"This is the place?" Naruto questions quietly, head tilted as he stared up at the vibrant, neon sign of the fancy establishment that Team Asuma had dragged him to.
"Yup!" Choji exclaimed with a grin, rubbing his hands together as he fantasized about all the foods he was about to consume. "My Clan owns this place and we cater to all the major Clans. We also cater to high-profile guests, royal families and the Uber wealthy villagers of Konoha!" The chubby boy then waved his hand lazily. "That stuff is kinda whatever and while it supplies a decent portion of our Clan's income, our main distribution is that of Chakra Pills. We pretty much own a monopoly on all things considered Pharmaceuticals... Well, atleast on the Shinobi side. The average villager won't, or rather, can't come to those stores."
Naruto furrowed his eyebrows at that. "And why is that?"
Choji shrugged his shoulders lackadaisically. "What's the point in catering to people that can't use Chakra? They can't offer us anything in return aside from money and we make plenty off the Village's Shinobi... My dad always says 'What ain't broke, doesn't need fixing.' So, ya know..." He scratched the back of his head with a grin before clapping his hands suddenly. "Enough of that! Let's eat!"
The large boy then abruptly darted through the doors of the restaurant, enthusiastically yelling about all the dishes he was about to consume.
Naruto, and by proxy Kiba and Sakura, could only watch in amusement.
"He's quite the character..." The blond teen muttered with a smile.
"Just don't call 'em fat..." Kiba muttered with a shiver.
"Serves you right, K-9. Making digs at someone's outward appearance is low-hanging fruit. Ya got a lot to learn in the art of shit talking." Naruto stated in a sagely manner, as if he was a wizened teacher with years of experience. "But who knows? Even a moron is correct every once in awhile." He said nothing more, following after Choji with a small smile.
Several seconds passed in silence as Sakura and Kiba stood side by side. It took a bit of time but Kiba eventually realized what Naruto had said.
"HEY! I'm not an idiot!" The Inuzuka raged, running into the restaurant after Naruto.
Sakura rubbed the bridge of the nose, muttering to herself quietly. "Idiot..."
"Whoa... This is insane!" Naruto exclaims in awe, staring down at the absolute feast before him. "I've never even heard some of these dishes!"
Choji grinned at Naruto's childlike wonder. "Feel free to eat whatever you want too! I get to eat here for free and you're my guests so have at it!"
Naruto and Kiba both cheered loudly, immediately snatching multiple plates of food with reckless abandon. Sakura was far more respectful about the offer and took a plate for herself, smiling with a pleased hum. Choji followed in the boy's footsteps, snatching up multiple plates.
"Itadakimasu!" The quartet of Genins cheered before diving into their food, starving after a long day of training. The teens gorged themselves on the buffet of food, minutes passing by in a rather comfortable silence despite Team Asuma ultimately losing to Naruto.
"Why didn't Shikamaru and Hinata join us?" Kiba asked.
"Shikamaru said he wasn't feeling well. He looked pretty rough honestly. I don't think he was making excuses either. Had a fever and everything." Naruto said in between bites. "Hinata-chan had a mandatory Clan meeting and she didn't look to thrilled about it..."
"Well they're missing out on all this grub!" Choji exclaimed with a grin, digging into his food with gusto.
"Hey, so I'm curious..." Sakura spoke up in between bites, directing her gaze upon Naruto. "What's the deal with the mask and how were you swapping positions with us?"
Naruto paused, swallowing the food in his mouth before leaning back in his seat. "Clan secret."
The entirety of Team Asuma stared at Naruto in confusion.
"Clan... secret?" Choji asked.
"Yep." Naruto answered simply as he shoveled some rice into his mouth. "Clan secret."
Sakura made a noise of confusion. "No that's not..." She sighed. "What do you by 'Clan secret'? Last time we checked... You're not from any clan and were an orphan."
Naruto swallowed his food, going silent for a few moments. He dabbed his mouth with a napkin before finally replying to Sakura in a flat tone. "Wow. I appreciate you reminding me of the fact that I have no family. No mom and dad to cook me dinner, shower me with unconditional love and teach me how to be a good person. Appreciate that, Haruno. Kami's blessings be upon you."
Team Asuma visibly cringed at the boy's words, none moreso than Sakura herself who immediately felt shame and guilt.
"N-No no no! That's not what I meant...! I'm so sorry!" Sakura blabbered rapidly, face flaming crimson in embarrassment and shame.
Her downward spiral was stopped as Naruto began to cackle. "You should look at your face, Haruno!" He laughed loudly, slapping the table. "I'm just messing with you. Honestly, I don't even think about it anymore these days. It is what it is."
A small lie but a lie nonetheless.
The three Genin exchanged glances with another in an unsure manner before Sakura replied quietly, face still burning. "O-Okay.. But still... It was insensitive of me."
Naruto waved her apology off. "It's fine but to answer your actual question... My last name isn't just some random orphan last name. The Uzumaki were a Clan of powerful Shinobi, with deep crimson hair and an abnormal understanding of Fuinjutsu. Their life force and Chakra were so incredibly powerful that the average Uzumaki could live to be over a hundred years old."
