Sennin of the Four Nations
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Naruto x Harem?
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''Normal Speech''
Inner Thoughts, Dialogue, Musical Lyrics, or reading passages from books and scrolls.
(Quick Notes and Messages or Echoes.)
(Dark over lapping echoes)
''Boss Summons, Demons, Dark beings speaking, Possessions, Demonic/Angry characters speaking as well as extremely Dark spells and Magic.''
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Author's Note
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Yet another hardcore major revision of the story. I'm hoping people are enjoying this. There of course is going to be a flash back Arc that covered the Siege of the North and how Naruto met the Gang as well as flashbacks to Naruto's time in the Fire Nation.
For Toph's appearance ask for the link on Deviantart. I left the description of ages pretty vague. Anyway all the characters are two years older in this story with the events of Book one happening over the course of the year and this book events happening maybe over the course of three or four months.
June-28
Zuko-19
Azula, Mai, Ty Lee, Sokka-17
Katara-16
Aang -14
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Story Start
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''From what I can tell that girl has the ability to sense vibrations through the ground. My sources have also told me she has the uncanny ability to read people's body senses and appears to read their movements before they make them so how do you intend on keeping her busy?'' Azula couldn't help but wonder what power Naruto was going to display this time.
''If she's that powerful of an Earth Bender she would have to have learned the old way of bending Earth so there's a good chance she won't be that adapt at Bending sand. That's where I'll have the advantage.'' he confidently stated.
As the group entered the massive building they found themselves walking between several archives of scrolls and tomes.
''All this boundless knowledge think of what we could learn from it.'' Azula said as she thumbed through scroll after scroll. For her, knowledge was the key to ultimate power. Everything she could learn peaked her curiosity. She would have to come back one day after the war was over to her hand on all this information. What very few knew was that Azula was a scholar of sorts. Spending what part of her childhood wasn't dedicated to training and tactics learning about such things as strategy and the likes.
''Wow...the academy has nothing on this place.'' Ty Lee said as she bumped into the one of the shelves causing a spider to drop down on her head. ''Eek! Get it off! Get if off!" Ty Lee squealed only for Mai to roll her eyes and throw one of her Stilettos to slice the thing in half as it dropped down.
''Oh for spirits sake you're fifty times its size.'' Mai said taking out a napkin and handed it to Ty Lee who was trying to clean as much as she could of her hair.
''Will you two hush,'' Azula harshly hissed as she looked up from the scroll she was reading. ''You'll alert the Avatar and the peasants. Now come on...'' She beckoned them, stealing two more books from the shelves.
''Shuffling through a giant old and dusty library searching for a midget and his friends. What am I doing with my life?'' Mai grumbled.
''You three find anything yet?" Naruto's clones popped up nearly causing Ty Lee to scream only to be silent with Azula slapping her hand over the acrobat's mouth.
''We were just about to join you.''
Naruto made his way over towards Toph, flying above the sand using Dust manipulation. He managed to gently land on the ground without alerting her. It appears her abilities were hindered by the sand making this a little too easy.
''This is boring. I should have gone inside with them. At least I wouldn't have to deal with this sand.'' Toph spoke to herself only for a powerful gust of wind to be blasted to her side alerting her and Appa.
''Who's out there? Show yourself?'' The earth bender demanded moving into a fighting stance.
''Well hello there Earth Bender. It appears Fate has brought us back together again.'' He said as Toph's eyes widened in recognition.
''You...'' she said as she narrowed her eyes as she recognized his voice instantly. ''You're the guy who rescued Azula and injured the old man.''
''I'm glad you remember me. I like to think I make a good impression on people.'' He said as Toph gnashed her teeth. Appa snorted from his nose and growl and moved into a threatening position.
''What is your deal? Why did you attack us? We never did anything to you? Unless...unless you're with the Fire Nation aren't you?'' she accused him, sending out a ripple of sand which the blond casually sidestepped.
"I guess you can associate me with the Fire Nation, but I am mostly on the side of my own. Trust me, if I wanted to kill any of you I would not have held back. After all you had to admit six versus one was a bit unfair."
''Well your little friend was the one chasing my friends and I throughout this land and she's from the Fire Nation. Don't you know what that means?''
''I know more about the strife between different nations more than you know. That division for something such as where you come from is childish and naive. The Four Nations…well three now were part of a system of harmony that has been around for thousands of years. Just because of the sins of this recent century does not negate the people of the Fire's Nation place in this world. Though let me ask you something and think about it. I take it you lot would have taken Azula as a prisoner if you had managed to defeat her right? What do you think would have happened if you took her to the authority of the Earth Kingdom?
After over a century of torment and war which includes the genocide of an entire culture, can you honestly tell me that a deep hatred of the Fire Nation hasn't been ingrained within the mind-set of the younger generations this past century? Some of them would have jumped at the chance to kill her just to spite the Fire Nation; to bring shame to them by killing one of their royal members in a humiliating and unfitting manner or other just as gruesome things that one such as yourself may have never conceived.''
''Your wrong! There's no way the Earth Kingdom would stoop to that level!'' Toph stammered, such thoughts had never filled her mind as a result of her one track goal of being the best Earth Bender and enjoying life now that she was finally free.
The blond sennin had scoffed at the girl's ignorance. "No matter how different your cultures or twisted your beliefs you are all the same, human beings. Fire Nation, Water Tribe, Earth Kingdom, and even the now extinct Air Nomads. No matter how holier than thou you all want to pretend to be you aren't above human impulses and desires. You all have the same weaknesses and limitations as any other human. You really think your people aren't capable of the same cruelty that many members of the Fire Nation has displayed? All it takes is one madman in power, all it takes is for one man to get an idea in his head and the road to ruin can be paved. So you should think about what you're willing to do before you continue on this little journey of yours. Whatever happens is on the people of this nation. I have no interest in trying to play savior and take on the hatred of a people. All I care about now is working with Azula-hime and her friends simply because they interest me and I see potential in you as well Earth Bender. You can see the way others can't and forgive me if that came off as a bit of a pun. Will you join me?'' He offered as Toph merely shifted her body.
