(To the reader: Ayooo? An A/N in the beginning of the chapter, is this chapter like chapter 1? Haha, nah... All kidding aside, before I begin this chapter, I know this Team 8 Arc has been going on for too long now and I apologize. I envisioned a storyline for this team that I liked and tried to keep it short but the thing is I've found my sweet spot for writing each chapter to be between 3K - 5K words which has worked so far which is why my fic has up to 39 chapters by now and has a total of 150K words. Compare it to one of my idols, Kenchi618's work "Better Left Unsaid", his has a whopping 1M words and 84 chapters. Yet mine already has half the amount of chapters and 15% of the total words of his fic, I was worried at first but then I realized that his chapters were in huge chunks. This chapter would be a huge chunk that would be wrapping up this story arc so that we could now return to this fic's main focus which is Naruto and Team 10. Again, I apologize but do know I'm trying my best to tell a story that I think people would also like. I guess winging wasn't as easy as I thought, props to you Kishimoto haha. Anyway, on to the story!)
DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN NARUTO (IF THIS WAS A DRINKING GAME, YOU'D ALL BE WASTED BY NOW)
Ch.40A - Forest Pandemonium pt.2
- Earlier With Kurenai and Iku -
(Same time her students left with Tamayori)
Kurenai and Iku found themselves facing their three opponents, a tense standoff where each side hesitated to make the first move. Kurenai had ordered her students to retreat, leaving them alone to confront their remaining adversaries. Her eyes focused intently on the masked assailants, trying to discern their intentions, but their concealed faces made it challenging to gauge their thoughts. Both wore hitai-ate bearing the Kirigakure insignia, a crucial detail that hinted at their fighting style, as each village trained its shinobi differently. The third opponent lurked within a dense shroud of purple mist, taking on the form of a menacing beast, though Kurenai knew that a human controlled the creature's actions, obscured beneath the chakra-laden fog.
Unexpectedly, Kurenai heard Iku's voice resonating in her mind. "Any plans, Kurenai-san?" he inquired, revealing that he had established a telepathic link using the Shindenshin no Jutsu (Mind Body Transmission Technique) during the earlier chaos. Though unfamiliar with such communication, Kurenai quickly adapted and responded. "I'll take the big one, you handle the other two. Can you handle it, or should we switch?" she proposed, allowing Iku to assess the situation.
After observing their opponents, Iku agreed with Kurenai's strategy. "Okay then, on my mark, I'll lure away the big one while you deal with the other two," Kurenai instructed, and Iku nodded in agreement.
A profound silence fell, the air charged with anticipation. With a sudden motion, Kurenai hurled a smoke bomb, concealing her movements. Simultaneously, Iku sprang into action, dashing eastward while Kurenai headed west. As the smoke cleared, the purple beast reacted, instructing its partners to pursue Iku while it chased after Kurenai. The masked partners coordinated seamlessly, running together in pursuit of Iku. The battle had begun.
- With Kurenai -
As Kurenai ventured deeper into the heart of the dense forest, her mind raced with thoughts of how to overcome her mysterious adversary. She knew precious little about them, except for their remarkable ability to manipulate enigmatic purple chakra, granting them a versatile and formidable edge. From their brief encounter, she surmised that the foe relied heavily on brute strength. To counter this, Kurenai resolved to play to her own strengths, devising a cunning plan to defeat her enemy.
As she glanced back, she saw the relentless foe still hot on her trail, now appearing as a swirling, misty purple beast. The creature hurled various forest debris her way, from massive boulders to dead tree trunks. With nimble grace, Kurenai adeptly dodged every projectile, her mind set on finding a spacious area to execute her first jutsu. Determinedly, she continued her flight until she finally found the perfect spot to initiate her attack.
Taking a deep breath, Kurenai performed a series of handseals with precision: Ram, Monkey, Tiger, Monkey, Snake. "Hana no oka no Jutsu (Flower Hill Technique)," she whispered, and suddenly, she became enveloped in a flurry of beautiful flower petals. The beast lunged to strike the petals, only for them to disperse, revealing that Kurenai had already vanished. An enchanting rain of flowers fell from the sky, shrouding the creature's surroundings in darkness, obscuring its vision. The beast scanned its surroundings frantically, trying to locate its elusive opponent.
"Nice try, it's adorable that you think I can't dispel genjutsu," the beast's distorted voice taunted as it broke free from Kurenai's illusion with a single hand seal. "Kai! (Release)," it bellowed. The flower petals vanished, and its surroundings returned to normal, but it sensed another chakra signature approaching from behind. Inside the beast, a sly smirk adorned the figure's face as they pretended to be unaware of Kurenai's imminent attack. At the last moment, it turned around, catching Kurenai's hand just before she could plunge a kunai into its body. The creature tightened its grip, seeking to crush her, but she transformed into smoke, evading its grasp once more. The beast growled in frustration and scanned its surroundings, only to sense Kurenai's chakra signature approaching from above. Just as she was about to strike with her kunai, the beast surprisingly stood still, allowing the attack to land. However, it seemed Kurenai had a trick up her sleeve - her kunai contained an explosive tag. The detonation caused the creature to tumble, yet it appeared largely unharmed, its inner figure demonstrating resilience against the explosion.
From a distance, Kurenai carefully observed the beast, keen to gauge the effectiveness of her recent attack. The explosive tag had proved futile against the purple chakra-fueled creature in its beastly form, prompting her to strategize differently. With a steady focus, she initiated another jutsu, "Kage Bunshin no Jutsu (Shadow Clone Technique)," and like wisps of smoke, three identical clones of herself materialized. Taking advantage of their numbers, she commanded the clones to flank the adversary from all sides while she readied another genjutsu.
The beast, growing increasingly exasperated by Kurenai's relentless use of illusions and mind games, took precautionary measures. It scrutinized the three clones, noticing the explosive tags on their kunai. Anticipating an attack, it countered swiftly with "Katon: Housenka no Jutsu (Fire Release: Phoenix Sage Technique)," unleashing a barrage of fireballs that struck the clones, triggering the explosive tags in a cloud of smoke and chaos. When the dust settled, it discovered three identical seals arranged in a triangular formation on the ground. Sensing danger, the beast rushed toward Kurenai, only to be stopped in its tracks by an unseen barrier.
The creature's frustration reached its peak as it relentlessly tried to shatter the invisible barrier separating it from Kurenai. Despite its ferocious attempts, the unseen wall remained steadfast, impervious to the beast's mighty blows. Snarls of anger echoed through the forest as the creature realized the futility of escaping through the narrow opening above. Its towering form made vaulting over impossible, and its attempts to scale the barrier were met with slippery failure. Frustration boiled within the beast, expressed in deep, guttural growls.
In response to the creature's defiance, Kurenai swiftly conjured another jutsu, "Katon: Hibashira no Jutsu (Fire Release: Fire Pillar Technique)," her voice resolute. The ground trembled beneath the creature's feet as it sensed the impending danger. Quick-thinking and desperate to survive, the beast abandoned its current form, revealing the figure concealed within the purple chakra. The chakra then transformed into a mesmerizing pair of wings, granting the figure the means to evade the imminent peril.
A pillar of fire erupted from the ground, directed by the barrier that channeled the flames upward. The man inside managed to escape by flying out of her trap, though not unscathed, as burns marred his body. Kurenai watched, panting from the effort of performing the formidable jutsu taught by Asuma. She knew she had to refine her skills further to activate it more swiftly, yet it had served its purpose, revealing yet another facet of her opponent's mysterious purple chakra.
As she gazed up at the man, soaring gracefully through the air on his wings of purple chakra, Kurenai's sharp eyes noticed a foreboding necklace emitting an ominous glow. Before she could delve deeper into her observation, the man swiftly launched a relentless barrage of projectiles using his wings, exclaiming "Kujaku Myoho: Hakai suru! (Mysterious Peacock Method: Demolish)." A flurry of purple feathers rained down upon her, far more potent than the previous jutsu she had witnessed, "Kujaku Myoho: Zan (Mysterious Peacock Method: Destroy)." With unwavering determination, Kurenai called upon her honed skills, evading each projectile through a dance of swift shunshins (body flickers) and kawarimis (body replacements). The duration of the attack seemed endless, but her tenacity paid off, dodging every strike with calculated precision.
Enraged by her resilience, the man's frustration reached a boiling point, and he lunged down at a breathtaking speed, channeling his purple-chakra-infused fist for a devastating attack, "Kujaku Myoho: Seiken-zuki! (Mysterious Peacock Method: Star Fist Punch)." The comet-like punch hurtled towards Kurenai with unstoppable force, but her instincts kicked in just in time. With a hair's breadth of evasion, she managed to avoid the catastrophic strike, rolling away to create some distance. The impact of the man's attack created a crater in the earth, a testament to its sheer power.
As the dust settled, Kurenai observed the man standing defiantly within the crater he had created. However, just as he prepared for another assault, he noticed the flickering of his necklace. A moment of uncertainty crossed his face before he grumbled, "Tchhh... This isn't over..." With those words, he flew away, leaving Kurenai standing alone in the aftermath of their fierce battle.
Breathing heavily and heart pounding with adrenaline, Kurenai knew that the enigmatic man would not rest until their unfinished duel was settled. As the forest's ambiance returned, wrapping her in its tranquil embrace, she could only wonder about the true nature of the man's necklace and the extent of his enigmatic abilities. The encounter had sparked a yearning to delve deeper into the mysteries of the purple chakra and the secrets it held. Putting those thoughts aside, she couldn't help but wonder how the others were faring.
- With Iku -
(Same time he and Kurenai separated ways)
As Iku sprinted through the dense forest, his heart pounded in his chest, and he couldn't help but glance back to see if his pursuers were closing in on him. To his relief, there was still a considerable distance between him and the two assailants. Facing two opponents was a challenge he'd rather take on than confronting the monstrous purple chakra beast Kurenai had cunningly diverted. Nonetheless, he knew it wouldn't be an easy task to handle two skilled foes simultaneously.
Analyzing their coordinated attacks during their brief encounter. Their synchronization was remarkable, leaving no room for wasted movements and flawless timing. Their Kirigakure (Hidden Mist Village) headbands hinted at their expertise in stealth. The odds were against him, and Iku had to confront the harsh reality of facing them head-on, despite their numerical advantage. He deduced that they were well-acquainted, making coordinated strikes a definite possibility.
As he continued running, Iku's mind raced, devising a plan to overcome this perilous situation. He knew that accepting this mission carried inherent risks, but the extent of conflict had caught him off guard. Yet, being a seasoned shinobi, he remained prepared for the unexpected. To stand a chance against his foes, he needed to identify their vulnerabilities.
Suddenly, Iku noticed that the two assailants had vanished. This raised his guard, and just as the heavens seemed to conspire against him, raindrops began to fall, creating puddles on the forest floor. In no time, a mist surrounded him, revealing the infamous Kirigakure no Jutsu (Hiding in Mist Technique).
"Great... Just my luck..." Iku muttered under his breath, searching through his bag for a scroll he had saved for emergencies. "Kaifu no Jutsu (Unsealing Technique)," he whispered, unrolling the scroll, revealing his trusty weapon, the dako (meandering) - a cross-shaped spear with incredible flexibility. The dako (meandering) could stretch, contract, and bend in various directions, making it a formidable weapon in Iku's hands.
With the dako (meandering) in hand, Iku assumed a focused fighting stance, his determination unwavering. The forest seemed to hold its breath as the rain and mist shrouded the battleground, turning it into a battlefield of shadows and secrets. As he stood ready for whatever his adversaries would throw at him, the world around him grew hushed, and the anticipation of imminent battle hung thick in the air.
The forest was enshrouded in an eerie silence, disturbed only by the soft rhythm of raindrops tapping against the ground, the whisper of the wind rustling through the leaves, and the distant roll of thunder. Then, out of the hushed ambiance, a deadly cluster of shurikens materialized in the distance, hurtling toward Iku with deadly intent. Instinctively, he leaped and swerved, dodging and deflecting the deadly projectiles with agile grace.
