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I apologize for the extreme lateness of this chapter. To be honest, it fought with me the entire way as I was writing it. However, these last three days I tried out a new method to attempt to cure my writer's block, and well...I wrote over half of this chapter in that time.
I have already started on Chapter 35, given that it was originally supposed to be part of this chapter before other sections got too larger and pushed it to chapter 35.
I have put up a poll on my bio page. I'm letting you guys vote on if you want the start of the events of the Naruto Movie "Bonds" to take place in HotE. Keep in mind though, even though they may start the same, Naruto is going to react quite differently than he did canon. So stop by the bio and let me know. The poll will run for two weeks, starting the day of posting this chapter.
And without any more delay, here's the next chapter. Chapter 34: Family
The gates of Konoha were impressive, Karin had to admit. Granted, she hadn't seen any other village's gates besides Kusagakure - given that Sound didn't even have gates, just underground impenetrable doors - but staring up at the wide arching gateways that invitingly beckoned, she couldn't help but feel that other village's gates would not equal Konoha's. Last time around when she had entered Konoha, she had been far too afraid of what might happen to sight-see.
But now...all she had to do was convince Konoha that she had information to sell and then convince the ninja leaders that she wasn't a Sound Ninja, given that the Leaf was all but at war with Sound. After that, she needed to convince the Uzumaki Clan Head, named Naruto Uzumaki, that she was a Uzumaki.
"No pressure." The redheaded girl huffed to herself, attempting to work up her courage. "Sasuke said that the Uzumaki Clan would accept me. And he doesn't seem to be the type to lie." Karin took a deep breath, attempting to instill courage into herself. "Come on. I was able to successfully avoid the Sound patrols that undoubtedly were sent after me. This nothing compared to what they would have done if they had caught me." Karin took a step forward, wanting to reach the gate before her new found courage failed her.
Quickly arriving at the Eastern Gate, she walked up to the guard post. As she was moving up to the guard post, Izumo, one of the two Chunin guards watching the gate, spotted her. Instantly straightening up from his semi-relaxed posture, he scanned the approaching teenager while simultaneously elbowing his partner, Kotetsu.
The approaching redhead looked to be thirteen or fourteen years old and while she wasn't wearing a headband, she had too high of reserves to be a civilian, not to mention the sealing scrolls she had on her person in addition to the the ones in her backpack. Judging by the lack of whiter skin on her forehead, the teenager hadn't worn a shinobi headband in quite some time. However, the general paleness of her skin meant that she had spent a lot of time recently without being in direct sunlight. Given that she lacked the twitchiness of someone who spent their lives in above ground bases, all preliminary evidence pointed to the fact that the young woman had spent a lot of time underground. And there was only one shinobi village who had all of their bases underground…
"Hello." Izumo's greeting was automatic as he reached for the panic seal under the desk, "Welcome to Konoha. May I have your name and reason for entering Konoha?" Feeling the slight click of the panic button as he eased his thumb onto it, the Chunin guard slid his index finger on the seal in a counterclockwise direction - indicating possible hostile - before angling his finger upwards - it looked like a single person - and finished with drawing a small 'V' - they looked to be from Sound -.
"U-um," Karin was taken aback by the friendly greeting. "I am here to see if I can meet with the Uzumaki Clan Head."
"Ok." Kotetsu took over for Izumo as he pulled out the 'Clan' folder, "What is the nature of your business with the Uzumaki Clan Head?" The answer was important, not only for the security of Konoha, but to the Uzumaki Faction that he was a member of.
"This is it." Karin took another fortifying deep breath, barely restraining herself from sending out a chakra sensor ping to read the chakra flow and emotions of the guard. She didn't want to make any action they could construe as hostile. "You can do this."
"My name is Karin Uzumaki." Just speaking the words aloud gave her a slight burst of courage. "And I am trying to see if I can join the Uzumaki Clan."
Kotetsu quickly jotted down Karin's words into the form he had pulled out. "Please read this over for me and make sure there is no mistakes." He flipped to the second page. "If there is no mistakes, please sign and date here," The Chunin made a small 'x' near the signature line, "And here." He made another small mark on the last page of the form.
When Karin's head dipped down to read the document, Kotetsu risked a glance at his partner. "Holy shit." He mouthed, "An Uzumaki?"
"I'll talk to the ANBU team when they arrive." Izumo mouthed back, reassuring his partner as he leveled his gaze just over Karin's shoulder, looking into the alleyway the ANBU team would stop at.
"Done." Karin passed the form back to Kotetsu. "How soon can I meet with the Clan Head?"
"That depends on a few things." Kotetsu knew better than to promise anything, having had been reprimanded before for doing just that to other visitors in the past. "But hopefully that will get cleared up in a few minutes." A pause. "While you are waiting, could I interest you in one of the pamphlets on Konoha's main attractions?" He handed the slightly confused redhead the brightly designed booklet, complete with high-quality pictures.
In spite of herself, Karin looked down at the colorful advertisement. "Oh. Look at the shopping markets." She had always wanted to visit a true market ever since she had read about them. "And are those...naturally segregated hot springs?" Only a few bases in Sound had hotsprings, and they were mixed gender. While Karin, in theory, didn't mind mixed baths, many Sound ninja thought like Yasuo. Granted, not many of them reached Yasuo's level of depravity, but she wasn't about to undress within the same room as them, let along take a bath with them. "And look at those restaurants…"
"Izumo-San." Tiger, one of the ANBU members that had answered panic button along with his partner Dove, as well as the lone ANBU operative Wolf, greeted Izumo. "Report on the situation."
Izumo straightened to attention as he began his report. "The girl in question has declared her name as Karin Uzumaki. She stated that she came to Konoha to speak to the Uzumaki Clan Head. However, evidence suggests that she is from one of Sound's underground bases. She has made no hostile actions. And off the record, it doesn't look like she got any shinobi training."
"Understood." Tiger moved forward and out of the alley way. Within a few moments, the ANBU team stood behind Karin. "Karin Uzumaki, please come with us."
Karin barely managed to avoid flinching when the deep voice spoke from behind her. "A-Alright." She took a deep breath, preparing herself for the shunshin the ANBU would be using on her. "You can do this! I already figured out exactly what to say." She hoped that they would listen, not just start torturing her right away like Orochimaru did to prisoners. A moment later Tiger placed his hand on her shoulder and Karin felt the rapid movement technique take hold.
Watching ANBU team vanish from the area, Izumo's water replacement clone dissipated as the real Izumo made his way back his partner. "Did she take the brochure?" Kotetsu nodded. "Good. Hopefully she is not lying about being an Uzumaki," Their faction could always use more members, not to mention Naruto could use more family. "Plus if she uses any of the coupons from the brochure, that will put us ahead of the other gate guard teams for this month, and the month is only half over."
Kotetsu nodded as he leaned back in his chair, beginning to relax yet again. "The end month bonus will be ours." He was looking forward to a few days off.
"Karin Uzumaki." The voice of Karin's interrogator sounded gruff and intimidating, "Why have you come to Konoha?"
"Well," Karin did her best to gather her confidence, waiting for the moment to present her bribe, "Like I told the gate guards, I am here because I was recently made aware that the Uzumaki Clan still lives."
"Someone told you in Sound?" The interrogator asked rapidly, hoping to shock the teenager.
"Yes." Karin adjusted her glasses, "I heard it in Sound." She felt confidence return, now that she held some measure of power. "And I am fully prepared to...offer information on Sound and Sound's...activities in exchange for safe haven in Konoha as well as arranging a meeting with the Uzumaki Clan Head."
"Really?" The interrogator seemed interested, "What sort of information do you have to offer?"
"In depth information several Sound bases and their blueprints, and notes on several experiments Orochimaru-Sa...Orochimaru is currently working on." A pause. "I would be willing to explain it after I have eaten something."
"I will see what I can arrange." The masked interrogator seemed amused. "I'll also get someone to take a blood sample to see if you are an Uzumaki."
