I do not own the rights to Naruto or Marvel.
Coulson hurriedly made his way through the building, his pace quickened by the urgent call from Fury to come to his office as soon as possible. Concern gnawed at him, fearing that the reason behind this summons might involve his son and the possibility that Ogun had crossed a line. Initially, Coulson had observed Khalid's training, but witnessing Ogun's rough treatment of his son became unbearable. From that point on, he entrusted Khalid's safety to the agents, ensuring they were there to shield him from Ogun's aggression if necessary. Coulson couldn't help but be surprised by Khalid's resilience, as he hadn't shed a single tear throughout the grueling training sessions.
Coulson snapped out of his thoughts as he approached Fury's office door. Taking a moment to compose himself, he knocked and entered, finding May already present with her travel bag, indicating she had come straight from the hangar. "What's the issue, sir?" Coulson asked briskly.
"Agent May has discovered some information about the scrolls that I thought you might be interested in," Fury replied calmly, turning to May. "Agent May, please begin your report."
Over the next hour, May recounted an incredible tale about warriors known as shinobi and the extraordinary villages they inhabited. She described how these shinobi harnessed chakra to manipulate the elements, defy gravity by walking on walls and water, and engaged in brutal wars that involved sending children into battle, perpetuating a cycle of hatred. It wasn't until a young shinobi named Naruto Uzumaki emerged and put an end to these senseless conflicts that the shinobi world finally found peace.
"So what happened to the villages?" Coulson asked, his curiosity piqued. It seemed unlikely that individuals with such extraordinary abilities would simply vanish.
"A new era emerged. People deemed the shinobi unnecessary and used overwhelming force to destroy the shinobi villages," Agent May explained, her voice filled with awe as she recalled the story she had been told. "The few remaining shinobi were said to have gone into hiding when their country was renamed Japan. Their exact whereabouts are unknown, but it is believed their numbers have significantly dwindled."
Fury's sharp tone cut through the air as he questioned the credibility of the information. "And you think this information is reliable?" he asked.
"Well, sir, we have dealt with Captain Marvel," Coulson interjected. "If we can accept the existence of beings like her, then it's not entirely far-fetched to consider the possibility of shinobi."
"I, too, was initially skeptical, Director Fury," May added. "But then he mentioned having a scroll at home that listed the names of every Hokage." She reached into her bag and pulled out the scroll, unrolling it on Fury's desk for everyone to see.
"What does 'Hokage' mean?" Coulson asked, leaning in closer to the desk to examine the scroll.
"It translates to 'Fire Shadow.' The Hokage was the leader of the Konohagakure, the Hidden Leaf Village," May explained, her voice filled with intrigue. "Interestingly, the name of the fighting style mentioned in the initial scroll you gave me is also Konohagakure. But that's not the most fascinating part."
May gestured towards the second name listed on the scroll. "This name here is also the author of four of these scrolls. The second Hokage was Tobirama Senju."
Fury let out a sigh, visible frustration evident in the vein pulsating on the side of his head. Coulson, too, was in a state of shock, contemplating the implications this revelation could have on his son's future.
"So you're telling me that Coulson could potentially be raising an enhanced human?" Fury questioned, his tone laced with a mix of disbelief and concern. May glanced at Coulson, who appeared visibly distraught, before turning her attention back to Fury.
"There's a 40% chance that he might be," May replied, her voice tinged with uncertainty. "I'm still not entirely sure. Unfortunately, my source passed away a day after providing me with the scroll."
May observed as Coulson's expression of concern deepened, realizing the weight of the situation and the potential impact it could have on his son's life.
"Agent May, as of right now, the only people who will know about this are the individuals in this room. You and Agent Coulson will be heading back to Japan to search for areas that closely match the description of those five villages. Let's gather additional evidence to support our findings. If there are beings like this roaming around, we need to locate them," Fury instructed. He then proceeded to type something on his keyboard and after a few moments, he retrieved a floppy disk from his computer.
"This will be the only file for this mission. I have removed it from the S.H.I.E.L.D database. I don't believe we need the World Security Council prying into this matter concerning the kid," Fury explained.
"What about Khalid? What if he does possess abilities?" Coulson expressed his concern. He not only had to safeguard his son from The Dawn but also potentially from S.H.I.E.L.D.