Sakura furrowed her brows, having finally gotten her embarrassment under control. "Now that you mention it... Didn't the Shodaime marry a woman with red hair?"
"Yeah her name was like... Miko? Or something like that..." Choji muttered quietly, shoveling more food in his mouth.
"Mito. Uzumaki Mito." Naruto corrected easily. "She was an incredibly powerful Shinobi and was the first recorded Jinchuuriki of the Kyuubi."
"The hell's a Jinchuuriki?" Kiba asked with a frown.
"Did you even pay attention in the Academy?" Sakura questioned with a roll of her eyes. "A Jinchuuriki, or a Human Sacrifice, is a human vessel that holds a Biju through the Shinobi Art of Fuinjutsu." She didn't really elaborate past that due to having no other information aside from that. The Academy hadn't explained it further aside from that.
"Sakura is correct." Naruto nodded with a smile. "What is unique about the Kyuubi however, is that only an Uzumaki can hold the Biju. So, while you can seal all the other Biju in a regular person, you need an Uzumaki to hold the Kyuubi."
There was a bit of silence after Naruto's words before Sakura suddenly spoke, having caught on to Naruto's words. "Wait, you're speaking as if the Kyuubi is still alive... Didn't the Yondaime kill the Kyuubi?"
"You can't kill a Biju." Naruto stated evenly. "Well, technically speaking you can but they'll end up just reforming a few years later. It's why the wars and major skirmishes between villages are always so stagnated. Once a Nation loses their Jinchuuriki, they end up on the back foot for awhile since Jinchuuriki are so powerful. If you don't have a matured Jinchuuriki then you're at a major disadvantage when in high scale combat between armies."
"Back up." Sakura stated. "How and why do you know so much about Jinchuuriki? We didn't learn anything about them aside from what they were..."
Naruto stared at Sakura quietly, a small smile upon his face. He didn't speak and just continued to gaze into the girl's eyes. The seconds ticked by as the Genin of Team Asuma began to become unnerved by Naruto's silence.
His placid smile and hollow eyes made Sakura's skin itch. Where usually those cerulean orbs were full of mischief and joy, now they were empty and void of life.
"A-Are you a...? Do you hold the...?" Sakura asked nervously.
"What do you think, Haruno?" Naruto instead asked, ignoring her question.
His question, again, made Team Asuma just a bit more uncomfortable.
"It'd explain all the dirty looks we've been gettin' since comin' back from training..." Kiba muttered quietly.
"It's probably because they can smell you." Naruto quipped with a lazy smile.
"So..." Sakura began nervously, unconsciously wringing her fingers. "Is that why you're so strong...? Cus of the Kyuubi?"
A rare bout of anger surged through Naruto and though he suppressed most of it, a bit managed to seep through. "My strength is my own. The only thing the Kyuubi has been good for is making my Chakra reserves absurd. Aside from that, nothing else."
Sakura winced but accepted the statement with a nod.
"Why are Jinchuuriki needed?" Choji questioned with a frown. "Is that not inhumane? If the Yondaime didn't kill the Kyuubi and you're the Jinchuuriki, then wouldn't he have had to seal it in you when you were a baby?"
Naruto nodded. "Like I said, Jinchuuriki are deterrents for war. You don't wanna engage with a village once they bring their 'weapons' out... Konoha has just been so incredibly powerful, producing significant Shinobi, that they've never needed to use their Jinchuuriki."
"T-Then... How did the Yondaime choose what baby to seal... Wait." Sakura trailed off with a frown. "You said only an Uzumaki could hold the Kyuubi... Then, do you know who your mother is?"
"I do."
"So that means yer related to the Shodaime?!" Kiba exclaimed in shock.
Naruto rolled his eyes. "No, K-9. The only relation I share with Mito is blood. I doubt our lineage is that connected."
"But what if it is?!" Choji questioned. "You'd be considered royalty!"
Oh, Choji... If only you knew just how close you actually were.
"An ironic sentence if you knew the truth." The blond muttered with a smile.
"What's ironic about it?" Sakura asked.
Should he tell them?
Could he tell them?
It's not like anymore revelations would hurt. Hell, they already knew he was the Jinchuuriki and they didn't really seem all that bothered about it.
"My father was the Yondaime Hokage, Namikaze Minato." Naruto stated casually, shrugging his shoulders.
Another bout of shocked silence.
"No way!" Kiba exclaimed loudly. "That's bullshit!"
"I look just like him." Naruto replied flatly. "And I'm the only person in the entire Village that was capable of holding the Kyuubi. You think the Yondaime is just gonna chose some random kid over his own? What do I have to gain by lying? It's not like the man's here to defend his actions. He's dead and here I am, alone without a family 'cus the 'Village comes first'... What a crock of shit."
Naruto's cold and callous words made the members of Team Asuma cringe, not having expected such a large amount of anger and hatred from the blond.
