that he will not die. Shizune, why could you not deal with this yourself?" Tsunade asked while Shizune winced.
"Because Hayate-san's body was unique. I don't know how to explain it Tsunade-sama, but he's very different from the shinobi that I've examined before," Shizune said while Tsunade sighed. "I suppose I can understand that, but Shizune you must be more alert. There are things that you will have to do and I won't be there to help you. Remember that," Tsunade said while Shizune quickly nodded.
"Well the worst is over for now, but I will continue to monitor him if you wish," Tsunade said receiving a bow from Shiden and Ayame to do so. Tsunade just watched the act before looking forward as the slide-in door was bursted into by a Mugen Tenshin kunoichi. "Shiden-sama, word from the Hayabusa clan's Jo Hayabusa-sama!" she said and Shiden narrowed his eyes before getting to his feet. Tsunade and Shizune grew tense while a scroll was handed to Shiden following the woman leaving. Shiden unfurled it and read through it until he kept narrowing his eyes further and further.
"Quickly summon Genra!" Shiden shouted to anyone listening while the Anbu glanced to each other. "You heard the man. Go and find this Genra person. Get going!" Tsunade ordered and the anbu blurred out of sight while Tsunade turned to Shiden.
"What is the problem?" she asked and Shiden frowned. "Something that I thought would at least wait for a couple more years," Shiden said making Tsunade frown as well.
-With Naruto and Ayane-
Naruto and Ayane huffed back to back as Naruto's Kitetsu dripped repeatedly with the blood from his enemies. Shinobi littered the ground by the dozens, their souls having departed to the afterlife courtesy of them fighting Naruto and Ayane. Naruto's body held several scratches and cuts while Ayane's attire was mostly torn.
Every wave of shinobi that they killed more would pop out to take their place. Naruto didn't know how long he had been fighting, but he couldn't deny that he was getting exhausted. He had been through three waves of nearly a dozen shinobi already. "Ayane-chan, how are you?" Naruto asked while Ayane brushed some sweat from her face. "Could be doing better actually. Don't tell me you're tired," Ayane said while Naruto snorted. He looked out at the crowds of shinobi in front of him.
"How do they have this many members? This is insane," Naruto said while Ayane slowly nodded her head. "Next to the Mugen Tenshin clan they have the most members. Believe me, you haven't even put a dent into their forces," Ayane said breathing heavily.
"This is the end, kill them both!" another leader shouted while Naruto took his sword and Ayane took her Kodachi. Both were ready for anything, but a large earthquake wasn't one of them. Naruto and Ayane shifted their balance before falling to the ground as did the other enemy nin. They watched as the earth shook left and then right with Naruto only having one thought. "Worst. Mission. EVER!" Naruto shouted mentally and soon the earthquake stopped as did the falling debris.
However, even with that Naruto and Ayane didn't get the chance to relax as they heard shouting. Both opened their eyes to see three men in the teeth of three winged fiends. Their large teeth bit into the men before swallowing them whole. Naruto gasped while Ayane took a step back. "What? But the Hayabusa and Black Spider Clans have a special bloodline to the fiends. Why are they attacking them?" Ayane wondered, but she didn't get the chance to think on it much.
"HA! Looks like we found ourselves a little feeding party," Ayane and Naruto looked over and Naruto frowned indefinitely to see two other fiends and if it meant that they were talking then he feared that they were Greater Fiends. "Now Nicchae, don't get so worked up," the second Greater fiend said.
"Oh look it's that brat Nicchae. The one that helped that accursed Dragon Ninja in stopping Doku's plan," Ishtaros, Greater Fiend of Creation, said licking her lips. Naruto growled while Ayane balled her fists. The three other winged fiends didn't give the enemy nin the time to react as they pounced on them then beginning to feast on their insides. "So it is him. This might be fun after all," Nicchae, Greater Fiend of Destruction, spoke before landing down in front of Naruto.
"You wanna fight? I love to fight! How about we fight right now? Let's fight!" she said and effectively kicked at Naruto's form. The blonde quickly blocked, but he was shocked when Nicchae's kick met his two arms as pressure beyond his imagination slammed through his body in one sharp blow that sent him flying and crashing through the trees. "Naruto!" Ayane shouted before she quickly jumped back from one of the winged fiends. She looked at them and was ready to strike before she blinked. Balling her fists, she looked at the ground.
"S...stop," Ayane tried in a rather meek tone that was unusual for her as one of the fiends charged. It drew its large dark green fist back before sending it for her while Ayane dodged to the side. "You...don't want to do this," Ayane while she noticed another one fire several fireballs towards the group of screaming shinobi before the one she was facing slammed her in the chin. Ayane coughed and landed back from the fiend in front of her.
Nicchae watched the seen slightly confused as signified by the raised eyebrow. "Ahh Nicchae you killed our new toy so easily. Where are we going to get our fun now?" Ishtaros asked while Nicchae shook her head. "He was broken so easily. Fragile these humans lives are," Nicchae said while Ishtaros giggled.
"You don't have to do this. You don't...have to listen to them. You're different aren't you?" Ayane asked while the fiend snarled at her. It watched her just waiting for her to lower her guard so it could bite her pretty little neck off. "Your friends and you are different right? You don't want to do this," Ayane said looking at it while it lowly growled. It quickly jumped into the air and hovered over Ayane. It was then ready for her to dodge so it could follow-up, but it was then surprised as Ayane allowed herself to be caught. It raised its fist into the air and Ayane took her kodachi. The green fiend barred its teeth at her while Ishtaros laughed.
"That's right my little Van Gelf fiend. Wring her little human neck dry!" Ishtaros shouted while the Van Gelf fiend quickly sent its fist for her face, but it then widened its eyes as Ayane threw her kodachi away. The fiend's fist then stopped inches from her face. It looked at her wondering what she would do next and it noticed Ayane chuckle. "I'm sorry. Naruto said that you guys never had a choice to become this way. You never wanted to do this, but you were forced to. My hands aren't clean from your blood and I can't do much, but I can say sorry," Ayane said and the Van Gelf fiend blinked. The others looked at their 'friend' to wait for his reaction and Ayane could see its fist slightly trembling.
