Talking"
'Thoughts'
"SCREAMING/YELLING/SHOUTING"
"Jutsu"
"Tailed Beast Talking"
'Tailed Beast Thinking'
Sound Effects
Date & Time
|Location|
[Flashback]
[+]
Chapter 25: The Return
[+]
Rating changed to M
[+]
October 9
8:57
|Main Street|
Adjusting to life in Konoha was quite easy for Karin, the Uzumaki female currently sat in a local Café enjoying her breakfast of scrambled eggs while watching the people go about their normal and happy lives (Despite the fact that they were nearly invaded a week ago), merchants were selling their wares to customers who were willing to buy them, children running up and down playing ninja tag among other games. Inside the café the atmosphere was also lively as some women were hurdled up in groups gossiping about the latest news or event while some men gave them not too subtle stares and glances.
"Hey did you hear?" A fairly attractive lady asked her friend.
"Hear what?"
Interested the glasses wearing redhead channeled some chakra to her ear increasing its hearing range.
"Tsunade-sama has been spotted alongside Jiraiya-sama and two others, they are currently an hour away from the village-"
VOOOMMM!
The women glanced at the café door only to find a fire trail, "What was that?"
[+]
10:03
|Main Street|
Having been ignored most of his life Naruto felt quite uncomfortable with all the attention he was receiving.
Fortunately he wasn't the only one.
"You know I hate entrances, Jiraiya." Tsunade grumbled as the four (Not counting Tonton) headed towards the Hokage tower. Apparently someone had tipped the civilians that the Slug Princess will be arriving today which resulted in crowds gathering along Main Street.
Jiraiya who was waving to some pretty ladies chuckled then glanced at his apprentice who was looking a little shaken from all the attention. He placed a hand on the teen's shoulder reassuring the Uzumaki that no harm will come to him as long as two Sannins were present.
"Beside I don't think anyone here wants to hurt you." The Toad Sage stated pointing to the boy's left, said boy looked in said direction and spotted a group of girl about his age who immediately blushed when his eyes settled on them.
"Are those?"
"Yep, your heroic deeds have earned you your very own fanclub so congrats are in order kid." The elder congratulated grinning perversely.
Naruto suddenly turned pale, 'Oh no!'
"It was nice knowing you kit." Kurama said apologetically knowing the horrors his container will soon experience.
Our dear Uzumaki will now have to sleep with an eye open just like a certain Uchiha.
Speaking of said Uchiha, the emergence of his and two others chakra signature relieved the blonde from his frightful thoughts, looking to his right he spotted Sasuke, Hinata and Karin all waving at him, well the girls were waving while the Uchiha offered a slight nod together with a one sided smirk.
As Naruto returned the greetings he wondered where his green haired teammate was.
[+]
|Hokage Tower|
Hiruzen as usual was engaged in a battle against his greatest foe - Paperwork.
"Why won't you just die?" He muttered casting a death glare at said documents; the hidden ANBU's just shook their heads in amusement.
Knock! Knock!
"Hokage-sama, you got visitors."
"Let them in." The elder sighed but was internally relieved at the break.
The door swung open before four individuals walked, the Sarutobi managed a smile at the sight of the four particularly the blondes, "I see you were successful Jiraiya-kun."
Said person puffed out his chest, "Of course I was, I'm the man who makes -Oww" A smack to the head from Tsunade interrupted the rest, "What was that for?"
"Just performing pervert control." The Senju answered before focusing her attention to the Hokage, "Wow you look old sensei!" She complimented causing the aged leader to frown while the rest (including the hidden ones) to snicker.
"Ha ha ha very funny," Hiruzen deadpanned, "So you're staying for good this time?" He asked changing topics.
Tsunade nodded positively, "Yes, I'm curious to see what this current generation is capable of." The last part was said with a side glance at the Uzumaki which Hiruzen noticed.
"So Naruto-kun did Jiraiya teach you anything new?" Said Uzumaki gave a foxy grin before performing one of his father's signature moves.
