Chapter 6-An Alliance made whole
"I'll get right to the point, this war with Konoha for the past six years has been killing us and killing us badly. Both in our numbers with our Shinobi forces and financially in terms of bleeding us dry. We need a plan to turn this war around," said the Raikage known as A while sitting in a room where a secret meeting between three other Kages and one female Daimyo were currently residing.
"Its not easy fighting against the former Yondaime Hokage on the battlefield. I should know since Iwa has suffered greatly at his hands. Not to mention Jiraiya's of the Sannin's spy network, Hiruzen coming back from the dead, and in his prime no less. There is also the fact Konoha has two Uzumakis on their side with the ability to suppress a Biju, which means our Jinchuriki are useless against them," said the Sandaime Tsuchikage sadly, as he knew Iwa wanted blood for what Minato did in the last war, and were willing to do whatever it took to get it.
But the old man still wondered about the risks.
"Not to mention they have been expanding and taking over weaker countries that cannot defend themselves while the Fire Daimyo supports them under false evidence Jiraiya's spy network provides to justify each invasion. They recently went after to Wave Country over the name of a bridge that connects to the main land," added Terumi Mei, as she had been trying to get Kiri up to speed since ending the civil war, and found it increasingly difficult with pressure from Fire Country embargoing Water Country on bogus charges of pirating their trading ships.
"Fire Country has been making a mess of things for my country in terms of trade as well as heavily taxing the movie studios I work with for my movies. Add to the fact they have betrayed my country's hero is one of the reasons I have supported your fight against them for their transgressions," replied Spring Daimyo Koyuki, who had practically demanded the Fire Daimyo provide an explanation for Konoha's actions against Naruto, but the man refused to give one.
The Fire Daimyo acted like a pompous ass, waving that fan at himself like he was trying to stop sweating, even though there was barely any heat in the room when they spoke. The man was a dimwitted idiot, who only saw what was in front him, and what his much smarter advisors (who were on Konoha's payroll) told the Fire Daimyo what they wanted the man to know. The Advisors whispered into the Fire Daimyo's ear for one moment and the Feudal Lord told Koyuki that neither he nor Konoha had to give her any explanation regarding Naruto. That her demanding one regarding a "weak insignificant peasant" was unprofessional for someone of Koyuki's station as a Daimyo and she should leave before things between their country's got hostile.
"I know what you mean Koyuki-sama. Naruto was my first friend. He suffered more then I ever could have as a Jinchuriki. Even when he completed the mission assigned to him, the Leaf set out to kill Naruto, and make sure he never achieved his dreams," replied Gaara, as he had worked to prove himself to Suna, and that he was worthy of being called its Kazekage.
"That aside, we need to find a way to turn this war in our favor. We are currently stuck in a stalemate with them. Barely I might add. We were fortunate the Yondaime Hokage's sudden disappearance just a few days ago allowed Tsuchikage-sama's Iwa Shinobi to take a key defensive position Konoha has kept theirs for years," explained the Raikage.
"It was a crucial outpost that protected their trade routes and resources they are using to fund their war machine. Taking it has allowed us to gain equal footing against Konoha, but for how long is the real problem," said the Tsuchikage knowing the position could be taken away from Iwa at any moment.
"Agreed. But the Yondaime Hokage or anyone of the highly skilled Shinobi around his level won't let this slide. Also, there is also the fact that quite a few old Konoha Shinobi from my generation have regained their youth, and Orochimaru has been slithering about looking for test subjects near each of our territories," replied Mei since she knew Konoha was not one to let defeats go without paying a price for it.
"Which is why we must consider a...temporary truce with them," replied the Tsuchikage, as he was considered the "Fence Sitter" for a reason, and this was one of them.
"A temporary truce? Now?! We have a chance to push forward!" protested A angrily at the Sandaime Tsuchikage.
"I know, but we also risk overstepping our reach, and could cost us more. The position my forces took recently is not ready to be defended by a retaliating force. You just said it yourself Raikage-sama, this war is killing us badly, and we have no way of pressing the attack. All we've done up until now has allowed us equal footing with Konoha for this alliance as a whole. Konoha has Taki on its side, which I recall has a Jinchuriki under its command, and one of the more higher level of tails. Konoha must know what we do and that we are at a stalemate with them with neither side having room to push forward. All of you know its true," replied the Tsuchikage with the others nodding.
"If we could gain some kind of asset, something powerful, or maybe a new ally on our side we could make that push to break the deadlock," replied Mei, as she knew such a miracle was practically nonexistent since Konoha seemed to have quality, and quantity in terms of Shinobi now that their old veterans were somehow young again.
"I might be able to help with that," came a voice from the shadows and a figure appeared from it while the three Kages stood on edge while Koyuki tense when she stood while her two samurai bodyguards had swords drawn.
"Who are you? How did you find us?" demanded Sabaku no Gaara, as he saw the figure's smirk despite the shadows covering the large form with red crimson eyes.
"I'm hurt Gaara. I would think you of all people would recognize someone who knocked almost quite literally, some sense into you all those years ago," remarked the figure, as he came further into the light of the dark meeting room, and smiled at his old friend.
"Naruto?" asked Gaara, as he saw his friend had changed into this massive demonic giant of a man standing before him, and the Kazekage wondered how this was possible.
"Its been a long time Gaara. You've become Kazekage I see. You became what I once wanted in Konoha. I'm glad," said the former Emperor of Outworld now turned Daimyo of Wave Country with the robes to match underneath his usual armored attire.
'This is Uzumaki Naruto. This well muscled hunk of a man? Sure he's got crimson eyes and a demonic feel to him, but still...there is a man underneath those robes,' thought Mei, as she started to have dreamy ideas regarding this man, and her bodyguard Ao was now sweating from what he was seeing.
'She's getting that look again. Not only that, but my eye hurts when looking at this man, and the power he's generating is enormous!' thought Ao worriedly while seeing the man claiming to be Uzumaki Naruto walk up to the round meeting table before looking at everyone in this room.
"How did you find us? This meeting and its location is a secret," questioned A, as he saw the figure glance at him, and then at the Tsuchikage.
