-AN-
Naruto's training continues while Uzushio throws its weight around a bit. The return of the forever lost saga, and near the end, who's looking to get curb stomped now?
-Story Start-
The toads of Mt. Myoboku had gotten used to the hours upon hours of flesh smacking flesh and youthful screams of an exuberant young man in training. Thankfully for their sanity today they were given a reprieve. Now beginning to get the hang of drawing in natural energy and molding it properly with his chakra and achieving sage mode, Fukasaku had instructed him to spend as much time as possible within that form. So today he had plenty of time to dive into the Uzumaki scroll and learn as much as he could. Leaned against a sleeping Gamakichi who was against his back, while ignoring one of his smaller and younger cousins sleeping in his hair, Naruto continued his training in peace.
'I wonder how everyone else is doing.' Thinking to himself while pausing in his reading, Naruto considers things. Jiraiya had returned to Konoha a few days ago, wanting to check on things he said though Naruto was sure it was to bug Tsunade and be a pervert. Naruto had wanted to send clones to check on Uzushio and the girls, but Fukasaku had expressly forbid that. What would he do if he learned of some event back home? It would break his concentration or worse might see him quit so he could go run to the rescue. No. Naruto needed to be fully mentally here. Which left the teen a little anxious. But, he did have to admit that his recent training had helped him understand some things better.
First, he had figured out the full reason for his recent mood imbalance. With Naruko born and now her own person, his ying and yang chakra mix was off, much like Kurama's own. It would even out over time, or, he could regulate it himself, whichever one happened first.
Kurama grumbles from his mind, 'You're thinking to loudly. Shut up.'
'You really are old, all you do is complain and sleep.'
'Find me a battlefield so I can do something else then.' Quip made, Kurama sobers up for a moment, 'You should be able to even out your chakra with your abilities granted by the Rinnegan now. It does give you not only access to all of the major elements, but also ying and yang release.'
Naruto considers that for a moment before nodding, 'I'll get on that then. I need to experiment with everything I have at my disposal.'
'It has fully matured finally, so have at it, break the world.' Kurama could feel Naruto's confusion like a literal slap, 'The toads haven't mentioned it and you haven't seen a mirror in a while, but yeah, your Rinnegan is complete.'
Naruto began to chuckle darkly as he mentally planned all the heinous retribution he was going to level on Kumo when he got back. 'Thanks buddy.'
'Don't mention it.'
Naruto continues his previous train of thought, wondering now with his better understanding of nature chakra and the ability to feel it himself, if he should begin working on upgrading Tayuya's seal. And, with his new knowledge, give the rest of the girls the same seal personalized for them. Hmm, would they all grow extra muscle or cute horns like Tayuya? That broke his concentration and he could feel the sage chakra leave him. Grunting and re-centering himself, Naruto started again with less dirty thoughts about his wives this time.
'You might be worrying about them too much. Do they really need the power up?' Kurama almost gagged asking that, but for once he was thinking about more than just power for power's sake. 'Becoming the strongest also means permanently having a target on your back.'
Naruto understood that thought as well, 'Never hurts to be prepared. And besides, why do you think I left Konoha alone in the long run?'
That caused the elder biju to blink quietly from within his cage. 'You…you left them alone on purpose? As what? Bait?'
Chuckling and nodding, Naruto explained his reasoning, 'Konoha has always been the biggest and baddest threat to the other nations. They were the standard. So long as they are around, more people will be worried about them, not us. At least, until we really show what we can do.'
Laughing and banging a fist against the floor of the seal, Kurama had to hand it to the kid, he wasn't all just explosions. 'You really are as unpredictable as ever.'
'Just don't tell baa-chan. I'm gonna convince her to leave that place one day for sure.' Naruto didn't want to leave Tsunade behind like that. Sure, the old woman wasn't around much like Jiraiya wasn't. But Tsunade wasn't obligated to be and she had kept her word to him unlike everyone else in leadership at that village. He owed her a warning at the least if things went south. 'But back to what I was thinking about, sure the seal is a bastardized sage mode, but I can at least make it safer and give it to the others. Maybe improve on it. I'll bring it up with the girls when we return.'
'Don't over do it. Or you'll be in a different kind of trouble.'
Behind them and unnoticed, Fukasaku observes the boy meditating and exuding a light orange glow. "It's still not complete, but he's almost there. Training will be over soon." Mumbling to himself, the elder is mightily impressed with the work ethic of the young teen. The kid had already figured out how to shorten his time for collecting nature chakra, using clones to collect the necessary energy. Now recently he had begun talking about using seals to accomplish the same feat, bloody Uzumaki and their seals. But, he had to hand it to the boy, this new generation thought in ways Fukasaku's own could never even dream of. Watching as the glow intensifies just a tad, the elder shakes his head and walks away, giving Naruto some more time to himself.
Kurama however has to mention something to Naruto, wondering if the boy had noticed it himself. 'You know, as strong as you are now, you're just about a mini biju all on your own.'
'Oh yeah?' Naruto felt about himself, reaching deep within the ocean that was his chakra, 'Huh. I haven't been fighting lately, so I guess I didn't notice.'
'You could probably one shot Shukaku as you are now, without your seals.' Which was a mighty large improvement over the boy who had first changed his path in life by walking into a library all that time ago. What was it, three or four ago years now?
Outwardly Naruto grins, canines sharp as his adrenaline pumps, 'I wouldn't mind being counted among you and your kin. I'd consider it an honor.'
Kurama nods, 'Heh, I wouldn't mind calling you a brother as well brat. Even if you're just another horny monkey most days.'
'Want me to stop?'
'Never said that.' Kurama considered cutting himself off from whatever pleasures he could get and shivered. No thank you. Life was great right now.
