(Chapter 41: Crashing of Waves: Finale)
It would be a little under 2 days before Naruto in summoning Kyogre would ferry Team Kakashi and Team Kazushi back to Fire Country and upon reaching land Teleport them all back to the village where they would report for completing the mission to Wave; after a day or two more of celebrating Gato's downfall. What with Naruto just happy to be back so he could rest for a bit, before getting started on training with the new techniques he now had at his disposal.
(Konoha, Hokage's Tower, February 4th, 998 S.E, 1:45 Pm)
It would be a quarter till 2 in the afternoon as Team Kazushi and Team Kakashi had been ordered to appear separately for their in-person report to Minato, and while outwardly he seemed content with everything in the success of the mission, inwardly he was fuming at how his twin children had nearly botched it all for their own arrogant pride.
"Once again, I want to express my gratitude for having assisted Kakashi's team on the Wave mission. As well as to commend you for defeating Gato's forces, Gato himself, as well as Zabuza Momochi. In addition to garnering us an alliance with the people of Wave." Minato said to the members of Team Kazushi
"It's no sweat off our backs, Lord 4th. Besides, thanks to Kakashi coming up with the plan to finish things through. We were able to clean house pretty easily...without him things wouldn't have gone as smoothly as they did." Kazushi spoke with a nonchalant shrug of her shoulders regarding the mission
"What Kazushi-sensei said. Since if we're gonna be honest once we had everything set up, and those two idiots out of the way. We were able to pretty much do whatever we wanted to Gato and his men." Sakura chimed in
"Honestly, what we did to them couldn't really be called a fair fight. Because that would imply that they even had a chance to begin with." Sakura added in not really seeing a fight to be had
"At least give them some credit, Sakura. They at the very least made for good practice dummies, and that is something no one can take away from them." Sasuke spoke in a bit of dark humor
"You make a pretty damn good point, Sasuke." Sakura responded with a snicker of her own
"Barring your impressive capability to obliterate an armies worth of nearly jonin level combatants. I must admit that neutralizing Zabuza's accomplice is also admirable. Given how they are not only a wielder of ice jutsu, but also in the Bingo Books as a B-rank threat." Minato said back
"Which is why, I want to ask what would have done of them? Given that they are without a master, and they have no allegiances to either Konoha or Kirigakure. It leaves them to be a wild card." Minato further spoke regarding Haku
"I think I have a pretty simple solution on what should be done, if I can speak freely, Lord Hokage?" Naruto spoke up
"By all means, you are free to do so." Minato said handing the spotlight over to Naruto
"The answer is pretty much either they join Konoha or death. Given that even if we hand them over to Kirigakure, they're just gonna be executed on the spot for having bloodline. Then considering what Kazushi and Kakashi did to Zabuza, I doubt that they're gonna join their boss's killers anytime soon. So I think that if they don't sign on with us, then we may as well execute 'em. Because they're loose cannon and danger to everyone in the village, and even moreso to us since we stopped them from helping out their master." Naruto reasoned was the best albeit bleakest options for Haku at the moment
"Do you all feel the same way?" Minato questioned
"Look, I'm not gonna stick my neck out for someone who's gonna try and sneak attack us the 1st chance they get. So as far as I'm concerned gank the bitch and put 'em in a casket a.s.a.p." Sakura answered in not trust that Haku wasn't gonna kill them the first chance they got
"I would have to agree with my teammates, on the subject. While it would be nice to have a talented shinobi in our ranks. The risks they present to our wellbeing, and the wellbeing of our loved ones is too great to ignore. Hence why if they will not join us, then for the safety of myself and everyone we are connected too then they must die." Sasuke spoke knowing that the cons of keeping a potentially vengeful Haku alive far more outweighed the risks
"Hey, I was gonna off 'em myself. But I figured I'd leave this one to my dumbass kids." Kazushi said having wanted this decision to be on her genin for the purposes of having them to grow from this
"Very well, then. If Zabuza Momochi's accomplice will not comply with joining the village under a non-aggression pact with everyone that participated. Then they will be executed with immediacy." Minato noted regarding the fate of Haku
"But other than the account of how Gato was defeated, which I still find almost unbelievable. I must still commend all of you for your bravery and efforts nonetheless…To be quite honest, had this been during wartimes I would consider this enough for a field promotion given the record of successful C and even B-rank missions I have allotted your team, Kazushi." Minato said given that with their impeccable mission rate on top of the success in Wave; Minato would've considered it so