But the danger didn't end there. In a heartbeat, he sensed a lurking presence behind him, and a menacing voice roared, "DIE!" A metal-clad gauntlet, sharp as claws, aimed menacingly at his head. Iku contorted his body, bending backward in a desperate attempt to evade the vicious strike. Yet, as he managed to dodge one attacker, another emerged from the shadows, poised to strike from above. Reacting with split-second agility, Iku executed a back handspring, narrowly evading the second attack, though not without stumbling upon his feet.
With his heart pounding, Iku stood tall once more, his eyes darting, trying to locate his cunning foes. They vanished again, melding into the murky shadows. Fighting both adversaries at once, coupled with the obscurity of the rain and the cacophony of its downpour, made it challenging for Iku to predict their next move or mount a counter-attack.
"I must find a way to separate them," Iku pondered urgently. His mind raced, analyzing every possibility. Determined not to succumb to the relentless pressure they exerted, he focused on locating their positions using the Kanchi no Jutsu (Sensing Technique). Despite knowing the consequences of overusing such a jutsu, chakra exhaustion, Iku pressed on. His life depended on it, and the thought of his military ration pills offered a glimmer of hope to mitigate the draining effects of chakra depletion.
He refused to back down, knowing that surrendering to his adversaries' relentless assault was synonymous with death. With his resolve firmly in place, Iku pushed forward, determined to face the perils head-on. The world around him blurred in a dance of rain and mist, yet his senses heightened, ready to seize any advantage that would give him even the slightest edge.
After mastering the mysterious jutsu, Iku's senses expanded, allowing him to grasp a vague understanding of his surroundings and the distinct chakra signatures present. Yet, every advantage came at a price, and this technique demanded unwavering concentration. Iku found himself constrained by the need to remain motionless, channeling all his focus into maintaining the jutsu. A taxing limitation that rendered him unable to uphold it for long stretches.
As moments passed, he discerned two distinct chakra signatures converging upon him—one from the right and another from the left. He opened his eyes, only to face the ominous figures before him, their gauntlets poised to shred him apart. With instinct guiding his swift response, Iku spun his dako (meandering), hurling the spear-end at a nearby tree branch. The weapon expertly lodged itself into the branch, elevating him and allowing him to evade the imminent assault with acrobatic finesse.
Having evaded their initial assault, the two assailants resorted to dragging their gauntlets along the ground to decelerate. Their actions tore the earth asunder, leaving a trail of destruction in their wake. Soon, they regrouped, sprinting back toward Iku with alarming speed. One attacker positioned his gauntlet as a launchpad, propelling his partner high into the air. "Get him, brother!" one of them bellowed from below. "With pleasure," the other responded, swiping his gauntlet fiercely at Iku. The force of the blow splintered the tree branch he was holding onto, but with a display of remarkable skill, Iku replicated the move, embedding the spear-end into another branch and swinging to safety.
Despite their thwarted efforts, the relentless attackers refused to relent. The grounded assailant charged towards Iku's swinging trajectory while the airborne one descended, preparing to strike. Swift and agile, Iku landed on the ground, but before he could gather himself, the other attacker was upon him, launching a relentless barrage of gauntlet strikes. Iku maneuvered with incredible dexterity, dodging most of the assaults, yet one vicious swing managed to graze his leg, eliciting a guttural cry of pain as blood seeped from the wound.
Faced with the grim reality of his injured leg, Iku had no choice but to create an opportunity to retreat and tend to his wounds. Swiftly, he unleashed a smokebomb, enshrouding himself in a veil of obscurity. As the smoke billowed, he executed a kawarimi (body substitution), skillfully exchanging places with a nearby log. The furious attacker, seeing through the ruse, struck the smoke with unrestrained force, only to find his target vanished. "DAMNIT!" he thundered, frustration evident in his voice.
However, his partner noticed the trail of blood left behind by Iku's injury, alerting him to their prey's escape route. Without hesitation, they silently communicated their next move, following the crimson path, determined to track down their elusive quarry.
- Somewhere In The Woods -
Iku found refuge in a cave, his back pressed against its stone wall as he tended to his injury. Frustration boiled within him as he cursed his oversight of forgetting a first-aid kit. In a moment of anger, he punched the stone wall, venting his feelings of helplessness. As his emotions settled, he focused on the task at hand, searching for a solution to his predicament.
An idea sparked in his mind when he noticed a kunai in his bag. Though painful, it seemed to be his only viable option. He would use the kunai to cauterize his wound, preventing further bleeding and ensuring a chance at survival. Taking a deep breath, he prepared a fire-jutsu to heat the blade. Bracing himself for the ordeal, he bit down on his shirt and steeled his resolve.
With intense focus, Iku performed a utility based fire-jutsu, heating the kunai's blade. He knew that a searing pain awaited him, but he had no choice. In short bursts, he applied the heated blade to his injury, gritting his teeth and groaning in agony. The pain threatened to overwhelm him, but he refused to relent. Time seemed to stretch as he persevered, cauterizing the wound to the best of his ability.
After what felt like an eternity, Iku finally finished the painful process. Slowly rising to his feet, he noticed his other leg felt weak from the strain. Determined not to let the pain hinder him, he swallowed one of his military ration pills, drawing strength from its energy-boosting properties.
As Iku basked in the rare moments of tranquility within the cave, an unexpected sound pierced the silence – faint footsteps echoing from afar. His respite was abruptly shattered, urging him to shake off any lingering weariness. Time pressed upon him, and the need for action was palpable.
With a determined gleam in his eye, Iku grasped the urgency of the situation. He couldn't allow his adversaries to find him unprepared. Swiftly, he ventured deeper into the dimly lit cavern, his senses attuned to every whisper of sound. An audacious plan began to take shape in his mind.
The cave's path bifurcated before him, revealing two potential routes to navigate. A spark of inspiration ignited within Iku's thoughts. This could be his chance to turn the tables on his pursuers. By splitting their forces, he might gain a crucial advantage.
With a silent resolve, he chose his path, moving stealthily like a phantom. His heart drummed in his chest, adrenaline surging through his veins as he closed the distance. Every step was measured, every breath deliberate, as he neared his prey. The shadows seemed to be on his side, concealing his approach.
- With The Two Attackers -
Through the dense forest, the rain poured relentlessly, drenching the two men as they followed Iku's fading trail of blood. Each step was fraught with anticipation, knowing their elusive target could be close. Suddenly, the trail led them to the mouth of a mysterious cave. In unspoken agreement, they understood that Iku must have sought refuge within its dark depths.
"I can't believe leaving Kiri was the best choice we ever made, brother," one of them remarked, a tinge of disbelief in his voice.
"Damn right it is! New Mizukage my ass, tchhh... Bitch probably knows jack shit about leading a village," the other retorted, his frustration evident.
"Yeah... Yo, Gozu, how much do you think boss man would pay us after this mission?" inquired the other man.
"Beats me, Meizu, but from the looks of that manor in Yugakure (Village Hidden in Hot Water), I'm pretty sure its gonna be a crap ton!" Gozu replied, their minds fixed on the reward awaiting them.
As they conversed, a faint rumble echoed from the depths of the cave, stirring their senses.
"That must be him," Gozu murmured, alerting his companion.
"Let's just kill that son of a bitch and get this over with!" Meizu declared, bracing himself for the impending confrontation.
With grim determination, they pressed forward into the heart of the cave. Yet, to their surprise, the trail of blood seemed to vanish abruptly, leaving them at a crossroads where two paths diverged.
"Which way?" Meizu inquired.
"I'll take the left, and you take the right," suggested Gozu, a practical plan forming in his mind.
With the plan in place, they parted ways, each venturing into the unknown, deep within the enigmatic cave. The air was thick with tension, their hearts pounding in their ears as they prepared for the inevitable showdown with their quarry.
- With Meizu -
As Meizu delved deeper into the cave, the darkness engulfed him, making it increasingly difficult to discern his surroundings. To illuminate his path, he called upon his fire-jutsu, conjuring the "Katon: Taimatsu no Jutsu (Fire Release: Torch Technique)." The flames danced gracefully on his palm, casting a flickering glow that pushed back the shadows.
As he ventured further, the sound of tumbling rocks echoed behind him, triggering an instinctual response. He whirled around, expecting to face their elusive target, but found nothing. The eerie silence enveloped him, accompanied only by the crackling of the flames, the dripping of water, and the sound of his own breath.
Suddenly, approaching footsteps broke the silence, confirming his suspicion that their quarry was near. Meizu readied himself to strike, anticipation coursing through his veins. In a swift motion, he lunged forward, his gauntlet aiming for the target. Yet, to his dismay, he hit nothing but the unyielding stone wall causing the cave to tremble and dust to descend from the ceiling.
Alarmed by his own actions, Meizu realized that he had endangered himself and his brother by compromising the cave's structural integrity. He knew he had to act fast, he . Determined to avoid any further catastrophe, he quickly sprinted to haul his brother and himself out of the cave in an attempt to flee the cave. However, fate had other plans. As they made their way to the exit, rocks began to rain down, blocking their escape route.
Frustration and anger consumed him as he helplessly pounded on the obstructing rocks. Trapped and desperate, he screamed in defiance. But the cave seemed unyielding, as if mocking his futile efforts. With no viable way out, Meizu made a difficult decision – he had to forge ahead, seeking an alternative route deeper into the labyrinthine cave.
- With Iku -
(The Same Time The Brothers Separated)
Emerging from his concealment behind a massive boulder within the cave, Iku's eyes fell upon the unconscious form of Meizu sprawled on the cold cavern floor. Triumph gleamed in his gaze as he realized his cunning genjutsu had succeeded. Ingeniously utilizing the cave's natural layout, Iku had strategically separated his opponents, rendering Meizu vulnerable to his masterful illusion known as "Kanbotsu (Cave-in)." The technique allowed him to manipulate the cave's architecture within the genjutsu, convincingly simulating a devastating cave-in scenario. However, due to the chakra-intensive nature of this genjutsu, Iku had limited its range, focusing on ensuring Meizu fell victim to its beguiling grasp.
With his plan yielding success, Iku wasted no time and swiftly dispatched Meizu before he could discern the truth. A swift, deadly strike to the throat put an end to Meizu's life, leaving the cave eerily silent, save for the soft drip of water echoing through the chambers.
With Meizu's fate sealed, Iku's mind turned to his other opponent, Gozu, who had ventured down the alternate path. Knowing time was of the essence, he retrieved a scroll from his bag and placed it beside Meizu's lifeless form, preparing to initiate the sealing process. The scroll would probably prove invaluable to his team for it would allow them to gather crucial information from the fallen ninja's remains. But as he readied the scroll, a daring idea took root in Iku's mind, brimming with audacious possibilities.
- With Gozu -
Gozu persisted in his relentless pursuit of Iku, but so far, all his efforts had been in vain. "Found him yet?" a familiar voice taunted from behind. Gozu turned to find his brother standing there, questioning him about their target. "Meizu" admitted that he had not managed to track down Iku on the path he had taken.
"Then that bastard is probably in here somewhere," Gozu retorted with frustration.
"Seems like it," "Meizu" replied, hiding the truth behind the disguise.
As the duo continued their search, Gozu proposed reattaching new chains to their gauntlets. Unbeknownst to Gozu, the person he addressed as "Meizu" was Iku in clever disguise. Iku had employed the Henge no Jutsu (Transformation Technique) and Chakra Henso no Jutsu (Chakra Disguise Technique) to assume Meizu's appearance, even going so far as to take his gauntlet.
"Oi, Meizu, here, take this," Gozu said, handing Iku a scroll from his pouch. With some hesitation, Iku received the scroll and unsealed it, revealing a similar chain to the one he had seen earlier. He pondered how to attach it without hindering his movements and came up with an idea. "You attach your end first; I just need to fix this thing. Damn thing's too tight," Iku instructed Gozu. Without suspecting anything, Gozu turned around, focusing on fixing the chain to his gauntlet. Iku saw this as his golden opportunity to eliminate Gozu.
Silently drawing a kunai from his pouch, Iku aimed for Gozu's head and threw it swiftly. To his surprise, Gozu expertly blocked the attack with his gauntlet.