-b-
It was evening in the Land of Water, and Riptide Team Two was on the hunt for the Sanbi. Hinata, Ino, Karin and Honoka were together this time, Tayuya still stuck back home while the foursome got to take on this particular mission. Having been updated by the Mizukage and given the general area of where the biju should be, they were traveling through a misty forest while keeping their guard up. Because while sure Kiri wanted nothing to do with the beast, not wanting another Yugara incident, they weren't the only ones out looking for it. Mei had warned them that Kumo had been sniffing around and of course Konoha might be in the area as well.
Karin, hair tight in a bun and glasses covered by goggles on the off chance she had to hit the water, grunted as they sprinted along, "You know, did we really need all four of us for this? Me and Honoka are more than enough for the Sanbi with our chains." They had been training and practicing nonstop recently and considered themselves well improved. Today would be a good field test of that.
Ino shrugs, "The Sanbi isn't the big worry of the day. Everyone else is. Hinata and I are your guards while you seal it away for us to take back home." Which was why they were in a hurry. Get in and get out as quickly as possible. With any luck they could sneak through without encountering anyone. "So don't worry. I've got your backs."
Hinata mirrored her thoughts as well, "We'll be taking care of you and making sure no one interferes." She hoped no one from Konoha showed up, she'd hate to have to get, rough, with them. Kumo on the other hand…
Honoka sighed as Hinata began to chuckle darkly, "I think Hinata been pumped full of a little too much Naruto-kun. Maybe this time away will fix her."
Ino shook her head, "Naruto has thoroughly knocked her marbles loose, there's no saving her."
"I can hear you, you know that right?"
Ino grinned, "Oh I'm sorry, thought you couldn't hear us over the sound of all that mass jumping around." She delighted as Hinata gave her the finger, "Long way away from the meek little wallflower from the academy who couldn't even talk to her crush."
Nudging her friend as they ran, Hinata sniffed, "I'd like to think I'm well adjusted these days."
"Oh yeah? Tell me, what're your plans for Kumo?"
"I'm thinking of castrating the Raikage with my juken and then making him watch as Naruto blasts away his village."
The three remaining girls all looked at each other, before a quiet Karin gave her a thumbs up, "Uzumaki approves!"
Ino sighed, "I can't be the only sane one left. I can't."
Karin giggled as her senses began to tingle, "Don't act like you haven't been planning on scrambling the man's brain until he thinks his name is mud."
Ino saw the twitch on Karin's face and started to pull her mask free, a motion copied by the others, "That's besides the point, he has it coming."
Karin nods, blue Hannya mask in place which was copied by Honoka in order to boost their barrier making abilities, "Three signatures ahead, one at least high jonin, one low jonin, and someone maybe chunin? It's an odd chakra signature." As the group's sensor nin, Karin had been on alert since leaving Kirigakure proper.
Ino nods, "The Kiri nin have a low presence here, so don't expect any help from them. They really do want as little to do with the Sanbi as possible."
Hinata sighs as she activates her eyes behind her Okame mask, "Thinking about it, Kumo is the closest major village. They would be the first one's available besides us to come and try to steal the biju." They would also have the most motivation outside of Konoha.
Still keeping to the trees though they were beginning to thin out, Karin speaks up as her mind begins to find some of the area familiar. "There might be another problem." Feeling everyone else's eyes on her she kept going, "Sound had a base out here. Don't know what happened to it and we never had the chance to come and raid it. Slipped our mind since it's a smaller base."
Ino nods at that, "Any real chance we'll have a problem with them?"
Karin shakes her head immediately, "No…well." She thought about the Sound base that had been raided by Kumo previously and cursed, "Unless Kumo came and raided this base as well. That might throw a wrench in things. Then they'd have people to spare to seal away the Sanbi."
Ino sighs at that, "We already know Kumo doesn't consider anyone not of Kumo anything more than a tool, so I wouldn't put it past them to sacrifice a lot of lives if it meant getting the Sanbi."
Hinata grunts, "Just another horrific reason as to why we should level that village as soon as Naruto returns."
"Agreed." That the word was said by three other women nearly at the same time sent them all into giggles before they focused again. They crest the top of a hill, tree cover thinning even more and forcing them to the ground where they could see a group of three less than a few hundred meters away from them. Consisting of one man, a woman and a young boy, Hinata can see a Kumo headband on the man and none on the other two. "The man is from Kumo, can't see an affiliation for the other two."
Ino leans close to Hinata, "Can we go around, avoid them?"
Karin shakes her head, "I can feel the Sanbi, it's directly ahead. No detour to be made."
Honoka comes to Karin's other side, "So it's a fight then?"
Ino nods, "We could always try negotiation. Maybe if they see they're outnumbered they'll leave."
"You know they won't." Hinata mumbles from Ino's side. The blonde can't help but nod as they all stand.
"I know. Can't hurt to try though." By this point, all of the Uzumaki felt like no matter what, they had an advantage no one else could match. So why worry? The group restarts forward, drawing the attention of the other ninja ahead of them. Within seconds they were withing speaking distance of the other group and coming to a stop before them. The other three on guard while the Riptide team was less so. Ino continued to take the lead, "Look, I'm gonna get straight to it, you're from Kumo yeah?"
The man nods slowly. Dressed in Kumo's typical greys and purples, he was a dark haired but bright eyed man well muscled in his twenties. On his back was a long straight sword with the hilt peeking over his left shoulder. "My apologies ladies, yes I hail from Kumo. My name is Juno, Juno the sharp." He eyes all four of them up and down before frowning, "Uzushio is a long way from here. Mighty lost, you are."
Hinata leans in to whisper to Ino, "The boy has a collar that's saturated with chakra and laden with seals. Some of which are explosive." Leaning away as Ino subtly signals with a finger, Hinata keeps an eye out for traps around them.
