Chapter 57: Welcome to Kirigakure.
Arc: Kirigakure's Civil War
Disclaimer: I do NOT own Naruto. Naruto is the work of Masashi Kishimoto, please support the original work.
End Banner has something to say: Late chapter. We had an electricity blackout last night, sorry!
Barely having any strength left to walk, Naruto walked to Hinata's side like a turtle as Gaara's Tailed Beast Transformation ended. Sand fell off of his body like waves, and soon, his similarly battered appearance was revealed. He wasn't bleeding by any means, he just looked like he hadn't slept in days, and Naruto could barely sense any chakra from the other teen.
It was Gaara and Shukaku's first time cooperating together, and the latter had never properly cooperated with humans before, so although the Gaara was a proper jinchuriki, unlike Naruto, he couldn't get the most out of his bijuu. At least, not now.
Naruto planned on helping Gaara in that department but now's not the time.
"Are you all right?"
Naruto asked, getting a nod from Hinata. She smiled, looking at the sky and thankful that she was fortunate enough to survive another day. The fight with Chisuke, or the alien controlling Chisuke, was hectic.
Most battles in the ninja world ended after a few confrontations, and if a battle was prolonged, it meant that the two opposing sides were equal in strength, or they have the means to repel each other. Naruto and his team was infinitely weaker than Chisuke, but they were lucky enough that the alien in Chisuke's body was severely weakened.
He couldn't use his own dojutsu for more than three seconds at the start of the fight. When he started taking the fight seriously, it was too late. He was slathered with heavily modified restriction seals by Naruto and was facing a tailed beast transformation of Gaara.
His result could only be defeat unless he could instantly kill either Naruto or Gaara.
Thinking about the outcome, Naruto's heart became at ease.
'At least Hinata is safe and sound.'
What holy land? What Uzushiogakure? Hinata was the reason why he wanted to create or recreate those things. As long as Hinata was alive, he could always start again. So what if Chisuke was strong? Can he survive hundreds of Explosive Scrolls?
That's precisely what Naruto would've done if he could. Unfortunately, he was with allies and not alone, he couldn't be reckless.
Sighing one more time, Naruto lifted Hinata up and let her rest on his lap, much to the other's pleasure. Meanwhile, in another part of the battlefield, the trio siblings from Sunagakure gathered. Only Gaara was standing, while the other two were planted on the ground like boneless humans.
"Kankuro."
Gaara muttered. Looking down at Kankuro. Kankuro tried to sacrifice himself because he didn't want to be a burden to the group. But they just started getting along, the thought of already losing him made Gaara's heart unwilling.
"Don't ever do that again. If someone needs to sacrifice himself, it should be me. Let me pour out all my chakra, blood, and sand to protect you, brother."
"Gaara…"
Hearing Gaara's plea, Kankuro's eyes became wet.
"I'm sorry. None of us will do that again. We'll all do things together. Rise together, and fall together, okay?"
Despite his tired body, Kankuro managed to sit up and give Gaara the hug he'd always wanted to give but was too afraid to do. Temari watched from the side, frowning as she was unable to move, unlike her brother.
"Kankuro, you were affected by the alien's dojutsu. Are you sure you're all right?"
After the hug, Gaara asked to avert the awkward feeling in the air.
"Yeah. Aside from the extra boost in chakra, I feel as energetic as ever, although I feel tired… I suppose that's normal?"
"No."
Suddenly, as the two brothers were having a peaceful chat, Naruto intervened. He didn't want to expose the cat, but out of guilt, he forced himself to do so.
The trio deserved to know.
"Kankuro's life had been cut in half. I can tell as I can sense the remaining life force of a person through my eyes… don't ask how."
Actually, he was only guessing at first.
He didn't know he could see life force. He only saw the thin veil of sealing chakra on Kankuro rapidly degrade after he was infected by the alien's power and thought of a mind-blowing theory. Finally, after consulting with Kurama, Naruto realized that the "veil of Sealing Chakra" around everyone represented their life force, aka longevity or lifespan.
'But I'm curious. Since Fuinjutsu Professors retract their Sealing Chakra back into their body, how do you tell their lifespan? Are we suddenly immortals… no, that shouldn't be the case here. Otherwise, godfather would look a lot younger than right now.'
Kurama remained silent, meaning that he, too, didn't have a clue. Naruto already expected it so he didn't bother asking. He only told Kankuro and Gaara that the former's life had been cut in half.
