Chapter Five; Third Reel Surprise Land of Spring; Yukigakure
A week later
Naruto is at his desk in his suite within the Kazahana Castle. His mask rests beside him as he finishes up some final finance reports for the new hidden village. Suddenly he freezes and smiles "You made good time in coming Raven."
"Oh, codenames still? Then why is your mask not on."
"Doors sealed shut. The window isn't." He explains and the woman steps out from the shadows taking off her own mask "Nice place you have here." Mikoto announces as she pulls back her hood and shakes out her dark locks "It's temporary." As he glances to his side to see her place her own mask on the desk beside his before making her way over to the single bed "This should be fine until the morning." sitting on said bed. Naruto puts his squall down, turning to face the former Uchiha Matriarch "So, you've handed over clan leadership?" she smiles and nods "We're a new clan now and it's time for new leadership." Naruto smiles alongside her "I believe that Itachi will be a great leader. All the young ones already look up to him. It's not like I won't be around to help him here and there." She yawns suddenly and Naruto stands, taking the candle lantern with him over to said bed "It is late. We should sleep." Climbing in beside her, the two embrace as he snuffs out the candle. As she lay her head on the chest of this teen, Mikoto relaxes completely in listening to his soft rhythmic heartbeat. She knows what most would think of a grown woman such as herself seeking comfort in a man young enough to be her son is unbecoming of her station, but she doesn't care. She needs this. Just being held by a strong man, even if only in private sessions.
A kiss to her forehead was, in her opinion, the best way to wake up especially when cradled in very firm muscled arms. That was until the smell of breakfast, honey pancakes with blueberry jam, hit her nose and she sat up and immediately glared at the man beneath her "Oi mister! We had a deal. Stop being so goddamn perfect." a deep growl at the end with Naruto smiling "I just figured that just this once, I would treat you." his smile lessens slightly "With everything back home getting so chaotic now we're stepping into the light. News of your son being conditioned to serve the leaf. You've had a lot to deal with, so…" he shrugged as now he was also sitting up "…consider this a thank you for your hard work. I know it isn't much but…" she hugged him tightly, sniffling into his neck, her tears running down his pale skin and he just holds her back.
Land of Spring; Yukigakure Tower
Red and Raven enter the chamber to find the six Shinobi clan heads, two civilian representatives, and two research and development representatives. After taking his seat at the tables head "The princess will not be joining us today so we shall begin. As you may have noticed…" raising his hand to gesture to Raven standing at his back "This is my second in command, Raven, sent from Whirlpool to assist us with getting everyone here up to speed with our own training regiments and ensure that Yukigakure Ninja's are respected in their craft." All those in attendance nod along with this "Raven will be reviewing internal security concerns and implement steel clad ones so that Yukigakure remains free of spies and the like."
Over the following month, Red and Raven tore the village hidden in the snow apart and rebuilt it into a hidden gem built into a fort of ice. On the surface it appeared as the largest town in Spring country with the castle overlooking it all. Beneath it however, the growing force of Yukigakure we're training diligently, both the Shinobi and Samurai alike. The citizens were none the wiser, that beneath their feet Shinobi we're moving around, running missions or relaying information. Just as Red was showing the princess her new forces Raven appears at his side with a scroll addressed to him to which he took, and she vanishes again. After a brief read, he looks to Koyuki "Ma'am. We have received word from Whirlpool that Yukigakure has been granted permission to enter the Chunin exams, this time held in Kohonoha."
"Oh? And what benefit will this have?" she questions but suspects that any answer Red gave her would only be a half-truth "Put bluntly, it's a showcase of the upcoming Genin. The better they do the better Yukigakure looks. If they make the final, we shall go to the hidden leaf, and you can mingle among the other Daimyo." Red responds promptly "The finals, huh? Do we have any Genin teams available?" she questions, and he nods "Four teams but I would only send the best so I will probably only send two at most. All I need is your approval." After a long pause she nods "Okay. Get them ready enough for a win. If we are doing this, I want to take top place." with a big grin to which Red just chuckles and nods "Very well, my lady." with a mock bow which causes her to chuckle. Behind his mask Naruto smiles at Koyuki continuing to leave the shell she built up around herself.
Land of Spring; Yukigakure Tower
That night "I needed that." Mikoto sighs as she dropped down beside Naruto, the pair panting and sweaty, just as he began to hug her from behind "You and me both." Naruto almost whispered into her Raven hair the vibrations of his voice somewhat soothing to the woman currently enclosed within her man's arms. She knows come morning, he will return to bring just her coworker, family friend, and village leader but for right now in this moment he was all hers and she will take full advantage of that for as long as she can.