"So she claims that she is an Uzumaki?" Tsunade summarized the report that she had just read, "And she also claims that she has inside information on Sound's operations?"
"Yes." Ibiki nodded, his scarred face serious, "Given that we are waiting on the results of her status as an Uzumaki, I am unsure of what methods we should employ to verify her information is true."
"Document all of the information she has." The Fifth Hokage ordered, "Given that Tayuya Uzumaki also gave us information on Sound, cross reference Karin's information using that information to determine validity." She leveled a finger at the Loyalist. "I am directly ordering that Karin not be mentally or physically interrogated by anyone until we know if her claim of being an Uzumaki is true or not."
She paused for a moment, considering. "Depending on timing, Naruto may not be back from his latest mission abroad by the time the blood test results come back. Keep me updated when you know something or have completed the report on all she knows."
"It will be done, Hokage-Sama."
Asuma had been in plenty of harrowing situations in his shinobi career, both when he was a Konoha ninja and when he was serving as a one of the Twelve Guardian Ninja. Even the large amounts of responsibilities placed on him as the Sarutobi Clan Head wasn't anywhere even remotely close to this. He was standing in front of Shinku Yuhi's home with only a thin - or at least it seemed thin to Asuma - door standing between Asuma and Kurenai's father. Granted, he hadn't knocked yet, but it felt like Shinku was standing just on the other side of the door.
Azuma had arrived early in the morning for a reason. Kurenai had recently expressed interest in moving in with him - the Sarutobi Clan Head suspected it was due to the interest that several unmarried kunoichi had shown him, despite the fact that he had wanted nothing to do with them - and, being very much aware of the rumors of that would appear when an unmarried woman moved in with a Clan Head, Asuma wasn't about to let such poisonous words hurt his girlfriend's reputation.
And as such, Asuma was hoping to talk to Kurenai's father before she wanted an answer from him. Asuma swore that Anko's devil-may-care attitude was rubbing off on his girlfriend, hopefully only slightly. Gathering his courage Asuma knocked on the door. It instantly opened.
"Hello Asuma." Shinku's voice was pleasant, but his red eyes bored into Asuma with the subtlety of an explosive note, "Do come in."
A feeling of cold, terrible killing intent cloaked Asuma as he entered the house and he wished for the briefest of seconds that he could sprint wildly out the still open door. But...Kurenai was worth it, and Asuma let the door close behind him. It slammed shut with a confidence-shattering bang.
"Sit down." Shinku didn't exactly order Asuma, but it clearly wasn't a suggestion. "I'll make us some tea. We'll sit down and chat. It will be a wonderful time."
The tea had a rather peculiar aftertaste to it, and Asuma fleetingly wondered if the elder Yuhi had poisoned him. No, he decided a moment later, Shinku wouldn't do anything crazy like that. After all, he had raised Kurenai alone after her mother died in childbirth. And his wonderful girlfriend was normal, ergo Shinku should also be normal.
"So then." Shinku tapped his hand on the arms of the chair, "What does the boy my Kurenai is seeing want from me?"
"I want to marry your daughter." Asuma blinked in shock at his own words. While that was the purpose he had come to Shinku's house today, he hadn't planned on just blurting it out.
"Ah." Shinku's tone and face were unreadable. "And how do you feel about my daughter?"
"I love her with everything I have." Asuma replied honestly, but still shocked about how the words just seemed to spill from his lips. "Was there something in the tea?" The Sarutobi cursed his inability keep anything from popping out of his mouth.
"Yes." Shinku's expression didn't waver in the slightest. "I laced your tea with a truth serum."
"Oh." Asuma mentally revised his assessment of Shinku. Shinku didn't appear intimidating, he was intimidating.
"Now I know quite a bit about you, Asuma Sarutobi," Shinku's face could have been carved from stone, "And thus before you tell me all about yourself, direct your attention to the blade on the mantle."
Asuma had spotted the blade when he first entered the room, but now he was putting his full attention to it. It was a sword with a straight blade, and it looked battle worn, despite the obvious care put into it.
"See that chip in the blade about halfway down?" Shinku asked the man who wanted to marry Kurenai, "I got that when I tangled with a rock ninja. He covered himself in armor made of solid rock, and I chipped the blade on his skull on my first strike. The second strike split his head open."
"Now then, tell me about yourself Asuma." It wasn't a request.
Asuma willingly began his life story. "I was born to Hiruzen Sarutobi and his wife Biwako…"
Explaining your life story while being unable to stop yourself from answering any questions was an interesting experience, Asuma wrily reflected. Still, Shinku had relaxed against the chair at some point during the story, and wasn't putting out passive killing intent anymore.
"Well," Shinku rose out of his chair, "While I personally think that no man is good enough for Kurenai, she could do worse than you." He paused, considering something. "And you have done decently well for yourself," He admitted grudgingly. Kurenai's father sighed. "You have my permission to marry my daughter." A pause as the killing intent from the retired ninja rose once again. "But if you even think of hurting her…"
Asuma nodded seriously. "If I ever hurt her, I'll present my own neck for your sword."
"Good." Shinku ordered gruffly, "Now get out of here and make my daughter happy."
It was only after Asuma left Shinku's house that the Sarutobi realized that he honestly had no idea of how to ask Kurenai how to marry him. Given that most of his friends consisted of either bachelors, people in the same situation as him, or having some strange sort of relationship dance, Asuma could only turn to the remaining source for guidance: His father's journals. He had avoided them for quite some time now, given that he didn't want to read about his father's disappointment in him, but Kurenai deserved to be asked correctly.
"You can do it Naruto." Jiraiya encouraged his godson, "Just keep it going!" They were currently standing on the edge of a cliff that overlooked a large swath of uninhabited grassland.
Naruto grunted as he kept the Demon Fox Cloak active. Ever since Kyubi had saved him, tying it's life to his, the Third Tail of the Demon Fox Cloak had come easily to the Uzumaki. He had been working on learning to control the increase in power that the Third Tail brought. While Naruto didn't understand why Jiraiya had been impressed that he had mastered the Three Tailed Chakra Cloak's increase in power after only a week and a half, not realizing that adapting to such an increase in power in such a short time was practically unheard of.
Given that they still had two days left before they had to start heading back, Naruto was now attempting manifest and stabilize a Four Tailed Cloak. However, it was going rather poorly. Not only was his Chakra coils still sore from adapting to the sheer chakra influx that came with the Third Tail State, but the seal holding the Kyubi's chakra was resisting Naruto's efforts to pull even more chakra through it. And being directly exposed to the anger and hate within the Kyubi made the task even harder.
"Rharrr" Naruto fought to hold back the rage brought on by the Fourth Tail. The power offered was intoxicating, how easy it would be to give in; to let all of that bottled up anger loose; to become the monster they said he was. "N-No!" Naruto shoved the feeling aside, he would not give in. He would defy the anger, just like he had when he had tasted the emotions of the Third Tailed Cloak for the first time when he had faced Gaara during the invasion.
With a mental effort that bordered on a physical one, the Uzumaki threw off the chakra cloak, and blasted all of the pent up chakra in a blast wave in front of him. The resounding BOOOOM from the chakra slamming into the ground beyond the cliff nearly deafened him.
Jiraiya whistled in amazement. "Damn." He surveyed the massive swath of land that was now a smoking crater. It easily surpassed anything Jiraiya had in his jutsu arsenal by sheer power, if not utility. "Soon Naruto will be strong enough to defend himself against anything." Out loud, Jiraiya spoke as he offered a helping hand to Naruto. "You'll master the Fourth Tail soon enough." A pause as he turned to directly look at his godson, sincerity shining through the godfather's eyes. "I believe in you."
"Thanks...Jiraiya." Naruto's thanks, devoid of any anger or resentment, made Jiraiya's week.