"Are… you telling the truth?"
Gaara asked, his voice slightly broken.
"Yes."
Hearing Naruto's answer, Kankuro laughed and shook Gaara's shoulder.
"Hey, don't be like that. Even if I get to live only half of my life, I'm satisfied as long as my family is whole. And that wouldn't be without you and sister, so don't be sad. I'm still alive."
Gaara sighed. He shouldn't ask for too much, and he shouldn't have expected too much.
"Thank you, Naruto. Without you, I would've never found people who loved me. And without you, Kankuro would've died."
"No, don't thank me."
Naruto shook his head.
"If it wasn't for me, you all wouldn't have been put in danger. I don't know how to—"
"Shut up, kid."
All of a sudden, Zabuza came from behind them and slapped Naruto's back, carrying a sleeping Haku on his back.
"You're correct about bringing us to danger, but you didn't know about it. Furthermore, we shinobi always face dangers no matter where we go. This is normal."
Zabuza explained as he turned to look at Haku's peaceful sleeping face.
"But thanks to this danger, I realized that I wanted to become more powerful. I want to give Haku a place to stay, a place away from death. So I'll stay by your side and help you create this sanctuary of yours… that is, after our deal is complete."
Zabuza smirked, much to Naruto's amusement.
If there was one thing that the alien did right, he made the bond between Naruto's group much stronger than before. Perhaps these bonds would continue to strengthen, but only time will tell.
Naruto smiled, shaking his head as he remembered his deal with Zabuza all those days ago.
"Don't worry. I'm a man of my word."
Naruto turned around and watched while the group gathered around him after they had rested adequately. Aside from Haku, everyone was wide awake. Naruto suspected that Zabuza may have knocked Haku unconscious.
"Everyone, our next destination is the land of water. We will head toward Kirigakure!"
LINE
A day had gone by since the battle, and the group was gathered inside the clan head's tower. They slept there and no one minded the unfavorable condition of the building. They were too tired and no one cared about sleeping outside, much less sleeping inside an old room.
"Thank you, Gaara-san. Without you, I don't think I would be alive today."
Hinata smiled at Gaara, and the latter nodded.
"Don't worry. I endangered your life before. This could be considered making it even. It's a pleasure to be working with you, Hinata Hyuga."
After Naruto announced their next stop, Gaara told them that he and his siblings wished to return to the mainland. Naruto agreed to their request after giving them a mission to find and give asylum to any Uzumaki they find. Gaara didn't think that it was a difficult request so he readily agreed.
Not soon after Hinata and Gaara made peace with each other, the sand trio left the group. They could easily communicate through toads, so Naruto wasn't worried.
"Let's go. Zabuza, why don't you lead the way?"
Despite being confident in facing any troubles in the land of waters after the whole ordeal with the alien, he hadn't gone to that place yet. In fact, he mostly resided in the land of fire, despite having trade connections through Ginko with all the other lands.
"No problem."
Zabuza readily accepted the duty and made Naruto and Hinata follow his and Haku's lead.
After the group reached the shore, they made a boat enhanced by Naruto's fuinjutsu and rode it toward the land of waters.
Along the way, they were met with minor tribulations in the form of gigantic waves, storms, and the occasional humans.
'Karasu is awake.'
When Naruto felt a warm sensation on his back, he instantly received Karasu's excited emotions. After the alien's awakening, Karasu fell into a deep sleep. He only woke up now, making Naruto relieved.
"Summoning Jutsu: Karasu!"
Yelling out Karasu's name, a black pair of wings emerged out of Naruto's back as Karasu crawled his way out of the seal. After flying into the air for a while, he hovered over Naruto's head and asked.
"Naruto, I assume everything went well?"
Hearing Karasu's confidence, Naruto awkwardly scratched his head.
"About that… it didn't really go as planned. We tried to destroy the clan head's chakra chains before he resurrected, but we didn't know that he was already whole. His body was just scattered among the Chakra Beasts. You probably have a bit of that alien's body inside of you."
Faced with the sudden reveal, Karasu paused. For a while, he wasn't sure of what to do.
"Uhh, really?"
"Yes. I want to scan your body to get rid of it."
Naruto is a man of his word. A day later, Karasu was lying powerlessly on the ground. Not because of pain or agony, but because of exhaustion. After getting rid of the remnants of the alien and sealing it inside a scroll, Karasu felt a wave of exhaustion reign over him.