The Hidden ANBU's were shocked speechless while poor Hiruzen almost had a heart attack at the sight of the blue spinning chakra sphere, 'Impossible!' They all thought.
"Umm you okay Jiji?" Naruto asked worryingly as he dispersed his Rasengan.
Seeing that he was worrying the Uzumaki a bit Hiruzen reined in his shock, "Naruto-kun, how long did it take you to learn that?" He inquired.
"About a week," Cue Saucer-sized eyeballs, "My Shadow Clones were very helpful with the third stage."
"Shadow Clones?"
"He mastered the first and second stages within minutes of me showing him it but got struck on the third for about 2 days before deciding speed up the process with Shadow Clones." Jiraiya explained ruffling the teen's hair with his right hand, "This brat here if given the chance could possibly master every jutsu within our archives in just a few years."
Shizune who was quietly listening in made a mental note to learn the jutsu whenever she had the chance.
All this talk of Naruto using Shadow Clones in training got the 3rd Hokage thinking, 'Hmm,' He glanced at his paperwork for a while then smacked his forehead quite loudly.
"You okay Sensei/Jiji/Hokage-sama?" All four asked.
"I'm an idiot." Hiruzen muttered then made a cross hand seal, "Shadow Clone Jutsu!" From a puff of smoke three copies of the Sarutobi appeared beside the Original.
It took a second for Naruto to realize why he did the Jutsu, grinning he said, "So the long fought war against your number one foe will soon be concluded." Jiraiya and Tsunade now caught on what the Uzumaki was saying.
"It's about time."
"Took you long enough."
Hiruzen released a slight chuckle, "Well better late than ever." He said after commanding his clones to work on the documents, "Tsunade-chan before you retire to the newly refurbished Senju estate I will like you and Shizune-chan here to drop by the Hospital and tend to some of our fatally wounded patients."
"I haven't even been back an hour and I'm already working." The big breasted woman grumbled but obediently went with her loyal assistant right behind her.
"Naruto-kun I'm sure you will want to catch up with your friends at Ichiraku's." Naruto gave a foxy grin then left leaving Jiraiya with the Sarutobi.
"I'm sure you want the full summary of our trip?" The Sage asked.
"I do especially the part concerning the Akatsuki and Orochimaru."
"Ok then well we started…"
[+]
|Ichiraku's|
"Ah I missed this!" Naruto moaned after inhaling the sweet smell of the miso ramen that was placed before him, "Keep them coming!"
"You got it boy/Naruto-kun!" Both father and daughter ramen chefs answered working furiously to satisfy their No 1 Customer.
Karin stared oddly at her own bowl of ramen, "Naruto-nisan, are you sure? I just had breakfast an hour ago."
The blond grinned at surrogate sister, "One bite and you will be begging for more."
The redhead gave him a disbelieving look but decided to give it a try anyway, after splitting her chopsticks and muttering a prayer she slurped a bit of the ramen then froze up.
Sasuke sighed while Hinata began a mental countdown, '3… 2… 1!'
"This is DELICIOUS!" The girl cried out before attacking her bowl with comparable ferocity of a hungry lion. Naruto chuckled then dived into his own bowl not wanting to be far behind.
The remaining two not feeling that hungry got settled for watching the two Uzumaki eat with varying degrees of amusement.
Done with his first bowl Naruto asked a question that had been on his mind ever since he came back, "Where's Atsushi?"
"Ah well he's kinda busy with something-"
"Don't you mean someone." Hinata corrected Sasuke with a slight giggle causing her Uzumaki teammate to give a slight raised brow.
"What did I miss?"
"A lot Naruto-nii, a lot." Karin answered beginning her second bowl with the same intensity as the first.
"Like?"
"The creation of your own fanclub," Sasuke responded gesturing to a dango shop opposite them which was inhabited by a group of girls who were busy talking in hushed tones with blushes on their cheeks as they pointed at the blonde teen.
Said boy just shivered from their dreamy stares, "How did it happen?"