"Jiraiya's spy network knows more then you give them credit for Raikage of Kumo. And for the record, I no longer go by the name of Uzumaki Naruto. Its Shao Kahn now," said Shao Kahn while glancing at Koyuki, who walked over to him, and stared into his eyes.
"You have been through a lot since that eventful day when Konoha betrayed your trust and tried to have you executed. I can see it in your eyes," remarked Koyuki while Shao Kahn nodding.
"More then you know. I have done things that are...unbefitting of my status as a hero to you and Spring Country," replied Shao Kahn before he was surprised to find her smiling at him and hugging the man with her hands barely reaching around his back.
No one but Ao noticed the dark aura growing around Mei.
'Status...unbefitting...marriage...in spring,' thought Mei while Ao was wondering how to diffuse this situation.
"Mizukage-sama, I don't...," said Ao before Mei quickly looked at him.
"Ao, shut up or I will kill you," said Mei in a sweet sickly tone that told Ao that he was going to die should her words were ignored.
"I don't care what you've done since your departure. You are still Naruto-kun to me. You are still the Hero of Spring Country to me," whispered Koyuki while Shao Kahn closed his eyes and felt something in him pulse beneath the darkness that was what he was now from the magic of the Dragon King.
"I thank you for that. It is not easy being what I am and being loved for the events of my former life. They tend to contradict each other and clash within my mind," replied Shao Kahn, as he turned to the Raikage, and saw the man's two Jinchuriki were beside him.
"Answer my question. How did you know about this meeting and this exact location. Jiraiya's spy network is good, but not that good," remarked A, as he saw Shao Kahn nodding in agreement.
"I was actually on my way to Suna when I came upon a large squad of Konoha ANBU ready for a full blown battle with one or a group of powerful people. After my newly recruited and deadly...bodyguard and I killed most of them, we interrogated the ANBU Captain for information. We eventually learned that Jiraiya had his spy network feed him information about this meeting from one of his sources...from within your own ranks Raikage-sama," replied Shao Kahn with A looking ready to throw something big and heavy at something.
"Impossible! I made this meeting top secret. I changed the location twice! The only people who could have known of the change in Kumo was myself, Bee, and Yugito!" protested A with Shao Kahn smirking.
"You are forgetting the messenger used to deliver the messages to the other Kages and Koyuki here of the changes," replied Shao Kahn with A sputtering at first, but stopped when realization dawned on him, and grit his teeth.
"Why would Wi-Fi want to betray us? He's been loyal to Kumo for years," questioned Yugito, as she didn't understand, and it was clear only Shao Kahn knew.
"Your messenger had racked up a few heavy debts when on missions to other countries after he completed them and few of the gambling dens are secretly owned by Jiraiya of the Sannin under false names. Jiraiya was squeezing your subordinate for money and was promising to cancel the debts racked up in exchange for his cooperation in providing the Leaf with crucial information that could shift the war further in their favor," answered Shao Kahn with A looking pissed off right now.
"He sold us out to clear his debts? I'll kill him for that!" exclaimed A angrily while Shao Kahn let out a small chuckle.
"I already did. I also killed the Konoha Shinobi sent to tell Wi-Fi that his debts had been cleared off and by cleared off I mean they were paid...with his life," replied Shao Kahn with A calming down when he heard that.
"So Konoha finds out about this meeting, kills everyone here in a surprise attack, and then they kill the spy they were pressuring for information. With our deaths, they could crush our villages and countries in the ensuing chaos and covering up their tracks in what they did in one swift decisive action following the next," said the Tsuchikage with Shao Kahn nodding.
"And thus making Konoha uncontested among the remaining Shinobi villages, which would be all the minor ones, and even then their days would be numbered," replied Shao Kahn since he knew that eventually Konoha would target the minor ones too.
It was just a matter of time.
"You came to offer your support in the war," Gaara surmised with Shao Kahn nodding.
"Your fight is my fight Gaara. Your enemy is my enemy. We each have been scorned by Konoha in some shape or form. They act like the world belongs to them. That they should rule it. But they are wrong. So very wrong," replied Shao Kahn with that last part coming out as a whisper.
"While your services aren't unwelcome, we need more then just yourself. We need to deal a devastating blow to Konoha to further enforce their position in the world is weakened," said the Sandaime Tsuchikage while Shao Kahn laughed.
"For one, the Yondaime Hokage is no longer able to turn back time on the old Shinobi of Konoha with Senju Tsunade's help. I successfully ripped the half of Kyuubi he had sealed inside of him from his body and merged it with myself. His strength and chakra reserves have been diminished considerably so he's no longer able to fight at such a devastating level. I also killed a large invasion force that was occupying Wave Country and became its new Daimyo. Does that help?" offered Shao Kahn with the Tsuchikage along with the others looking on in shock at this news.
"So that's how Minato did it. He used his half of Kyuubi and Tsunade's medical skills in using chakra to reverse the aging process," said A while happy to hear his Minato had taken a major hit.
"So it is true. I had unconfirmed reports of Wave Country being liberated from Konoha's forces," stated Gaara while he was happy to hear that Naruto was able to save the people there yet again and was rewarded for it by becoming their new leader.
"This is a good step forward, but Wave Country doesn't have an army, and it won't be long before Konoha launches another attack on them," remarked Mei while she saw Shao Kahn turn to look at her and felt her cheeks go slightly warm at the sight of his muscled body being defined behind his clothes.
"Which is why I'm asking each of you to provide me with a sizable Shinobi force to help defend Wave Country from future invasions. Konoha knows that my country has plenty of resources that under their control, could help provide a major form of income for them to fund their war machine while getting a key foothold for a potential navy base to build a fleet to invade Water Country," said Shao Kahn with the three Kages and female Daimyo in the room looked surprised by this.
"And you know this how?" asked A since he could see one part of what Shao Kahn told them to be possible since everyone knew Wave Country, but found the other part a little far fetched.
"Because that was one of the reasons the invasion force attacked Wave Country in the first place. Isn't that right...Anko?" asked Shao Kahn while motioning her forward and the woman stepped out of the shadows.