Land of Spring; Kazahana Castle
"Raven!" Red in a raised voice the following afternoon meeting, snapping her from her daydreams recalling the night prior "Hmm, did you say something?" looking up and down the table and you could see Red visibly deflate "The security reports on the infiltration from a week ago." Despite the mask Red could tell that Raven was very clearly flustered as she went through the pile of documents she had before producing said reports "Two separate incidents occurred within hours of each other. As they were not synchronised, we believe them to be two separate groups. One committed suicide when caught and restrained, the body then combusted before we could get a sample." Both Whirlpool Shinobi knew who sent them but didn't voice that to the group at large "The second was caught trying to blend into our Shinobi force and was caught by the Gate seals. After questioning, we discovered the body of one of our own. The spy was promptly executed."
"What kind of fools try and infiltrate our ranks?" Kori Kanis, of the Kanis clan which could be considered an offshoot of the hidden leaf's Inizuka but far wilder with larger fangs and sharper claws on their hands. They all have pale white hair, dull and unreflective but slit like predatorial yellow eyes "Do they think us fools?"
"Clearly." Tellia Yukie, of the Yukie clan but not the same as the Yuki Red was familiar with but an offshoot he guessed as they couldn't create Ice the same way his new clansmen do "If I remember correctly, did you not protest these new security measures Kanis-san." Looking at the feral man who growled back at her "Yeah, I did! I own that." He looks to Red then to Raven "My clan have lived in these snow bound lands as long as records exists. Seeing you newcomers tell us where to live and how irked us the wrong way."
"You are…"
"…but…" the man cutting off Red "…I admit. Our pups are far happier and it's easier to keep track of them in the new clan grounds you gave us. You have my thanks and my trust." Red nods at this "We will endeavour to make sure your trust is not wasted." Raven ensures and he just grins "I concur with this course of action." The smooth talking Gyr clan head, Erica Gyr. This clan focuses on the use of birds of prey to assist in tracking and remote chakra use, very versatile if Red was to comment on "I, as many of my clansmen, did not believe in this idea of a singular living area for us all but it has been productive in our work with one another."
"It is a change to be sure. I know we have caused quite an upset and destruction on your norms, but in doing this I am doing my best to ensure that the future is ensured, and no child grows up alone." Red states rather passionately causing them all to stiffen at his commanding presence. The Kanis alpha couldn't help but smile at that statement, being a pack type clan family and those close to them.
"Very good Raven." Red nods at her as the topic was promptly changed "As you are all aware, the Chunin exams are coming up in the leaf and our two teams will be setting off tomorrow." He received several nods from around the room "Unfortunately, the princess has decided to personally see to it that they make it there."
"You can't br…"
"She is dead serious." Red responds and again everyone could tell that this man was defeated in every way conceivable just by how low his shoulder sunk as he sighed "As such, I will be leaving things here in your very capable hands. I will be selecting the security detail for our travels whilst Raven will take care of the patrol routes that pirates had been seen nearby. Any questions?" no hands raised but everyone seemed willing to help.
That night…
"You know… glaring at me with your dojutsu active is slightly intimidating." Naruto comments as he takes off his mesh shirt while Mikoto sits on the bed "Why am I not part of the…"
"Your too involved." Naruto cutting her off having foreseen this coming a mile off "We'll be in Kohonoha. Not just fire country but the hidden leaf itself." He sighs while dropping down beside her "I really wish I could swap out with Jax or even Kazer but…" he shrugs again as she falls into his shoulder "I know but still…"
"We're all being deployed during the finals." She almost smacked him when he said that "What?!" she barely whispered, and he nodded "Jax sent me a report this morning. Didn't read it until after the meeting. In it outlays a possible invasion of the leaf during the exams. He suspects the other new village, Otogakure; the village hidden in the sound."
"Ah those upstarts. Made up of missing-nin and rogues. So, does the leaf know?" she comments, and he shrugs "Just received the info. We've been told to probe the leaf when we get there if they haven't, speak to their leaders and inform them of our intent. We're being paid to do so." he unconsciously rubs a burn mark on his right wrist, but Mikoto's delicate fingers grip his hands "You'll be fine. Just remember the mask." He nods as she pulls him down into the bed.