"What are you waiting for?! Kill her right now! Do it or I will kill you!" the fiend, Ishtaros, shrieked while Nicchae just looked very...confused if it needed a word. "You're just following orders right? If you didn't have to do it then you wouldn't, but you can't help your nature. I can't offer you a solution to go back to how you were, but I do understand. Being hated for something out of your control. No one ever likes it. I know I didn't. I was treated like an outcast by my village and no one tried to understand me. No one could understand me until I met Naruto. He's an idiot, but he's been better to me than anyone else I know. You sort of have his look," Ayane said gently smiling while the Van Gelf tightened its grip.
"Bah! You're useless!" Ishtaros shouted and with a crack of her whipped arm made the fiend shriek before sending it crashing to the side. It growled while Ayane looked shocked. She then coughed when she was suddenly grabbed and hoisted into the air. "What do you know about the fiends little girl? Don't you dare show us that sympathizing look. The fiends are the rulers over the entire world. You are only fit to grovel beneath our feet like the dogs we think you are," Ishtaros said while Ayane chuckled.
"I feel sorry for them. Those Van Gelves having such pathetic masters like you," Ayane spat while Ishtaros growled. "I will not be talked down to by a human! I'll crush you like an insect!" Ishtaros said, but she wasn't able to complete that threat as a hand touched her abdomen. She looked down and the sight shocked both her and Nicchae.
"Rasengan," Naruto shouted and a shriek of pain expelled from Ishtaros' mouth before Naruto blasted Ishtaros from Ayane sending her into the air while the blond caught her. "You okay Ayane-chan?" Naruto asked while Ayane chuckled lightly.
"Never been better idiot. What took you so long?" Ayane asked while Naruto rubbed the back of his head.
"Oh he's alive! He really is stronger than I thought! I like you already. You're much better than that fiend hunter we almost took care of," Nicchae said while Naruto placed Ayane on the ground. Ishtaros growled out as she appeared from the destroyed trees. She glared at them both before the twin sister greater fiends were surprised when they noticed the Van Gelves. They looked at their fallen friend and helped him to his feet. Camaraderie between fiends was unheard of in legends. Actually that was Ayane's first experience talking with fiends. Naruto and Ayane watched as the three banded and flew into the air. They landed in front of Naruto and Ayane. The injured one in the center knelt before Ayane and it licked her cheek which Ayane had to admit was rather weird if she had to say. Nicchae gawked while Ishtaros snarled. "Why you. How dare you!" Ishtaros said and she noticed the fiends turn back to her and Nicchae as they growled dangerously.
"Ayane-chan, you...did it!" Naruto said happily though it was painful. Ayane blinked before standing to her feet. These three Van Gelves. These were going to be her familiars. They were her fiend familiars. "You guys could follow their guide. Fiends and humans don't have to hate each other. We can all coexist," Naruto said while Ishtaros frowned quickly.
"Shut your mouth! There will never come a day where fiends and humans can coexist! I'll just kill you all," Ishtaros shouted blasting forward. Ayane quickly hopped on the middle Van Gelf while he snarled dangerously once again. "Take flight...Mugen!" Ayane said and Mugen quickly shot into the air with Ayane on his back while Naruto smiled. He turned to see Nicchae on the ground looking at him excitedly.
"That kick hurt you know," Naruto said while Nicchae grinned. "Oh it's gonna hurt a lot more. Like I said before, I love to fight," Nicchae said licking her lips. Naruto took his sword, but he couldn't lie. He was still very tired.
"Both of you think you can fight me?! You think you can defy me you damn useless, ignorant, insignificant fiend! I am Ishtaros, the Greater Fiend of Creation!" Ishtaros shouted and soon Ayane found a blinding light over both her and Mugen. Naruto covered his eyes as well and that was a mistake as both were kicked and punched making them both fall to the floor. "Aww Ishtaros. You're no fun. He was my opponent!" Nicchae shouted while Naruto coughed. He quickly held up his thumb.
"Shut it Nicchae. I'm killing these damn fiends!" Ishtaros shouted while Naruto bit said thumb. "M-Mugen, touch my hand along with your friends!" Naruto said while Van Gelf fiends looked to the blond. He hadn't really earned their trust like Ayane had, but she was with him so they would trust him...this time and later if he proved himself. Mugen and his three friends touched Naruto's thumb until a large light appeared over them.
"Gyaku Kuchiyose( Reverse Summoning)," Naruto shouted and they disappeared in puffs of smoke. Ishtaros looked absolutely baffled as did Nicchae.
"What?! Where did they go?" Ishtaros shouted while Naruto painfully chuckled. "Oh just out of your reach. Now you can't threaten Ayane-chan's summons...any...more," Naruto said dropping into unconsciousness while Nicchae hovered over him. She looked at him before snorting. Ishtaros growled, but she picked up Ayane while Nicchae picked up Naruto. Soon both disappeared into the night with their captives in their grasp.
-Elemental Nations, Somewhere hidden-
Within a cave, the members of Akatsuki formed together in their astral projections with each other and stood atop the ten fingers of the Gedo Mazō statue. "Honestly still seeing all of your faces makes me want to puke hmm," Deidara said folding his arms while someone else sighed. "You're not the best face to see before going to sleep either heathen! You're lucky I don't sacrifice your ass right here and now," Hidan said while Deidara waved him off with a dismissive hand.
"So how has the latest partner change been, Itachi-san?" came the voice of the Bijuu without a tail, Kisame Hoshigaki. The astral distortion of his figure hid the slightly menacing smirk that his jagged teeth would've made if the others could see him. "Kisame, do not speak ill of Konan-san. We're to deal with our changed accordingly," Itachi said closing his eyes.
"Itachi is indeed right. There is no sense in complaining about your predicament. At best you must simply comply with the things that have been handed down to you," Konan offered to the others. "That's enough, all of you!" came the booming voice of the leader, Pain, and the others stayed silent. Pain looked through them all for a few minutes before closing his eyes and then opening them back up.
"Status report from all of you," Pain said and the others heard a groan. "We're still monitoring the Ichibi jinchuuriki, but that is becoming increasingly difficult with Suna's lockdown. It seems that the village had their top records broken into by someone and now only the elites of the village are leaving on missions to fund the village. Tracking the Ichibi will be harder with their suspicions on the rise as they already are," came the gruff voice of Deidara's partner, Sasori. The former puppet-master from Suna took notice of Pain's slight look of annoyance before shrugging it off since his leader went to the next person.