"She is from Konoha!" stated Gaara with narrowed eyes and his sand shot from his gourd toward the woman to crush her with it.
The woman had caused many of his Shinobi to suffer before dying. Not to mention she no doubt hurt Naruto before the day of his execution.
Only for Shao Kahn to summon his Wrath Hammer to his hand and bring it down on the sand to cause dispersal to the shock of everyone in the room.
"Anko may have belonged to Konoha at one point Gaara, but I've recently brought her under thumb, and under my rule," said Shao Kahn while sending Gaara a pointed look to not do that again.
"How can she be trusted? For all we know this woman is going to betray you like Konoha did years ago," questioned Koyuki with her eyes on Anko, who was currently not looking anyone in the eyes, and trying to avoid theirs.
"I have my ways. She can no more betray me then she can kill anyone here unless I were to give the order. I meant it when I said Mitarashi Anko belongs to me," replied Shao Kahn with a grin on his face and turned to Anko who flinched under his gaze.
"You have some kind of slave seal on her, don't you?" A accused/deduced from the way he saw the two.
"You are partially correct Raikage-sama. You could say the seal on her is both a gift and a...curse of sorts," remarked Shao Kahn while the eyes of the Kages in the room widened.
"You put a Curse Seal on her like Orochimaru did?" asked Gaara while Shao Kahn shook his head at him.
"No. I replaced Orochimaru's Curse Seal or rather half of his Curse Seal with my power to make her subservient to me. Unlike Orochimaru's Curse Seal, this one is active, and will give her an increase in power when required. However, to ensure Anko knows her place, and doesn't try to betray me in any sense of the word...the seal causes Anko a great deal of pain if any attempt is made by her. She learned that the hard way several times after Konoha's invasion of Wave Country was brought to an end. Right Anko?" answered Shao Kahn while motioning Anko over to him and she obeyed though the glare in her eyes said to everyone that she didn't want to obey.
"That is...correct," replied Anko in a reluctant tone.
"Impressive," remarked the Sandaime Tsuchikage with Shao Kahn smirking.
"This is the price of betraying one's self. She was like me once. Hated. Shunned. No one wanted to be around her. Or love her. Then they offered Anko a chance to be loved. All she had to do...was hate and abuse me like she was one of them all along. It seems fitting that her life belongs to the one she chose to abandon for 'greener pastures' while leaving someone else who suffered growing up to die," remarked Shao Kahn with Anko glaring at him.
"I still had a chance at a life. I knew you were as good as dead when they told me the offer. I had to make a choice. I wasn't about to stick my neck out for some scrawny ass kid, wearing mostly orange, acted like a baka almost all the time, and was pretending to be a Shinobi. You were dead weight!" exclaimed Anko while the others in the room watched the two interact and waited for Shao Kahn to do something.
What he did do...was laugh
"You're right. I was all those things. But you were just as pathetic, if not more then I was back then Anko. You were a dango eating junky. You loved to hurt people whether they deserved it or not. You walked around looking like a slut with your choice in kunoichi attire and smirked all the while knowing it was true. You loved to dress in such a manner and loved to make men drool when they watched you go by, but never made the approach to ask you out. Of course its no surprise since no one really took you seriously outside of the fact Orochimaru was once your teacher before he threw your ass away. What man in their right mind would want to date, much less fuck a pathetic, discarded student of the notorious Orochimaru of the Sannin?" said Shao Kahn in a mocking tone while Anko grit her teeth.
"Shut up," whispered Anko angrily since she didn't want anyone to heat this, but knew it wasn't possible, and had to stand there while the others in the room listened.
"Why? Because its true? Face it Anko, I may have been a lost cause in being a Shinobi by the age of twelve, but you were a lost cause long before then. A discarded experiment, who had two choices once entering Konoha. Become a loyal Shinobi to earn your right to be accepted, or become a cheap whore in the village's Red Light District where every Shinobi could take their frustrations out on you for what Orochimaru had done in the past. Not much of a life either way since both were worthless to begin with. It would have been better for you to just kill yourself and let the animals eat your body. Not to mention Iruka only started to like you after the powers that be in Konoha decided to act as one voice and mind to turn the perceptions of the populace in your favor. All so you could become like them and hate me in their place," continued Shao Kahn before Anko's hands clenched into fists and moved to punch him in the face.
Only for the seal to activate and Anko fell to the ground in pain.
"Bastard!" exclaimed Anko while hating the fact his words hurt and the seal just made it worse.
"The truth hurts, doesn't it Anko?" asked Shao Kahn coldly while not caring how the others perceived this display of power over the woman.
He enjoyed seeing this woman on her knees in pained and forced submission. It was only fair since Anko had repeatedly mocked him in a very similar fashion years ago during her alone time in "questioning" him about what happened with his battle against Sasuke.
"You wouldn't be talking so high and mighty without this seal keeping me from kicking your ass," retorted Anko, as she had been humiliated one day after the next by obeying his every command, and feeling intense pain when she refused to follow through with his orders.
"As if you had the power to do so in my present state. Or did you forget I gave you the chance to fight for your freedom in a fight? A fight which you lost!" said Shao Kahn with Anko gritting her teeth again in pain and humiliation at the memory of their fight.
Shao Kahn had put up with her verbal bitching soon after returning to what would be his new home, which was fitting since it was an impressive castle worthy of his station as a Daimyo. However, the man's patience with her had gone thin quick, fast, and in a hurry before making the woman an offer to earn her freedom by fighting him. If Anko won, he would let her go, free from the seal, and she could go back to Konoha to tell them what she knew. If she lost? She was his bitch for the night in bed once fully healed and accept her new life regardless of how he treated her in the future.
Anko accepted of course. Hitting him with just about everything in her arsenal and using every single strategy she knew to possibly win. In the end however, her new Master had beaten the former Special Jounin badly before dragging her form to the bedroom, where he proceeded to use his power to heal her injuries using the very seal that bound her to him. After that, he ripped off what clothing she had left, and then claimed the woman that night in a way Anko had never been taken before that night.