''The hell I will! I don't know what you're getting at, but I'm not going to let you have your way.''
''You really think you can defeat me?'' Naruto asked with a hint of amusement.
''You bet your ass I can. I'm Toph Bei Fong, the greatest Earth bender in the world. I've taken ass-holes like you who have dismissed me as some weak little girl down all the time. Bring it.'' She said launching some hot sand at the blond who merely raised his hands.''Shinra...Tensei.'' The wave of sand was blasted apart, not a single strand had touched the blond as the mass of granular mineral fell onto the ground.
''How do you keep doing that? Twinkle Toes is the only Air Bender!" Toph voiced her outrage as the blond slowly brought his hands to aside.
''I'm no Air Bender Toph Bei Fong. I am something different…something far more powerful,'' Naruto said as he started to get more dramatic with each word as the wind picked up around him. ''I am...I am...I AM GOD!'' he declared as Toph's eye twitched.
''BULLSHIT!'' She shouted in disbelief, hanging on the first syllable for a moment as she called out the blond on his declaration.
''And how do you figure that? I really could be you know.'' Naruto said with a rather childish pout a folded his arms.
''I can sense heartbeats and yours is telling me you're lying.'' she dead panned.
''Really?'' Naruto asked, rather curious by the revelation.
''Maybe...why should I tell you exactly what I'm capable of?"
Naruto nodded approvingly. ''Smart...I just wish more people back then in my time did that. Alright then I suppose its time to stop fooling around and to start fighting. By the way miss Earth Bender did I tell you that I think you're really cute?''
The sudden statement from the blond had caused Toph to lose her focus and let out a fast and powerful sand-wave that dashed right past him. ''S-Shut up! You're just trying to distract me.'' she said, fully unaware that her cheeks were turning pink.
''No I'm serious...I think a couple of months' worth of training and my special healing you could really fill out...I mean more than you do now.'' He added as he made a husky growl at her only to immediately found himself dodging and jumping over a series of waves that were sent in rapid succession.
"You have to do better than that Toph-chan." He said landing behind her and between her and the Sky Bison. He let out a whistle. ''I see baby got bit of a back on her. I'm an ass man so...'', because he spent so much time fooling around one of Toph's sand waves nearly got him so he took to the air. ''Hahaha...feisty too...you remind me of my old team mate it's a shame you couldn't have met her. I think you two would have gone along just fine.'' He said as he nearly dodged the mass of object that was Appa.
''So the air beast wants to play huh? I think I might have spent too much time screwing around here. I'll let my clone deal with you two. '' He said as a pillar of sand erupted behind him.
''Remember Toph...if you decide to join me feel free too. I just hope you don't mind sharing.'' He said as he disappeared in the column of sand.
Within the confines of the library the foxy angels had as of yet found their target. ''Considering the size of this place it could take us hours to find the Avatar."
"Looks like we're going to have to keep our eyes open for them then." Naruto remarked before the sound of voices echoing occurred. He stopped them with a hush as he began heading towards the nice.
''We've got to get this information to the Earth King at Ba Sing Se. We'll wait for the next eclipse, then we'll invade the Fire Nation when they're totally helpless. The Fire Lord is going down!
''Wait a minute! I recognize that extremely annoying voice!'' Azula said as she paused. ''That's the voice of the buffoon that travels with the Avatar.''
''You mean the guy with the really hard head?'' Ty Lee spoke up as Azula glanced back at her with a look that pretty much read 'what the hell'? ''My Chi attacks didn't work on his head.'' the girl said sheepishly as Azula sighed and face palmed.
"Looks like they're talking with a spirit." Naruto said as the bird like form of Wai Shi Tong appeared, eclipsing the group in his large shadow.
''You betrayed my trust. From the beginning you intended to misuse this knowledge for evil purposes.'' the spirit angrily howled.
''You don't understand.'' Sokka started, ''If anyone's evil, it's the Fire Nation. You saw what they did to your library.'' he said referring to the all the knowledge on the Fire Nation burnt by Zhao in the previous year as he searched for a weakness to use against the Water Benders during the Siege against the North incident. ''They're destructive and dangerous. We need this information.''
''You think you're the first person to believe their war was justified? Countless others before you have come here, seeking weapons or weaknesses or battle strategies.''
''We had no choice. Please, we're just desperate to protect the people we love. '' Aang pleaded but the guardian would have known of it.
''And to protect what I love I shall do what must be done and end your lives.'' He said spreading his wings as he ready himself to attack. But that was interrupted as the spirit's sharp and piercing screech echoed throughout the room. Landing between the Gaang and the spirit was Naruto in a crouching position, a kunai drawn and over his shoulder as the tip was currently covered with fresh blood.
''I'm afraid I can't let you do that spirit. If you kill the Avatar I can't have my heart to heart talk with him.''
"So you were planning on attacking our homeland on the day of the Black Sun." Azula said as she saw the Gaang paled at this proclamation. "Unfortunately your best chance of ever hoping to win this war was ruined by the loud-mouthed water peasant. Suffice to say you blew your only chance at victory.''
''You human insects! Your kind only knows how to kill and steal. I'll take from you so you'll understand my pain.'' He said as round about on the three fire nation denizens.
''You won't lay a feather on my precious ones!'' Naruto cried out as he used the Almighty Pull and slam the Sprit into the ground before he could charge.