"We failed to capture the Sanbi jinchuuriki. Damn Kiri shinobi. We chose the exact time and place, but they still got the jump on all of us. We failed to suspect the Demon of the Mist, Zabuza Momochi, and the Siren of the Mist, Suiren. You really should've killed her when you had the chance Kisame," Kakuzu said irritatedly while Kisame chuckled. "Well you know me Kakuzu-san. I always like to have fun wherever I can, whenever I can," Kisame said still snickering.
"That's not even the worst of our problems. The worst happens to be the Nanabi jinchuuriki. It was unsettling when we found out that she wasn't in Taki anymore, but it worsens to say that she's now gone to Kiri as well. She's also the adopted daughter of their newest Mizukage, Mei Terumi. Kiri is ten times as likely to protect her than they are Yagura considering his past. Catching her will not be an easy task for anyone," Black Zetsu said making the others frown.
"We all know that the Kyuubi jinchuuriki has to go last in the order for the Gedo Mazō, but obtaining him as well will prove to be a challenge. As his history clearly states he has a very unique style of genjutsu. One that even Itachi Uchiha's sharingan couldn't break," Konan said and that dropped the ball for a lot of people. "Whoa, our very own Uchiha Itachi couldn't break out of a thirteen-year old's genjutsu? HA! That's hilarious!" Deidara laughed.
"Deidara, be quiet," Pain ordered silencing Deidara effectively before turning back to Itachi and Konan. "It's not to say that I couldn't break it, but more to say that there was nothing to break. His genjutsu physically wounded me in my right leg. No genjutsu is that advanced, but he indeed did make it happen. Also he appears to have very...peculiar summons and I do not speak of the Snake contract which he holds. These are much different and I fear that it will be an unexpected thing in our plans," Itachi said making the others frown indefinitely.
"Do not let it bother you. No matter how strong he gets, no mortal can defeat god. Continue to monitor your assigned jinchuuriki, but do not act. Akatsuki does not have the necessary funds with which to begin our process. Dismissed," Pain said fading out and the others did the same; however Konan took the longest as some thoughts were running through her head at the moment.
-DOA World, With Kyoko-
"Winner by elimination, Kyoko Fura!" An announcer shouted while Kyoko frowned. The Tv screens showed everyone her feet and this left a lot of people astonished. Kyoko had beaten five people in the past day or so with just a simple punch or kick. It usually ended with her blasting them into a wall with a bored expression on her face. "One-hit again. Man that lady is brutal, but she's also so fuckin' hot! Good strength and beauty. She should be Ms. Japan!" someone said while others sighed, but they couldn't help but agree with the person.
Kyoko walked from the deck of the ship while the medics picked up her defeated opponent. Taking a flight of stairs Kyoko came to the inside of the ship and turned a few corners to head into her room. She sat down on her bed and yawned. "Man why is everyone so weak in this world? I really miss you little sis. Wherever you are I hope I'll find you one day. I really was an ass to you when we were younger. I'm sorry...Tayuya," Kyoko said not knowing what brought this on, but just allowed herself to slip slightly in her memories.
A thirteen-year old Kyoko laughed as she hoisted a tiny Tayuya into the air. The red-haired child laughed while Kyoko's smile beamed brightly. "Don't worry little sis, even without Mom I'll be there to protect you. You'll always have your big sis. No one's gonna beat me. You know that right? No one's gonna beat your big sis," Kyoko said throwing Tayuya up into the air in the grassy plains while the young redhead giggled again and laughed when Kyoko caught her. Tayuya and Kyoko locked eyes for a few seconds and Kyoko gave Tayuya a warm hug.
"I'll protect you Tayuya. I swear it. After all, it's...just the two of us," Kyoko said and Tayuya placed her tiny hands on Kyoko's face familiarizing it while Kyoko grinned. "Tayuya...I love you little sis," Kyoko said while Tayuya nodded grinning happily.
Kyoko opened her eyes to the feeling of being touched, but the familiar presence of chakra made her calm down. Kyoko turned her head and noticed Ryu and Alma over her. "Kyoko-san, are you okay?" Alma asked while Kyoko raised an eyebrow. "What are you talking about?" Kyoko asked and Ryu folded his arms.
"You were crying in your sleep," Ryu said and Kyoko raised an eyebrow before brushing her hands to through her eyes. Kyoko sighed and leaned up noticing her fingers wet from her tears. "Ugh, forget it. Now what do both of you want?" Kyoko asked. Ryu slowly narrowed his eyes, but he let the matter drop as did Alma. Both knew better than to push Kyoko for questions.
"Ryu and I finished our fights for the evening, but it seems like a lot of the sponsors of this tournament are making bets on you. You're in some sort of pool so I wouldn't be surprised if people started asking for you to rig fights. Things will get difficult for you if you are in the light too much," Alma said while Kyoko snorted.
"Yeah well I'm a ninja. The best sort of hiding is in plain sight. No one expects it. Like these people can threaten me anyway. I'd like to see them all try. Is that it? What is Kasumi doing?" Kyoko asked while Alma sighed. "Well I would suspect that she was training in the training room for the women or something like that," Alma replied and Kyoko nodded with her head back to the pillow.
"As usual you're not taking much of this seriously which is something that I do not understand," Ryu said. Kyoko merely looked up at the ceiling her gaze as solid and firm as the day that she let herself go with Naruto. "I suppose not. Kasumi is nothing like Tayuya so I doubt it's a sibling thing for me. I don't know," Kyoko said closing her eyes.
"Besides I was an A-rank shinobi within reason. I could be considered a Master Ninja to most of your clan, Ryu-san. Not that many people in this place are going to make me sweat. I'll admit that you, Alma with years of training, Kasumi and Raidou might be a few of those people. Remember in this world you're all a lot more lax than I am," Kyoko said and Ryu shortly agreed. He couldn't find the faults with that because they were true especially when he had seen Naruto's world.
"You would be correct. However I would advise you to stay away from Fame Douglas. He seems interested in you specifically. You know that is not a good sign," Ryu said and Kyoko chuckled. "Hmph like I care, but you're right I guess. Wake me up when something interesting happens," Kyoko said prompting Ryu and Alma to leave her room. Hearing the door close, Kyoko drifted off to sleep with a small smile on her face. Out of the field of her periphery she could see someone hanging off a ledge with a camera taking pictures of her.