While she mentally despised Shao Kahn for what he did to her, the body she no longer could no longer say was hers had embraced him, and his lust filled actions that night. Anko had never been dominated like that, as she always thought of herself as being the one in charge of a relationship, and this was thought to be proven with Iruka when they were together. However, the seal on her body, and Shao Kahn's own aggressive means of intimacy had completely overpowered whatever rational form of protest the mind would create. She had lost. He had won. She was an example of what happened to Shinobi who were restrained by the enemy under the terms of being "spoils of war" as many would say. It happened with Konoha's enemies in the last six years so why should she be made an exception in such a case with being Shao Kahn's first trophy?
"I haven't forgotten," mumbled Anko before the seal on her neck stopped glowing and the pain went away.
No one seemed to notice her cheeks had become slightly flush. If the group around the two did notice it, they were unsure if this was because Anko was embarrassed, angry, or something else.
"Good. Now stand up and act like a respectful bodyguard for a change," command Shao Kahn before he turned to address the rest of the group.
'So commanding. He can force me into submission anytime,' thought Mei, as she liked what she saw in terms of power, and commanding tone made her loins being to froth once again.
"This display of power not withstanding, what exactly are you proposing in terms of helping us in our war against Konoha?" asked A, as he saw Shao Kahn turn to his gaze upon him, and the Raikage felt himself feeling intimidated by the giant man even taller then himself.
"As I said, I wish a small Shinobi force from each of your villages be provided to come protect Wave Country from future invasion. At same time, I will personally fight Konoha Shinobi, and ensure those like my so called Father are crushed underneath my feet until Konoha falls one way or another," offered Shao Kahn with everyone looking shocked to hear this since Daimyos never went into battle.
Not since before the Wandering Clans Era for Shinobi before hidden village were formed to unite scattered clans together.
"But...you're a Daimyo of a country! No offense to Koyuki-sama here, but someone on the throne ruling over people does not normally...fight in a battle or war unless you have an army behind you," said Baki, who had been acting as bodyguard for Gaara, and had decided to voice his opinion on the matter.
"Normally, such a thing is true. But I am not one to sit on a throne and let others simply do the fighting for me. I was a warrior first and foremost when I became what I am. I shall continue to be one here and now," said Shao Kahn, as he saw Baki nodding, and decided to keep his mouth shut.
"Konoha will seek to kill you before any offensive on your end can begin my old friend," said Gaara with Shao Kahn letting out a chuckle.
"Let them come. It will just mean they die sooner then later," remarked Shao Kahn before walking back into the shadows and Anko following right behind him.
"Still want to have a temporary truce with Konoha?" asked Mei to the Tsuchikage, who looked like someone had lit a fire under his ass, and he almost looked ten years younger.
"After what I just learned and saw at the hands of our newest ally? Not a chance! Let's bury Konoha deep into the ground where they belong," replied the Sandaime Tsuchikage with the others now smirking at him.
(Akatsuki HQ)
"Is this accurate? Uzumaki Naruto has returned?" asked Pein while each member of the Akatsuki was assembled.
"Yes. Konoha is in an uproar. They aren't even trying to hide it despite knowing what it will do in rallying their enemies who see the Kyuubi Jinchuriki as a hero. Apparently, the boy has become a full blown demonic warrior, and took down the invading force in Wave Country...all by himself I might add," replied Itachi with silence echoing in the room for a few seconds.
"I see. So the Kyuubi Jinchuriki has gotten stronger since his escape from Konoha. They sent a hefty force to Wave Country that would give one of us trouble if fighting alone. Itachi, you will take Kisame, and fight the Kyuubi Jinchuriki in battle. Test him in terms of strength, gauge his power, but do not capture unless its possible," commanded Pein with Itachi nodding.
"Finally! I get to see if the Kyuubi brat is worth my time fighting. He was trembling in fear of me once I took the Biju's power away with a single swing of Samehada the last time we met," remarked Kisame with a grin on his face.
"Don't underestimate him Kisame. From what our spies have reported, he's not the same Kyuubi Jinchuriki we know, and not afraid to kill others," warned Itachi with Kisame just grunting at him.
"We'll see," said Kisame casually.
"What about the other Jinchuriki? We've been behind schedule by three years now," said Sasori since the plan was to take the Jinchuriki from their villages three years ago, but the reemergence of the Yondaime Hokage, and his family along with other key players had set the organization back.
"Now that we have all the pieces on the board, the time is nearly upon us to capture all nine Jinchuriki from their hidden locations. However, we must not forget that Konoha has been after us as well, and won't hesitate to use our movements to their advantage. We will move when Konoha is not looking and monitoring us so closely like I sense they are now," replied Pein while looking at everyone with his Rinnegan Eyes.
They didn't dare contradict him.
(Fire Country Border-One week Later)
Hinata rushed to the border of Fire Country, her heart pounding with excitement, and fear at the same time. Why? Because she was on the run. Hinata had made food for her squad last night and secretly mixed in a powerful sedative into it before rushing off to Wave Country. The squad had been on a patrol mission to watch over the area and Hinata had been put into the rotation since her eyes were necessary for scouting. Many had assumed Hinata had gotten over her crush of Naruto, believing he had died soon after escaping the Leaf, and his scheduled execution. That her affection for Naruto died that day and she was acting like a real Shinobi because of him not being around to distract her.
They were wrong.
Hinata got stronger all right, but not for the reasons the powers that be in Konoha first thought. Hinata had pushed herself for Naruto. To get stronger for Naruto. To become a kunoichi of unrivaled skill for Naruto so that in the event they meet up again, he would be able to see her, and see just how much she had grown for him. Even if she could not have his love, Hinata could still gain his respect, and acknowledgment as a kunoichi.
'I'm almost there. I'm almost there,' thought Hinata, as she memorized the most direct route to Wave Country from where her squad had setup camp.
Only to be caught by an invisible force that prevented any further movement.
"Shadow Possession Jutsu is a success!" declared Shikamaru, as he had sensed Hinata would try something soon, and had secretly requested he be put on the girl's team.