"Let me guess, we're still too green to make that happen?" Naruto asked
"Precisely. While the 3 of you are no doubt an exceptional team, and by far and wide a top contender for Chunin; once the Exams begin. It would be suspect to do so, at this point in time…Especially, when the three of you have been genin for not even a year." Minato answered back
"Fair enough, Lord 4th. Still, it is rather nice to hear that we are in contention to be Chunin; from you of all people." Sasuke said with a wide grin on his face
"Of course, and I would imagine that your father would be proud for how far you've come Sasuke." Minato said back as Sasuke nodded
"Is there anything else that needs to be discussed; that wasn't covered in the reports Lord 4th? If not, then my genin and I are gonna get to work on training." Kazushi questioned
"No, you and your genin are free to leave. Your mission payments and bonuses for assisting Team Kakashi will be deposited into your accounts by the end of the week." Minato answered back
"Thank you, Lord 4th. We'll be keeping that in mind…Alright you three, let's get going!" Kazushi said as she ushered her genin to go out the door before she looked over to Minato
"Good luck wih the twin bastards, and try not to go too hard on Kakashi. He did the best he could, and its not his fault that those two are so damn hardheaded." Kazushi further spoke in Kakashi's defense
"I am more than understanding to account for this, Kazushi. Besides, after taking into account both his and yours report. I will not punish him for the complete reckless behavior of my own children. Not when he did everything short of sending them back to the village, to try and make the mission work for the best." Minato spoke knowing that it was not his sole student in the wrong
"After all, it was because of him that the bridge builder was able to survive the mission. In no small thanks to him that he did not die…Honestly, instead of probation and suspension until the Chunin Exams; that I may revoke their shinobi status until further notice." Minato further spoke
"To be honest, I say that it wouldn't be a bad idea to do it. Since those two were nothing but loose cannons. Hell, I had to keep my wood clones on watch 24/7 to keep them from getting out and botching our plans to take out Gato…If they had it their way, they would've made it all about them and not only gotten Tazuna's family caught in the crossfire, but they would've gotten slaughtered and captured Gato." Kazushi replied
"And with how much of a snake in the grass he is. I don't think I need to tell you what he would've done with 2 jinchuuriki of the 9 tails. Especially when they're your children and one of the few Uzumaki around even if their half-bloods." Kazushi added as Minato could only swallow the lump in his throat at the thought
Considering that with that in his mind to further put it into perspective, Minato was all the more thankful that Toshiro and Mizore were sidelined for the Wave mission given how it would've crushed him and Kushina too know that they basically sent their children to be maimed and sold off into slavery.
"Honestly, Kazushi. While I am beyond furious with them for their actions, I am glad that the alternative did not happen…Otherwise, I don't think I could live with myself." Minato said with a tired and exhausted groan
"Glad to save those two idiots from themselves, Minato. Someone has too, when they insist on being the stars of the 'show'...Honestly, it's only gonna get worse from hereon, you know that right?" Kazushi told the blonde Hokage
"I know, I know. This prophecy business and the fact that Lord Ozai is coming to 'visit' in a few weeks time does not help either…Perhaps an early retirement would be a good idea. Because things are getting far too out of hand." Minato said back knowing that things were becoming too much of a headache for him to bare
"Well good luck with that. Since it ain't gonna be easy choosing another candidate that can top you. Especially with Ozai breathing down your neck, and one that's gonna put up with Mizore and Toshiro." Kazushi spoke knowing that to find one that was equal too if not greater than Minato would be a hefty order to fulfill
"Depending on how everything goes with Ozai in a few weeks. I may have enough time to select the 5th Hokage." Minato replied in hopes that he'd have enough time to do so
"Again, good luck with that, Minato. If you need me, I'll be training my dumbass kids, and letting them get some more downtime after all this bullshit." Kazushi said back before heading out, but not before tossing Minato 3 dimebags worth of weed
"By the way, you're gonna need it for the twin idiots...After the trouble they caused I think that you'll need something to keep your head from splitting in two." Kazushi added on her way out
'At this point, I will need something to survive these next few months.' Minato remarked to himself over the hell that was coming his way
Meanwhile, as Minato was lamenting on what to do with his twin children; Kushina on the other hand was giving the two unruly jinchuuriki what for on having nearly gotten themselves killed on top of everything else.