Having come to terms with his heritage and who is mother and father was had left Naruto feeling resentful. Perhaps that was ultimately petty of Naruto. Maybe Minato truly hadn't had any other options but it ultimately made no difference to Naruto.
At the end of the day, his father chose to leave him to the wolves. He'd never forgive the man and nothing would change that.
A few moments passed in silence and Naruto sighed quietly to himself before standing to his feet, knowing he had ultimately ruined the outing with his anger.
"I appreciate the meal, Choji. It was probably the nicest thing anyone has ever done for me." He nodded his head to the boy before placing his hands in his pockets and walking away. "I'll see you all during our next joint training session. I apologize for letting my emotions get the better of me."
He ignored Sakura's attempts at calling his name, passing by various tables before exiting the restaurant. Before he could even make it five feet from the establishment, an ANBU member suddenly appeared before him, causing him to frown.
"Hokage-sama requests your presence." The purple haired woman spoke blandly.
Sighing in annoyance, Naruto replied. "Any specific reason?"
The woman stared down at him for several seconds in silence. "Your two team members have been incapacitated and are currently in the hospital. Your Jonin Sensei will be joining you shortly."
Naruto's eyes widened in genuine shock at the information. He was unable to muster up a reply as the woman placed her hand upon his shoulder, utilizing a Shunshin and transporting them away.
Anxiety filled Hinata's veins as she made her way to the Hyuga Clan Compound. She had been dreading this meeting since becoming an official Genin of Konoha.
The Hyuga Clan were a cold and callous bunch, ruled by archaic and cruel men. Hyuga men and women who did not meet the egregious requirements and expectations of the upper echelon were treated as subhuman.
Women, in particular, were judged even harsher.
Those who lacked the innate talent to awaken the Byakugan were immediately marked with the Caged Bird Curse Seal, bound to be a slave for the remainder of their life, unable to become a Shinobi.
A misconception of the Hyuga, and by proxy the Byakugan, was that not every Hyuga was capable of awakening the ocular prowess bestowed upon their blood. There were even genetic defects in some members who could awaken the bloodline but were unable to utilize the Doujutsu.
The most common example was a defect that Hinata herself possessed. That being that while she could activate the Byakugan, she could not see the Chakra Pathway System of every human, yet could visually see in a near-360 degree field. Other members experienced the opposite of her defect while others lacked the near-360 degree vision. It was the genetic lottery and she had failed spectacularly, though of course, through no fault of her own.
Due to this defect with her Doujutsu, Hinata was heavily scrutinized by not only her father, but the entirety of the upper echelon of the Hyuga Clan. Had she not been the Clan Heiress, Hinata suspected that her beatings would have been far more brutal and that she'd have already been branded with the Caged Bird Curse Seal.
Every single waking moment of her life had been one of despair and fear. She received no aid from her fellow clansmen and was beaten for her weakness.
She'd always been weak.
She was weak.
And despite being one of the most talented Genin from the Academy, being among the top five of the recently graduated Genin, her Clan had been less than impressed. If she wasn't number one then she was nothing.
Her father was a monster. There was no love in his cruel gaze. There was no empathy. No sympathy. No tenderness.
A creature masquerading with human flesh, like so many of her fellow clansmen.
Hinata was not a traditional Hyuga. She would never be a traditional Hyuga nor could she ever. The thought terrified her.
No matter how hard they tried to break her... She'd stand.
No matter the beatings.
No matter the callous words.
She took everything and anything, bowing her head like the submissive slave they believed her to be. What they made her to be.
When she was younger she had dreamed of a simpler life. Of a simpler time. Not bound by archaic systems that did nothing but spread misery and despair.
But Hinata knew such a thing was impossible. She had all but abandoned those ideals and dreams.
She wanted to be free of the Hyuga Curse.
To leave it all behind.
But she could not, for she was shackled by love.
Not love of the Clan but the love of a sibling. She could not bear the weight of leaving her beloved little sister to the machinations of her Clan.
The thought of leaving Hanabi with the Clan filled her with a dread so thick, it caused her stomach to churn. For without her presence, Hanabi would be subjected to the cruel misgivings of the Hyuga.
Luckily, or unluckily depending on how one viewed it, Hinata had unknowingly saved the Hyuga Clan with her actions. For her love of Hanabi had spared the Clan a wrathful death.
Hinata Hyuga, who was Restricted since birth, had boundless potential that was only held back by her familial love for her younger sister.
It would not be today. It would not be tomorrow. It would not even be next month.
But the Hyuga would inevitably fall to the one who left it all behind.
Hinata slowly walked up to the entrance of the Hyuga Clan Compound. Her pupiless eyes gazed upon the large gates of the Compound, its imposingly high walls looming ominously above her. Her heart hammered in her chest as her stomach twisted and turned. A sense of nausea overcame her and it took all of her willpower to not puke.
These gates...
They had kept her captive for years. They mocked her and laughed at her pain.
She had finally escaped them thanks to Tsume-sensei but now she was back. Even now, those giant marble gates taunted her.
