Chapter 15
'What the hell!? This was supposed to be a simple mission to repel a small Iwa battalion and take back the fort. Why the hell am I fighting a damn jinchuuriki!?' Naruto yelled in his mind as he fended off a barrage of lava enhanced punches by employing the use of the Explosive Phoenix Fist and a six tail chakra cloak. 'Where the hell is everyone? Aren't I getting any damn back up!?'
"Rasengan!" He yelled as he ducked under another punch and slammed a Kurama empowered Rasengan into Roshi's chest launching him back a few feet. It didn't get him as much breathing room as he hoped as the older man was upon him with a hammer fist and all four tails worth of his Bijuu's chakra active. The impact from Naruto's forearms colliding with Roshi's was so enormous that they cratered the ground as well as destroyed everything around them within a thirty feet radius. With the last of the fort's walls crumbled he could now see his team. They were fighting off a new battalion of Iwa shinobi. When did they get here? Was it as soon as Roshi attacked?
No time to think anymore as he was smashed in the stomach with a knee and then roundhouse kicked away. He crashed twenty feet away eliciting a giant dust cloud and had to take a moment to shake the dizziness away. Those blows hurt, a lot. He'd need to step his game up. Getting to his feet he had to block a foot and then a right hook. "Look you pesky bastard! Fuck off!" he roared as he ejected a giant chakra wave from his mouth pushing Roshi back yet again. A Shadow Clone appeared next to the boy and weaved hand signs as he weaved his own. "Lightning Style: Giant Thunderhead Jutsu!/ Water Style: Water Severing Wave!" the clone summoned down a giant lightning bolt just as a highly pressurized stream of water fired out of Naruto's mouth piercing a hole through Roshi's right shoulder. The older jinchuuriki tried to side step the whole attack but was hit from above by the lightning. While he was still in recoil all three Naruto's rushed in with Rasengans.
"Rasengan Barrage!" before they could make contact vile red bubbling chakra exploded out of Roshi and knocked all three back with the clones dispelling. Naruto watched as the chakra cloak condensed into the form of what looked like a gorilla with four tails. The chakra cloak was blood red and extremely dense. His senses were going haywire and he almost didn't recover in time from the shock to dodge the right hook that came at him. He looked into Roshi's eyes or he should say the beast's eyes. They were pure white and so was his jagged mouth. 'Tch. Version two chakra cloak. Be careful. Keep bare minimum six tails up and don't let your guard down. This form is significantly stronger and I wouldn't be surprised if he has control over it.'
'It's that strong?'
'I'm not entirely confident you can even damage him let alone defeat him as he is.'
'Thanks for the vote of confidence,' this conversation all happened as he was blocking and dodging blows. He flipped over a backhand and had another Rasengan ready. He plunged it into the beast's head and was surprised when it didn't even budge. That moment of shock cost him as he was uppercut so hard he felt the reverberations even through his chakra cloak and he went flying into the air. Roshi spun as Naruto came down and smacked the boy with all four tails.
'The Rasengan didn't even touch him this time. What the hell am I supposed to do?'
'How about you try your swords? You know the things you've been training with your whole life?'
'That might be a good idea, slipped my mind with all the excitement.'
He jumped up from his position on the ground and his swords flashed into his hands and he charged. Bringing both of them down he charged them with wind and lightning respectively and noticed that when Roshi brought his arms up to block, the blades ever so slightly cut into the chakra cloak. It was just barely there but he saw it. 'Maybe, just maybe.'
He was pushed away but swiped with both swords sending a gale of wind and a discharge of lightning combining into a small super cell like storm and slamming into the jinchuuriki. It didn't do much but piss him off as evident from his roar. "Lava Style: Scorching Rock Jutsu!" he shouted as he spewed an arsenal of lava engulfed boulders at Naruto. It was so fast he didn't have time to dodge. His eyes morphed into cross odachis and a pale silver ribcage of chakra surrounded him holding back the rocks. His bleeding eyes widened as he noticed they were melting through. 'What the hell!? That lava can even melt through the Susanoo!? I need to move quick!'
He was extremely quick to engulf Fujin in a small tornado like gale and hurl it at Roshi. The older man not thinking anything of it sidestepped that attack and continued to not react even when he saw the lightning around Ryujin increase. He was about to charge when he saw Naruto flash away and was too slow to turn all the way around on time to get a guard up as the two blades came down on him. They caught his left shoulder this time as he was able to turn a bit. It was such a clean and deep cut that Naruto was sure that the man's arm should have fallen off but as the boy jumped back he noticed that the arm was repairing itself rapidly and that the chakra cloak was keeping it together while it healed.