"Of everything that you two could have done on a mission. To think that you would not only nearly botch it, because you two think this a fucking game! But also nearly get yourselves and your mission client nearly killed?! Are you two out of your goddamn minds right now...No, scratch that you two must be, as only someone who are this attention-starved and arrogant would pull half of what you both did out there!" Kushina hollered at Toshiro and Mizore
"If it wasn't for Naruto we would've..." Mizore said but Kushina's smacking her in the shoulder with her belt cut her off immediately
"I don't want to hear about how it was Naruto's fault or anyone else's. Especially, when Kakashi told me everything; on how you two tried to impersonate him and Kazushi, on a mission to take on Zabuza Momochi of all people in a duel...Of all the stupid and reckless things I have heard someone do on a mission, THAT takes the cake." Kushina shot back as an aura of menace surrounded her
"The fact that you two thought it would be a good idea, to not only leave your client unattended. But do so to challenge someone of his caliber by yourselves is just asking for a death sentence. If anything you two owe Kakashi, Kazushi, your teammate and Kazushi's team an apology for your behaviors. The fact that you two were put in manacles and caged because you can't listen to simple instructions is beyond embarssing!" Kushina further spoke struggling not to beat both of them senseless right now
"We don't owe them jack-shit. If anything they should be apologizing to us for getting in our way. All we needed was more of the fox's power, and we would have..." Was all Toshiro could say before he got the crack of his mothers belt against his mouth
"Say one more stupid thing about how you could have beaten an A-Rank missing ninja by yourselves, and so help me I will tan your hides so raw that you will WISH Tsunade knocked your lights out!" Kushina roared angrily
"But Toshiro is right, we had everything to beat Zabuza and his lackey and Naruto plus his stupid friends got in our..." Mizore spoke before Kushina cracked her belt on both Mizore and Toshiro
"Will you stop hitting us already, fuck that hurts!" Toshiro yelled out in feeling the whip-like stings of his mothers belt
"When you two stop saying things like a bunch of arrogant jackasses that piss me off to no end. Then I'll stop until then you two are grounded for the next 6 months for how severely you screwed the pooch on your mission. Unless its training, then you two are to come to and from teamwork exercises, and not shit else! And if I find out you two disobeyed me, and pull another stunt like what you did in Wave Country ever again...Then not even Tsunade will fix what I do to the both of you, am I clear." Kushina growled out with so much killing intent and chakra that it felt like they were standing before Satan himself
"Crystal." Were the responses of the twin jinchuuriki
"Now march to your rooms and wait till your father gets here, then we will decide the rest of your punishments then!" Kushina barked out as she raised a finger to their rooms that they wisely retreated towards unless they suffer the wrath of an irate Kushina
'Just when I think my blood pressure couldn't rise any further after giving birth to triplets, they somehow managed to make it happen...At this rate, I'll have a stroke before I'm Tsunade's age.' Were Kushina's anger fuelled thoughts as parental fury, worry, disappointment, and rage swarmed inside her
(2 days later, February 6th, 998 S.E, Forest of Death, 2:40 Pm)
Meanwhile, Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura had just finished up their training in the Forest of Death, the once deadly giant-creature-infested forest having become their playground as they sat together just vibing amongst the corpse of a massive praying mantis.
"I guess we can call this another training session complete, you guys!" Naruto said eating some of the heavily scorched praying mantis
"Undoubtedly so, if the small mountain of corpses is anything to go by. If anything, I would say that we've outgrown this place as a training ground." Sasuke spoke glancing around the dozens of animal and golem corpses that littered the ground
"You really think so…Sasuke.? Naruto questioned in-between eating the giant praying mantis corpse
"Yes I do, given that we were able to do something that would cause even jonin to have difficulties within; under 15 minutes. Then I would definitely say that we have gone beyond the pale of this place being a challenge." Sasuke answered back
"Sasuke does have a fair point. We are pretty much Kage level at this point. The only thing these fuckers are good for, are target practice." Sakura replied as she sat upon a dire bear whose skull she'd caved in
"Not gonna lie, that does kind of suck. Since this place has had some pretty good memories." Naruto said back as he nonchalantly used an Aqua Cutter to split a pickup truck-sized wolf that was approaching in half
"Fair, but nonetheless; between our training with Kazushi-sensei, Sakura's training with Ohma and her mother, my training with Lyoto-sensei, and Naruto's absurd amount of strength. Then combining it with training alongside Naruto for so long since his powers came into fruition…The fact that we would outgrow this place by now, was nothing if not a certainty." Sasuke replied in seeing the inevitable of how they would surpass the Forest of Death as anything credibly threatening
"If that's the case, then what do we do now?" Naruto questioned
"We can go grab something to eat, and then play a game of two-on-one soccer?" Sakura suggested
"Sounds fine by me...I'll just grab a mandible to go and be right with you guys." Naruto answered back as he hopped off the giant mantis with one its mandibles ensnared in his tail
From there the two after eating a 'light lunch' at Ichiraku Ramen had gone on to set up for a game of soccer where it would be Sakura and Sasuke vs Naruto, or at least it would have been while they were setting up before a furious Mizore came storming towards them.
