-AN-
While the urge to have Naruto essentially repopulate the Uzumaki clan via a harem of women he collects from all over the elemental nations is…tempting. This isn't the story for that. Well, not completely anyway. I might make a separate series just for that eventually.
-Story Start-
From the southern beaches of Fire Country to now the border of Hotspring, Naruto and his current group were making good time north. They liked using Hotspring to travel simply because the entire country was so relaxed, mostly reliant on tourism than anything else. Tonight however the group was setting up camp deep within the forest where they wouldn't be bothered. While Karin and Hinata set about putting the finishing touches on a campfire dinner, Naruto had rolled out a sleeping mat in a open space.
"Okay Tayuya, I need to get at your seal. Shirt off."
Blushing for once as she wasn't used to him being that forward, her eyes darted to the suddenly curious Karin and Hinta. "Wah?"
Not paying attention as he was turned away and unsealing scrolls and ink he repeated himself, "I need access to your back, so please, shirt off and lay down on your front."
"Oh, yeah..that makes sense." Doing as he asked she stripped off her tunic and sports bra before laying down on the mat. Blushing and turning to watch the fire, she refused to make eye contact with either of the other girls who slowly went back to their own self imposed tasks.
Naruto however had a scroll in hand as he walked over and sat on her lower back, chakra coating his fingers as he pulled her hair aside, he began to poke and prod at her seal. "Hmm, let's see, looks like I can expand it…here." Poking again, the seal bled out and expanded over her back, several spots thickening over her spine where the associated chakra gates would be. Moving down a bit to give himself more room to work, his eyes widened at the expanse of seals. "Oh, this. Wow." Hate Orochimaru he would, but this was decent work. Taking the blank scroll he had, he drew a quick seal and placed the scroll on her back. An exact copy of her seal appeared on the scroll and he put it away for safe keeping for later. He might need it for reference just in case, so he wouldn't have to make her strip every time he needed to see or do something. Turning his full attention to her he began to trace out sections of the seal.
"So what's the word whiskers?" It was taking a lot just for her to sit still, never mind being quiet through all of this. He wasn't uncomfortable on her hips, but she was very aware that he was in fact there. Much closer than she had allowed anyone else to be to her without it being a mission.
"We've got a few sections here that seem to actively help you and we'll probably work to keep. But there's some I'm definitely going to have to get rid of. A paralysis section, a suicide section, and there's something else between those two. It stores something but I can't figure out what yet." Puzzling it and tracing a finger around it, a light purple miasma arced up. He took his finger away and the chakra went back into the seal. Curious and worrying. "There's another section here that's meant to pull something in and convert it, probably a chakra of some sort, but I can't figure it out." Hmm, he saw something like that in a scroll before. Environmental chakra, no. It had something to do with Nature. He'd have to start slow and work up to everything else. "I can get rid of the paralysis and suicide sections no problem. Everything else will take some time." Getting ready with some ink and a brush he leans to the side, "This part is going to sting a bit."
"If it get's rid of something that can be used to kill me, then I'm all for it. I can take it." Seeing the boy nod, she grit her teeth and waiting.
Drawing seals around the sections around her right upper back and right lower back, ignoring the middle for now, it took him about 10 minutes of careful work before he was done. Taking the brush and ink away he inspected his work carefully. Satisfied that everything was as it should be he placed his hands on her right shoulder, "Gonna start the first part, be ready." Seeing the girl nod he first activated his work surrounding the suicide section of the seal. His new addition lit up with blue light, encircling the work on her back before severing it from the main seal. From there that section dissolved into nothing and soon, with a sizzle that set the girl trembling, the first section was gone. "Alright, next section is coming up. Do you need a second?"
"I'm good, keep going."
"Okay." Activating the second seal, moving his hands to her lower back, the process was much the same. Blue light shimmered before with a light flash the seal was gone in another sizzle. "All done for now. I need to research the other parts before I try to do anything with them." Pulling a healing cream from a pouch, made by Hinata herself, he began to work it into the older girl's back while he shrunk the seal back down to it's normal size. He noted idly that one of the tomoe was missing now.
Karin looked over to see Naruto giving Tayuya a back rub much to what looked like the older girl's delight. Smiling and feeling like teasing, she raised her voice, "Hey Naruto, how's your new seat?"
"Huh, what's that?" Tuning back into the world around him, having gotten into his work and associated aftercare, he was genuinely confused about what Karin meant.