"Shit..." Iku cursed inwardly.
"Think you can fool me?! OUR GAUNTLETS ARE A PERFECT FIT, MOTHERFUCKER!" Gozu's furious accusation pierced the air as he lunged towards Iku, intent on ending him. Thinking quickly, Iku grabbed a handful of dirt from the ground and flung it at Gozu's face, temporarily blinding him and causing the attack to miss. Capitalizing on the moment, Iku deftly sidestepped and executed a counter-attack, delivering a swift kick to Gozu's back, making him stumble and fall.
Seizing the opportunity to escape, Iku limped out of the cave, fully aware that he was in no condition to face Gozu head-on. His only chance was to regroup with his allies and plan a new strategy. Yet, fate seemed to conspire against him, as Gozu quickly caught up. Faced with no other option, Iku resolved to fight back, retrieving his dako (meandering) and bracing himself for a battle that would determine his very survival.
Iku's eyes locked on his approaching opponent as he emerged from the cave. "Where's my brother?..." Gozu demanded, but Iku remained silent, knowing that his lack of response would speak volumes.
"I SAID WHERE'S MY BROTHER?! GODDAMNIT!" Gozu bellowed, his anger escalating. Still, Iku did not utter a word. This silence confirmed Gozu's worst fear—he realized Iku was responsible for his brother's demise. Fury and rage consumed Gozu, driving him to seek vengeance. He charged at Iku, ready to end his life in retribution for his brother's death.
Swiftly twirling his dako (meandering), Iku unleashed a spearhead towards Gozu, who effortlessly deflected it with his gauntlet. Undeterred, Iku retracted the weapon and made another attempt, only to meet the same resistance. Gozu's impervious defense allowed him to close the distance between them, bringing him within striking range. Yet, in a sudden move, Iku angled his dako (meandering) toward the ground and extended it, propelling himself backward, nimbly avoiding Gozu's advances.
Iku's agility proved impressive as he manipulated the dako (meandering) once more, this time launching himself skyward. Mid-air, he showered Gozu with a flurry of shurikens, calling out, "Shuriken Kage Bunshin no Jutsu! (Shuriken Shadow Clone Technique)" The onslaught of projectiles multiplied before Gozu's eyes.
Reacting swiftly, Gozu summoned a jutsu to shield himself, conjuring a "Suiton: Suijinheki (Water Release: Water Formation Wall)"—a barrier of water to intercept the incoming shurikens. However, Iku's strategy proved relentless, as he sent the spearhead hurtling towards Gozu's water wall, shattering it with precision. Reacting just in time, Gozu executed a graceful backflip, escaping harm's way, but the force of the attack cracked the earth beneath him.
Upon landing, Iku winced as a sharp jolt of pain shot through his injured leg. In that fleeting moment of distraction, an untamed torrent of water surged toward him. Reacting swiftly, he utilized the same technique to evade Gozu's assault. But to his dismay, Gozu descended from above, leaving Iku with no escape route. With precision, Gozu's metal gauntlet found its mark, delivering a forceful blow to Iku's abdomen, hurtling him across the forest floor until he collided with a tree trunk.
A chorus of groans and blood-spattered coughs escaped Iku's lips as he fought to regain his footing. Struggling to rise, he found himself unable to stand. "Damnit..." he muttered, frustration evident as he spat out more blood, realizing the gravity of his situation. As Gozu relentlessly closed the distance, Iku knew that it was over for him.
But just as Gozu charged forward, bellowing his battle cry, an unexpected turn of events unfolded. Multiple shurikens materialized out of thin air, catching Gozu off guard. Reacting with remarkable reflexes, he halted his advance and managed to block most of the incoming projectiles, though a few found their mark, leaving shallow cuts on different parts of his body.
A familiar voice sliced through the tension, breaking the intense confrontation. "You alright, Iku-san?" The unexpected intervention brought a momentary pause to the clash, leaving both fighters momentarily puzzled.
As Iku glanced upward, his eyes met with the reassuring sight of Kurenai and her students, who positioned themselves protectively before him. With their timely arrival, Gozu found himself at a disadvantage, outnumbered and outmatched. The odds no longer favored him, and he had little choice but to retreat, vowing vengeance as he vanished with a swift shunshin.
Concern etched on her face, Kurenai approached Iku, asking, "Are you alright?"
"I'll be fine," Iku replied, attempting to rise but faltering in his weakened state. Offering a helping hand, Kurenai assisted him in regaining his footing.
Curious about how they had found him, Iku inquired, "How'd you guys find me?"
"Kiba managed to track your scent. I noticed that you ran in the opposite direction earlier," Kurenai explained.
"I see... Well, you guts came just in time, or else I was probably dead there. Thank you," Iku expressed his gratitude.
"Don't mention it. I noticed your opponent was alone, so I assumed you must have dealt with his partner," Kurenai said, to which Iku nodded in confirmation.
"I was able to put the other one in a genjutsu and easily dispatched him. I tricked the other one, but he caught on pretty quick. Though, I was able to seal the other one's body inside this scroll.," Iku explained, presenting the scroll he had used earlier. "I reckon we might find something useful on his person," he suggested.
Kurenai nodded in agreement and shifted her gaze to Choji, suggesting that he lend a hand to Iku. Iku, taken aback by the offer, hesitated, doubting Choji's capacity to carry him alone. "I-It's alright," Iku chuckled, attempting to walk on his own, only to falter in his weakened state. His bravado couldn't conceal the truth; he needed support to continue.
But to Iku's surprise, Choji activated a hidden jutsu. "Hijutsu: Baika no Jutsu! (Hidden Jutsu: Multi-size Technique)," Choji proclaimed. Instantly, his body expanded in size, and with ease, he lifted Iku onto his back.
Impressed and relieved, Kurenai smiled and said, "Great, let's head back to Sakura and the others." Both Kiba and Choji nodded in agreement as they rejoined the group, making their way back together. The weight of the recent encounter still lingered, but their unity brought comfort as they journeyed onwards.
Ch.40B - What's Thicker? Blood or Water?
- With Team 8 The Others -
As Choji and Kiba accompanied their sensei, Kurenai, in search of Iku, Sakura decided to stay behind and guard Tamayori with the help of his remaining bodyguard. Fortunately, no attackers showed up, allowing them to patiently await the return of their companions. Time passed, and then Sakura caught the sound of approaching footsteps. She advised Tamayori and his bodyguard to stay put while they assessed the situation. Soon enough, they spotted Kurenai, along with Kiba, Akamaru, and Choji, who was carrying Iku on his back, using the impressive Hijutsu: Baika no Jutsu! (Hidden Jutsu: Multi-size Technique).
"Where's Tamayori-san?" Kurenai inquired as she reached them.
"He's here with his bodyguard, Kurenai-sensei. Will Iku-san be okay?" Sakura asked, concerned for their injured companion.
"Iku-san will be fine, though dealing with two opponents at once seems to have taken a toll on him. But now, we're all together," Kurenai assured them. She then instructed Choji to gently lay Iku down on the ground so he could rest. Choji carefully placed him on the forest floor, making sure not to cause any harm. Iku gratefully thanked Choji for his help, to which Choji humbly replied that it was no big deal.
"What now?" Kiba asked.
"I think it's best that we rest for a while before continuing to Post Town. We're already behind schedule, so our return to Yugakure (Village Hidden in Hot Water) will probably be postponed until tomorrow," Kurenai explained, and everyone nodded in agreement.
"During our downtime, I suggest we discuss our next course of action. We were ambushed, and it seems like Tamayori's brother is likely to be mastermind behind all of this," Kurenai proposed.
"I-I... I guess you're right, Yuhi-san... My brother knew we were heading to Post Town, and he's the only one left as a suspect," Tamayori added.
"I agree, but for now... We should consider your brother innocent until we gather enough evidence to support our case," Kurenai emphasized.
"Kurenai-san, maybe this will help," Iku said as he handed her the scroll he had shown her earlier.
Kurenai took the scroll and unsealed it using the Kaifu no Jutsu (Unsealing Technique), revealing the body of one of Iku's previous adversaries. She carefully searched the body and found something of value in its right pocket. It was a small, folded piece of paper, which she opened to reveal a picture of Tamayori. On the back, there was handwriting indicating when and where Tamayori would be, further solidifying the suspicion on his brother. "Well done, Iku-san, your judgement back there proved to be helpful," Kurenai praised him as she resealed the body back into the scroll.
"You forgot to seal the picture, Kurenai-san," Iku pointed out. Realizing her oversight, she handed both the picture and the scroll to him for safekeeping. Iku nodded and stored the items inside his bag. With their discussion concluded, the group took a brief rest before continuing their journey towards Post Town.
- Somewhere In The Forest -
Amidst the relentless downpour, the forest echoed with the sound of raindrops pelting the ground, leaves rustling in the gusts of wind, and distant thunder rumbling through the darkness. Through the heavy rain, a cloaked figure sprinted through the woods, finally meeting two others who appeared to have been waiting.
"We've been waiting for you..." one of the men grumbled with a muffled voice.
"Norio..." the cloaked man uttered
"You're late," Norio replied
"Yeah, so?..." the cloaked man retorted with a snarky tone.
"We had a plan, dipshit! You were supposed to be here an hour ago! Gozu..." the other man yelled, his frustration evident.
"Tchhh... Whatever..." Gozu dismissed the matter indifferently.
"Where's your partner?..." Norio inquired, trying to gather the full picture.
"Doesn't matter..." Gozu attempted to brush off the question.
"Answer the damn question, asshole!" the second man screamed, demanding an explanation.
"Why do you care, Aki? Huh?!" Aki's retort was met with anger. His clothes were torn in multiple places, and dried blood covered him, a grim indication of his partner's fate.
"That fucker must have gotten killed, ha!" Aki sneered, earning a dangerous glare from Gozu.
"Regardless, the plan can still be done with three people," Norio tried to keep the focus on the task at hand.
"This should probably be easier without the liability holding us back," Aki added, prompting Gozu to snap. Losing his cool, he lunged towards Aki, pinning him to the forest floor and using the weight of his gauntlet to unleash a barrage of punches on his face.
"YOU TAKE THAT BACK, MOTHERFUCKER!" he roared while pummeling his adversary. Aki struggled to break free, but Gozu's assault proved relentless. In a desperate move, Aki managed to reach a nearby rock, and with all his strength, he struck the Gozu's head. The blow knocked Gozu off him, and he quickly distanced himself, wiping the blood running down his nose. "WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH YOU?!" he yelled, bewildered and enraged.
"TAKE BACK WHAT YOU SAID ABOUT MY BROTHER!" Gozu yelled angrily, wiping the blood dripping from the side of his head.
"OR WHAT?!" Aki threatened, unyielding.
"OR I'LL FUCKING KILL YOU!" Gozu retorted, his fury unbridled.
"TRY ME," Aki taunted, locking eyes with his adversary. The tension escalated, and both men charged towards each other, ready for another round of violence. However, their confrontation was abruptly halted by Norio who utilized purple chakra ropes to immobilize them, preventing any further fighting.
"ENOUGH! We're already on a tight schedule, and I can't afford any more squabbles. So help me God, I'll fucking end both of you if you don't stop this nonsense!" Norio reprimanded firmly. Reluctantly, they agreed to stand down and were released from the chakra restraints.
"Tchhh... It would've been better if both of you got killed," Aki muttered under his breath, unaware that Gozu heard his words.
"THAT'S IT!" Gozu erupted, lunging towards Aki once again. He braced himself, but before the situation could escalate further, a blade pierced through the cloaked man's chest. It was his partner who had dealt the fatal blow, and as he pulled out the blade, the cloaked man collapsed to the forest floor.
"I hope that there will be no more interruptions moving forward," Norio said, his voice cold and menacing, fixing a stern gaze on his remaining companion.
"Y-You got it..." Aki stammered, shaken by the events that had transpired.
"Good. Clean yourself up; we need to get a move on," Norio commanded, leaving no room for further defiance. Aki nodded silently, understanding that any further resistance would not end well for him. They composed themselves, aware that their mission took precedence over their internal conflicts, and they continued onward, the tension between them lingering like a storm just beyond the horizon.
