DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN NARUTO (THE I IN "NARUTO" MEANS: I OWN IT ;))
Ch.29 - Identity Theft
- Near Gato's Fortress -
Ino, Shino, and Naruto positioned themselves near Gato's heavily guarded fortress, their minds abuzz with a plan to rescue Kunio and Misake. Fortunately, Naruto still had memories from several of his clones which meant that Kimimaro was still chasing the decoys he made, granting them ample time to strategize. Some of Naruto's clones had been dispatched to head to Gato's fortress albeit in a different direction, creating a believable diversion. As they surveyed the fortress, it became evident that it was on high alert, a testament to their enemies' determination to safeguard their boss now in case of an attack.
"What's our next move?" Ino inquired, her gaze focused on the fortress.
"Hmm... Let me think," Naruto responded, his eyes scanning the surroundings. His observations led him to three guards patrolling the fortress perimeter. Noticing their disdain for shinobi, Naruto deduced that they were unlikely to possess the ability to sense nearby chakra signatures. Nonetheless, he urged his teammates to maintain their Chakra Henso no Jutsu (Chakra Disguise Technique) to provide an additional layer of protection.
"I've got it," Naruto declared, a spark of inspiration igniting within him. "See those guards over there?" he asked, pointing in their direction.
"Yeah, so?" Ino inquired, her curiosity piqued.
"We'll switch places with them," Naruto explained. "But first, let's carefully observe their chakra signatures and mimic them, just in case Gato has hired individuals capable of detecting chakra."
Shino, ever inquisitive, raised a question. "Naruto, how do you propose we lure them here?"
Naruto's mischievous grin surfaced as he replied, "Leave that to me, hehe." With a self-made jutsu in mind, Naruto prepared himself to execute the next step of their plan.
- With the Three Guards -
"Hey guys, any plans for tonight? I could use a drink or two," a man jovially remarked.
"I'm down. What about you, Hiroki?" the other man replied.
"Sure, why not? How about we check out that new bar Gato-sama opened on the other side of town?" Hiroki responded.
"Alright then, though I wish there was a discount if you work for him," the first man quipped.
"Tchhh... Just admit that you're broke, Shiniji, you fucking cheapskate," the other man retorted.
"You're one to talk, Kazuo. Don't forget, you still haven't paid me back for covering your tab last week!" Shinji shot back.
"Guys, guys... Relax... So, are we still on for tonight or what?" Hiroki interjected, attempting to diffuse the banter.
"Yeah, yeah, I'm still down," Shinji affirmed.
"Same here-" Kazuo began, only to be interrupted by the sound of a snapping twig. Alarmed, he alerted his companions to the noise. They exchanged glances, silently deciding on their course of action. After a moment, they nodded in agreement.
"Who's out there?! This area is restricted! Show yourself!" Kazuo demanded, his voice filled with authority. Suddenly, a petite and beautiful blonde woman emerged from behind a tree. She sported two ponytails, an orange dress, a red waist belt, and black sandals. "C-Could you three fine gentlemen help a lady out?" the woman pleaded.
"Who are you, and what are you doing here?" Shinji inquired, his tone cautious.
"M-My name is Hanae Tominaga, and I was just looking for my pet dog, Pochi. He ran away," Hanae explained.
"This deep in the forest?" Kazuo questioned, skepticism apparent in his voice.
"I've been chasing him for a while now, and I lost sight of him. Can you please help me find him?" Hanae requested.
"Sorry, but we're on duty right now, ma'am," Shinji responded, maintaining his professional demeanor.
"I see... Well, thank you for your consideration. I'll be going now," Hanae said, her voice tinged with disappointment.
"Wait!" Hiroki suddenly interjected, surprising his two companions. Hanae turned around, her attention now focused on him.
"Y-Yes?" she inquired, a glimmer of hope evident in her eyes.
"We'll help you find, uhhh... What was his name again?" Hiroki asked, scratching his head.
"Pochi," Hanae replied.
"Right... Pochi. We'll help you find him, Tominaga-san," Hiroki declared, a warm smile spreading across his face.
"Really?! Thank you so much! And please, call me Hanae," she responded, her own smile radiating with gratitude. Hiroki blushed slightly, flustered by her appreciation.