Like Hinata, he knew the quickest route to Wave Country was where the patrol was sent, and the girl was a Master when it comes to using herbs for all things medicinal. It would not be difficult for Hinata to make some form of powdery sedative, pass it off as spice for the food, and wait for the team to eat before falling asleep for hours. By the time the team woke up, she would have been long gone, in Naruto's arms, and the Hokage would have been angry beyond measure.
Which was why Shikamaru ate ration bars and secretly dumped his food on the ground behind him while the rest of the group ate their meal. A gamble to be sure, but necessary to test his suspicions that Hinata would abandon Konoha to be with Naruto, and take the first chance she got to flee to Wave Country to be with him.
"So you figured it out Shikamaru," whispered Hinata, as she was forced to turn around, and face Shikamaru, and walk toward the Nara.
"It wasn't hard to figure out where your loyalties lie Hinata. Even if trapping you with my Shadow Possession Jutsu was troublesome," remarked Shikamaru while Hinata glared at him.
"You will not stop me from leaving," declared Hinata with Shikamaru frowning at her.
"You would betray Konoha for Naruto? Your home for him?" questioned Shikamaru with Hinata's scowl increasing.
"In a heartbeat. If you were truly as smart as everyone claims, then the reason behind my actions should become clear," said Hinata with Shikamaru sighing.
"I do understand you troublesome woman. I understood your reason before the mission even started. You're in love with the baka," replied Shikamaru before finding Hinata was fighting against his Jutsu.
"He's not a baka! Don't call him that!" replied Hinata angrily.
"Okay. Say he's not a baka. It doesn't mean him being back will change things. He's a monster now Hinata. He killed Konoha Shinobi without mercy. Iruka-sensei is dead. Anko is his prisoner. Who knows what Naruto is doing to her," said Shikamaru with Hinata struggling harder.
"No more then what she deserves. Anko was hated like Naruto-kun, but once Konoha stopped hating her for the Curse Seal on her neck, she turned into the very people who once hated her like they did him. So why should I care about a hypocrite like Anko? Like Iruka-sensei? One pretended to care about Naruto while another suffered like him, but in the end they showed their true colors, and attacked an innocent boy for the demon sealed inside his body. How is that right?" Hinata challenged with Shikamaru straining to hold the Jutsu in place.
"Its too troublesome to think about Hinata. Its even more troublesome for us question our leaders on this. Was it wrong what Konoha did? Yes. Should they have moved to execute Naruto? No. But that is life. Sacrifices must be made whether its on a Shogi board or in life," explained Shikamaru with Hinata looking furious.
"And you still wonder why Temari-san broke off any contact with you after Suna decided to terminate its newly made alliance with Konoha. You're clearly not nearly as smart as you really think Shikamaru," replied Hinata with Shikamaru scowling deeper at her.
"That mouth of yours is almost as troublesome as your actions here. I'm sorry Hinata, but you won't be seeing Naruto anytime soon. I'm taking you back to Konoha to be tried for desertion and face the Hokage's judgment. At the very least, you will have your mind altered, and your personality changed to one befitting a Konoha Shinobi," said Shikamaru while Hinata struggled harder when hearing that.
"Over my dead body!" proclaimed Hinata knowing what that would mean for her should they succeed.
Her Gentle Fist fighting style lost forever. The Cage Bird Seal on her head with her deal with the rest of the Hyuuga Clan lost. A life of suffering for reasons unknown until the day she died by arrogant clansmen. The love she felt for Naruto would be lost and no doubt be replaced with hate for him for reasons not her own.
"Troublesome. It would just be easier to kill you now and explain myself later. I am sorry Hinata," replied Shikamaru, as he manipulated the shadows below Hinata to rise up over her body, and moved to strangle the Hyuuga.
"Says the man who is afraid of being in a commitment with a woman," said a dark voice behind Shikamaru and making the Nara's eyes go wide in shock while feeling sweat now descend down his neck.
"Naruto," whispered Shikamaru while looking behind him and saw the giant figure with the massive hammer based weapon in hand.
"Its Shao Kahn actually. And what's this I hear you were going to kill Hinata? Or were you going to choke her until she was unconscious? Once you did that, you could bring Hinata back to Konoha, and have her personality altered. Right?" questioned Shao Kahn with Shikamaru feeling very unprotected right now.
The Nara strategist was starting to wonder if this was how some inmates taking a shower felt if they dropped the soap? That this was the feeling of dread when there was a large guy behind them with a cruel smile on their face expressing the desire to cause pain.
"Naruto, I know you are angry with me, and the other Rookies for turning our backs on you. But...But you have to understand that we had to do it. There was just no strategic value in siding with you when Sasuke was brought back to Konoha," explained a scared Shikamaru before feeling his control over his shadow retract toward him since he would need his strength to redirect it toward the entity behind him.
"Not everything is about strategy Shikamaru. The best laid plans never work. This isn't a game my old friend. This isn't Shogi where you lose the match and you can play another one with your opponent in the future. This is real life and you've lost. Time to pay up," replied Shao Kahn with Shikamaru nodding before his eyes hardened.
"You first," replied Shikamaru before directed his Shadow Possession Jutsu on Shao Kahn and trapped their shadows together before moving swiftly up his body to wrap the hands that formed around his neck.
"No!" exclaimed Hinata, as she moved to strike the Nara, and free the giant man that was once Uzumaki Naruto from Shikamaru's grasp.
"Checkmate! You have lost Naruto," replied Shikamaru, as he knew the quickest action that followed this was to make the shadow based hands snap Naruto's neck before Hinata could reach them.
Only to find himself unable to follow through with the plan due to Naruto breaking the Shadow Possession Jutsu and grabbed the Nara's neck from behind.
Before snapping it and throwing the dead Konoha Shinobi away.
"Worthless sloth," remarked Shao Kahn before focusing on Hinata, who stopped to stare at her former crush, and see what he had had become since she last saw him.
"Naruto-kun?" asked Hinata, as she moved slowly to approach him, and slightly afraid he would attack her for some reason.