"I'm just so popular tonight," Kyoko thought while the person grinned at nothing being caught which Kyoko easily saw the figure leave and drifted off to sleep once again.
The person quickly stood on top of a railing and took of their mask showing Christie. The white-haired woman smirked to herself before taking out her phone and calling someone. "What is it Christie?" a smooth tone that had obviously been involved in a lot of backhanded deals said while the young woman snickered. "Aww now don't be like that Victor. I got those pictures that you asked for. Never thought there was going to be someone here other than Kasumi that got you interested. I take it you couldn't resist the things I told you?" Christie asked while the man behind the phone said nothing for a bit before finally speaking.
"While I doubt that you would lie to me and much less exaggerate I am still a man of reason and logic. Even I know the powers that these shinobi possess, but to 'create a large roaring dragon entirely out of water' is a bit much to take; however I am also a man of opportunity Christie and this woman will be perfect for our projects. Christie find anyway you can to obtain her after the tournament. I don't care how, but keep her alive at least. I know how you get," the man named Victor said before hanging up the phone. Christie chuckled to herself before closing the lid of her phone. "Oh I don't think you have to worry about that Donovan. I know just what to do," Christie thought to herself before walking off, her heels clattering across the ship as she did so.
-With Naruto-
Naruto groaned as he opened his eyes. He noticed himself on a bed. "Well look who we have here. Our little friend is awake," Naruto widened his eyes and quickly leaned up. He looked left and right noting the room he was in and was surprised to see Ayane sleeping next to him. "Ugh, what happened?" Naruto wondered to himself. He then gasped and touched his side. His Kitetsu was gone. Naruto narrowed his eyes until he saw a woman at the door looking at him with a small smile, but Naruto could see that it was a very discerning smile that she was giving him. The power that radiated from her body had his senses on high-alert. This woman was not to be trifled with.
"Kyuubi! Nibi-chan!" Naruto called. No response. Great.
Naruto sighed to himself before glaring back at the woman in front of him. "Who are you?" Naruto asked dangerously. The woman smiled before, from around her back, came Naruto's Kitetsu. "Hmm so you're the one who's been such a talk with the fiends lately. Well I can certainly see why. Even for a human you are quite good-looking. Be happy. I usually hate to complete a race that I feel is beneath my notice," she said and she watched as Naruto stood to his feet. She half-expected him to attack her outright and Naruto had indeed wanted to, but there were too many things happening around him and he didn't have enough information to proceed that way, plus he really wanted his sword back. Cursed it was and nightmare-inducing fiend to go with it, but it was still the sword he rightfully earned from Doku and he would keep it that way.
"Where am I?" Naruto asked and the woman chuckled. "You are in the realm of the fiends boy. Welcome to the Order of the Necromantale. Ruled by our Lord, Dagra Dai-sama," she said while Naruto frowned.
"Am I supposed to know who the hell that is?" Naruto asked and the woman forgave the slight towards her Lord that time.
"Not necessarily. He hardly likes to have his presence known by a race that is...ahem, a useless waste of space," she responded and Naruto didn't know if she said that just to piss him off or if she really thought that way, but he was getting a feeling that it was both.
"Hmm so this is where they brought us. Well...how do I get out?" Naruto asked and he watched the woman saunter towards him. She was rather surprised to not get a reaction out of the blond, but Naruto wouldn't deny that she was rather beautiful...for a fiend. Also besides he...was very much spoken for also...twice. "I'm afraid I can't tell you that. See I'd die if I did and I'd kill you before I let that happen, but I wouldn't want to kill someone like you so readily. There are large traces of fiend blood in your veins," she said grinning like usual. Naruto raised an eyebrow which belied his thoughts.
"Is she talking about Kyuubi's chakra? I guess as a Bijuu he might be considered a fiend. I don't know," Naruto thought to himself before putting his thoughts back to the woman. "So who are you anyway?" Naruto asked and the woman flipped her hair.
"I suppose I could tell you. It's not like you'll be leaving here. You may call me Elizébet. One of the Four Greater Fiends, Queen of the Fiends and Ruler of Blood!" she said and Naruto's fear were now loosely confirmed.
"Could I beat them?" Naruto asked and Mikomi blinked. "I highly doubt it Naruto-sama. They have lived longer than you, me, and possibly anyone in this village or even this world. Their experience only matches their pride and confidence," Mikomi said Naruto sighed.
"Hmm you're not as threatening for a high-end fiend as I assumed," Naruto said while Elizébet chuckled. "Would you rather that I be that way?!" she asked dangerously while Naruto slowly growled. He couldn't help, but lightly back away while Elizébet chuckled.
"I didn't think so. You were honestly below our notice before you interfered with the Vigoor Emperor. Such things made us weary of you, but I'm not here to fight if I don't have to. Tell me, I was watching that fight. Why did those Van Gelves side with this girl? Never in my days have I seen a fiend side with a human," she said and Naruto raised an eyebrow.
"Well for one thing she didn't threaten her own kind or treat them like they were inferior. Seriously why do you guys kill your own kind?" Naruto asked and the Ruler of Blood grinned. "I could ask you the same question," she returned and Naruto narrowed his eyes further.
"You're no better than us are you? Besides you've been killing each other since the beginning of your lives. It just comes so naturally for all of you. So tell me why you think we're different from you," she said and Naruto snorted.
"Yeah well I kill to protect what's important to me. I don't kill just for killing sake. Honestly I'd rather not kill you either. I think humans and fiends can get along," Naruto said while Elizébet laughed. "Like we want to get along with you. Look here young one, there is such a thing as order in this world and the fiends are rulers over the humans. As we forever will be," she said and Naruto turned to her.
"Is that why you're so scared of the Hayabusa clan?" Naruto asked and the blond swiftly found himself slammed to a wall. Naruto coughed while he noticed the woman named Elizébet glaring at him. "It wouldn't do good for you to make me angry. Wiping you out of existence is still a trifle matter," she said, but she was then confused as Naruto poofed out in smoke. She quickly turned her head left and right only to find Naruto behind her.
"Well I assume you're going to wipe me out anyway so why not have some fun while I do it? Or is the guy watching us telling you not to kill me?" Naruto asked and Elizébet's eyebrows twitched. Oh this was going to be very interesting. she didn't think that he actually noticed that. For a young one, he was very astute.