Tayuya get's it however, trying to will the blush away from her face as she tries to hold back a satisfied moan from his strong hands working the healing cream into her back. It felt really, really good. Seeing Hinata and Karin giggle however, she buried her face into the mat. She'd get them back later. She'd enjoy this right now.
Naruto sighs and finishes up his work. So Karin wanted to tease him and Tayuya huh? Okay, two could play at this game. Wiping his hand on a rag and standing he walked over to stand over Karin herself. Eyes wide as he leaned down to her to where she was sitting, he leaned her up further with a hand on her chin, "You know, if you wanted some attention and a back rub, all you had to do is ask." Seeing the girl try to turn herself into a tomato. She started to stutter and flaired her hands about. Naruto eventually leaned away with a grin, "Be nice then. When I'm working I'm not focused on anything else. So no chance of me being a pervert." Turning he looked at the still hiding Tayuya, "Sorry if you were uncomfortable Tayuya."
Tayuya however just raised a hand and gave him a thumbs up, "I'm good, don't worry." She wouldn't mention that she couldn't look him in the face, but she'd get Karin back later, for sure.
Happy that he didn't freak out one of his family members he set about cleaning up his supplies before opening several other scrolls, tonight he'd set about researching what he could. There was no way he was going to leave this half done. Besides this might be the last time for a while that he would have the time to do any research. Tayuya and Karin estimated that they should be in Rice by tomorrow. Behind him Tayuya redressed while Hinata made sure she was in fact okay. Saying that she was okay, the older girl came over to inspect their latest dinner.
A decent nights rest due to liberal use of clones as sentries, all 4 members of the group where up and moving through the forest again by dawn. Tayuya seemed to be in good mood and no ill effects from his work on her seal which was a plus. He would continue to monitor her for a few days though, just in case. As the forest around them begins to thin out Tayuya and Karin take the lead as they skirt the edges of now Fire country while they can overlook the spanning rice paddies and fields laid out before them.
Hinata was slightly awestruck, "It's a beautiful place. Sound built a base here?"
Tayuya nodded, "Yeah. Don't let the scenery fool you though, this play has been the sight of many battles. It made it super easy for Orochimaru to come in and take control with promises of bringing power and prestige back to the diminished clans. He was good at that." It was how he convinced most of the sound 5 to remain loyal to him. Though in her case it was stay or die.. "Now that he's gone the clans here will probably tear themselves back apart in no time."
Naruto frowned at that, not liking the idea of war coming back to such a peaceful looking place. "Maybe we could step in. It feels, I don't know, a little snake like…but we could offer them a chance with us. As one clan trying to rebuild to another."
Tayuya shrugged, "I think the main clan here now is the Fuma clan. I can't remember though, that clan is about as splintered as a clan can get."
Karin snorted, "More than our own?" Granted, there weren't many Uzumaki left. Most likely they were the largest group left in the nations.
Tayuya led them on a winding trail, sticking to the trees and crossing over quiet roads when they had to. Thankfully this seemed to be a nation of rice fields and quiet towns so far. Soon however they were back in a tree filled forest and Tayuya had them drop down to ground level.
"Why're we stopping here?" Naruto asked as Tayuya looked around.
Hinata had activated her eyes and poked Naruto, "Massive collection of people below us, looks like we're here."
Karin nodded, "My senses are picking up more guards than before, some of which are pretty powerful."
Hinata's eyes were scanning as far as she could see, "Two sections mainly. A prison section with roughly 80-90 guards, and another smaller section that has less than 6. Those 6 are easily stronger than everyone else." The group walked forward until they came upon the base entrance.
Grinning Naruto made simple clones to flash away and warn Koyuki and Tazuna. Then he prepared to spam hardened clones. "I need directions girls."
Hinata nodded, "For the prison, maybe 30 meters past the entrance you'll come to a tunnel that branches out towards 3 different directions. Take the right most one. That leads down to the prison. It's set up much the same as the Southern base."
"Got it." Welling up chakra and making hardened clones from the start, he added a mix of Kurama's chakra as well. Again making hundreds at a time to try and keep the chakra flare down, the clones silently began making their way inside. At even intervals he continued to make more.
Karin smiled, "You could probably take over a country on your own once you get good enough."
Tayuya thought about that one, "Let's shelve that one for later."
Naruto shook his head, "Sounds like a headache." Though, Earth and Lightning definitely deserved a visit from him. Water too.
Hinata's head darted to the side, "Someone's coming, not a sound ninja however. By chakra I'd say chunin level at best."
Tayuya and Karin nodded, "You good Naruto?" They had worked out a plan for single enemies.