"Hiroki, can I talk to you for a moment?" Shinji called out, beckoning Hiroki aside. "Hold on a sec, Hanae-san," Hiroki replied, excusing himself with a smile.
"What the hell do you think you're doing?" Shinji inquired, his voice laced with frustration.
"Helping a lady out, like a gentleman should," Hiroki responded, his tone defiant.
"Gentleman? Oh, please. As if you stand a chance with her. For once, stop thinking with your crotch and use your brain," Shinji retorted.
"Whatever. I'll help her, and nothing will change my mind. And just so you know, among the three of us, I have the highest chance of impressing a woman like her," Hiroki stated firmly before returning to Hanae, who patiently waited nearby.
"Sorry for the delay, Hanae-san. Where did you last see Pochi?" Hiroki inquired, determined to fulfill his promise.
"Come, I'll show you," Hanae replied, leading the way. Hiroki followed, eager to assist.
"*sigh* Can you believe that guy?" Shinji turned to Kazuo, a hint of exasperation in his voice.
"I don't know what to say, man. Let's just help this woman out and get this over with," Kazuo replied, sharing Shinji's frustration. Shinji sighed, reluctantly agreeing.
Together, they ventured in the direction Hiroki and Hanae had gone. "Wait up! We're coming too, so we can get this over with and continue our patrol," Shinji called out, only to discover that Hiroki and Hanae were nowhere to be found.
"Where the hell are they?" Shinji wondered aloud.
"Beats me, but wouldn't it be crazy if we find upon them making out somewhere?" Kazuo jested.
"Hiroki? And that 10? As if," Shinji scoffed. "The chances of a bear biting my junk is higher than Hiroki landing a girl like her," he added.
"You're just jealous that Hiroki took a chance while you didn't," Kazuo teased.
"I'm not jealo-" Shinji's sentence was cut off abruptly as he suddenly found himself paralyzed. Simultaneously, Kazuo experienced the same fate. Their breath was stifled as a pair of hands covered their mouths and noses, robbing them of air. Within a minute and a half, both succumbed to unconsciousness, victims of asphyxiation.
"Quick! Tie them up before Kimimaro finds us," Naruto urged.
"Don't rush me, Naruto. I'm working as fast as I can," Ino replied, diligently securing their captives.
"We could have done this much quicker with the earlier version of my jutsu," Naruto argued.
"Why on earth would you even have a jutsu like that? It's tasteless!" Ino shot back.
"For the last time! The smoke was covering the private parts!" Naruto defended himself.
"That doesn't- You know what? Let's discuss this another time. We need to focus on saving Kunio-san and his granddaughter," Ino retorted, shifting their attention back to the mission. Naruto nodded, temporarily shelving the topic.
The three of them transformed using the Henge no Jutsu (Transformation Technique) and activated the Chakra Henso no Jutsu (Chakra Disguise Technique), assuming the appearance of the three guards they had rendered unconscious. With their disguises in place, they made their way toward the entrance of Gato's fortress.
- At The Entrance -
As the trio approached the heavily fortified fortress, assuming the identities of the three men they had encountered earlier, a sense of urgency filled the air. The stronghold teemed with Gato's henchmen, and the stakes were high, not only for their own lives but also for the lives of Kunio and his granddaughter, Misaki. Their success hinged on infiltrating the base undetected by seamlessly blending in with the swapped identities, maintaining a low profile, and remaining composed.
Naruto leaned in closer to Ino and whispered, "Keep your jutsu active, Ino," reminding her to sustain her Shindenshin no Jutsu (Mind Body Transmission Technique). She nodded in acknowledgment, fully aware of the crucial role her technique played in their mission.
"Alright then, one last reminder," Naruto said, his voice steady and focused. "I'm 'Hiroki,' you're 'Shinji,' and Shino is 'Kazuo.' Got it?"
His teammates nodded in unison, their determination evident. With their new personas firmly in place, they made their way towards the fortress entrance, where they encountered yet another guard who signaled them to halt before entering the premises.
"Done with your patrol already?" the guard inquired.
Summoning every ounce of courage and confidence, Naruto assumed the role of spokesperson for the team and replied, "Yep, we just finished not too long ago," intentionally keeping their response vague to disclose minimal information.
"Hmmm... I see, although your shift isn't over for another hour or so," the guard observed.