It had been just over two weeks, and Karin had passed 'restless' several days ago. She wasn't exactly sure what she had been expecting, but being kept in a cell - it was a very comfortable cell, but a cell none the less - after giving all of the information on Sound and Orochimaru's experiments, she had at least expected to have the Head of the Uzumaki Clan visit her if nothing else.
Hearing the door to her cell block opening, Karin quickly pushed off of the bed and hurried to the cell door, wanting to see who was coming. If Karin had shinobi training she would have known that such behavior was considered risky, but she had no such knowledge. Pressing her face close to the bars, she craned her head to peer towards the door. Grunting quietly in annoyance as her glasses pressed into her face, she waited for someone to appear in her field of view.
Sakura and Hinata quickly moved towards the cell housing Karin Uzumaki. The blood test had come back, confirming that Karin was an Uzumaki. However, Naruto was still out on his private mission to train some higher damaging jutsu and sealing techniques with Jiraiya and wasn't due back for another week. Given that this news could wait until he finished his training and started heading back, the two girlfriends of the Uzumaki Clan Head took it upon themselves to see Karin, both to unofficially welcome her to the Uzumaki Clan and to have her answer a few questions...
"Karin Uzumaki?" Sakura attempted to hide the amused grin as Karin hurried back to her bed, the redhead attempting to appear that she hadn't been pressing her face against the bars a moment prior.
"Yes?" Karin wasn't sure who the kunoichi was, but she carried herself with the confident ease of an experienced shinobi. "That's me."
"I am Sakura Haruno," The pink haired kunoichi introduced herself before indicating the blue haired Hyuga next to her, "And this is Hinata Hyuga." Sakura couldn't help the pride and hints of memories of Naruto as she continued, "We are both girlfriends of Naruto Uzumaki, the Uzumaki Clan Head."
"Oh." Karin was suddenly aware of how underdressed she was and that her clothes looked like they had been slept in, not to mention the fact that her hair was a bit on the messy side. Quickly, but as surreptitiously as she could, the redhead quickly ran a hand over her hair in an effort to fix the biggest messes, while her other hand straightened her clothes the best she could. Pushing her black-framed glasses up to their normal position, Karin did her best to project a confident aura. She knew that she couldn't afford to mess this up.
"Nice to meet you, Sakura-San, Hinata-San." She inclined her head to show respect. "How can I help you?"
"The blood test came in and you tested positive for the Uzumaki Blood Markers." Sakura stepped closer to the cell, blocking Karin's view of Hinata. As soon as the newest Uzumaki couldn't see her, Hinata activated her Byakugan. Having trained her mind and body, she only needed two or three seconds of concentration in order to activate her bloodline. Quickly focusing on Karin's chakra, Hinata noted that no active genjutsu was present in her chakra nor was there any seals - save for the standard chakra blocking seal - on her body. In addition, her muscles and bones lacked the subtle signs that came with heavy training.
"So why exactly did you want to speak to Naruto-Kun?" Sakura wasn't one to mince words when it came to those she cared about.
Karin took a deep breath. "This is the moment that my world changes." "I was told for years that the Uzumaki Clan had died out. But after a series of events, I was informed that the clan still lives. I, with help, left Sound in order to find and hopefully join the Uzumaki Clan."
"I see." Sakura smiled at the young woman, not sensing any deceit from her. "Last question before I explain about the Uzumaki Clan: What sort of training have you received?"
"Well," Karin coughed slightly in embarrassment, "I received basic close combat training, but almost all of my training was either in my sensing ability or analysis of data for Orochimaru."
"I see." Sakura was slightly disappointed by Karin's lack of combat prowess, given that all of the Uzumakis that she knew were at least more than decent at combat, but no matter. Karin could be trained. Her sensing abilities on the other hand, they would be very useful if they could be taught to others. And it fit one Naruto's core methods of belief: Freely share information and techniques between friends and family so everyone could better protect themselves and those they cared about.
Hinata deactivated her Byakugan and stepped forward, taking the lead. "Karin-San, let me tell you about Naruto-Kun's journey and how it has shaped the Uzumaki Clan…"
The next few days were nothing but a blur to Karin, as she signed more paperwork than she was aware existed in addition to scrounging up every scrap of memory she could think of during her time with Sound. But eventually, the day arrived when Naruto returned, having arrived early due to the news of the new Uzumaki.
"Hello Karin." Whatever mental image Karin had built up of Naruto was shattered when a blond teenager her age moved quickly up to her cell with a wide, honest smile. "How are you doing?" Even more baffling, he seemed to be legitimately want to know how she was feeling.
"This was the powerful Uzumaki Clan Head?" Having had her chakra blocking seal removed the day prior as part of the process to changing loyalties to the Uzumaki Clan and to Konoha, Karin risked a tiny chakra sensory pulse, making it just large enough to encompass herself and Naruto. What she sensed took her breath away.
Chakra. So much chakra. It seemed almost endless, and was easily the largest chakra reserves she had ever felt, even more than Orochimaru's. Every ounce of his chakra was dense and powerful. But yet, despite the absurd amount of chakra, it flowed easily through Naruto's chakra coils, like it was pure, untainted water.
But what was truly amazing was the 'feel' of Naruto's chakra. It was warm and bright, bringing the image of the sun to her mind. But it wasn't a naive sort of chakra, it was aged; forged in a fire of past agonies that she couldn't hope to understand. Rather than be broken by such a terrible past, the chakra spoke of how it made him stronger; more determined; more defiant. In wonder, Karin peered deeper into Naruto's chakra, past the sun and protectiveness. And what she found scared her.
Deep beneath the warmth and sunlight lurked wrath, dark and terrible, a simmering fire hot enough to burn the world. It was chained, contentedly sleeping. And beneath it farther still was something else. It was chakra filled with deep, almost infinite levels of malice, rage, and yet...there was something else buried beneath the hate.
Surfacing from the dark chakra with a gasp, Karin was all too willing to let the warmth embrace her. "Wait." She blinked, coming back to herself. "Warmth?" Returning her attention to the outside world, she rapidly become aware of several things. First, there was wet tears on her cheeks. Secondly, someone was holding her in a comforting hug. Belatedly she realized two additional things: Naruto was the one hugging her and he had somehow gotten inside the cell without opening the door.
"It's alright." Naruto did his best to sooth his clearly distraught clan member. One moment he had greeted her, the next moment had her flashing through a dozen different emotions so quickly that he couldn't make out one emotion from the next. Then she had paled, and fear flashed across her face. Recognizing the look, Naruto didn't hesitate. A flicker of his chakra prepared a substitution jutsu and a flick of his wrist dropped a kunai through the bars. Instantly switching places, he had pulled Karin into a hug, doing his best to comfort her like he had seen other parents comfort their children all those years ago when he was a child.
Rubbing his hand on her back comfortingly, Naruto mentally checked that his embrace was warm but not restricting. Feeling Karin come back from where ever she mentally had gone, Naruto waited until she was fully aware before he switched back with the Kunai, snapping his hand out to retrieve the airborne weapon.
Abruptly aware that she had more or less started to cry in front of the Uzumaki Clan Head the first time she met him, Karin felt her fair complexion slowly turning red from embarrassment. "S-Sorry." Karin hoped that she hadn't damaged Naruto's view of her. After what she had told Konoha about Sound, Sound would be hunting her. And if she was very, very lucky, they would simply kill her on sight.
"It's all right." Naruto smiled reassuringly, "Everyone has a breaking point."
"No." Karin shook her head, vowing to not lie to her new clan,. "It wasn't a release of emotions. I scanned you with my specialized chakra sensing technique. It's called the Mind's Eye of Kagura. I can sense the chakra within a person and read the emotions that their chakra carries. Sometime I can even pick up memories or traces of memories from very powerful chakra." She waited to be scolded; to be reprimanded for reading his chakra without his permission. "I'm sorry for not asking permission."