- With Team 8 The Others -
Once the group had rested and regained their strength, they set off towards Post Town, which had been delayed by the ambush in the forest. The journey took some time, but they managed to arrive without any further trouble, a stroke of good luck they all appreciated. However, the sun had already begun its descent, casting long shadows over the town. The group realized they needed to find a place to spend the night and, more importantly, satiate their hunger since they had gone the entire day without a proper meal.
Wandering through the town, the group seemed somewhat lost until Kurenai took charge and suggested they first find a place to stay. But Tamayori had a different idea in mind, one that would put an end to the mystery once and for all.
"Tamayori-san, should we look for a place to stay first? Or what?" Kurenai inquired.
"No, let's pay my brother a visit. Time to end this once and for all," Tamayori responded with determination, looking to the others for their approval. The group seemed to be on board with his decision, so Kurenai nodded in agreement.
They set out to find Tamayori's brother's address, inquiring with the locals until they located his modest dwelling. It was the smallest house they had come across so far. Without hesitation, Tamayori approached the front door and began banging on it, calling out for his brother, Oujirou. "Oujirou! Oujirou! I know you're in there!" he yelled, his usual calm demeanor replaced by intense emotions. Moments later, the door creaked open, and Oujirou peered out.
"O-Okuda? I di-" Oujirou's sentence was abruptly interrupted as Tamayori's fist connected with his face, causing him to stumble backward. Undeterred, Tamayori pushed the door aside and entered the house, regardless of whether his brother allowed it or not.
"What the fuck do you think you're doing?!" Tamayori's voice boomed through the small house.
"Cut the crap! Oujirou, I know it's you! I know you're responsible for all of this!" Tamayori accused, his anger and frustration spilling over.
"Wait?!... Huh?!... What the hell are you talking about?!..." Oujirou was clearly confused by the sudden attack.
"Don't act like you don't know, YOU BASTARD! You want me dead?! HERE I AM! FIGHT ME!" Tamayori's emotions had consumed him, causing him to lose composure and act irrationally.
"I swear to God, I don't know what you're talking about!" Oujirou yelled back, trying to make sense of the situation. As Tamayori raised his fist once more, ready to deliver another blow, Kurenai swiftly intervened, blocking his path.
"I think he's telling the truth, Tamayori-san," Kurenai tried to reason with him, but he was too enraged to listen.
"Kindly stand back, Yuhi-san," Tamayori threatened, his anger simmering just below the surface.
"Or what, Tamayori-san? If you keep this up, I have no choice but to restrain you. Our job is to interrogate the suspects who you think is behind all of this, and how do you think we would be able to do our jobs if you continue to maim them?" Kurenai's calm voice juxtaposed with the tension in the room. After a few tense moments, Tamayori reluctantly released his grip on his brother's collar.
Oujirou regained his balance, wiping the blood from his lip caused by Tamayori's punch. "Good... Are you alright?" Kurenai asked with concern.
"I-I'm fine... Thank you..." Oujirou replied, clearing his throat before adding, "Who the hell are you, and why did this lunatic attack me all of a sudden?!"
"We're shinobi from Konoha, hired by Tamayori-san to investigate various people because his life has been in danger lately, and you are one of the suspects," Kurenai explained, trying to maintain a sense of order in the heated confrontation.
"S-Suspect?! Huh?! What did I ever do to you?!" Oujirou protested.
"Oh please... No one's buying it, Oujirou..." Tamayori retorted.
"I have no clue, AT ALL, what the hell you're saying, Okuda!" Oujirou argued vehemently.
"Oh really?! Then explain why our group got ambushed on the way here to Post Town?! Huh?! I did inform you that I was coming here, didn't I?!" Tamayori challenged.
"Yes, you did inform me that you were going to pay a visit, but how the hell should I know about this ambush you're talking about?!" Oujirou countered.
"Pffft... Just admit it, Oujirou... You hate my guts just because Dad decided that I'll inherit the family business, and now you want me dead!" Tamayori's accusations poured out, his emotions still running high, clouding his judgment.
"Wha- You think I'm the one who put a hit on you?! Is that what this is all about?! That was years ago, Okuda! I don't care about that crap anymore, you can have the family business for all I care! And for the last time! I don't know anything about this!" Oujirou's voice boomed, frustration and disbelief evident in his tone.
"Regardless! It doesn't matter if it was a long time ago, we have a specialist here who would probe your mind to see if you're actually telling the truth," Tamayori retorted firmly.
"Fine! If that will shut you up, then be my guest. Go on, check me!" Oujirou replied, as Kurenai turned to Iku, who was still recovering from his injuries, and asked if he could probe Oujirou's mind in his current state. Iku confirmed that he could, and after repeating the procedure, he finally got the results.
"He's innocent, Tamayori-san, your brother is telling the truth," Iku declared, surprising Tamayori, who was taken aback by the revelation.
"See?!... I told you! Yet you wouldn't listen! It's because of your damn pigheadedness!" Oujiirou couldn't help but lash out.
"I-I... I don't understand... This doesn't make sense..." Tamayori stammered.
"This must mean that the culprit isn't one of the suspects you listed, Tamayori-san. I'll ask you again, can you think of ANY people who you think might be behind this?" Iku persisted.
Tamayori took a deep breath before reluctantly sharing his suspicions, "Okay... *sigh* I was able to come up with ONE name who I think might be the culprit, but I was in denial believing that he couldn't do such a thing..."
"Who is this person you're referring to, Tamayori-san?" Iku inquired.
"I think it might be Shotaro-san, Yamanaka-san," Tamayori revealed hesitantly.
"Shotaro-san?... You mean dad's old friend?..." Oujirou asked, his voice tinged with surprise and disbelief.
"Yes," Tamayori replied firmly, confirming the unsettling truth. Oujirou simply nodded, clearly taken aback by this revelation. He could never have imagined that someone they had considered family would be involved in such deceitful actions.
"What makes you think it's Shotaro-san, Tamayori-san?" Kurenai questioned.
"I'm not sure... I just have a feeling that he could be the one behind all of this, and also I informed him that we would return to the manor after we've paid my brother a visit," Tamayori replied with uncertainty.
"Hmmm... I see... If that's the case, then we'll have to look for more evidence to support this," Kurenai informed Tamayori, who nodded in agreement.
"Do you have any documents or any important items that could help, Tamayori-san?" Kurenai asked. After some thought, Tamayori recalled something and gestured for his bodyguard to fetch his suitcase. When it arrived, Tamayori explained, "Maybe this could help, Yuhi-san. These are all relevant documents for the past six months, including the documents he handed to me before leaving the manor."
Kurenai thanked him and signaled her teammates to join her in searching for incriminating evidence against Shotaro. This left Tamayori, Oujirou, and his bodyguard in the same room. Tamayori asked his bodyguard for a private moment with his brother, who agreed and moved to another room. In that private space, Tamayori looked at his brother, who was still nursing the cheek he punched earlier.
"I... I'm sorry, Oujirou... I apologize for accusing you, I hope you can forgive me," Tamayori sincerely apologized.
Oujirou sighed, accepting the heartfelt apology. "Apology accepted, Okuda. I understand why you thought that I could do such a thing. It's been years since we last saw, HECK, talked to one another. Things haven't been good between the two of us ever since Dad decided that you'd be the heir to the family business. Back then I was jealous, but now?... I get it! I truly do! I can't think of another person who'd be perfect for the job! I certainly wouldn't be able to run a business even if I wanted to, all I knew back then was to do stupid shit and get arrested for doing dumb stuff," Oujiirou chuckled, reminiscing about their tumultuous past.
"Thanks, Oujirou. I really appreciate it," Tamayori said sincerely.
"Don't mention it! Dad did the right thing; the only marketable skill I have is getting my ass arrested so many times that I've lost count!" Oujirou joked, lightening the mood.
"Yeah... I remember Dad being sick of bailing you out of jail," Tamayori recalled with a hint of amusement.
"Well, that was the only way I knew I could get his attention," Oujirou responded with a shrug.
"I see... Though I'm sure he's glad that we're finally able to reconcile," Tamayori replied, feeling a sense of relief.
"I agree, Okuda," Oujirou answered.
"So... Are we good now?" Tamayori asked, wanting to confirm their newfound understanding.
"Yeah, we're good, Okuda," Oujirou smiled warmly, and Tamayori responded accordingly, sharing a genuine smile of his own.
"I'm glad that we're able to bury the hatchet after all these years, it only took what? More than two decades?" Oujirou joked, lightening the atmosphere further, to which Tamayori laughed wholeheartedly.
"Well... You were pretty stubborn, Oujirou," Tamayori playfully teased back.
"You're one to talk, Okuda," Oujirou countered, sparking a friendly banter between the brothers.
The once-estranged brothers decided to catch up with one another, sharing laughter and cracking jokes as they rekindled their bond. Meanwhile, Kurenai and her team were in another room, diligently searching for clues that would help their case against Shotaro.
- In Another Room -
"Found anything yet, kids?" Kurenai inquired, turning her attention to her students who responded with disappointing shakes of their heads. She then directed her gaze towards Iku and posed the same question to him. He assured her that he would inform her if he came across anything useful. Each member of the team was diligently searching for even the tiniest shred of proof. Sakura had been poring over numerous documents for an hour without any breakthrough. She noticed Iku looking at a picture Kurenai had handed him earlier and decided to approach him, recalling a conversation they had a few days ago.
"Can I ask you a question, Iku-san?" Sakura inquired politely.
"Hmmm? Oh! Sure, what is it, Sakura-san?" he responded with curiosity.
"Do you remember what you told me back at the manor?" Sakura reminded him.
"You mean the advice I gave you?" Iku wondered.
"No, I mean the strange gut feeling you had when you saw Tamayori-san and Shotaro-san talking in his office," Sakura clarified.
"Ohhh... You mean that! What about it?" he asked, sensing the significance of the conversation.
"Since we suspect that Shotaro-san did it, what made you feel that way about him when you first saw him?" she inquired, hoping to gain some insight.
"Hmmm... Well, now that we're considering Shotaro-san as our culprit, there are a lot of factors as to why I suspect him to be the mastermind behind all of this," Iku explained thoughtfully.
"I see... And what would those factors be, Iku-san?" Sakura probed further.
"First, I somehow doubt that Shotaro-san is alright with Tamayori-san essentially being his boss," Iku said, pondering the dynamics of their relationship.
"How so?" Sakura asked, intrigued.
"Well, you see... Most elderly people don't readily listen to the younger generation. I'm not generalizing, mind you. I'm just saying that there are some old folks who demand respect and want to be in charge solely because of their advanced age. Of course, not every elderly person is like that, but such things do happen," Iku explained, trying to make sense of Shotaro's potential motives.
"I suppose that makes sense. What are the other factors, though?" Sakura inquired further, eager to uncover more pieces of the puzzle.
"Second, Kurenai-san shared with me the story of how Shotaro-san and Tamayori-san's father, Shigeo, met in the past. Both of them are founders of the business, yet Shotaro-san wasn't chosen to become the next owner. Instead, Shigeo-san decided that his youngest son would inherit it. It's plausible that Shotaro-san harbors resentment towards Tamayori-san for that decision. However, I must emphasize that this is all purely speculative at this point," Iku added, highlighting the delicate nature of their assumptions.
"I see... Any other factors?" Sakura wondered, eager to explore all angles.
"Tamayori-san already mentioned this earlier, he informed two people regarding his whereabouts, his brother, and Shotaro-san. We just learned that Oujirou-san is innocent, which means Shotaro-san could be the culprit," Iku explained, connecting the dots.
"That does make sense, Iku-san," Sakura replied, appreciating the logical reasoning.
"It does, and another factor is that none of Tamayori-san's initial suspects turned out to be guilty, which leaves us with our new suspect, Shotaro-san. Though before we point fingers, we must have tangible proof to back our assumptions," Iku cautioned, emphasizing the importance of concrete evidence. Sakura nodded, fully understanding the need for a solid foundation before making any accusations.