Ayame who had been listening in decided to join at this moment, "Rumors say a major disagreement broke out among the 'I love Sasuke-kun' members," The Uchiha now shivered at the remainder of his own fanclub, "It waged on for about by 48 hours before half of the members called quits and later on formed the 'I love Naruto-kun' fanclub with its sore aim of gaining your attention though any means possible." She giggled a bit at the image of her favorite customer fleeing from his own fanclub.
Hinata leaked a bit of her killing intent before reining it in, 'No worries I'm miles ahead of those whores.' She assured herself.
Naruto missed this as he was still trying to wrap his head around the fact that he now had a bunch of Sasuke's ex-fangirls after him, "Wait! How come they jumped ships like that?"
Ayame shrugged, "Your guess is as good as mine," 'Although the change in outfit could be one of the reasons.' She said the last part to herself.
"I'm not complaining though," Sasuke spoke up sipping a bit of water from his cup, "The less fangirls I have the better so you're free to take up the remaining half."
"LIKE HELL!"
'Thought so,' The Uchiha sighed in resignation, "Well," He began standing up to leave, "I have training to attend to so I will be in my clan's training grounds if anyone is looking for me."
Karin reluctantly stood up too, "I also have to go, Iryojutsu training is in a few minutes and I wouldn't want to be late."
Naruto and Hinata both bid the two goodbye before the latter turned to the former, "Naruto-kun, are you free for the moment?" The Hyuga asked with a hopeful expression.
The Uzumaki mentally went over his timetable, "Well I was going to head over to my apartment-"
"Good I will tag along," Hinata interrupted suddenly standing up from her seat.
Naruto stared at her in surprise, "Umm okay." He said also standing up.
Seeing that he wasn't against her joining him, Hinata hesitated for a bit before she closed in and latched onto her love interest's right arm making sure to position it against her ample chest before offering said Uzumaki a warm if slightly flushed smile.
This action caused varying different reactions on those who witnessed it.
Naruto naturally turned red down to his neck.
Ayame and Teuchi wore mega-watt grins.
The fangirls gritted their teeth in rage mentally marking Hinata as the No. 1 obstacle to their man's heart.
[+]
|Kishida Residence|
11:04
If someone asked Atsushi to describe Anko the day before he will have summed her up with just two words: cold-hearted and sadistic but after seeing her sympathize with Kin over the Curse mark during Breakfast (which his Uncle surprisingly invited her to) made the Kishida to rethink his descriptions.
The two females were currently seated on the couch discussing the best ways to deal with perverts and overzealous men, "A kick to the balls followed by a stomp on the sausage is my favorite," Anko revealed causing the males present to visibly pale, "Nai-chan prefers to trap them in her 'Pervert's Nightmare' Genjutsu,"
"What's happens in it?" Kin curiously asked.
"Well sometimes they find themselves in a Yaoi Nightclub wearing nothing but a speedo."
'The bane of every straight male.' The two Kishidas thought with a chilling shudder before a knock was heard from the front door.
"I will get it." Areku said halting his nephew from answering it. Walking over then opening the door the Kishida Jonin came face to face with the person he had been waiting for, "Ah Jiraiya-sama I was expecting you."
Said person grinned a bit, "Areku, how have you and the brat been?" He asked missing Atsushi's frown at being called a brat since he was still outside.
"The usual," Areku replied before stepping aside allowing the Sage entry, "Did Hokage-sama tell you-"
"Yes something about removing a Curse Seal of Pain." Jiraiya interrupted as he stepped into the living room taking note of the two other guests, "Hello ladies… and Kiddo." He added seeing that the Kishida Chunin was also present.
"Jiraiya-sama." The three returned although Kin's had a tone of nervousness in it.
Jiraiya looked said girl over, "So I'm guessing you're the one?" Seeing her nod in positive the Toad Sage motioned her to come over so he can take a look at the Seal, "Hmmm."
"Can it be removed Jiraiya-sama?" Atsushi asked.
"Yeah." Jiraiya answered unsealing his Fuinjutsu kit from a Storage scroll, "It will just take a few minutes."
"What about Anko's?" Areku suddenly asked causing the Sannin to pause momentarily before releasing a tired sigh.