"I'm good, I'll keep up the clone spam." Feeling the three jump away and hide themselves, he took a knee and focused on his task. Being live bait could be fun.
Not far away and making good time through the trees, Sasame of the Fuma clan had finally had enough and was going to bring Arashi and the others back come hell or death. Rolling up her face mask into a beanie and releasing her orange hair as she got closer and not detecting anyone, she saw the clearing where the Sound base was supposed to be. Jumping down to ground level and straightening she was confused at the lone blonde sitting on the ground with his eyes closed. What was this kid doing here? Opening her mouth to say something, she had all of a second before she was surrounded. "Wah?"
Tayuya had her by the arms, foot in her back while Hinata held a chakra covered hand to her forehead. Next to them Karin held a ram seal, earth coming up and wrapping around the girl's shins and forcing her to her knees. "Identify yourself." Hinata's voice was cold and harsh. It nearly sent Sasame to wetting herself.
"I-I-I-I'm here looking for my cousin! Arashi! I'm trying to put my clan back together and bring them back from that asshole Orochimaru!" She knew she was seconds from death, but…they hadn't killed her right away. Maybe that meant something?
Karin held her seal, "We plan on razing this place to the ground, do you have a problem with that?"
"Not at all, like I said, I'm just here for my clan, nothing more." She knew better than trying to struggle at this point, the girl in front of her could probably kill her if she so much as twitched wrong.
Naruto finally looked back at the girl, taking in the green cargo shorts and grey vest. She wasn't a sound nin, no body modifications in sight. "You said you're Fuma clan?" The girl nodded very slowly, conscious of Hinata's hand at her forehead. "No offense, but we're in the middle of an operation. But I'll make sure to give anyone of the Fuma clan the option to leave with you instead. What's your name?"
"Sasame. Uh, you can also tell them that Hanzaki sent me."
"Got it." Making a clone and dispelling it with the new information, the boy turned back to making hundreds of clones at a time. One clone split off from the force, coming around and placing a paper seal on Sasame's back. She immediately lost all connection to her chakra.
"What is this?" The girls all backed away and let her go.
Tayuya walked around her and grinned, "Just to make sure you don't try anything. If you're being honest, we'll bring out your friends and let you go soon."
Hinata turned her attention back to the operation, walking to kneel by Naruto's side to give him updated prisoner numbers.
Karin however focused on the girl, "Sorry, but while we're trying to liberate prisoners, we don't want to take a chance of being back stabbed. We really will let you go once we're finished here."
Sasame watched the girls take defensive points around the man, now sure that he was the one actually in charge. Why were they liberating prisoners? "How do I know you won't just take me and everyone else you find to wherever you're going? How do I know you're better than Orochimaru?" How could they even manage that with 4 people?
Unseen to her, Naruto just grinned, "You don't, but that's what trust is about." Sending the next group in with directions to explore the other tunnels, he tried to focus on his work. However he almost immediately turned his head to focus a purple eye on the girl, "Think I just ran into some of your Fuma clan."
"Who? Any of them Arashi?" Trying to stand, she found that moving was nearly impossible. If only she could get this seal off and go inside herself.
Naruto shrugs, filtering through the information being fed to him, "Kotohime, Kamikiri, Kagero, and Jigumo. You know em?"
"Yes, those are clan members of mine, please. Try to convince them to give this up." She didn't have to think at all about that. They needed every clan member they could get right now.
"No promises. I can offer them the deal, but if they choose to fight, well." Naruto himself knew he was good with words, but not everyone was willing to talk.
Sasame looked down to the ground, relaxing on her knees. "We all. We all in our own way just wanted to bring our clan back to glory, to have some standing on our own. But. It's been so hard, with all the wars and the skirmishes with bandits and gangs, it's tiring. I just want everyone back now. Can you, at least give them the chance to surrender?"
Well that was a familiar story. Touched, Naruto nodded, "Everyone get's a chance." Making a new group of clones, they hurtled off to confront the Fuma.
Karin and Tayuya came forward, Karin kneeling down to his other ear While Tayuya scanned the treeline. "There shouldn't be anything valuable here, but we should check just in case, we know where the offices are here." Seeing Naruto nod and make a couple dozen clones just for them, the Uzumaki girls and their guards were off and into the entrance themselves.
Hinata stayed by his side, scanning the area and also paying attention to the action below them. "Looks like all the guards are down. Prisoners are being evacuated quickly at this point. You might need another hundred clones to finish the job." Seeing him nod as sweat began to bead on his forehead she considered that this was a lot he was taking on. After this maybe she could convince him to take a longer break between missions.
