DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN NARUTO (FEELS GOOD TO BE BACK HAHA, I DO NOT RECOMMEND GETTING SICK I'LL TELL YOU THAT MUCH)
Ch.22 - Twelve VS. Seven
- Somewhere in Migashisonogi: 10:30 PM -
To the disappointment of Shino, Ino, and Naruto, they had been optimistic about their prospects for the day. However, their immediate objective was to locate the elusive "Red-Light District" in town.
Due to the sensitive nature of its activities, the district's exact location remained largely unknown. It was possible to stumble upon it through sheer luck, but such an approach would prove time-consuming. Asuma took it upon himself to inquire about the district's whereabouts, and after persistent questioning, he finally obtained the necessary information. He informed his students that, for the time being, their best course of action was to scout the area, seeking suitable hiding spots to observe from afar and establishing escape routes in case the situation turned hostile. However, they would have to wait until the district opened late at night.
As midnight approached, the district grew increasingly lively. It became evident that the presence of the gang did not hinder business. This could be attributed to the gang leader himself being a customer or simply because the demand for such services remained high in the town.
Asuma guided his three students as they observed a brothel from a distance. Men flowed into the establishment to partake in their chosen "transactions," while women on the balcony, dressed provocatively, tried to exude an alluring aura. Among the students, Ino appeared the most uncomfortable. Asuma reminded her that as a shinobi, she would encounter various situations and needed to become accustomed to them. It was essential for her to accept the realities she would face in her career, and this experience was just scratching the surface. Shino remained expressionless, while Naruto blushed at the sight of the seductive figures before him—a natural reaction for someone his age.
"Now, listen closely. Our plan is to wait for our target to arrive, observe him as he concludes his business, and then follow him to his next destination. This will give us a rough idea of his usual routine and help us identify windows of opportunity to deal with him. Any questions?" Asuma asked, but his students remained silent, showing their understanding and readiness.
As the night grew darker, Team 10 continued their watch from a distance. Unfortunately, no one matching the bartender's description appeared. Despite this setback, Asuma was determined to extract some value from their mission. They had no knowledge of the brothel's interior, and this is where Shino's unique abilities became valuable.
Asuma ordered Shino to send some of his bugs inside the building to gather intelligence. Shino complied and dispatched his beetles to carry out the task. After a patient wait, Shino received information from his insects. It appeared that the brothel had no windows other than those at the front and the balcony. The interior consisted of a hallway lined with rooms on either side, devoid of windows to ensure utmost privacy. Asuma had initially conceived a plan involving Naruto, who would utilize the Transformation Technique to pose as a prostitute, seduce Gato, and eliminate him discreetly within one of the rooms. Naruto would then seal Gato in a scroll, utilizing his newfound knowledge of basic sealing, and create a clone to exit the brothel, leaving unnoticed. However, Asuma realized that entrusting such a mission solely to Naruto would be unwise and risky, considering his young age. While Asuma could have handled the task himself, that would defeat the purpose of training his students and allowing them to gain valuable experiences. Consequently, Asuma concluded that their mission in the brothel was complete, and their next task would involve scouting around Gato's fortress, as per the bartender's instructions.
- The Next Day -
Team 10 found themselves walking through the dense forest in search of Gato's fortified stronghold. It took them some time, but eventually, they arrived at the imposing structure described by the bartender. The sheer size of the fortress was overwhelming. Its towering walls and surrounding moat suggested a substantial garrison of soldiers, fiercely loyal to Gato.
The fortress boasted high walls, guarded by sentries patrolling the ramparts. Breaking into the premises would prove challenging, given the overwhelming numbers. Asuma realized that a direct confrontation would be unwise, even for skilled ninjas like them. Despite their training, they were still human and outnumbered. Charging recklessly into battle would only lead to disaster.
Asuma pondered how to gain a closer look at the fort. Finding a vantage point proved futile in the surrounding area. However, inspiration struck him when he spotted a bird soaring above. He turned to Ino and instructed her to utilize her clan's techniques to control the bird and gather intel. Ino nodded, her chakra flowing as she performed the Shintenshin no Jutsu (Mind Body Change Technique).
Ino aimed her jutsu at the bird, successfully hijacking its mind and assuming control of its body. As her own body went limp, Naruto swiftly caught her to prevent her from falling. Ino then took flight above the fort, using her avian vessel to survey the area and commit its layout to memory. She ascended to the highest point of the fortress, perching on the railing to discover that the room was empty—Gato was nowhere to be found. Undeterred, Ino continued her reconnaissance, noting any significant features that could prove valuable. When her task was complete, Ino released her jutsu, her consciousness returning to her body. She found herself in close proximity to Naruto's face, momentarily flustered by the closeness. Ino quickly brushed off her thoughts and realized Naruto had noticed her return. He grinned mischievously, prompting her to clear her throat and report her findings to the team.
Ino relayed that the courtyard teemed with guards and detailed the fortress's layout, which spanned five floors. The top floor housed Gato's master bedroom. Disappointingly, Gato was absent from the premises, leaving their sensei and teammates wanting for more information.