"Your pathetic. Your pitiful attempts at damaging me will do you no good. You spit on the image of us jinchuuriki. Give up now and I'll give you a merciful death and then move on to your comrades. I promise theirs will also be quick," Roshi stated in such a distorted voice that Naruto wasn't sure who was even in control right now. 'It's a combination of the two. He has to battle the instincts of Son Goku right now while still keeping his own intact. The irony is that if he would have just used Bijuu mode he would have probably had control.'
'So, what do you suggest I do?'
'Even the regenerative abilities of a Jinchuuriki has its limits. This is essentially a battle of attrition. Continue to inflict what would normally be killing or crippling blows and try not to get hit. His stamina will eventually run out. If you can use the same attack that you used against Shukaku to cut him in half that would be recommended.'
'That's a bit of setup but I'll try.'
"Alright ugly! Let's throw the hell down!" he shouted as he charged forward and left two Shadow Clones behind who began weaving hand seals. He threw Ryujin and came down on Roshi with a two handed grip who blocked with his forearms again. Naruto use his arms to flip over and spin. Ryujin flashed into his hand and slashed a large gash across the man's back. As before the chakra went right into repairing at quite the efficient rate. It almost made the boy want to try the version two cloak. 'Trust me on this. You don't want to. Neither one of us wants that. You can't control you and I can't control you because of this pesky seal. In your case it's quite literally your body acting on animalistic instincts. You'd end up attacking even friends and family alike.'
He felt the scorching heat of the giant collaboration jutsu go into the sky. His clones combined wind and fire to make a thundercloud exactly the same as the fight with Shukaku. "Alright! Let's see you remain unscathed after this! Lightning Style: Thunder God's Dragon Strike!" came the voice of Naruto and then Kurama as he gave the familiar pulse of chakra to Ryujin and then pointed it to the sky. It gather the entirety of the thundercloud's worth of electrical energy and created a giant blade of solid lightning. He threw Fujin past Roshi who turned to block the incoming attack from behind but didn't notice the tri-prong Naruto threw at a slower pace so it would arrive at the man's back. He flashed to right behind the older man and delivered the full force of the attack on him.
Naruto was launched back thirty feet from the discharge and Roshi didn't do much better. The natural lightning was way stronger than merely chakra based lightning and could easily destroy entire buildings and have so much energy leftover that it could power a whole city after that. He quite literally hit Roshi with a city level nuke. He knew the man would get up after that but his regeneration should start to slow down now.
He noticed he managed to cut to the man's spine, but that's where the cut ended. He saw it start to repair but at a sedated pace as even the chakra cloak was taking a moment to reform. 'I can't tell if it's merely because of how deep I cut or if it's just slowing down. I guess it doesn't matter because I need to keep hitting him. That move is currently too inefficient to use again so I'll have to use my new trick.'
'Are you sure your ready for it? If you do it wrong you'll end up receiving chakra burns or even losing your whole arm.'
'I don't really have much of a choice unfortunately. I have to try and take him out as soon as possible. I don't want those two trying to help me. I can't put them in danger.'
'Your too much like your uncle sometimes. A sentimental fool who doesn't know how to ask for or accept help. Very well. If you extend my chakra like an arm you should be able to do it without self harm.'
Naruto raised his hand up and a Rasengan formed. Everyone in the vicinity, enemies and friends alike for about a mile looked to the now increasing whistling sound as shuriken shaped blades of wind circled the Rasengan. His sensor abilities were really getting hit today. It was so much energy in this small attack that he wanted to run but he had a job to do. "Wind Style: Rasenshuriken!" He charged forward and just like Kurama told him extended the attack out with a chakra hand and slammed it down on the now recovered Roshi.
The attack took the man ten feet backward and up into the air. The explosion of wind and pure chakra was incredible. Anyone who could survive the attack really was quite an incredible shinobi. He'd waited to see the damage and he was impressed. The chakra cloak had been ripped down and while on Roshi's body it was mostly just superficial cuts and a few deep gashes it was quite incredible that one attack could do so much to a version two bijuu cloak. He also noticed that Roshi was having a difficult time not only regenerating but also reforming the chakra cloak completely. 'Huh, it really does mess up one's chakra system. It's as if I poisoned his whole chakra circulatory system to the point it can't properly function.'
'You have to capitalize on this now before he gets another cloak out. You don't have enough chakra to form another one of those right now and even if you did I doubt he'd let you once he gets another cloak. From here on out we're in the endgame. It's do or die. If you really want to avoid those two getting involved then finish him.'
Kurama was right, there was no time to waste. Naruto charged forward with only Fujin in hand. When he brought the blade down on Roshi's head he wasn't expecting a chakra hand to come out and grab the blade. He was doubly surprised when he was punched in the gut so hard he let go of Fujin and rocketed away.