"It's Shao Kahn now," replied Shao Kahn solemnly while Hinata nodded.
"You look...well!" said Hinata while mentally screaming at herself for saying something so pathetic.
"As do you. You've become the beautiful woman I knew you would become when you grew up. And no doubt a powerful kunoichi," said Shao Kahn with Hinata blushing and nodding.
"I have gotten stronger. I challenged my family for the right to use my version of the Gentle Fist style and become a free woman so I no longer have to worry about going through an arranged marriage. I now have a chance to be with the man my heart desires," replied Hinata while Shao Kahn nodding though he looked a bit saddened about the last part.
"I see. The lucky man you've chosen to marry will be happy to have such a woman such as yourself to call his wife," stated Shao Kahn before he put his Wrath Hammer away, and was surprised to see Hinata walked toward him again.
"You misunderstand. My heart...my heart desires you...Naruto-kun," said Hinata with Shao Kahn looking at her in shock since he didn't think she would still want to be with him after all this time.
"You wish to be with me? Even now?! Knowing that I am...not the boy you once knew? Knowing I'm no longer human?" questioned Shao Kahn with Hinata nodding and once more took a step forward with determination in those lavender eyes.
"I don't care about what you are or what you've done to become like this. I care about you as a whole," replied Hinata with Shao Kahn looking at her right in the eyes.
"I suspected you cared about me, but I wasn't sure. People can be...deceptive when they want to be and play with one's heart," said Shao Kahn, as he wanted to believe the girl he knew briefly back then, who blossomed into the woman before him, did in fact care about his well being.
"Not to you. Never to you," replied Hinata, as she felt herself walking closer to him until they were barely a foot apart, and she found herself unable to look away from his helmet covered face.
It actually made Shao Kahn a bit uncomfortable to have someone look at him with such devotion when not under the influence of some spell from a sorcerer. Or a power beyond one's own control that made you do something that you normally wouldn't do at all.
"I have done things. Terrible things. Things that would disgust you. Betray your image of me," said Shao Kahn with Hinata not backing down.
"I know. I'm not a naive little girl. I never believed you wouldn't change from your ordeal with Konoha or wherever you went once entering that portal. I would have changed too if I had been in whatever position life threw at you after escaping your execution," replied Hinata, as she wasn't going to believe the boy she had a crush on, and later felt love for had stayed a naive person believing he could overcome anything through sheer willpower alone.
"Once you come with me...there is no turning back," Shao Kahn reminded her.
"I knew there was no turning back when I sedated my squad to escape and started my run toward Wave Country," replied Hinata with Shao Kahn nodding.
"Then let us go...before anymore filth from Konoha decide to intervene," said Shao Kahn with a small smile and Hinata returned it when he extended his hand to her.
'A part of the Naruto-kun I know is there still. That's all I care about,' thought Hinata, as she took his hand, and the two walked toward Wave Country.
By the time the Konoha patrol team woke up and searched for Hinata, all they would find is the body of Nara Shikamaru with his neck snapped, and his body mostly eaten by wild animals.
(Konoha-Days Later)
"Hinata abandoned Konoha?!" asked Kurenai in shock at hearing her former student had left Konoha.
"Yes. She drugged her squad and got in a fight with Shikamaru. Though from what I was able to examine from the bodily remains, another person may have been involved, and I think I know who it was," replied Tsunade with Kurenai gritting her teeth in anger since she knew who it was the Hokage was referring to since there could only be one person Hinata would leave Konoha for.
"The Kyuubi brat!" exclaimed Kurenai in anger due to knowing Naruto had Anko in his clutches as well as Hinata now.
"Yes. I don't know how he found out, but Naruto met up with Hinata, and took her to Wave Country after she fled the squad patrolling the area. Shikamaru came to me in the belief Hinata would flee to Wave Country, but I was skeptical of his opinion, and yet I wasn't going to take the risk of him being right. So I assigned him to the team to watch Hinata's actions should she attempt to run," explained Tsunade with Kurenai gritting her teeth.
"Permission to join the retrieval team to bring back Hinata," said Kurenai with Tsunade shaking her head no.
"Denied. You maybe a kunoichi Kurenai, but you are also a Mother, and have only just gotten back to active duty when not spending time with your child," replied Tsunade with Kurenai once more becoming angry.
"But he had Hinata now. Not to mention Anko is his prisoner!" protested Kurenai with Tsunade nodding with her scowl increasing.
"I'm well aware of that fact. But we have to handle the issues of Konoha as a whole and I can't spare the Shinobi needed to infiltrate, much less attack Naruto to rescue Anko, and being Hinata back for proper recondition. Iwa has gained ground since Naruto's return, putting us on the defensive, and our loss at Wave has prevented us from preparing our plans to create a fleet for invading Water Country on hold. Not only that, but Jiraiya recently told me that his spy in Kumo was killed, and a special ANBU attack squad in connection to another mission capable of ending the war in our favor were destroyed. I won't go into details about it because the mission is beyond your pay grade, but if it had been a success, we wouldn't have to worry about our enemies rallying against us," said Tsunade with Kurenai looking extremely upset right now.
"What about the Akatsuki? I thought Jiraiya-sama was watching their movements? Are they going after the demon?" asked Kurenai with Tsunade shrugging.
"We don't know yet. They probably will go after Naruto, but when they do is unknown, and Jiraiya's spies have yet to say anything to him," replied Tsunade with Kurenai letting out a sigh of defeat.
"Will you at least consider me for the retrieval team when one is being made?" asked Kurenai with Tsunade nodding.
"Of course. Though you should get all your affairs in order before I send you on such a mission to ensure that nothing happens to your child in the event you die. The brat has already killed quite a few Konoha Shinobi, most of them stronger then you are right now I might add," Tsunade reminded her and Kurenai nodded while making a mental note to go home to up her training.
She would no doubt need it in the future.
(Namikaze Estates)
"I can't believe that damn brat did this to us! All of our years of planning, training, and our fighting in this new war has been setback because of one single brat!" exclaimed Minato angrily, as he heard from Jiraiya about how the secret meeting between their enemies had not been crushed, and their spy who told them the meeting's location had been killed.