She then turned her attention towards Kiba and Choji, who were also busy looking over some documents. "Any luck on your end, Choji?" she asked.
"Nope," he responded casually while munching on some chips.
"How about you, Kiba?" Sakura inquired.
"I got nothing, zilch, nada..." Kiba replied, expressing his frustration with the lack of findings.
Hoping to make some progress, Sakura continued her examination of various documents. Eventually, she stumbled upon Tamayori's monthly budget, both for his business and personal expenses. Something caught her eye—the expenditures remained consistent for five months, but suddenly, on the sixth month, Tamayori went over budget significantly. This raised her suspicion, and she decided to delve deeper.
Carefully inspecting the documents for the first five months, she noticed that all expenses were accounted for. However, when she turned to the document for the sixth month, she found a massive payment labeled as "miscellaneous." This struck her as peculiar and warranted further investigation. She shared her findings with her teammates, and Kurenai assured her that she would bring this up with Tamayori-san to understand the reason behind the sudden expenditure.
Tamayori's bodyguard then entered the room and informed them that dinner was now ready, surprising everyone. They looked outside and saw that it was already dark, indicating that dinner time had arrived. Kurenai reminded her students to clean up their mess before leaving the room, as they were guests in the mansion. So, everyone tidied up the documents they were examining and headed to the dining room for supper.
- In The Dining Room -
The evening meal had been served, though the supper that followed wasn't extraordinary enough to be raved about, it still held a certain delectable charm. After everyone finished eating, they remained seated around the table. Kurenai, with a determined glint in her eye, decided it was time to share their findings with Tamayori, who listened intently. She recounted Sakura's recent discovery, which left Tamayori puzzled.
"That's strange," Tamayori mused. "I rarely exceed the budget, and if I do, it's never by a huge margin. This is rather odd..."
Kurenai inquired further, "Has Shotaro-san ever mentioned any other expenses that needed to be paid?"
"Not that I know of, no," Tamayori replied.
"I see... Then I suppose you have no idea about this 'miscellaneous' item either?" Kurenai probed, to which he shook his head in the negative.
"Well then... I believe this can be considered tangible evidence, but we need something stronger. I'm almost certain we already have the evidence we need, staring us right in the face," Kurenai commented, sparking an idea in Iku's mind. He pulled out the picture Kurenai had given him earlier and asked Sakura to fetch the documents Shotaro handed to Tamayori. She nodded and hurried to retrieve the requested papers.
"Tamayori-san, I'm assuming this is your handwriting, correct?" Iku asked, showing Tamayori his signature over his printed name.
"Without a doubt, that is my handwriting," Tamayori confirmed.
"Great! If my idea works, we'll have a foolproof way to prove Shotaro-san's guilt," Iku explained.
"I've got the documents, Iku-san!" Sakura announced as she returned.
"Thank you, Sakura-san. If this works, then we have everything we need to conclude this investigation," Iku said, taking a deep breath and then proceeding to fold pieces of paper. The others at the dinner table couldn't help but wonder what Iku was up to. When he finished, he was left with two pieces of paper, folded in a specific manner to highlight a particular portion of each.
"Could all of you tell me if these two handwriting samples look similar?" Iku asked, passing around the papers. One contained the handwriting from the back of the picture they found on Meizu's corpse, and the other held Shotaro's signature above his printed name.
After examining the two samples, Tamayori's eyes widened. The handwriting bore an uncanny resemblance, solidifying the fact that Shotaro was indeed the one who had ordered the hit on Tamayori.
"They're identical..." Tamayori uttered in disbelief.
"Exactly! Handwriting is like our fingerprints; no two people's handwriting will be identical," Iku explained.
"Well then, let's bring this deceitful individual to justice!" Oujirou exclaimed with enthusiasm.
Kurenai, however, cautioned against rushing into action without a solid plan. "I wish it was that easy, Oujirou-san. We managed to fend off Shotaro-san's mercenaries, but there's no doubt they'll return," she explained to the group. Tamayori inquired about their next course of action.
"Give me some time to devise a plan. For now, I suggest everyone gets some rest. I'll keep watch in case of any trouble. The only issue is that we haven't found an inn that can accommodate all of us," Kurenai said thoughtfully.
"I'd be happy to provide a place for all of you to stay the night. I have two spare bedrooms upstairs, though it might be a little cramped," Oujirou offered generously.
Tamayori asked, "Are you sure, Oujirou?"
"Absolutely, you have nothing to worry about, Okuda," Oujirou replied warmly.
The group accepted his kind offer and settled for the night at his home. As the others went upstairs to freshen up, Kurenai remained downstairs, engrossed in crafting a plan. Iku approached her, offering his help, but she assured him she would let him know if needed. Iku then proposed taking the second watch, but Kurenai explained that one of her students had already volunteered due to Iku's ongoing recovery from injuries.
"How are you holding up, Iku-san?" Kurenai asked, showing concern for his well-being.
"My leg still kinda hurts, I'll tell you that much, but overall? I'm doing pretty good, Kurenai-san," Iku answered with a determined spirit.
"I'm glad to hear that, and I also want to commend you for being very helpful on this mission, Iku-san," Kurenai praised him sincerely.
Soon, Oujirou, Tamayori, and his bodyguard joined the conversation, inquiring about their progress. Kurenai updated them and then asked Oujirou if there were any shortcuts to return quickly to Yugakure (Village Hidden in Hot Water), as taking the main route might make them vulnerable to further attacks.
"Hmmm... Well... I reckon there's an old route that used to connect Fuma Alley to Yugakure (Village Hidden in Hot Water) in the past, but..." Oujirou hesitated.
"But?" Kurenai inquired curiously.
"You see... There's a massive ravine you have to cross if you take that path. I'm not sure if the bridge is still intact," Oujirou explained.
"I see... I'll get back to you. I just need to gather my students first," Kurenai said as she sought out her three students.
After a while, Kurenai assembled all her students in the same room once more. She revealed her plan, proposing to split the group into two. Kurenai, Choji, and Kiba would form the decoy group, while Sakura, Iku-san, Tamayori-san, and his bodyguard would make up the second group. The decoy group would take the main route back to Yugakure (Village Hidden in Hot Water), while the second group would explore the alternative route. If the alternative route didn't work, they would wait while the first group handled the assailants.
Iku raised a question, asking why he wasn't in the first group. Kurenai explained that he'd be better suited to guard Tamayori-san in the second group, considering his injuries might hinder him in the first group. Iku nodded, agreeing to the plan.
With the plan settled, Kurenai advised everyone to get some rest while they could. As they dispersed, Oujirou approached Tamayori, offering words of encouragement and affection. "Stay safe tomorrow, Okuda," he said.
"We will, thank you, Oujirou," Tamayori replied.
"Don't sweat it, you should probably get some rest now," Oujirou suggested, displaying brotherly concern.
"Yeah... I should," Tamayori replied.
Oujirou then embraced his brother, expressing, "It's good to have you back, Okuda," before letting go. "Good night. If any of you need anything, I'll be in my room. Just make sure to knock first," he added as he ascended the stairs to his room.
Kurenai placed her hand on Oujirou's shoulder, assuring him that she and her team would do their best to bring this to a conclusive end.
Ch.40C - Friendly Fire
- The Next Day -
(With The Decoy Group - Somewhere In The Forest)
The forest enveloped the group in a serene silence, interrupted only by the gentle melodies of distant birds and the soft rustling of leaves, swaying in response to the caresses of the wind. Kurenai and her team moved with calculated grace through the verdant expanse, their steps blending seamlessly with the natural symphony that surrounded them. Before embarking on their momentous journey, Kurenai meticulously ensured that every detail was well-prepared by gathering her team close, and ecounted the valuable insights gained from their recent battles. This knowledge would prove vital in understanding the capabilities of their adversaries, an advantage they could not afford to overlook. Kurenai also ensured that each member of the group had meticulously packed everything they would need for the challenging trek that lay ahead and made confirm that each and every one of them knew what they had to do to guarantee the success of their mission.
With her mind focused and determination burning in her eyes, Kurenai skillfully crafted clones that mirrored Sakura, Iku, Tamayori, and the his loyal bodyguard. These duplicates would help their decoy group look more convincing. The team advanced stealthily through the forest, choosing the path that would keep them shrouded from enemy eyes. It was crucial to seize the initiative, to catch their foes unaware rather than fall victim to any ambush. With Kiba at the forefront, his keen sense of smell acted as a vigilant sentry, periodically checking for any unfamiliar scents that might indicate lurking danger. And Choji behind them, to maintain a watchful gaze over their rear, an unwavering shield against any threat that might arise from the shadows. Together, the team moved as a cohesive unit, their bonds of trust and camaraderie lending strength to their every step.
Following the well-trodden path that led them to Post Town earlier, the team now embarked on a new course, veering left toward their ultimate destination—Yugakure (Village Hidden in Hot Water). As they journeyed, Kiba's senses caught the faint whiff of two unknown scents nearby. She swiftly commanded her team to halt and hide, avoiding any chance of being detected. Choji and Kiba obediently followed her instructions, while Kurenai decided to leave her clones in the open, using them as bait to lure out their potential adversaries.
In an unexpected turn, a shower of purple feathers suddenly cascaded from the sky. The clones frantically searched for shelter but couldn't do so in time. Kurenai, who had made her clones resilient enough to withstand immediate dispelling, watched as they fell to the ground. Two graceful figures landed on the forest floor, their intentions clear—to confirm the elimination of their main target, Tamayori.
"Ha! I got the old geezer right between the eyes!" one of the men chuckled, but the other remained silent, carefully observing the situation. He squinted, sensing that something was amiss. Suddenly, the clones dissolved into smoke, catching him off guard. "IT'S A TRAP!" he yelled, pivoting just in time to face a barrage of incoming shurikens. "Kujaku Myoho: Kemono (Mysterious Peacock Method: Beast)," the man intoned, and purple chakra enveloped him, transforming into the shape of a formidable beast. With lightning speed, the beast rushed to shield his companion from the onslaught of shurikens. The projectiles bounced harmlessly off the beast's back, falling to the forest floor like raindrops. The creature snarled with fury, then turned its attention to its partner, "Get your head out of your ass, Aki!" it bellowed in a distorted voice. Aki nodded, responding with a jutsu of his own, "Kujaku Myoho: Yoku (Mysterious Peacock Method: Wings)." Purple chakra formed into wings attached to his back, granting him the power of flight.
"Stop right there!" Kiba's defiant shout echoed through the air as he and Akamaru charged towards Aki with incredible speed, their bodies empowered by the Hijutsu: Shikyaku no Jutsu (Hidden Jutsu: All Fours Jutsu). The duo lunged to attack, but their assault was swiftly halted by encircling purple chakra ropes, ensnaring their legs and causing them to stumble clumsily across the forest floor. Seizing the opportunity, Aki soared into the sky with a confident leap.
"Kujaku Myoho: Chakura no Nawa (Mysterious Peacock Method: Chakra Rope)" the beast declared, prompting the purple chakra to retract, forcefully pulling Kiba and Akamaru towards its looming form. The forest floor became their unwilling ally as they were dragged helplessly closer to their adversary. Realizing that cutting the ropes was futile and that he couldn't replicate Choji's escape jutsu, Kiba frantically considered an alternative solution.
"Listen, Akamaru! On the count of three, follow my lead, alright?" Kiba urgently commanded, met with an affirmative yip from his faithful companion. Without hesitation, Kiba initiated the handseals for a desperate gambit, "Hijutsu: Jujin Bunshin (Hidden Jutsu: Beast Human Clone)." Akamaru transformed into an identical duplicate of Kiba, poised for the daring maneuver.
"One... Two... THREE!" Kiba's voice rang out, a signal for their joint counterattack. "Hijutsu: Gatsuga! (Hidden Jutsu: Fang Passing Fang)," he roared, and the two unleashed a ferocious, synchronized spin. Their combined might stretched the chakra rope to its very limit, despite the beast's futile attempts to reinforce it. The rope strained and stretched until, finally, it surrendered, unfurling and releasing Kiba and Akamaru from its binding grip.