A few minutes before and down below and on a different path, a cell of a dozen clones raced along the dim hallway. Another dozen clones were disguised as insects as was becoming their normal. Everyone in the group slowing as they came upon an open room they were greeted with a beautiful woman with long dark hair holding a koto. Strumming a few times and producing a wonderful melody, she bowed to the group.
"Welcome, my name is Kotohime. My duty is to, entertain, guests. This will be your stop."
One of the clones takes the lead, drawing her attention while several of his bug brothers made their way around the room, "What is your full name? We have orders to allow Fuma to surrender."
Kotohime giggled at the courage of this one, "That a clone would think they could defeat me. Tell you what, I am Kotohime of the Fuma clan. If you defeat me I'll happily go with you cutie." Strumming her instrument again, she readied herself for a quick battle.
The lead clone grins as he notices one of his brothers has made contact with her. Feeling memories and information transfer, the clone nodded, "Cool, the name checks out. Bag her."
"Bag who no-" Suddenly feeling weak, she slumps forward and topples to her side. Struggling to look back, there's a clone there who finishes placing a seal on her back.
"All done here." The previously transformed bug clone unseals some rope and ties her up securely before picking up the woman in his arms while another clone grabs her instrument.
"Take her uptop, we'll continue on ahead."
"Roger!" The pair raced ahead with their mark while the rest of the group shot ahead.
Bouncing along as the clone of the blonde holds her Kotohime doesn't know what to think. That she was defeated so easily and quickly. Truly seals were a frightening thing. The clone notices her watching him and grins.
"You know, such a pretty girl shouldn't be following after an asshole like Orochimaru. He's only using you after all, and he'll throw you away the second he no longer needs you."
Blushing and looking away, the woman nodded, "We know. But we were desperate and felt like we had no choice. The clan was at it's wits end and we figured we could use him as much as he used us."
The clone nods, "Yeah I get it. I'm trying to rebuild my own clan right now and it's some majorly hard work. But I'm making real friends and allies and it's coming together slowly. Maybe we could help each other with that huh?" Looking down and winking at the girl, "Besides, if all the Fuma women are beauties like you, I definitely won't mind lending you a hand." Looking away and hoping he doesn't see her blush she considers that.
"It…depends on the will of the clan." It's not like she knew him afterall, he could be lying just as Orochimaru had. As they broke out onto the surface and travel for a short distance, they came upon the blonde ninja himself. He was flanked by a short haired girl in a blank tank top and jacket, and "Sasame?"
"Kotohime! Are you okay?" Watching as the clone sat the older girl down next to herself, she was only a little confused as the clone grinned at them both and winked, dispelling itself. The second clone put down her koto not far away.
"I'm fine. I didn't really have a chance to put up a fight." Looking over first from Sasame and then at Naruto and Hinata, the older girl smiled, "He seems to be a man of his word."
"So far. We're ninja, you know what that means."
Hinata turned back to the others, "Naruto is different. He wants to change this world that views us as tools."
Naruto made one last bunch of clones before standing and stretching, taking a minute to let his reserves even out, "I'll unseal you all once we're done and on our way out of here. I have no problem with the Fuma after all." He also wasn't looking for a kunai in the back.
Sasame watched him for a minute, considering her options. She needed to see Arashi for herself, she needed to talk to him herself. "You say you can be trusted, but sealing our chakra away like this and leaving us at your mercy doesn't build that. Let me go at least. When you find Arashi I need to talk to him face to face."
Naruto considered that. She wasn't, wrong about that. If he was anyone else he could do whatever he wanted to her and her friend right now. He wouldn't, but the thought was there. Making a brace of 6 clones, one unsealed Sasame and helped her to her feet. "I'll unseal you, but not the other then. Like you said, to build trust." Seeing the girl nod gratefully he turned back to the entrance, "It'll take a little bit for your chakra to stabilize, that's why I unsealed you now. But I'm asking you to be patient and wait, we'll go in when we find your Arashi."
"Thats all I ask." Thinking about it, she bows to him, "Thank you."
"No sweat, it's what I do."
Inside there was another real battle already taking place. Even though the dozen clones in here had given these new Fuma ninja the option surrender and come back with them, they still decided to fight back. Kamikiri and Jigumo however were finding that the decision to fight most likely was the wrong one. Avoiding explosions and blasts of winds were hard enough, never mind that the clones were blazing fast, some of them appearing nearly within a blink of an eye.