He was seeing stars now. Naruto Namikaze felt like he just got hit by Satsumei with her full strength a few times over. It wasn't quite his uncle's full power, far from it to be honest but it still hurt like a truck. This mission was just turning from bad to worse constantly.
Flashback
"Alright, you three have been gathered because Iwa has decided to completely ignore my warning and has gone after one of our supply bases. This is an act of war and while I would like to send Kakashi with you three I can't. I need him for another mission. Jiraiya-sensei's spy network has confirmed at least one battalion of about two hundred shinobi already there and possible reinforcements on the way. Can I trust you to take the fort back and defend it?" Axel asked as Team Seven stood before him in his office. This was it this was the official start to the war. It had been a little over five months since that fateful Hokage Summit. Everyone had made it through their individual trainings proper and while everyone got much stronger these three easily stood out above the rest of the generation. Naruto was farther ahead than the other two but they were catching up and had unique talents that Naruto did not.
Satsumei Uchiha had increased her prowess as a medic and could now heal wounds with one palm instead of two and it was a feat that even had Tsunade impressed. Her prowess with fire jutsus was second to none among her peers and she could now access Sage Mode further enhancing not only her fire jutsus, but her strength, speed, reflexes, and even durability to a certain extent. She'd come to find out that the Phoenix Sage Mode did not provide much of a durability boost like the toads or thunderbirds as it gave regeneration. With her healing prowess mixed with the Sage Mode Axel theorized she could literally take a chopped off limb and reattach it and have it in working condition within minutes. Her capabilities with her chains had also improved as she could now create complex shapes such as different types of weapons and even use them for offense now.
Sasuke Uchiha hadn't necessarily become exactly as strong as either one of them but had become a force to be reckoned with regardless for his age. Now having the Lion Clan contract he could easily do collaboration jutsus with all of fire, lightning, earth and wind natures. The lions had taught him fighting styles that were based off lunges as well as dogged pursuits. He was now currently the fastest member of Team Seven without any boosts and even had a decent enough proficiency and chakra capacity to now make three Shadow Clones at a time. He also had a few new jutsus under his belt.
Naruto Uchiha by no means really 'grew' during the training period as he was sent on missions quite often with his father so his training was more about how to lead a team and successfully complete missions. Fieldwork and experience is what Axel had called it. According to the war veteran it was the most important training out of everyone in his generation. He did however create a new jutsu as well as improve some proficiencies. He could now use up to seven tails of Kurama's chakra as the fox had decided to be more cooperative upon learning of the Akatsuki. He would give no more than that though. Naruto also recreated the Rasenshuriken from his final fight against Mukade. His proficiency with the Flying Raijin had gone up considerably as he could now use it for much less chakra. He still could not however recreate his grandmother's signature move. It was a shame because if their was any failure of his during training that truly weighed him down it was this. The only other thing that had changed was that Naruto was promoted to jonin due to his action in a particularly pesky mission he went on with just his father, as usual. He didn't mind though, he's always enjoyed going on missions with just Minato.
"Yes Lord Fifth! Are there any other details we need to know?" he asked taking the lead as he was expected to do. "I shall be sending backup as soon as I have any of the other teams returning from their missions. Unfortunately I had already sent Kakashi out or he'd be going with you as dual command. Look, I'll get you backup but I need you out there for bare minimum three days to make sure nothing happens. I don't want to send you in, take the fort back and then a day later find out it was attacked again. Just try to hold out on the chance that they send more troops than what are currently projected. I'm dealing with attacks all over the Land of Fire but can't seem to pin down what route their using or if their even using one route."
"Yes Lord Fifth! At your leave!" they saluted and left as soon as he went back to paperwork. This time though, his paperwork wasn't village dealings, no, it was data on the war fronts.
"Well team. I'd say meet at the gates in twenty minutes but we all live at the same place so instead how about we hit home, grab anything we may need and head out?" Naruto asked as he looked at them both.
"That sounds like a plan. We need to be quick. If this truly is a war we're fighting now then every moment counts. I'd say we have only twenty minutes to prepare AT MOST," was Sasuke's response. He'd matured a lot from training with the Lion Clan and he knew now how to follow the chain of command and even how to beat back his own pride.
"Agreed. The sooner we get there the sooner we can reclaim our supply route and aid the war effort. It's also a very good chance to take out a decent amount of their soldiers. Imagine their panic when they find out that three shinobi who just recently were genin took out two hundred of their own war trained shinobi?" this surprisingly came out of Satsumei. Naruto blamed his uncle for this way of thinking. The problem was that she wasn't wrong, it just felt weird to hear it from her, he'd expected it from Sasuke. He had to remind himself that she was a tad bit more violent than her mother and loved to fight unlike the Uchiha matriarch whether they both had Uchiha blood or not.