Naruto turned his attention to Aang. "I didn't think we would come face to face as enemies so soon. I remember when someone said the Avatar arrived and pointed in your direction. The first person I saw was a tall and imposing Water Tribes warrior. Then he walked away and the person pointed you out and I have to say I was quite surprised." His response caused the three fire Nation girls to giggle while Aang fumed at Naruto's statement.
"I thought you were our friend. I thought you understood just how much damage the Fire Nation was doing. You fought with us during the Winter Attack on the Northern Water Tribe all those months ago."
Azula's eyes widened in surprise at this proclamation leading her to wonder just what Naruto was up to?
"For my own reasons I fought to protect them. There are things going on much bigger going on than this strife between the nations. The fact my advice to you all those months ago seemed to have fallen on deaf ears proves that you are far from taken your title seriously, but before our inevitable fight let me ask you this question. Had I not showed up to save Azula in that abandoned village and she surrendered what would you have done?" Naruto asked the bald kid who blinked in confusion for a while.
"She would've been turned over to the Earth Kingdom as a prisoner why?" He asked and didn't even notice the small scowl on Naruto's lips.
"Oh really? So you would've taken her to a prison in the earth kingdom and left her at the mercy of her interrogators, not knowing what would happen to her right?" He asked and Aang nodded. Azula was wondering where he was going with this as did her friends and the female water bender. "You are truly naïve if you believe that everyone sees the world as you do. Since this war began countless lives have been lost at the hands of the Fire Nation. A war started by a man whose mad scheme has spelled nothing more than a century of bloodshed and tears. That man's descendant you planned on turning in, do you think that by turning her in to an enemy nation that they wouldn't take revenge on her? That they wouldn't inflict pain on her or even go as far as to use her as breeding stock to create some of their own fire benders as a secret weapon?''
This point brought up had shocked everyone into realization, even Azula herself. The thought had never crossed her mind; even the possibility of such a thing would have never come to her mind. The mere thought of losing at something was something that was not a possibility at all for her, but now with seeing someone with Naruto's power out there that possibility seemed all the more real. ''And what about her friends? What if they came and try to save her and you captured them as well? Surely if you are supposed to bring balance to the world and lead the world's people that you should know all about war and how people think should be well aware of this. Would you have cursed them too the same fate as her as well? Do you really not know how female prisoners are often treated by the enemy? I could tell you now if you have turned in Azula-hime to the Earth Nation she would be well on her way to being nothing more than some men's' broken toy to take our their frustration and sick desires on.''
Sickness...that was what the feeling the princess was feeling in the pit of her gut. At this moment it was really brought to her attention how much her sex mattered. From a young age she was a prodigy, so she didn't have to struggle or fight to prove herself like some of the female soldiers in the Fire Nation army. She was simply another master fire bender and a member of the royal family. Being a woman never really had an effect on her performance nor the respect she commanded. But now she found herself reevaluating some things as Naruto continued his speech.
"Th-that can't be right... they would never." Aang tried to protest Naruto's facts. He couldn't believe or grasp that people could be that horrible.
''Open your eyes Aang! I understand that you were raised in a pacifistic culture, but you can' just default to your culture if you're going to be the bridge of the world. In that case let me give you another example. Surely Katara knows what could happen to her if she was ever caught and imprisoned by some of the more unsavory people of the Fire Nation. Have you spent this entire time traveling with people and trying to end this war without truly learning about the people around you; understanding the darkness people are capable of? Fire Nation, Earth Kingdom, or even Water Tribe...all humans. All capable of cruelty and many other things. No matter which of these women are captured as war prisoners they would've been tortured and raped every day behind bars by both male prisoners and even the security guards. Hell in even the extreme cases this hold true for men and even children.''
''You're wrong! People aren't the cruel monsters you say they are! I refuse to believe people would treat their fellow human beings like that!'' Aang naively countered.
A disappointed look came across Naruto's face. ''I wish I can believe like you do Aang. I had the same fate in people once, but there are always going to be those who wage war. I've witnessed what people are capable of. I did not believe in killing people and I too thought that I could talk people and abolish their hatred with my words. I thought I could redeem a person who I thought of as my brother, but it took him almost killing me to open my eyes. The culmination of everything I went my entire life had culminated in that moment.
I fought and struggle as an orphan whose parents gave up their lives to protect them to prove I was someone. I fought against the solitude and contempt of my home village and was thought as nothing more than a bad omen; as a powerful spirit seen as a monster was sealed inside of me. I wasn't hailed as some hero and loved by my title or reputation alone. I understand the cruelty of the world and spend years earning my respect and titles.
Its made me realize I can't put my own selfish desires before the good of the world. So tell me, if you do confront the Fire Lord do you have what it takes to be done?"
"If you're asking me whether or not I'd consider killing Ozai, the answer is no; I will not use my powers to take a life." Aang replied somewhat sharply, a small tone of offense presence in his voice.
Naruto sighed, "Let me bring up a hypothetical situation then. Say if there was a man that has prayed on women and he's been let go at least twice and he continues to rape them? Twice now he's been given the chance to repent and he refuses to do so? Do you capture them, only to risk him escaping and this time killing a woman or do you end his life and break this cycle once and for all? And please don't give me that, no better than that person is nonsense. That is demeaning and downright ignorant to compare someone who kills a rapist who relishes in pleasure from harming young women. Would you compare a parent getting revenge for someone callously murdering their newborn as being just as bad?"
"It isn't right. Deciding whether or not someone has the right to live. I'm no killer, there's always a better way to handle things."
Naruto shook his head. "Isn't it your job to do what's best for the people of the world? They might not take so kindly to sparing the man who has continued a century long war. If you don't have enemies now, I'm sure you and your loved ones who have to worry about the vengeful cries of people who felt their honor was tarnished or those who are grieving. Would you deny them that Justice?"