"You can sometimes see memories, huh?" Naruto mused, shaking his head in amazement. He had thought his chakra sensing abilities were interesting, in compared to Karin's, it was nothing in comparison. Still, he needed to make sure Karin wouldn't see anything she couldn't handle. "I'm not mad. But please don't do that again." He tried his best to reassure her the best he could. "I don't mind you sensing my chakra, but you don't want to see my memories. They aren't very nice."
Seeking to distract her from questioning exactly what was 'not nice' about his memories, Naruto pulled the cell door key from his pocket and opened the door. "Karin, would you like to come to the Uzumaki compound?"
"So what the fu-...freaking hel-...heck can you do?" Tayuya wasn't impressed by Karin. She was soft, and not the same kind of soft the Naruto was. Naruto was soft when he wanted to be, but he could be the - in Tayuya's professional opinion - scariest motherfucker in the room if he wanted to be. By contrast, Karin was soft and untrained through and through.
Karin had heard of Tayuya and the Sound Four. While she was still young, there was quite a few rumors that Tayuya was one of the best sound based genjutsu shinobi in Sound, kunoichi or otherwise. However, judging by how she was at ease in the Uzumaki compound, Karin quickly deduced that the fiery redhead was an Uzumaki, much like herself.
Indignation crawled up Karin's spine. She had just as much right to be here as Tayuya! So what if she couldn't fight anything stronger than a single Genin? She was useful. She had her sensing technique and wasn't a slouch when it came to intelligence.
Tayuya fought to hide her grin as she watched the emotions flashing across Karin's face. "There it is. The Uzumaki fierceness." If Karin had just caved in and not grown a spine when pressed, Tayuya was fully prepared to attempt to convince Naruto to kick her out. With the civil war on the horizon, Naruto and those he cared about couldn't afford dead weight. And if she was being honest with herself, Tayuya was starting to care about them as well. She hadn't felt accepted in so very long, and she would fight to protect it.
"In that case, Little Miss Glasses," Tayuya leaned closer to the openly glaring Karin, "What do you plan on doing to help the clan out?"
"I'll do whatever it takes." Karin decided, partly out of heat, and partly because she wanted to belong. She had seen the easy interactions Naruto had with Sakura, Hinata, Haku, and others. She wanted that too. That feeling of family; of being accepted for who you were, rather then what you could do.
"Good." Tayuya abruptly stepped back, not hiding her smirk anymore. "You'll join us for training first thing tomorrow morning at sunrise." "Let's see if there is some steel in your spine...Miss Glasses…"
"This is unacceptable!"
"Now now now…" Ikki Tekken attempted to moderate his fellow Humanitarians, "Let's be calm about this…"
"No!" Sachihiro Hakiruo snapped back, "I will not be calm about this. The Uzumaki Clan has gained yet another member and who knows what kind of power this 'Karin Uzumaki' has?"
"I am aware of that. But reacting without thinking will not end well for us." Ikki's reasonable tone eventually took the wind out of Sachihiro's sails.
"Fine then." The leader of the vocal portion of the Humanitarians forcefully sat back down and crossed his arms. "What are we going to do about it then?"
"We call to order the twenty-seventh meeting of the Loyalists." Hyousuke Izumi presided, "Before we begin the discussion for today, is there any new developments from the Humanitarian front?" He looked towards the only masked figure sitting at the table. Known only as 'Leaf-San', the masked ninja was supposedly part of the Humanitarians, but was secretly a Loyalist. He provided intelligence and insight on the Humanitarian faction, while subtling working to root out the more unlawful elements within the Humanitarians.
"The Humanitarians are currently in a meeting to discuss the inclusion of Karin Uzumaki into the Uzumaki Clan." Leaf's voice was flat, giving no hints to his identity besides his gender. "In addition, it appears that Karin's involvement has pushed the more radical members of the Humanitarians to consider more forceful methods to promote their views."
"Are you saying that some of them may be considering terrorism, Leaf-San?"
"We must be cautious." Sekki, one of the more moderate Humanitarians cautioned the Humanitarian council. He had fought in the Third Shinobi World War, and he had seen what happened to overconfident ninja. "The Uzumaki Faction should not be taken lightly." He shook his head, regret shadowing his features. "It is unfortunate, but I do not see how we can take down the Uzumaki faction without excessive bloodshed on our part. And that's only if we somehow catch them completely off guard, which I highly doubt will happen."
"Perhaps then we need to distract the more powerful members of the Uzumaki Clan then…" Sachihiro's voice was hard and complentative. "Perhaps we should show the fence-sitters why it is a bad idea to be friendly with the Uzumaki Faction…"
"I wouldn't rule it out." Leaf's voice delivered the news without any real emotion. "However, I would guess that they don't have enough support yet, nor does the radical portion of the Humanitarians have enough confidence to break away just yet." A pause. "That is all that has changed since last week's report."
"Thank-you Leaf-San." Hyousuke tilted his head in thanks towards the double agent before he turned to address the council. "Next order of business: Konoha, despite the faction issues we are having, is recovering twenty-three percent faster than originally estimated. To be precise, our total profit margins have increased by point zero three percent since last week." He indicated the packet of papers in front of each member of the Loyalist council. "The packet in front of you is broken up into two parts."
"The first section is how we can increase the profit margin for Konoha even more. Please flip to page two." Papers rustled as they turned the page. "For Leaf's Cuisine, our biggest competition is…"
"The Humanitarians do not condone violence." Ikki stated firmly. "Given that many of the younger members of Konoha are starting to question why Naruto Uzumaki must be stopped, we cannot afford to alienate or frighten them during this time." He turned to address the council at large. "Make sure each of you impress on your children, if you have them, why the Kyubi must be not allowed to poison the village."
He shook his head, thinking about the argument he had with his own son the night before. It saddened him to think that his own son would refuse to join the Humanitarians, but he couldn't; wouldn't force his son into anything. It was one of those painful lessons his son would have to learn on his own, no matter how much Ikki wanted to protect him.
"Make sure that they don't talk to Naruto. He has some sort of hypnotic charisma that will cloud the minds of those he speaks with." Murmurs of agreement echoed in the room. The council members promised to do all they could to avoid letting the Uzumaki Faction tear their family apart.
"Moving on, how goes our talks with the mercenary groups?"
"Well enough." One of the other members of the council answered, "My cover as a traveling salesman has let me get in contact with several missing nin groups. They will provide support if the Uzumaki faction tries to attack us."
"Even inside the village?" Sachihiro questioned, an unreadable expression on his face. Internally, however, the ninja was furiously considering a completely outlandish idea. When it had been brought up by Human-San, Sachihiro had dismissed the plan as foolish. But now...
"Yes." The salesman nodded. "We are paying them enough for them to agree."
"You know…" Sachihiro began slowly, "...that assumes that we would survive long enough for them to come to our aid." He met the eyes of his fellow council members, determination and zeal burning bright in his eyes. "We need to get weapons, armor, and equipment for ourselves without the rest of the village figuring it out."
Heads nodded in agreement to Sachihiro's plan. They were just getting the necessary things to protect themselves; it wasn't a bad thing right?"
"..." Ikki sighed, knowing that he would have to agree to this concession, least he risk losing control the Humanitarians altogether. And if that happened, there was a chance that they would go after Naruto Uzumaki's family, which would anger the Kyubi. And the last time the Demon Fox raged, their entire world burned.
"Do it." Ikki ordered the salesman. "I pray I haven't damned us all."
"And that report concludes the twenty-seventh meeting of the Loyalists." Hyousuke stood, prompting the rest of the council to stand as well. "We are the Loyal sons and daughters of the Leaf." Hyousuke led the Loyalist council in their vow, "We are sheltered under it's branches, and we will stop all of those who seek to harm our great village." His voice grew passionate. "We will sacrifice our lives, our families, and our friends for the mission. We will die content, knowing that through our actions, the Will of Fire lives on." He bowed his head and placed a clenched fist over his heat. "Long live Konoha!"
"Long live Konoha!"