"Anko's curse mark is quite different from…"
"Kin Tsuchi." The girl supplied.
"Right, Anko's mark is quite different from Kin's."
"Is it more complex?"
"Yes."
"How so?" The Jonin pressed on.
Knowing that the explanation will take a while Jiraiya took a seat and began, "Kin's curse mark is actually two seals set up to work together: a Chakra Suppression Seal and a Punishment Seal."
"A Punishment Seal?" Atsushi asked curiously.
"It is usually applied to prisoners so that in case of any unruly behavior they can be easily incapacitated with just a single hand seal." His uncle answered before adding mentally, 'The Hyuga Branch members are also submitted to this kind of seal.'
"I did come across some in my line of work," Anko added reminiscing about the couple of times she tortured a bunch of low-lives with the seal.
The Chunin nodded sneaking a glance at his ward, 'So that's what Kabuto did to her.' He thought as said girl rubbed the seal also recalling that event.
Jiraiya coughed regaining the four's attention, "Now Anko's is different because it's actually three seals set up to together with the one holding Orochimaru's soul having complete control over the whole blasted thing."
"What are they?" The Special Jonin asked because the first time she was told that the seal was too complex she ran away to cry not bothering to ask about the details.
"The first is a Commutation Seal which feeds off the host's chakra and replaces it with a bastardized form of Senjutsu chakra, increasing the host's chakra tenfold and making their jutsu a lot stronger." The Toad Sage informed as the rest adopted shocked expressions, "The second is a Punishment seal like the one Kin here has and the last one is what I call a Containment seal since it holds the bastard's soul," Jiraiya said in a bitter tone.
"So the soul which is located with the containment seal is what is preventing the mark from being removed?"
The Sannin nodded glumly, "I have tried isolation, extraction even transportation but the damn soul won't move an inch!"
"I have you ever thought about destroying the soul?" Areku suggested causing the Exotic literature writer gave to him an incredulous look.
"You're telling that a soul can be destroyed?" He asked.
Areku nodded, "Inoichi confirmed that it can but unfortunately he doesn't know any methods since his clan destroyed the scrolls a long time ago to prevent them from falling in enemy hands."
Jiraiya nodded, "Interesting."
"Jiraiya-sama, you won't happen to know any sealing techniques that can destroy a person's soul or at least a fragment of it?" The Jonin asked.
Anko turned to the white haired Sage with a hopeful look in her eyes, upon seeing this look said Sage sighed sadly before saying, "No I don't." He winced at how the hope evaporated from the female before she instantly stood up and headed towards the door.
BANG!
Standing up Areku released a sigh, "I will right back." He said before going after the obvious enraged and saddened T & I specialist.
The next few minutes were spent in silence as Jiraiya resumed his work with a neutral look while Kin grew more nervous by the second until Atsushi walked over and took up the space to her right calming the long haired female down.
It took a while for Jiraiya to finish drawing the counter seal, "Okay Kin this will hurt you a lot," The Sannin said causing the girl to turn pale, "But in the end it will all be worth it." He assured.
Unfortunately that didn't ease Kin's fears as memories of her experimentation and placement of the CMP surfaced adding to her desire not to go through another painful experience.
Seeing her hesitation Atsushi placed a hand on her shoulder and offered her a sincere smile, "I'm sure it won't hurt that much right Jiraiya-sama?" He asked facing the Sage.
The Toad Sage nodded while taking note of how Kin immediately relaxed when the Chunin made contact with her, upon seeing that she was distracted staring flusteredly at said Chunin he immediately flashed through hand seals before calling out, "Sealing Jutsu: Seal Destruction!"
A second later a loud scream was heard all over Konoha.
[+]
(With Anko)
Said lady was just a couple of steps away from exiting the Kishida Compound when Areku appeared in front of her via Shunshin, "Anko wait I- whoa" The Kishida ducked down narrowly avoiding a vicious right hook.
"Let me though." Anko seethed with barely repressed rage.
"Look I know you're disappointed and a bit angry-"
"A BIT?" The female yelled.