Ino can't help but grin behind her mask, "Funny. We got an invitation to be here from Kiri. Somehow I don't think you've gotten the same."
Hinata picked up where Ino left off, seeing Juno edge forward slightly, "It's a wonder what a Kumo nin could be doing here. With what looks like captured nin under his control as well. Curious that."
Juno frowns, turning halfway to his followers, "Leave us, complete your mission. You know what will happen if you try to run Guren. Make sure you and Yukimaru don't disappoint me further."
The woman, dressed in a heavy coat tied closed with light rope and long brown pants with her blue hair tied up bowed lightly to him, "As you wish. Come Yukimaru, we have work to do." The long haired blonde boy dressed in clothes matching hers nodded from next to her, and both began to sprint away.
Stepping further into the path to block the Riptide team, Juno grins while edging his hand up to his sword, "You'll have to get through me to get to them. Kumo will have the biju." His sword comes free, "I'll be more than enough for you Uzushio scum."
Stepping forward alone, Hinata waves the others away as well, "I'll take him, you three go on ahead." She had enough frustration to work out.
Ino can't help but frown at the long haired girl now standing ahead of her, "We should put him down together and then go."
Hinata shakes her head, "And risk them getting to the Sanbi first? Don't worry, I'm more than enough for this one."
Ino watches the firm stance of Hinata for a moment longer before nodding and turning to Karin and Honoka, "Let's get a move on. Hinata will catch up."
Hinata turns back to them and gives them all a thumbs up, "Don't worry, I'll make this plenty flashy."
Ino sighs as Karin and Honoka begin to sprint away, "Don't pull a Mr. 9 please!" Then she was off and away, sprinting after her sister wives.
Juno frowns and attempts to intercept the trio trying to leave, only to be intercepted by the faster Hinata. Sword being deflected by a gauntlet covered hand, he got the feeling the woman before him was grinning. "I'm going to take my time slicing you apart."
Hinata shrugged, lowering her stance a bit more. "You'll try. I'm going to help remind you why the world feared the Uzumaki so much once upon a time." She jumps away as Juno slams a foot into the ground where she was standing. Another hop and she's carried away further as an explosion rocks the next space she would have been standing. Whistling, Hinata chuckles, "Explosion release hmmm? So weak, you have no flare at all."
Juno leaps towards her, sword beginning to dance through the air, "I'll show you just how powerful I am woman."
Bending with all the flexibility she had, Hinata rolled backwards and watched his sword sing through the space her neck previously occupied. "You may try. But you're much to slow I think." Hinata considers things as Juno continues to aggressively pursue her. His sword was always arcing for a killing strike, while as they weaved between trees he would occasionally palm one in an attempt to catch her in an explosion. Having dealt with Naruto for so long, it was easy both to see what he was attempting and avoid it with margin to spare. Internally she sighed, this really was a boring fight. "Would you like for me not to use chakra? I could give you a handicap."
"Handi-" Juno growled low in his throat as he pressed his attack even more. "You dare when you've been retreating this whole time!" Watching as again she twirled away from a downward sword strike before a quick shunshin carried her away from an explosive landmine, he considered briefly that she hadn't been damaged at all so far. "You cowardly bitch. I'll have your head!"
Faster than he could follow, Hinata slid inside his guard as he thrust forward in an attempt to skewer her in the liver. Fingers glowing with chakra, quick strikes rendered his back arm useless within a breath while Hinata was already floating away to bounce on her toes. "Oh, silly me. This is a fight not a dance. I do need to strike back once in while."
Watching the long haired woman bounce back and forth, Juno sheathes his sword and grunts in pain. So she was a Hyuuga was she? Fuck, did that mean Konoha was involved? No, she was absolutely wearing an Uzushio id. Curse her. "Hyuuga trash, of all the-"
"Oh no. You misunderstand that." Hinata offers him a mock curtsy, "I am absolutely an Uzumaki." She holds up her left hand where there sits a rather impressive ring with a blue gem, "My husband treats me very well."
Knowing he'll need to keep his distance, Juno mentally decides to forgo further explosive attacks or kenjutsu. "Whatever mail in bride, I'll end you here and send your body back to Uzushio with a note." Stabbing his working palm forward, "Raikyu!" Balls of lightning flash forward in an attempt to strike Hinata, but she's already on the move.
Hinata laughs, voice echoing through the trees as her enemy continues to try and hit her with one of his lightning based attacks. "I have to say!" Flipping through the air to land sideways along a tree in order to rebound off, she watched as her previous perch was reduced to tinder, "While powerful, you're just so slow! My husband is much more of a challenge than this. How about we call it a day and you surrender before I have to hurt you!"
Juno couldn't believe it. Switching from the lightning balls to consecutive lightning bolts in an attempt to fill the air with enough projectiles to hit the agile woman, his anger finally reached its peak. How dare this woman belittle him so! He was Juno the Sharp! The man capable of slicing cleanly through steel and boulders alike! He had been praised by the Raikage himself! "Will you shut up about your limp dick husband! If he's so great why isn't he out here then huh! You sound like a Frost born whore!"
Mood instantly shifting, Hinata turns her full attention to Juno. She knew enough about his character now and she wouldn't feel bad about what was about to happen next. Not bothering to dodge his next attack, another lightning ball, and instead smashing it away with a chakra covered fist, Hinata pointed at him directly as a dark aura surrounded her, "I'll make you one promise. For insulting my dear husband, I'll pick you apart bit by bit."
Frozen in place, Juno can't help but feel like he was staring at the visage of a demon come to life. What was this terrible aura she had about her? Where was this chakra pressure come from? "I-I-I-I'd like to see you try!" There's a moment as chakra visibly wafts off of her body, before in a blink she is well within his personal space, a chakra covered finger coming up to his midsection. "Wuh?"