"Did you think it would really be so easy to leave?" A young man's cruel voice questioned, startling Hinata. "The failure, in all her disappointing glory, returns."
Hinata's eyes dart towards the young man, the resemblance shared between them almost uncanny. Like most Hyuga, he possessed white pupiless eyes and dark straight hair. His chin was sharp and his face was harsh.
The Hyuga's pride and joy stood before her. The one compared to the great Hyuga Hizashi. A prodigy in all things related to the Hyuga and its archaic teachings.
Neji Hyuga.
Or as Hinata was so used to saying, her personal tormentor.
"Neji..." She uttered weakly.
The boy's face crinkled in amusement, his voice cruel and unforgiving. "I'd hurry if I were you... Father isn't in the best of moods."
The giant metal gates slowly opened after the boy's words and it almost felt as if the stench of death had been unleashed before Hinata, welcoming her with open arms.
Skittishly, Hinata slowly walked through the gates. She passed by Neji, ignoring his cruel gaze and tried so desperately to prevent the flinch of fear that shook her body once those metal gates slammed shut.
She failed.
It was just as she had remembered. Even though it had only been two weeks, it had felt like a life time. She had escaped these depressing walls once and now she had been dragged back.
Her freedom, ever fleeting, would never be fully realized so long as her little sister remained within their clutches.
Hinata Hyuga would never be free.
"Two weeks with the dogs..." Her father's voice finally pierced the silence, his tone ever arrogant. "Though, I suppose even a crossbred mutt can be useful every now and again."
Even now, they mocked her. Their words had long since lost their venom and while she would be lying if she said that they didn't affect her, she couldn't hope to take it to heart.
If they hadn't broken her before then they wouldn't do so now.
Hinata said nothing, eyes staring down at the pristine wooden floors of the Council Chamber. Anger simmered beneath the surface but she kept it bay, clawing into the fabric of her pants.
"I believe it was still a mistake to have allowed her to become a Shinobi." An old man, whom she believed to be her grandfather, spoke flippantly. "She cannot even utilize the full capabilities of the Byakugan. A failure is all she will ever be."
"Your status as Heiress has long since been deteriorated, girl." Another older man, this one she did not know, spoke slowly and arrogantly. "Yet, you have not paid your Blood Dues."
That simmering anger began to boil but Hinata continued to keep it under lid. Lashing out would only subject her to a beating and while the fear has long since abandoned, the uncertainty of her sister's safety gnawed at her.
Hanabi had only been safe because she(Hinata), had been the sole focus of her father's ire. She truly feared what had happened these past two weeks without her knowledge.
"Did she forget how to speak?" Her great grandfather asked snidely.
"Forgive me, Honorable Elder." Hinata recited robotically, having gone through this same song and dance hundreds of times before. "I did not believe your statement necessitated a response."
Though she did not see it, her father raised an eyebrow at her dry tone. "It appears that mutt has given you the one thing you truly lacked."
Hinata's teeth gnashed angrily at the insinuation and the insult of her Sensei. They could say whatever they wished of her but Tsume...?
No!
"Perhaps my time away has allowed me to finally see what the real world is like." Hinata responded curtly, her head still bowed before the group of elders. "While you all sit on thrones of self-importance and arrogance, the common man begs for mere scraps..."
Hinata refused to cry out in pain as her face smashed against the wooden floor, a heavy heel grinding against her scalp.
"You have no purpose." Hiashi intoned quietly, forcing his daughter's head to remain buried against the floor. "You have no talent. You are a failure. A mistake. A regret. And yet, you speak to me with such gravitas... What perversions has made you believe you can be anything but the worm you are?"
Hinata spat on the floor. "Your words lost their bite years ago... How does it feel to be defied? To be stripped of the one thing that gives you purpose? You have no power over me."
A lie. She knew so. But to see her father's face tight with fury...
Euphoric.
But like all highs, the crash was so much worse.
"Do I not?" Hiashi ground his daughter's head further into the ground, relishing in her quiet grunt of pain. "I seem to recall your fondness of your dear little sister." Her blood turned to ice in her veins and she tensed up. "Ahh, there it is..." He remarked in a cruel manner. "The girl follows in your footsteps..."
Her father's words made Hinata sick. Her stomach twisted and churned.
"She is a failure just like you. But she is even worse." Hiashi deigned to remove his foot, walking back to his seat. "She has not yet awakened her Byakugan and we have come to the conclusion that it is because she cannot."
Hinata's ears began to ring and dread manifested from the confines of her very soul. A cold sweat formed upon her skin and her palms quickly became clammy. Her body began to shake but she dare not raise her head.
To show them her tears would allow them to feel more powerful.
"Spare her..." She warbled quietly, voice barely a whisper.
"You will have to speak up if you wish to be heard."
"Please, spare her." Hinata's voice cracked as she clawed at the wooden floor boards, forehead still planted on the ground.
"Amusing." One of the elders snorted. "She has already been branded."
There was a ringing noise...
It was deafening.