The beast staggered briefly, thrown off balance by the unexpected resistance. As it cursed under its breath, an unwelcome sensation drew its attention to an approaching presence. Whirling around, it witnessed a colossal ball hurtling toward it with tremendous speed. "Bring it!" the beast challenged with a distorted voice, bracing itself for the impending collision.
Choji, bolstered by the Hijutsu: Nikudan Sensha (Hidden Jutsu: Human Bullet Tank), crashed forcefully into the purple chakra beast. The initial impact sent the creature skidding across the forest floor, its legs carving deep grooves in the earth. Gradually, both forces began to slow until Choji's spinning came to a halt. In response, the beast channeled chakra into its fist, launching a powerful punch at Choji in his ball-like form. The collision sent Choji hurtling backward. The punch rendered him unable to maintain control of his jutsu which caused him to forcefully return to his regular form, he skidded across the ground until friction eventually brought him to a stop amidst the forest's tumultuous terrain.
From high above, Aki unleashed a fearsome attack with a resolute cry, "Kujaku Myoho: Zan! (Mysterious Peacock Method: Destroy)"—launching a barrage of deadly purple feathers directed at Choji, who was still recovering on the ground. The aftermath of the beast's punch left him in pain, struggling to regain his balance and composure. As his eyes fluttered open, he beheld the impending threat of the incoming projectiles, realizing he couldn't evade them in time. Bracing himself for the unavoidable impact, he prepared for the worst. "CHOJI!" Kiba yelled from afar who witnessed it from afar.
However, in the nick of time, a familiar voice resounded with authority, "Katon: Kaenheki (Fire Release: Flame Formation Wall)." Like a shield of courage, a wall of flames erupted, blocking the onslaught of purple feathers, and safeguarding Choji from certain harm. The timely intervention came from none other than Kurenai, whose skill in fire jutsu provided a crucial defense.
With the immediate danger averted, Kurenai turned her attention to Choji, concern etched on her face. "Can you still move, Choji?" she inquired, hoping he had the strength to continue. Through sheer determination, he managed to nod, summoning every ounce of willpower to rise from the ground and find his footing once more.
As the wall of flames subsided, Kurenai and Choji emerged from behind the fiery barrier, ready to face their formidable adversaries. The silence that followed was laden with tension, each side sizing up the other, an unspoken challenge hanging heavy in the air. The stage was set for a showdown of immense proportions.
"So we meet again... Begging for round two?..." the beast taunted, reveling in the opportunity for another confrontation.
"Weren't you the one who withdrew first from our battle?..." Kurenai countered, her voice steady and defiant.
"Tchhh... That proves nothing!" the beast roared, dismissing her point with arrogance.
"Whatever helps you sleep at night... Say... Where's your companion? The one wearing a gauntlet? I'm pretty sure one of them is still alive," Kurenai inquired, probing for information.
"Oh, him?... Let's just say he opted to have an early retirement..." the beast replied with a sinister insinuation, but Kurenai chose not to dignify the remark with a response.
"So this group of yours is a sham then?..." the beast probed further.
"Who knows?..." Kurenai replied cryptically, unwilling to reveal too much.
"Pffft... Doesn't matter, we'll get that old geezer anyway... Just have to deal with some loose ends..." he remarked, earning a menacing stare from Kurenai. Unfazed, the beast continued, "Aki! You deal with the two runts, I'll deal with little miss illusionist over here," tauntingly directing his words at Kurenai.
But Kurenai remained resolute, locking eyes with her opponent. "You sure, Norio?.. I thi-" Aki began to speak up, but a withering death gaze from Norio silenced him. Realizing the gravity of the situation, Aki complied and followed his orders. Kurenai turned to her student behind her, instructing him to join forces with Kiba and face their opponents together. Choji nodded in understanding and quickly moved towards Kiba's location.
Now left alone, Kurenai and Norio faced each other, the tension palpable. Both combatants were acutely aware of the other's capabilities, and neither intended to underestimate their opponent this time. As they stood, poised for the second round of their battle, the forest surrounding them held its breath, anticipating the clash of power and strategy that was about to unfold.
- With The Actual Group -
(On The Alternative Route)
As the hours passed, the group steadily advanced, drawing nearer to their destination, Yugakure (Village Hidden in Hot Water). After a smooth journey through the forest, they finally stood before the bridge that Oujirou had mentioned. Before them lay a decrepit structure, weathered by time and the elements. It was evident that this old bridge had seen better days, its wooden planks creaking under the weight of age. The ravine below yawned darkly, adding an ominous air to the scene.
The ravine stretched wide and deep, a formidable obstacle that even the most experienced shinobi would find challenging to leap across. It demanded both speed and height in a jump - an extraordinary feat beyond the capabilities of their current group. Within their ranks, there was an injured Chunin (middle/journeyman ninja), a young Genin (low/junior ninja), and two civilians, one civilian if you consider Tamayori's bodyguard an exception for possessing some skill that sets him apart from ordinary civilians.
The notion of attempting to jump across the ravine was nothing short of wishful thinking, given their limitations. It was clear that their combined abilities fell short of conquering such a daunting chasm. As they stood at the precipice, they could feel the weight of their predicament sinking in.
But despite its dilapidated appearance, the bridge still retained all its steps, providing a potential path to the other side. However, it was a precarious option. Every footfall on the rickety structure seemed to echo with uncertainty, leaving the travelers to wonder if one wrong step could cause the entire bridge to crumble beneath them.
A moment of hesitation settled upon the group as they pondered their next move. The pressing question loomed in their minds - should they risk crossing this precarious bridge, or should they seek a safer route to traverse the ravine? The decision weighed heavily on each member, knowing that the outcome could have significant consequences for their journey. A mixture of determination and apprehension filled the air as they contemplated the potential dangers and rewards of their choice.
The group exchanged glances, silently conveying their thoughts and concerns. With Yugakure (Village Hidden in Hot Water) still a considerable distance away, time was of the essence. They knew that whatever choice they made, it would require collective agreement and unwavering trust in each other's judgment.
"What do you guys think?... Should we cross it or find a safer option?..." Iku's question hung in the air, prompting thoughtful consideration from the group.
"I think it's better if we find a safer way to get across the ravine, Iku-san," Sakura suggested, voicing her concern for their safety.
"What about you, Tamayori-san?" Iku turned to their leader, seeking his judgment. Tamayori, however, seemed deep in contemplation, his mind weighed down by the urgency of their mission and the potential consequences of their decision.
"I say we cross it but not all at once. Surely the bridge could handle one person at a time," the guard chimed in, offering a reasonable approach. Iku nodded, acknowledging the guard's point as a valid consideration. Now, the attention shifted back to Tamayori, awaiting his final say.
Tamayori gazed at each member of the group, assessing their capabilities, the condition of the bridge, and the urgency of their mission. He knew time was of the essence, and the decoy group wouldn't be able to distract indefinitely. Moreover, capturing Shotaro was paramount, and returning to Yugakure was essential to that end.
Finally, Tamayori broke his silence, "I think we should cross it, let's just exercise caution while doing so." His decision made, he knew they couldn't afford to delay further.
"Okay then, who's first?..." Iku asked, ready to proceed.
"I think I should go first, I'm the one who suggested this idea after all," the guard volunteered, displaying both bravery and responsibility.
"Are you sure you want to do this?" Tamayori inquired, concerned for the guard's well-being.
"I am, Tamayori-sama," the guard replied with conviction, assuring his readiness. Tamayori nodded in understanding, stepping aside to make way for the guard.
Approaching the aging bridge, the guard took a deep breath, attempting to steady his nerves. As he stepped onto the first plank, the bridge let out a loud, eerie creak, causing an unsettling feeling among the group. Mindful of the structure's fragility, the guard carefully placed each footstep, distributing his weight evenly.
With careful precision, the guard advanced across the bridge, navigating its weathered planks with practiced caution. His focused determination led him across the ravine without a hitch, a testament to both his skill and the stability of the bridge, at least for now.
"I think you should go next, Sakura-san," Iku suggested, surprising Sakura with his proposal.
"M-Me?..." she stammered, taken aback by the unexpected suggestion.
"Yes, Tamayori would follow suit, and I'll go last," Iku explained his plan, reassuring Sakura that he would be there to support her if needed.
Gathering her resolve, Sakura agreed to Iku's plan, though her heart pounded with nervousness as she approached the rickety bridge. Taking a deep breath, she mirrored the guard's cautious steps and began her crossing. To her relief, the bridge held steady under her careful footing, allowing her to traverse the ravine without incident.
Now, it was Tamayori's turn. Despite his trembling legs, he understood the importance of leading by example and showing unwavering determination. He steeled himself, drawing upon his inner strength to overcome the fear that gnawed at him. Taking a deep breath, he placed one foot before the other, causing the bridge to emit a haunting creak in response. Nevertheless, Tamayori persisted, focused on reaching the other side.
"Don't look down, Tamayori-sama! Just look up ahead and make baby steps," the guard encouraged him, offering support and guidance.
Following the guard's advice, Tamayori directed his gaze forward, adopting a slow and steady pace. With each careful stride, he inched closer to completing the crossing. He was making remarkable progress, reaching seventy-five percent of the way when suddenly, disaster struck. One of the wooden steps gave way beneath him, snapping loudly, and his foot plunged through the damaged plank.
"AHHHH!" Tamayori cried out, gripping the rope handles for dear life, suspended precariously above the ravine.
"Can you pull your foot out, Tamayori-san?" Iku urgently called from the other side, his concern evident.
Tamayori attempted to free his trapped foot, but it stubbornly refused to budge. His efforts, however, unintentionally caused the bridge to creak louder than before, amplifying the tension.
"Okay, that's enough! Just stay there, Tamayori-san. I'll go there and carefully pull your foot out. If that doesn't work, then I'll have to cut off portions of the plank with my kunai," Iku declared, taking quick, measured steps toward Tamayori.
As Iku ventured closer to Tamayori, the bridge continued to creak and sway under their combined weight, intensifying the urgency of the situation. Rain began to fall, adding another challenge to their already precarious predicament. Undeterred, Iku carefully approached Tamayori, striving to minimize any additional stress on the bridge with each gentle step.
Arriving at Tamayori's side, Iku attempted to free his foot, but it remained stubbornly trapped. Recognizing that time was of the essence, he resorted to using his kunai to cut away portions of the damaged plank, creating enough space for Tamayori's foot to be released. With determination and skill, Iku successfully extricated Tamayori's foot from the hole.
Tamayori, now freed, continued his cautious progress across the bridge. However, just as he was nearing the other end, disaster struck once more. The rope anchoring the opposite end of the bridge snapped, causing it to collapse. Iku, attempting to maintain his balance, managed to grab hold of the rope handles to prevent himself from falling into the ravine.
"THE ROPE! HELP!" Iku's urgent call rang out, alerting Sakura and the guard. Reacting swiftly, they rushed to his aid, grasping onto the rope to steady it and support Iku. Realizing the danger, Iku wisely refrained from pulling his bodyweight up, avoiding any further strain on the weakened rope.
With quick thinking, he improvised a solution, using his dako (meandering) to twirl and throw the spearhead upward. The guard managed to catch the cable just in time, providing a more secure means of ascent for Iku. With the rope replaced, Iku was able to climb back up, assisted by Sakura and the guard. Once safely on solid ground, Iku took a moment to catch his breath, his heart still pounding from the close call.
"We... Made it..." Iku managed to say between pants, acknowledging their collective triumph. Sakura, concerned for his well-being, asked if he was alright. Despite his exhaustion, Iku assured her that he was fine, only needing a few minutes to recover before continuing their journey.
The group's unwavering commitment to each other's safety had been put to the test, and they had emerged victorious, overcoming the perilous bridge and its treacherous challenges. As the rain continued to fall, they took a moment to regroup, grateful for their unity and resilience in the face of adversity. With renewed determination, they pressed on, knowing that the trials they faced together only served to strengthen their bond and resolve.
- Earlier With Choji and Kiba -
Under the clear sky, two steadfast teammates reunited to face an old adversary. Aki's curiosity couldn't be contained as he inquired, "Where's your other friend? The one with the pink hair..."