Asuma let out a sigh, realizing they had exhausted their options for the time being. They departed from the fort and regrouped, heading back to the inn. As they traversed the forest, they noticed an unusual occurrence—the thickening fog. It struck Asuma as peculiar since they were in the Land of Forests, quite distant from the Land of Water, where fog was a common phenomenon. A sense of alertness enveloped Asuma, and he cautioned his students to remain vigilant, given their dense surroundings. The forest in the Land of Forests had a more compact and enclosed nature compared to the more spaced-out trees of their homeland in Konoha.
The fog grew denser, causing Asuma to halt, with his students following suit. "Keep your guards up. Something isn't right," Asuma warned, sensing an impending danger.
Suddenly, senbons flew at them from various directions. Asuma and Shino swiftly deployed their jutsus, creating protective barriers—the Doton: Doryuheki (Earth Release: Earth-Style Wall) and the Hijutsu: Mushiheki (Hidden Jutsu: Insect Wall), respectively. Their defensive measures prevented them from becoming pincushions. Asuma's earth wall crumbled once its purpose was fulfilled, while Shino recalled his surviving bugs after the attack.
Asuma scanned the surroundings, seeking the source of their assailant, but at the last moment, he turned to block an incoming blade. He caught a glimpse of their adversary, realizing that this was someone not to be taken lightly.
The person stood tall and lean, with shaggy straw-blonde hair. His face was concealed behind a porcelain ANBU mask adorned with the symbol of Kirigakure (Hidden Mist Village), which had slits as eye-holes. He wielded the distinctive Nuibari (Sewing Needle). The man's maniacal laughter filled the air as he pressed his blade against Asuma's trench knives. Shino, Ino, and Naruto stood in shock, the events unfolding too quickly for them to react.
"Kushimari Kuriare, one of the Kiri no Shinobigatana Shichinin Shu (Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist)... Get away from him. He's not someone you can deal with just yet," Asuma warned his students.
"That's right, kids. Listen to your sensei. Run as far as you can, I do love a good chase. Luckily, I have someone to keep you occupied," Kushimari taunted, his laughter echoing through the fog. It was clear that this man was unhinged. A barrage of bullets emerged from the fog, narrowly evaded by the three of them, thanks to the cover provided by the surrounding trees. Naruto noticed one of the projectiles, picking it up and realizing it was a bone.
"Kushimaru-sama," the young man with pale skin, green eyes, and shoulder-length white hair addressed his master. With two scarlet dots adorning his forehead, he exuded an aura of mystery. His attire comprised a black shirt, a green haori, black shinobi pants, and shinobi sandals.
"Keep 'em busy, Kimimaro. It looks like I have a valuable bounty to claim later on," Kushimaru responded, his voice laced with amusement. He glanced at Sarutobi Asuma and continued, "Isn't that right, Sarutobi Asuma? According to the updated Bingo Book, your bounty is now worth 35 million Ryo. I wouldn't mind having that kind of money. Won't help me out, Asuma?" Kushimaru chuckled, his laughter echoing in the air.
"Don't worry, Asuma-sensei, we can handle this guy. It's three against one," Naruto reassured their sensei with confidence.
"Don't be too sure of yourself, kid," Kushimaru chuckled, his tone filled with subtle warning.
Taking this as a cue from his master, Kimimaro stepped forward, eager to demonstrate his abilities. "Yanagi no Mai (Dance of the Willow)," he declared as his bones started protruding from his body. Assuming a fighting stance, he locked eyes with Naruto and beckoned, "Come and show me what you've got."
Naruto was taken aback by the sight before him. He had just witnessed bones emerging from a person's body as if it were the most natural thing in the world. Ino, too, found it unnatural and stood in shock, while Shino remained silent, his surprise hidden beneath a calm demeanor.
"Taju Kage Bunshin no Jutsu! (Multiple Shadow Clone Technique)!" Naruto exclaimed, and the forest was instantly filled with his numerous replicas, all focused on Kimimaro. "IKUZE!" he bellowed, urging his clones to charge at Kimimaro.
Naruto and his clones brandished their kunais, attempting to strike Kimimaro, but their efforts were thwarted as Kimimaro effortlessly dispelled the clones. With swift slashes and agile movements, he kept Naruto at bay, preventing the blonde from getting close. Kimimaro's bones were unyielding and sharp, efficiently countering Naruto's clones before they could land a hit. Naruto realized he needed a different approach and decided to utilize his Nebaiken (Sticky Fist) style. Once again, more clones surged forward, but this time, they were armed with a practiced strategy. While Kimimaro managed to eliminate the initial wave of clones, one of Naruto's replicas managed to grab hold of him. The clone applied chakra to cling to Kimimaro, but to Naruto's astonishment, the clone was unexpectedly dispelled, leaving him perplexed.