"Okay." Six jabs to the legs lock him up and freeze him in place, muscles fighting against each other which she was sure within moments every bone in his legs would be broken soon. Another three jabs shut down his other arm, and there, the woods are filled with a meaty crack as indeed his legs broke in multiple places. Already screaming in pain and beginning to fall, Hinata continues her attack. Two last jabs to his midsection shut down chakra production and his liver, before he is dropped screaming to the dirt. Sighing and putting her hands on her hips, Hinata stands over the writhing man, "So dull. Barely even a warmup."
"Aaarrgghg!" Tears streaming down his face and blood leaking from his lips, Juno wouldn't be offering any other comments besides screams for a short while.
"Now is that any way to speak to a lady? Use your words please. You're a big boy aren't you?"
Juno was delirious with pain as the muscles in his arm were still fighting each other due to whatever it was she did. Within a breath as he fought and failed to control his still constricting legs, his arm shattered into a dozen pieces. "You biiiiiitch!" Screaming into the night air, Juno's mind was quickly overcome with pain.
Hinata was soon squatting down over him, pulling her mask up with an odd shine to her eyes, "Oh dear. Looks like I don't have a lot of time with you. Guess I better get to interrogating you properly then. So." A kunai was in her hand, its edge glinting in the moonlight, "Why don't you tell me what Kumo has been up to this days?" More screams filled the woods after that, tinged with the scent of blood.
Ahead of Hinata and closing in on their own prey quickly, Ino, Karin and Honoka are hot on the trail of Guren and Yukimaru. They can just barely make out the lake connected to the sea where the Sanbi was most likely located, and they put on some extra speed. Ino motions to the both of them, "Break off and head straight to the water, complete the mission while I take care of them."
Karin sighs, "Are you sure you'll be okay on your own?"
Ino nods, "I may not be a powerhouse like Tayuya or super sneaky like Hinata, but I'm no slouch, let me tell ya. I'll be fine, honest."
Karin salutes her as she and Honoka begin to jump away, "We're counting on you and don't do anything stupid! We can't take care of husband without you after all!"
Ino smiles behind her mask and waves them off, "You know I'm more than just a pretty face! I'll be smart so go on now!" Watching the pair race away, she keeps an eye out as ahead of them the taller woman, Guren if she remembered correctly, turned back in an attempt to intercept them. Ino launched several senbon her way, stopping her in her tracks as she saw the attack and dodged, letting Karin and Honoka race ahead uncontested. "Hey now, you wanna fight? You can fight me."
Frowning and sizing up the blonde who decided to get in her way, Guren turns just enough to see Yukimaru out of the corner of her eye, "You have a mission to complete, get to it."
"But Guren, you-"
"But nothing! We don't have a choice, go on, I'll be okay."
Yukimaru looks conflicted, eyes darting between the two women about to go into battle, hands clutching his jacket tightly. He's surprised when the pretty blonde woman winks at him, "Don't you worry, I can tell you care about her, so I won't rough her up to badly!"
Guren frowns as Yukimaru takes another few seconds before rushing away towards the shoreline. Her attention now fully on her opponent who apparently though very highly of herself, "You're full of confidence."
Ino nods, inspecting her nails and buffing them lightly on her black tank top, "I was going to say, that was big of you, trying to make sure the kid was out of the way. You must care about him huh?"
Guren lowers her stance, beginning to circulate chakra through her body, "Without him, no one will be taking the Sanbi." Already she moved one hand behind her back, pink crystal shuriken forming between her fingers.
Ino shrugs, earth chakra circulating through her muscles with the ease of long practice, "We'll just have to find out, won't we?" Deciding to take this serious from the start, much like Hinata she removed the gravity seals along her body in a flare of chakra. "You know, you aren't a Kumo nin, why fight for them?"
Guren's frown deepens as she launches her opening salvo of crystal shuriken at the other woman, dashing to the side and continuing her assault, she sucks her teeth as Ino deftly twists and bends around the projectiles with ease. "That's none of your concern!" Several handseals made, she grounds herself before welling up more chakra than before, "Chasing Crystal Dragon!"
Frowning at the monstrosity heading her way, Ino can feel instantly that this was a deadly attack. Filling her fist with chakra, she resolutely punches the dragon in the jaw, sending it away but only producing cracks along its head and length. Whistling at the integrity of the jutsu, Ino can't help but feel like she might be in for a real fight here. "This is strong stuff, this a bloodline?" She was curious, but already had an idea of how to end this. Her mainline techniques all dealt with the mind after all.
Guren smirks, taken in by the energetic blonde as she dodges a brace of launched senbon in return, "Not many alive can ward off my attack, I guess I should acknowledge your strength for that." Adjusting her chakra and bringing the crystal dragon back around for another attack run, she sends Ino on a spree of dodges and chakra aided evasions. "I wonder how long you can keep this up little girl."
Watching the dragon head back her way, Ino jumps high over its head and watches the attack gouge a trench through the ground where she had been standing. Another fist comes crashing down along its back that only produces more spiderweb cracks, and Ino frowns. This thing was tough, but, as she continued to dodge and bat the chakra construct away from her, she begins to notice a pattern. Guren could reinforce her technique with chakra, repair the damage and turn this into a war of attrition. She was not doing that however, instead content to waste chakra and watch Ino make a mockery of this fight. Curious. "You know, you don't strike me as the type to follow the orders of someone you don't trust, much less like."
Guren nods without meaning to, watching Ino deliver another earth shattering punch that finally shatters the crystal dragon and sends shards raining all over the area around them. "We are ninja, sometimes we don't have a choice in the matter." Several new handsigns made, Guren smirks, "Dance of the Crystal Lance!" Several spears made of crystal formed out of the ground and launched towards the weaving and dodging blonde.