"Okay a lot angry," The Kishida corrected with his hands raised in a placating manner, "But at least hear me out."
"…Fine!"
"Thank you, now for some privacy" Before the Special Jonin could react, Areku grabbed onto her then disappeared in a swirl of leaves taking both of them to what seemed to be an underground bunker, "Stay calm, we're in a room underneath my residence."
Anko momentarily forgot about her anger and asked, "Why do you have a secret bunker?"
The Jonin shrugged, "No good reason."
The indigo haired nodded in understanding then glanced down, "Areku?"
"Yes?"Anko pointed to his hands which were still holding her by waist, "Oh right," He backed up a bit then cleared his throat, "Now I'm pretty sure you're wondering why I bought you there?" The scantily clad female nodded her expression now neutral, "Well what I'm about to say to you shouldn't be heard by everyone but first," His own expression now turned serious, "How badly do you want to be freed from the Curse Mark because I know of a process that might be able to do it."
After all that she had heard today, Anko was a bit hesitant to believe, "What process?"
"A purification process."
"Purification?"
Areku nodded, "It will purify your traits removing any abnormalcy which in your case is the Curse mark."
The Snake mistress looked away, "I'm not sure about this."
"It's has no negative side effects," The Kishida assured but she still wasn't convinced, "Look I'm not forcing you into this that decision is totally up to you."
"…Why?" Anko began catching the Jonin by surprise, "Why are you doing so much for me when we barely know one another?"
"Because it's the right thing to do and" He suddenly gained a mischievous gleam in his eyes, "I'm tired of seeing you and Iruka dancing around each other without making a move."
Anko blushed heavily before forcing it down, "I have no idea what you're talking." She declined avoiding eye contract with the Jonin.
"Right," He drawled giving her a disbelieving look, "Anyway the process can only be done in my home village so if you interested in being free and possibly pursing a relationship with a certain Chunin who works at the Academy then pack up for a 2 day trip and meet up at entrance gates by 9 AM in three days time because that is when the rest and I will be departing."
"The rest?"
"Kin and Atsushi are coming along."
"I understand the brat but why the girl?"
"She wants to be rid of the artificial bloodline that was given to her."
"Wait the process can remove bloodlines?"
"Artificial and defective bloodlines are abnormalcies." The Jonin revealed.
"Then count me in!" Anko grinned.
"Just like that?"
"Yep."
"Don't you need-"
"I've made my mind Areku so stop asking." The female insisted.
"Okay okay."
[+]
|Inside|
"Jiraiya-sama I thought you said it wouldn't hurt that much." Atsushi deadpanned as he tried to soothe his ward's pains.
The Toad Sage chuckled nervously, "Well at first I did say that it will hurt a lot."
"Fuck you." Kin weakly said surprising Atsushi at the insult.
"You curse?" He asked.
"Not always." The brunette muttered wincing a bit from the pain.
Seeing this Jiraiya felt a bit guilty, "How about I make it up to you," He suggested gaining the two's attention while dipping his right hand into his side pouch before pulling out a pair of books, "Here you go."
The two accepted the books and glanced at the title, "Wait a minute…" Atsushi began as he did a double take, "THIS IS ICHA ICHA PARADISE!" He yelled out with his face lighting up like a tomato.
"Correct." Jiraiya shamelessly admitted, "My books always settle disagreements or mishaps among individuals hell it even stopped a war between two communities a while back."
The Chunin felt a sweat drop forming on the side of his face, "Well I can't accept this." He said offering the book back to its author.
"Are you sure?" Jiraiya questioned pointing to the side, "Because your partner seems interested."
"Huh?" Atsushi turned to his left and spotted Kin engrossed in hers, "KIN?"
"Hmm?" Said girl got out tearing her eyes away from the literature, upon seeing her handler's surprised/shocked look she blushed faintly, "What! It's a good read." She defended.
Atsushi open his mouth then closed as he was lost of words to say.
Seeing the Chunin now rendered speechless, Jiraiya headed towards the door, "Well if you two are interested in more of my works or need some relationship advice, don't be shy in seeking me out." He stated before closing the door leaving behind two heavily blushing teens.
