Chapter 30 - A Future Uncertain
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[Espada Meeting Hall, Las Noches]
Current Time...
In the main meeting area of the Espada there was a long table where the elite members of Aizen's Arrancar Army would normally meet with Aizen to discuss various matters. Right now, however, only three people were seated at the table: Sosuke Aizen and his two fellow shinigami, Gin Ichimaru and Kaname Tosen.
The three traitors to the Soul Society, which was still unaware of the trio's evil intentions, were currently watching a holographic recording of Naruto's battle with Obito, or his wood clone to be more accurate, and basically "evaluating" his progress.
"Well it looks like dear Naruto-kun has learned well, eh, Aizen-taicho?" Gin asked in clearly sarcastic tone.
While Aizen remained silent, not responding to Gin's comment, Tosen decided to speak up shortly after Naruto had summoned Kurama.
"Aizen-sama... are you okay with this? Naruto-san is a bit of a loose cannon if he used his summoning ability so liberally," the current (for the time being) captain of the Goter 13 asked.
Aizen gave a light chuckle at this.
"It is of no concern, Tosen-san... in any case this means that our dear Naruto has found a way to keep his skills sharp. Gin... Tosen..." Aizen said as the scene where Naruto blasts Obito's clone with a Cero Metralleta.
"... there is no need to worry. Everything is going according to plan. We have Naruto-kun in our corner and in a few years time... " Aizen said before pressing a button on a table deactivating the hologram of Naruto's battle.
"... we will make our move and force even the Soul Society itself to its knees," Aizen declared confidently.
He was unaware that, even now, certain things were going on behind the scene that would prove him wrong...
[Hokage's Office, The Academy]
A Few Weeks Later...
Naruto, Sasuke, and Kazuko had just arrived in the Hokage's office late at night and stood before Tsunade and Hiruzen, who had was now Tsunade's adviser.
It had not been easy, at least for Sasuke, Neji, and Shikamaru, but the team of Konoha-nin had successfully brought Kazuko back to Konoha. After the battle with the Akatsuki had ended, and the group reached the Uzushio ruins with Kazuko in tow, the group managed to steal a skiff from a group of bandits they managed to defeat which they used to head back to the mainland. After arriving back in Konoha Naruto allowed Neji and Shikamaru to return homes, leaving Naruto and his fellow member of Team Kakashi to escort the female Uchiha to the Hokage's office.
"... And that's what happened. We arrived on shore a few days later and arrived back with no further incident. As for Shikamaru and Neji I allowed them to go back to their homes when we arrived," Naruto said, finishing his report.
At this point Tsunade finally spoke to the young chunin.
"Good job, Naruto and Sasuke; despite the risks, your team performed very well. (she turns to Kazuko) So you're Kazuko Uchiha... I believe this is the first time that we've met," Tsunade said.
Kazuko respectfully bowed her towards the Godaime Hokage before she replied.
"Indeed it is, Tsunade-sama. It's an honor to meet you... though I have to say I'm surprised that you would agree to become Hokage. From what I heard you thought that the Hokage was title reserved for 'fools,' correct?" the female Uchiha teased.
Much to the surprise of everyone there Tsunade was able to limit the outward expression of her annoyance to her twitching eyebrows.
"You can thank Naruto for that. I'd rather not go any further than that, though," Tsunade said; despite having changed for the better thanks to Naruto the Slug Sannin had a hard time talking about their first encounter due to the fact that he beat her like a drum.
After a few snickers from Naruto, Kazuko proceeded to greet Hiruzen, whom she did know from the time before her exile, before she finally got back to the matter at hand.
"Now that introductions are in order I'd like to make a request," Kazuko asked.
Tsunade and Hiruzen raised an eyebrow at this.
"Go on," Tsunade replied.
Kazuko sighed before she made her request.
"I have every intention of returning to my duties as a shinobi of Konoha; in fact I would like nothing more than that. That said I don't what to expect since I went into exile for twelve long years. That's why I would like at least to wait a couple of more years before I officially return to my duties so I can see the world and how much its changed," Kazuko explained.
Tsunade was surprised to hear such a request from Kazuko; Hiruzen, on the other hand, was not surprised by this at all but he did find a certain detail regarding the female Uchiha's request unusual.