"What kind of Justice is revenge?" he vehemently argued. "Its seeking a person out to cause pain and it doesn't change what happens. Its just a means of justifying killing itself?"
"Call it what you wish, but not everyone can be reasoned with. You have to understand, in my time, we didn't have spirits as guides or judges. Where they were in my time, I can't even begin to tell you, but I do knowt that some people simply can't be reasoned with. Some people are simply just too far gone, consumed by the very hatred they use to fuel them. In this life or the next, whatever happens I will be willing to meet my judgment for any real sins I have committed, but until then I will not give up on doing what I feel is right. Whether or not I will be judged by the forces of this world is not something that bothers me. Because what good is it being a human being with free will if you aren't making your own decisions? When I was about your age, I made the conscious choice not to give in to the idea of fate controlling everything, or else I wouldn't be here now. I chose to be something more than everyone thought I could be. Life and all of our beliefs, whether by the mysticism or our man made theories is something that has more than one answer, or at least that's what I believe."
Sokka stepped forward ever so slightly, a questioning look upon his face that showed more curiosity than ill will, "So you're willing to accept a judgment of a higher power, but also apply logic to the situation instead of blind fate?"
Naruto chuckled at that, "I think I may have misjudged you a bit Sookka, yes, that is indeed what I'm saying." Naruto turned his attention to Aang. "If you wish to continue down your current path then I'll have no chance to stand in your way. Short of you killing me Aang I will always remain an obstacle in your path." he remarked, unsealing the Samheda and holding it against the recovering spirit's neck.
''Shishishisi...'' It echoed.
Aang's eyes widen in horror and fear as did Katara's and Sokka's when they saw what he was going to do. "No don't do it!"
''This Samheda of mine...she likes draining those of energy and tasting blood. So you have to make a choice, your beliefs or what's right?'' The way Naruto spoke it, challenged Aang made it sound like an insult instead of the usual reverence or begrudging respect that the air bender was used to. ''Will you show me you have what it takes to be a leader to the people or will you run away again?''
The three Fire Nation citizens watched, sitting on the edge of every word and action. They were well aware Naruto's latest question was more or a less a trick question and they were waiting to see what he was going to do.
''You were a savior right? You were like me so you know this isn't right? It isn't too late! You can use your power to help me stop this war!"
''I'm sorry, its too late for that!'' Naruto said as he plunged Samheda into the body of the spirit.
A look of anger appeared on Aang's face. "STOP IT! LEAVE HIM ALONE!" He yelled. Naruto just stared blankly at the boy and then pulls the blade out. Wan Shi Tong stop screeching and passed out, her spirit returning to her body.
"Why are you doing this?"
''Because there is no choice. We both can't be right, we both can't pursue the same goal, either way, no matter who wins, someone has to lose."
Naruto then pulled out a new scroll and unsealed a chakra rod and a multitude of piercings. If the Avatar and his friends were just doing to stand there and looking dumb and not attacking him, even when he took time to basically spill his whole life story then he might as well get something done. Picking up one of the rods he stuck them into the spirit's body as it convulse and screeched in pain.
''STOP! STOP HURTING HIM!'' Aang screamed as he charged at Naruto only for him to raise up his hand and blow him back with a Shinra Tensei. Forming a hand seal Naruto summoned a multitude of Kagebunshin and gave them the mental command to add the piercings to the immobilized creature's body. Once all the piercings were added he used his Rin'nengan to bring the spirit under his control.
''As you can see I can bring beings under my control. You stood by and let this happen. You could have done something but your own weakness held you back. To be honest this spirit really isn't useful for anything.''
Hearing Naruto speak about casually murdering the spirit was the last straw as Aang felt the rage in his body build up and his arrow seemed to glow a little. ''I wonder how my clone I left with your earth bending friend and your pet is doing. To be honest I was always curious on what Bison meat tasted like.'' Upon hearing this Aang couldn't take it and the arrows on his arms and head as well as his eyes glowed white. Katara and Sokka saw Aang go into the Avatar State and looks of hope appear in their eyes. "Alright the Avatar State! Now you're gonna get it tough!" Sokka said triumphantly and pointed at Naruto who ignored him and kept his gaze on Aang.
The powerful force of wind caused the books to fly off the shelves and the nearby objects to float and twist around the cyclone Aang created. Azula, Mai, and Ty Lee used their hands to protect their faces from the debris flying past them as they retreated back a bit to not be caught up in the wind.
"Now let's see how powerful the Avatar State really is." Naruto wondered as he jumped backwards as he went into Sage Mode. ''Show me...show me the power the people of this world fear yet worship at the same time.
The clone Naruto made stood high above the desert on a platform of sand. Being the lazy bastard he was he waved his hand every once in a while to send a wave at the girl while he was using his other hand to form a giant sand hand that was currently choking the air bison.
He watched the earth bender stomp on the ground and make a pillar of sand shot to reach to him he formed a blade of sand shaped into the form of a sphere with flame of designs and launched it at the nearly completed platform causing it to break and send the girl tumbling down. It was amazing just how fine-tuned he was able to adapt to these abilities thanks to the bit of Bijuu chakra he had gained all those years ago.
"Face it Toph even if your Earth Bending is the greatest in the world I hold the advantage in Desert."
''Don't dismiss me...'' Toph shouted as went back into another stance. Compressing the sand tightly into spherical shapes she launched them at the clone only for them to explode into mist upon contact with the sand shield.
''So after coming to the conclusion that sand waves, spheres, and columns don't work on me...the master of the desert, have you realized this is pointless?''
''The hell I will? I won't stop until I kicked your ass!''