Seeing they were already losing and badly, Kagero abandoned her disguise. Welling up her chakra, she was determined to make sure at least her friends would escape. She however missed the clone appearing at her side, "Sorry bout this!"
"No-" The blast caught her full in the chest. Sending her flying to bounce off several stone pillars, Jigumo caught her and arced away from a blast of wind.
A Naruto clone stood on the ceiling with it's hands on it's hips, "We keep telling you, we don't want to fight you. That girl Sasame is trying to bring you all home! Isn't that important to you? You're fighting for someone who abandoned you!" Watching as the trio raced away, collapsing a tunnel behind them, all of the clones groaned out. "Well fuck, boss isn't going to like that. Clear the tunnel and let's go after them!"
"Hai!" They'd gotten a lot of practice clearing debris from the tunnel construction. They'd catch up in no time.
Ahead of them and dodging through hallways and open rooms, the group of three finally catch up to Arashi himself. Looking at them in disgust, he watched them lower the injured Kagero before him. Jigumo returned to his feet, "These ninja are strong Arashi, heal up Kagero and help us drive them out. We don't have time to waste.
Arashi however just frowned, "Why should I?" Looking down at the labored breathing Kagero he shrugged from his seat, "She failed. Failures die."
"What? You asshole, did you forget we're doing this for the clan? You'd let one of us die? For what!?" Muscles tensing, Jigumo couldn't believe this. Had Arashi truly changed so much?
"I guess you all failed together didn't you. You're right, I'll have to rid myself of all of you." Arashi had been disguised as Orochimaru for so long, he was beginning to believe he was the sannin himself.
Leaping forward, the sting of betrayal in his heart, Jigumo raged and vowed to take down Arashi. He didn't make it three steps.
Kamikiri was a step behind him, watching his clansmen fall in front of him, "You bastard Arashi! What about the clan? What about us?" The kunai that lodged in his forehead stalled any further questions.
"You aren't important. Not at all. Only I have the strength to bring everything back to how it should be." Beginning his clan's secret technique, the Casualty Puppet, he adsorbed both Jigumo and Kamikiri into himself. Cacooning them onto his back, he strode forward and knelt down to heal the heavily injured Kagero. He watched idly as her burnt flesh smoothed and healed, most likely it wouldn't have killed her given time. Time however was not something they had. Task complete, Arashi stood as Kagero recovered.
"Wah…what happened?"
Arashi just motioned back the way the three had come, "You have a second chance. Go defeat the intruders, or die. Do not return before me again a failure."
Seeing just what he had done to himself and her friends, Kagero nodded with fear and raced away. What had they been fighting for? Why was all of this happening? Did any of it matter anymore? Coming out into a large room not even a full 100 meters away from Arashi, she was confronted with more clones. They each were in defensive positions but were giving her time.
"Look, we aren't going to tell you again, surrender and come with us. Sasame really wants you all back. Orochimaru has just been using you all for his own needs, he doesn't intend to help you at all."
Doubt, worry, shame. Every negative emotion she could think of swirled inside of her. Her friends had died trying save her. And now she was going to die if she didn't kill these ninja. And she already knew she couldn't. What was the harm then? "Okay." Lowering herself to her knees, she held out her hands palm upward, "I won't fight anymore."
Two Naruto's came forward immediately, one slapping a seal on her back and the other catching her as she fell. "Take her top side."
"On it!" Clone picking her up and leaving, the rest considered their next move.
"Something with a lot of chakra is headed this way."
"Gotta be strong if we can sense it. Scatter. I'll stay and talk." One clone took charge while the rest transformed into what they could and hid themselves away.
On the surface the group watched as a clone appeared carrying a fair skinned green haired girl. Gently laying her down next to Kotohime, the clone saluted and dispelled. Left alone and seeing Kotohime and Sasame waiting for her, Kagero finally let the tears flow. He hadn't been lying. Her friends hadn't needed to die.
Sasame was at her side in a moment, "What happened? Are you okay?"
Shaking her head, Kagero explained, "They're dead, Arashi. Arashi's gone mad. He killed them and used one of the forbidden techniques on their bodies. It's all gone so wrong, all wrong."
Sasame picked the girl up and hugged her, "I'm…I'm just glad you're okay. Rest up, I'll be back in a bit." Laying the girl down while Kotohime tried to console her, Sasame turned to Naruto, "I need to see for myself. Please."
Nodding, Naruto turned to Hinata who came up along side him, "Alright, follow us. We know the way." Turning to his clones for a moment, he pointed, "Take care of them properly."