"Well, there's not much action going on in the area. Besides, didn't Gato-sama hire one of the Kiri no Shinobigatana Shichinin Shu (Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist)? The guy's pretty tough to be a part of that elite group of swordsmen from Kiri. And his underling looks tough too, so they've got this," Naruto smoothly responded, weaving a believable tale.
"I suppose you're right," the guard conceded.
"See? There's nothing to worry about. Say, why don't you join us for a drink later tonight? We're heading to the new bar Gato-sama just opened at the other end of town. What do you say?" Naruto suggested, injecting an inviting tone into his voice.
"Hmmm... I suppose I'm not that busy later this evening. Oh, what the hell, count me in!" the guard agreed, a smile creeping onto his face.
"Great! Don't worry about bringing any money. Shinji's treating, right, Shinji?" Naruto nudged Ino playfully, ensuring their cover remained intact.
"Yep, drinks on me," Ino responded, her voice carefully controlled to maintain their charade.
"What about you, Kazuo-san? Will you be joining us?" the guard turned to Shino, causing both Naruto and Ino to grow nervous, uncertain of how Shino would respond given his peculiar mannerisms.
"Of course I'm coming! Why the hell would I pass up on free drinks? Are you insane?!" Shino answered, his response uncharacteristically spirited, causing both blondes to be taken aback.
"Great! What time and where are we meeting?" the guard inquired.
"How does 7:00 PM at the town square sound?" Naruto suggested.
"Sounds good to me! See you there, Hiroki-san!" the guard bid them farewell, his enthusiasm evident. The three of them exchanged smiles and proceeded to make their way inside the fortress.
"What the hell was that, Shino?" Naruto communicated telepathically.
"I know, right?!" Ino chimed in.
"Did I do something wrong? If so, I apologize," Shino responded, his confusion apparent.
"Wrong?! You were amazing! I won't lie; I was really nervous back there," Naruto admitted, a hint of relief in his voice.
"Same here. I thought I was about to get caught in the act," Ino confessed, her tension dissipating.
"Now that we're inside the fortress, where do you think Kunio-san and Misaki-san could be?" Naruto pondered aloud.
"I can deploy some of my insects to search for them. I still remember Kunio-san's chakra signature, although the search might take some time," Shino offered, his analytical mind already formulating a plan.
"Don't worry about the time it takes. As long as we find them and get them out of here. For now, let's maintain a low profile and avoid drawing attention," Naruto reminded his teammates before they discreetly dispersed, each one staying within close proximity to the others.
- With Asuma -
After sealing Kushimaru and his Nuibari inside a scroll, Asuma set off to rendezvous with his students who were en route to Gato's fortress. On his way, he stumbled upon three unconscious men tightly bound together. It didn't take long for Asuma to deduce that his students had already devised a plan to infiltrate the fortress. However, he knew he needed to navigate the defenses discreetly to join them without jeopardizing their safety.
Asuma's mind sparked with a brilliant idea. Utilizing the Henge no Jutsu (Transformation Technique) and activating the Chakra Henso no Jutsu (Chakra Disguise Technique), he assumed the appearance of Kushimaru, albeit with simulated injuries. Additionally, he created a clone of himself that appeared to have perished in battle against Kushimaru. Lifting the lifeless clone onto his shoulders, Asuma made his way towards the fortress entrance.
As he approached the entry point, every other goon stared at him in awe, their voices silenced by his imposing presence. Even the guard who had interrogated Ino, Shino, and Naruto dared not question him, allowing him to pass without hesitation. However, before stepping into the premises, Asuma posed a question to the guard.
"Oi! Where can I find Gato-sama?" he inquired, his tone laced with authority.
"S-Shouldn't you already know that, K-Kuriare-san?" the guard stammered nervously.
"Look, pal, I'm not in the mood for a conversation right now. Tell me where I can find him, or you'll end up like this prick I'm carrying," Asuma retorted, his words carrying a veiled threat.
"H-He's probably in his office in the... b-b-basement," the guard stammered, his voice trembling.
"And what about the two civilians? Where are they?" Asuma pressed on.
"T-They're also in the basement, one level below Gato-sama's o-office," the guard stuttered in reply.
"That wasn't so difficult, was it?" Asuma remarked, a touch of satisfaction in his voice. The guard hastily nodded in agreement.