''Sabaku Kyuu...'' The clone remarked as the sand erupted around Toph forming her in a cocoon and hoisted the girl in the air. She let out an audible amount of screams and curses. Both their attention was then drawn by Appa's loud roared as he was currently being trapped in some nets and being stolen by Sand Benders.
''Hey let me go!'' Toph shouted as she tried to break free in response to Appa's roar. She couldn't sense what was going on, but she could hear what she assumed were sand benders making off with Appa.
Toph wasn't able to do a thing as the cocoon of sand squeezed her until she lost consciousness. The coffin slowly descended to the ground as the sand gently laid the girl down. He walked over to the unconscious girl over for a few moments to make sure she was not getting up. 'Sorry Appa, but this is among the hardships that Aang has to face to see if he's ready to fulfil his duty.'
The original found he was currently evading a series of air blasts destroying book shelves and damaging the walls of the building. He was then struck by a powerful air blast that sends him skidding backwards and stops before he nearly falls over the edge. ''Do you hate me? Are you angry? Channel those feelings into power. Let me show you how a master of wind attacks. Fūton: Daitoppa!'' A destructive burst of wind blasted into Avatar Aang who increased the size of his wind barrier but the force from the attack ripped through it and sent him flying back into a pillar.
"Aang!" Katara cried as she saw the last hope of the world crashed into the pillar that was collapsing. ''Come on...stop toying with me already. Stop trying to hold back your anger and fight me. If you can't even fight for some spirit how can you expect to fight for the people of this world? Bansho Ten'in!'' (3) Using the Heavenly push's counterpart he used the force of the gravity to pull the Avatar and toss him into another pillar. The room began to shake and sand started to pour from the cracks.
"Ah! If they keep this up they'll destroy the place!" Sokka yelled while debris fell from the ceiling and Momo screeched and clung the water tribe warrior's head.
''I have to say I am quite disappointed it. You don't even seem to have control and let yourself slip into this state under emotional distress. You have a long way to go. I'm convinced now more than ever that the people of the world need to stop relying on prophets and take their lives into your own hand.''
"Silence. What you have done is unforgivable." Said the Avatar as his voiced was echoing along with the Avatars of the past. Hundreds of distinctive voiced blurred and mixed into one. ''Your presence here upsets the very balance of the world. You the one who sides with a denizen of the Fire Nation whose quest for domination will upset the balance to the point it won't be fixed. So I have no choice but to end your life.''
This proclamation of death was met with various reactions of shock and horror. If there was one thing Air Nomads were known for then it was their rather passive and evasive natures along with their value of life. So having this boy who didn't even want to embrace his destiny talked about ending someone's life to which in any other situation would be assuring the situation was all the more tense.
''Then bring it!'' Naruto shouted as he formed a Rasengan and charged at the Avatar. His spiraling sphere was rammed into the Avatar's air barrier. The two powerful forces struggled for a moment until Naruto's Rasengan crumpled and he resulted in him being sent flying back. Recovering he was able to dodge a mini-tornado as the Avatar chased after him. A powerful gust of wind sent the blond flying in the air.
The Avatar brought his hands down as several ceiling blocks were brought down with the intent to crush Naruto. Raising his hands up above him and with a cry of Shinra Tensei he was able to slow down the falling rate of the object and move out-of-the-way before it crossed him. Forming a chidori Naruto sped down the corridor and was about to strike when the barrier lit ablaze just before the chidori struck.
Yanking back his slightly singed hand Naruto prepared to protect himself when the Avatar extended his hands and thrust in forward in an explosive burst that consumed Naruto who fell to the ground in a flaming heap. Avatar Aang then began charging a fireball as he prepared to finish the job.
Azula and the others were about to interfere when Mei Ling appeared, extending her hands and blocked.
''What are you doing? He's about to be killed!" Mai exclaimed, shocked Mei was going to stand back and watch Naruto die.
''He's your friend isn't he? Why aren't you helping him!'' Ty lee cried out as Mei's head dipped slightly.
''It's going to take more than that little show to put Naruto down." She answered using the very hand seals that Naruto had shown them years ago as a means for the group to have their own mean of communicating.
''Aang! Stop this isn't you! Don't do this!'' Katara pleaded with him. This wasn't the boy she knew; the one she had found in the iceberg. ''You're not a murderer!'' That moment of distraction that Katara's words brought was all Naruto needed to counterattack.
A dragon composed of lightning erupted from Naruto's mouth as it crashed into the air barrier, drawing Aang's attention and forcing him to dispel the attack to force him to defend himself as he focused his power into his barrier.
''You let your others fight your battle? Letting yourself be controlled by your predecessors and forsaking your principles in the process. Like I said before I'm disappointed. It's time I put an end to this.'' Naruto said as he shushined above Aang as he channeled chakra to his feet to stick to the wall. ''Shinra Tensei: Seiatsu" (4) Channeling all his power into the blow he blasted the Avatar towards the ground as he charged up a Futon: Rasengan. The attack managing to rip through the barrier as an explosion of and chi caused the library to begin rumbling again.
Recovering from the battle slightly singed and tired Naruto glanced back at the unconscious Avatar as he could feel the building starting to sink. ''Damnit...we caused too much damage and this place is coming down. It's time to go...'' Naruto said as he shushin over to the girls. ''Tell the Avatar we will meet again. That is if you all make it out alive.'' he told them as he shushined him and the girls to the surface. ''Well that was fun? So did you girls enjoy yourself?'' However what the blond received was not what he was expecting as each of the girls slapped him the blond pretty hard on the face.
''What the hell was that for?'' he asked rubbing his stinging cheek.
''You idiot...to think we were worried about you.'' Azula voiced the thoughts running through her companions mind. ''We actually thought you were going to die for a moment.''