'Oh great its her/the bitch/the harpy.' Were the thoughts of Naruto, Sakura and Sasuke upon seeing her
"What do you want, Mizore?! Since this had better be good; if you're coming up here to interrupt our soccer game." Naruto said feeling the all too familiar rage of wanting to put an Sky Uppercut through her chest come over him
"The first thing you can do is apologize for ruining MY mission, and the second thing you can do is explain to dad why I shouldn't be put on probation for what happened in Wave!" Mizore hollered at Naruto nearly red-faced
"I didn't ruin anything for you or that psycho that shares the same blood as me. Plus, we saved your bacon if I remember things right. Considering that you guys didn't stand a chance till we got there." Naruto shot back
"If I recall, you weren't fairing too well against Zabuza when he shattered your katana if I recall. Given that you went in half-cocked against him and nearly got yourself and Tazuna killed." Sasuke added regarding their being woefully outmatched by Zabuza
"Oh yeah, that's right. You guys got reality checked by one of the 7 Swordsmen of the Mist…Tell me, how did that work out for you?" Naruto said as her angered/embarassed expression deepened
"All he did was get lucky against me! If you and your stupid friends didn't butt in, and ruin everything and make it all about you guys on my special mission. I would have had it handled, that stupid bridge builder would have been taken care of, and I would have beaten Zabuza with the greatest of ease! Then everyone would hail me as the hero I am for saving them!" Mizore ranted to the members of Team Kazushi who were unmoved by her words
"Wasn't this the same guy who spanked both you and Toshiro, when you guys were using a full tails' worth of 9 tails' chakra? Then because of you two, being idiots and reckless as hell, nearly got the guy you were assigned to protect killed…So how exactly were you or your brother gonna take him down, when he hard-noped everything you had?" Sakura inquired wondering how Mizore was going to make sense of being absolutely outclassed by a legendary swordsman
"Since he had you outmatched, outclassed, was stronger than you two, and is leagues better than you at kenjutsu and mastered assassination techniques. I doubt either of you could solo him in one on one." Sakura added knowing that in every category Zabuza outclassed the twin jinchuuriki
"Good points, Sakura. How exactly were you planning about defeating him, when he had a tactic for everything you threw against him. Especially since it took Kakashi and Kazushi-sensei to do what you could not?" Sasuke further inquired
"I would've figured out something to beat him. All I needed was more power, and not to get sidelined by everyone. That's all it would've taken to beat him?" Mizore said sure of herself that with just a little more steam she could've overpowered Zabuza
"Do you really think that Zabuza would've let you tap into even more of the fox's power? Like seriously, he is, or was one of the strongest swordsmen of the Hidden Mist for a reason…The moment you would've tried that, and he would've shattered your spine and your spirit." Naruto responded
"Honestly, its a blessing in disguise that you two were sidelined. Since you guys would've gotten obliterated a second time anyway." Naruto added pinching the bridge of his nose at how bullheadedly arrogant his 'sister' was being
"...Whatever, just come on already and tell dad that I don't deserve to get put on probation! Its not my fault things didn't go my way." Mizore said as she went to grab Naruto by the arm who swatted it away
"I'm not going anywhere, Mizore. You and Toshiro did this to yourself when you went in against one of the 7 Gotdamn Swordsman of the Mist without a plan. Other than hit him really stinkin' hard, and nearly caused it all to go to shit. So as far as I'm concerned, you made your bed and now you have to lie in it." Naruto heatedly responded in refusal of Mizore's demands
"I don't have to do anything! It wasn't my fault that we couldn't beat him, it was Sai's and Toshiro's for getting in the way of my be great! So as far as I'm concerned, I'm getting punished for no reason, and you ae coming with me to tell that to dad! So let's go already, I'm not asking again!" Mizore said she went to grab Naruto again except Sakura sharply smacked her hand away from the blonde in question
"Naruto said no already, Mizore. So take the hint and leave already!" Sakura cut in as she stood beside her brother
"I don't have to do anything except drag his sorry ass, and make him tell our father that I don't deserve…" Mizore said before she was cut off by Naruto
The increasingly frustrated blonde used Headbutt to smash his head into Mizore's so hard, that not only did it shatter her headband in half like it was made of glass, but it also caused a dark reddish-purple bruise to form on her forehead, as she lay unconscious on the ground.
"...You know, I really didn't want to have to do that to her. But she just will not shut up sometimes." Naruto said as he summoned a Double Team doppleganger and had it teleport to his room
"So are we gonna play soccer or what?" Sakura asked
"Oh yeah, we will. I'm just gonna give Mizore here a haircut for troubles. Since, she wants to play stupid games by bossing me around. Then she's going to win stupid prizes." Naruto answered back as his doppleganger returned with a sharp razor and shaving cream
"So just give me a few minutes, and I'll be ready with you guys shortly." Naruto told his teammates
"Can't say that she didn't bring this upon herself. She should know by now that her presence is vastly unwarranted around Naruto by now." Sasuke said in feeling no sympathy for what would come next
"Well, she started it by trying to drag Naruto into some stupid shit…Anyways, I'm gonna get the goalposts set up." Sakura said as she motioned for the doppleganger to come with her to help her set up
'Now let's see how you like it, when I make your hair look as shitty as your personality.' Naruto said with a devious grin as he began to get to work on giving Mizore a new makeover
(The next day later, 12:40 Pm, Hokage's Tower, February 7th, 998 S.E)
It would be the following day later as Minato was in a heated discussion with his sensei on both what to do concerning Naruto's ever-increasing power, and the impending meeting with Fire Lord Ozai.