'Well entering a relationship with him/her doesn't sound too bad.' The two thought sneaking subtle glances at the other when he/she wasn't paying attention.
[+]
|Residential District|
Naruto opened his door and found his apartment just the way he left it: Clean and Tidy, he glanced at his flower pots and was satisfied that the plants were still green and healthy, "Thanks for caring take of my apartment Hinata-chan," He said in a grateful tone while walking in with said teammate right behind, "I hope it wasn't too much of a bother?" The Uzumaki asked dropping his backpack on the Dining Table.
"It wasn't a bother Naruto-kun, I actually enjoyed coming over and the environment is quite nice." The Hyuga said dismissing his worries while also appreciating the environs.
The Blonde nodded in agreement, "It is heaven when compared to the Red Light District." He shivered then blushed at some of the things he heard and saw when he used to live back there.
Hinata missed this as she busy retrieving something from her pocket, "I'm sure you want this back," She stated presenting the spare key which he had given to her before leaving.
Naruto stared at the key for a while, "You can have it," He then said surprising the girl, "You're one of the few persons that I sincerely trust so I want you to keep it."
"Y-you really mean it?" Hinata stuttered a bit since it was a big deal for him to offer her his apartment key.
"Yes and I also want you to sign the Fox Contract," Naruto added finally flooring the girl, "Umm Hinata-chan?" He called with concern when she suddenly went stiff, "Hinata-chan?"
"…Are you sure Naruto-kun?" Hinata asked slowly getting out of her shock, "Summoning Contracts are invaluable and really difficult to come across."
"Kurama and I already talked about and he's okay with you signing the contract," Naruto replied as he rolled back the left sleeve of his jacket revealing a red tattoo in the shape of fox, Hinata watched with no little amount of interest as he channeled some chakra into it causing a red colored scroll to appear before her in a puff of smoke. "Using a bit of your blood sign your full name in the space below mine," Biting her right thumb just enough to draw blood the Hyuga did as she was told, "Now in order to summon you weave these four hand seals," Naruto took his time making the seal so that she could memorize them, "Then slam your palm on the nearest surface while calling out 'Summoning Jutsu'"
"How much chakra should I use?"
"Well since we are inside and it's your first time I say just enough for a Chakra Bomb."
Nodding Hinata began the seals, "Summoning Jutsu!"
Puff!
The smoke cleared revealing a red colored fox the size of hound dog, the Fox stared at two for some seconds before addressing the blonde, "You summoned me Naruto-sama?" It said in a feminine tone revealing that it is female.
"Sorry Akane but it wasn't me that summoned you," Naruto said before pointing to his teammate, "Meet Hinata Hyuga the latest Summoner of the Fox Clan!"
Akane adopted a wide eye look before she bowed at the blue haired, "I'm sorry Hinata-sama I wasn't informed that we would be having a new Summoner."
"I-it's okay Akane-chan there is no need for you to bow." If Hinata was uncomfortable with the Branch Family doing that then a Fox doing same would be even more uncomfortable.
"You're too kind Hinata-sama." Akane returned now standing back on all four.
"Now Hinata-chan," Naruto began reminding everybody that he is still present, "Akane is very agile on her feet, knows a couple of wind and fire jutsu and is great at gathering information."
"How so?"
The Vixen answered this time, "I'm able to camouflage with my immediate surrounding making my presence almost undetectable like so." She then seemingly faded into nothing surprising the Hyuga.
"Byakugan!" Hinata immediately activated her dojutsu in an effort to find the camouflaged fox, she checked the Living room but only found her and Naruto, 'Not in the bedroom nor the restroom… not in Kitchen also so where is she?' Just as she was about to give up she noticed a slightly blurred figure resting on Dining Table, "Found you."
Akane faded back and grinned, "You found me a lot quicker than Naruto-sama did."
"Well excuse me for not having the All Seeing Eye." Naruto pouted causing the two female to giggle, "By the way Hinata, since Akane was the first adult you summoned that automatically makes her your familiar."