She slowly chuckled while Naruto smirked. "You truly are fascinating...for a human, but the fiend blood in your veins excites me. You had better behave yourself," Elizébet warned. Naruto folded his arms and caught her glare before giving his own. The Queen of the Fiends was surprised to see Naruto's eyes turned to the color of red and become slits just in case she tried anything.
"Kyuubi's chakra is flowing into my body, but I can't reach him or Nibi-chan? Why is that?" Naruto thought to himself until both heard the door open. Elizébet stood away from Naruto and the young blond noticed a tall pale man with dark hair and a long beard. He also wore a long black robe. He took notice of the blond in front of him while Naruto growled. "Hmph you're human stench is insufferable boy, but the blood in you commands respect. Your connections to the Hayabusa clan pollutes our realm and no one likes it," he said and Naruto noticed Elizébet bow to him.
"So I'm guessing that you're Dagra Dai or whatever the hell I'm supposed to call you," Naruto said while the old man named Dagra Dai snorted. "You would be correct. I am the Infernal High Priest, Dagra Dai. Ruler of the Fiend Race," he said and Naruto could rather "feel" the anger in Elizébet's heart when he said that, but he couldn't dwell on it for now.
"You are not frightened by these words boy," the Infernal Priest assumed based off Naruto's even look. "If you were trying to scare me it wasn't going to work dattebayo," Naruto said letting that tick slip out before readjusting himself. The Infernal High Priest passed Naruto and walked up to Elizébet's face.
"I thought I told you not to bring him here!" Dagra Dai said stabbing his long staff into the ground just inches from Elizébet's face. She seemed to bow even lower while Naruto didn't miss the look of sheer anger on her face. Not anger that she hadn't done her job correctly, but anger that she was taking orders from someone like this. Naruto did not miss that look at all. "An unpardonable lapse sire. I'll have Nicchae and Ishtaros move them immediately," Elizébet said though the genjutsu prodigy could understand that her speech was clearly strained.
"Calm yourself Elizébet. There is no need for that; however I am interested to see just what this boy can do. What is your name?" he asked and Naruto turned to him. "Uzumaki Naruto," Naruto said and Dagra Dai began to snort before turning around.
"Uzumaki Naruto, you will be coming with us," Dagra Dai said walking out and Naruto found himself pushed out of the room by Elizébet. Naruto could only see Ayane's unconscious form before the door was closed, being guarded by two purple Van Gelves, if...Naruto knew them right. "So...where are you taking me?" Naruto asked continuing in stride.
"You will know soon enough. Elizébet, the boy's sword," Dagra Dai said while Elizébet narrowed her eyes. "Yes...sire," She said handing Naruto his Kitetsu. Naruto looked at it before slowly taking the handle and sheathing the sword. Wherever he was going he was going to have to fight. He wouldn't have Kyuubi or Nibi to watch his blindsides so he had to be careful.
The trio went through an elaborate series of halls and corridors until they came up to a door. "Walk through that door!" the High Priest ordered while Naruto blinked. "And if I refuse?" Naruto asked and from out of the walls came a mirror showing the room Naruto was just in. He could see Ayane sleeping and his anger was suddenly intensified as Naruto saw one fiend bearing its teeth at her neck.
"She dies. Anymore questions?" he asked and both were subjected to the anger inside Naruto's heart as the blond hissed violently. Elizébet narrowed her eyes, but Dagra Dai was much unconcerned. "No. No more questions!" Naruto snarled out through his teeth while Dagra Dai nodded and turned to leave. He rounded the corner while the weird door-ish...thing opened up.
"You don't like him do you?" Naruto asked still quite angry, but found himself sympathizing with the Greater Fiend of Blood. Elizébet just lowly growled before pushing Naruto forward. "Shut up. I don't need your sympathies," she said and the door closed in front of her. Elizébet just balled her fists and gritted her teeth before she quickly turned to her fiend form which consisted of a long black tail, leather-looking red wings resembling a butterfly's own wings, two horns overtop of her head, and a type of skin that withheld her assets from being seen. Her eyes changed to a dark yellow and her skin slowly darkened. She quickly walked off from where she had been sitting.
Meanwhile, Naruto walked through the slimy walls in front, and around, him before he was expunged forward and into a large field. His ears were then subjected to shouts, grunts, roars, and anything else you could hear. He looked up and he took notice of countless fiends all around him in stadium. Naruto's eyes glanced left and right. Fiends as far as his eyes could see, but the ones he took notice of the most were Ishtaros, Nicchae, Marbus, Elizébet, and Dagra Dai whom he had just met. Naruto could literally feel the bloodlust in the air and it was all directed towards him. Naruto steeled himself and said nothing, but he really wish that he didn't have to. "What am I doing here?!" Naruto asked while Nicchae chuckled.
"He's still so spirited. I told you that I liked him for a reason. So this is the guy that killed you Marbus?" Nicchae asked while Marbus snorted. "I am a Greater Fiend for the Holy Vigoor Emperor! No way would I die to such a brat," Marbus shouted while Naruto turned.
"Oh it's you! The idiot that uses that pink-purplish energy! How's it goin'? You just don't know how to die do you?" Naruto asked while Marbus growled. "Insolent mortal! I will show you your place!" Marbus shouted standing to his feet while Naruto urged him to bring it on.
"Marbus, be quiet. Show dignity. Now then, this boy has been brought here and he will stand trial. Punishment for association with the Dragon Ninja and the Hayabusa Clan. His punishment is death!" Dagra Dai shouted and the fiends hollered out in approval. "What?! How is that fair?!" Naruto shouted back, but the others ignored him.
"His blood will be spilled. Who do you wish to see destroy him?" Dagra Dai asked and the fiends all looked at each other. They roared out who they wanted or they were just roaring, Naruto wasn't sure. He didn't speak fiend. "It's your lucky day Marbus. They want you to fight him," Dagra Dai said while Marbus chuckled and bared his teeth.
"This won't be a fight. This will be a massacre," Marbus said getting to his feet before his wings flapped sending him to the air and Naruto watched the Greater Fiend slam down to the arena along with Naruto. "A massacre? You sure you're not reliving what I did to you the last time?" Naruto asked while Marbus growled.
"Don't count on it boy. I will kill you and I will have fun doing it," Marbus shouted and at that moment Nicchae stood to her feet and floated off. "Not going to watch Nicchae? It's going to be fun!" Ishtaros said while Nicchae shook her head.