''Sorry about that...'' he said rubbing the back of his head. ''I wanted to see how strong I would be against Aang in the Avatar State. Suffice to say I underestimated him; as he is now he isn't a threat, but if he ever learned how to fully master his powers he might actually be able to give me a challenge.'' He explained then paused as he realized something. ''Hey what the hell Mei-Ling? Why did you slap me? You knew I was going to be okay!'' He asked as the blonde shrugged.
''I didn't want to be left out.'' she sighed with a cheeky grin.
"Either way the state of how things are is quite sad. The three of you were content to observe, but I'm curious, what do you feel about the mistakes and atrocities the Fire Nation has committed?"
While the three girls did feel irked about some of the things Naruto said about their home, it wasn't as if he was lying. They couldn't refute the fact that most of what he described was based on information that he himself had personally witnessed before and after he had left the royal capital apparently.
"You're not one to lie and if there is anyone's intel I trust is yours. Either way I'm curious to see just what this plan of yours you seem to be investing in."
"Trust me Hime I promise you that by the time this war is over new glory will be brought to the Fire Nation."' He said with a foxy grin to which Azula turned away as she didn't want him to see her flustered.
Mai then walked over, arms crossed as she also spoke her mind. ''Just because you're strong sensei doesn't mean you're still not human. You have to understand we 're going to worry about you so keep that in mind next time you get into a fight.'' she said giving him a small glare.
Naruto however took her hand in his and gently stroked it. "Aw I'm sorry to make my presence student. How about I show you a few things to assure that I can take a lot of punishment?''
Mai's face lit up as the way Naruto took the sentence could be taken wrong in so many ways. Just as Ty Lee was about to add her own statements Naruto found himself being tripped by sand. Being suddenly yanked off his feet by one of the elements that he would never considered being used against him, well if one considered the fact that said element belonged to one his paths, he was unable to react with the speed and gracefulness expected of him causing him to latch unto Ty Lee's wrist and crash back into Azula who latch unto Mai leading to the group of four to fall into a tangle mess of limbs.
This led to somehow Naruto's face squeezed into Ty Lee's bosom, his right hand latched onto Azula's rear and his left hand on to something else just as squishy and soft. Giving a few soft squeeze of what was in his hands more out of reflex then being a pervert resulting in soft moans. Once everyone finally took noticed of what happened, each of them shifted themselves to get away from the other. The girls cheeks heated up as they covered their bodies with their hand with looks of disheveled-ness and embarrassment.
''I...it wasn't intentional I swear!'' Naruto cried out as he started to turn red in embarrassment. Before the girls could react Naruto quickly made an excuse on checking to see if the Avatar's group survived and dashed off.
He managed to head back just as the roof of the Library vanished under the sand. What he saw next gave way to anger. . The sight of the Avatar blaming the earth bender for his pet being stolen.
''How could you let them take Appa Why didn't you stop them!'' he demanded in outrage.
''I couldn't! I was fending off this powerful sand bender! So there wasn't anything I could do.'' Toph loathe-fully admitted.
''You could have come to get us! I could have saved him!''
''I can hardly feel any vibrations out here. I doubt I would have been able to escape even if I wanted too. The guy entrapped me in the cocoon while Appa was kidnapped by the sand benders so there was nothing I could do.''
''You just didn't care! You never liked Appa! And how could Naruto have been out here when he was inside fighting us! I think you just let them take him without even trying to fight them!''
''How dare you!'' Toph snarled. ''After everything I've done to help you would dismiss what I'm saying as some lie!'' to mirror her emotions the Sang began to violently shift.
''Help! Some help! All you care about is doing what you want to do! You've done nothing but made rude comments and complained since you got here. You proclaim yourself to be the greatest Earth Bender in the world yet you can't even handle a single Sand Bender! Why don't you just go home!'' He yelled and that was when Katara's and Sokka's eyes widened. Deep down the core of Aang's rage was being increased by everything that had happened today. Naruto's words had stung not to mention the added anxiety of someone else out there who could easily kill him at any time and at a whim. Then there was also his predecessors hijacking his body and almost making him kill someone; the very thing that was against what the monks thought him and was his own moral code. Everything left him hurt, confused, and just lost so all that he channeled into blaming Toph as he was having trouble trying to come to terms
"Aang that wasn't necessary for!" Katara chastised while Toph remained silent for a few minutes clenching her fists to the point where her knuckles popped and the ground around her shook violently which startled the group. An angry yell escaped from Toph's mouth and she struck Aang in the chest with a sand blast that sent him flying past Sokka and Momo and he hit the soft sand hard.
''Aang, stop it! ''Katara chastised him. ''You know Toph did all she could. I believe she did everything she could to save Appa. I mean, why would she let him be kidnapped when that would mean spending days walking through the desert, which she mentioned makes her feel uneasy? Don't you think that doesn't make sense? There's no telling how long is going to take us to get out of here now so why risk something like that?''
''We'll never make it out of here! We don't have enough water for four people to last us for more than a day.'' Sokka began panicking.
''That's all any of you guys care about: yourselves! You don't care whether Appa is okay or not! I can't believe how heartless you're all being.''
''Heartless? HEARTLESS?'' Toph erupted with anger as she blasted Aang back with a sand wave. ''Like you're one to talk! You don't even care that this guy could have killed me do you? That psychopath joked about brutally murdering people, but I suppose you don't care about that either, so you know what! FUCK YOU! Find a new Sifu!'' Toph shouted as she angrily stalked off.
Naruto then watched as an angry Aang morphed his staff into a glider and left his three comrades to fend for themselves while he went to find Appa's trail.
"Aang is far from ready. As he is now he's not fit to be the bridge of this world."
''Sokka why are you standing there? We can't just let Toph go off on her own out there.''