Before Konoha could do it to cover their tracks in the planned chaos that was meant to follow. With the leaders killed, chaos would erupt from within each Shinobi village, and Spring Country would plunge into a civil war before a Regent could be appointed. A Regent, which Konoha would manipulate through Danzo's implanted Sharingan Eye to support Fire Country, and slowly begin the process of bringing it under their control. As for the Shinobi villages, their new leaders would be given false information on how their predecessors all turned on each other at the meeting, and one killed Koyuki during the fighting. Using the chaos and unrest, Konoha would swoop in, destroy the four divided Shinobi villages, take Spring Country, and use their overwhelming might to bring all the minor villages that were left under their thumb.
Only for Naruto to prevent that and thus prolonging the war!
"The Fire Daimyo wasn't pleased to hear his new seaport he planned to setup once Wave Country was taken over had been put on hold. He had high hopes in creating a brand new seaport to build another naval fleet that could be used to enforce the embargo on Water Country before we invade," said Jiraiya with Minato sneering.
"And with that plan scraped at the moment, the materials purchased to make the seaport once Wave Country was taken over are now wasting away in storage, and put a financial hole in Fire Country's Treasury," remarked Minato knowing that the Fire Daimyo had bough lots of materials and expected to be more then compensated after Wave Country was taken over.
"We need to kill Naruto before he does anymore damage," said Kushina while she saw Naruko outside training.
"Who will lead the mission? You? Me? Kakashi? Jiraiya?" questioned Minato knowing whoever led this mission would have to be the most qualified.
"We should use the Akatsuki organization first to weaken him. I can have my spy within the group influence them with false information and focus on Naruto," said Jiraiya, as he had already been informed by Itachi that the organization was going to probe the demon's abilities, and possibly capture him if possible.
"We should also look into finding a way to use seals to lock him away or control him," replied Kushina while knowing there had to be a way to stop Naruto in that manner.
They just had to figure out how.
(Wave Country)
Hinata was walking around Naruto's or rather Shao Kahn's new castle now fully repaired by the loving people of Wave Country. She was still getting use to the idea of calling him that name or the fact he was now a Daimyo of an entire country. Koyuki herself was said to be arriving by tomorrow via airship to make an alliance between the two countries for a more prosperous future. There was even whispers of a possible marriage proposal if things went really well during the negotiations. Hinata was a little upset by that, but the woman knew that given the situation with his status as a Daimyo would open this door for him. A man, which he definitely was if his muscle mass was any indication, who was now in a seat of immense power, and had the undisputed right as such to have as many women as he wanted. Whether it be romantic or just sexual in nature didn't matter since Shao Kahn was now a man of high status considered beyond reproach.
'Meaning I will most likely have to share,' thought Hinata knowingly before stopping to see Anko walking around the corner and stop at seeing her.
"Hinata," said Anko stiffly with Hinata nodding.
"Anko," Hinata replied back while being just as stiff with her.
The two stayed silent while watching the other, both knowing their roles in Naruto's new life as Shao Kahn: Daimyo of Wave Country, and neither woman liked the other being here. One woman had betrayed Naruto when he was a boy and the other cared about him even after changing into the being now known as Shao Kahn. One woman was a slave and at times a pleasure toy for his amusement and the other was officially a guest in his castle with the option of being more then just a guest also there for the taking.
"I see you're not by the Master's side. I thought by now you would be spreading your legs for him," remarked Anko since she knew of Hinata's desires and how the Hyuuga would do anything the new Wave Daimyo wanted to do if asked.
But Hinata had one problem. She was still a bit shy and afraid of being able to make the man happy in bed. While Hyuuga woman was a full grown adult now, she was still new to the whole idea of pleasing a man sexually, and considering this was her former crush turned demonic love interest...it was a very big leap forward.
"You would know about spreading your legs Anko. We both know you did it before and after meeting Iruka since the man couldn't get you off due to his lack of...well everything. It seems only fitting that your brand new role in serving the new Wave Daimyo involves something you are quite familiar with in terms of duties. Though I just hope you don't give our Lord some foul disease you gained from one of your many previous partners that not even his own powers can cure," retorted Hinata without hesitation and saw Anko grit her teeth at her.
"At least I have the experience and the skill to please a man like him. Unlike you, who is simply too afraid to even present herself to him, and offer up your body as payment for living here," Anko countered with Hinata's body going straighter.
"Again, screwing a man simply just to have a place to stay is more up your alley. I'm sure many men in Konoha would agree that you have enjoyed that part of the 'give and take' relationship in such an area," remarked Hinata with Anko looking ready to shoot venom from her mouth.
"Don't act all high and mighty with me Hyuuga. I've had to do what I've done with him in his bed to survive here. The people wanted my ass dead. If I have to be his fuck toy to be spared a mob lynching in this country...then so be it," replied Anko with Hinata smirking now.
"And just remember this Anko, his happiness is the only thing that matters. It is also the only thing keeping you alive and not being considered expendable by his hands. Should you try anything, regardless of that seal on your neck designed to prevent such an act, I will see to it that will be the least of your problems," threatened Hinata before walking away from Anko while the former Konoha Shinobi had to hold back the urge to lash out at the Hyuuga.
'Bitch!' thought Anko, as she walked off to train some more, and at least keep her skills sharp since the Daimyo she was now protecting wouldn't tolerate a weak bodyguard.
(Wave Daimyo's Bed Chambers)
Shao Kahn was on his super large bed. The woman Tsunami was lying on top of him, both were naked, sweaty, and feeling pretty damn good right now. Well...Shao Kahn felt good right now, as did Tsunami, but the woman was feeling sore, and tired from what they had just spent many hours doing. But she was content all the same. She was actually surprised to find herself in this situation, as Tsunami didn't expect her time here in Shao Kahn's castle to lead to them going to his bed room where he used his power to turn back time to make her look younger. Like back to her late teens or early twenties type young before getting pregnant with Inari type of younger. After that, he walked away from her, uncertainty in his eyes, and the man warned the woman that his face behind this mask was not the one she knew before sitting down in a large customized chair that had been commissioned to hold his massive build.