Leaf-San headed out of the council room, seemingly heading towards the market district. Beneath his mask, he let a cruel smirk slither onto his face. "It's almost sad at how easy it is to manipulate them." Atsushi stifled the dark chuckle. "Soon Konoha will tear itself apart. The Loyalists, fearing that the Humanitarians will resort to violence, will mentally prepare themselves. The Humanitarians, frustrated with the lack of action, will want to strike out." While the Leaf would eventually fall into chaos without his interference, he and his master weren't willing to wait that long.
Atsushi moved into an abandoned alleyway, swapping his mask for another one, this one a white mask save for a symbol for 'Human'. "I'm guessing that my careful, but casual comments to Sachihiro and his friends have already born fruit. They should be now working towards the next stage." Atsushi headed out the alley, moving towards Ikki Tekken's home. "Everything is proceeding...just as planned."
After all, the spy known as 'Human-San' was supposedly a Loyalist, while in reality he was Humanitarian...
Three months past swiftly. Team Eight continued to grow in fame and skill, quickly completing a mission that involved the Gelel stone. After they quickly dealt with the leader of the rogue cultists, Team Eight secured an alliance with the village affected by the cultists sick goals.
When they were not on a mission, Naruto had split his training time between training himself even harder and working with each member of his clan to help them go strong enough to defend themselves and others. Sakura had been taken under Tsunade's wing, and was now learning the complex techniques and knowledge of a medical nin. Hinata had completed her training under her father and was creating new techniques in addition to refining her elemental control. Haku had mastered every technique she knew and was now seeking to push the boundaries of her bloodline, to see what it was fully capable of. Tayuya was rapidly flourishing under Kurani's guidance, and Karin was progressing well in her close-combat studies.
The tension in the village had grown. Now signs were displayed openly in stores and other businesses, warning different factions that talk of their faction would not be tolerated in the location. The Humanitarians were fracturing underneath the surface, the cautious members at odds with those who wanted to fight against the other factions. The Loyalists grew ever more watchful, seeking to stop any aggression towards their beloved village, from without or within.
The Uzumaki Faction grew larger with every passing week. Many of those who had reluctantly accepted the status quo now grew bold and joined with someone they felt would make a difference.
"So excited to see a new ninja village?" Jiraiya grinned at Naruto's obvious excitement, "From what I hear, Taki has the best hot springs around. The Super Pervert allowed himself a giggle before shifting back to his Sannin mindset. "While it would be nice to spy on all of the women there, I don't think we will get the chance." He glanced at Naruto, even as they blurred towards their destination. "Do you remember the plan?"
"Yep." Naruto nodded, "You will talk to the Village leader, Shibuki about the threat of the Akatsuki while I find Fu, the Jinchuriki of the Seven Tails, to see if she wants to do."
"That's my go-...my apprentice." Jiraiya grinned proudly, while internally wincing at his near slip-up. "I really need to stop referring to Naruto as my godson whenever I'm not around him." The Sannin shot a challenging grin at Naruto. "Ready to see how fast we can go?"
Naruto responded by blurring forward in a burst of chakra. Openly laughing, Jiraiya surged chakra through his body, racing to match his godson's speed.
The night had fallen and the crackling of the campfire filled the small clearing that Jiraiya and Naruto were staying in that evening. They had made good time today, and had perhaps shaved a half-day's travel off. Naruto bent over the fire as he carefully stirred the ramen and chicken he had brought along for the trip.
"Naruto?" Jiraiya spoke up, not wanting to tell his godson, but knowing that it was information Naruto needed, "Do you have a minute to talk?"
"Hmmm…" Naruto assessed the ramen and chicken, "I think..." He attempted to remember the lessons Haku had given him, "...that it should be good for a few minutes." Giving the frying pan one last glance, the Uzumaki hopped on the log next to Jiraiya. "What's up?"
"Well," Jiraiya took a deep breath, steeling himself, "Remember how I knew quite a bit about the Akatsuki's activities before they were nearly wiped out all those years ago?" Naruto nodded, still not understanding why the white haired spy master was so serious. "Well," Jiraiya took another deep breath, "Konan, Nagato, and Yahiko were once my students for a time."
Naruto blinked. "Okay?" He didn't understand why Jiraiya was apprehensive about this.
The white haired ninja shook his head. "You don't understand. I trained them in ninjutsu for three years." Jiraiya leaned back as he immersed himself in the past. "Yahiko was the glue that held them together. His dream was to bring peace throughout the world; to stop people from getting hurt and killed in pointless wars. He was orphaned early in the Third Shinobi World War and wondered for a short time before encountering Konan."
"Konan was pretty girl, who had one of the most remarkable bloodlines I've ever seen, then or now." Naruto raised his eyebrow curiously as he made the final preparations with the food and ramen. "She had an extraordinary affinity for origami and paper. She was able to create fighting style using paper as a medium. She takes full advantage of beneficial qualities of paper, while almost completely negating the negatives of it." Jiraiya smiled in spite of himself as he remembered the bright young girl that he had met all those years ago. "She was smart and kind, a rare quality in those days, doubly so for someone who had been orphaned by the war."
"Lastly there is Nagato. Found in a starving and nearly dead in a ditch by Yahiko and Konan, he quickly embraced Yahiko's dream of peace. He was a honest person, always looking out for Konan and Yahiko." Jiraiya glanced forward, looking into the past. "Nagato was an oddity, that much is certain. I suspected he was an Uzumaki, but he developed the Rinnegan, something that should be impossible with a Uzumaki."
"Why would it be impossible for an Uzumaki to develop the Rinnegan?" Naruto questioned. He knew a bit about the Rinnegan due to his studies into the more dangerous things he may encounter when protecting those he cared about. The Rinnegan was the most powerful and legendary of the ocular bloodlines. It had been rumored - rumored, given that it hadn't been seen in several hundred years - that the Rinnegan could see chakra, absorb chakra, and almost quickly learn any jutsu or technique.
"The Uzumaki bloodline, while not possessing any sort of outward ability, like the Byakugan or Haku's elemental affinity, has an extreme amount of life force that can drown out any other bloodline within only a few generations." Jiraiya explained his reasoning the best he could. While Naruto wasn't stupid by any means, he wasn't perhaps the most intelligent either. "Given that the Rinnegan surfaced in Nagato after so long, his Uzumaki bloodline should have long since negated any other bloodline."
"Hmmm…" Naruto pondered the issue, "Perhaps we should ask Sakura-Chan and Tsunade?" He finally suggested, knowing that his medical knowledge was rather limited.
"Sounds like a plan." Jiraiya nodded, before his eyes widened. "The food!"
"Oh no…" Naruto rushed towards the chicken, quickly snagging the nearly burned food out of the pan, and then assessing the meat, "It's...mostly not burned." Having eaten worse, both Jiraiya and Naruto quickly consumed the ramen and chicken. Conversation flowed easily between the pair as the night wore on.
Arriving at the outskirts of Taki's territory three weeks later, Naruto couldn't help but be impressed. A massive tree stretched out against the horizon, seeming to be almost tall enough to embrace the heavens. The tree itself sat in the center of a large, a crystal clear bottomless pool of water that sparkled in the sunlight. Mist hovered lightly over the ground beyond the water's edge, lending the entire area a mysterious and awe inspiring view.
After giving his wide-eyed godson a few minutes to gaze about in wonder, Jiraiya loosened the straps on his sealing scroll for easier access if, but hopefully not, the initial negotiations went poorly. "Ready Naruto?" Inwardly Jiraiya felt a spark of pride as Naruto instantly switched gears, the amazed child disappearing and was replaced by the political mask of the Uzumaki Clan Head. And below that mask, unseen, Naruto readied himself.
"Ok." Jiraiya took a few steps forward, breaking the mist barrier. "Be ready in case this goes poorly." Naruto followed. The pair traveled for merely ten minutes when a harsh voice snapped at them.
"Konoha Ninja. Jiraiya of the Sannin. State your business." The suddenly dense mist made it impossible to trace the voice back to it's origin.