"I don't know what it is that you have against Naruto, Jiraiya-sensei. But I am not going to condone you sealing away his powers. Not when he has done anything to warrant it." Minato said stony-faced at the ridiculous-sounding demand from his sensei
"Minato, he is growing too powerful too quickly. A few months ago he was strong enough to take on Takigakure's jinchuuriki, and now his power looks like its surged even higher. That kid is getting too strong for his own good, and it has to be stopped before it gets any more out of hand." Jiraiya said back with fear and terror at Naruto's strength becoming even more ferocious than it already was
"With all due respect, that sounds like a completely idiotic decision to make; without any justifiable evidence. Because of that, I will elect to ignore it." Minato responded in refusal to listen much less enable such a decision when it would spell disaster especially when it was done on a gut feeling of Naruto being a monstrous threat and nothing more
"Besides, I already have enough to worry about with Ozai coming to the village within a few weeks to a month's time. Especially when he wants to see the two of us about the prophecy, and us not having informed him of it and what it could mean for his country overall." Minato added causing Jiraiya to look taken aback
"He's coming here next month about the prophecy?! How did he even find out about it?" Jiraiya questioned nervously
"It doesn't matter how he knows about it. All that matters is that he knows about us keeping it a secret from him for over 20 years, along with further details that he wants to discuss in person. So your hair-brained idea of sealing Naruto's powers will be put on hold for the time being, until this is handled." Minato answered back
"So believe me when I say this in the nicest way possible. If I am going down for this prophecy nonsense, then you are going down with me. Because it is already bad enough that it has ruined things with my eldest, but now that it is bringing Ozai on our heads...Then you are staying with me in the hellfire of whatever we have brought down upon us." Minato said with a level of menace in his voice that would make a lesser man faint on the floor
"Minato, you have to understand. Everything that was being done in regards to the prophecy, was for the good of the village. You have to trust me on that." Jiraiya spoke hoping his student would believe him on this one
"As much as I would like to trust your word, Sensei. There is simply far too much riding on this, just for me to take you at face value…Ozai sounded furious in his letter, and if he wants to meet with us both over having kept something like this from him for nearly 20 years. Then it will not end well at all." Minato replied in having too much at stake to do so
"For we both know that he will demand satisfaction if the severity of things is high enough." Minato further spoke knowing that Ozai's rage and ego would demand that someone be publicly made an example
'How could I forget about that…If there's one thing that Ozai loves to do, it is make an example out of others.' Jiraiya remarked to himself
Considering that Ozai's temper was only matched by his viciousness to those that crossed him, and as such Jiraiya knew full well that depending on how much dirt was dug on him regarding to the prophecy; that Ozai would force him to put on a 'show' for the villagers in order to teach him a lesson in humility for daring to keep secrets from him.
"That is why, with whatever happens after Ozai makes his judgment. That I am officially done with anything regarding the prophecy." Minato told Jiraiya
"You're what?! But Minato, we have to prepare for the worst. With the Akatsuki and God forbid if Naruto gets out of hand, we need to have Toshiro and Mizore ready." Jiraiya spoke in shock of what he was hearing
"The only thing I need to prepare for is what will happen to myself and my family. Seeing as how at the very best, the only thing that happens is I get my position as Hokage revoked. The very worst being that I am put in a dungeon for the crime of high treason against the Fire Daimyo, because i followed you into this prophecy nonsense for far too long. So I am sorry to do this, but the cost has become too high, and the prophecy far too out of hand." Minato told the Toad Sannin
"And what of the Akatsuki? Even with their base in Ame being in ruins, they are still hunting jinchuuriki from what my men have reported. So we have to be ready for them, if anything is going to be seen through to the end with the twins." Jiraiya questioned
"The twins will be readied for that threat, when and if it comes. That is also if I deem them worthy of continuing on as shinobi of Konoha." Minato answered back
"...Look, I know that things went sideways in Wave. But…" Jiraiya began to say in defense of his most recent students until Minato rose to his full height
"Sensei, they not only rushed in recklessly against a threat they had no business fighting against. Which nearly killed the client they were hired too protect, and could've had their teammate nearly killed as well, because of their arrogance and recklessness. They also repeatedly disobeyed orders from their superiors consistently and repeatedly as well, to the point of Kazushi having to put them in restraints and have Wood Clones watch over them on a constant basis." Minato said to his sensei as a combination of disappointment, regret, and anger were heard in his voice that was wrapped up in a unflinching steel
"This in combination with Mizore having attempted to usurp control, and go against orders from both Kazushi and Kakashi numerous times. To the point that she even tried to impersonate Kazushi, to lift their punishments so that they could attempt to engage Zabuza one-on-one. On top of Toshiro having tried to forcibly challenge Naruto to fights, and even threaten his teammate's lives and even the lives of the clients family to do so during a mission. That this proves that they are severely unfit for continued service as Konoha shinobi, if they will act like this on their 1st C-rank mission. Then how can they be trusted with the lives of others in the field…Honestly, I have every right to revoke their headbands from them." Minato further explained to a shameful-looking Jiraiya who couldn't even say anything to defend their heinous actions