Ino shook her head, a chakra laden fist smashing and redirecting the spears headed her way. "You're human aren't you? You always have a choice!" Fed up with dodging and feeling like she had the measure of her opponent, Ino hit the ground in a roll and placed both hands flat in the grass, "Doton: Earth Spears!" Much like Guren, several spears made of earth where launched through the air.
Guren saw the attack for what it was and stomped a heavy foot into the earth, "Crystal Wall!"
Ino sighs, "All this talent? Why work for Kumo when you could easily strike out on your own?"
Guren sighs, weathering the continued assault, "You don't understand. Kumo came in and raided the Sound base and took over easily." Watching the crystal wall begin to crack, she leaps away into the trees as Ino finally smashes through before pursuing the frustrated woman. "I had to watch over Yukimaru, no one else would. Could. We're connected in a way I couldn't explain to you right now."
Ino nods, senbon streaking through the air to intercept hastily thrown crystal kunai. "Sounds like you're a decent person in the end."
"My character doesn't matter!" Guren grunts as a senbon grazes her shoulder. Forced to dive lower among the trees to allow herself to pick up some speed, she continues their banter, "The Kumo nin figured me out. Put an explosive collar on Yukimaru to force me to work for them. If I so much as breath wrong he's dead. And I can't have that. No. I've done enough to that boy." Memories ran through her mind, a village on fire, a woman covered in blood and Orochimaru's cold laughter filling her ears. No. She'd done more than enough.
Ino nods, another brace of senbon launched in an attempt to take down the distressed woman without further combat, which was deflected with ease, "I get it. Sounds like something Kumo would do." Ino sighs as she rolls around a tree trunk in order to use it to block several crystal kunai from striking her, "Wanna clue me in? Should we expect more Kumo shinobi in the area?"
Guren shakes her head as the earth in front of her forms into a fist that attempts to capture her. Another crystal dragon forms and both smash against the other and cancel each other out, "The only Kumo nin left is Juno, a high jonin on par with the Raikage's most elite. The rest have returned to their village."
Ino nods, a quick shunshin helping her reposition, "You know, that means we could help you. My sister is going to make short work of that guy. Leaving you and Yukimaru alone out here." Ino sealed away her senbon launchers, knowing by this point Guren wasn't going to be caught by them and instead considered her next move. "Think about it. It's not like we know you. We're here for the Sanbi and that's it. For all we give a damn, you and Yukimaru can go free about your business."
Finally locking onto the echoing voice of Ino, Guren summons a massive amount of chakra and pushing it into the ground, forming several crystal pillars that rise into the air and destroy everything in their path, "You're forgetting about the suicide collar!"
Another shunshin taking her away to safety while she watches the wanton destruction, Ino can't help but sigh heavily, "My husband is a master with seals. It'll be child's play to remove that that hack job for him. Hell, My sister wife might be able to do it by now."
Hesitating after seeing her attack didn't connect at all, Guren frowns as she searches the area for the muscled blonde. "That would mean I'd have to trust you, and I can't say that I do." Guren frowned as she started to feel sluggish and her arm that was grazed by the senbon wasn't responding as it should. Poison?
Grunting, Ino amplifies her voice to bounce it off of as many surfaces as possible, "Look, I get that, really. But I don't have time to keep playing with you. So either you'll need to figure it out or I'm gonna put you down. Choice is yours." Holding up a hand, sparks trailed along her fingers as she mentally began to decide on what technique to use.
Guren can't help but grin now, thinking on their fight so far. Sure the landscape was torn to shreds and several trees had been uprooted, but she had the Uzushio woman on the run this whole time. "You haven't gotten close to hitting me once yet. Maybe if you show you're even half as strong as the Kumo ninja, or me, I could agree to work with you." She flex her hand on the affected arm and sighed. It was getting harder to move by the minute so she'd need to finish this quickly.
Unseen and smiling, Ino nods though she knows Guren can't see her. "You should have relaxed and taken my earlier offer. This might hurt a bit." Jumping out from behind her tree and twisting to point her index finger at the surprised Guren who was less than 5 meters away, Ino smirks, "Bang!" Lightning arcing from her fingertip to smash into Guren's forehead at the speed of light and the other woman is down before Ino has the chance to touch down on the ground. Ino watches as Guren's body convulses for a moment before coming to rest, giving it another few seconds before deciding that Guren was well and truly knocked out. Walking over to the older woman, Ino unseals rope and begins to bind her for transport. "You're strong, but not that strong." Hands and ankles bound together, Ino finishes her work by slapping a suppression seal on Guren's chest before picking her up and tossing her on her shoulder. "Woof, you're pretty heavy. You're fit aren't ya?" Taking a look around, Ino starts to make her way towards the shore and where hopefully Karin and Honoka have made their way by now. She can feel a familiar chakra signature coming up to her location and heaves a sigh of relief. Sure she didn't think Hinata would have gotten taken out, but it was still good to know for sure.
Coming up to her side, Hinata can't help but give the woman over Ino's shoulder a once over. "Oh, thinking of branching out huh? I would have thought one of us would have been your first pick."
Ino rolls her eyes, "Hush. That was…well not one time, but you know you're my first choice."
Suddenly bashful, Hinata nods with a giggle, "Ah, well, yes. Right. Sorry. Still, it's rare to see you being forgiving." Hinata herself was just finishing tucking away a scroll into her jacket pocket. The sealed away body of Juno ready for transport to a bounty office.
Ino is curious about that, "Was he any good?"
"No, really weak actually. How about you, things okay on your end?"
"Guren is pretty strong, her bloodline is unique and well suited for combat. Her and Yukimaru, the kid she was with, are former sound ninja."