Like a cacophony of birds squawking and cawing incessantly.
An emptiness settled within her heart, as deep as a yawning canyon. Any emotions she had hoped to feel were gone and in its place was an unyielding void.
She felt... nothing.
"We thought it prudent to inform you of this development." Her grandfather spoke, unaware of Hinata's rapidly declining mental. "As of today, you will be stripped of your title as Heiress and be branded alongside your sister. The Hyuga have no need for such mediocrity." He paused for a moment, driving the proverbial spike deeper. "Your brother will inherit your title and shall succeed you. Your presence is no longer needed."
Hinata did not move. She did not speak nor did she acknowledge the string of words that had left her grandfather's mouth. Her eyes, as blank as an empty paint canvas, continued to gaze down upon the wooden floor boards.
"Unless you have something to say, you are dismissed." Hiashi spoke harshly, glaring down at his failure of a daughter. "Or do you wish to be-"
There was no surge of Chakra, no warning and no noise as Hiashi was unceremoniously interrupted.
One moment, Hinata had been face down, kneeling upon the floor and the next, she had appeared before her father, fingers outstretched towards his face. Specifically, the man's eyes.
Hinata had, perhaps unknowingly, sprang forth towards her abusers with the sole intention of inflicting a horror that which was feared among all Hyuga, no matter their status.
To be a Hyuga, was to be perfection itself.
The All-Seeing Eyes of Kami and all that it entailed was more sacred to the Hyuga than even life itself, for nothing in this world mattered if one could not see it.
The Byakugan was a sacred treasure and possessing it was treasured above all else. If one were to lose their treasure, then they lossed their sense of self.
Their dignity, their strength, their entire being.
Gone.
Hinata had subconsciously moved, no longer caring about her life and what would be done after this. She had eyes only for her father and that which he treasured most.
If the Hyuga were to take everything from her then she would take something from them!
Shikamaru rubbed the dripping sweat off his face as he hobbled towards the Inuzuka Clan Compound. He had been relatively fine during the training session and subsequent spars but upon ending the training, he had broken into a fever.
He hadn't thought much of it because he had been a little under the weather during the training but had decided to tough it out.
Something was wrong and he knew it. This wasn't a cold or anything of the sort. His body felt... heavy.
It was an odd sensation. It was as if his Chakra itself was trying to escape his body. The sensation nearly caused him to drop to his knees but he shouldered the pain, hands shooting to grasp a hold of the nearby fence to support his weight.
A migraine soon followed as sweat continued to cascade down his face. The pain was astronomical and Shikamaru genuinely felt like he was dying.
"W-What's happening...?!" He grunted painfully, unaware of the watchful and concerned eyes upon him as he struggled to even remain standing. His body swayed side to side and he bit his tongue, tasting the copper residue of blood as he fell to his knees with an cry of pain.
Several villagers soon came to his aid but he was unable to respond to their questions and concerns. His body felt as if it was malfunctioning and the Chakra coursing through his veins felt like fire.
A painful twist of his stomach had him crying out, shocking the surrounding villagers around him who then began to call for help.
The boy's Chakra then began to fluctuate wildly, frightening the surrounding villagers and causing them to back away. Shikamaru's shadow began to warp and twist, expanding outwards in all directions. The black mass of tendrils seemed to bubble and hiss, almost as if they had a mind of their own.
The panicked cries of the villagers then caught the attention of several Shinobi, who were able to sense the wildly fluctuating Chakra of Shikamaru. It wasn't long before the clearing was surrounded by Shinobi, those of various rankings moving the villagers away as an unnamed Jonin tried to get closer to Shikamaru.
He was unable to get close to the Nara due to the shadows lashing out angrily, nearly striking the seasoned Shinobi.
"Ah, shit!" The man cried in surprise, jumping back as the tendrils of shadows slowly moved back towards their original positions, coiling around the young teen like a protective snake.
"Report." A man's monotone voice questioned.
The unnamed Jonin glanced upwards, spotting an ANBU member crouched upon one of the various rooftops, staring down at Shikamaru's prone form.
"We don't know." The Jonin stated, directing his gaze back on the struggling Shikamaru. "The villagers say the kid collapsed and started spazzing out... Every time I try to get close, his shadows lash out. I've never seen a Nara subconsciously utilize their shadows like this..."
The ANBU member did not respond, staring down at the Nara for a moment and coming to a similar conclusion. "Inform Nara Shikaku and have him brought here." The man pointed at a random Chunin before speaking once more. "Inform Hokage-sama what is transpiring and that it is being handled." He then pointed towards the Chunin who were keeping the villagers at bay. "Section this district off. Do not allow anyone without a headband past. Use force if necessary."
Each of the Shinobi did as they were told as the ANBU member continued to observe Shikamaru. The boy's Chakra was wildly fluctuating and judging by his cries of pain and agony, he was unaware of exactly what he was doing.
The ANBU member was perplexed though. He'd never witnessed a Nara who could subconsciously summon their shadows without hand signs. It was unheard of. The shadows were acting of their own accord, as if they had a mind of their own.