"Watch over the pretty girls, got it boss." Seeing the original sigh and jump away, the clone looked down and smiled at the pair, "We're sorry. We want to save everyone we can."
Kagero shook her head, "You tried. You tried much harder than you should have been expected to. Thank you. For giving us a chance."
Naruto and the two girls flanking him were inside and racing down hallways within moments, Hinata tapped him for his attention, "The prison section is empty, and Karin and Tayuya are headed back towards the surface."
"Got it, let's make this quick and get out of here." Creating one clone and unsealing a medium sized yellow and black scroll, the clone took it and saluted, arcing down a different hallway when it had a chance.
"Do I want to know what that was for?" Sasame was curious but wouldn't push it. Ninja had their secrets after all.
"I won't let Orochimaru come back and take this place again. We're going to blow it apart once we're done here." focusing and getting a report from his clones ahead, they come out into a wide open space that has already been damaged. Before them stands a grotesque monster. "I guess this is Arashi?"
Sasame stared wide eyes at the man before them. "That, used to be. Yes." Walking forward, the girl raises her voice, "Arashi! Are you still in there? Come back to us, end this? I thought you were going to help restore the clan, to bring us to glory! How does this accomplish that?" Tears welling up at the corner of her eyes, the girl grimaced, "How does killing our clansmen make our clan great!?"
Arashi can't respond, instead only seeing the three ahead of him as targets to be crushed. Opening up his hands he jumped and bounced between pillars while he launched webbing at the group to trap them.
Everyone dashed away, Naruto frowning and feeling out his clones. Mentally making a plan, he watched as several clones moved to follow through. Unsealing the Kubikiribocho, he prepared to shinshin.
Hinata flipped out of the way of the strange webbing before jumping up and away towards this man Arashi. Already she could see clones moving to engage and knowing Naruto this was going to be fast. Watching the strange pods on the man's back sway and move, they spread out slightly as a new attack was being readied. Arashi was making handseals and she jumped forward to prevent him finishing them. The amount of chakra she could see did not bode well.
Sasame watches it all happen in slow motion. Two Naruto clones appear in front of the pods holding Jigumo's and Kaikiri's corpses. In an explosion that rocks the room, both pods are blown away as the clones sacrifice themselves. Next as Arashi is rattled by the shock and loss of extra chakra, Hinata initiates some attack, poking his chest and gut in several places. The girl jumped back out of range and Naruto is there a breath later with a sword slightly longer than he is tall already in mid swing. "Please!" Sasame screamed while holding out a hand trying to get close. She didn't want to watch Arashi die when he was so close.
Sword halting just before the man's neck, Naruto cursed his bleeding heart. Seeing a clone behind Arashi giving him a thumbs up however, Naruto sighed and backed away, sealing away the sword. No blood for it today. Naruto and Hinata however watched as Sasame walked forward, tears streaming down her face. They turned away, giving the pair what privacy they could.
Arashi dropped to his knees as he was cut off from his chakra. Realization began to set in on just what he had been doing. Sasame was shaking him, trying to talk to him, plead with him to come back. Shaking his head he knew he couldn't. "I can't go back."
"I…we….we can fix this. You can atone. It…It'll be hard, but everyone will see you were just-"
"No. No I wasn't. I corrupted myself. I truly saw myself as Orochimaru. The things I've done, the things I've witnessed. I can't bring that back to the clan. I can't bring the clan glory." Looking at the girl in the eyes, blood beginning to trail from his nose, he gave her a bloody smile, "But you. You can do what I couldn't. I think you have the strength for it. Leave me here. Bury me with my shame and failure."
Sasame shook her head slowly, not ready to give up. But Naruto put his hand on her shoulder, and she looked up to him through teary eyes, "He's made up his mind. And really think about it? Do you think the others will accept him?"
She didn't have to think about it to know he was right. Even in her heart she knew, none of them would. Even she was having a hard time with it. She had come all this way. To only recover to few of her clan. It was. Devastating. Leaning forward she hugged him once, "I'll take care of the clan in your place. I'll make them all proud."
Arashi nodded, "See that you do, bring the Fuma back from the brink. And keep what honor we have intact."
Everyone looked up as the ground rumbled. Hinata looked at Naruto who shook his head, "Not me."
Arashi weakly pointed with a finger to the hall, "Best be going. There's a fail safe that'll destroy the base if my chakra isn't felt anymore. I'm guessing these seals suppress it pretty good huh?" Looking up at them all, Arashi sighed, "Leave me. This is what I deserve."