"Look Katara." Said her brother as he looked real conflicted at the moment. "Toph is a strong girl and can take care of herself, but we can't afford to waste any time. We're the only people who know about the solar eclipse. We have to get that information to Ba-Sing-Se not to mention Aang's the only one who can change things so...'' he was cut off as Katara slapped him.
''How could you be so heartless?'' Katara cried out.
''Me? Hey I'm just stating the truth! We agreed to help Aang defeat the Fire Nation and with the knowledge we have now our chances have increased exponentially. If we miss this chance there's no telling what could happen?''
''Well I'm not going to turn my back on one of our friends. So you can go and tell the denizens of the Earth Nation, but I'm not just going to abandon one of our friends.'' she said taking off after the Earth Bender.
Speeding off ahead Naruto managed to cut off Toph before she got too far ahead. ''It's a shame really. When people blame you for things outside of your control.'' He said to which Toph instantly jump back and get into a fighting stance. ''I'm sorry about earlier I didn't expect things to happen the way they did."
''You...'' Toph growled as she narrowed his eyes. ''This is your fault'' she roared at him, sending a vicious sand wave at him.
''I didn't come to fight...'' He said shushin behind her and out of the way of the attack. ''My wind will rip through the sand, so any attempt to attack me is pointless. That and can you really say you've recovered from your last fight.'' he paused for a moment before prompting. ''Anyway I'm here to talk with you about something beneficial to the both of us.''
"Talk? TALK!" She screamed out the last part. "Why should I talk to you? Because of you I've lost the only friends I had? So why should I bother listening to you?''
''You're not as alone as you think.'' He said shushining away as a panting and exhausting Katara caught up. It was obvious considering her background the hot sands of the desert were getting to her. Living in the frozen climate of the Water Tribe all her life, the sun was particularly hell for her.
''Sugar queen? Why are you here? Did you come to blame me as well?''
''No Toph, Aang was wrong. I know you did everything you could...'' she said then let out a gasp and moved into a fighting position upon seeing Naruto.
Katara begrudgingly dropped her stance knowing that in a desert environment she didn't even stand a chance. "You made the wise choice, especially if you and the others plan on getting Appa back from the Sand Bender bandits. Not to mention they wouldn't hesitate to kidnap young girls and sell them on the market!'' That particular statement sent a shiver down their spines so the girls relented. "Though, I suppose I should get to what I wanted to discuss with you while I'm here."
''So talk!'' Toph barked out, still pretty pissed from the situation.
''I have question so you might as well answer them truthfully. I hate having to use interrogation methods on such cute girls.''
Toph let the comment wash over her as she remembered the blond's earlier flirtations, but Katara who was not ready found herself flushing. Naruto had indeed been friendly in the past, but never had he flirted or made a pass at her previously so she wasn't sure how to react. Considering the only guys she had prolonged experience around was her brother, a guy who turned out bat-shit insane, an earth bender of rather ambiguous behavior and Aang her romantic options and experience were rather limited so to speak.
''Toph-chan, you seemed to react rather angrily when the monk told you to go home. I'm curious as to the reason why?''
Toph lowered her hands a little as did Katara. "Because it was more like a prison than a home." Toph said as memories of her life started to come to the forefront of her mind. ''I was born blind and because of that my parents have treated me as a helpless child. Nearly every moment of my life they have kept me under the scrutiny of guards, teachers, or anyone on their payroll. No matter where I went I lacked privacy. I could hardly recall a time I was given a chance to leave the compound let alone explore the outside world around me. I was never even allowed into the city. Do you have any idea what it is like to be in a place that you feel that you don't have any freedom of your own?" She then explained how she learned Earth bending up to how she met the rest of the Gaang.
''A child from noble blood growing up as a tomboy. It appears you and I have a lot of common. As I am a child of noble blood and your struggles sound like a lot of what my mother went through.'' He said gaining her interest.
''You're of noble blood as well? Well which of the four nations do you descend from?''
''I'm a child of water whose ancestry traces back to the old times. Though my home has always been the Land of Fire. Do you sense any deception in my words? I heard your unique sight lets you see many things. So maybe you can see the truth as well?'' He asked as Toph focused intently on him.
''Well Toph?'' Katara asked as Toph mused over what she heard for a bit.
''He's not lying. His heart beat didn't become irregular at a single word.''
''So you know you can trust me. I have something else I want to say, but there is something else I have to ask.'' He said as he locked eyes with the Water Bender. "And as for you I can see the contempt and hatred in your eyes when I mentioned the Fire Nation and their questionable actions. Those eyes...eyes of hatred...I recognize them all too well Katara.''
"You don't know what you're talking about!" Said Katara as she averted her eyes away from the blond.
"I know more than you can possibly comprehend." Replied Naruto as he closed his eyes. "A man I once called brother allowed himself to become consumed by revenge. His name was Uchiha Sasuke and his actions led to death of thousands because he couldn't let go of revenge. His hatred of his brother built on a foundation of lies transformed into a hatred of people who hid the truth which then became hatred of an entire village unaware of the truths simply because they existed. He was willingly to murder thousands of innocents who were clueless in what he thought would honor his revenge. That is what happens when you let revenge take control of your heart. It twists and perverts you into a shell of your former self. So think long and hard if this is the path you wish to follow?
But the question is what will you two do when this war is over? Toph? Will you return to that prison that was your home? Katara? Do you even know what you want to do with your life? Have you ever wondered? Has anyone ever bothered to ask either of you about your hopes and dreams? About what you want to do when this war is over? Because once this is over and you walk your separate paths you will find yourself walking aimlessly as you drift away into the obscurity of history. As you both will be nothing more than just another bender of a generation.''
Toph found that she was gasping lightly as Naruto touched her cheek. Whipping away a solitary tear as his words struck a chord deep inside of her. The fact that once it was over she would be nobody. That once she had earned recognition then what would she have? Nothing but loneliness to embrace as she drifted through life alone.