They twisted and morphed, taking on various shapes and sizes. They had even began taking the forms of small animals though the ANBU member was uncertain of exactly what kind of animals. They came and went and the Nara's cries of pain only seemed to grow louder.
And then quite suddenly, it happened.
Shikamaru released a particularly violent scream of pain before the mass of shadows suddenly expanded into a large sphere, swallowing the boy and the immediate surroundings.
The ANBU member's eyes widened at the sudden motion before yelling. "Get away from the boy!" He immediately jumped away as the large sphere of shadows expanded outwards, before suddenly warbling in a mass of tendrils and abnormal shapes. Shikamaru was then subsequently 'swallowed' the writhing mass of shadows, disappearing under the now water-like mass of wriggling blackness.
What... in the hell was happening?
A few minutes of silence passed as the Shinobi observed the unnatural phenomenon, watching the writhing mass of shadows as it bubbles and churned, like some kind of black lava.
Shikaku then landed beside the ANBU member, his eyes darting towards the mass of shadows in surprise. He was silent for a few moments before a small smile formed on his face.
When Shikaku next spoke, his words were filled with a tone of reverence and awe.
"The Ten Shadows have been reborn."
Shikamaru felt a sense of weightlessness overcome him, replacing the previous unbearable pain he had been experiencing. He felt as if he was wading through water without the unbearable pressure.
He opened his eyes in confusion, only able to see black. If it wasn't for the fact that he could see his hands he'd have been convinced that his eyes had never actually opened.
Shikamaru glanced around his surroundings, furrowing his eyebrows in concern.
Where was he? Had the pain been so unbearable that he was now hallucinating?
Genjutsu?
His mind raced through various scenarios before that feeling of weightlessness dissipated. He slowly floated towards the 'ground', if one could call the empty blackness of the void 'ground'.
His feet softly touched down a moment later and all was silent. It was not an uncomfortable silence per say but Shikamaru was unnerved all the same.
What in the hell was going on? What was happening to him?
Suddenly, a single spotlight pierced the void-like abyss, illuminating a tall and wide object. This ominous spotlight shone brightly, as if the heaven's itself had come to whisk him away.
The particular object it illuminated resembled a vaguely humanoid object, bound and hidden from sight by a white blanket or tarp. Restricting the being was a dozen or so chain-like objects, manifesting from thin air to restrain whatever the object was.
A foreboding feeling settled within Shikamaru as he stared at this gargantuan object. This thing had to be nearly fifteen feet tall!
Why was it being restrained in such a barbaric manner? What was being restrained? So many questions and yet, so little answers.
As Shikamaru slowly closed the distance, his heart began to rapidly beat. He suddenly felt very anxious, as if he was doing something he wasn't supposed to be doing. And yet, despite this innate warning from his body, Shikamaru continued forward.
He needed to know what was happening.
Shikamaru inched ever so closer, adrenaline coursing through his veins as the feeling of dread spread throughout his being.
And then suddenly...
The noise!
A symphony of what could only be described as white noise assaulted Shikamaru's ears. The crescendo of noise exploded outwards, briefly deafening the boy.
Clamping both his hands over his ears, Shikamaru nearly fell to his knees as the noise became unbearable.
And then...
It stopped.
And with it, that ominous foreboding feeling returned. Only this time, sheer terror spread throughout Shikamaru as that ominous spotlight suddenly expanded. The heavenly piercing light stretched, almost resembling that of a pathway in which one would travel to reach its intended destination. And that destination was of the chained and bound object.
The black void that had become so familiar and comfortable suddenly warbled and writhed, creating objects that were onto barely illuminated by the light cascading from the heavens.
These tendrils of shadows suddenly warped, taking on peculiar shapes in varying sizes. These shapes were oddly... animal-like.
Shikamaru furrowed his eyebrows as two dogs suddenly manifested. Then, a pair of oddly shaped bird-like creatures with exotic masks followed, lining up behind the canines. Behind those birds were several dozen large toads and following the toads were a pair of giant serpant creatures that resembling pythons. After that, two gargantuan sized... animals(?) with serpent-like snouts suddenly manifested. Further back, dozens upon dozens of small rabbits appeared, hopping in a ritualistic manner. Two monstrous deer nearly the size of the giant serpent-snouted animal appeared, followed by a large ox with menacing horns. The last creature to appear resembled a very large, and incredibly muscular tiger. It possessed unique stripes upon its hulking mass with feminine, almost human-like characteristics.
The distinct animals suddenly stood completely still before that awful noise assaulted Shikamaru once more. Pure, unadulterated terror spread throughout Shikamaru's body as the animals cried out, raising their heads towards the heavens. The cacophony of noise, heightened with the animal's cries only increased the dread and terror that Shikamaru was experiencing.
Something awful was about to occur.
Shikamaru, in a vain attempt of escape, suddenly bolted in the opposite direction. On a purely instinctual level, he knew what those creatures and animals were. He didn't know why but he absolutely knew them. And as he continued to flee in the opposite direction, never taking his eyes off the bound and chained entity under those white tarps...