Sasame had to be pulled away by Naruto. The group jumping away. "I'll take care of the clan! I promise! I'll make you proud Arashi!" They were soon gone down a dark hallway.
"Already have…" The floor collapsed under him and darkness claimed him quickly.
Making a quick exit the group meets up with a surprised Tayuya and Karin. Motioning for everyone to leave, Naruto watches as his clones pick up Kagero and Kotohime and they all put some distance between them and the base. Mentally giving his clone the signal, he knows his own bomb will go off shortly. The group gets a good distance away before the ground heaves upward and begins to collapse inward. A sickly yellow glow is issued forth from the cracks and fissures in the ground, but the explosion is minor, muted almost. When the dust settles and things stop rumbling, the ground is faced with a wide crater that's barren. Nothing alive in there, no grass, the few trees that had been caught are completely dead, but nothing else. Everyone turns to Naruto.
"I wanted to make sure Orochimaru couldn't come back and pick any of the corpses clean for information. That specific bomb kills anything organic within it's radius."
Tayuya shudders, "That sounds, absolutely terrifying."
Naruto nodded, "It is. I only plan on ever using it against Orochimaru. He's the one who loves experimenting on people." Taking a deep breath and turning to the Fuma ninja, Naruto reaches around and unseals Kagero and Kotohime. "Like I said, we're done here, so you're free to go."
Sasame watches as Kotohime and Kagero feel themselves out and return to their feet from the Naruto clone's arms. Kotohime a little slower than Kagero. "Just like that?" Sasame asks quietly.
Naruto nods, "Just like that. I meant it. I'm trying to rebuild my clan and build something new. I want to make sure people like us have a safe place that can be free from these useless wars." Thinking it over, Naruto holds out a hand, "We could always use some allies, wanna team up, help each other?"
Sasame thinks about that. Naruto had been true to his word since he had caught her. He hadn't abused her or any of her clanmates. And the team with him seemed to respect him. It wouldn't hurt to have allies after all though she would have to talk to Hanzaki. Looking at Kagero who nods slowly and then Kotohime who nods as well, the young Fuma nodded. "I uh, you know I'm not the leader of my clan right?"
Naruto shrugged, "I figured, but you're pretty tough to come out here by yourself."
I'll talk to Hanzaki, most likely you'll need to visit us yourself in order to finalize the deal. He won't just take our word for it."
"Sure sure. You operate in Rice right? What's this country like?"
Sasame sighed, "We havn't seen our Daimyo in a long time and we're pretty sure he's dead. Bandits are a big issue here, our family is just one group. And rival gangs pop up all of the time. We're trying to bring everything back together, but they seem determined to keep the fighting going. I'm sure it would go a long way towards gaining Hanzaki's trust if you helped get rid of some of those problems."
Naruto seemed tired but look at his bemused team. They already know what he's going to say. No help there. "We'll think on it. We'll need to have an official sit down first. But if it's just bandits and gangs we can absolutely work on that, If that means being allies in the end." Having another nation become friendly with them could only help. Hopefully.
Karin tapped Naruto on the shoulder, "We should get going. We have more ground to cover."
Naruto nods, "Got it." turning back to the Fuma women, Naruto sends them a wave, "You take care now."
Kotohime sends the boy a wink, "Don't you worry, I'll stay nice and pretty for you till you get back!" Hearing Sasame gasp and turn to her quickly while Kagero just sighed in resignation, Naruto and the others jump away. Up in the trees and bounding in the opposite direction of the Fuma girls, Hinata finally deactivates her dojutsu. That was easily the longest she had used it and she was feeling it, "Why didn't you give them a hiraishin tag?"
Naruto however took one out and placed it in the upper branches of a tree. "Because we aren't officially allies yet. Need a little more time than that. Just being cautious."
"Ah, makes sense."
"I think I'll send word to Koyuki to try to contact the Rice daimyo. Maybe we can make some progress that way as well. Or get some information." Bounding away at full speed now, the group looked for their next target.
-b-
Sitting atop the Hokage monument and watching over Konoha as the sun set, Sakura and Sasuke sat together in silence. Today Sasuke had no problem letting Sakura lean into him, their shared letter from Naruto on the ground between them under their hands.
"At least he's okay." Sakura's voice was quiet.
"Hn."
"And it sounds like he's making progress."
"Hn." More silence, the sun dipped lower. Sakura however felt some heat build up in her heart. Even though his hand was on hers, they felt miles apart right now.
"Sasuke….don't go somewhere I can't follow. Naruto's gone, I can't lose you too."