''You can join me...both of you. I can help you both find a purpose and a gift that no one else would be able too.'' he spoke sincerely as he turned to Katara. ''What about you Katara? Do you really desire being another tribes-girl who just becomes a mother or simply just another bender? Wouldn't you like to be able to help people? I mean really help people and make a difference?''
Deep down he could see both of their emotional turmoil and he felt for them. ''So if you two give me some time I can give you both what you want the most.''
''And what would that be?'' Toph asked as her brow raised in interest.
''For you Toph it would be the gift of true freedom and even the ability to see.'' He said as Toph was stun into silence. Despite her gift there were time Toph wondered what it would be like if she could truly see. To be able to see people, shape, and colors. To be able to see how everyone else viewed the world and to finally have people stop dismissing her as a helpless little girl.
''And for you Katara...I could give you the chance to see your mother.'' He said as the girl's legs gave out from under her resulting in Naruto catching her, which flustered her a bit. Being in the hands of the stronger and taller male almost made her nearly missed what he said. ''...kay?''
''It...could you...could you really do it?'' She asked with hopefulness in her voice as her eyes became wet with fresh tears.
''Of course...I wouldn't toy with you like that. I'm surprised this hasn't been brought to your attention before. Surely the Avatar could have easily done this.'' He said as he helped her to her feet.
''And...what would we have to offer in exchange? I doubt you're just doing this of your good will?'' Toph asked him, wondering just what game he was playing at.
''To have you at my side. Simply at that...'' He said as the two girls began blushing. ''Okay...let me rephrase that.'' he said with a sheepish grin. ''I meant I want you to join me and the others. Now I know you two have problems with Azula and her friends, but I'm hoping we can put an end to this war nonsense. I want to speak with the people and have them come to realize, to come and understand this is their world. This is the people's war and should be fighting it instead of relying on one person to solve all their problems. That they should be able to unite. Water Tribe and Earth Nation. Benders and the non-benders. Warriors and Archers. Hell I can tell you that I'm sure there are even people in the Fire Nation who are probably sick of this war. Wives mourning over the loss of their husbands and Father tired of bearing their sons due to the madness of the royal family.
I believe that if enough people unite we can bring an end to this meaningless war. It's the people themselves who can bring a great change. That this cycle can be broken and repaired instead of relying on one person to fix the world. If you have a magical fix button in human form then people themselves will never be able to solve problems on their own. Have you all considered what will happen in a few generations? There are no more Air Nomads and eventually someone might get the bright idea to end this cycle permanently. Even if Aang is to father children it will be centuries before one can hope to begin restoring the Air Nation.
In other words do you know what that means? That Aang's wife and possible children will have to put up with assassination attempt after assassination attempt on their lives not to mention under the scrutiny of the entire world and will have to bear with the fate and balance of the entire world. That if the child doesn't come to term will having to deal with the hate and scrutiny of the people or if the child takes after the mother and not the father? Would she be emotionally strong enough to handle that?
So many things people don't think about and just jump ahead without worrying about the result. So think about my offer and keep these with you.'' He said pulling out several Hirashin Kunai and handed them three each.
''What are these?'' Katara asked as she looked them over.
''These are called kunai,'' Naruto explained. ''...a custom-made kunai when thrown will alert me and teleport to you instantly. So if you girls ever find yourself in trouble just throw one and I'll be there to help you.'' He said as he pulled out a scroll and unsealed a massive jug of water. ''It looks heavy but I have a special seal on it that makes it as light as a feather. There is enough water in here to keep ten people hydrated for ten days.'' He said as he placed down the heavy and daunting looking jug. "Be sure to take care of yourselves.'' He said kissing Toph on the left cheek and Katara on the right. ''See ya.'' He said disappearing in a yellow flash and leaving the blushing girl to his thoughts.
Katara found herself so confused about her feelings. She didn't know what to make of Naruto. On one hand her first impression was a kind and talented person who had befriended them up North. He seemed sincere in wanting to help them and wanted to do what was best for the world. Then there's the fact of what happened, of turning against them and essentially betraying them to join with the Princess of the Fire Nation, their enemy.
If he was completely loyal to the Fire Nation why did he help protect the North and fight against the soldiers? Then there was his friendly demeanor just now and the fact he seemed like he wanted to help them. The whole thing was confusing.
Her cheeks began to burn thinking about his flirtations. And his words and how logical and sound they were? Did the people really depend on the Avatar too much? But then she thought about her grandmother tales of the Avatars and how great they were and how they were forces of good and balance. Though she shuddered as she remembered the scene in the library and how Aang in Avatar state tried to kill the blond. And not to mention what else he said. She had never really thought about what she was going to do with her life beyond helping Aang. It also left her to reevaluate her feelings on certain things. It also had her questioning the emotional depth of her feelings with Aang and if she could handle falling for him and dealing with everything it entailed.
Toph felt just as confused as she tried to come to terms with the offer. Being offered the ability to see and a purpose. Being able to also deal with other things she never thought about. Like having a reason to pursue a romantic relationship. It was something that never really crossed her mind until this moment. Tomboy or not she was still a teenage girl with hormones after all and being shown interest by a guy bolster her self-esteem a bit. It also made her want to experience a world without war and to finally be embraced and accepted for who she was by her parents without being coddled like a child. With that in mind Toph was considering taking up the blond's offer.
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Chapter End
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Okay that is another chapter done. Even far deeper character study of the character then the counterparts had done. Hopefully I didn't leave anything out. So yeah let me know what you all think.
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Translations
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1. Binding submission.
2. Wind Style: Devastation.
3. Attraction of All of Creation.
4. "Heavenly Subjugation of the Omnipresent God: Subjugating Pressure."