It suddenly awoke.
The animals howled, raged and cried, furthering terrifying Shikamaru who continued to run away, desperately trying to escape this sudden hell.
For he knew, that the creature bound and restrained would soon escape. And escape it most certainly would.
The chains that bound the creature suddenly warbled, ultimately snapping. One by one, the chains binding the entity disappeared. With a final snap of metal, the white tarp suddenly fell, revealing what could only be described as a monster.
Shikamaru's eyes widened in sheer fear, his feet a constant blur as he tried to escape.
This hulking, humanoid creature suddenly began to walk forward. Its massive, bare feet stomped heavily, the noise absolutely deafening to Shikamaru.
It was a ginormous, bone-white creature with bulging muscles. In place of where eye sockets would be, were four wing-like protrusions with a tail-like appendage extending from its giant head. Floating above the monster's head, was a large eight-handled wheel that seemed to somehow be attached to the creature despite not actually touching it. Covering its lower half were a pair of pure black hakama pants, held together by an all-white sash. Bound to one of its arms by bandages, was a crude looking blade that radiated Chakra.
Shikamaru knew this creature and all that it entailed. This entity of death and destruction... An untameable and uncontrollable force of havoc that could adapt to anything...
Shikamaru dare not say its name. For invoking the name of something only gave it greater strength. To acknowledge something so monstrous would be disastrous.
Shikamaru only ran harder. On and on he moved, desperately trying to escape. But it seemed that no matter how fast he moved, the creature was right behind him.
He'd soon run himself rugged and then it'd be upon him.
No...!
To stop was death!
Run...!
Run!
Run!
Run!
RUN!
And then quite suddenly...
It appeared before him, in all its hulking monstrosity, barring Shikamaru's path.
Skidding to a stop just a meter away, Shikamaru swallowed the bile in his mouth, staring up at this creature with terror.
There was no escape.
Only death.
That giant, white stained creature suddenly raised its large, bladed arm, intent on slashing Shikamaru in half.
No!
Stop!
"Mahoraga!" Shikamaru screamed as he fell to his knees.
His scream was silenced as that bladed arm suddenly sliced down towards him.
"HAH?! What do you mean my two teammates are incapacitated, Old Man?!" Naruto shouted, stood before Sarutobi Hiruzen, the Sandaime Hokage and his Sensei Tsume.
Tsume, of course, slapped the boy on the back of his head. "Yer too fuckin' loud! Shut the hell up!" She matched his yell, speaking in the same volume as her student.
"Oi...!" Naruto grumbled as he rubbed his aching head. "You're shouting just as loud as I am!"
She slapped him again, smirking at his hiss of pain. "That's cus I'm allowed to shout, ya little shit! And don't call Hokage-sama 'Old Man'!" She paused before crossing her arms against her chest. "Now, shut the hell up and let the Old Man speak!"
Naruto pointed at the woman, balking at her lack of respect and modicum. "How come you get to call him Old Man?!" He had the foresight to cover his head and was rewarded as the feral woman only slapped his arms. He was, however, unprepared for her to lift him off the ground by his collar, like some kind of stray kitten that was acting naughty.
"Cuz I'm Tsume, dumb ass! Stop fuckin' yellin'! Yer pissin' me off!" She enunciated her words by violently shaking Naruto.
Their by play was finally interrupted as Hiruzen coughed quietly, an amused smile on his face. "I am glad that the two of you get along so well."
Tsume unceremoniously dropped the boy, cackling as he dropped like a sack of dead weight. "Like two peas in a pod!" She affirmed.
"She's a psychopath that shouldn't be near any location that children congregate..." Naruto muttered as he slowly stood to his feet.
"Be that as it may..." Hiruzen started, smiling as Tsume slapped Naruto once more. "It is as I say, my boy. Your two teammates have found themselves in the hospital. I have opened an investigation in Hinata's case for the injuries and stories I have heard have been... Less than pleasing."
Tsume scoffed as she shifted her weight. "Ya mean that those slave runners did this shit on purpose, no?"
Naruto furrowed his eyebrows in confusion but said nothing.
Hiruzen steepled his hands together before replying. "As far as Clan matters go, this is not one where I can simply turn a blind eye. Actions have consequences and this is no different. For to long I have allowed the Clans to act within their own discretion in how they manage their assets. It is time I finally reign them in, starting with the Hyuga. You understand of course, Tsume?"
The woman nodded her head with a displeased frown. Clans like the Hyuga and Uchiha were known for abusing their Clan Members but a significant event hadn't occured to where the Hokage needed to intervene.
Until today, of course.
"Serves those fuckers right!" Tsume spat angrily. "Stuck up pricks have always gotten away with that shit. It's 'bout damn time, Old Man."
Hiruzen only sighed quietly. "Minato had drafted up various laws and decrees before his passing and I am to blame for not following through. This issue will be rectified, that I will see to it personally."