"Oh…" Jiraiya picked a random direction and smiled winningly, "We just got lost on the road to life." The oppressive silence that followed indicated that the guards were not amused. "Alright. Ruin my fun why don't you." The white haired ninja grumbled to himself before straightening and, with almost casual ease, flexed his chakra. Despite themselves, the unseen guards took a slight step back as they watched the Toad Sannin straighten. The white haired Sannin had lulled them into a false sense of security and now they were scrambling to reconcile the Super Pervert from just a few moments ago to the Sannin that was now standing before them.
"I am here to speak to your leader about a threat to your village. It involves several S-Rank missing ninja."
A moment later the guard spoke again, now feeling far outside of his depth. "Stay here. I will go ask Shibuki-Sama if he wishes to speak with you." The mist swirled before settling once more.
"Thank-you for meeting with me." Jiraiya inclined his head, "I'm glad you could take the time to meet with me."
"The pleasure is all mine.." Shibuki nodded, taking confidence in the Jonin guards standing near him. While he was very much aware that they couldn't really do much to stop the Toad Sannin, it was still a comfort. Shibuki, while not the strongest ninja by any means, was gifted in the art of economics. He had managed to keep his village prospering despite having the lowest missions per Jonin ratio out of all of the ninja villages. One of the first things Shibuki accomplished as Village Head was reducing and eventually eliminating homelessness and poverty in Taki. While none of the villagers, including himself, were fabulously rich, they could all support themselves and never worried about their next meal. Considered a hero by his people, he was universally loved by village.
"What I am about to tell you isn't the most pleasant of news." Jiraiya began, "And most villages would prefer to limit the knowledge of this information."
"I trust everyone in my village." Shibuki stated firmly and without hesitation. Beside him, his Jonin guards swelled with pride and devotion to their leader at his confident words. "What is it that you have to tell me?"
"Have you ever heard of a group called 'Akatsuki'?"
Naruto couldn't help but gaze in wonder at the different shops and areas in Taki. While he was aware that he had a Jonin escort that was doing their best to silently trail him, he couldn't begrudge them when they were just doing their job. If he was in their shoes, he would do the same thing. Plus, he had read their chakra levels - Karin was a very good teacher when explaining the theories and concepts behind basic chakra sensing - and Naruto felt that he could take them if he had to.
"Now…" Naruto pondered to himself, "If I was a Jinchuriki of the Seven Tails, where would I be?" Pausing at a food stand to grab two sticks - one for himself and one for Fu, given that it would be rude to eat something without offering to share - of rather sugary candy, Naruto pondered the question as he munched on one of the hard sticks of candy. From the image Jiraiya had been able to procure, Fu was had light caramel skin and an athletic build. She was roughly five feet tall and her most striking features was her light green hair and orange eyes. The picture, taken perhaps six months prior, showed that her hair was short and raggedly cut. A rather warm and large smile was firmly fixed on her face, and her laugh lines looked well worn. Naruto was fairly certain that Fu's mint-colored hair would stand out in the crowd of mostly darker haired Taki citizens.
"Get out of here." The angered voice cut through the air, "You're not wanted here." Naruto, recognizing the tone from when he was younger - it has been directed at him countless times - turned to face the direction that voice was coming from. The owner of the voice was the candy stall owner that Naruto had bought the candy from only a few minutes prior. Heading away from the stall was a mint haired girl that Naruto guessed was roughly his age.
Naruto quickly moved in her direction, knowing what it felt like to have someone tell you that you were unwanted. "Excuse me." The Uzumaki trotted up to Fu as she turned around, the kunoichi looking rather confused.
"Yes?" Fu tilted her head slightly in confusion as she watched the blonde haired ninja move up to her. She was unsure if she first saw his Leaf headband or the two rock candy sticks that he was holding in his hand. Now openly curious and slightly excited, Fu eagerly turned to fully look at the Konoha ninja.
He had sunny blonde hair and bright blue eyes. He looked to be her age, but stood more than several inches taller than her. He was muscled, but not grotesquely so. If she had to describe it in a single word, she would describe his muscle structure as compact. There was three whisker-like scars on his face, completing the exotic that he seemed to wear with ease.
"Fu-Chan." The voice of Chomei echoed in Fu's mind, "He's the Jinchuriki of Kyubi-Chan!" Fu blinked before smiling as she greeted Naruto.
"Hello. I'm Fu. Nice to meetcha'!"
"Hello." Naruto couldn't help but smile back, her friendliness proving to be rather infectious, "I'm Naruto." He held out his hand that wasn't holding the candy sticks. "Nice to meet you too."
Fu giggled happily as she enthusiastically shook his hand. "I've never met another Jinchuriki before."
Naruto blinked. "How did she know?"
"It was probably Chomei, the Seven Tails." Kyubi rumbled in his mind, sounding quite annoyed at the cheerful Seven Tails, "The bug never know how to keep secrets." It completely ignored the fact that it too did not keep secrets. After all, when one was as powerful as it was, didn't need to keep secrets…
"Do you want to be my friend?" Fu wasn't one to hold back. She felt safe near him, and couldn't think of a better person to be her friend.
"Sure." Naruto grinned at her, pausing for a moment before he thrust the uneaten rock candy stick at her. "Here. I got an extra."
"Are you sure?" Fu took the candy slowly, unsure if she was really being offered the sugary delight that she liked so much. Inheriting Chomei's love for sugar, Fu loved times when she was with Shibuki because not only was he one of her few friends, but he also bought her the delicious hardened sugar.
"Yep." Naruto nodded easily.
Fu took a rather big lick of the candy, inwardly sighing in delight as the taste hit her tongue. Giggling happily, she pounced on Naruto, pulling him into a tight hug as she thanked him for being her friend as well as giving her candy. Naruto, now somewhat used to hugs, returned the embrace, being careful to not get any of his candy on Fu's back.
Eventually pulling back, Fu's mind caught up to her and she couldn't help the light blush that dusted her cheeks as she realized that she had just hugged - and been hugged back by - a rather attractive young man. Not only that, but he was a Jinchuriki like her too! Their eyes met for the briefest of moments.
"Kurama-Chan!" Chomei happily flitted towards the giant fox. When Naruto and Fu's eyes met, it created the temporary mindscape that allowed both Kyubi and Chomei to interact. The Nine-Tails was not amused. "It's been so long since I've seen you. What have you been up to?"
"Go way Chomei." Kyubi barked, "And act like a Biju. You're not some random female summon."
The Seven Tailed Rhinoceros Beetle pouted for a moment before doing an admirable impression of flicking her hair over her shoulder, despite lacking any hair to do so. "Why should I? Being both a girl and being happy is much better then being cutely grumpy all of the time." She twirled on her seventh tail, all six wings fluttering in the non-existent wind.
"I'm not grumpy." Kyubi snapped back. "I'm the Kyubi no Kitsune, the Nine Tailed Biju." A pause. "And I'm not cute. At All."
"I think you're cute. Like a big fluffy ball of grumpy cuteness. Your container is lucky to have you."
"GO AWAY!" The roar almost deafened them both.
The Kyubi was extremely grateful when Naruto had broken the eye contact with Fu. The Nine Tails was sure that if it never saw that far too cheerful bug again, it would be completely fine with that.
"So Fu…" Naruto tilted his head at his newest friend, "Why you tell me about yourself?"
"Okay." The mint haired girl smiled happily as she walked beside her friend. "I was born fourteen years ago…"
"So you are telling me that these…'Akatsuki' are a group of S-Rank ninja that will be hunting Fu-Chan soon? And they have no problems burning our village in order to capture her?"
"Yes." Jiraiya nodded. "And please take no offense, but your village isn't strong enough to take a S-Rank missing nin, let alone more than one."
"We will lay down our lives to defend our village!" One of the Jonin standing standing near Shibuki snapped, his tone indicating that he felt extremely insulted by Jiraiya's claim. "No one has ever successfully invaded Taki."