"Really?"
"Yes Hinata-sama, if you every need my assistance don't hesitate to call me."
"Hinata is just fine Akane-chan." The Hyuga said.
"Okay Hinata-sama." Akane replied with an ear to ear grin which made Hinata sigh in resignation.
Naruto patted her on the back, "You will get use to it." He sympathized offering a slight smile.
[+]
11:16
|Kumogakure|
Despite not sending any of his Genin to the Chunin Exams that was recently held in Konoha, the 4th Raikage, Ay happened to be very interested in the skill level of the Leaf's current generation so that's why he sent his best spies to analyze their finalists.
Though their reports were a bit incomplete due to the Suna-Oto invasion they still brought up some interesting facts but the one that really caught his attention is…
Naruto Uzumaki
Sex: Male
Appearance: Blond hair, Blue eyes and three whiskers on each cheek.
Age: 13 – 14
Height: Approx 150 cm
Noticeable perks: Fast thinking, Two known affinities (Wind and Fire), Massive Chakra Reserves, Great Endurance and Heightened Senses (Suspected Jinchuriki of the Kyubi no Kitsune)
Threat Level: Mid B – Low A rank.
Warning: Approach with caution if your rank is below Jonin
'An Uzumaki eh,' Ay mused before grinning slightly, 'I guess I will have to keep an eye on this one.' He went through the rest and was slightly impressed by the reports on the Hyuga, Uchiha and Nara but filed them as minor threats.
He picked up the files on the three Kishidas then frowned when it showed that the remaining match between the other two couldn't take place due to the invasion, 'Just when I was looking forward to estimating their village's strength.'
[+]
|Iwagakure|
3rd Tsuchikage, Onoki of Both Scales was also reading something similar but with a slightly different name.
Naruto Uzumaki Namikaze
"So the Flash returns." He muttered before he began writing a new entry in their Bingo Book.
[+]
|Arashigakure|
"Spider, let's have that weekly report."
The said mask wearing ANBU agent stepped forward and began, "Most of the refugees have expressed no desire to return to Kiri even if the rebel fraction emerges victorious. The Tategemi clan has expressed their desire to join the Shinobi Council in a bid to be officially recognized as one of Arashi's noble clans."
Atoniji nodded, the Tategemi clan happened to be the only clan from Kiri that accepted his offer of asylum when the bloodline purges started 10 years ago, their population has been revived to about 600 persons with most of them having the ability to weaponize their hair using Yang Chakra.
"I will hold a meeting with its clan head sometime tomorrow to sort out the terms, now what about the missing nins requesting to join our ranks?" He inquired.
"Most have agreed to the probation period and placement of loyalty seals, the remaining who declined are being given a week to leave the Land of Elements or have hunter nins sent after them." Spider answered with monotone.
"Any incidents of spies being among?"
"They have been identified and dealt with accordingly although we noticed a significant increase in their numbers."
'The other villages most desperately want some info on our village but they won't get it.' Atoniji mentally applauded the 2nd Yosokage for integrating loyalty seals into the Hexagram seal of each and every Kishida ensuring their unfaltering loyalty to Arashigakure.
Modified versions of the seal were also given to the non Kishida part of their Shinobi force so they too won't entertain thoughts of betraying the village.
"Managing a Hidden Village whether Major, Intermediate or Minor isn't an easy responsibility," The Yosokage muttered before facing the ANBU, "You're dismissed Spider."
Said ANBU nodded before vanishing via Shunshin.
[+]
A/N: Here's Ch 25 and the fic has been upped to M just to be on the safe side.
Response to a Review:
In Ch 22 someone asked why I gave Hinata a lower rating (38 points) than Neji (41 points) when she defeated him in the Finals.
Well the answer is quite simple because Hinata is weaker than him, the only reason why she won was because Neji underestimated her and was then caught unawares when she used the Eight Trigrams: Palm Rotation and 64 Palms respectively.
And 3 points isn't than much of a difference.
Total Number of Words: 5279 Words
Read & Review
Jamesco1292002