"Good," Asuma said, patting the guard on the back before continuing on his way. He couldn't help but sense the man's shiver, a testament to the fear he had instilled.
- With Kimimaro -
After relentlessly pursuing the decoys for a considerable time, Kimimaro cornered them at a dead end, with a vast chasm on one side and himself on the other. Despite being mere decoys, they put up a valiant fight against Kimimaro, albeit brief, to prolong the period in which he wasn't chasing the real targets. However, Kimimaro swiftly dispelled one of the clones, realizing that he had been deceived by their tactics. This revelation ignited a surge of anger within him, prompting him to unleash unnecessary and brutal force upon the remaining two clones.
Kimimaro's fury was intertwined with deep-seated concern. His worry did not stem from the presence of mere Genin on the loose, but rather from the fear of disappointing his master and bearing the full brunt of his wrath. Regardless, he knew he had to report back to his master, regardless of the outcome of his pursuit. With a mixture of frustration and anxiety swirling within him, Kimimaro retraced his steps, making his way back to the location where he had encountered Asuma and his team.
- With Ino, Shino, and Naruto -
After considerable effort, Shino successfully pinpointed the location of Kunio and his granddaughter in the basement, one level below Gato's office. However, it became apparent that the basement was a restricted area for most of Gato's underlings, with only a select few permitted entry. Additionally, two guards, Zori and Waraji, loyal henchmen of Gato, stood watch at the entrance to the basement.
"Do you think those two will let us through?" Ino voiced her concern.
"I'm not sure... Probably not, but let's give it a try anyway," Naruto suggested, and both Ino and Shino agreed with his decision. Resolute, they approached the entrance of the basement, catching the attention of Zori and Waraji.
"Oi, what the hell do you three think you're doing? Huh?!" Zori questioned, his tone laced with hostility.
"Just going to report back to Gato-sama about our patrol earlier," Naruto replied, his voice calm but assertive.
"Patrol? That's it?! And you want to report directly to him about some damn patrol?! FUCK OFF!" Zori bellowed, his frustration evident. "Patrol report my ass..." he muttered under his breath.
"But it'll only take a second," Ino interjected, attempting to reason with them.
"I SAID BEAT IT!" Waraji chimed in, his anger matching Zori's intensity.
Realizing their direct approach was futile, the trio retreated to regroup and devise a new plan to bypass the guards. After some time, Naruto conceived an alternative strategy. He instructed Shino to impersonate Kimimaro, while he himself assumed the guise of Kushimaru using the Henge no Jutsu (Transformation Technique) and the Chakra Henso no Jutsu (Chakra Disguise Technique). As for Ino, she would employ the Meisaigakure no Jutsu (Hiding in Camouflage Technique) to conceal herself and slip past the guards while Naruto and Shino created a distraction.
Having assumed their disguises, the trio returned to the entrance of the basement. Just then, memories flooded Naruto's mind, reminding him that Kimimaro had likely realized that he had been tricked by their decoys. The urgency heightened, emphasizing the need to expedite their mission.
With Ino's Shindenshin no Jutsu (Mind Body Transmission Technique) still in effect, Naruto relayed to his teammates that time was of the essence to rescue Kunio and Misaki and extricate them from the fortress. Ideally, they would avoid a confrontation with Kimimaro. However, in the worst-case scenario, they had prepared a plan involving multiple explosive tags to fight him if necessary.
Zori and Waraji noticed Naruto and Shino approaching, mistaking them for Kushimaru and Kimimaro. The four of them locked eyes momentarily, while Ino remained hidden in camouflage.
"What're you looking at, punk?!" Naruto addressed Zori, his tone laced with authority, causing the guard to gulp nervously.
"N-Nothing, Kuriare-san," Zori stammered, his voice trembling.
"That's what I thought. Why don't you two go get me a bottle of sake from the commissary?" Naruto commanded, creating an opportunity for Ino to slip past the guards.
"W-What?" Zori stuttered, taken aback by the request.
"Did I stutter? You heard me. NOW GO!" his voice boomed, exuding an intimidating presence.
"R-Right away, Kuriare-san. Come on, Waraji!" Zori beckoned his partner to follow him.
As Zori and Waraji left the area to fulfill the fabricated task, Ino seized the opportunity to make her way through the entrance, with Naruto and Shino trailing closely behind.
