7: The Spy
"Danzo has sent Otsusuki and Hyuga soldiers to ambush the Scarlet Beast.
They are working with the Akatsuki to murder Captain Uzumaki.
Location - Manda Island."
No name and no scent on the paper. Perfectly rolled up with a black ribbon. It was no accident.
Who could have possibly garnered such intel? It would make no sense for it to be a message from a member of the Scarlet Beast. Why would they hoard such important information and risk death itself? As rash as he may be, if Naruto knew of the ambush, he wouldn't gamble the life of his friends. But then, which person did Naruto Uzumaki place such trust in outside the Scarlet Beast?
"Who was the messenger?" the Captain demanded gruffly.
The hooded man shuddered and took a step back as a precautionary habit, sensing a wave of of hostility. He was a broad-shouldered man with bruise-like tattoos marring his face. The only other visible part of his body were his hands, which were also scribbled in purple ink. An outside would certainly assume that he was the stronger of the two; his captain being a pale, frail man with the stature of an emaciated insomniac. Yet, the hooded pirate wouldn't dare to test his Captain's temper.
"I don't know, Captain. Lookout said they saw a bird dropped the scroll on the upper deck."
A swirl of dust traced over the creased parchment. The captain's pale fist scrunched the paper.
"Set course for Hebi Trench. We are going to Manda Island."
"Of course," Kankuro replied immediately. He wouldn't dare delay the command of his younger brother.
Gaara was a fucking psychopath. It was like the mythical spirit of Shukaku himself possessed his brother.
Hyuga Castle, Byakugan District, Konoha, Land of Fire. 52.7072° N, 0.1386° W
A sharp sound sliced through the thick silence of the hall, the resounding echo causing Neji to flinch involuntarily. Toneri's pale face was marred by an angry red print of a hand that belonged to Danzo, adding to his existing bruises and gashes that were showing slow signs of healing. Danzo threw the flaming scarlet trench coat at the young prince who handed it triumphantly, snarling in rage. Though the garment was tattered, loose in seams, muddied by soil and blood, the bright shade of red burned brightly, as if proud of its resilience. As if it was an extension of Naruto's fiery will, laughing and mocking the royals and elites of Konoha.
Despite his staunch dislike of Naruto, the small observation made him smile inwardly.
"How dare you return from your voyage without his body?" Danzo spat, "how dare you even think that this-" He stamped on the red coat- "is sufficient evidence?"
Of course Danzo would order Toneri to execute Naruto. It was the elephant in the room really. A murder mission disguised as a rescue operation. It didn't phase anyone in the room. He hadn't mentioned Hinata's name once.
A muscle twitched in Toneri's face, but his expression remained strictly impassive. Fury shone in his blue eyes for a split-second, before dimming imminently.
Toneri Otsusuki was a master of composure, perhaps that why Hiashi Hyuga liked the boy so much that he wished Hinata to wed him. He had power, an elegant appearance, riches, and the same very mannerisms. Perhaps it was the tale that the two clans are distantly related may be true. Otsusuki and Hyuga shared valued of stoicism and ambition, but only the Hyuga thrived since they adhered to a draconian hierarchy. The Otsusuki were ravaged with civil wars between clan members, leaving Toneri the only full-blooded Otsusuki alive.
"I assure you, Lord Danzo, that we duelled and I delivered an irreparable blow which he cannot recover from. His demise is guaranteed. The cave was unstable and so I evacuated-"
"You fled like a coward."
"And what of my daughter? Your fiancée?" Hiashi asked, the wrath in his voice well-controlled.
Toneri opened his mouth, only to close it a second later. "I could not find Hinata. It seems she was hidden on his ship. My men could not locate her."
The pause made it all to clear to Neji that it was a lie. He remembered Hinata's letter; that she was happy and looked after by the crew. With his discerning gaze, Neji saw the spark of humiliation in the depths of Toneri's eyes. Something else happened. Toneri did see Hinata. Toneri met Hinata. Toneri talked to Hinata. But Hinata refused to come with him. The humiliation was her rejection. It was about time, however. Neji was aware of his cousin's indifference, even reluctance, towards the Otsusuki. His little cousin had a rebellious nature that his uncle attempted to stunt. Perhaps time with Naruto Uzumaki reawakened it.