Hinata interrupts her, a dangerous glint in her eye, "Oh? So we're taking them for interrogation then?"
Ino shakes her head, holding up a hand to calm Hinata, "No no. Something tells me there's no love lost for Orochimaru here. Between Kumo using them and the snake using them, I think they might be ready for some real change." Ino points a finger to her own throat, "That collar on Yukimaru? Kumo design. They were using him to use Guren. It can kill him on command."
Hinata sighs and looks ready to continue the argument but eventually nods, "I can take a look at the collar the first chance we get. I'm sure I can get rid of it on my own. Karin can help if I can't." They race along with some silence, each in their own thoughts as they think about their own individual battles, before Hinata smirks as she watches Ino carry the blue haired woman so delicately, "You sure are being mighty careful with her."
Ino scoffs, "You know you're mighty worried about my sexuality today. You sure you don't secretly have the hots for me?"
Hinata shrugs, "Naruto would love that."
Raising a finger to refute that. Ino takes a minute as they jump along the tree branches and stares at the smiling woman next to her. She knew exactly what Naruto would think if Hinata and Ino decided to play around on their own. "He would. Damnit. You win this time."
Hinata preens and smirks as she flips her hair over a shoulder, "You'll get me one day." Maybe she should think about braiding her hair, it would help to keep it out of the way.
Both girls break the treeline, landing upon the shoreline and finally able to see the ocean itself. Out in the distance they can see Karin and Honoka still running along the water for their own destination, more likely Karin using her senses to lead the way. True to their own senses, Yukimaru is here and fretting about at the water's edge. No boats were here and the boy certainly wasn't ninja trained. So water walking was out of the picture for him. Coming up to him and gaining his attention, his eyes land on Guren while Ino holds up a placating hand to stop any forthcoming protests.
Ino gently lays the asleep Guren on the sand, "She's fine, I just had to knock her out. C'mon, you can see for yourself." She watches as the boy looks between her and his caretaker, before he rushes to Guren's side. "She's tough and a good fighter, but we have no intention of hurting her or you from here on."
Yukimaru can't help but snipe back at her as he can't get Guren to wake up, "Says the woman who hurt her."
Hinata chuckled, "He's got you there."
"Shut it." Ino sighed and leaned down, poking at the suppression seal before after a few moments Guren's eyes began to flutter. "I meant it, she's only knocked out, see?"
Moaning and slowly moving her head from side to side, Guren struggles to open her eyes. Seeing the bleary image of Yukimaru above her, she can't help but sigh, "Ugh, I lost." She accepted the tight hug from the boy, not like she had much of a choice with her limbs still paralyzed.
Ino nodded, "Sure did. Wanna fill him in on everything that happened?" Ino kept her eyes on the Uzumaki girls. They were spreading out, most likely they had found the Sanbi's sleeping spot. With any luck they would be done soon.
Guren only sighs and turns tired eyes towards the worried blonde boy, "Whatever they've told you, it's the truth. They mean us no harm so long as we stay out of their way."
Hinata turns towards them, pointing at the collar at Yukimaru's throat, "I can take a look at that and most likely remove it if you'd like."
Yukimaru blinks surprised eyes at her, still having a hard time trusting the pair, but more than willing to see this bit of leverage gone. "You'd do that?"
Hinata is already walking towards him, byakugan active, "Absolutely." Leaning over to poke and prod at the devise, she frowns and clicks her tongue, "Shoddy work this. Sure its got the power to kill you, but just about anyone could set this thing off." Poking at specific points where arrays met and drawing seals along its surface with her finger tips, it was with little effort that the collar begins to break down before finally crumbling away. "Easy peasy."
Ino had been watching and was curious about her ability to draw seals with her fingers. She hadn't seen anyone else do such before now, "What the heck was that?"
Hinata shrugged as she stood up straight while a delighted Yukimaru pawed at his throat, "I've been working on adding my understanding of seals into my juken technique. It's been, interesting."
"Sure looks like it." Ino watches as Yukimaru runs to Guren's side, excitedly showing her his freed and clean neck. There's a roar of moving water and a spray that draws everyone's attention. The Sanbi had surfaced, roaring into the night as three tails thrashed among the waves. "Well, ain't he a big one."
Hinata sighed, "You're devolving." She watches with the others as just as quickly as the Sanbi surfaced, bright yellow and blue chains burst from the water to surround and entangle the biju. There's a struggle as the beast attempts to fight free, great waves kicked up and water parted like it was a kiddy pool and not the ocean itself. But eventually the Sanbi is brought down to the water level and with a bright flash, soon it is gone, leaving behind Karin and Honoka who begin to make their way back to shore. Honoka now sports a large sealing scroll on her back, a glowing chain holding it in place.
Ino notes that, "Won't it break free like right away?"
Hinata shakes her head, "It's just temporary, her chain will keep it stable until we return to Uzushio." Where the plan was to release the the Sanbi within their territorial waters and hopefully either Naruto or Fuu could talk it down and get it to relax. They weren't looking to seal it away after all, just keep it out of the hands of anyone else.
Ino nods as she turns back to Guren, "Well, that's it. We're all done so, you're free to go so long as you aren't gonna try to attack us some more."
Guren shakes her head, "Since you removed the seal on Yukimaru, we don't have any reason to keep up the fighting. I'd soon run as far as I can in the opposite direction at this point." These women had beat them so soundly, she couldn't imagine how strong the others must be. No, so long as they were letting her go she wouldn't be going against them ever.
Ino nods, leaning down and removing and untying Guren, leaving her only under the influence of the suppression seal, "Well we have no need for you and we don't have a habit of going around killing other ninja needlessly. So, unless you're looking to be our enemy I think we're fine with letting you go." Ino stands, pointing to the paper tag on Guren's chest as she looks directly at Yukimaru, "After we leave, remove that seal and she'll be up and ready to go within a few minutes."