"Since you won't be back for a while, I'll assign Agent Barton to your family protection detail. I'll ask him to watch Khalid closely and see if he displays any abilities," Fury said, already dialing Barton's number. With that taken care of, May and Coulson left - May to get fresh clothes and Coulson to pack his bag for his long-term mission. Now, he had to figure out how to explain all of this to his fiancé.
Khalid POV
"Again!" Ogun instructed me. I struggled to get up. Over the past week, Ogun had beaten me to a pulp and then forced me to play chess through the pain. He had proven himself to be a brutal teacher, which led me to take a break from the Time Chamber. I wouldn't be able to explain why my bruises were disappearing. Besides, I was too tired to do anything but eat and sleep by the end of the day.
Today's beating was no different, though. He had me going through the katas while attacking me at random. Armed with a bo staff, Ogun would swing at me unpredictably. I was expected to block his attacks and maintain my form. This was my fifth time going through this ordeal. I was really tempted to start flowing chakra into my body to speed up a bit, but I didn't want him to know, as my only knowledge of Marvel came from the movies. Ogun was an unknown to me.
I got up and took my stance for the sixth time during this portion of our lessons. As I began going through the motions, I observed Ogun circling around me, his staff poised for a strike. After transitioning from the third form, Ogun swung his staff towards my head, but I swiftly dodged and shifted into the fourth form. I spun around as he brought the staff down like an axe.
With determination, I thought to myself, "Just three more to go," and smoothly transitioned into the fifth form. As I initiated the sixth form, Ogun suddenly thrust the staff towards my stomach. Reacting quickly, I brought my hands down, forcing the staff to pass between my legs. I pinned the staff with my right foot and began transitioning into the seventh form.
However, Ogun's swift movements disrupted my balance, and he struck me forcefully in the chest with the staff, causing the wind to be knocked out of me.
"Do I appear to be someone who enjoys having my time wasted, Mr. Coulson?" Ogun shouted, his frustration evident. Gasping for air, I clutched my chest, still recovering from the impact. Ogun scoffed, "I may be aware that you are relatively young, but I am not a fool. I made it clear at the start of the week that I had been observing you closely. So, why are you holding yourself back?"
"Shit, I thought he hadn't noticed," I thought to myself. Whoever this person was, he seemed to possess the same level of perception as Nick Fury. Still struggling to catch my breath, I managed to ask, "How much do you know?"
"I have trained thousands of warriors. Do you really think I wouldn't notice?" Ogun replied, his voice booming. "Now, get up! We're going again. If you hold back once more, I will swing at full strength."
"Fine!" I shouted back, frustration and determination fueling my words. I began channeling chakra through my body, feeling my power surge. Taking my stance, I initiated the first form, but Ogun swiftly swung his staff towards my side. Reacting instinctively, I grabbed the staff and concentrated all of my chakra into my free hand. With a burst of energy, I brought my fist crashing through the staff, snapping it like a twig.
"Yes!" Ogun exclaimed with excitement, leaping back and dropping his staff. I stared into his eyes, which had once again changed from blue to red. It wasn't the Sharingan, as there were no tomoe present. What kind of monstrous being was standing before me?
Without hesitation, Ogun charged towards me, his intentions clear. I braced myself, ready to confront this masked man who seemed to have lost his sanity. As soon as he reached me, he launched a powerful kick towards my head. I managed to raise my arms just in time to block the full impact, but the force of the blow still sent me sliding across the floor.
But the old man wasn't finished yet. He swiftly jumped towards me, aiming for an ax kick. Reacting quickly, I rolled back to dodge the attack and quickly regained my center. Seizing the opportunity, I swung a hook towards him, but he effortlessly caught my fist and hurled me into the air.
As I soared through the air, my mind raced to come up with a plan. I twisted my body mid-air, attempting to regain control of the situation. With a burst of energy, I managed to flip and land on my feet, ready to face Ogun once again.
Seeing my resilience, Ogun's eyes narrowed with determination. He charged at me with incredible speed, his movements fluid and precise. I focused my senses, anticipating his next move. As he closed in, he unleashed a series of lightning-fast strikes, aiming to overwhelm me.
I swiftly ducked under a powerful roundhouse kick, feeling the rush of air above me. Seizing the opportunity, I countered with a sweeping low kick, aiming to knock Ogun off balance. However, he effortlessly leaped over my attack, displaying his agility and skill.
Realizing that brute force alone wouldn't be enough, I tapped into my training and channeled my chakra once again. Energy surged through my body, enhancing my speed and strength. With newfound power, I launched a barrage of punches and kicks, each strike fueled by my determination to overcome this formidable opponent.