"Not gonna watch, not gonna watch. I'd have much more fun if I was going to do it. I'll see you guys later," Nicchae said disappearing in a purple fire while Ishtaros sighed. "Oh well her loss," she said while Dagra Dai stood to his feet.
"Uzumaki Naruto, for the crime of going against the fiends and for the crime of association with the Dragon Ninja and Hayabusa Clan, you are hereby sentenced to execution by battle. What say you?" Dagra Dai asked while Naruto held up one finger. "I say...BULLSHIT!" Naruto shouted at the top of his voice.
-With Rachel-
"RAH!" Rachel shouted as she slammed her hammer into the face of a fiend sending it to the floor in a pool of its own blood. "Man what a night this is. I knew that red moon was going to bring trouble, but I didn't think it was going to be trouble like this. Why are they congregating here?" Rachel said to herself before she took notice of a large light flying around in the air.
"What's that? It's...another fiend. Where is it going?" Rachel wondered before she decided to follow it. She hopped down to the ground and quickly thrusted her slender legs pushing her through the bushes and the trees. She was lucky that it was dark or she was sure that this wouldn't have been possible. Normally Rachel was one to merely go all-out and bash through everything, but Naruto and Ryu had more or less 'helped', by which she meant forced, her and Alma to work on their stealth. That had been jut before Naruto had left to go back home. Rachel didn't want to admit it, but this was helping her out.
In little to no time at all, Rachel climbed up to a tree branch and took out a pair of binoculars. "Hmm so that's where they are. That little door in the far side of the mountain. It's a ways away from both the Hayabusa and the Mugen Tenshin clan. This is like...the boondocks for Mt. Fuji. Who would live all the way out here?" Rachel said to herself and she noticed the large-lighted fiend enter through a demonized door that led into the mountains. Rachel gave a low growl before she quickly jumped forward.
Performing an elegant backflip through the air, she jumped through the trees and continued in her running and it only took her a short time to get in front of the door. "No guards. None at all. Either they're stupid or they know that I'll be getting in there as soon as I touch this door. I'd assume the latter," Rachel thought and she noticed the doors creak open. Widening her eyes, Rachel quickly rushed into the bushes and hid herself in the shrubbery. She poked her head out and took notice of five shadow fiends of different types exit and run off into the woods behind her. Rachel quickly moved and passed the door just before it closed entering the halls. She leaned against the slimy walls and breathed a sigh.
"Alright Rachel, you've got this. Just remember your training," Rachel said and slowly nodded running off into the distance making sure not to be spotted by the other fiends came her way and fucked her shit up.
As Rachel went further and further inside she found herself sweating every twenty or so minutes. "Man how hot is it in here? I feel like I'm burning up dammit!" Rachel said walking through the various halls. She heard the scurrying of feet and cursed before she leaned herself against a wall. She then breathed a sigh of relief when a small fiend ran past her not paying attention to her in the slightest. The young blond woman then slowly grinned before descending further and further.
After another half an hour, Rachel leaned against the walls and slipped to the ground taking out a bottle of water. She quickly took a sip and rubbed her shoulders. "What's all the way down here?" Rachel wondered to herself before she heard the sounds of shouting...grunting...no, was it roaring? Rachel took notice of a medium-sized hall. She quickly picked herself up and ran a short while making sharp turns until an opening came to a surprise that even shocked her.
Countless fiends littered the stands of some kind of arena. Rachel quickly pushed herself back into cover while the roaring was nearly deafening in her ears. "What? I've never seen this many fiends at once. What are they doing here?" Rachel asked until she looked down and widened her eyes.
"Die human!" Rachel heard Marbus shout and she noticed...Naruto quickly backflip through the air. The blond quickly dove to the ground and jumped away again still huffing. "Naruto? What's he doing here? Why is he down there?" Rachel muttered to herself.
Naruto gripped his Kitetsu and gasped for air. That's right, he was still very much tired from earlier and all his rations were taken. Not to mention the fact that this place was somehow sucking away all the chakra in his body. There was only so much that Naruto could take. Marbus quickly took flight as Rachel and Naruto watched him go up. He swirled his body wrapped his wings around his body and then spun directly for Naruto with great speed. Naruto quickly slapped his hands together and took a breath of air.
Katon: Haisekisho( Fire Release: Ash Pile Burning)," Naruto shouted and everyone watched him spray the field with black ash that covered his body. Marbus went sailing for it and plowed into the ground with a heavy crash. He unwrapped his wings and they showed his annoyed face indicating that he had indeed missed his target. "Damn mortal!" Marbus shouted from inside the ash while Naruto grinned and weaved some different handsigns.
"Katon: Ryūka no Jutsu(Fire Release: Dragon Flame Technique)," Naruto shouted once again and the fiends, Dagra Dai, Ishtaros, and Elizébet watched as flames danced from Naruto's mouth and sprayed into the field of black ash until it entirely combusted in a violent explosion of fire.
Naruto landed back and brushed his lips slightly. The chakra he felt from Marbus didn't die down as he noticed the fiend emerge from the fire virtually unharmed. "Hmph, impressive, but not enough. You're not nearly as tough as you were during our first encounter," The winged fiend shouted while Naruto chuckled. "Really? Because as I recall I didn't have chakra-sucking walls stealing my chakra to give my opponent the better advantage. So...sorry I don't live up to your...expectations," Naruto said to him dropping to one knee panting furiously. Marbus narrowed his eyes while Ishtaros chuckled.
"Now Marbus, finish him off!" She shouted and Marbus glared at Naruto before the young blond noticed two things land in front of him. Naruto widened his eyes to a dry, white-looking herb. "The Kamiyashi? This is the herb that Baa-chan needs," Naruto thought to himself. He looked up to see Marbus folding his arms.
"I will crush you at your full power. I will settle for nothing less. You will know the horror of the fiends once you've realized that your best wasn't enough," he said and Naruto silently grinned before taking one of the Kamiyashi into his mouth and biting it. His eyebrow twitched. Ayane was right. It really was dry-tasting. "Marbus, what the hell are you doing?!" Ishtaros shouted, but Marbus ignored her. He watched Naruto eat it whole and pocket the other. Soon Naruto felt chakra return to his body and his wounds slowly begin to heal. Naruto grabbed his sword and stood to his feet.
"You want my best? Well you've got it buddy!" Naruto said to him. Marbus gave a grin before nodding.
