CHAPTER 4: Fantastic Ninjas and Where To Find Them

Several hours had passed since their departure from the capital city. The landscape unfolded before them—trees, squirrels darting about, boars, rocks of various sizes, and more trees. He couldn't help but wish for teleportation gates or some sort of space-related ability to compensate for the arduous travels. As they journeyed through the Land of Fire, lush and vibrant landscapes unfurled in their path. Towering trees formed a dense canopy, casting intermittent shadows on the forest floor. The air carried the earthy scent of moss and foliage, while the sound of chirping birds and rustling leaves filled the atmosphere. They passed by quaint villages nestled amidst the trees, their thatched-roof houses and lively marketplaces showcasing the everyday lives of the locals—the supposed boring and mundane life of a civilian. It was a stark contrast to his past life, when he had been one of them, before he became the person who could conjure natural disasters at a moment's notice, should he wish to do so.

In one village, they caught a glimpse of children playing and villagers going about their daily routines, the spirit of camaraderie evident in their interactions. The villagers greeted them with warm smiles and curious glances, their eyes reflecting a mix of awe and respect. Not because they know who we were, but simply because we are tree hopping ninjas.

As they continued their journey, they encountered more villages, each with its own distinct charm. In some, they witnessed skilled artisans crafting intricate pottery and delicate fabrics, their craftsmanship a testament to the region's rich cultural heritage. In other villages, farmers toiled under the scorching sun, and young children engaged in exercise and playful fights, aspiring to become samurai or ninjas. The landscapes varied as well, with rolling hills, serene rivers, and vast fields stretching as far as the eye could see. They passed through dense forests, where sunlight struggled to penetrate the thick foliage, creating an enchanting atmosphere. The occasional waterfall cascaded down moss-covered rocks, their soothing sounds providing a momentary respite from their journey. Throughout their travels, he couldn't help but appreciate the mesmerizing beauty of the Land of Fire. The picturesque sceneries, combined with the resilience and vibrant spirit of its people, left an indelible impression. It was a land that bore the scars of neverending wars, yet its land and people goes undeterred. In fact, in this cruel and despairing world they managed to thrive, a testament to the resilience and determination of its inhabitants.

As nightfall approached, they sought refuge at the edge of a tranquil lake. Camping became less like a chore and more like a luxurious outing when you could store nearly everything inside storage scrolls and conjure makeshift buildings out of earth. Lying beneath a star-studded sky, he couldn't help but feel a whirlwind of emotions that he couldn't reconcile with. In his past life, he had never been an adventurous person. He felt alive only within the confines of his warm and cozy room. Now, he wondered how much he had changed in these two lives. With each passing village and every breathtaking landscape, he became more immersed in the tapestry of the Land of Fire.

Before he had the chance to crack a joke to fill their time while tree hopping, he abruptly redirected his attention forward. His companions noticed the sudden shift. He sensed the presence of several chakras, precisely five, moderately strong, stealthily converging—a group of Anbu, attempting to be inconspicuous. It both fascinated and irritated him simultaneously. What were the odds of stumbling upon Anbu engaged in combat during broad daylight? He felt an urge to berate them, questioning what kind of ninja would fight so openly. In his opinion, all of them should be immediately relieved of their duties.

"30 kilometers ahead. Five individuals, likely Anbu. Four against one. One is injured and worsening," he stated matter-of-factly. Usually, he would use their secret sign language to convey such information, but he couldn't be bothered this time. Glancing at his sensei for guidance, he received nothing more than a shrug in response.

Of fucking course.

He released a heavy exhale. Let's observe the situation first. He wasn't concerned about their group's safety or their ability to handle the Anbu. Rather, he was irritated by the fact that they had ventured so far into the Land of Fire in the first place. He began to contemplate how far Konoha had fallen. Once, both Madara and Hashirama had safeguarded the village, willing to sacrifice their lives for its protection. The mere thought sent shivers down his spine.