Ogun skillfully evaded some of my attacks, his movements almost dance-like. However, I managed to land a solid blow, connecting with his side. The impact sent him staggering back, momentarily stunned by the force behind my strike.
Taking advantage of the opening, I pressed forward, unleashing a flurry of strikes. But Ogun quickly regained his composure, countering with a swift and powerful palm strike that caught me off guard. The impact sent me flying backward, crashing into a nearby wall.
Shaking off the pain, I pushed myself back up, refusing to let Ogun's strength overpower me. With renewed determination, I prepared myself for the next round, ready to continue the intense battle against this enigmatic opponent.
"Enough!" Ogun shouted as he stood up. "Good, at least you fought back. However, your movements still seem a little stiff. You're thinking too much," he explained, as he straightened his clothes . "I'll increase the frequency of our chess matches, but this time I'll be adding a two-hour time limit. Overall, good job today, my student."
My eyes widened. It was the first time Ogun had referred to me as his student throughout our entire acquaintance. "From this day forth, no more holding back. That is a weakness and will not contribute to your training. Do you understand?" Ogun asked. I met his gaze once again, noticing that his eyes were blue. I knew I had to be cautious around this old man. "Yes, Master Ogun," I replied, my voice stiff. "Now, come, child. Let us begin your introduction to Kenjutsu," Ogun said, walking away. With a sigh, I followed him.
Coulson and May had been searching for any physical evidence that these villages actually existed. They found themselves back in the Aokigahara Forest for the third consecutive day. So far, all they had encountered were endless trees and an eerie silence that hung in the air. The only sound accompanying them was the crunch of the ground beneath their weary feet. Coulson couldn't help but think that he would avoid forests for a while after this ordeal.
"Let's take a break," May suggested, reaching for her water canteen on her backpack to relieve her thirst. Coulson gratefully sat down on a massive boulder, relieved to give his tired legs some rest. After finishing her drink, May unfolded a map and began marking the route they had taken, ensuring they hadn't inadvertently circled back to an area they had already explored. Coulson glanced at his watch and saw that it was still noon. He let out a sigh, hoping that their search would yield some results soon.
"I think we should take our time to plan our next move," Coulson said, emphasizing the importance of careful consideration. They needed to find a suitable location to make their mission a reality. He was determined to uncover any possible connection to Khalid.
"Yeah, but where?" May replied, her frustration evident in her voice. "I highly doubt we'll stumble upon the Village Hidden in the Sand here. There's no desert in sight. Searching the mountainous regions for the Stone or Cloud hidden villages would likely take us months. And as for the Mist, we'd probably have to scour every island in Japan."
May's irritation was tangible as she expressed her doubts about finding the desired locations.
"I know May, but this isn't the only forest for us to search. Out of all the villages, the Leaf Village sounds like the easiest one to find evidence on, considering they carved faces on the mountains. But as you can see, it isn't," replied Coulson, expressing his frustration. He despised going on a mission and returning empty-handed. He already felt like a failure because he couldn't uncover any information on The Dawn, no matter how hard he tried.
May remained silent for a moment before speaking again, "You're right. Which forest should we choose next?"
"Let's finish exploring this area first, and then we can discuss our next move back at the hotel," he suggested, rising to his feet. May nodded and began packing her belongings when she suddenly froze.
"What is it, May?" Coulson asked, following her gaze to spot an Asian Black bear in the distance.
"Dont move.", May instructed, moving hand as slowly as she could towards her gun. Coulson was also scanning the area for any signs of danger. Suddenly, the bear let out a deafening roar and began charging towards them.
"Run!" Coulson shouted, swiftly turning to his left and sprinting away. He didn't dare look back to check if May was following, as he could hear the thunderous footsteps of the bear closing in on him. Each step of the bear seemed to grow louder and closer as Coulson pushed himself to his limits, desperately trying to escape.
Coulson's heart pounded in his chest as he raced through the forest, the bear hot on his heels. He could feel the bear's breath on his back, its growls echoing through the trees. Coulson's adrenaline surged, pushing him to run even faster, his legs pumping with every ounce of strength he had.
Branches whipped past him, and he narrowly dodged trees, his focus solely on staying ahead of the pursuing predator. The bear's heavy footsteps reverberated behind him, a constant reminder of the danger that lurked just inches away.