"Alright then, let's go," the newly minted jonin replied.
They'd finally gotten to the fort about five hours later and were surprised to see no structural damage. It looked to them like a small castle. When they got inside they were immediately bombarded with gratitude. "Lord Naruto! Lady Satumei! Lord Sasuke! We're so glad to see you! Lord Fifth sent word that you'd be coming. We managed to repel the enemy for now but we're not sure when they'll return," he was a chunin by the looks of it. Basic blue with the green flak jacket over top. Scraggly brown hair and a messy beard. He was in his mid thirties and looked absolutely exhausted. It looked like he'd hadn't gotten sleep in a few days frankly.
They looked around and noticed everyone else was the same. It would seem they barely managed to repel the invasion, although it was probably due to the defense that the fort gave them. What was weird was that Naruto could have sworn he read about Iwa having an Explosion Corps. Why didn't they just blow the fort to kingdom come instead of invading it?
Naruto looked around as he saw there definitely wasn't enough soldiers to defend against two hundred. The fact that the enemy pulled out was suspicious already. What was going on? They could have easily taken this fort. For that matter why would his uncle leave this place with so few shinobi guarding it if it was such an important supply line that he was willing to send Team Seven out specifically. What was going on?
He didn't have too long to ponder as they were attacked by what was left of the battalion. They'd noticed it definitely wasn't two hundred but it's not like the fort took down their numbers much. He guessed there were still one hundred and fifty left. Well, he'd even the odds real quick. He pulled out his tri-prong and threw it at the incoming battalion and flew threw hand seals. "Shadow Kunai jutsu!" he yelled as one multiplied into two hundred just for good measure and he flashed between them all slaughtering his enemies. He took a moment to get over the mass murder and went about exiting the fort telling the siblings to wait inside. He surveyed the surroundings. There was definitely back up on the way for the enemy, he couldn't tell how many but he knew the number was quite large. That wasn't the problem in his opinion, the problem was the massive chakra signature on the way and fast. It was all he could do to get inside and give a shout of alarm before they were assailed by what looked like giant globs of lava. Most of the fort guards were taken out with the first attack and the rest of them fell quick enough afterward. He was the next target after that. He'd barely managed to block an uppercut that had him sailing over the fort walls.
Naruto barely heard the cries of his teammates yelling his name. He had no time to worry about that because his assailant came down like a raging meteor with his fist engulfed in… lava? Was that even possible? He couldn't block those, no. He'd have to take a different approach at defense. He'd use the Explosive Phoenix Fist to keep his opponent off balance and capitalize with the Rasengan whenever he got a chance. He had a theory as to who this was but he needed to see more.
He'd been defending himself from this enemy for a solid thirty minutes. He had no idea where Satsumei and Sasuke were, he had somehow gotten back into the fort at some point in the battle but they weren't there. "What the hell are you here for? Who are you targeting?"
"Well, since your going to die anyway I may as well tell you. My target is you. I don't know why but the Tsuchikage wants you dead. Not sure if he has a vendetta against you or not but it doesn't change my mission. I would really prefer not to kill a kid but those are my orders. You die today and that's all that matters," that didn't help Naruto at all as he could sense far off another signature of even higher chakra. But he did feel four familiar presences rushing towards that area to intercept so he'd focus on his current battle.
Flashback end
Naruto Namikaze stood up with renewed resolve though he didn't know why, and added another tail to his chakra cloak. This was his max that he could actively control. If he went any higher he'd be battling against himself as well as Kurama. He charged forward delivering a right hook and then a left hook. He spartan kicked Roshi away and pursued with a Rasengan in hand smashing it into Roshi's chest. With the increased tail number now he could push Roshi back with his father's signature move. He flung him back a few feet and flashed both odachis into his hands. With a mighty charge he spun around rapidly like a top with the now ejecting wind from Fujin propelling him and the lightning from Ryujin now engulfing the tornado he was creating. He started ripping into Roshi flinging blood and muscle everywhere until a giant blast of chakra erupted from the still disabled man sending him flying back.
Naruto now looked upon a chakra head that looked like a red gorilla who was now charging… something. 'Naruto, if you ever listen to me on anything, you need to get the hell away from that thing or interrupt it. That's a Bijuu Bomb and will more than likely annihilate you completely.'
He replaced both swords with a tri-pronged kunai and was ready. He'd teleport the blast somewhere else like his own father did to a Bijuu Bomb from Kurama the night of his birth.
He failed, the attack made contact. He thought he'd see white but all he saw was black. Naruto realized it was his eyelids closed. When he opened them he saw his uncle with his gunbai out holding back the attack. "You okay brat?"