Regardless of his cousin's interesting personality development, Neji was glad to know that she was finally standing up for herself.
"Lord Danzo, if you wish, I will return to Ryuchi's cavern and retrieve Naruto's corpse-"
"No, you have displayed yourself as someone utterly incompetent. This task will be allocated to someone else."
Neji knew his name would not be called, but Danzo's lingering stare told him he wasn't safe either.
South Suna Sea: Gaara's territory. 23.4165° N, 25.6631° E
Naruto awoke with an undulating throb in his torso. He winced as his fingers grasped the thick bandage wrapped around the wound. Slumber gently lifted as his fumbling fingers gripped the fabric with more conviction. He had been in plenty of fights before, but this was definitely a close call. The rich bastard was fast and strong, but he was a fucking coward to use a woman as a human shield. The horror that struck his when the he pressed the blade against Hinata's...
Hinata!
His eyes pulled open ash he heaved himself up. It was an agonising movement; to have all the adrenaline pumping in his blood, only to shift his body like an old man with chronic back pain. The throbbing ache was now a stabbing sensation that shot up to his chest and squeezed the breath out of his lungs. His stormy eyes snapped shut as he hissed a colourful list of profanities.
"Do that again and you'll be on bed rest for another week," came the nonchalant scolding of an old woman.
Naruto narrowed his eyes at the plump ancient woman across the room mixing a herbal concoction on the table opposite him. He senses calmed as he observed the chamber he was trapped in. The walls were lined in shelves full of different species of plants. Each one had a label of what the name of the plant was and what land it originated from. Bookcases were lined with thick catalogues of book relating to medicine and puppetry.
This was an apothecary.
But he wasn't on land. The unmistakable sway of the wooden floor and the salty air meant he was on a boat.
Or ship. An enemy's ship possibly. Most probably.
His heart dropped to his stomach.
Did Toneri capture him? Where the hell was Hinata?!
"Who the fuck are you and where the fuck am I!?"
"Didn't you parent teach you any manners?" the aging lady frowned, the wrinkles multiplying. She seemed unbothered by the outburst, carefully adding a single clove to her mixture. It turned neon green much to her pleasure.
"My parents died after I was born."
She paused, setting down the potion, finally facing Naruto with a sombre look. The was a guilt in her eyes Naruto didn't quite understand. "I am Lady Chiyo. the healer of the Desert Storm."
"I'm on Gaara's ship?"
"Yes, and don't worry. Your lady friend is fine. She is resting in her room."
Naruto visibly relaxed, reclining against the pillow.
"I-I don't understand. W-why...how am... how did Gaara... he saved me?"
Nothing made sense. His words were an incoherent string of mumble as his lethargic mind tried to recall his hazy recollections. Gaara rejected his offer of alliance and threatened to kill him. And yet, he saved his ass from the depths of Ryuchi's cavern out of nowhere. How the fuck did he know where he was?
"I'm afraid I cannot answer. The captain has given a strict order to alert him when you are conscious. I expect he will give you the answers you seek."
"Can I see Hinata at least?"
"You are not allowed to go out, mainly because you will most definitely rupture your stitches."
Naruto's face reddened as his eyes widened at the old woman's bawdy insinuation. He almost forgot people believed Hinata was his whore. They haven't even kissed.
Or did they?
Naruto's memory was a blur. He wasn't entirely sure if it was his his mind's attempt to comfort him from death with his yearning desire, or did Hinata really take pity on his pathetic state and simply kissed him goodbye. The latter was more likely, Naruto decided. As much as he liked the idea for a genuine relationship, it was unrealistic.
He was a wanted pirate; an enemy of Konoha, and she was a princess; royalty of Konoha. They were from completely different worlds.
And he didn't want to hurt her. He didn't want to hurt himself either.
How was he even supposed to bring up the conversation? Hey, did you kiss me when I was dying? You remember when I was about to die, did you by any chance accidentally kiss me or something? When I was dying I imagined you were kissing me... did you? Naruto cringed inwardly, the last one sounded fucking desperate.