As Yukimaru thanks them, Guren is deep in thought as she wonders at the women that were so willing to let them go. Reasons aside, it was a rare thing in their world to get a second chance like this. She certainly didn't want to squander it. It's a curious Yukimaru still kneeling next to her that brings her out of her thoughts, "Where do we go from here?"
Guren shakes her head, "I don't know. Kumo will surly attempt to hunt us down."
Hinata adjusts her weight on her hips, cocking one to the side and placing a hand there, "You could always come with us. We're no friends of Kumo and we're always looking for new talent for Uzushio." Hinata figured if Ino was impressed enough with her to be willing to let her go, an invite shouldn't be out of the question. "We're looking to build a peaceful world, where people can reach an understanding without bloodshed or violence. But we know that that's time and effort, but everyone within our nation is ready to fight for it for as long as they need to."
It takes some time for Guren to think it over. Stay out on the road and possibly on the run from Kumo while trying to protect Yukimaru. Or join a village and gain their protection while having to fight for them doing what she normally does best? One would allow her to be truly free until death that was sure to come, while the other gave up a bit of her freedom to possible live a long and healthy life. It wasn't all that hard of a decision. "Doesn't sound so bad going with you. So long as you can promise Yukimaru will be safe."
"Absolutely he will be." Hinata has no problem answering that nearly instantly. Children were heavily protected in Uzushio after all.
Yukimaru hugs Guren tightly, earning a grin from the weak woman now helped into a seated position, "Alright then. Guess we're with you then."
Karin and Honoka make the shoreline, hitting the beach and joining the group with groans, "That was a lot of chakra to use all at once." Karin pats her shoulder while Honoka gives the others a peace sign with a wide grin.
"We did it! Sanbi secured."
Ino nods, "Welp, then it's time to head back. It's a successful mission in the bag."
Hinata sighs as the others all direct glares towards the oblivious blonde, "Don't jinx it. We have to make it home still."
"Aw we'll be fine!"
"You dumbass!" Karin's voice rises above everyone else, though Yukimaru can't help but giggle as Guren sighs.
"What have I gotten us into now?
-b-
Far away under a clear blue sky, the weather was warm with just a touch of humidity that had her clothes feeling just a little uncomfortable but not overly so. Kurotsuchi did not want to admit she was lost. In fact, she wasn't lost, the map she had was just wrong. That being said, while she was supposed to be on her way through fire country, the plains she found herself on were oddly devoid of the customary trees that the Land of Fire was famous for. Still, there was only one road, so surely so long as she continued along her path she would reach a town eventually.
"This is stupid and shitty. I should have won that fight against the Maelstrom. The asshole must have cheated somehow…" Kicking a rock out of her path, Kurotsuchi considered torching the path out of frustration. "Where did it all go wrong? Granddad doesn't see my vision. That Suzumebachi bitch was worthless and was only looking out for herself. I need to remember to put her in her place when I get back. Kukuku, oh the things I have in store for her…" Distracted as she was, she misses the other person sidling up next to her. Dark cloak with red clouds fluttering as he walked, orange swirl mask gleaming in the sunlight, he seemed content to just walk next to her and listen to her ranting at the ground. At least, until his boredom gets the better of him.
"Is it normal for you to talk to yourself so much?"
Freaking out and screaming, Kurotsuchi leaps away while clutching her chest. Turning back to take in her impromptu traveling companion, she notes that other than his clothes, she doesn't have much of a idea of who this is. He had some odd spiky black hair and black pants under those robes, but she couldn't make out anything else. "It's not nice to sneak up on a woman." There's silence between the two as her silent companion looked her up and down, almost with doubt that made her want to throw a kunai through his face. Especially when he tilted his head in confusion, "I'm a woman damnit!"
"I don't doubt you! Honest!" Voice high pitched and almost childish, the man waves his hands in front of his back and forth to ward off potential violence, "Tobi is a good boy! He'd never question a lady! Honest!"
Sighing and getting the feeling this guy wasn't all there, Kurotsuchi shakes her head, "You're Akatsuki right? What do you want with me? Shouldn't you be meeting up with granddad?"
Rubbing the back of his head and exuding an air of embarrassment, Tobi can't help but shrug his shoulders, "I'm…a bit lost. I'm actually looking for a port so I can travel to the Land of Water."
Nodding as she was looking for a port town herself, Kurotsuchi waves a hand in the direction she was traveling before, "Well you're in luck. I'm looking for a port too. I wouldn't mind some company if you wanna come with."
Tobi nods and holds a hand up high in the air, "Tobi would love to travel with you! Tobi gets very lonely on the road! It's been very lonely since Deidara left…" Seeming to pout, Kurotsuchi giggles and leads the way.
"We can swap some stories while we talk. I think we'll be hitting the land of Rice soon." Taking the lead, she misses the focused look Tobi sends her way with his one visible eye available through the hole in his mask.
'Land of Rice? We're in the Land of Bears. Does she know where she's going?' It didn't matter to him in the end. It'd give him time to extract information out of her while they traveled. No one else would be capturing the Sanbi anyway. He had time.
-b-
Bearing down on Uzushio waters, a fleet captain is ordering his ship to prepare for battle. Hailing from the Land of Sky, they've been given one mission. Originally they were to crush Konoha for their revenge, but this attack was more about survival. Sure that Uzushio would be coming after them for vengeance themselves, they were taking the strike first before the other side struck approach. Pristine white uniform gleaming, thick mustache twitching as he picked up the microphone for the intercom, the bridge fell silent as he readied to address the rest of the crew.