Land of Spring; Yukigakure Main Docks
The group of two Genin teams and, six anbu disguised as regular Jonin, Red as their leader, and Koyuki step aboard the boat and Revan nods to Red who nods back as they salute one another in their Whirlpool way. After all the goodbyes were exchanged, the ship set sail for the fire nation. Out at sea, Red approached his squad where Kanis Kori, the clan head of the Kanis pack, was his second "Kori. Are we all ready?"
"Well, the retraining of our ninjutsu was hellish but we are combat capable." The wolfish man growled "If only barely."
"What level of wind manipulation have you reached?" Naruto questioned while looking over the group of shinobi, currently under his command "Working on stage two. It isn't looking too good."
"Keep working on it. Without snow around…" Kori nods agreeing with him "…we're at a disadvantage off the start." Red nods at that "I've drilled you all incredibly hard since I've been in charge of the shinobi forces of Spring."
"…and we are thankful." Kila Gyr, a woman of the bird type clan with her two barn owl companions sitting atop her shoulders "Thanks to your new sight, our own weaknesses have been seen and corrected. We owe you much."
"Just doing my duty. I am still assigned to Spring for the foreseeable future. As such, you are all my responsibility and I take responsibility for your lives."
"Lighten up man…!" Kori slapping his back "…we're packmates now. I'll cover your back as you have mine." He then looks to his fellow hidden snow shinobi "Kila will watch both our backs, right?" with a toothy grin to which she simply nods offering a barely noticeable smile in return.
The first night of three Red was called in to Koyuki's room to which "Can you stay with me? Please?" Red was stuck between his morals and the mission objective. Rules of the Whirlpool shinobi forbade fraternising whilst on-duty, however as she was asking him directly. He locked the door at his back and pulled off his mask and unbuckled his cloak before he took a seat at the small desk "So, what do you need?" she wordlessly pulls him up from the seat and leads him to the bed and snuggle till morning. This would continue for the remainder of the trip.
Land of Fire; Rendezvous point Helix
The group of sixteen hidden snow residents reach a clearing designated by Red as the point where they would meet a second group. Just prior to reaching port a messenger Kestrel had reached him and explained that a new mission directive has been added. The Fire Daimyo has requested and paid for our direct intervention regarding the possibility of the invasion of the Hidden Leaf Village. As such all hands are being mobilised and a squad of 'Gennin' have been despatched and will meet at point Helix. The same one they were now camping at. The sun was still up, about halfway down which allowed for a cooler breeze which helped relax the artic climatised group until Kanis noticed Red stiffen momentarily causing him too to stand and observe the surroundings "You can come out you four. These are our clients. They don't bite…" Red then glances at the Kanis in the group "…mostly."
"HEY!" the two Kanis men growl where the female smirked while eying Red up and down, his aura of command was intoxicating. "Should have figured you'd notice us…" one Red head declares dropping in "…you're the fabled Red, after all." The boy states which caused Red to remain tense as the other two gennin dropped in beside the first "You shouldn't talk like that to your superior." scolded the brunette Fenra, she had returned to Uzu upon Ravens request and now part of this team, "She right man. This guy will be our boss soon enough." The final member was another dark-haired young man, the two boys seemed around ten years old while the girl, despite being much older, only looked around thirteen or so but was almost sixteen come winter. "Boss, huh? Perhaps then we'd spend time together right, dad?" this caused the whole clearing to go silent for a long moment.
The new arrivals proclamation about Red being his father brought tension to new heights, no one knowing what to make of this. All eyes eventually landed on Red who just kicked off the tree he was leaning against "Kartel Uzumaki, Clan secrets must remain that, secrets within the clan." Red's aura turned menacing causing all to back away from him as he continues to approach the very rude Redhead "You should be aware of some aspects that surround your birth and subsequent upbringing. I've only seen you once before you were taken from us but know this." Red crouches down to be eye level with the brat "We can talk about everything we missed later. It may be a bit weird with us being so closely aged now, but I couldn't care less. We can't be a normal family, the clan needs us, but we can be selfish sometimes, okay?" the boy nods and Red stands "I would have thought you'd inform him to keep his mouth shut Jax." Looking to his left where said man steps out from behind the tree "He's just as brash as you and she were. Don't look to me."
"Fine." Red almost growled before turning back to the group "We're moving out. Get packed."
Land of Fire; Hidden leaf approach
A few days and the cliffs over the hidden leaf can be made out in the distance but as always, they kept their guard up, knowing they were about to head into a dragon's nest. The Six jonin were spread out among the group but if you looked closely, they were all perfectly positioned around the princess without making it look like they were. The three genin teams were out in front in an arrow like formation with the uzu team centre and the two snow either side. Red and Jax both flanked their client "Hey Jax, what's your code name for this mission?"