One by one, Kimimaro dispelled Naruto's clones, leaving only the original one standing. He stared at Naruto, disappointment evident in his eyes. Naruto understood the unspoken message from Kimimaro and gritted his teeth in determination.
"Is that the best you can do?" Kimimaro taunted, his voice dripping with mockery.
"I'm not done yet!" Naruto exclaimed, summoning more clones to his side. Together, they encircled Kimimaro, creating a wall of duplicates. Naruto swiftly performed a series of hand seals—Rat, Tiger, Dog, Ox, Rabbit, Tiger—before shouting, "Katon: Hosenka no Jutsu! (Fire Style: Phoenix Flower Technique)!" Flames erupted as Naruto and his clones unleashed a barrage of fireballs from all directions. Despite the sheer intensity and volume of the attack, Kimimaro skillfully evaded each fireball using a combination of graceful dance-like movements and swordplay. He dodged, sidestepped, flipped, and rolled, skillfully evading the onslaught. As a final fireball hurtled towards him, Kimimaro effortlessly leaped over it. Naruto smirked, knowing his plan had worked all along.
Suddenly, the ground cracked, revealing a clone poised to grab Kimimaro's ankles while he was mid-air. It was Naruto's specialty—a surprise attack from below. "NOW!" Naruto shouted to his teammates, signaling them to seize the opportunity presented by Kimimaro's vulnerable position.
Ino swiftly executed the Kanashibari no Jutsu (Temporary Paralysis Technique), temporarily immobilizing Kimimaro, while Shino hurled a volley of kunais towards him. Kimimaro had to react swiftly to counter their coordinated assault. Utilizing one of his dances, "Karamatsu no Mai (Dance of the Larch)," he whispered as his foot bones extended, piercing the hands of Naruto's clone and dispelling it. Kimimaro then aimed each of his five fingers at Shino and Ino, "Teshi Sendan (Ten-Finger Drilling Bullets)," before launching bone projectiles with incredible speed. Ino was forced to cancel her jutsu, and the bone bullets collided with the kunais Shino had thrown. Gracefully, Kimimaro landed on the ground, his composure unruffled.
- With Asuma -
Asuma and Kushimaru found themselves separated from their respective protégés, as Shino, Ino, Naruto, and Kimimaro had taken their battle to a different location. The two Jōnin warriors stood facing each other, a tense silence hanging in the air, awaiting the first move.
"So tell me, Asuma, what brings you to these here parts? I doubt you're snooping around Gato, are you?" Kushimaru inquired with a raised eyebrow.
"Just visiting. And what is one of the Kiri no Shinobigatana Shichinin Shu (Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist) doing in Mori no Kuni (Land of Forests)?" Asuma questioned, his tone firm.
"I could respond with 'What's it to ya?' but I'll sate your curiosity. There's a new Mizukage in Kirigakure (Hidden Mist Village), and I don't appreciate her leadership style. She's far too soft for my taste, and the village is now a shell of what it used to be, the Blood Mist I grew up in. Besides, working for Gato pays well. It's as simple as that. And just to clarify, I prefer operating alone," Kushimaru explained with a nonchalant shrug.
"Alone, huh? I've heard you're known as the most unhinged one in your group, which is why you choose to work alone. But what with this change of heart that led you to take on a protege?" Asuma probed further.
Kushimaru chuckled at Asuma's persistence. "Quite nosey, aren't you? I just found that bastard wandering around Mizu no Kuni (Land of Water), fucker wouldn't leave me alone. And at that point, telling him to fuck off was becoming a pain in the ass, so I decided to just bring him along," he responded, a mischievous glint in his eyes.
"I see, I guess this is the part where we fight, no?" Asuma inquired, readying himself for the impending clash.
"I guess so," Kushimaru cackled, his voice filled with confidence. In an instant, he vanished from Asuma's sight. Kushimaru wasn't just one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist; he held the same rank as Asuma—Jōnin. This battle promised to be an evenly matched contest. One could only wonder about the outcome when a member of the Twelve Guardian Ninja (Shugonin Jūnishi) clashed with one of the Kiri no Shinobigatana Shichinin Shu (Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist).
(A/N: Well would you look at that, Kimimaro isn't with Orochimaru. I've seen plenty of fics where Kimimaro never left Orochimaru so I decided to give him a new companion/master. Also decided to let Zabuza rest this time haha, time for a different swordsman to shine. I thought Kushimaru was dope when I saw him in the Fourth Shinobi War, and wouldn't it make sense of one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen to train Kimimaro who uses his bones as bladed or pointed weapons. And guess what? Kushimaru uses the Nuibari which is literally a Sewing Needle Sword. Lemme know what you think of this idea, I'm quite proud of it haha if Im being honest, but yeah that's about it. I also wondered what would happen if different groups fought against other groups like what if Suna's Puppet Brigade fought Iwa's Explosion Force, just a thought. Anyway I hope all of you are still enjoying this fic, please RnR and thanks for the continued support. Shoutout to GunBlade2022, thanks for your review. That's all cheers )