Jiraiya barely resisted the urge to facepalm. "I'm not questioning your loyalty or bravery. However," The Toad Sannin flexed his chakra, the heavy weight settling on their shoulders for the briefest of moments, "Dying for your village won't accomplish anything when you are being invaded." Silence cloaked the room as the veteran ninja's words hung over them like a shroud.
"But there is a way to avoid having your village fall under such a calamity." Getting someone to agree to your point was sometimes as simple as presenting the facts in a certain terrifying slant, and when they could see no light or hope, showing them your way; painting it as the hope they desperately wanted.
"If Fu was no longer in the village, as in she was no longer a Taki kunoichi, and the knowledge was made public, the Akatsuki would have no reason to even go near your village."
Hope...is the most interesting of drugs.
"And then Chomei-Chan showed me how to talk to the ants, and they have such interesting stories One time they even showed me some fresh bread that someone had left in the woods." Fu sighed happily as she remembered the taste of the fresh and still warm sweet bread. The pair had wandered out of the village and into the forest area near her home.
A moment later she froze, belatedly realizing that she had spent the last hour telling Naruto all about her life. And while she had only gotten up until she turned six, Fu had read enough books on how to make friends to know that not letting the other person speak was something that friends didn't do.
"Sorry." Fu rubbed the back of her head in embarrassment,"I didn't mean to talk so much." She hesitated, "Sorry. I'm not good at having human friends."
"It's alright." Naruto hastened to reassure his fellow Jinchuriki, "Back when I first met Sakura-Chan I had no idea how to be a good friend either."
"Sakura-Chan?" Fu couldn't help but question, curiosity bubbling out of her tone. "Who's that?"
Naruto didn't stop the warm and caring smile that permeated his tone as he spoke of his most precious people. "Sakura-Chan, along with Hinata-Chan and Haku-Chan, are the most important people in my life. They saved me, believed in me, cared for me, and now have become my girlfriends."
Fu felt the slightest pang of disappointment in learning that Naruto was already taken, but the feeling was far overshadowed by her interest in finding out about her friend. "Will you tell me about them?"
Naruto settled back against the nearest tree and grinned. He always liked telling people how awesome his best friends were. "I first met Sakura-Chan after I was kicked out of class one day…"
Shibuki sighed, feeling the weight of the world pressing down on his shoulders. Jiraiya had left the office to go secure a room for himself and his apprentice, Naruto Uzumaki. Every time Shibuki considered having Fu leave the village, he pictured her happy eyes and trusting demeanor. When Fu had been very young, Shibuki had taken the young girl under his wing, teaching her all he could. Even though Fu quickly surpassed him in shinobi talent, their friendship was still close all those years later. "But I could do without all of her pranks and antics brought on by boredom or curiosity."
Unfortunately, not many in the village shared his view on Fu. Many viewed her as an ill omen, given her vastly different colored skin and hair. It didn't help that right around when Fu had been found outside of the village, the Hero Waters had turned lime green. It had remained green until they completely cleaned the Hero Water pool out. As a result, a portion of the Hero Water had been lost. The Hero Water was a powerful water that bubbled up in a secret hidden pool deep within Taki once every hundred years. Fu's habit of talking to insects as if they were people also marked her as odd, and her mischievous humor brought on by boredom didn't help matters either.
During times of great trouble, the heroes of Taki traditionally drank the Hero Water,temporarily having their chakra reserves increased ten-fold. However, drinking the Hero Water would drastically reduce the lifespan of the drinker, if not outright kill them when the increased chakra ran out.
Shibuki sighed again. "Father, what would you do?"
"Wow." Fu's eyes shined with delight, "Sakura-San, Hinata-San, and Haku-San sound amazing."
Naruto grinned. He was glad that he had listened to Jiraiya's lessons on how to tell a good story. Granted, he still wasn't sure what 'making them gush like a waterfall' meant, but the storytelling was something amazing. "Yep. They are the most amazing people I know." Naruto paused, considering, "You know, I would bet that they wouldn't mind being your friends too."
Fu's eyes practically glowed in excitement. She never had a female friend before. "Really?" She leaned closer to Naruto, "You really think so?"
The Uzumaki couldn't help but let out a warm laugh at her exuberance. "Yep. I can't imagine any reason they wouldn't." A thought suddenly flashed into Naruto's mind that made him grow serious, "Fu?"
"Yeah?" Fu tilted her head, curious as to why Naruto had suddenly gone serious, "What is it?"
"Have you ever heard of the Akatsuki?"
Evening approached, and Shibuki still hadn't come to a decision. He believed in his beloved village and each one of its citizens. But if someone as powerful as Jiraiya of the Sannin believed that Taki stood no chance against an Akatsuki member…
And what would he tell Fu? "Sorry Fu, but we feel that the village is more important than you." Shibuki fought the rare urge to hit something. He never wanted to see the happy and optimistic light fade from his student's eyes. "What can I do? How can I protect Taki and Fu?"
It was a panicked cry that broke Naruto and Fu from their discussion about motives of the Akatsuki. "The village!" Fu hurled herself to her feet, a water sword forming in each hand as she hurried towards her village. "Just hold on! I'll protect you all!"
Naruto reacted almost as quickly, quickly accelerating to match Fu's stride. "Fu, don't do anything rash. We need to figure out what's going on before we charge in."
"Right." Fu nodded, thankful that her friend was helping her. She knew that she didn't have the correct mindset to lead currently. The two Jinchruiki redoubled their speed.
Arriving on the outskirts of the village, Naruto snapped his hand up in the universal sign to stop. Fu instantly skidded to a stop, silently asking why they had paused. "Look." Naruto whispered as he pointed at the milling ninja below, "Missing ninja. Lots of them." He peered closer, the coming dusk not affecting his sight in the slightest. "It looks like they are taking the villagers hostage."
"Fu," The Uzumaki's mind race, attempting to figure out the missing ninjas plan, "Where is the center of the village?" Ideas and plans were created, modified, and decided upon. "I'm betting that they are here for the Hero Water. If they are taking hostages, that means that they want to bargain. The best place to do so would be the center of the village."
"I can show you." Fu took a step forward, wanting to do all she could for the only home she had ever known.
"No." Naruto shook his head, "You should save the villagers." Naruto smiled reassuringly at her. "I know you can do it. I'll handle the leader. Just point the way to the village center and I'll take it from there."
"Right." Fu let the warm feeling of her friend's trust and approval settle into her chest, granting her strength. "The fastest way to get to the center of the village is to go through…"
"Why are you doing this?" Shibuki desperately shouted at Suien. Suien was a missing nin from Taki who desired power above all else.
"Because I want the Hero Waters." Suien sneered at his former student, "And you don't want your precious civilians to die." He waited a moment before impatiently pressing. "Now choose. Your village or your honor. I'm a very impatient man." Beside Suien, his three missing nin body guards laughed, the cruel sound echoing over the quiet plaza.
"I...choose…" "I'm sorry Father. I hope you will forgive me for this." "I will give you the village's containers of Hero Water. But swear that you will not harm my people!"
Suien chuckled. "But of course. I do swear." Delighting in his power over Shibuki, he glanced at one of the missing nin standing around the groups of tied up villagers and ninja, "Bring her."
"Heh." The missing nin reached down and tore a small girl from her mother's arms. "You'll do." Ignoring the cries of the mother, he brought the petrified child to Suien. "Here." The missing ninja grunted.
"Wha-What are you doing?" Shibuki took a step forward, the urge to protect his village overcoming his normally timid demeanor. "You swore to that you wouldn't touch them!"
"I lied." Suien savored the desperate outrage that spread across Shibuki's face. "But I'll give you a choice: Kill yourself or…" The missing ninja pulled a kunai and casually pressed it into the openly terrified child's cheek, "or she dies." The child's mother gave a keening sob of despair, the chilling sound echoing across the village.