"Out of the loop here..." Naruto finally spoke up. "What happened with Hinata-chan and the Hyuga?" Genuine concern tugging at his features, having grown to appreciate and enjoy the girl's presence.
Both the Hokage and Tsume remained silent and Naruto felt a wave of anxiety.
"Old man?" He questioned quietly with a frown.
Hiruzen rubbed his face with withered hands, sighing quietly. "Young Hinata was beaten within an inch of her life, assumedly by members of the Hyuga Clan. Like I previously mentioned, the investigation is ongoing but it is likely that this particular action was started by Hinata herself."
Naruto's eyes widened in surprise.
Was the Old Man insinuating what he thought he was...?
"You mean to tell me... that Hinata-chan instigated this brutal beating?" He questioned in disbelief, not understanding how it could have happened.
Hiruzen did not respond, but Tsume do so for him.
"The Hyuga, considered one of the Royal Clans, has always had a history of abuse." She sighed quietly, continuing to speak once Naruto directed his attention upon her. "The Hyuga Clan is full of dumb, old fuckers that follow old rules that predate the Major Villages. The ole 'Might is Right' shit and anything less is trash. If ya don't got talent right off the bat, then ya get branded a slave."
"A slave?!" Naruto questioned with a disturbed expression. "What the hell?"
"It's deeper than that but I ain't goin' into specifics. Just know that whatever happened to Hinata, happened cus the Clan saw her as little more than a failure." She growled angrily. "I've got half a mind to march there myself and fuck those stupid cunts up!"
"What was that?" Hiruzen questioned with an eyebrow, allowing Tsume a chance to obviously back out of her statement.
Which she did, knowing exactly what would happen to her if she tried to physically deal with the individuals who had put Hinata in her induced coma.
"Nothin', Old Man." She grumbled childishly. "Just an intrusive thought..."
Hiruzen nodded his head before sighing quietly. "Hinata's case is still open but Shikamaru is relatively fine, if not a bit exhausted."
"What happened to Shika?" He asked with a frown.
"Clan business." The elderly man replied. "Though I can only assume that Shikamaru has awakened the Ten Shadows Technique."
"That sounds cool!"
"There are only a handful of recorded individuals that have awakened the unique bloodline of the Nara. Most of those records predate the Warring Clan Era." The Sandaime informed. "Little is known about their abilities and I imagine that young Shikamaru will have a lot on his plate when he finally awakens."
"Atleast Shika is okay..." Naruto muttered. "So, what happens to our team now?"
"You will operate as usual and are exempt from taking missions until young Hinata has fully recovered. She is currently under going surgery and I will send a Shinobi to inform you when she is out. Shikaku tells me that Shikamaru should be fine by tomorrow and you can continue on training." He leaned back in his chair, rubbing his face with one hand. "For now, you are both dismissed."
Both Sensei and student glanced at one another before leaving the room. On their way out, they passed by one of the most famous Shinobi in the Village, who offered Naruto a wicked smile, slightly unnerving him.
He was tall and lanky. Incredibly pale and his Chakra radiated pure malice. If there was anyone whose Chakra could contend with the Kyuubi itself in pure feeling, then it was this particular man.
The man knocked on the door to the Hokage office before entering, sauntering towards the elderly man with a gait unbecoming of someone so powerful and famous.
"So, it seems the Hyuga Clan has finally shown its colors... Kukuku~!"
"Ahh, Orochimaru-kun..." Hiruzen acknowledged with tired eyes. "For what reason have you decided to stop by?" He asked in a cordial manner.
The pale skinned snake merely smiled. "Tsunade-chan wished to pass a letter on..." He reached into his robes, producing a sealed envelope before placing it on the table and sliding it towards his Sensei. "I have read the contents." He stated in an uncaring manner.
"I would expect nothing less." Hiruzen responded with a light chortle, picking the envelope up and taking the parchment out. His eyes slowly roamed over the paper as a small frown formed upon his face. That frown soon became a scowl as he lifted his gaze. "Is this true, then?" He questioned harshly.
"Tsunade-chan never lies, Sensei." The Sannin member grinned with a smile full of malice. "It appears that the Sand have grown a bit too big for their britches... Perhaps I should remind them why they are considered the weakest of the Major Villages. Kukuku~!"
Hiruzen did not immediately shoot down his student's words, being his hands together before slowly gazing out into the Village. "Are they truly so eager for war...?" His tone was tired.
"Had you killed Danzo before the Kyuubi incident then perhaps we could have avoided this..." The snake reminded with a small grin.
Hiruzen only sighed quietly before rubbing his face. "Fetch me Jiraiya-kun, will you? I will call for Shikaku and Ryu. We must begin preparations."
Orochimaru bowed to his Sensei and leader. "As you wish, Hokage-sama." He then left the office, intent on bringing back his former teammate.
Hiruzen could only gaze out into the Village with a tired frown.
AN: Lots of things changed, eh?
Leave a review! Or Don't! It be like that!
This was a filler chapter meant to setup future arcs.