Coulson's mind raced, searching for an escape route or any possible advantage. He spotted a fallen log up ahead and made a split-second decision. With a burst of energy, he leaped onto the log, using it as a makeshift bridge to cross a small ravine.
The bear, unable to navigate the obstacle as swiftly, let out a frustrated roar. Coulson took advantage of the momentary delay and continued his mad dash through the forest. He could still hear the bear's enraged snarls, but the distance between them was growing.
Finally, Coulson burst out of the dense foliage and into a clearing. He skidded to a halt, gasping for breath, and glanced back to see the bear disappearing into the trees, its pursuit abandoned.
Relief washed over Coulson as he realized he had managed to outwit and outrun the formidable creature. He took a moment to catch his breath, grateful for his narrow escape. However, he was now lost and had no idea where his partner was. It was best for him to stay here; he was confident that May could follow the path the bear took to get close to his location.
He looked around at his surroundings and noticed that the trees here were thicker than the ones he had seen before. Walking towards the largest tree in the clearing, he took in the beauty of this place. As he reached the tree, he noticed a design carved into it. Coulson couldn't tell if it was just a doodle or something more, but he knew he had seen it before. He reached out and ran his hand over it, hoping it would jog his memory.
"Coulson!" He could hear May shouting in the distance.
"Over here!" he shouted over his shoulder.
Coulson continued to ponder over the insignia he was looking at, deep in thought. May had just entered the clearing from his right, her relief evident in her voice.
"Thank God you're okay!" she said happily. Coulson turned and started to walk towards her.
"I'm glad you're o-" Coulson started to say, but suddenly, the ground beneath his feet gave way, sending him tumbling into a dark cavern. It became clear why the bear hadn't followed him. Desperately, he tried to grab onto the edge, but the earth broke free, causing him to fall into the abyss.
"COULSON!" May bellowed, her voice filled with panic. Coulson plummeted for what felt like 40 meters before his body collided with something hard, knocking the wind out of him. He then fell onto something else, rendering him unconscious.
Clint Barton had witnessed many extraordinary things in his life, but he was particularly impressed by Coulson's child's ability to absorb knowledge like a sponge. Initially, he had concerns about Ogun being so close to the kid, considering his reputation. However, his opinion changed after observing their sparring sessions. Despite being only five years old, the kid held his own against Ogun. Clint couldn't help but imagine the trouble Ogun would face if the kid were older and taller. As the days passed, he continued to observe the child's remarkable growth, as he quickly absorbed and mastered new forms. The kid's progress through combat, even against someone with more experience, was nothing short of amazing.
At that moment, Ogun found himself wielding a wooden sword, defending himself against the kid who was armed with dual wooden tantos. Ogun and the kid faced off in a fierce battle, their wooden weapons clashing with intensity. The air crackled with energy as they exchanged swift strikes and parries.
Ogun's experience and skill were evident as he expertly defended himself against the kid's relentless attacks. He moved with precision, his wooden sword deflecting each strike with calculated grace. But the kid was no ordinary opponent.
With surprising agility and determination, the kid maneuvered his dual wooden tantos, striking from different angles with lightning speed. His small stature worked to his advantage, allowing him to dart in and out, landing quick blows that tested Ogun's defenses.
The sound of wood meeting wood echoed through the training area as their weapons clashed. Ogun's face showed a mix of admiration and concentration, impressed by the kid's natural talent and unwavering spirit.
As the fight continued, the kid's growth became evident. He adapted to Ogun's moves, anticipating his actions and countering with unexpected maneuvers. The intensity of their spar intensified, each combatant pushing themselves to their limits.
Sweat dripped down their brows as they continued their dance of wooden weapons. The kid's determination shone through his eyes, fueled by a desire to prove himself. Ogun, on the other hand, recognized the potential within the young fighter and pushed him further, testing his limits.
The fight reached its climax as both combatants unleashed a flurry of strikes, their wooden weapons blurring in the air. The kid's agility and speed were matched by Ogun's experience and technique. It was a battle of wills, a clash between the old and the new.
Finally, with a final strike, Ogun managed to disarm the kid, sending his wooden sword flying across the training area. The room fell silent as they both caught their breath, their chests heaving with exertion.
After just a week of practice, Clint could understand why Fury had invested in the kid. Although he hadn't witnessed any of the strange abilities Fury had mentioned, he couldn't deny that the kid possessed exceptional qualities. At the age of five, he displayed remarkable speed, strength, and intelligence, surpassing what was expected of someone his age. Undoubtedly, this progress could be attributed to his training with Ogun.