And to Tsunami's shock, he removed his war helmet, put it down on a nearby table before turning to face her. As expected, she did gasp at the sight of him, as his spiky blonde hair was gone, completely bald without a single strand on his head, and his blue eyes were red though the woman knew as much since it wasn't exactly covered by the helmet. What she did see in replacement of the hair was protruding spikes that were coming out of his head. It took a moment, but Tsunami realized he was waiting for her reaction, and if she was going to flee the room in horror at seeing his face behind the helmet.
Instead, she walked toward him, even when sitting down the man seemed to tower over her form, and gently touched his face. Tsunami didn't know why, but she felt compelled to do it, caressing the face, and saw the man behind the mask enjoyed her touch. Clearly no one, at least no woman anyway, had ever shown him this kind of affection, and she slowly moved in with her other hand to do the same. Before long she was sitting on his lap and her lips on his own. The kiss was slow at first, but things were quickly speeding up, and Tsunami momentarily felt the clothing she wore being discarded before Shao Kahn picked her up with the two landing on the bed.
And the rest they say...is history.
"Wow!" breathed Tsunami, as she had no idea this would happen, or that it would feel so good.
She couldn't even remember the last time she had sex since it had been that long to the point where memory doesn't count for anything. If she had to remotely guess, the last time was probably night she became pregnant with Inari. The boy's biological deadbeat Father had knocked her up, which was the only good thing he did properly when they were together, and basically left soon after since the pathetic fool didn't want to be tied down. When Kaiza was still alive, she had entertained the idea of being intimate with the man, and possibly having another child with him. But Gato and his minions ruined that for her when they killed the righteous man. After that, Tsunami had basically been acting like nun the whole time, no sex, not toys, and was keeping everything bottled up until now.
"Indeed. I take it you were holding that in for quite some time," remarked Shao Kahn with Tsunami blushing and yet she nodded.
"For years. No toys at all. I used every trick in the book to distract myself from it since I was so afraid I would get pregnant again after Inari was born. Even taking care of Inari helped. After everything that happened with Gato coming here, Kaiza's death, and just about everything else in terms of Wave's recovery kept me occupied," replied Tsunami with Shao Kahn letting out a chuckle.
"I'm no expert on women, but you my dear Tsunami-chan have a Will of iron to have such impressive restraint," remarked Shao Kahn, as he saw her blush deepen, and snuggle closer to him before a thought entered her mind.
"Will this thing between us here be a...one time thing?" asked Tsunami while Shao Kahn now looking down at the woman in front of him.
"Do you want it to be a one time thing? Or do you want this to be more then just the once and done?" asked Shao Kahn with Tsunami sighing and smiling weakly.
"I want it to be more. I know you are a Daimyo and can have more then one woman in your bed. I can accept that. I can also accept that this relationship will more then likely be about sating out lust rather then embracing love. But it has been so long since I have felt anything for anyone in any capacity, and if given this one chance for it...I want to feel things with you," replied Tsunami with Shao Kahn holding her close and sighing.
"This relationship will indeed be based off of lust. At least for now. I don't know what the future holds for me or what I do as Daimyo of these lands, but I will try to make what we have become more then sexual between us. Not only that, but I think Inari is looking up to me more as a Father than a big brother these last couple of days. I wouldn't mind trying to be a responsible parent for a change," said Shao Kahn while Tsunami moved up more and caressed his face again.
"What do you mean?" asked Tsunami before he explained with great reluctance what had happened in Outworld after claiming Edenia in taking Sindel as his Queen and adopting Princess Kitana as his own.
Only to have her replaced by Mileena many years later out of fear of Kitana betraying him after learning the truth.
Tsunami listened intently to the story. Focusing on everything he was telling her, looking for lies, but found none, and seeing the facts provided by Shao Kahn.
Edenia fought in this Mortal Kombat Tournament and lost 10 times in a row.
Shao Kahn then invaded and assimilated the realm as was his right according to the rules set forth by the Elder Gods for winning all 10 tournaments.
Edenia's army of warriors, its King, and Queen had opposed the invasion despite this and were ultimately defeated with Kitana being too young know this until much later.
How Shao Kahn killed Edenia's King before taking Queen Sindel as his bride, only for the woman to kill herself sometime later, and leaving her daughter Kitana to be raised as his loyal daughter/bodyguard.
"As you can see...I am not exactly the hero you once knew," said Shao Kahn at last when his tale was finished.
"When you were with Sindel...did you treat her as a Queen?" asked Tsunami with Shao Kahn nodding.
"Yes. And I raised Kitana like she was my own. As for Mileena, she is actually Kitana's twin and half sister fully grown through the means in which she was created. We never had a chance to truly bond as Father and daughter," answered Shao Kahn with Tsunami nodding.
"While I do not approve of what you did per se, I am glad you treated Sindel with the respect she deserved, and even raised Kitana as your own despite what happened in the end. You did care about Sindel and Kitana to some degree or else you would have killed them both without hesitation. For all the evil you did, there was some good behind it, and I want to help bring that part of you out. The part of you that is still Uzumaki Naruto, who does what he feels is right, and helps others against injustice," replied Tsunami, as she kissed him, and nestled her hand against his chest.
"You will have lot of work ahead of you Tsunami-chan," replied Shao Kahn with while Tsunami smiled up at him.
"I've lived through a lot of hard times and worked just as hard to survive my Lord. I am up to the challenge and I'm sure several other women in your life will be too if given the chance," remarked Tsunami with Shao Kahn nodding.
Maybe...just maybe Uzumaki Naruto was still alive within him after all. All it needed was a small push in the right direction.
(A/N: YAY! Another update for all of you. Having two snow days in a row does wonders for giving you time to write...once all the shoveling is done. Hope you enjoyed it. Now I'm going to rest for a bit and then refocus on some much needed school work so don't expect an update so soon. I know I've said it before, but I mean it this time. Until next time...PEACE!)