"I thought Jax was your code name?" Asked Koyuki cutting into the conversation between her two guards and the dark haired, crystal blue eyed man shook his head with a smile "Nah, its my name. Only our allies know of it though, so I'd appreciate it if you all kept that tightly sealed." The whole group nod "Anyway, I'll go by Artic this mission." As he unseals his mask and cloak in the same vein as Red, slipping them on in a swift motion but the red markings were bluish white on Arctics mask "So, everyone ready?" Arctic asks as even his voice seemed disguised and the genin all nod eagerly "Remember, stay as a group and don't wonder off. Any trouble, channel chakra into the wrist mount seal and we'll come to you. Move out!" Red orders.
Land of Fire; Konoha; Main gate
The Spring group arrive at the hidden leaf to be greeted at the gates by the Lord Third hokage along with a squad of Anbu. Koyuki stepped forward with Red and Arctic on her flanks "Welcome to the hidden leaf village, Lady Kazahana. I hope your journey has been peaceful." the old man says offering a hand to which she took "Thank you for this warm welcome, Lord Hokage. As for our trip, we have enough security thus we were left alone." Her soft smile was disarming however the Kage and the Shinobi we're more than wary of the masked ninjas among the group. Despite being in front of them none could sense either of them "I see. Are these your three Genin teams?" glancing at the nine young Shinobi with his grandfather smile on full blast, the yuki shinobi tense having been told of this man capable of killing battalions by himself "Ah yes. They're the best we have." She smiles at them, and they all brighten up causing the old man to chuckle "Very well, allow me to guide you toward your hotel." leading them on through the village. The Anbu guard was almost solely focused on the two masked shinobi watching them for any signs of identity or threats "I have to admit, I was surprised when the Mizukage requested an invitation for you."
"The Mizukage did?" Koyuki questioned which raised an eyebrow with the aged leader as the princess turns to Red who simply nods "I see. You should have told me." He didn't respond "Well, I'll have to send them a thank you." She sighed "I hope this means we can have closer relations. We do need to discuss the matter of our shinobi currently being held by your forces." The old man gently reminds to which the soft gentle nature of the Yuki group immediately vanished, a frigid cold air replaced it "Ah, yes. The pale shinobi who tried to sabotage our research institutes whilst copying everything down." One Yuki Jonin casually remarks before Red glanced at him and he shut up at that. The old man sighed "Ah yes. That shinobi was assigned by the council."
"You mean root." Rana Kanis growled, causing the Leaf ninja to stiffen "You may think them a secret, but we've had a few run ins with them." He shrugs "Not that we can prove it officially seeing as they incinerate themselves."
They arrive at the hotel "You will be staying here. We have assigned the penthouse suite for the month." The aged leader states and the guests all now before heading in. Red could basically see what they were planning, and he would be damned if there plans interfered with his charges.
Land of Fire; Golden Leaf hotel; Penthouse suite
The next morning with everyone gathered Red and Arctic stood at front, going through hand signs before snapping them to the wall and scripts appear and expand to cover the walls all over before fading "Now then, listening to my words. No one is to leave here alone. Travel in trio's and remember not to break any protocol's we've covered."
"Understood." They all chime and Red nods "Team Snow, Team Red, Team Uzu, you need to get to the academy in the morning for the first part of the exams." Said Genin nodded on confirmation "When leaving the hotel, be sure to activate the seal on your gear. I want no slip ups…" looking at Kartel directly "Any issues, call it in. We're nearby."
"Yes sir!" the children all exclaim rushing out. Red then turns to Artic "You proceeding as planned?"
"Yeah. Enjoy babysitting."
"Get lost." Red rebukes and the man vanish in flicker of ice shards while Koyuki arrives back from the upper floor "So, are we heading out too?" Red nods at that before turning to Kori and his team "Kori, we are going to meet with the Hokage and his Jonin commander now. Keep an eye on our teams in the academy and we'll join you as soon as we're done."
"Leave the pups to me."
"Oh and stay away from the Inizuka. Last thing I need is more paperwork on my desk." Red states with a fair amount of killing intent behind his words causing all three packmates stiffly nod in agreement.
Authors Note;
This chapter was three times as long as this. I split it up. It's troublesome but the now chapter C6 and part of C7 are quite action packed, with snakes and foxes in equal measure with a side of revelations aplenty, hehehe.