"Look, I can't say or even come up with a single thing to excuse what they did. But taking away their headbands is cutting it a bit close for them. They're still children, and this their first time on a mission like this…Give them some time and I'm sure that they'll come back from this, acting less brash." Jiraiya said back in an attempt to dissuade the Kage from possibly taking away their headbands
"If this were anyone else, we would not be having this conversation. In fact, sensei it is because of what they are not only as my children but as the village's jinchuuriki that they have to be held to a higher standard than others." Minato replied stalwartly regarding the heinous behavior of Mizore and Toshiro
"So the fact that they acted so recklessly, so heinously, and so completely irresponsible that they could have doomed an entire nation to ruin. But in addition, potentially get themselves captured by Zabuza or Gato and sold into slavery or worse. That speaks volumes of all that is needed for me to make the decision of heavily considering the revocation of their shinobi status…The only reason I haven't is because the Chunin Exams are so close at hand." Minato added his bright blue eyes darkening in shame of his youngest children
"And what will you do after the Chunin Exams are over?" Jiraiya queried
"If they can not act like reckless idiots during the Chunin Exams. Then they will remain on probation until the end of the year. But if not and they continue their behavior, then I will revoke their shinobi status for the next year, potentially 2 years if it is severe enough." Minato answered back on his decision
"That is more than fair, after everything that has happened." Jiraiya spoke knowing when to stay his hand
"Believe me, that is a relatively light sentence compared to what I could have done. The fact that they are not in a prison cell for their continued behavior. Should speak volumes of my leniency. I only hope that they do not make fools of themselves around Ozai." Minato replied knowing that Ozai would not be anywhere close as lenient with their behavior as he was
"Hopefully, Kushina can keep them in line long enough for that not to happen. Otherwise, as much I hate to say this. They might just piss him off enough to have one of them thrown in the Blood Prison." Jiraiya said back knowing Ozai would do so if any of them pushed their luck hard enough
"Trust me, Kushina has taken the role of warden over them very seriously…After hearing about what they did in the Land of Waves, to say that she was furious was an understatement." Minato spoke regarding his wife's fury over the situation
"...And what about Naruto? Even you can't ignore that that kid is getting stronger faster than anything the village has ever seen. The fact that he's beyond the level of a Kage in under a year is terrifying by itself." Jiraiya questioned regarding Arceus's champion
"Luckily, he has more than enough bonds in the village to prevent him from going rogue, if that is what you are worried about." Minato answered back
"It isn't that it is just…Its just that, I can't properly explain it too you. I just need you to trust me on this, that he has to have those powers of his sealed. That kid is a walking natural disaster, Minato. He can't just go walking around when he can cause hurricanes and earthquakes with a snap of fingers." Jiraiya said not liking the fact that Naruto could walk around as a cataclysm on legs
'Besides, someone has to make sure that he can't summon any of those monsters anymore.' Jiraiya added more to himself his mind still running on nightmarish loops of Giratina's otherworldly form plauging his mind
"If you cannot give a good explanation on why I should allow this. Then I will not allow you to go through with handicapping what could become one of our most powerful shinobi yet. If anything the village would do well to benefit from someone who could have power to rival the 1st Hokage." Minato rebuked his sensei in his inane idea to seal off his eldest childs' gifts
"But, Minato. That kid is…" Jiriaya said before a surge of killing intent silenced him
"But nothing, Jiraiya-sensei. Naruto has done nothing of offense to warrant his power being taken away from him. By that same token, you have not given me any reason or evidence concrete enough to have me approve the idea. So until either of those conditions are met, to warrant this. Then you will not go through with this in any capacity." Minato ordered of his sensei
"If I find out that you have done this against my orders. Then I will have no choice, but to send you to the Blood Prison for the unlawful use of seals against a Konoha shinobi. Especially one who has favor with our Daimyo, and saved an entire country from Gato's bootheel…Am I made clear?" Minato further spoke his expression hardened to where Jiraiya couldn't argue against the man who stood as the 4th Hokage
"Crystal." Was Jiraiya's begrudging response
"Good, now then, unless you have anything else to say. Then leave my office, I have things to prepare for regarding Ozai's imminent visit." Minato ordered once more as Jiraiya who felt like he'd been hit in the kidneys with a sledgehammer trudged out the door
'I don't know how I'll do it, but I will make sure that the village does not suffer under that brats' power. I refuse to let a disaster like that walk around, without something to keep him in check.' Jiraiya swore to himself resolute to find a way of keeping Naruto's power more 'managable' for his and the village's safety
(3 hours later, 4:10 Pm, Ichiraku Ramen)
Meanwhile, across the village and quite a bit later into the day was Naruto who was with Mizuki who was walking around with a cane and looked depleted as he continued his recovery was having a late lunch with his former student.
