Yo..
About the short chapters, the thing is I'm not able to concentrate on anything for more than a few hours these days. And I'm anxious to go back to my other story, but since I have to complete the war I'm writing short chapters so I don't get bored, on the other hand I do compensate for it by uploading new chapters quickly. (The people who have read Sharingan Devil already know this pattern of my writing)
Regarding pairings, it is still a Harem. NaruMika got its development during first 25 chapters, now its NaruRang, followed by NaruKushi. It's all a part of a big game plan (Can't you see the pattern?)...and this is a different Harem story as all 3 heroines have their own personalities and don't madly fawn over Naruto.
So be patient, cause I will stick to my plan and will definitely deliver everything that I promised in the summary of this story. My personal pairing preference would never get in the way of this story. I love all my pairings.. (All NaruMika and NaruKushi fans, don't lose hope because no heroine would be shown favoritism)
Though I'm glad to see that are many NaruRang fans too...
Enjoy the chapter...
Chapter 50
Family
Naruto was simply overwhelmed by the tirade of tingling sensations that were passing through his entire body. It was the same feeling from all those years ago when he accidentally kissed Mikasa...yet at the same time this felt completely different and unique.
For the first time in all these years, he was happy. In this moment, nothing in the entire world mattered to him as his eyes were just fixed on the beautiful blonde girl that was kissing him.
The feeling of being loved by someone, that even after everything he had done...there was still a little happiness left in his miserable life.
And he just didn't want to let it go away...
Rangiku was surprised when he slowly entangled his left hand behind her head slowly caressing her beautiful hair, while his right hand gently stroked her cheek affectionately as he deepened the kiss.
At first gently and lingeringly, almost tentatively, and then more insistently, her lips parted to allow his tongue to coax her's to meet it. Complying, she deepened the kiss, the hand in her hair holding her tightly to him as he stole the breath from her lungs.
"Get a fucking room, you idiots!"
A frustrated sigh escaped from Naruto's lips as he slowly broke the kiss and noticed all the remaining blacklight intently watching the scene.
He spotted a few rookies looking at him as if he was Kami himself, probably due to all the stories they must have heard about the great "Commander Phoenix"...it was still a mystery to him as to how he transformed from a mere soldier into a legendary leader.
Iwashi and Anko were giving him mischievous winks, guess these two were still the same.
Shizune had practically stars in her eyes as she witnessed the most romantic or at least most loving display of feelings between her two friends. Knowing her, Naruto had an idea she was imagining this situation to be a fairy tale where the prince comes to save his princess...though in this case, he came for all of them.
Genma's eyebrows were twitching as he tried his level best to hide that slight blush on his face.
Izumo and Hana were lying peacefully beside each other, and while they were in pain he didn't miss the happiness in their eyes on seeing him.
And finally there was Mikasa...his gaze softened when he saw her looking at him tearfully. But what happened next shocked everyone as Mikasa quickly placed her tanto on Naruto's neck.
"Tell me who you really are...or I swear to god I will kill you"
"Oi Mikasa...what are you doing?"
Rangiku's angry voice didn't deter Mikasa's piercing gaze as she pressed her weapon a little on his skin, as a small amount of blood started leaking.
However everyone was surprised when Naruto grasped the weapon and slowly lowered it from his neck, while continuously staring in Mikasa's tearful eyes.
"The only thing that matters is survival...you've changed, Mikasa"
She took a step back on hearing those words as only two people in the entire world had heard that phrase from her. One was Armin and the other...
"It's really you..." said Mikasa in shock,
"As long as we are together, you won't be alone. We're family...Mikasa" replied Naruto in a familiar tone, as every doubt disappeared from her mind on hearing that sentence.
Naruto was surprised when she jumped at him and quickly engulfed him in a warm hug as tears freely flowed from her eyes. A small peaceful smile came on his face as he happily returned the hug.
"I thought I lost you too..."
"I'm back...and besides, you'll have to bear this idiot friend of yours for a little longer..."
Before Mikasa could reply, her eyes widened in horror when several Anbu platoons landed right in front of their position. Her comrades quickly took out their remaining weapons, but all of them knew this fight was out of their hands...there was no way they could win in their current health.