"You need me to show you the Hero Water stores." Shibuki desperately shouted, finding courage within himself that he hadn't known existed. "If you touch her, you'll never get the Hero Water!"
"Heheheheh." Suien couldn't help but laugh, the cruel sound bolstering his men. "I don't need you. All I needed you to do is confirm that there is bottles of Hero Water somewhere in this dirt-ball of a village." An uncaring shrug. "We'll just tear Taki apart until we find them." He smirked. "Now then, I believe you have a choice to make…" .
Shibuki didn't hesitate. "Bring me a weapon then."
"You can't Shibuki-Sama." One of the tied up Taki ninja protested desperately, "You don't have to do this."
"How can I ask any of you to make a sacrifice I am unwilling to make myself?" Shibuki softly replied, taking the offered kunai. He steeled himself as he lifted the kunai.
"How about we take the third option instead?" Naruto's voice startled everyone. "How about you all surrender and not find out what happens next. Or you can fight me and probably die." There was a hint of something terrible lurking beneath his calm words.
"What the Hell are you going on about?" Suien seered, "You're just one boy." An impatient look crossed his face. "Why do you think you can suggest that we do anything?"
Half a dozen missing ninja quickly surrounded Naruto, ready to attack if he made a threatening move. "You misunderstand." Naruto's voice was was calm, almost eerily so. "If you fight me, I will defend myself. But if you harm even one hair on the girl," Killing intent crushed the missing ninja surrounding him to the ground, grinding away at their sanity, "I will butcher you all."
"Oh shit!" One of the missing ninjas recognized Naruto. "He's Naruto Uzumaki. The Uzumaki Clan Head. One of the members of Konoha's Team Eight. And he's the Jinchuriki of the Nine-Tails!"
"Oh damn!" Several of Suien's ninja took steps back, "We didn't sign up for this."
Naruto's glacier cold eyes speared the panicking missing nin. "Surrender." The clang of weapons hitting the ground as over half of Suien's forces surrendered, not wanting to fight Naruto Uzumaki of Team Eight. They had heard the stories of how he had obliterated those who went against him.
"Stand and fight!" Suien, realizing that the situation was rapidly spiraling out of control, tossed the child that he had been holding in Shibuki's direction. "Take the Uzumaki out!" Shibuki dived for the falling small girl as Naruto exploded into action, his swords tasting the blood of the missing ninja.
Shibuki felt the small child's weight hit his arms and he instantly shifted, pulling the child close as he took the impact of the landing on his side. Curling protectively above her to shield her from any attacks, Shibuki couldn't tear his gaze away from the sight of Naruto fighting Suien's men. No, Shinuki decided, it wasn't a fight. That implied that they had a chance.
The Uzumaki fought with brutal efficiency, every sword strike ending a life or creating an opening for a strike. When he was surrounded, there would be bellowing cloud of white smoke and then the missing ninja would find themselves surrounded by clones of Naruto. The few jutsus that Naruto used broke bones and the enemies' moral in equal measure.
Soon only Suien was left standing, his men either dead, dying, or having surrendered. Reaching inside his uniform, Suien withdrew only bottle of Hero Water he had managed to steal before he had been kicked out of the village all those years ago. Tearing the cork out with his teeth, he chugged the water with fast, massive gulps. Feeling his chakra reserves increase ten-fold, Suien flashed through three dozen hand signs within a moment. The fountain behind him boiled and frothed as a massive water dragon rose behind him.
"Suiton: Syiryudan no Jutsu!"
The dragon opened it's mouth in a silent roar and hurled itself at the nearest group of helpless villagers. "No." Naruto blurred forward, crossing the distance in an instant. Crossing his swords in front of him, the Uzumaki stood against the dragon, holding it back. Surging his chakra, Naruto gritted his teeth and began attempting to push the dragon away. The dragon, continually fed by Suien's hightened chakra and the water from the fountain, was unrelenting. But Naruto was defiance.
Impossibly, inexorably, the dragon was be pushed back. Inch by inch it was shoved back. Then Naruto spoke, but there was a second voice layering words.
"You will…" "You will…"
The second voice had an angered lilt to it, sounding feminine when compared to Naruto's own.
"Not harm…" "Not harm…"
Naruto felt his chakra surge along his arms and back.
"Them!" "My Son!"
Red tinted golden chains burst from Naruto's back and from under his wrists. Their razor sharp spear tipped ends gleamed with undisguised lethality. A moment later they plunged into the dragon with savage brutality. Water splashed the ground as the chains tore, cut, and maimed in a relentless frenzy. The dragon disappeared in a massive burst of water, unable to keep it's form under the assault. Naruto blitzed forward.
Suien began another jutsu, fear almost paralyzing him. He never made it. Blood exploded from his back as Naruto impaled him with his swords. The golden chains rose up from behind the Uzumaki like scorpion tails, waiting for the moment to strike; waiting to rend Suien asunder.
"Die." Naruto's voice was final. The chains stuck. Suien died quickly, but not painlessly as the chains took bloody revenge. The crystal clear waters of the fountain turned red.
In the aftermath, Jiraiya found Shibuki tending to one of his wounded men. "Shibuki-San."
"Jiraiya-San." Shibuki was quiet before he looked up at the Toad Sannin. "They were just Jonin level missing nin weren't they?"
"Yes." Jiraiya quietly confirmed, "Suien and his men were just Jonin level."
Remembering how powerful Naruto had been, Shibuki came to a decision. "I'll tell Fu in the morning."
Sometimes protecting those you care about means breaking your own heart.
So what did you guys think? Drop a review and let me know.
On Atsushi: If anyone doesn't remember who Atsushi is, check out Chapter 23. He's done some very...interesting things.
On Fu: Given that we don't really have a lot to work with for her personality, I'm still feeling out how exactly to write her. Essentially she is a rather optimistic person who just wants to make friends. I hoped that came across well, but if not, I'll do my best to convey it in future chapters.
To my reviewers' direct questions:
Vanishing Raptor: Yes. Danzo was Naruto's ally in the shadows. But time will only tell if he remains so.
Animaman: Danzo's plans are often plans within plans. Currently he is better served by making truly problematic ninja "disappear". Missions can be very dangerous after all...But in the future, you'll just have to see.
wolfboy2778: To Danzo, Naruto is a weapon. Nothing more, nothing less. As for Sasuke, you'll just have to see. Currently Sasuke is set as the foil or opposite Naruto, so he isn't going to be dying anytime soon. Tsunade really can't stop people from forming factions without declaring martial law. And if she does that, then they would just rebel anyways.
FOWLKON: The easiest way to describe Danzo is by using the TV Trope "The Unfettered" with Danzo's goal being the preservation of Konoha. There is nothing he won't do for Konoha, nothing he won't sacrifice.
Kelborn Ordo: Bear called Naruto "Sensei" because Naruto had imparted/taught him the meaing of true strength.
Naruto-kun257: Once the time is right, Haku and Naruto will kiss (provided that they progress to the get stage of the relationship). .
Nin-Guest: Yeah, they slowly activated the machine (it's a machiney/science thing so when it's PFM anything goes). Currently they have four seasons like everyone else now. As far as the Daimyo goes, I'm still trying to figure out how they work in relation to the ninja villages' politics. Originally I had planned on having Yakumo making an appearance in this chapter, but Fu's section became a lot longer than planned. As far as Hokoka goes, I'm still trying to figure out how deep I want to delve into the "afterlife" of Naruto-verse. And as far as Fuuka goes...Heh. You'll just have to see.
AnthonyR89: Well, Tsunade, despite being Naruto's next of kin, wasn't an Uzumaki. Given my limited understanding of how clans work, when you are part of a clan, either by birth or marriage, you gain access to that clan. As a result, Tsunade is part of the Senju clan, and while having legal things in relation to Naruto, wasn't eligible for the Uzumaki wealth. If my explanation doesn't make sense, let me know and I'll try to explain it a bit better.