Even after Madara's defection, no village dared challenge their supremacy. He could imagine the weight the title "God of Shinobi" must have carried in that era. And now, after the Second Ninja War, the pyrrhic victory of the subsequent war, the Kyuubi incident, and Orochimaru's treachery—one of the highest-ranking and most powerful individuals, once the Third Hokage's favorite student ffs—the village must have been in shambles.

And yet, they still had the audacity to antagonize the last remaining truly powerful clan—the founding clan, no less.

Who needs enemies when they actively plot and contribute to their own downfall?

The situation was preposterous, almost unbelievable. He had confirmed certain details with his sensei to ensure he wasn't missing a significant piece of the puzzle or losing his sanity. To his surprise, his sensei had corroborated most of his hypotheses. Honestly, they might just deserve the consequences that awaited them. It would be quite enjoyable to witness their downfalls firsthand. Thank goodness he had discovered and essentially 'invented' popcorn.

As they drew nearer to the scene, he signaled to his companions. Both his sensei and Shizune activated the fuinjutsu tattoo on their bodies. Although no visible change occurred, it prevented other ninja or sensors from detecting their chakra from a distance. As long as they remained unseen, they were practically invisible. Learning fuinjutsu had proven to be an arduous task, but it was truly life-changing, particularly for someone as indolent as him. He couldn't help but grumble about not being bestowed with the [Sloth] Unique Skill, convinced that the world had made an error.

Unlike his companions, he possessed an innate ability to cloak his chakra, instinctively dampening it to the point of becoming imperceptible. In fact, no one—not even Shizune—knew the true extent of his chakra reserves, except for him and his sensei. It was a family trait. To others, he appeared to possess chakra at the elite jonin level, befitting a disciple of the Slug Princess. And if one paid close attention, they might notice that his chakra regenerated quickly—a remarkable and life-saving attribute for a iryo-nin. Of course, even at this level, it will raise suspicions, but further concealing his chakra would hinder his ability to work effectively. Besides, he knew his lineage couldn't remain a secret indefinitely, nor did he wish to hide it forever.

As the three of them stealthily approached, he finally laid eyes on the cornered Anbu. His eye twitched at the sight of the attention-grabbing silver hair—such a glaring hallmark that rendered the Anbu mask and their supposed goal of being subtle utterly pointless. The Anbu appeared to be a few years older than him, evident from his skin texture and bone density. Lightning began to gather in the Anbu's right arm, clearly no longer interested in attempting to conceal his identity. (Copy), he muttered in his mind. Ah, that was fast. Now it was three against one. Joining the fight, he occasionally spotted useful jutsu that he could plagiarize.

Turning to his sensei, they exchanged a knowing glance, silently conversing. Shizune, appearing exasperated, communicated through sign language, "There's a Konoha Anbu in trouble. Why aren't we helping them?". He retorted, representing his stance and that of his sensei, "And why should we?" Shizune flinched at his decision to speak aloud before realizing that a silencing seal had been placed, allowing her to sigh audibly. Perplexed, she continued, "At this rate, that Konoha Anbu will die." Pondering the matter, he informed his sensei, considering whether they should intervene, "He is the White Fang's son."

"Not my problem," came the curt response. Sheesh, he supposed the days of "never leaving comrades behind" and rainbows were long gone. Was she always this indifferent to Konoha in canon before she was taken back? Or did he fucked something up? He suddenly shifted his attention back to the ongoing battle, surprise coloring his features, prompting the others to follow suit. The fighting area was bombarded with explosions. A kekkei genkai user—a plausible explanation for the fizzing sensation he had detected in one of their chakra. Was he part of the infamous 'Explosion Corps'? Now, he was truly captivated.

Poor guy, the Konoha Anbu was pushed even harder. Out of chakra and stamina, he could only stagger while barely avoiding fatal hits. Shizune seemed to be on the edge of her seat, ready to jump in. As the silver-haired Anbu began to falter, tiny near-invisible air bullets penetrated his attacker's heads before their reflexes could even compute the sudden and undetectable attack. Three limp bodies fell to the ground.