"So, Yagura was right. This place is crawling with all type of Kumo Special forces..." thought Naruto seriously,
"Captain, there are too many of them. What should we do?" asked Genma worriedly,
"There are at least 200 Anbu in front of us...more enemy units could be approaching our position at any time. We need to get out of here..." suggested Iwashi quickly,
Everyone's gaze shifted towards Naruto...as he quickly took out his sword.
"Let me handle this..."
Rangiku was instantly in front of him, and he didn't need to look in her eye to understand her question.
"I can't teleport everyone else at the same time...my jutsu does not have speed" clarified Naruto honestly,
"Then..."
"Everyone step aside...form a defensive formation around Wolf (Izumo) and Dog (Hana). Are we clear?"
The Kumo Anbu could not understand why the Blacklight forces were listening to this strange boy...however a closer look at him made them take a few steps back in fear.
"It's him...the yellow flash!"
Naruto's eyebrows twitched on hearing that remark, while he did look like his father in a few ways...but couldn't people make the difference? He was a strong shinobi too...dammit!
Everyone was surprised when Mikasa gave him a light bop on the head.
"Moron, you're a Blacklight...most of the world doesn't even know you exist. You are Commander Phoenix..."
All the Blacklight face faulted on hearing that remark, and seeing the embarrassed look on Naruto's face made it look even more amusing.
"I know...you idiot!"
"Uh-huh..."
Even the Kumo Anbu sweat dropped on seeing the weird interaction between the Yellow Flash and the Weasel (Mikasa) masked Blacklight. Was she scolding him?
"That's it...you are all dead now!" yelled Naruto childishly, and this time the Kumo Anbu face faulted on hearing his childish voice...while the Blacklight smacked their foreheads.
Rangiku sympathetically patted his back as Naruto was simply baffled on seeing everyone making fun of him...
But the next second every ninja in the area was surprised when Naruto started laughing madly, as a monstrous chakra erupted in the entire area.
"This foul chakra..."
Mikasa couldn't understand why Naruto's chakra was so different from before. It was more dark, malicious, and full of hatred. But when she looked in his eyes, she freezed in shock.
"Mikasa...all of this. This shinobi world...
...none of it matters anymore!"
Her worst fears came true when she saw the murderous look in his eyes. Armin was right...
"You've chosen your path...Naruto" thought Mikasa defeatedly, but she also knew what had to be done now.
The Kumo Anbu immediately took defensive formation as Naruto stepped forward. His Mangekyo sharingan glared at the enemy forces as he tightly grasped his sword in his right hand. These soldiers had already seen him, and so there was no point in sparing their lives.
And there was no way, he would let these bastards hurt his friends. They were the reason for his existence, without them there was no point in creating his empire.
"There are too many of them..."
Shizune was surprised when Naruto turned around after hearing her comment, and gave her a reassuring smile.
"I'm trash...but I won't let you guys become trash. I will stop them"
His eyes shifted towards Mikasa, as both the friends understood the message in each other's hearts.
"I'll never let my comrades die!"
For a second there, Mikasa saw a reflection of Armin in Naruto as a small smile came on her face. Despite his darkness, Naruto's heart was still in the right place...even now he was trying to protect his friends.
And in the end, it was all that mattered to her. Because this was the Naruto she knew...
"He still remembers your words till this day, Armin. Your will is still alive inside him..." thought Mikasa proudly, as she finished forming a defensive formation around her wounded comrades.
Several shuriken were fired towards Naruto, but to the enemy's surprise the weapons passed right through him. And they prepared themselves as he took a step forward.
"Very well..."
He quickly ran forward towards the enemy forces, as they too repeated the same action and were closing on towards him ready to slaughter him.
Just as the Kumo Anbu reached within 50 yards towards his position, Naruto threw his sword high in the air and performed different hand seals in his two hands separately before slamming them hard on the ground.
"Doton Jishin (Earth Release: Earthquake Jutsu)"
"Doton Ishihassha (Earth Release: Stone Catapult Jutsu)"
At first the ground shook violently instantly halting the Kumo Anbu in their charge as they channeled chakra through their feet in order to maintain their balance, but they were surprised when several large earth stones rose from the ground and were fired right toward them.