Rachel quickly backed away from the scene in front of her and dashed away, but she did not go unseen as Dagra Dai narrowed his eyes to where she had just been. He slowly nodded his head as a shadow on the wall disappeared.
-With Ayane-
Ayane groaned while she slowly opened her eyes. "What happened to me?" Ayane asked mentally until she took notice of the room in front of her. Ayane widened her eyes and shot up on the bed only one thought coming to her head and making her voice it. "Naruto!" Ayane said suddenly, but she took notice that her blond lover was gone. Ayane's breathing stalled for but a second and she forced herself to relax.
Getting to her feet, Ayane checked her clothes quickly. Great, no kodachi. No nothing. Ayane circled around the room several times thinking about the things that had just happened to her. "Naruto is definitely alive. We got captured by the fiends, but why am I in this room? Was I separated from Naruto? Where do they have him?" Ayane thought to herself. She walked up to the front door and opened it slightly. Ayane peered out the window and her breathing stalled again when she saw two purple Van Gelves growling at her. "Easy Ayane. It's...not their fault. Just easy back," Ayane thought and closed the door.
She backed away from it before looking throughout the room. "Think Ayane! There has to be something here that I can use," Ayane said to herself. She quickly noticed a bookshelf and began peeling away books one after the other. She didn't know what she was looking for actually, but it would be better than her current predicament.
By the time she was done, books littered the ground and Ayane lightly panted. "I swear, they are really a pain, but I won't leave here without Naruto!" Ayane said lightly growling until she heard the door open. "Helloooooo!" came a sing-song voice and Ayane turned around to see Nicchae enter into the room. Ayane lightly glared while Nicchae smiled, well until she looked at the floor.
"Ahhh my room! My books! My floor! What happened to my clean, neat room?!" Nicchae asked hovering over her floor while Ayane sweatdropped. "This is her room? They didn't put us in a containment field or something," Ayane thought to herself.
"It was...your guards outside," Ayane said offhandedly. Nicchae gave a dark chuckle before flying out of the room and Ayane heard a series of shouts, curses, and death threats. Ayane blinked several times before the door opened again showing Nicchae coming through.
"Ah that felt better," Nicchae said kneeling down to pick up her books. She started placing them back on the shelves in front of her while Ayane watched her work. "Are you mocking me right now?" Ayane asked while Nicchae raised an eyebrow.
"Huh? Mocking you? I've just making my room the way I left it!" Nicchae said and Ayane's eyebrow twitched before she folded her arms. "Where is Naruto? Where are we? What are you going to do with us?" Ayane asked while Nicchae continued to smile.
"Ahh too many questions. So boring! To think I actually left what might have been an awesome fight to come talk to you. Damn I hate myself now," Nicchae returned and Ayane's anger turned to confusion. "What fight?" Ayane asked while Nicchae grinned. She then hopped to her feet and hovered over to Ayane.
"Ahh we can watch it on one of the Demon Eye's portals. Yes! I still get to see it!" Nicchae said and Ayane grimaced when she saw the wall open up an eye before the eye quickly morphed and showed a sight that made Ayane's hands fall to her side.
"Feel the power of the Fiends!" Marbus shouted blasting a wave of purple energy through the ground. Ayane watched it spread through the ground and towards...Naruto. "Naruto!" Ayane said suddenly while Naruto jumped into the air.
"Why don't you shut your mouth you bastard. You haven't hit me yet!" Naruto called out while Marbus chuckled. He noticed Naruto quickly suck in his legs as the blonde dashed for the flying demon. Marbus easily dodged to the side before grabbing Naruto's leg. Naruto widened his eyes before he was swung around in the air. "You are too weak boy! This place will be your grave," Marbus shouted while Naruto cursed. However, Naruto's frown turned into a grin as he rolled up his sleeves.
"Sen'eijashu," Naruto said and everyone watched as snakes quickly shot from Naruto's sleeve and wrapped themselves around Marbus' body. "What the hell is trickery?" Marbus shouted against Naruto while the blond grinned.
"Just you wait!" Naruto shouted and with a heavy grunt. The blonde swung Marbus through the air shocking everyone as the Greater Fiend of Hell slammed into the ground in heavy friction. Naruto landed down and continued to swing Marbus across the arena prompting the hatred of the various fiends around him. Ishtaros seethed while Elizébet slightly widened her eyes. Dagra Dai gripped his staff even harder as they saw Naruto fling Marbus into the air.
The demon went sailing through the air before he stopped himself by expanding his wings. He growled down to the blond and noticed two Narutos in front of him. "Katon: Ryūka no Jutsu," Naruto shouted expelling rushing flames from his mouth while the other held out its hands.
"Futon: Daitoppa( Wind Release: Great Breakthrough)," The Naruto-clone shouted and a burst of wind expelled from its hands and into the fire. It was everyone's turn to be surprised as the fire bathed the entire arena in an orange glow that covered Marbus' form until it slammed into the ceiling making it explode.
Ayane watched horrified before turning to see Nicchae grinning widely. "What the hell is this? What are you doing to him?" Ayane asked while Nicchae looked up at the ceiling. "I'm not doing anything to him. On the contrary to my brethren, I actually want him to live. Despite how I am, I'm neutral to humans. I really don't care whether you live or die. I don't care if the fiends are rulers of the world or not," Nicchae said while Ayane frowned.
"You were one of the people who turned those innocent people into fiends back during the Tairon incident. You obviously care enough about your kind enough to do that. Not to mention it was you, Doku, and Ishtaros who turned Alma into a greater fiend as well. That's something that's never going to go away for her. You even tried to make another one out of that Rachel woman!" Ayane said while the Greater Fiend of Destruction sighed.
"Yeah well...I was bored. I just went along with it because Ishtaros did. She's always been that way. I just like to fight honestly. Just look for stronger opponents to take down if given the time or attention. I want the Hayabusa to survive. They are a clan of great warriors. I just...want the perfect fight. A chance to test my own limits and break them," Nicchae said while Ayane looked at her. "How do I stop this fight?" Ayane asked while Nicchae chuckled.
"Please you're not stopping anything. That is a trial and that guy is the guilty party. You'd have a better chance of rolling over and dying than fighting us," Nicchae said while Ayane snarled. "Is everything a game to you people? You don't care about your own race, you don't care about our race. Just what do you people care about?!" Ayane asked balling her fists. Nicchae took a small breath and opened her eyes.