"I am just super happy that your out and about again, Mizuki-sensei! I swear it feels like its been forever since we've hung out together." Naruto said as he finished his 3rd bowl of Miso Pork Ramen
"Hey, I'm just happy to be out of the medical ward. No offense, to the food there. But man do I miss having actual food for once." Mizuki said glad to be out and about again
"And are you doing ok too?" Naruto questioned as he awaited his next bowl of ramen
"I should be fine, for the most part. The medics said that as long as I take it easy with physical exercise for the next few months, that I should be fine." Mizuki answered back
"Honestly, I'm not gonna complain about it either. I may have been out of commission for awhile, but I'm not gonna argue with the doctors." Mizuki further added
"Are you sure that you don't want me to speed things up for you? All you gotta do is say the word, and I can to work." Naruto asked the white-haired Chunin
"Maybe later, right now I wanna take some time settling back into my groove. Since I apparently have missed out on a lot, Mr. I fought the fucking 7 tails and came out on top!" Mizuki answered back
"Hey, I would've invited you to have front-row seats to it. But since you were still healing up, and things got pretty intense. I didn't think it was the best thing to have you up close and personal, for a helluva slugfest." Naruto responded in his defense
Since Naruto knew full well that his fight against Fu was something that it had been for the best that Mizuki sat out on, given that it wound up shaking the village itself to its foundations from the sheer power they emitted, and as such knew it wouldn't be good for a still healing Mizuki to be watching courtside.
"Don't worry, Naruto. I'm not mad that I didn't get to see you in action. If anything I'm proud that you've gotten this strong…one of my students fighting against one of the strongest people in the world. Now ain't that something." Mizuki said ruffling his students' hair and earning a goofy grin from the blonde
"Hey, I had to show off and show out for everyone you know! I couldn't just go out there, and look like a total scrub. I had to be on my A-game and represent for my friends, and people like you who have been in my corner since day 1!" Naruto replied with a broad grin across his face
"Well, from that recording I managed to watch before I got released. You sure did me and everyone else here proud…I still can't believe your this much of a powerhouse." Mizuki spoke finding it almost surreal
"Oh that's nothing, sensei. I'm actually even stronger now, believe it or not." Naruto responded much to the surprise of Mizuki to hear that
"How did you even get even stronger?!" Mizuki wondered on how that was even possible
"Well, I went on a mission to Wave Country to help out the twin idiots. Did that, a bunch of other nonsense happened, and I gained a new power out of it." Naruto replied as to demonstrated he conjured a half-foot tall pyramid made of water
"You can control water now?" Mizuki asked nearly floored at Naruto summoning water out of thin air
"Yup, I can make it out of thin air, use it to blast holes in people, and I can swim underwater now. It's pretty awesome it you ask me." Naruto answered back as he let the construct float in mid-air
"I swear it is nearly impossible to keep with how much power you can control right now…I'm pretty sure the question of what you can't do, is becoming a lot smaller nowadays." Mizuki spoke whilst Naruto let out a small chuckle at the thought
"Trust me, I feel the same way…At this point, I've got so much power in me that I hardly know what to do with it." Naruto said as the construct turned into a dodecahedron made of water the size of a grapefruit
"Between being a one-man walking genocide and being able to have my farm up and running no problem. I pretty much don't have to worry about a damn thing really." Naruto further added
"On the plus side, if we ever have to go to war again. We have you as our village's ace in the hole. As forget about jinchuuriki, we have a literal natural disaster on legs that can kick the shit out of just about anything." Mizuki spoke knowing full well that Naruto was a walking talking war machine
"You aren't wrong, since if I really wanted to be cute about it. The moment a war starts up, I could end that shit in a weekend. Since who in their right mind is gonna check me if I do it?" Naruto replied knowing he could do just that and realistically no one worth a damn could stop him
"Hey, as long as you are on our side. I could really give a damn about what you do. Plus, you're a great guy with a good head on your shoulders, Naruto. So I know that no matter how bullshit strong you get, that you are still one of the best people I've ever met." Mizuki said getting Naruto to almost sniffle and tear up at those words
"Ahhh damn it, why do you always gotta say sappy shit like that?! Dang it, now I'm gonna cry." Naruto said as he couldn't help but feel himself tear up a little
"As far as I'm concerned, you're doing alright for yourself, and that's all I need to know to be proud of ya. The whole you being a super-menace is just the cherry on top." Mizuki told his student as their next servings of ramen arrived
"By the way, how's that farm of yours coming along?" Mizuki asked
"Its actually coming along pretty well; now that I have my water powers. So with everything all settled, I can basically be nature's cheat-code and start churining out stuff as fast as ever." Naruto answered back with smug grin about his powers finally coming together to get his farming operation under way
"Really? And how quickly are we talking?" Mizuki questioned
"Well, I can basically do a harvest in about a couple of weeks if that answers that for you. Heck, I should have some stuff I've harvested ready to go for you in a few months." Naruto responded back
"You can do it that fast?!" Mizuki asked in surprise
"Yup! It's pretty handy too, all I gotta do is plant what I want into the ground. Then use my powers and one of my summons for a little bit of help. Then in a couple of weeks, everything is good to go." Naruto answered back his smug grin growing a bit wider at his condensed explanation
"That is incredibly impressive, Naruto. By the way, how are you going to store everything before you take it out to sell to people?" Mizuki questioned
"Oh that's easy. I used some of the money I got from the escort mission my team and I did, for Princess Azula; then I used that to buy a cool storage warehouse. Its pretty neat to be honest with you." Naruto informed the ROOT operative
"Well, how damn. It seems like everythings' coming up your way! Good for you, Naruto, good for you." Mizuki said as he dug into his roasted chicken ramen
"Thanks I appreciate it. Now all I gotta do is get through the Chunin Exams in one piece, and everything will be A-ok from there." Naruto replied in hopes that he could make it through said Exams
Given that his promotion to Chunin was all he needed to finally make the happy ending he wanted for himself that much more possible, considering that he had everything needed to make his life go just dandy, as of now all he needed was that sweet, sweet promotion and he would be golden.