"Uncle Axel! Yeah, I'm okay now that you're here. I think this mission was beyond me to be honest," the young blond answered with a solemn look as Axel continued looking back at him and merely smiled. "No son, you did great. Now get some rest. It looks like your team finished up their end and are here for you. Let me just exterminate this vermin who dared to put my godson in harms way to rest. I'll take over from here brat."
Naruto couldn't help the one tear. He did everything in his power to fight this behemoth and even with all of that, experience trumps genius. He couldn't do enough damage to put Roshi down and so was going to die. His uncle saved him though. How truly incredible was this man?
"Alright bastard! Let's have some fun! Uchiha Deflection!" Axel all but shouted as the Bijuu Bomb was converted into wind chakra and sent flying back at Roshi so fast he couldn't react and was sent upwards in a giant hurricane of wind. "Fire Style: Dragon Flame Loud Singing jutsu!" he weaved the seals so quick it seemed like he didn't move and fired the attack off before the winds died down. It was a true inferno as the winds spun the flames making them hotter and hotter until it finally died down.
Roshi dropped to the ground in a thud and still got up. "I'll admit, you are durable. An attack like that should have sent you straight to the shinigami, especially after the pounding you seemed to have taken from my godson. Your still standing and ready to battle though. I commend that, however I have a more than decade old grudge to settle with you, you old senile bastard!" He yelled as he charged ahead and overcharged an Explosive Phoenix Fist launching Roshi back again.
"Had enough yet?" he asked mockingly as Roshi stood up once again . 'Frankly this is bullshit. How can he keep getting up like this?'
'Son Goku has always been the physically strongest of us Bijuu and that brings with it a certain amount of extra durability. I wouldn't be surprised if he gets that from being the beast's Jinchuuriki. How about trying our new move? No better time than a field test.'
Axel got a wicked grin on his face as his palms went out to both sides and then a giant golden construct formed around him. Naruto notice it seemed an awful lot like a chakra version of Kurama's head. He watched the motes of red and blue chakra come together in front of his uncle as he placed his palms forward. "How about we try one of Kurama's Bijuu Bombs?" Axel asked as the now black ball of chakra fired off at Roshi and exploded on impact. Axel was quick to pull Naruto into Kurama's chakra head with a chakra arm so the boy didn't get hurt. He also noticed that the boy seemed to be healing at an accelerated rate. 'A side effect of my chakra. My chakra is overflowing with life force so those brought under the shelter of it will have increased healing capabilities. You don't receive this as you are the one exuding my chakra, so it doesn't compound. Doesn't matter though considering your excessively potent Sage Mode.'
"Fascinating. It seems there is still so much more to learn about Kurama's chakra. Huh, he's still in one piece," Axel stated with mild surprise and he was indeed correct. Roshi was lying on his back, breathing, but barely. He wouldn't be getting back up this time. "Naruto, keep watch I need to make a Bijuu Suppression Seal," Axel stated nonchalantly like it was the simplest thing in the world. He didn't know the Eight Trigrams that was on Naruto and himself so he needed to form something AT LEAST half as effective. He sat down and pulled out an empty sealing tag and ink brush. 'We need a limiter, a container, as well as a back up seal. Hehehe… I should do what Minato did to our's.'
'The seal itself should feed off the Bijuu's chakra as well though. If it constantly saps Son Goku's strength in order to stay active then it doesn't matter how much chakra Roshi pulls on in order to break the seal because it'll just get stronger.'
'Good idea. Also, you know your literally teaching me how to seal your brethren, right?'
'Oh please, at least a few of them are better off being sealed. They act more like savage animals than sentient beings. I'm not sure what father was thinking when he made Shukaku and Son Goku. They're so unruly.'
'Yeah, it would seem not every decision my ancestor made seemed to have made sense. I feel like he should have just put Shukaku's tail into you instead.'
'Hmmm… maybe. Finish so that we can head home. I'm tired of this scenery.'
'You're in my head though.'
'Same difference.'
'You know, I always enjoy our talks.'
"There! That should work! Naruto, come record this with your Sharingan!" Naruto did as told and for a tag that only took a few minutes, he had to say it was quite remarkable. His uncle though not as skilled as his father, was still an incredible seal master. "Kurama helped you with this, didn't he?"
"He had some input yes. He suggested a chakra sapper. I came up with the rest though."
"Well, let's get that seal on him."
When they were about ready to place the seal Roshi came up for an uppercut on Axel's jaw but was slammed down by a chakra enhanced foot. "Stay down. After what you put my ball of sunshine through, me not killing you with this attack will be the only mercy I show you," it was Satsumei's foot that was currently pinning the man down. She looked downright devilish. If looks could kill, everyone there on that battlefield would be dead. "Thank you Satsumei. I'll take it from here now," she relented and started checking Naruto's wounds over while Axel placed the seal on Roshi. Instantly any chakra output he may have had was completely cut off. For the first time in what felt like hours Naruto visibly relaxed and then slumped forward into Satsumei's arms.