Kiba taunted with a grin, "I don't know... You tell me."
With determination in his eyes, Aki warned, "Let's see if you're still grinning after this." He performed a jutsu, reminiscent of their previous encounter, unleashing a flurry of feathers from his majestic wings. Choji had his own strategy ready, exclaiming, "Doton: Renga no Jutsu (Earth Release: Practice Brick Technique)," as he erected an earth wall to block the incoming feathers. Aki anticipated the wall's impending collapse and swiftly closed in to seize the moment. Gathering chakra in his arms, he prepared a powerful attack, but to his surprise, the wall broke prematurely, revealing a giant hand – Choji's partial expansion jutsu caught him like a fly in its grip. Aki struggled but couldn't break free, and Choji raised his hand to slam Aki onto the ground.
Yet, in a twist of fate, Aki managed to use a jutsu at the last second, protecting himself from further harm. Choji restrained Aki's body, but the resourceful ninja could still weave hand seals.
Retracting his giant arm, Choji extended his leg and enlarged it, attempting to slam his heel down upon Aki. But Aki, now in his formidable beast form, caught Choji's heel and halted the attack. He gripped Choji's foot and began a powerful twirling motion, lifting the surprised ninja off the ground and into a spin. With growing momentum, Aki released Choji, launching him high into the air.
Quick-witted as ever, Choji knew precisely how to counter this aerial assault. Yelling out, "Hijutsu: Baika no Jutsu! (Hidden Jutsu: Multi-size Technique)," he began to grow to a colossal size. The technique mitigated his fall while turning him into a massive force that threatened to crush Aki beneath his weight. As Choji landed, the ground trembled, and a cloud of dust filled the air, shrouding the outcome in suspense.
From a distance, Kiba's concern for Choji was evident as he yelled, "Choji! You alright?!"
A confident response came from the giant ninja, "Yep!"
Seeking assurance, Kiba inquired, "Think you got him?!"
With optimism, Choji replied, "Think so!" But his moment of triumph was short-lived as Aki unleashed a jutsu, "Kujaku Myoho: Kyoka Suru! (Mysterious Peacock Method: Enhance)," augmenting his beast form's strength. In a surprising display of power, Aki effortlessly lifted the massive Choji, who shouted, "WOAHHH!" before being hurled away, leaving a trail of destruction in his wake.
As Aki basked in the triumph of his extraordinary abilities, the strain of the jutsu gradually took its toll on him. The once dominant beast form began to slip from his grasp, forcing him back to his vulnerable human state. Yet, he remained oblivious to the imminent danger that lurked nearby.
Suddenly, a deafening explosion echoed in the distance, instantly capturing Aki's attention. He instinctively knew that it likely emanated from the location of his trusted partner. An uneasy feeling washed over him, but before he could react, a strange presence manifested behind him.
Startled, Aki swiftly pivoted to confront the unexpected intruder. To his dismay, he found himself face to face with Kiba. Panic surged through his veins as he desperately attempted to evade the incoming threat, but fate seemed to have other plans - it was too late.
Kiba's voice rang out, full of fury, "You're forgetting about me, bastard!" Accompanied by Akamaru's barks, Kiba initiated his attack, employing the "Hijutsu: Migaita Tsume! (Hidden Jutsu: Hone Claws)." He rushed toward Aki fearlessly, with no other options he stood his ground, preparing to face the onslaught. Kiba's sharp claws cut into Aki, pushing him back, while Akamaru, now in his dog form, bit into Aki's arm. Undeterred, Kiba gained momentum with a front flip, smashing his joined hands onto Aki's head, causing him to flinch. The attack continued relentlessly – left, right, left, right – a flurry of claw strikes followed by another front flip and a double leg sweep, displaying Kiba's impressive agility. He then backflipped away with a confident grin, tossing a kunai in front of Aki.
Aki, still recovering, mocked Kiba, "You missed! Idiot!" However, his bravado vanished as he noticed the explosive tag wrapped around the kunai's handle. Panic set in, and Aki desperately tried to distance himself from the imminent danger. But time betrayed him, and the tag detonated with a powerful explosion, engulfing him in its fiery wrath.
Kiba's confidence was evident as he spoke to Akamaru, "Heh, that should do the trick, right boy?" Akamaru responded with a joyful yip, expressing his readiness for action.
With Choji now back in his regular form, he reunited with Kiba and Akamaru, inquiring if they had finally taken down their opponent. To their surprise, a figure emerged from the dust cloud created by the explosion – it was Aki, who had employed the Kujaku Myoho: Yoku (Mysterious Peacock Method: Wings) to make a daring escape.
"He's gonna get away!" Choji shouted in frustration.
Determined not to let their adversary slip through their grasp, Kiba commanded, "Not on our watch, let's go, boy!" He and Akamaru executed the Hijutsu: Shikyaku no Jutsu (Hidden Jutsu: All-Fours Technique). Kiba dropped down on all fours and swiftly pursued Aki, who soared above them. Akamaru followed closely, matching his master's speed, leaving Choji behind.
Left alone, Choji was not one to back down. "Hey! Wait up!" he yelled, invoking his own jutsu, "Hijutsu: Nikudan Sensha! (Hidden Jutsu: Human Bullet Tank)." Choji's body grew in size, transforming into a spherical shape. Rolling in the direction of Kiba and Akamaru, he set off determinedly.
- Earlier With Kurenai -
Kurenai and Norio locked eyes, tension filling the air as they awaited the first move. After a brief moment, Kurenai seized the initiative, charging at great speed towards her opponent. With remarkable agility, she closed the distance in an instant, leaving Norio little time to react. Swiftly, she unleashed a flurry of strikes – a sharp jab followed by a powerful cross, seamlessly transitioning into a hook kick. Before Norio could recover, she struck again with another cross, and then, with a graceful backflip, she connected her foot with his chin.
However, Kurenai wasn't done yet. As she landed, she launched an intricate genjutsu, declaring, "Magen: Jubaku Satsu Bakuhatsu (Demonic Illusion: Tree Binding Death Explosion)." Instantly, a tree sprouted behind Norio, its trunk wrapping tightly around his formidable frame. Creating some distance, Kurenai skillfully hurled kunais adorned with explosive tags at the tree's trunk. The kunais embedded themselves deeply, and despite Norio's valiant efforts to break free, he remained trapped.
The air crackled with tension as the inevitable explosion rocked the battlefield, unleashing a ferocious blast that sent dust spiraling into the air. Stepping back, Kurenai watched intently, her heart pounding in anticipation. This time, she had used more than one explosive tag, aiming to inflict substantial damage upon Norio's formidable beast form. As the dust settled, she laid eyes on a surprising sight – Norio stood before her, no longer in his monstrous state but returned to his human form. The blast had succeeded in obliterating the purple chakra beast he once commanded.
"Heh, not bad... My turn," Norio declared, a newfound determination glinting in his eyes. With swift and practiced movements, he executed his jutsu, "Kujaku Myoho: Yoku (Mysterious Peacock Method: Wings)," manifesting ethereal wings of purple chakra upon his back. The display of power intensified as he followed up with another technique, "Kujaku Myoho: Hakai suru! (Mysterious Peacock Method: Demolish)," unleashing a torrent of purple feathers in all directions.
In response, Kurenai drew upon her skills, summoning the protective jutsu she had used earlier to shield Choji, "Katon: Kaenheki (Fire Release: Flame Formation Wall)." Walls of intense flames formed, standing resolute as a bulwark against the onslaught of purple feathers. The intense exchange endured for minutes, the fiery barrier holding strong against Norio's barrage.
Yet, amidst the fiery chaos, the unexpected occurred. The ground beneath Kurenai shattered, revealing two sinister purple chakra ropes that ensnared her legs, panic surged within her. Drawing from the knowledge her students imparted to her, she knew that conventional methods wouldn't free her. She swiftly performed a shunshin (body flicker), teleporting above the chakra ropes, desperately seeking escape. However, her moment of relief was short-lived, as Norio, employing both "Kujaku Myoho: Yoku (Mysterious Peacock Method: Wings)" and "Kujaku Myoho: Seiken-zuki! (Mysterious Peacock Method: Star Fist Punch)," launched a devastating punch from above.
Kurenai's quick reflexes saved her from a fatal blow as she barely evaded Norio's lethal strike. Employing kawarimi, she replaced herself with a log that succumbed to Norio's powerful attack, leaving behind a massive crater. Norio, infuriated by her near escape, bellowed with frustration, his challenge echoing across the battlefield. "I KNOW YOU'RE OUT THERE! COME OUT AND LET'S SETTLE THIS!" he demanded her presence, eager to finish the encounter.
As Norio searched for Kurenai, the ground trembled faintly beneath his feet. His instincts signaled that something was afoot where his partner battled. In the midst of the chaos, Kurenai seized the golden opportunity as Norio became momentarily distracted. Her swift movements carried her with impressive speed towards her unwitting adversary. Norio's realization came a beat too late as he saw Kurenai already closing in on him, fueled by determination.
"COME ON!" Norio bellowed, steadying himself to face her head-on. But before he could fully react, Kurenai lunged at him, brandishing a kunai in her hand. He dodged to the left, narrowly avoiding her strike, and launched a counterattack. But Kurenai's elusive techniques confounded him. She swiftly used shunshin to evade his blow and maintained her relentless pursuit.
As Norio sensed a threat coming from behind, he instinctively executed a hook kick, only to discover it was a clever illusion. The ground itself seemed to come alive with phantom arms reaching for him. Reacting swiftly, Norio leaped over the deceptive assault, but his realization came too late. In the blink of an eye, Kurenai revealed her true position, delivering a powerful and precise heel kick to the top of his head. The force of the blow sent him crashing back down, emitting a resounding thud that resonated through the air, leaving him groaning in pain.
Regaining her footing a few feet away, Kurenai capitalizes on the opportunity to employ a genjutsu on her weakened adversary. "Magen: Yasei-tsuru Genso no Jutsu (Demonic Illusion: Wild-vine Illusion Technique)," she declared. In an instant, illusionary vines sprouted from the ground, enveloping Norio and lifting him into the air. The illusory vines tightened their grip, seemingly strangling him. Though he knew it was an illusion, he struggled to perform the necessary handseals to break free, thwarted by Kurenai's well-timed interference. As the darkness threatened to consume him, Norio summoned every ounce of his willpower and finally managed to execute the releasing hand seal, "Kai! (Release)." In a desperate surge, he broke free from the genjutsu, his mind clearing just in the nick of time.
Recovering his composure, Norio rolled to the left, narrowly avoiding Kurenai's kunai strike. He countered with a well-placed kick that sent her stumbling backward. Quickly putting some distance between them, Norio's attention was drawn to the familiar blinking of his necklace – a signal from his partner soaring towards the battlefield.
In the dim light of dusk, Norio could no longer tolerate his partner's incompetence, and he made a resolute decision: "Norio! Norio! Norio!" Aki's desperate cries echoed as he hurtled towards him. Norio's countenance remained stoic, a glint of detachment in his eyes. Aki sensed something awry as he drew closer, but before he could fathom the danger, Norio swiftly clutched his neck.
"N... Nor... I CANT- I CANT BRE- BREATHE," Aki struggled to utter, Norio's iron grip choking his words. Witnessing this shocking scene, Kurenai was rendered speechless. Choji, and Kiba then arrived on the scene, and witnessed the whole thing as well causing them to be confused too. "What the?!" Kiba exclaimed, his mind grappling to comprehend the distressing sight of one opponent attacking their own comrade.
Norio let out a sigh of disappointment, his voice tinged with regret. "You disappoint me, Aki. You really, really, REALLY... Disappoint me, your usage of the meteorite necklaces I stole from our village is pathetic *sigh*. Guess I have no choice but to take it back" he lamented, tightening his grip around Aki's throat. "WAIT-" Aki managed to utter, but his words fell on deaf ears as Norio snapped his neck, ending his life.