"We will forgo chess today, and there will be no lessons for a week. I have a personal matter to attend to," Ogun explained to the child. "I expect you to continue your training. I have sent something to your home that you can use in my absence."
The child bowed respectfully and began to gather the practice swords. "Keep them," Ogun said, interrupting the child's intention to return them. "You are dismissed. I'll see you next week." With that, Ogun turned on his heels and headed for the door.
Meanwhile, Clint motioned for the other guards to keep an eye on Ogun as he left. He then approached the child, who had settled down and started to meditate.
"Hey kid," Clint said, crouching down to the child's level. "You've been doing great. I've been watching your progress, and I'm impressed. Ogun sees something special in you, and I can see it too."
The child opened his eyes and looked up at Clint, a mixture of curiosity and determination in his gaze.
"I'm Clint Barton, by the way. I don't think we've met before," Clint said, extending his hand to the kid. The child looked him up and down before cautiously shaking his hand.
"I know who you are, sir. My name is Khalid Coulson. My dad says you're a great agent," Khalid replied. The guard by the door signaled that it was clear for them to leave.
"Come on, Khalid. Let's get you home to your mom," Clint said, leading the way.
"I may be five, but I'd appreciate it if you don't talk to me like an imbecile," Khalid said coldly.
"Ouch! One point for the kid," Clint heard Rumlow say from by the door.
"My apologies, Khalid," Clint said, moving towards the door.
Khalid sighed and started to follow him. "I should be the one apologizing. I'm just upset that Master Ogun beat me again," the child said.
"Don't be too hard on yourself, kid. Ogun is one of the best fighters on the planet," Clint said, trying to take the kid's mind off the loss. They headed outside to the SHIELD vehicles.
"Can you beat him?" Khalid asked curiously.
"I'm not sure, but it wouldn't be pretty," Clint explained, opening the car door for Khalid to hop in the back seat and strap himself in. Clint closed the door and moved to get in the driver's seat. Just then, his phone rang. He looked at the screen to see that it was Coulson's fiancé.
"Hey, Alex-" he started to say when he answered, but stopped when he heard Alexis in a slight panic. "Don't worry, we're on the way."
Clint hung up the phone. "Everybody, load up and be ready. We have an intruder on Coulson's property. We're leaving now to get there as fast as we can."
"Yes, sir!" he heard a chorus of men shouting, with everyone scrambling to get into the vehicles as quickly as possible.
Coulson woke up to his head throbbing and pain in his right leg. He looked around and saw nothing but darkness. The only source of light was the hole he had fallen through, about 10 meters above him. Coulson touched his head and felt blood sticking to it. Looking down, he noticed his leg was twisted in the wrong direction.
"Phil!" May shouted, her voice filled with panic. He groaned loudly. "Thank God! I've been calling you for the past ten minutes. Are you okay?"
"My leg is busted, and I may have a concussion. But other than that, I'm okay!" he said loudly, his voice echoing in the cavern.
"Okay! I've already called Fury. Help is on the way!" she replied, relief evident in her voice. Coulson started to take his bag off his back. He needed to see what was around him. He searched his backpack for the flashlight he had packed, hoping it wasn't damaged. He pulled it out and clicked it on, but no light came through.
Disappointed, Coulson tried shaking the flashlight and tapping it, hoping to get it to work. After a few attempts, a faint beam of light finally emerged. It wasn't very strong, but it would have to do. Coulson directed the beam around the cavern, trying to get a better sense of his surroundings.
Coulson surveyed the scene, his eyes scanning the wreckage that lay scattered all around him. It resembled the aftermath of a devastating mudslide, with houses swallowed up by the earth. Amidst the destruction, he noticed a few houses that miraculously remained intact, although they appeared ancient, as if they had stood for thousands of years. Intrigued, he continued his exploration, his flashlight illuminating the wall against which he had fallen. To his surprise, he discovered numerous spikes protruding from the surface, seemingly hand-carved. As he directed the light downwards, he observed that the lower spikes bore the unmistakable marks of deliberate craftsmanship. Suddenly, his gaze shifted to the left, and he found himself frozen in awe. Towering above him, etched into the mountainside, was a face.
"May!" Coulson's voice echoed through the desolate landscape. "Contact Fury immediately and inform him that we require an excavation team. We've stumbled upon it!"
Perplexed, May responded, "What do you mean?"
"The village hidden in the leaves! We've found it."