"The dobe wore himself out?" Sasuke asked as he walked up to them. "Yeah, he wasn't prepared to fight a Jinchuuriki with that much control over their Bijuu. Even I have to admit that Roshi is a force to be reckoned with and an incredible fighter. He as well as Han almost killed my team and I. If it wasn't for your mother and Kushina, we may not be here. Enough about that depressing stuff though! I'd say this was a mission accomplished!" he stated all too cheery for someone who lost a supply line.
"But the fort is gone. We failed. This supply line is gone," Sasuke said with clear frustration in his tone. This received a chuckle that turned into laughter. "Do you really think I'd let Onōki take down something as important as a supply line? There's no supplies here. This is just an old fort from back during one of the wars. No, this was all a setup to figure out what he'd been doing sending all these seemingly random attacks throughout the Land of Fire. You guys did an excellent job. He's cunning, I'll admit that. He knew it would take forever before I sent the village's Jinchuuriki out considering he's my godson."
They gave him a look that meant for him to go on. "He thought he baited me but it was the other way around. He thought that by attacking enough locations that he'd eventually be able to get at least one Jinchuuriki out of the village and take them out using two of his own. We found Han on the way here. The rest of my team is currently dealing with him. I thought it was fishy that the two battalions sent were in oddly timed waves so I brought Minato, Kushina, and Mikoto with me and then we got word from Jiraiya-sensei that there was a Jinchuuriki leading the second wave. I felt Roshi's chakra while fighting off Han so I came as quickly as I could. The only thing I wasn't able to predict about this whole thing was both of Iwa's Jinchuuriki being sent. This whole thing was just one big shogi game orchestrated by Shikaku, myself, Minato and Jiraiya-sensei."
"So mom is fighting their other Jinchuuriki?" he could hear the fear in Satsumei's voice. He placed a hand on her shoulder. "Your mother will be fine. She's one of the strongest kunochi I know and neither my brother nor sister will let anything happen to her but if that's not enough to put your mind at ease we can head there sweety," he assured in a gentle voice. Truth be told they'd basically grown a father-daughter bond while he was training her. "Please?" she pleaded with puppy dog eyes that reminded him too much of Mikoto and had him melting.
He slung Naruto over his shoulder and took off towards the destination with the siblings barely keeping up. When they arrived they saw what looked like newly sprouted trees all over the battlefield? They saw Minato's hands clasped together and a very large man in red armor and a large steam box wrapped up by a small tree. What the hell did they miss?
"That's new. What happened here after I left?" Axel asked as he looked at the clearly Wood Style trees all around them. "I'm not really sure. He was about to get in a hit on Kushina and for some reason I just manifested these. Luckily my Sharingan recorded just about everything that father and Hashirama did during the invasion so I figured it out pretty easily. Mokuton is much more effective at subduing Jinchuuriki than even I expected. He didn't have a chance after that," Minato explained as he continued to wrap Han up in more Wood Style branches. "So… you've got dad's Mokuton now, huh? I guess that pretty much makes us even now. We'll have to spar sometime with that."
"So… we've got both of their Jinchuuriki, what now?"
"I'm really not sure. I didn't even think we'd be able to capture them. If we kill them their Bijuu will just reform in three years and the Akatsuki will be able to capture them. What to do, what to do?" for once the Hope's Kage was at a loss. He really wasn't sure the best move. Should he actually keep two more Jinchuuriki in the village? Would it throw off relations with the other two villages? He obviously no longer cared what happened with Iwa as they had essentially declared war with this operation of theirs. He had an idea, he'd be taking a page from Hashirama's book and his father probably wouldn't be proud of what he was thinking but it was for peace.
They looked upon Axel as he looked to the sky seemingly deep in thought and then he cracked a smile which morphed into a grin, and then chuckles, and finally full blown belly aching laughter. This lasted for about three minutes as their leader seemed to have a manic fit. When the laughter finally died down he was on the ground taking deep breathes trying to steady himself. "What's got you so happy Ax?" Mikoto asked, she loved seeing him like this but it was so random she needed to know why.
"That senile old fool commenced with this operation to try and weaken us by getting rid of our Jinchuuriki. He ended up losing both of his, as well as accidently reviving our greatest lost kekkai genkai. If I was anything like Danzo I'd be attacking Iwa right now and trying to conquer it but I'd rather not kill the innocent civilians there. I'm not even sure if I could penetrate their defenses. Let's head back home. Minato, would you do the honors of sealing his Bijuu please?"