"Kazuko-chan, while the request is reasonable enough that's quite a long time for someone to travel throughout the shinobi nations. Is there something else you plan to do?" the "retired" Hokage asked.
Kazuko walked to Sasuke's side and placed her left hand on his shoulder.
"With your permission, Tsunade-sama and Sarutobi-sensei, I would like to bring Sasuke with me so I can train him," Kazuko requested.
Tsunade and Hiruzen were taken aback by this; after a few minutes Sasuke spoke up.
"If it helps ease your minds I asked her to train me during the our trip back to Konoha and Naruto backed me up on this," Sasuke pointed out, with Naruto nodding in confirmation to the Uchiha's claim.
After Tsunade and Hiruzen talked it over for a few minutes the Godaime turned to the group.
"Very well, then, Kazuko. I'll allow you to go on this journey and allow Sasuke to go under your tutelage during said journey. Just make sure you return in three years' time, alright?" Tsunade said as if it were an order; the fact that this journey would take so long was now made clear by Kazuko taking on Sasuke as her apprentice.
Both Kazuko and Sasuke nodded at this.
"Now then, Naruto and Sasuke, if neither of you have anything else to say you can leave. Kazuko and I have other things to discuss," Tsunade said.
Naruto and Sasuke both left the office and headed to their respective homes, calling it a night.
[Namikaze Estate, Konoha Outskirts]
A Few Minutes Later...
Naruto finally arrived home where the lights had already been turned off for the night.
"I guess they all went to sleep... makes things easier for me," Naruto thought to himself as he walked towards on of the estate's three kitchens... the only place where lights were currently on.
As Naruto approached to the entrance of the main kitchen he drew his zanpakuto, just in case the person making the sounds within the kitchen tried anything stupid. When he got to within a few feet from that room-
"Sneaking around in the dark... that's quite unbecoming of you given your character, Naruto Uzumaki," a female voice said.
Naruto narrowed his eyes at this.
"Now what would you know about my character. Unless, of course, you got that impression from your spying on me in back in the Land of Whirlpools?" Naruto asked as he cautiously entered the main kitchen. What Naruto saw made his eye twitch.
Seated on one of the chairs in the room was a woman who appeared to be in her twenties, of average height with dark skin and a slender figure; she had golden color eyes and long purple hair that she kept in a ponytail. She wore an orange shirt with two white straps on each shoulder, an black shirt underneath the orange shirt, black stretch pants, lightweight brown shoes, and a pale brown sash. She also had what appeared to be a black hooded cloak that she set on the chair.
While the woman was obviously the person following since the moment he went to the Land of Whirlpools Naruto was focused on another issue.
The mystery woman had apparently decided to get a snack... and made the mistake of taking a cup of instant ramen.
Naruto's eye kept on twitching as he suppressed the urge to cut the mystery woman into pieces. After his finally got his eye to stop twitching Naruto tried to get back to the matters at hand.
"In any case... who the hell are you? And don't say that you're shinigami because I could figure that part out myself," Naruto asked/demanded.
The female shinigami stopped eating turned to look at the Leaf chunin and merely smirked at this.
"Who, me? Well since you asked I might as well introduce myself. I am Yoruichi Shihoin and, you right, I am a shinigami," the now-named Yoruichi said in a nonchalant manner.
Naruto narrowed his eyes at Yoruichi's casual explanation before he continued his questioning of the former 2nd Division captain.
"Ok, Yoruichi Shihoin. Now, without telling me that you wanted some ramen, explain to me why you're here... and explain to me why I shouldn't detach your head from the rest of you," Naruto demanded.
At that point Yoruichi expression turned more serious as she put down the cup of instant ramen on the table in front of her and stood up from the chair, turning to face Naruto.
"I'll cut to the point, Naruto-san. Both myself and a few of my... associates... know that you were trained by Aizen and his Arrancars. I think that there is something you should-," Yoruichi began.
That's as far as Yoruichi got with her explanation, however, before Naruto chuckled at said explanation.
"I see... so you're trying save me from some horrible fate. You don't have to worry about it, though... because I already know the truth. Aizen-sama wanted me to help him conquer my world and betray the Leaf in the process," Naruto explained.
Yoruichi was naturally shocked by this.
"Wait... you knew?!" she breathed out to which Naruto nodded in response.