Sighing and leaning back a bit, Sasuke tentatively pulled Sakura closer to him, "I'm not going anywhere. I just. Somehow this feels, I don't know, like I lost another family member."
With a chuckle, the girl nudged him, "You two are like brothers, might as well be brothers. I'm sure…I'm sure it's eating you up that you can't help him rebuild his clan like you both had hoped."
"That's…" Sasuke paused to think about that. It did hurt, a little. That wasn't all of it though. "Some part of me, wishes we could have gone with him."
Surprised that he would say it out loud the girl wrapped an arm around his waist as well, "Me too." They sat in a more comfortable silence after that. Watching the sun set over the village. This was their home yes, but just like Naruto they knew just how dark it could be. They however now had their own missions to attend to.
Sakura sighed, "I'm going to try and convince Tsunade to help me with my training." Naruto had suggested it. She had kind of turned herself into the team medic/mom. Might as well learn from the best.
Sasuke nodded, "He asked me if I'd look after his important people. Konohamaru at the top of the list. Guess that'll keep me busy in between training. Till he gets back at least."
"Should we worry at all? He mentioned to be careful around the council. Around Jiraiya."
"Jiraiya probably knows we have a good idea of where he went. And the council is always a problem. For short, trust no one but the team." That was something Sasuke had no problem doing. This village had taken a lot from them, he and Naruto. How much more could they lose?
Sakura nodded, "Time to train like crazy and surprise the hell out of him when he gets back."
"Maybe having a few little Uchiha running around would be a real surprise."
Thumping her boyfriend, Sakura sighed, "You both never should have become friends."
-AN-
Not going to lie, I've got like the next 3 chapters all outlined and waiting for me to write them out. Outlining really helps speed up the process. Well most of the time. My laptop is down so my other stories are on the back burner for the moment, so LoN is getting a fast pace update schedule for a while.
-Omake-
Gaara couldn't believe his luck. While he was attempting to turn over a new leaf, heh, he didn't think his entire village would be so on board with him becoming the new Kazekage. Nepotism was a real thing he supposed. But here they were, in the Admin tower, while his brother and sister gossiped about something while he worked through paperwork. Yay him.
"Hey did ya hear? Apparently that brat the Orange Maelstrom is at it again." Kankuro was working on one of his puppets in the corner. Tools and pieces strewn out on the floor.
"Oh? What'd the guy do now? Also, you can use his name, we all know him." Temari was only half interested. Grateful to the kid for letting them go for sure, and saving her brother.
Kankuro waved a screwdriver in the air, "Code names are badass and manly, you wouldn't understand." He had to dodge a thrown senbon before continuing. "I don't know how much of this is true, but they say there was a massive mushroom cloud off the coast of FIre country. Some fishermen are saying there's a whole island that's just gone. Doesn't exist anymore. How nuts is that?"
Gaara considered that, what would make the other ninja use that much power all at once? Another tailed beast maybe? Or perhaps someone powerful? "Perhaps he's hunting down a powerful ninja."
Kankuro shuddered, "Anyone who needs that much overkill is definitely someone I don't want to mess with."
Gaara shrugs, "Maybe we should find out how to reach out to him. Could always use a powerful ally." He had heard the rumors that Naruto had left the leaf, though that particular information wasn't mainstream knowledge. Yet.
Temari however hummed to herself with a hand to her chin. Laying on the couch, she considered the muscled blonde from the last time they had seen him. "You know, he was kinda cute."
Gaara gives his sister a flat stare, "You can't date my friends. Especially my first friend."
Temari grins something lecherous, "I never said anything about dating."
Kankuro covers his ears, "Lalalala I can't hear my sister talk about her love life! Nope nuh uh! No way! I didn't hear that!"
"Keep it up and I'll start trapping my makeup."
"This isn't yours! And it's war paint!"
Gaara sighed, "Maybe I'll have to warn Naruto himself to stay away from you, or I'll have to kill him."
Temari rolled to her feet heading for the door with thoughts on her mind, "You know, he's the one that spared you last time. I can't only imagine how, powerful, he's gotten since then." Walking to the door, she made sure to mutter just loud enough for the two to hear her, "Powerful men are such a turn on." And then she was gone.
Kankuro sighed and turned to Gaara, "Where did we go wrong with her?"
Gaara shrugged and turned back to his paperwork, "I blame father, it's easier that way."
"Fair." Both shuddered and prayed for the blonde's safety.
Half a continent away in a tree bordering Rice country, Naruto sneezed.