"Alright then, then hears' to you acing the Chunin Exams, and becoming a Chunin. God knows you've more than earned it." Mizuki said to Naruto
"And hears to your continued good health, Mizuki-sensei." Naruto said as he and Mizuki fist-bumped before enjoying the rest of their afternoon
'I hope that Gaara's doing ok wherever she's at.' Naruto said to himself he continued eating his ramen
So with everyone having made it safely back to Konoha in one piece, and the Hokage's twin children now on probation and facing potential revocation of their shinobi status; whilst Jiraiya plots to seal away Naruto's powers, and Mizuki returns to the fold in one piece. What more awaits our heroes in the days to come? Find out in the all new chapters of, Naruto: The Pokesage!
Alright, that'll do it for this one as we conclude the Wave Arc in its entirety, as I hoped everyone enjoyed my rendition of it and what will come out of it in the future. That being said, I want to continue to thank everyone for sticking around for the journey thus far, as after a handful more of chapters or so. We will begin to kick off the Chunin Exams, and enter Part 3 of the story, as oh boy are the Exams gonna be somethin' else.
That being said, this is Pravus666 singing off until next time. With next time, being a downtime chapter for everyone; so stay tuned for that...Also, in the interim I have made a new story that's a Highschool DXD and INfamous story called the INfamous Dragon Emperor where it features Issei as a Conduit and the misadventures that come of that, so stay tuned for all those shenanigans.
Part 2 Theme Song: To the Pain by Nonpoint
Random End Song: Picture Perfect by Sevendust
Now then onto some of the reviews from the previous chapter.
Kourtney Uzu Yato: Glad you liked my twist on the whole Wave Arc, since I wanted to mix things up enough to make it my own and separate it from the other dime a dozen Wave Arcs that get pumped out. Plus with how I've done Haku, I would say don't expect them to join or be involved much regarding Naruto and company considering that with them being taken out of the equation in the way they did, as well as Zabuza being taken it out with an absolute swiftness by Kakashi and Kazushi...that they wouldn't be all friendly towards our heroes for what they did. Not to mention the way I see how Kakashi preformed is that now that he can no longer be held back by the twin idiots or worry about protecting Tazuna while making sure nothing happens to his team he and operate at 150% efficiency.
Skull Flame: Regarding Kin I didn't really know how I was gonna do her as a Dragon/Fairy hybrid, but with the whole Jabberwocky idea...I certainly do NOW, so thank you for the idea good sir as that's going right in the ideas bank for later chapters. Also, if you couldn't tell by the Gato fight with Starving Venom Dragon, Raikou as well as Kakshi and everyone in the mix that I am a fan of Kaiju battles, so definitely expect for a homebrewed Ghidorah vs Groudon fight to happen during the invasion. Also, as you saw Kushina did give them her brand of chewing out considering that oh boy while short it did get the point across that she wasn't having it.
starravenwolf: Happy you liked what happened with Uzushio, since it pretty much clean-slates everything for Naruto; given that he never really had any attachments to the place to begin with, and with it gone and out of the way; its pretty much just him continuing on his path to power as himself and nobody else. Also, don't worry I've got something planned for the Chunin Exams given that Kurenai being a drunken ass is gonna show regarding how her team prevails in the Chunin Exams, that's for sure.
God of Wind 200: Glad you liked the action scenes, good sir. Also, I can't really say that Naruto would've paid any respects towards Uzushio given that for all intents and purposes he has no real ties to that place. Since as far as Naruto's concerned all it is, is just another pile of rubble and not really shit else. So when I was doing things I couldn't really fault him when he obliterated it down to the depths below.