"Oh, I knew. I've known Aizen-sama's intentions for quite some time now. (he sighs) Aizen-sama, Gin-sama, Tosen-sama, and the Espada trained me... made me strong and a better person and I'll always be grateful to them for that; that said, however, I have no intention of turning my back to Konoha. I have been preparing for an eventual showdown against them..." Naruto said as he explained his side of the story to the stunned former Gotei 13 Captain...
[Konoha Gates]
Two Weeks Later...
Naruto was currently standing alongside Kakashi, Sakura, Naruto's fracciones, as well as the younger members of Team Kurenai and Team Asuma (Team Guy was on a mission and was therefore unable to join the group) as they said their farewells to both Sasuke and Kazuko who had finished preparing for their three year journey. After Naruto had managed to convince Yoruichi of his true intentions, and cover-up any proof of his meeting with the former captain once she departed, he continued on with his duties as a Leaf chunin while preparing himself for this very moment.
After Sakura said her farewells, while making Sasuke promise her that he'll return, Naruto approached him.
"Well I guess this is goodbye for now, huh?" Naruto asked as he held up his fist which Sasuke responded to by bumping it with his own fist before responding.
"Hn... I guess it is, Naruto," Sasuke replied.
Naruto gave a light smirk at this.
"You better not get yourself killed, Sasuke," Naruto said smugly.
"After what you had me, Shikamaru, and Neji, go through back in the Land of Whirlpools I'm pretty sure I'll be fine," Sasuke retorted.
Before this conversation could continue Kazuko interrupted the two chunin.
"Sasuke-san... it's time to go," she said.
Sasuke sighed at this before turning back to his friends.
"It's time. Take care of yourselves until I return, alright?" Sasuke said.
After Naruto and the others nodded Sasuke and Kazuko finally set off on their journey. As soon as the two Uchihas vanished from sight everyone finally headed back into the village, with all of them vowing in their own hearts to become stronger as well...
[Namikaze Estate]
A Few Weeks Later...
Naruto was sitting at the entrance of his home, watching the sunrise as he always did while he reflected on everything that had happened in the past few weeks.
In the time since Sasuke and Kazuko's departure a few things had changed. One of them was Naruto's rank; a week before the current time he had managed to be promoted to jonin despite the objections of a few within the council (cough, Danzo, cough). In addition Sakura had begun an apprenticeship under Tsunade while Kakashi also stepped up her training with him. In addition, in spite of some objections from a few members of the council, Jango and Tiraran were made official "shinobi" of the Hidden Leaf at Naruto's suggestion and were both given the rank of special jonin; this was also the case with Haku, whose skills got her promoted pretty quickly.
Naruto got out of his train of thought of past events when he heard a surprisingly familiar female voice.
"And here I thought the shinobi world would be more primitive. I guess I was wrong," the voice said.
Naruto turned his attention towards the path that led from his home to Konoha where a figure stood before him.
It was a woman who had a somewhat youthful appearance. She had a slender figure, long, flowing, olive green hair, long eyelashes, lavender eyes, and three pink dot tattoo-like markings right below her right eye. She wore a long white dress with long sleeves, one of which was covering her mouth, which extended well past her hands, with a single slit in each one, two thin belts that crisscrossed around her waist, and a furry black necklace; she also had what appeared to be three hair clip-like extensions on the right side of her bangs.
"Sung-Sun-dono... what a surprise to see you here, especially without Mila Rose-dono and Apacci-dono nearby," Naruto said, greeting the now-named Sung-Sun.
"It's good to see you as well, Naruto-san. As for the two monkeys you mentioned were unable to come here because they were too busy arguing with each other... as usual," Sung-Sun explained with her sleeve covering her mouth the entire time.
At this point Tiraran and Jango, who had woken up, sensed their fellow Arrancar's presence and appeared at the entrance. After a brief greeting Jango finally got to asking the all-important question.
"Why did you come here, Sung-Sun? Does this mean that you found her?" he asked.
Sung-Sun nodded at this before opening a Garganta.
"It was by mere chance, and it wasn't easy, but Harribel-sama was able to locate her and get her to come without Nnoitra finding out," Sung-Sun explained just as a figure appeared before the group.
Tiraran and Jango were shocked to see who it was; that shock was quickly replaced by happiness, however, if Tiraran's tears of joy were an indication of anything.
"It's you... it's really you... Nel-onesan..."
Part 1 Ends. Part 2 To Begin Next Chapter.