Later that day, the monotony of forcing herbal mixtures down his throat, complaining to Lady Chiyo, daydreaming about ramen noodles, was broken with the appearance of the Desert Storm's captain. Naruto sat up straight, ignoring the pain in his chest. Gaara sauntered towards him, his icy eyes analysing his exterior. Like a predator stalking his wounded prey. Or a murderer observing his victim. Naruto felt exposed, weak. If Gaara lunged at his right now, he wouldn't have the strength to fight him off. Much to his confusion, Gaara pulled out a scroll from his pocket and thrust it in his face.
"Do you recognise this?" Gaara drawled, his soulless eyes staring into Naruto's soul.
He slapped the rolled parchment in Naruto's hand. Azure eyes scanned the writing, eyebrows raised in bewilderment. The information was brief, but its perplexing nature stumped him. Someone knew of the ambush before he did. Was it someone from within the palace walls? He didn't know anyone inside the Hyuga castle. Naruto scratched his head in thought and then shook it, flat blond tresses flicking left and right.
"No."
"You have a spy. Who is it?"
"I don't know what you're talking about."
"You don't know?" Gaara repeated impatiently.
"If I had a spy, why would they inform you instead of telling me? Where's the fucking logic in that?"
"If you do not know, then perhaps you have someone of your side you are unaware of," Gaara said, though he wasn't offended by the notion.
Naruto shrugged. A guardian angel didn't seem like a bad idea.
"I'll find out who they are soon enough, but right now I'm going to get my ship back."
"I have already located the Scarlet Beast and sent a message. The will meet us on the border."
Naruto didn't hide his surprise. His jaw fell open, furrowing his brows in apprehension.
"Why are you helping me? Is this a debt?"
"The Akatsuki murdered my mother. If the Konoha governor Danzo is indeed conspiring with the Akatsuki with the the Hyuga empire and the Otsusuki army, then I have gravely underestimated the opponent's cards. It isn't rogue pirates, but an organisation that extends from our seas. The enemy has forged alliances, and we would be fools to turn our back on each others. It means I require a strong ally... I know see the benefit of your previous proposition. I agree to your offer... if it still stands."
"Of course it does." Naruto held his hand out and this time, Gaara grasped it firmly.
A thin stream of sand encircled the two hands.
Uchiha Mansion, Sharingan District, Konoha, Land of Fire. 52.7072° N, 0.1386° W
The proud mansion lay derelict in a once prosperous neighbourhood. The Sharingan district was home to the influential Uchiha clan, the family who protected Konoha and enforced the law. Now it was abandoned and aged by time. Citizens stayed away, believing rumours of a curse that would strike the one who entered the grounds. Its previous owner Fugaku Uchiha was killed, his corpse flung overboard in a fight on the Scarlet Beast. His grave was not the soil consuming his corpse, but a watery grave wherein fishes ate his flesh.
The pristine marble floor was coated with a layer of dust. Glass windows were cracked and shattered. Cobwebs decorated the opulent chandelier, and moth-eaten furniture lay abandoned. The dilapidated building was used to silence, but it had a familiar guest waiting in the shadows. Quiet footsteps echoed and broke the stillness. A hooded figure arrived to meet the impatient guest. He removed his hood, grey eyes meeting a singular onyx eye.
"I didn't expect a rendezvous in your childhood home. I thought the memories still haunt you."
Sasuke hmphed, lazily rolling his eyes. "I've grown up, Neji. I'm not the little boy you knew. What now?"
"Toneri failed. He believes Naruto is dead. The Scarlet Beast escaped the shores without its captain. Safe to say, Naruto was left stranded and for the dead."
"Not until I see his dead body."
"Several Hyuga soldiers were witness to the cavern crumbling with Naruto trapped inside. More so watched the Scarlet Beast escape the island with Shikamaru leading the crew."
"So why has Hinata not returned? Why did the survivors not bring her with them back? Where is she?"
Neji pursed his lips. The soldiers also testified that Hinata was trapped inside with Naruto, but Neji had a feeling that she as alive. A familial instinct. If Hinata was truly dead, Neji would know. Apparently Danzo also believed she was alive, tasking him with the mission to rescue her from the hospitable pirates.