"Hn...is that all you got?'' yelled the Kumo Anbu commander, as he single handedly performed a hand seal.
"Raiton Rakurai no Jutsu (Lightning Release: Thunderbolt Jutsu)"
Before the inbound stones could even hit his forces, they were quickly destroyed as several lightning strikes fell directly on them.
Many Kumo Anbu were surprised when they didn't find Naruto standing in his position, but their eyes widened in shock when Naruto was coming towards them from the sky.
...with hundreds of water needles along with him.
"Suiton: Suidan no Jutsu(Water Release: Water Bullet Technique)"
"AHHHHHHHHHHHH"
The Kumo commander cursed his luck as he quickly shielded himself behind an earth wall, several of his soldiers were not so lucky and were brutally slaughtered by the sudden water attack.
"He distracted us with his earth attack...but even still how did he manage to get up in the sky so quickly?" said the Kumo commander bitterly,
"Clones"
His eyes widened in shock as another Naruto emerged from the ground and before he could even swing his sword, he found himself getting absorbed in a strange pocket dimension.
The Naruto clone got a small victorious smirk on his face, when he saw his original killing the enemy forces.
"Now that I have the commander, we can get some information about Kumo's forces. Quite a nice plan, boss...I'll leave the rest to you"
With a small wink to the amazed blacklight forces, the clone quickly dispelled itself as the real Naruto performed a set of hand seals.
"Doton: Yomi Numa(Swamp of the Underworld.)"
Genma couldn't believe what he was seeing, his previous commander was decimating the enemy forces like flies. He knew Naruto was powerful, and his Mangekyo had always played a major role in his victories. But now, he was killing the enemy with pure skill.
Almost two Kumo platoons got swallowed in the swamp, while Naruto continued to advance on the remaining enemy forces who were throwing every trick they had to kill this boy.
50 Kumo Anbu quickly made a tight formation and performed a set of hand seals.
"Katon: Nenshou Misairu (Fire Release: Burning Missile)"
Several fire streams were fired straight towards Naruto as a small frown came on his face. Was this the power of the Kumo forces...or was his power too great for them to handle?
"I'm not enjoying this ...they can't dance at all" thought Naruto disappointedly,
He made a single hand seal and collected a small part of his chakra...
"Suiton: Mizurappa (Water Style: Violent Water Wave)"
A large water wall was formed ahead of Naruto which easily blocked the incoming streams of fire, but it didn't stop there as a giant water dragon was formed instantly and before the enemy forces could even counterattack...it ran over them.
"Is this really Naruto?" asked Anko nervously, this was not a battle...it was a slaughter.
"Not quite...there is something I need to try..." said Naruto calmly, as he clasped his hands together.
Mikasa and everyone else had to quickly channel chakra to their feet, as the entire ground started shaking violently. Whatever this was...it was fucking big!
"Mokuton Hijutsu: Jukai Kotan (Wood Release Secret Technique: Birth of Dense Woodland)"
"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH"
Hundreds of wooden trees rose from the ground and within seconds the entire Kumo Anbu force was wiped out brutally. Even the Blacklight members were a little disturbed by witnessing such a mass massacre. But not Naruto...
He just stood there silently, his eyes witnessing the deaths of hundreds of ninja. Even if they were his enemy, his heart still broke on seeing the life leaving their bodies. It seemed his nightmare was never supposed to end, and deep down he desperately hoped that all these sins would be worth it...if the empire was formed.
Naruto knew he was the biggest murderer in history, his kills had even surpassed the number of people killed by Minato himself. That itself was a huge burden on him...that never allowed him to sleep.
Another person gently hugged him from behind, as he closed his eyes. He could not show them his pain...his powers were a curse on him, and he was ready to bare this curse all by himself.
"It's over..."
Rangiku's comforting voice brought a small tear in his eye, but he quickly made it disappear and turned around...only find his comrades giving him understanding looks.
"We understand...it had to be done" said Mikasa calmly,
"Hai"
Iwashi quickly stepped forward and pointed his finger in the northern direction...
"We need to get out of here before more enemy troops arrive...they won't be too far"
Naruto slowly took out several exploding tags from his pouch and handed it over to his comrades...who were a little curious. What did he want to do now?