Sensei whistled, clearly impressed, but he was too busy with something else. He successfully executed a (Force Takeover) and wore a wide, bright grin. Bakuton acquired it seems. He hadn't encountered a Bakuton user before and speculated whether Gari was still alive. Regardless, it was quite a decent harvest.

He slowly approached the barely conscious Anbu. The man attempted to raise his shaking arm in an attack, but it hardly counted as a threat. He found the futile resistance almost 'cute.' With a single touch on the Anbu's chest, he managed to paralyze him and induce sleep, effectively disarming him from further toothless, childish attacks.

His hand, now hovering over the Anbu's chest, glowed with bright purple chakra. The countless injuries, new and old, visibly began to stitch themselves closed, and damaged organs repaired themselves. It was one of his creations, his baby—an improved Mystical Palm Technique on steroids. It was the result of years of study, combined with the supplemented information, calculation, and formulation through his [Analyst] Unique Skills. It's nice to be reminded that he's totally 'broken'.

Sensei had classified it as an S-rank supplementary medical jutsu, and he aptly named it the 'Divine Palm Technique'. However, he refrained from using it extensively due to the potential for significant and enduring side effects on the target when overused. The technique was nearly considered kinjutsu, as it demanded not only near-perfect chakra control but also immense mastery over the yang element, complemented by a substantial amount of chakra. Even a slight mistake could cripple the practitioner.

The borderline suicidal ninja had proven to be quite tenacious. As his body swiftly healed and his stamina partially recovered under the treatment, the Anbu slowly regained consciousness. Still delirious from chakra exhaustion and the toll it had taken on his mind, the Anbu's grey-colored eyes opened, struggling to focus.

The famed 'Copy' Ninja silently gazed back at him, his eyes filled with emotions that were difficult to decipher. With a slight movement, the patient he had just saved lifted his arm to hold the outstretched hand that had healed him a moment ago, seemingly seeking a connection to reality, a confirmation that this wasn't all just a dream. The grip was tight, conveying a desperate need for reassurance in the face of the surreal situation. It struck him as bizarre, and he had to suppress a laugh that threatened to escape at the unexpected and unusual behavior.

But as their hands connected, a sudden and unforeseen action unfolded. The patient, still in a state of partial consciousness, released the healer's hand and slowly extended his trembling hand further, fingertips gently caressing his cheek, causing him to freeze. The touch was delicate and fleeting, yet it carried a profound depth of meaning. Confusion enveloped him as he tried to comprehend the significance of this unexpected gesture.

Before he could make sense of what was happening, he noticed the approach of his sensei and Shizune, their presence altering the surrounding atmosphere. The unmistakable waves of amusement emanating from the hag added a touch of levity to the moment. The future Sixth Hokage, upon noticing the presence of the deceptively young blond and the even younger dark-haired girl, experienced a sudden revelation. The impact of this realization widened his eyes, reflecting a mix of surprise, shock, and an underlying sense of wonder.

Caught off guard by this unexpected turn of events, the last remaining Hatake leaped backward with comical speed, ultimately colliding with a nearby tree. Although there was no audible voice, he could almost sense the young jonin's yelp of surprise and embarrassment—a reaction to his own uncharacteristic act of harassing his own doctor. Such was the essence of ninjas—they possessed a quality that felt both realistic and reminiscent of anime. Truly, ninjas were magical creatures in their own right.

The gates of Konoha loomed closer with each passing moment. Upon arrival, two chunin guards stood in their path, though they would be easily dispatched with a flick of his finger. One of the guards simply nodded at the Anbu, visibly perplexed by the redness in his ears. It was not customary for an Anbu to pass through the public ninja gates. As the guard examined the three others who followed the Anbu's lead, a sense of fascination washed over him.

The most captivating figure among them was the platinum blonde-haired young teen with soft, sparkling red crystal eyes that drew one in. His entire demeanor exuded an inviting aura, tempting almost, though not in a sexual manner. It was as if an invisible force magnetized everyone's gaze towards him, making the others seem like mere extras in a movie scene. The child smiled, causing the guard's well-practiced neutral face to crack, unconsciously returning the smile in kind. A cough snapped him out of his entranced state. He felt deeply embarrassed, realizing that he had been staring at the boy for far too long. 'I'm not a creep,' he silently scolded himself. After all, he had a wife, for Kami's sake.