- Gato's Fortress: B2 -
Within the confines of a jail cell, equipped with a modest bunk bed, a sink, and a mirror, Kunio and his granddaughter, Misaki, endured days of imprisonment and relentless questioning by Gato's lackeys. Despite sharing everything he knew, their captors persisted in their belief that Kunio held further information regarding Asuma and his students. Though on the bright side, interrogators refrained from resorting to extreme measures to extract the truth, a small mercy in their grim circumstances. Yet, despite the duration of their captivity, Kunio remained steadfast, holding onto hope that Asuma and his students would come to their rescue. Asuma's words echoed in his mind, providing solace before their encounter with Zori and Waraji: "But rest assured, if things take a turn for the worse, we'll come to your aid."
Suddenly, the sound of approaching footsteps reached their ears, evoking nervousness within Kunio and Misaki. Gripping her grandfather's arm tightly, Misaki whimpered, expressing her fear. Kunio responded by placing a hand on her head, gently stroking it as he sought to provide reassurance. "Don't worry, I'll keep you safe, no matter what," he comforted her, his voice filled with determination.
Their attention shifted as two men approached their cell, attempting to open it despite lacking the key. "K-Kuriare-san?... W-What's going on?" Kunio questioned, his voice filled with confusion.
"We're getting you out of here," Naruto, still in disguise, revealed, causing Kunio to misunderstand his intentions. "A-Are you going to transfer us to another cell?" Kunio inquired, seeking clarification.
"No, we're breaking you out of here, Kunio-san," Naruto clarified, noting the perplexed expressions on Kunio and Misaki's faces. The duo struggled to comprehend why one of Gato's lackeys would orchestrate their escape, until Ino, Shino, and Naruto unveiled their true identities. Relief washed over Kunio as he realized that Team 10 had come to their aid. However, Naruto cautioned against premature gratitude, reminding them that their rescue was not yet complete.
With determined persistence, Naruto attempted to force the lock open through sheer strength, but his efforts proved futile. Realizing that a different approach was necessary, he instructed Kunio and Misaki to step back as he prepared to employ a fire-based jutsu that might melt the lock and free them from their cell.
"Katon: Hoteri Ougigata no Jutsu (Fire Release: Flash Fan Technique)," Naruto uttered the incantation, summoning a stream of intense flames directed at the lock. Channeling additional chakra into the jutsu, he sought to amplify its power and hasten the melting process. As the fire engulfed the lock, Naruto could sense the heat intensify.
When the flames finally dissipated, Naruto observed with satisfaction that the lock had indeed melted, signifying the success of his jutsu. The pathway to freedom lay open before them.
In order to avoid suspicion, Naruto advised Kunio and Misaki to follow their lead, tying their hands to create the appearance of a routine transfer to another holding cell, should anyone happen to spot them.
- With Zori and Waraji -
On their way back from the commissary, Zori and Waraji unexpectedly encountered Asuma, who was disguised as Kushimaru with Asuma on his shoulder. Confusion flickered across Zori's face as he questioned the sudden appearance of "Asuma" on Kushimaru's shoulders.
Asuma fixed his gaze upon Zori, hoping to exude an air of intimidation. "The fuck do you want?! Can't you see I'm a little busy here?!" he snapped, his tone laced with impatience.
"W-We came here to bring you this," Waraji stammered nervously, presenting the bottle of sake to Asuma. Although perplexed by the unexpected gift, Asuma decided to play along. "Took you two long enough. Now, PISS OFF!" he bellowed, prompting Zori and Waraji to swiftly retreat from the area.
With the duo out of the way, Asuma's focus shifted to locating his students within Gato's fortress. The fortress consisted of five levels in total, but Asuma could eliminate the top floor from his search since Ino had previously scouted it as Gato's bedroom while inhabiting a bird's body. This meant he had four levels left to check in order to find his students. However, just as he was preparing to commence his search, Ino's voice echoed in his mind through her Shindenshin no Jutsu (Mind Body Transmission Technique).
"Asuma-sensei, can you hear me?" Ino's telepathic message reached him.
"I can hear you, Ino. Where are the three of you?" Asuma responded, his relief palpable.
"We're here in the basement, and we have Kunio-san and Misaki-san with us," Ino informed him.