Stunned into silence, Kurenai and her team watched in horror as Norio retrieved the necklace from Aki's lifeless body, nonchalantly adorning it around his own neck. His attention now fixed on his remaining adversaries, he spoke with a sense of conviction, "If you want something done right, you've gotta do it yourself. Kujaku Myoho: Chakura Doka (Mysterious Peacock Method: Chakra Assimilation)." Norio merged the two necklaces, forming a larger and more potent one. "Kujaku Myoho: Ryu (Mysterious Peacock Method: Dragon)," he declared, and the necklace began to embed itself into Norio's chest. Despite the pain, he bore it without flinching.
As dusk gave way to the night, a surge of ominous purple chakra emanated from Norio, coalescing into the shape of a colossal, ethereal purple dragon—a manifestation of immense power.
"HOLY CRAP!" Kiba's voice rang out, a mix of fear and disbelief evident in his exclamation. Choji's throat tightened as he contemplated the daunting task of confronting a formidable purple chakra dragon. Meanwhile, Kurenai stood in silence, her emotions concealed behind a mask of composure.
"Now... Where were we?..." Norio's words dripped with an unsettling calmness as the imposing silhouette of the dragon loomed behind him.
Ch.40D - Homestretch
- With Kurenai, Choji, and Kiba -
Kurenai and her students found themselves standing face to face with a massive purple dragon formed entirely of chakra—a technique completely unfamiliar to them. However, a glimmer of insight emerged in Kurenai's mind, gleaned from Norio's ominous words to his fallen comrade. She realized that the source of their adversary's power lay in the necklace he possessed. If they could remove it, they might have a chance at neutralizing his abilities. With urgency, Kurenai gathered her students and shared her newfound knowledge, seeking their assistance in prying the necklace from Norio's chest. Choji and Kiba nodded in understanding, aware of the critical role they must play. Nonetheless, Kurenai cautioned them to be cautious, not wanting any harm to befall them in this dangerous encounter.
Without warning, the colossal dragon lunged at them, propelled by Norio's decisive move. Its immense jaws opened wide, poised to ensnare them and crush them to oblivion. Swiftly, the group managed to evade its impending onslaught, narrowly escaping the dragon's grasp. Seizing the advantage, the creature ascended into the air, accumulating purplish chakra in its mouth. As the energy reached its peak, it expelled massive chakra balls, hurtling them towards Kurenai and her students. Each chakra ball possessed a destructive force capable of causing devastating explosions upon impact. The dragon unleashed multiple chakra balls at astonishing speed, its malevolent focus now fixated on Choji and Kiba.
Reacting with agility, Kiba and Akamaru deftly executed the Hijutsu: Shikyaku no Jutsu (Hidden Jutsu: All-Fours Technique), enabling them to evade the hazardous explosions. Meanwhile, Choji activated the Hijutsu: Nikudan Sensha! (Hidden Jutsu: Human Bullet Tank), attempting to escape the onslaught as well.
Unfortunately, due to Choji's substantial size when using his jutsu, he found himself ensnared within the blast radius of one chakra ball. Unable to control his jutsu in the chaos, he was propelled through the air in his human form, crashing painfully onto the forest floor, sliding several meters.
In response, Kiba acted promptly, employing the Hijutsu: Jujin Bunshin (Hidden Jutsu: Beast Human Clone) to transform Akamaru into a mirror image of himself, granting them extra strength to carry Choji away from yet another approaching chakra ball. While the dragon was engrossed in targeting Choji and Kiba, Kurenai seized the opportunity to make her move towards Norio, aiming to remove the necklace from his possession. However, Norio was not to be outmaneuvered, unleashing a surge of purple chakra that forcefully flung her backward.
Seizing control of the dragon himself, Norio cunningly employed it to assail Kurenai, directing the behemoth towards her with alarming speed. Despite her efforts, the dragon's massive size made it difficult for Kurenai to dodge all its attacks, and she was struck by at least one of its assaults, sending her tumbling from the skies.
As Kurenai found herself hurtling from a considerable height, Kiba's keen eyes spotted her perilous descent. Swiftly, he commanded Akamaru to come to her rescue while he attended to Choji. Akamaru, now in his human form, dashed toward Kurenai and skillfully caught her, guiding her safely to the ground. "Thank you, Kiba," Kurenai expressed her gratitude, but Akamaru responded with an annoyed bark, clearly dissatisfied with being mistaken for his human companion. Kurenai promptly apologized and corrected herself, eliciting a joyful bark from the loyal canine. Akamaru then led her to where Choji and Kiba were situated, and together they knew that overcoming their formidable opponent would require a meticulous plan.
The gargantuan chakra dragon possessed an unsettling duality—it could act independently or be under Norio's direct control. Their past encounters had revealed the dangers of approaching Norio directly, as his retaliatory release of purple chakra would only repel any advances. Kurenai realized that a well-coordinated effort was essential to defeating Norio and the dragon.
An idea suddenly struck her, a daring plan that had to be executed flawlessly to avoid disastrous consequences. Without hesitation, Kurenai shared her strategy with her students, and though Kiba had a question, the urgency of the situation allowed no time for queries. The dragon, sensing their presence, attacked once more, forcing them to scatter and evade its onslaught. Choji and Kiba held their positions, awaiting their sensei's signal before acting in unison.
As the dragon lunged once more towards Choji and Kiba, they swiftly executed their well-practiced jutsus—the Hijutsu: Shikyaku no Jutsu (Hidden Jutsu: All-Fours Technique) and the Hijutsu: Nikudan Sensha! (Hidden Jutsu: Human Bullet Tank). They managed to evade the creature's deadly assault just in the nick of time, leaving the ground quivering as the dragon slammed down in frustration.
Seizing an opportunity to divert the dragon's attention, Kurenai hurled shurikens at the creature, successfully drawing it away from her students. While Choji and Kiba took cover, they waited for Kurenai's signal, bracing themselves for the next move.
Norio, seeking to regain control of the dragon, commanded it to gather chakra and unleash a barrage of chakra balls. But Kurenai swiftly intervened, throwing a kunai with a smoke bomb attached to it. The smoke enveloped the area, obscuring Norio's vision, forcing him to relinquish control of the dragon, leaving it to operate independently.
Inside the smoke, Norio attempted to prepare himself for any potential attack, but then the ground trembled momentarily, baffling him. Suddenly, the smoke dispersed, and the dragon found itself pinned down by a colossal Choji. The young ninja had activated the Hijutsu: Baika no Jutsu (Hidden Jutsu: Multi-size Technique), increasing his size and strength. With determined resolve, Choji held the dragon in place, preventing it from escaping.
Meanwhile, Kiba and Akamaru, employing their Hijutsu: Gatsuga (Hidden Jutsu: Fang Over Fang), unleashed their powerful spinning forces upon Norio. The relentless assault temporarily pinned him down, allowing Kurenai to take advantage of the opportunity. She rushed toward Norio with a kunai, quickly stabbing his chest to pry out the glowing gem that was the source of his power.
As the gemstone was removed, Norio screamed in pain, and all the purple chakra within him surged into the gemstone. Gradually, the purple dragon faded away as the chakra was absorbed. The strain from the jutsu he had previously used had also weakened him significantly, rendering him defenseless. In addition to that, Kurenai had aimed at a vital point in Norio's chest, effectively sealing his fate and eliminating the threat he posed.
The culmination of their efforts proved decisive. Norio fell lifeless, defeated by Kurenai and her students. They were all panting, exhausted from the intense battle they had endured. Kurenai praised her students for their exceptional teamwork and strategy, speculating that the other group was now likely in Yugakure. She advised them to take some time to rest before continuing their pursuit.
- At Yugakure -
(A Couple Of Hours Later)
Inside Tamayori's manor, the afternoon unfolded at a leisurely pace, enveloped in a hushed calmness. However, amidst the tranquility, there was one restless soul - Shotaro. Anxiously, he paced back and forth in Tamayori's office, awaiting the long-anticipated news of his rival's demise. He had dispatched his hitmen hours ago with explicit instructions to eliminate Tamayori swiftly. Their deal dictated that by noon today, Tamayori's fate would be sealed. Yet, the awaited update hadn't reached him.
Then, suddenly, the front door swung open, and in walked Iku, Sakura, Tamayori, and his vigilant guard. "Tamayori-sama! It so good-" Shotaro uttered, but before he could finish, Tamayori's fist connected with his nose, causing it to gush blood like a broken faucet. The shock of the punch stunned him, rendering him helpless on the floor.
"SCREW YOU! YOU SON OF A BITCH!" Tamayori's rage-filled words rang through the room, leaving Shotaro with no doubt that his treacherous plans were exposed. Attempting to flee, he sprinted, only to be quickly apprehended by Tamayori's guard, forcefully pinning him down.
"Get this piece of shit out of my sight!" Tamayori's command echoed, as the guard secured Shotaro's arms behind him. Iku came forward, brandishing ninja wire to ensure Shotaro's restraint, preventing any escape.
"Let go of me, damn it!" Shotaro shouted, but the guard remained unyielding.
"Make sure this scumbag rots in the prison where he rightfully belongs," Tamayori directed Iku and Sakura, who both assured him that Konoha's prison had ample space to accommodate their new prisoner.
"I'll have my revenge, Tamayori! Mark my words!" Shotaro's fiery threats rang out.
"Sure, sure... I'll be sure to send you a postcard there in prison," Tamayori retorted with a taunt, eliciting a fierce glare from Shotaro. With that, the guard escorted Shotaro out of the manor, finally bringing an end to the miscreant's deceitful machinations.
With the mission drawing to a close, Tamayori inquired about the whereabouts of Kurenai and their other teammates. Iku began to respond, but then he noticed Kurenai's presence within range of his Shindenshin no Jutsu (Mind Body Transmission Technique). Reaching out to her mentally, he asked, "Kurenai-san, can you hear me?"
"I hear you loud and clear, Iku-san. I'm guessing all of you are already at the manor then?" Kurenai's voice replied.
"We are," Iku confirmed.
"And what about Shotaro-san?" she inquired.
"Already taken care of!" Iku reassured her.
"Thank Kami... This mission is finally over," Kurenai sighed with relief.
"Agreed," Iku concurred.
"Yamanaka-san?... Are you alright?..." Tamayori's concern seeped into his words.
Iku shook off his momentary distraction, refocusing on Tamayori, "Oh! Sorry about that. I was just talking to Kurenai-san. It seems her team has arrived safely in Yugakure (Village Hidden in Hot Water)," he explained.
"Is that so? Well, that's excellent news, just in time before dinner is served," Tamayori said, signaling his servants to prepare the meal, knowing the mission had reached its conclusion.
Tamayori extended a gracious invitation for them to stay a little longer in the manor, allowing them time to rest before returning to Yugakure (Village Hidden in Hot Water). He also offered them an all-expenses-paid experience in one of the finest hot springs in the village. Iku relayed the offer to Kurenai, and after a brief exchange, she approved, "We would love that," Iku conveyed back to Tamayori.
"Great! I assure you all that the pain and stress you endured during this mission will soon fade away," Tamayori chuckled
(A/N: WOW... This fucking took longer to finish, sorry about that but I'll probably take a break (NOT SURE THO, I'LL PROLLY WRITE IF I FEEL LIKE IT SO YEAH), I apologize if this chapter is fking massive! Like jeez 17K words, but I promise from here on out I'll focus back to Naruto and his team. I just want to give time for each team to shine and show off their skills before the chunin exams and I'll make another team 7 arc along the road but not for now, and maybe a team gai arc but I'll make sure to make the arc not overly ambitious. I was clearly too ambitious in this arc and bitten off more than I could chew so yeah... Sorry about that, the reason this took so long was that because I felt depressed (not diagnosed but maybe I'm depressed idk... college is just too much for me sometimes, also im going through a rebellious phase if that makes sense like my parents especially my mom would lecture me constantly and whatnot, I try my best to avoid getting in trouble but it seems like trouble is just drawn to me. Please tell me if I missed any jutsu or word that weren't formatted this way - Japanese Name (English Name).Anyway, yeah thats the chapter hope y'all enjoyed, sorry if its too long and took too long to finish, I love ya and yea... cheers! ^^)