After resisting for half a minute, he gave up and melted on the floor.
"Is it successful?"
"More than! With this, I've got a sample of that alien's blood. Perhaps when I become a Fuinjutsu Master, I can use this alien blood for something, or maybe I could obtain that alien's abilities."
While Naruto was excited, Karasu clicked his tongue and forced his unwilling body to talk.
"Well, good for you. I want to sleep."
Not even waving his wings goodbye, Karasu directly vanished in a puff of smoke as Naruto felt a surge of chakra entering his body. Naruto didn't pay it any heed as Zabuza approached him.
"We're near the land of water. After we enter its borders, we'll encounter a thick mist. It's Kirigakure's natural defense system against uninvited guests like us."
Zabuza explained.
"Will we be attacked soon?"
"Absolutely."
Zabuza grinned, his face turning feral as he stared at the mist veil he had always loved and hated. It was in this mist-covered land where he grew up to be an outstanding man, but it was also here that he faced countless tribulations and bitter fork roads.
"Let's go. The most we will face are sea bandits."
"Sea bandits exist?"
Naruto was doubtful. Aggressive fishermen, sure. Sea Bandits?
He was skeptical until he saw an actual sea bandit with his own two eyes. The sea bandits were the same as regular bandits, with the difference coming from their ability to use low-level water-style ninjutsu.
Each of them was weak but gathered together, they gave Naruto a headache.
It was ridiculous and their boat nearly toppled.
Other than sea bandits, Naruto and the team encountered a few rogue ninjas. Those rogue ninjas were mostly there to live off of fishing or hunting down the bandit's loot, so they didn't bother the demon of the mist, Zabuza. Instead, they all ran off into who knows where after seeing the demon of the mist return.
Zabuza's fame was one to be feared by ordinary men. He once slaughtered everyone in his class to prove his worth, and he was ruthless enough in his missions. He even tried to kill the mizukage Yagura, although he failed.
This time, he was returning to complete his mission unfulfilled.
To free Kirigakure from the rule of the tyrant Yagura.
LINE
Meanwhile, in an area far away from prying eyes. A man with an orange mask chuckled, watching as Yagura dragged his own face across the mud. It was not literal, but for the mizukage who loved his village with all his heart to be forced to kill his own villagers, it was tantamount to the same thing.
"Yagura, Kirigakure, this is my revenge. Once you are no longer fun to play with, your retribution will come."
As he was laughing on his own with Yagura standing motionlessly in front of him, a half-black half-white man suddenly arose from the ground.
"Tobi, there are intruders. It is the nine tails."
"Oh?"
Suddenly, the man's deep and dark voice showed interest as he turned to face the newcomer.
"The nine tails came to put himself on the altar in place of his little brother?"
The man laughed, his laughter sticky as it reeked of malevolence.
"Very well. Let the two long-lost brothers reunite. When they are in their most heartfelt moment, I'll show them the true face of this accursed world."
The man paused, looking at the full moon above them.
"I will show them that only the world of dreams can lift them into the bliss of true peace."
The man said, spreading his arms out as if to worship the moon. He didn't notice the sinisterly smiling half-black half-white man behind him.
LINE
Meanwhile, Naruto's team finally reached Kirigakure. They were shocked, especially Zabuza.
Only a few years have passed since the blood mist returned in full, but the village had already been ravaged beyond recognition. Not only the village but also the villagers.
Next to ruined homes and decapitated buildings, starving men of more bone than flesh curled as they slept on the rough stone ground.
They used a thin t-shirt to shield them from the cold when suddenly, a man wearing a mask similar to the ANBU appeared next to a young child whose bones could be seen from his skin and yanked him up, flickering into some unknown place.
"Bastards!"
Zabuza cursed, and Naruto looked at him with a bit of coldness. Scenes like these, he was used to it, though not on this level. When he was traveling the world with Ginko behind his back, he would often send assassins to kill his competitors. He knew those assassins were of the dark heart.
He knew that those assassins were most likely kidnapping other people in broad daylight as well, but he didn't care about that. As long as they did their job, that was all that mattered.
But alas, Zabuza was now his ally and a good leader comforts his underling.
"Don't worry, Zabuza. The Mizukage's tyranny will definitely be overthrown once we're done with this."
"Absolutely."
Zabuza growled, taking out his massive cleaver and licking it clean as if to savor the blood that wasn't even there yet, but would soon be.
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