"I see... I'll meet you guys there," Asuma acknowledged, quickening his pace as he hastened toward the basement, his heart buoyed by the knowledge that his students and the captives were nearby.
- With Ino, Shino, and Naruto -
As they hastened towards the entrance of the basement, an unexpected encounter awaited them—a henchman of Gato's. The man scrutinized Naruto, Shino, Kunio, and Misaki, perplexed by their actions and the sight of them taking the captives with them. Seeking clarification, he directed his questions at Naruto. "What's going on here? Where are you taking them, Kuriare-san?" he inquired.
"Gato-sama ordered us to—" Naruto began his response, but before he could finish, Asuma arrived at the scene, still disguised as Kushimaru. The guard's confusion deepened upon seeing another Kushimaru, causing his words to trail off. Sensing the need for swift action, Asuma swiftly performed a genjutsu, "Nemuri (Sleep)" Asuma said then causing the bewildered guard to instantly fall asleep. The sudden display of genjutsu surprised Naruto and Shino, the events unfolding rapidly before them.
"You know genjutsu, Asuma-sensei?" Naruto questioned.
"Well, yeah, but it's not my specialty. But let's not dwell on that. How are you two doing?" Asuma inquired, turning his attention to Kunio and Misaki.
"We're doing fine, Sarutobi-san. It's a relief that they didn't harm us back there," Kunio replied, expressing his gratitude.
"I'm glad to hear that," Asuma responded with a nod.
Curious about the outcome of Asuma's part in the battle, Naruto asked, "So, how did it go on your end, Asuma-sensei?"
"It went well, although I had a few close calls. But in the end, I'm still standing and in one piece," Asuma recounted, earning a nod of approval from Naruto.
Asuma devised a plan, instructing his students to remain disguised and safely escort Kunio and Misaki back to the inn while he deactivated his Henge no Jutsu (Transformation Technique) and Chakra Henso no Jutsu (Chakra Disguise Technique). He would create chaos within Gato's fortress, drawing attention to himself and buying them time to escape. Acknowledging the soundness of the plan, his students agreed, and they parted ways, embarking on their respective missions.
"See you all back at the inn," Asuma bid them farewell before employing the Shunshin no Jutsu (Body Flicker Technique) and vanished from sight, leaving his students to carry out their task while he took on the role of a diversion within Gato's fortress.
- With Ino, Shino, and Naruto -
As alarms blared throughout the fortress, signaling chaos and distraction caused by their sensei, the trio then seized the opportunity to make their swift escape. They hurriedly navigated their way out of the basement and into the forest, their hearts pounding with the thrill of their successful infiltration. However, fate seemed determined to test them once again as they unexpectedly encountered Kimimaro.
Their disguises shattered, all three of them deactivated their jutsus, revealing their true identities. Silence enveloped the forest as Kimimaro locked eyes with them, the tension palpable in the air. Breaking the stillness, Kimimaro posed a specific question, his gaze fixed on Naruto, who had been pretending to be his master. His inquiry sought to uncover the fate of Kushimaru after he had left him with Asuma to pursue them.
Naruto wrestled with the decision of whether or not to reveal the truth, and ultimately chose to remain silent, keeping the answer to himself. The lack of response from Naruto spoke volumes to Kimimaro, and a realization washed over him, unveiling the harsh truth of his master's demise. He took a deep breath, his voice laced with sadness as he composed himself. "I see," he murmured, accepting the cruel reality.
With Kushimaru gone, Kimimaro believed he had lost his purpose. Yet, he stated with a menacing tone, "However, I still have one last thing to do." His eyes shifted to Kunio and Misaki, standing before them. Unaffected by their presence, he declared, "I have no interest in them. My aim is to do the same thing your sensei did to me—to take away someone important from him" he said as bones began to sprout from Kimimaro's body, a menacing display of his deadly abilities. Understanding the imminent danger that awaited, Naruto devised a plan. He knew he could create clones to escort Kunio and Misaki to safety while he and his teammates confronted Kimimaro once more. It was a rematch, a round two for each of them, and the three of them steeled himself for the impending battle.
- To Be Continued -
(A/N: After a one year hiatus, I finally rewritten this storyline. The Mori no Kuni Arc was a bit of a disaster in my opinion but now I'm more satisfied with the way I've rewritten it, hope y'all enjoy it cheers! ^^)