"Hinata is safe-"
"Hinata is held hostage, Neji. You must be blind not to see that," Sasuke paused, swallowng thickly. He pondered over telling Neji the truth, "she's his whore."
Neji froze, and when reality struck him, he shook his head. "Impossible, Hinata reported she was safe in a letter."
"And you trust her word is not borne of coercion?"
"Yes I do, and you cannot claim absolute certainty without concrete evidence."
"Neither can you. There is no body which means Naruto is alive. I'm not done with him yet."
"We were both raised in nobility, Sasuke. The Uchiha clan and Hyuga clans are the strongest in Konoha. You should know vengeance is a curse, Sasuke."
"The Uchiha clan is no more. We were persecuted and Konoha turned a blind eye to the genocide of my people, but I don't care about that. Naruto's parents killed mine. He will pay for it."
The animosity from his tone reverberated in the grand hall, frightening each speck of dust to disappear in the shadows.
"If Itachi was alive, he'd show you sense," Neji replied, succumbing to his nonsensical rage.
Sasuke clenched his jaw. He didn't need a reminder of his dead brother.
"You must know, Danzo has appointed another commander to find Hinata, but I know his true intentions aren't benevolent. This is our last meeting. He is keeping a close eye on me. Whatever happens from this day forward, we cannot communicate in Konoha. I expect he will kill Naruto soon with the aid of the Akatsuki."
"Not unless I get there first."
South Suna Sea Border. 23.4165° N, 25.6631° E
Naruto peered patiently, standing on the starboard side of the deck. It was hard to make out anything in the thick sandstorm. He rubbed his eyes as the dust irritated it again, glanding sideways at Gaara who stood unblinking. He wondered how the hell the bastard could see anything in the shit weather. Beside him stood Kankuro, who shielded his face from the sandy onslaught with a black hood and mask. Hinata waited near Temari, protected her face with her hands as he hair swung with the hot wind. In the distance, he finally made out a large silhouette.
It was a mirage. A brilliant miracle. As the shadow grew closer, Naruto relished the unmistakable red wood of his beloved ship. A large plank was let down, connecting the two ships together. Naruto cried in glee as he was bombarded with hugs from his shipmates.
"You didn't go crazy with power, did you?" Naruto asked with a smirk.
"Nah, the job's such a drag. Good to have you back, Captain." He turned to face Hinata, "nice to see you made it out alive too. You did good on the island."
The red blush that skidded across her cheeks didn't go amiss, and Naruto smiled proudly at her.
"She did."
"So what now? Gaara's a comrade?" Shikamaru muttered, glancing over at the red-head, who's stare was fixated on him. A shiver ran down his spine, unsure that having a friendship with a creepy bastard like him was ever a good idea.
"Kinda. He agreed to our proposal of alliance. That's why he saved us."
"No fucking way."
"You're serious?" Kiba added in disbelief. "That's awesome, right?"
"That's wonderful news, Naruto!" Hinata replied with a genial smile.
"Do you think we can actually trust him? I mean just look at the guy," Tenten whispered, shooting an apprehensive look at the Desert Storm.
"Gaara and Naruto are aligned with the same goal. His crewmates were extremely, and rather surprisingly, amiable to Naruto and I."
"I guess we have a better chance at outsmarting the Akatsuki now," Shikamaru said, stroking his goatee in deep thought.
Naruto hid smirk, gratitude blossoming in his chest.
His spy did a good job too.
N/A: For those who are still reading and keeping up with this story, I hope you enjoyed this. I have the whole storyline planned out for this story, it is just a matter of finding time and motivation to write it down.
No Naruhina, but I will address it next chapter! The scenes just didn't fit the pacing of the chapter.
Who do you think the spy is? Neji has a strict moral code. Clearly he isn't on Danzo's team, but he's also not the type to sit around and wait. He is smart and is waiting for the right time to act. Sasuke is vengeful, cares more about his parents than anything else. He chose to be a criminal in pursuit of his veanagance. But what's the truth about his parent's death? And what will Toneri do now after the humilation he faced?
Please review!