"Set them all over the cliff, we'll blow it up. The valley down there is too poisonous...it will destroy all these bodies and hide any residue of my chakra left in those wooden attacks" explained Naruto briefly,
"How do you know that valley down there is poisonous?" asked Genma suspiciously,
"You are not the only loyalists I have in Blacklight...Baku didn't just send you here to die. He has covered his tracks, as of now all of you have been declared traitors" said Naruto bluntly,
"WHAT!"
As expected, his comrades didn't take this news very well and he could easily see anger on their faces, while Mikasa and Rangiku were looking at him intently.
"There is more to it, isn't it?" asked Rangiku sadly, as he gave her a sympathetic look.
"It's a conspiracy of the highest level. All of you have been charged with treason...the highest capital offence in our army punishable only by execution. You are fugitives now...and your only option for survival is coming with me" replied Naruto calmly,
"I won't let that happen...that son of a bitch won't get away with this" said Mikasa angrily, as he came forward and put his hand on her shoulder.
"Mikasa, on what grounds will you base your charges?. This mission was not even in the books, and Baku has probably forced some of our comrades to testify his claims by now...he is the supreme commander. You cannot fight him...not at this point" said Naruto seriously, as she looked at him disappointedly,
"What do you want me to do?" asked Mikasa angrily, as he looked her straight in the eye.
Everyone else was nervously watching the conversation between the two friends. Right now, Mikasa was their commander...and if she decided to go back then they would be facing Baku and the entire system on their own. None of them had a choice...they were after all a military unit.
"Walk away"
Mikasa was taken aback by his words, was he really serious? This couldn't be...
"Naruto...Baku sacrificed my 37 soldiers. My comrades..." said Mikasa fiercely, as his fists clenched tightly.
"They will kill you...Mikasa. You have known me for years, and this time I'm saying you can't win this. At least not now..." requested Naruto,
"So, we let Baku get away with this? Is that what you're saying?" asked Mikasa bitterly,
"Mikasa, they will kill you. If you don't care about that...at least think about your friends. Are you willing to put them all through another tragedy again...we have already lost enough and suffered in this war" said Naruto sadly,
"What about you, Naruto?" asked Mikasa disappointedly,
"Of course I care about you. Mikasa, you're my best friend..." said Naruto honestly, as she scoffed on seeing Rangiku standing beside him.
"Is that what we are?" asked Mikasa suggestively, and he understood her real message and came beside her.
"I don't what we are...we kiss but we never talk about, we almost die beside each other...but we never talk about it. So I don't know what we are...but I don't want to see you throw your life away" whispered Naruto in her ear,
"Last time I checked, I am the captain of this unit. Where were you, Naruto? You show up out of nowhere...wearing Akatsuki uniform, and ask us to come with you?" asked Mikasa bluntly, and he noticed the same question in the eyes of all his comrades.
Rangiku intertwined her hand with his own, and gave him an encouraging smile.
"We want the truth...no more lies anymore" said Rangiku seriously,
A tired sigh escaped from his lips, his comrades were stubborn but they were right in their own way. He owed an explanation to them, if they had to trust him...then he needed to be honest with him.
These were some of the best soldiers in the world, and he definitely needed their support in creating his empire and ending this war.
And looking into Mikasa's eyes, made him sure that none of them were going anywhere with him...unless he told them the truth.
"Iwashi, put a barrier"
"Will do"
Mikasa patiently waited while Iwashi created a large purple barrier, preventing anyone to see them from outside or even listening to their talk. But her eyes were still fixed on Naruto who was just staring at the vast valley ahead of him. Something had changed in him, as a matter of fact...for the first time she felt Naruto had finally found his goal.
But something was off about him, the way he kissed Rangiku showed her he was not doing that for fun, or lust. He was trying to grasp every little happiness that he could get, even when she blamed him...he didn't lash out at her, or anyone else.
It was as if he had made his peace...
"I didn't die that day...I was captured by the Akatsuki, apparently they had big plans for me"
His voice was calm and peaceful, but they also sensed a lot pain and guilt that he was trying to hide. Was it because he didn't come back? Or something else?