"Why?" Nicchae asked and Ayane narrowed her eyes since she knew that Nicchae was going to elaborate her words. "Why did those Van Gelves defy us? That has happened twice in this year than it has any other time in the times I've been around. What can you offer them that we can't that they would, knowing our power, defy us for you?!" Nicchae asked glaring towards Ayane and the young purple-haired girl frowned.
"I have nothing that I can offer them," Ayane said truthfully while Nicchae jumped to her feet. She grabbed Ayane by her collar and hoisted her into the air. "Bullshit! They wouldn't leave just because you asked them to! Fiends are supposed to be without emotion, without feelings, with the capability to make their own decisions. They are only meant to kill what we say to kill. Why would they care what you had to say to them?" Nicchae asked. The Greater Fiend of Destruction didn't understand. Throughout her life she never understood the concept of betrayal. She had seen it all her life and she never figured it out. People did it to others over the simplest things. Money, safety, sometimes peace, other times to kick-start a war. For Nicchae, trust was a very valued thing. Forget the fact that she was an "evil" deity. She still believed that trust held its hold to keep things together. Such like her and Ishtaros, but...who was betraying who?
"All I can offer them is security. All I can offer them is an understanding. All I can offer them is that despite their appearance or actions they can still walk a right path. It's ironic isn't it? If I hadn't met Naruto I wouldn't have given a single thought to the fiends or to you. I wouldn't be talking with you. I'd be thinking of ways to kill you right. I wouldn't care about the first friend while I tore at the second, but seeing Naruto then I've changed. I see things for what they are," Ayane said locking eyes with Nicchae. The Fiend of Destruction huffed before setting Ayane down. She went back to her bed and sat down. Ayane stood next to her. She then noticed Nicchae quickly toss her something. Ayane reached out her hand to take her two kodachi. She turned to Nicchae to her frown. "Though I've given you back your weapons that doesn't mean I can let you leave yet. I still want to see this fight," Nicchae said while Ayane narrowed her eyes. She turned back to the fight and gulped. She slowly tensed her hands.
"Naruto, please be okay," Ayane thought and she didn't see Nicchae glance to her that time.
Meanwhile, Naruto quickly weaved his handsigns while Marbus charged at him. He threw his fist back before launching it forward. The second Naruto blocked him with the Kitetsu as they growled at each other. He then noticed Naruto slam the ground with his hands. It was then that Marbus noticed two other Naruto clones next to him. They each did a handsign while Naruto flared his chakra. "You think you're so tough?! Fine handle this!" Naruto shouted and soon the arena darkened. Marbus looked up as he widened his eyes. "W-What is that? How can this mortal...create...such...a...," Marbus gasped while Naruto grinned widely as he dropped a dozen showers of burning stars from the skies towards the arena. Marbus widened his eyes before turning back to Naruto.
"You're going to kill yourself along with me?!" He asked while Naruto shrugged his shoulders. "Oh I'm already gone. Bye bye!" Naruto said dissolving into the earth below him. "Someone stop this! Why aren't you all moving?!" Marbus shouted as no one around him moved. They all just looked up with happy grins on their faces while Marbus gasped. The falling stars exploded into the field taking out a significant portion of land.
"What wrong with Marbus?" Ishtaros asked to see Marbus standing in front of Naruto with the blond holding a handsign. "Genjutsu: Tengai Shinsei( Illusion Technique: Heavenly Obstacle Quaking Stars)," Naruto said before Marbus opened his eyes free from the genjutsu. He slowly panted and dropped down to one knee. Naruto folded his arms and frowned while his clones poofed out.
"So are we done here now?" Naruto asked while Marbus huffed. "An illusion? That human dares to mock me with an illusion. My pride, my honor, my skill as a Greater Fiend, he's mocked them all. You won't get away with this. You won't get...away UZUMAKI NARUTO!" Marbus mentally shouted and Naruto took notice as black energy leaked out of Marbus' body. Nicchae frowned and leaned forward while Ayane swallowed the lump in her throat. Ishtaros licked her lips while Elizébet frowned. Dagra Dai merely looked even, but there was a look of pride on his face.
Far off, Rachel soon stopped and turned back in the direction of the arena where she had just left. "That power. Naruto's in trouble," Rachel said to herself before dashing off in an adamant hurry.
The ground shook violently and brought Naruto back to his guard. The fiend's muscles tightened while his eyes quickly morphed to a truly demonic shape. His usual two eyes suddenly had two eyes above those and his two wings suddenly became four. His claws sharpened quickly. His teeth sharpened as well. Marbus roared throughout the dome shaking it and making the fiends and Greater fiends cover their ears. Naruto winced as the dark energy swirled around Marbus' form encasing him inside. "What is this? What's going on? This chakra, it's even worse than Orochimaru's! It's worse than Yagura's!" Naruto said to himself and suddenly the energy bursted away. Marbus landed to the ground and glared towards the blond in front of him.
"Kill, kill, kill, kill, kill, kill!" He repeated. Naruto brought up his sword while Marbus vanished from Naruto's sight.
...
Warm. It was very warm. What...was dripping on the ground? Naruto's left arm went limp as he dropped his Kitetsu to the ground. It clanged from the metal hitting the dirt while Nicchae narrowed her eyes and Ayane widened hers. Nibi shouted as she and Kyuubi pounded against the dark energy circle keeping her and Kyuubi from contacting Naruto while the tears fell from her face. The two-tailed Hellcat shouted Naruto's name over and over before slowly dropping to her knees in frustration. Ishtaros grinned evilly while Elizébet remained stoic as did Dagra Dai. Hell, even the fiends were silent while Naruto turned his head and noticed Marbus' right hand in his left shoulder. Naruto coughed up blood as it stained the floor. Marbus' smile turned into a demonic grin before he pulled out his hand and watched as Naruto fell to the ground.
"Kill, kill, kill, kill, kill, kill, kill, kill, kill, kill!" Marbus' shouted at the top of his voice.
KG: Okay I guess I'm done here. Not much for me to talk about here. Sorry, but I've got nothing to say. So let's not beat around the bush. Stay Breezy, protect what's important to you, review, and SEND ME CREAM SODA! Also I just have to ask something of all of you. I think it will be simple enough.
KG: RESPECT THE MOTHER***** CREAM! Oww damn headache.