Quickly shifting his gaze to the next person, his eyes fell upon a dark-haired teenage girl in her prime. The guard couldn't help but feel a pang of sympathy for the girl, who stood beside the boy's captivating presence, seemingly overshadowed by his radiance. Finally, his gaze landed on the last person, and his mind fell into disarray as he simply gawked, his mouth agape wide enough to fit an entire adult-sized fist.

"L—La—Lady Tsu—Tsunade?!" he blurted out loudly, capturing the attention of passersby. Caught in a mixture of confusion, perplexity, and surprise, he struggled to decide how to proceed. Noticing her raised brow, which likely indicated annoyance at the spectacle he had created, he wanted nothing more than to run and hide in disgrace. He had spent nearly a decade in the same job, meeting dignitaries, ambassadors, and even nobles on occasion. Yet here he stood, reduced to a blithering idiot.

He quickly bowed as deeply as he could. "M—My apologies, Tsunade-hime. I—" his words were interrupted by the Konoha royal herself. "It's okay," she reassured him. "This is Shizune Kato and Haruki Suzaku, both my direct disciples. Haruki is a citizen of the Land of Fire. So let's cut the procedure short and simply note that I guarantee his entrance to the village on my authority as the current Head of the Senju Clan." Her voice carried a rough and firm tone, infused with the charisma and gravitas befitting a Legendary Sannin, the Mother of all Iryo-nins, the future Fifth Hokage, and the Senju's reigning Matriarch. She quickly issued orders, perhaps attempting to cut the guard some slack.

Despite her clear-cut direction, silence hung in the air. It felt as if the world had frozen in time, encapsulated in a singular moment. Everyone, including Haruki, could only gape at her declaration. For decades, the Slug Princess had refrained from invoking the Senju name. Yet here she was, asserting her blood-given right to wield unquestionable authority as she saw fit. Her seemingly simple yet loaded order had the potential to unleash a firestorm, turning the village on its head.

With her words, she had essentially proclaimed, 'Got a problem? Take it up with my ancestors who built this damn village you're standing on.'

The impact of her declaration reverberated through the air like a brewing storm, manifesting instantly and unpredictably. It felt as if the sun itself had been eclipsed, casting a daunting shadow of uncertainty over the village. The atmosphere crackled with tension, as if each breath carried the weight of imminent turmoil, threatening to derail the very foundations of their lives.

Whispered conversations buzzed through the streets, like a swarm of bees sharing secrets. Eyes darted anxiously from person to person, searching for answers and seeking answers in the faces of others. The once familiar and comforting routines of Konoha were shattered, replaced by a palpable slight sense of unease yet accompanied with excitement that permeated every corner. The village they knew teetered on the edge of transformation, its future hanging in the balance, as the return of the Senju Queen loomed over them.

And indeed, the village was thrown into complete turmoil.

NOTES:

Or not. The villagers are already running wild with speculations. Some are correct, some are simply untrue.

Don't forget that Haruki's existence has changed some things from canon.

Unique Skill [Surpasser]

- Seize: This main ability allows the user to 'rob' power from their opponents, effectively weakening their skills and magic. Only works on those stronger than the user.

-- Force Takeover: Forcibly seize powers from anyone, regardless of their strength.

- Copy: This main ability allows the user of the skill to copy and obtain skills that the user has witnessed.

- Incorporate: Allows the user to 'rob' and assimilate skill or energy from their target.

- Prodigy: Accelerated learning, comprehension, and growth. Mastery attained swiftly.

It's an outrageous Unique Ability that approaches the level of an Ultimate Skill in effectiveness.

Fun fact: Surpasser is the other alternative translation for the Unique Skill [Usurper] which this skill is based on. I just made it more OP.