"We watched you die, Naruto. If you were captured, who was the person who died in front of us. He looked exactly like you, and knew all of us" explained Rangiku patiently,
"It was Zetsu...a member of the Akatsuki. I don't know much, but he's the spy of Akatsuki. He can clone himself into any person, they had watched me...all of us since our first day in Blacklight. So they knew about our friendships...and every damn thing. That's why he was able to deceive all of you.." said Naruto seriously,
"What did they want you for?" asked Mikasa worriedly,
"They wanted to make me their slave. The leader, the true real leader is someone who we thought was long dead...and he wants my powers in his quest to destroy the shinobi world" warned Naruto
"Who is he?" asked Genma seriously,
"Uchiha Madara"
That name alone sent chills down their spines, was this even possible? It just couldn't be...but if it was then all of them were screwed.
"You're kidding right?" asked Iwashi nervously,
"No brother. This is the truth...Madara is the leader of the Akatsuki and is the real mastermind who started this war. He has the Mangekyo sharingan too...I don't know if he's the real Madara or a fake, he always wears the same spiral mask like this one...but what I do know is that he wants to destroy our world. He was controlling the Kyuubi Jinchuuriki all these years...but I've freed her, that man is dangerous" explained Naruto briefly,
"Fuck, we just keep getting dragged into deeper mess..." cursed Anko angrily,
"I will stop him...I'll stop Madara, no matter the cost" promised Naruto, and Mikasa was right in front of him.
"No, it's suicide. We can't let you do that...I won't let you do this alone" said Mikasa emotionally, and he smiled on seeing the feelings she had for him.
"This is my destiny, Mikasa. I've done some terrible things...I'm the biggest murderer in history. I was the one who slaughtered 12,000 Kiri shinobi...I was the one who destroyed Narita village. I killed all those people...this is the only way I can redeem myself. It's the only way by which I can die in peace...and look Armin straight in the eye..." said Naruto regretfully,
"You'll leave me again?" asked Mikasa sadly, as he affectionately stroked her cheek.
"I'm bad for you...for everyone. There will be no happy ending for me...and I don't want to drag all of you in it" said Naruto calmly, as tears came in her eyes.
He was surprised when the rest of his comrades stepped beside him and Mikasa...and somehow they had amused smiles on their faces.
"Naruto, do you remember the 3 oaths which we took before jumping in this war?" asked Shizune patiently, as he averted his eyes.
"First: Under no circumstances, will any of us betray our country, our comrades" said Iwashi proudly,
"Second: We'll always put our comrades ahead of us...we will be each other's shields" stated Genma seriously,
"Third: No matter what happens, whether we are up against good, evil, angels, devils, destiny or even God (Kami) himself. We'll make our own choices...we'll always chose family" said Rangiku happily,
His eyes became moist on hearing those words, guess Kushina was right. They were family...each and every one of them were family, and he could never abandon them.
"We'll do this...together, as we always do" said Mikasa reassuringly,
They were relieved when a true smile came on his face, as a small tear slipped from his eye. He was finally home...
"We always stick together...no matter the consequences" said Rangiku emotionally,
He quickly walked forward and enwrapped his friends in a warm hug, and one by one they too embraced each other with smiles on their faces. Naruto stabilized his choked voice as his heart was overwhelmed by the feelings which these people had for him. Their faith, their love was the most precious thing in the world for him.
A small painful sensation passed through his chest, but he controlled it as he wanted to say something to his friends.
"Guys...I'm proud of us"
Author's Notes: End of chapter.
Just 5 or even less chapters left of this arc.
This chapter was a little special for Naruto, as he was his true self. He told the truth, and yet he was welcomed back. If only this was an anime, you could have seen the emotions in his eyes...but I do hope that at least you felt the feelings which he has for his comrades.
Despite whatever darkness he may fall into...this is the only thing which he'll never let go.
The situation with NaruMika is complicated...but this chapter was a little wake up call for Mikasa, as Naruto told her the truth about his feelings for her and his situation with Rangiku. They are still 15 years old, so the concept of love is a little new to them.
This is the 50th chapter of this story, and we have already crossed the 250,000 word mark. And I want to ask something...
What is it that really attracts you to this story? That one thing which makes you come back for more...
And what do you think about Naruto? (We have seen all his sides...)