"You got it Lord Fifth," Minato saluted and merely placed his palm on Han applying a seal so strong that the Bijuu would never emerge. The fact that he could apply such a seal with his palm was truly remarkable, it was a shame that most enemies would never give him an opportunity to apply it in battle. It was only useful against Jinchuuriki and as long as their chakra cloaks were up he can't apply it without risk of severe injuries. Axel threw him a prisoner scroll and a Shadow Clone of his popped up with another one and handed it to the real Axel. "Roshi?"
"Yes sir mister boss man!" Axel nodded and the shadow clone popped. Axel couldn't help but chuckle a bit at him saluting himself. Everyone looked at him as if he grew a second head. "I'm not crazy, your crazy!"
'This again? Will you stop trying to make people think your insane?'
' Never! No one can stop me and my insanity! Hahaha!'
"Anyways everyone. I suppose it's time to get back to the village. Minato please."
With a nod he quickly began flashing everyone back to the Hokage's office.
Hokage's office
"Alright, let's recap everything that happened on the mission," Axel stated starting the conversation now in his chair as everyone except Naruto (who was currently unconscious on a recently added couch) was now standing before him. The adults hardly looked any worse for wear but the teens were a bit winded and sweaty. It was to be expected, taking on that many shinobi at once at their age was not an easy task and they're just lucky Naruto pulled the stunt he did at the beginning or they may not have had the stamina or chakra to complete the mission.
"Team Seven made it to the fort in time to save them from the confirmed enemy. We had come to find out that the first battalion had apparently been 'repelled'. Almost immediately after we got there Naruto was on alert and it didn't take long for the battalion to attack again. Naruto in his infinite heroism decided to use the Shadow Kunai jutsu and Flying Raijin in combination to completely slaughter them in almost an instant. We were assailed a few moments later by that Jinchuuriki and another battalion. I'm assuming this was at the same time you four had been battling the other one. Naruto continued to battle his foe while we cleared out the trash and then you saved him. I don't believe there are any other details I missed. The only thing I can say is that Naruto's senses seemed to be going haywire the whole time," Sasuke explained and stepped back in line.
"Well, if you need an explanation on Naruto's particular weariness, it's that Minato and him went on a mission that Minato almost died on because of them letting their guard down. If it wasn't for Naruto, Minato would have died again. This was how he attained his field promotion to jonin. He's been paranoid ever since and frankly so have I to some extent. I can't lose my brother again and the brat can't lose his father. It would crush him," Axel replied solemnly.
"Anyways consider this an S-Rank mission already logged in your mission book and collect your mission pay from the receptionist on the way out. You two get some rest. I'd like to keep Naruto here in the office for the rest of the day and have Mikoto monitor him just to make sure he didn't suffer any permanent damage," with that the siblings left. "So… any idea what your going to do with the Jinchuuriki?" Kushina asked. "I have one but none of you are going to like it."
"What idiot plan did you come up with this time Ax?" Minato asked already not liking where this was going. "I'm thinking of distributing them to Kumo and Kiri similar to Hashirama. I haven't decided one hundred percent yet but that's the thought," he stated hands clasped in front of him.
"You can't be serious. They'll probably just use them against us!" Kushina yelled with no amount of decorum. "Normally I would agree with you but if they found out that we took both of Iwa's Jinchuuriki what would that also imply?" he asked her as she still seemed confused. She wasn't a stupid woman and he knew this, she merely had a hard time when it came to politics sometimes, especially on the grand scale of the nations.
"They'll look at us as untrustworthy and a possible threat to their own Jinchuuriki. Especially now that I have the Mokuton. Onōki would be more than happy to leak out information like that and unfortunately they had a few soldiers out there that did retreat. It's uncharacteristic of Iwa so I'm assuming they were essentially there to gather information. The Mizukage is a Jinchuuriki and I wouldn't be surprised if he thought we were after him specifically as well," was Minato's explanation as they realized they were unwittingly between a rock and a hard place. They'd gained an advantage but at what cost?
Axel didn't WANT to give a Bijuu to Yagura but he may not have a choice. He also would not have a choice but to give one to Ay as he may feel slighted otherwise. It wouldn't look good for their alliance if Kumo didn't get one as well. The only good news from this would be that he was pretty sure Kumo would be more than capable of protecting one more Bijuu from Akatsuki. Kiri he was uncertain about merely because he got an eerie feeling from Yagura. There was something familiar about his chakra that he just couldn't shake and during the one meeting he had with the young man he didn't seem to be all there. Hmmmm… what to do.