"This mission is not one of revenge. This is about ensuring the survival of our people. Long ago Sky along with a federation of other nations came together to snuff out the Uzumaki. And yet they have returned. With revenge in their hearts, we have but only one course of action remaining. To crush them completely and wipe them off of the map again. They will burn, so our children can see another day. You all are here to enact that great will, and may the Kami be on our side!" Keying the microphone off, he could hear cheers dimly from below decks. From next to him, his second in command walked forward to join him as they both looked out of the great windows towards the never ending fog bank ahead of them.
"Will we be ready sir?"
"We have to be. And pray on our souls this is the correct course."
Four ships in total steam together, uncontested for now as they ready for war. From the fog bank a long woman emerges skiing along the waves. She has a confident smirk on her face while her long purple hair whips behind her. A new thick blue jacket with long sleeves, black skin tight pants that double as a wet suit and new ninja sandles. Isaribi was taking her new rolls as leader of the Undertow group easily. Her smirk can't help but grow as the radio in her ear comes to life.
"Guess my hydra gets to come out and play after all."
-AN-
This was a bit of a struggle to write, between a combination of life factors and just general write block. But here we are, gearing up for a few confrontations coming up, including a big one. And no, I don't consider sky a big factor, short of one reason I'm including them for that you'll have to figure out for yourselves later.
I am hyped up for gaming right now. Armored Core has a new release and I'm gonna dive into that. Starfield is due to drop within a few days, and then Cyberpunk 2077 expansion is coming. So, if my uploads slow down for a little while, just know I'm probably gaming. I should stream, but I don't have the confidence for that yet, or ever. Heh.
Welp, tata ya'll. Hope you're all living life well.
-OMAKE-
Relaxed and laying together on the tatami mats of his home, Sasuke and Sakura attempt to wait out the heat. The heat of summer finds them with all of the windows open while both have stripped down pretty far. But with such a traditional home, there would be no air conditioning here, and such, no relief unless they decided to head outside, a fact that Sasuke knew well enough but Sakura seemed happy to complain about.
"This heat suuucks! Why haven't we moved to Uzushio yet?"
Sasuke can't help but sigh as his vision is directed at the ceiling, "Because you want to light the council on fire first before we leave. If you're so hot, go jump in the lake."
"That requires moving, something I don't want to do at all." Wearing only her biker shorts and a red sports bra, her hair even fanned out behind her as she laid on her back contemplating the ceiling with her boyfriend.
"You're just getting lazy. Maybe there's some Nara in you."
"But moving takes so much effort!" Moaning and complaining some more, she rolls around before trying to cuddle her man, "Hug me!"
"You're sweaty, get away." Chuckling as they both lethargically rolls towards and away from one another, he can't help but smile, "It's too hot for that."
Sakura can't help but smirk as she stops on her side, taking in his sweaty chest and his own casual shorts, "I thought your cold attitude would cool me down."
"Oh? I'm cold now am I? I can get colder if you like."
"You wouldn't dare! You love me too much."
"You sure about that?"
"You ass, this is what I mean!"
"You love me."
"Like a rash."
Rolling his eyes, Sasuke is up and above her within a breath, pinning her to the floor with his hands on her wrists. "Say you don't love me." Eyes staring deep into hers, he knows good and well the flush now on her face was more from him than the heat.
Flush, horny and excited, Sakura wiggles underneath him for a breath or two, "Hmmm, you're getting oh so dominant lately." Voice coming out in a purr, she grins as Sasuke sighs and leans in for a kiss that sets her world on fire.
Sasuke's hands shift from her wrists to her hands, fingers mingling with hers as he pulls away from her briefly, "You're lucky I love you."
Giggling, Sakura smiles and sways her head from side to side, "Oh Sasuke lo-ve-s me. L-O-V-E-S me."
Rolling his eyes and standing, Sasuke is quick to drag his girlfriend up and throw her over one of his shoulders. "You're insufferable."
"The word you're looking for is insatiable." One of her hands reaches down to deftly smack his ass. The tiny jump he gives sends her smirking all the more.
"That too." Beginning to jogs out of the house and towards the lake, Sakura begins to beat playfully on his back.
"Put me down you brute. I can walk."
"What do you mean, this way you can't complain."
That got Sakura's attention as she now pays attention to where they were headed, "You wouldn't dare."
"It's hot isn't it?"
"I'm gonna kill you! I don't wanna be all wet right now!"
"First, you can't kill me. Not until we have a few kids. Second, that's not what you said last night."
Blushing and caught off guard, she doesn't get a chance to say more as Sasuke jumps and send them both into the cold waters of the lake. Blinking under the cool water, it takes a few kicks to make it back to the surface. Gasping for breath, the disgruntled Sakura is in fact cooled down, though now very wet. Next to her Sasuke surfaces, laughing and moving his hair out of his face. "Ahh this is nice."
Sakura latches onto him, smile sultry as she presses herself into him, "Hey. Did you mean it?"
Sasuke rolls his eyes again, leaning in a kissing her lightly on the lips, "Every word."
"Me and you? Lots of kids?"
Another kiss, "As many as you want."
"Honest, no fooling?"
Another kiss, "On my honor."
Sakura wouldn't admit to tearing up, and if anyone asked it was actually Sasuke who cried, not her, "Think we can get a start on that? It's just us out here?"
Sasuke shakes his head, "How about no." Seeing her pout, he gives her another kiss on the nose this time while his hands wrap around her thighs, "But, I wouldn't mind some practice."
"Oh ho. Practice huh?" Sakura doesn't mind as he sports bra is suddenly gone, "I wouldn't mind a little practice myself."
"Good. Practice makes perfect doesn't it?"
"You..." Suddenly the water wasn't as cool as it was before, or maybe it was her. "Aren't wrong."
It was a good thing no one visited the Uchiha grounds often. There was a suspicious amount of giggling near the lake today.