"Well, I'll keep the prisoner scrolls on me for now and deliberate a bit longer. In the meantime consider this an S-Rank mission for all three of you and your pay is also with the receptionist. Like I said I'd like Mikoto to stay here and monitor Naruto for the rest of the day. Really, I just don't want him out of my sight for now. Minato and Kushina are free to go do whatever for now but be prepared for immediate deployment at any moment. Most of my shinobi teams should be coming back in soon so there may be an actual counter attack under way but I'm not sure," he stated going back to looking at data and jotting down notes in a small notebook. They really wished that he would take a break but he was a busy body and Minato knew this better than anyone. Even back when they were children he had to get up early in the morning for his early day training and then have another training session half way through the day and a light jog before bed. He would spend most of the rest of his time everyday enjoying his family's presence or reading up on history and politics. Axel hated being idle and this was proof.
The couple left and Mikoto sat down on the couch placing Naruto's head on her lap and placed a palm over his chest. Her palm blew green with chakra as she analyzed anything that may be wrong with him. A few fractures and some bruises and cuts but that was really it. She did notice a slight dusturbanc to his psyche. Did that fight really mess him up that much?
"How is he?" she heard from across the office. She looked up as she let her hand merely rest on the boy's chest. The Hokage didn't look away from his work but she noticed his eyes would dart to her every now and again. "He'll be fine but we need to have a serious talk with him about this mission and whatever happened in the Land of Sky. He's suffering psychological damage. I don't think it's a major thing but it has to be addressed at sometime."
"I see. He will have to get used to people around him dying but it's too early for him to have to deal with that. Especially his dad that he just got back. Those two are like peas in a pod. I've never seen a bond between father and son like their's. Naruto may as well worship the ground that man walks on, that's how much he looks up to Minato."
"He'll be fine. Maybe a bit of therapy at most. Naruto is a strong boy, mind, body, and spirit. Just make sure you and Minato and possibly Jiraiya-sensei pull him to the side and talk to him about it. It'll be for the better. The sooner he gets used to the cruelty of the shinobi world the better. There is no one better than you three to teach him. I would however like to request that if you do, please bring Sasuke in to that conversation. They both need a friend to go through this world with and their perfect for each other," she stated with a loving smile as she looked down upon the blond boy who may one day not just be the light who guides her own son but possibly the world. Axel's heart couldn't help but flutter even if the smile was directed elsewhere. "Do you want another?" he blurted out without actually thinking. 'Hahaha! Your such a fucking idiot! She now knows what your intentions are.'
'Shit, shit, shit! Now she's gonna hate me! Why the fuck am I so stupid!?'
"Yeah, I want one more. Preferably a girl but I also already have a name planned out if it's a boy," she stated smiling at him with the loveliest smile he'd EVER seen. He couldn't help the blush that hit his face. She'd never seen him blush in her whole life and couldn't help the extra bit of honey that added to her sugary smile, along with the light rosy blush.
Dammit, how the hell was he supposed to focus on this war data now? He couldn't take his eyes off her, it was like peering into a void that continuously drew you in and you couldn't escape. For her, those eyes of blue were like an ocean trying to drown you underneath it's waves even if the color in his eyes had recently dulled. They both knew they were in love with each other, they just couldn't act upon it right now while they were at war with Iwa. No, Axel would never put his happiness over the village's protection and Mikoto knew that. He was a Kage who put his village one hundred percent above even his own health and would never try to have any form of pleasure when there could be an attack any time.
"We'll have to have another date after the war is over," he stated suddenly and pulled his eyes down toward his paperwork with all his might. It took everything in his mighty will to do even that. The only thing that helped him was the light breathing of Naruto. It helped Axel remember what he was fighting for and renewed his spirit. Then he randomly looked up at her with a mischievous twinkle in his eyes.
"You know, since Danzo is gone and those elders finally croaked I think it's time we brought your son back."
"What do you mean? Sasuke is here in the village," she asked in a clueless manner.
"Oh my dear Mikoto. Light of my life, you are a brilliant kunoichi and woman in general but sometimes you are oh so clueless," he stated without giving her any hints toward his implications. She furrowed her brows and gave a pout that meant she was about to hit him with her super strength and he knew it so he waved his hands in front of himself for defense.
"Now, now. No need for injuries to be inflicted. I promise what's coming is a good thing as long as the boy now turned man accepts it."
"Spill it!" she yelled hastily and the Hokage snapped his fingers cueing Jiraiya to enter through the window. "It's time to bring him back?" the white haired man asked.
"Indeed, it is time for the return of the weasel. Get ahold of him and tell him to get away from the Akatsuki. The rendezvous point shall be the old Uchiha ruins away from the village. I'll bring a team along with myself. This was a long time coming. The boy is a hero and I refuse to have him treated as anything otherwise."
The poor woman still hadn't put it together yet. The only connection with weasel that she could think of was-, no way! There was no way. "Mikoto, as long as Naruto is in good health, I have a mission for you. I need an escort somewhere."
"He's fine, where are we going?"
"Well, obviously to find Itachi Uchiha," he stated shattering her whole world.
